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

My Cold Day

I love tattoos! I do not have any, but that is not to say that I would never get one. I tend to be very indecisive on just about everything. I'll change my mind 20 times before I make a decision about something, and then later wish I had made a different choice. There is no going back when you get a tattoo. That is the part that scares me. When I do get a tattoo someday, it will be something that holds a lot of meaning to me. Perhaps a piece to memorialize a loved one, or something to remind myself of a happy time or event. Choosing is the hardest part.
Choosing what to write my essay about was very difficult as well. Naturally I am not happy with my choice, but I kind of have to go with it because I am out of time. After my adventure for the day with my dog Reba into the freezing, windy air, I finally found a boring, but suitable historic plaque. I took a ridiculous picture of myself while holding the leash attached to my overly excited dog, while the wind was blowing relentlessly. I'm sure you will all get to see this silly picture, and learn more in my essay about how I began my research. I plan to include my thoughts and feelings about today's adventures in my essay, because frankly the plaque I found was not interesting in any way. Chapter 2 talks about how to engage the audience to keep them entertained. Hopefully I will at least entertain you with my essay.

POSTED FEB 5, 2014

How I Communicate

        On a daily basis we all communicate in many different ways. Anything from a text message, to an email or expense report. These are just a few ways I communicate through writing. My work requires me to be able to communicate with others around me in a professional manner. I must write, and respond to emails indicating the sales and profitability of my location on a weekly basis. When redirecting bad behavior and praising good behavior in my employees, I must be able to document these encounters in a professional way. I often give important information on our services and pricing to our customers.

        Writing is most definitely a part of my day to day life. Without the skills I have, and will learn, I would not be understood quite as clearly. The level of respect I receive from others in the workplace would not be as high. The information in my reports would not be valued. On a personal level, I would be embarrassed to have others witness poor writing and grammar with my name on it. Even in a silly text message or social media post.