Walking on eggshells

 In chapter five, Anne is basically procrastinating returning to court. I do not blame her. She wants to absorb as much of Anne's home life as she can before she "enters the lion's den," as she tells Thomas. Speaking of Thomas, I wondered why Anne did not speak with him privately or through her father to retrieve her locket? I understand the need to not make a fuss in front of the others, but sheesh that was HER locket. It was valuable and should not have been kept.

When she gets the news from her brother that the Queen has been talking trash  about her, and her maidenhead, she reacts the same way I think every woman would in her situation, regardless of  the century. She set out to face the slanderous lady. It is kind of bittersweet because she receives this news along with a very romantic love letter. Either way she sets off to court. It would have been cool if she etched her name in a rock or stone before she left, just to see if is still there in the 21st century.

While reading about her long journey I felt her pain. We think long car rides are bad? I was so happy when she finally got there, although I did enjoy her observations on the past and present views of the landscape and cities. As soon as she does arrive the drama immediately begins. I understood fully when she described being overwhelmed. I hate it when I get home from work or something and everyone pounces on me when I get home. I need this, I need that! The second she arrives she is briefed by her dad, told she has to assist the dreaded Queen, informed of her expectancy to have dinner with the King, and given awesome presents. Talk about a rollercoaster!

The drama that unfolds once she meets the queen, reminds me of high school drama. I can not say that I would be any more mature that them in that situation though. Also I had wondered why the King and Queen had had so few children over the span of twenty years, so appreciated being informed of how she got her figure. I answered that question. I'll be honest I cheated a bit and read a few random pages later in the book. I always do this when I am enjoying a book, and I do not know why. It just makes my curiosity worse. I can't wait to continue reading, but I am trying to go with the pace the class is at. I'll live. :)

The Time Will Come

To begin, I felt indifferent when I was told I was to read a book for this class. I imagined we would read a boring novel that would challenge our English knowledge. I was a bit excited once Ms. Hanson told us a bit about the book. I am the kind of person that if a book doesn't reach out and grab me in the beginning, I will have a hard time finishing it. I have been grabbed. I knew there would be time travel involved, but I had not expected it to be so soon into the book, but it is part of what grabbed me. I would have liked to get a bit more information on Anne's character before the time change, but the author seems to be filling me in as I go. While reading the part where she is filing in behind other spectators at the castle, I imagined myself in Castle Gwynn at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.
Once she has morphed back in time, she very calmly just goes with it. If it were me, I would be freaking out and going crazy. Then she is greeted by her sister all excited like. I would have been so overwhelmed by this. I suppose it is because she is a calm, collected kind of person, like Anne Boleyn.
The scene in which she meets the king in the garden is one of those scenes where, if it were a movie, I would be screaming at the screen "DON'T DO IT!!!!." Even her character thinks this, but Anne Boleyn had to step in. I think she is there to experience the life of Anne Boleyn, not change her history. Either way, it keeps me interested. I know what will ultimately happen, but I still can't wait to read about it.
During the hunt I couldn't help but feel bad for modern Anne. People back then were desensitized to the killing of animals, hygiene, and bad smells. She must have been a little queasy, not to mention hot and smelly. I thought it was kind of funny that the first thing she wanted to do was take a bath. It is the first thing I would have wanted to do. It's a good thing too, because the King gets fresh later.

Protectors of the Sea

For this paper I chose to write about the Sea Shepherds Conservation Society. I first learned about them from the show Whale Wars. I have followed them ever since. You would not believe the horrific things people do to poor defenseless animals. This group goes above and beyond to protect any and all marine life, including getting shot at! I have always admired the bravery, and daring they will show to follow through with their missions. I had a bit of writers block at first because I had so much to say, but I didn't know where to start. I had to figure out what the purpose of this paper would be. When I went blank, I would take a break, read a bit from St. Martin's, and find a direction again. I kept getting stumped on how to open a paragraph. On page 446 there is a few tips on how to do just this. I wanted to make sure each paragraph flowed into the next. I got it all done, but of course I had to sit there and pick at it for a while. I am quite pleased with it. The topic means a lot to me, therefore, so does this paper.    POSTED FEB 26, 2014

Who could kill these sweet babies?

Bloody Cove