Before and After: The Trojan War

     Before learning about the Trojan war I didn't know very much. All I knew was that there were a group of people trying to rescue a princess, that had been stolen from her homeland. To accomplish this act they built a wooden horse. The princess' captors took the horse in, and in the night the people took back the princess.
     Now that I've learned about the Trojan war, I know that it all started with a golden apple. Eris, an evil goddess, was not invited to a banquet that the gods and goddesses were having. Upset, Eris threw a golden apple into the banquet. All the goddesses wanted it, and so they asked Zeus to tell them who would get the golden apple. Zeus told Aphrodite, Pallas Athena, and Hera to go ask Paris who was the prettiest. Paris was a prince and was herding the sheep of his father when the three goddesses came to him. They all told Paris that they would make him a deal if he chose them. In the end, Paris chose Aphrodite, who promised him the prettiest maiden in the world, Helen. Aphrodite took Paris to Helen and her husband Menelaus. Menelaus soon trusts Paris a lot, and he goes off to Crete. While he's gone, Paris take Helen. Menelaus is mad, and he gets the Greeks to help him get Helen back.
     Many great hero's die in the Trojan war. Achilles, Hector,  and Patroclus die. Paris is also killed, being shot with an arrow. Achilles dies by a poison knife after he killed Hector. Achilles killed Hector because Hector killed his best friend, Patroclus. One morning all the Greeks have left, and all that's left is a huge wooden horse and a warrior. Sinon, the worrier convinces the Trojans that he was left behind, and that the horse was meant as a peace offering to Athena. The Trojans bring it inside the walls of their city. Laocoon warns the Trojans that it's a trick, then he gets strangled by sea serpents sent from the gods. The Trojan king's daughter also warns them. She had been cursed to always tell the truth, but that she would never be believed. In the night, Sinon lets the Greeks out of the horse, and they destroy the city of Troy. They win the war and get Helen back.

The Call to Adventure

     Athena comes to Odysseus to tell him what she wants him to do. She tells Odysseus that she wants him to participate in the Trojan war. Odysseus tells Athena that he will participate in the Trojan war. This is hard for Odysseus because he doesn't want to leave his faithful wife, Penelope. He also doesn't want to leave his new born son, Telemachus. Odysseus sacrifices twelve years of time that he could have spent with his wife and son by participating in the Trojan war. He sacrifices watching his son grow up, and teaching him how to be a king.
     In sixth grade we were going to go on a field trip to a school. At this school they had rooms that were like star ships. Everyone was assigned to a group, and a job. I was called to be second in command. I got to where fancier clothes than the rest of the crew. On the ship we learned how to do our jobs and then we set off on our quest. It felt like we were on a real star ship, even though it was all pretend. I had to operate controls, and make sure that everyone was doing there duty. I remember my sixth grade teacher saying that the people she assigned to be second in command and captain, were people who could be leaders. That day, I learned that I could be a leader too.

The Hero Meets a Protector

     Athena is the goddess of war and wisdom. When Calypso is keeping Odysseus on her island, Athena gets the other gods to make Calypso let him go so he can return home. Then Athena helps more on Odysseus' island, Ithaca. Athena warns Odysseus that things have changed since he's been gone, and that he can't trust everyone. She disguises Odysseus as a beggar so he can figure out who he can trust. Athena also tells Odysseus when he should reveal to his son (Telemachus) his true identity. In the battle of the suitors, Athena fights with Odysseus to get his home and wife back.
     Last year my friends started avoiding me. Concealing it well from me, my friends lied about what they were doing so they could hang out together without me. I was really hurt as saw that my best friend was avoiding me. One of these times was at a surprise party for my best friend. I had planned the party, and bought most of the stuff for it. The other girls didn't contribute much stuff to the party. After my best friend came and we ate cake, one of the girls said to my best friend, "Let's go to your house". The three of them left, leaving me to myself at my house. My best friend didn't mean to hurt me by avoiding me. I guess she just thought that I'd never find out. My mom told me that I needed to talk to her about how I felt. I rehearsed what I would say over and over. When the time came, my friend denied the truth, but I felt she still wanted to be friends. My mom tried her best to comfort me, and in time we moved. Now that I live where I am, I'm happier, and I don't have to worry about my only friend betraying me.

The Belly of the Whale

     Odysseus helps out with the war by bringing men to help fight and twelve ships. The ships can help them fight the war. Many great hero's die in the war, and Odysseus comes up with the idea of the Trojan Horse. He commands the men to construct a horse and many of them climb inside. One of the men pretends that he was left behind by the Greeks so that the Trojans will take the horse within the walls. Once inside the walls and night falls, the man who pretended to be mad opens up the horse. Odysseus and the men come out and destroy Troy.
     One experience that was new and frightening to me was federation. Federation was a flute competition with judges, and points that you could earn towards a trophy. I had been in many recitals before, but never federation. I imagined it more competitive, and was extremely nervous to play. When I played I messed up terribly and I wanted to cry. Despite feeling so nervous, I kept on playing till I finished the song. I didn't get a superior score that day, but I did get an excellent. I knew I hadn't even played that well, but the judges could tell I was nervous. Since I pushed through even though I felt really nervous the judges gave me a good score.

The Hero receives the goal of his Quest

     Odysseus and Penelope both love each other a lot, and while Odysseus is gone, they both dearly miss each other. Both of them are faithful to each other and don't date anyone else. Penelope waits for Odysseus for twenty years, and stalls time to keep the suitors from marrying her. One of the things she does is she weaves embroidery, and at night she takes it apart. Penelope claims she has to honor Odysseus, if he's dead, before she gets married.  On his journey, Odysseus thinks about his loyal wife, and he takes courage. He becomes more determined to make it back to his love in Ithaca.
     One goal that is important to me is to find answers to all my questions, and to grow spiritually. To do this I pray and read my scriptures every night. I search for most of my answers in the scriptures, because I know they are all there. To learn more I am willing to look up conference talks online, even if I feel like doing something else. I also have a journal that I can write my answers in. I'm always striving to have more questions that I can find answers for so I can grow. I believe that finding answers to my questions helps me become a better person.

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

     The author, Peggy, knows how to keep the book interesting, even while doing everyday things. That's what I like about the way she writes. Though, it would be nice if used harder vocabulary, then it would make the story more interesting. In this chapter, Aaron tells Mr. Peterson that they were late to school because he was busy working on his invention. Mr. Peterson excuses Aaron and Brenna, but holds Hope (the girl) back. He looks at her disapprovingly and tells her that because she was late she has detention for a week. Aaron, Brenna, and Hope all know that the reason why Mr. Peterson gave her detention was because she is terrible at inventing things.
     Hope is looked down upon by almost everyone because she can't invent things. Hope thinks that this year she has a great invention, and she is striving to get the respect she wants. She believes that this years invention will make it so everyone will stop treating her badly. It's then that Hope realizes that her potato, which is some how associated with her invention, is missing. Now Hope changes from feeling upset to feeling frantic. Hope dumps out her backpack and can't find the potato. The author states that Hope had to find the right potato that would work with her invention. Another potato may not work. Hope goes to the lunch room and collects a sad looking potato. Hope is concerned that her invention may not work as planned. I predict that Hope's invention won't go as planned, and that she will still be looked down upon. Hope will be embarrassed, and decide to do something unsafe to get respect.

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

     I like that instead of taking the boring way to school, Aaron, Brenna, and the girl take the fun way to school. After coming down from the cliffs the three kids herd the train whistle go off. The train was supposed to take them to school, and they were about a mile and half from the train. They began running, desperately trying to reach the train in five minuets (in five minutes it would leave). Seeing how pointless it is, the girl stops and introduces  new plan. One reason that the kids have to get to school in time is because their parents thought that they left to school early, and if they knew that their kids were late to school they might find out about Bombs Breath. Another reason they have to get to school is because today they are showing off their inventions. Every year everyone makes inventions and shows them off. In the book it states that the girl isn't very good at making inventions, and so that makes her a bit different from everybody else. This year though, she believes that she has a great invention. Anyways, the girl suggested that they should take the grain tram. The grain tram is an invention that someone invented to take grain around the city faster. Aaron is worried that they will get in trouble for using the invention, and refuses to use it. The girl gets Brenna to convince Aaron to let them take the grain tram, and Aaron gives in. They all pile into the three (walled) sided contraption and start it going downhill. Near the end, the girl presses the breaks, and they all get out. The three kids make it  look like the grain tram got loose from the rope that bound it, and got stuck in the bushes. The three kids run to the school to find out that they are hopelessly late. That's when Mr. Peterson (he has a partial job at the school) sees them, and starts walking over to them.
     I don't like in the book, how the author may have said the girl's name because I don't know if she did. She didn't do a good job of making sure that the girl's name was known. So I don't know what her name is, and you kind of like to know what the main characters name is.

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

     Something I like about the way Peggy (the author) writes is that she gets right to the point, instead of boring you with details.  It starts out with a girl who is standing on the edge of a cliff because she was dared to jump off and do a double back flip. She is accompanied by Aaren, and his little sister, Brenna. The part of the cliff that the girl is going to jump off into is filled with gases from old bombs. One breathe of the gases will kill you, but if you hold your breathe you won't die. The gases from the bombs slow your fall down because the air is really dense there. That is why the girl can jump off the cliff and not die, unless she breathes in. The girl (they haven't given her name yet) hesitates for awhile, and then she jumps off the cliff. I'm not going to say anymore than that because I don't want to spoil the story.
     In the story, everyone is afraid of the gases from the bombs. They call the area Bombs Breath, and they have had some bad experiences in the past. Like the time that a bunch of kids were playing in the woods, and four of them accidental walked into bombs Breath (which is invisible). The four children died, and everyone kept far away from Bombs Breath after that. Aaron, the girl, Brenna, and a few others try not to get caught having fun in Bombs Breath. I predict that later in the story they'll get caught, and told not to go back. Then I think that Aaron, Brenna, and the girl with go back to Bombs Breath despite their parents warnings. I think that some conflict will arise from this, and then Aaron, Brenna, and the girl will have to save their town.

Vocabulary from the book Sky Jumpers

1) Tingled- I think this word means, a strange sensation. The real definition is a "experience or a cause to experience a stinging or slight prickling sensation."

2) Molecules- I think this word means micrscopic balls that make up everything. The definition I found read " a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundimental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction."

3) Floated- I think this word means to kind stay where you are in are or water. The 'definition I found read, "To rest or move on or near the surface of a liquid or to drift in the air."

4) Lifting- I think this word means to pick up something. The  definition reads, "to lift up to a higher position or level".

5)  Comebacks- I think this word means to say something back to someone after they've said something rude to you. The definition I found read, " a quick reply to a criticle remark.

6) Between- I think this word means that something is in the middle of something. The definition I found read, "in or along the space seperating to objects or regions."

7) Huffs- I think this means to breathe hard. The definition I found read, "blow out loudly; puff."

8) Pedals- I think this means plastic squares on a michine that allows the machine to move when they are pressed. The definition I found read, "a foot-operated lever or control for a vehicle, musical instrument, or other mechanism, in particular."

9) Sparkling- I think this means shiny little dots. The definition I found read, "shining brightly with flashes of light."

10) Produce- I think this means food that was grown from a garden. The definition I found read, "things that have been produced or grown, particually by farming."

11) Energy-  I think this means that you have the ability to do things. The definition I found read, "the strength or vitality required for sustained physically or mental activity."

12) Surrounded- I think this word means that there are organisms or objects all around you. The definition I found read, "be all around someone or something."

13) Oozed- I think this word means to leak out of someone or something. The defintion I found read, "(of a fluid) slowly trickle or seep out of something; flow in a very gradual way."

14) Shifted- I think this word means to adjust your position. The definition I found read, "change the position of one's body, especially because one is nervous or uncomfortable."

The Hero has won the Freedom to Live

     As mentioned earlier, Athena disguised Odysseus as a beggar he could figure out who to trust, and who not to trust. Odysseus finds Telemachus and tells him that he's his father.  Odysseus tells his son to go take the suitors weapons and take them somewhere else, so that they can't defend themselves when Odysseus kills them. Antonius treats Odysseus badly as a beggar, and Penelope asks to speak with him. He tells her that some time tomorrow Odysseus will return home. To by Odysseus time, Penelope tells the suitors that who ever can string Odysseus' bow, and shoot an arrow through twelve axe handles can marry her. None of the suitors are able to string the bow, and Odysseus, the beggar, asks if he can try. Odysseus completes the challenge and then kills Antonius. The suitors now know that it's Odysseus, and they plead for their lives, telling him they will give them all their money if he spares them. Odysseus refuses their money and the suitors begin fighting for their lives with any weapons that they had carried with them. Telemachus brings Odysseus armor, and he fights along side him. Athena, Zeus, Eumaeus, and a faithful herdsman, also fight with Odysseus. All of them are clothed in full armor, and they kill all the suitors. They dead suitors are left in a pile, and Odysseus takes back his home and wife.         
     One thing I do to make sure I'm free to become the person I want to become is being honest. There was one time when I was at a friends house for a sleep over. That night her aunt and uncle let her take in a cat from off the street. The only thing we had to do was let it outside before it used the bathroom in the house. My friend had given the cat milk earlier, in which gives cats diarrhea (she didn't know that). In the late hours of the night, we were watching a movie when we smelled something terrible. We went to check it out and found out that the cat had diarrhea on a small tent like toy of my friend's aunt's kids. We took the cat and the tent outside. My friend wanted to throw the tent away to hide the evidence, but I knew that was dishonest and that it wouldn't be nice to throw away some one's toy. I convinced her to just wash it off and let it try out so the kids could  use it later. Honesty is a talent that I have. I hate being dishonest, and I wouldn't want to lie to anyone.

The Hero Crosses the Return Threshold

     When Odysseus returns home, he find that suitors are trying to get Penelope to marry them. They have moved into his home, and are eating his food.  The suitors are secretly planning to murder Telemachus, Odysseus' son. The leader of the suitors is Antonius, and Athena has to disguise Odysseus as a beggar. In this way he can figure out who he can really trust. Odysseus finds his old dog, Argus, as he dies in a dung pile. He is mad because no one trained the dog to be a great hound, like he was supposed to be.
     This last week has seemed really chaotic, because it's the end of the fourth term, and teachers are giving out twice as much homework. Having procrastinated a sixty question biology packet over the weekend, I desperately began filling out the packet towards the end of the day. I still wasn't done when bed time came, and so my mom gave me extra time to finish the packet. Most questions were more like two questions in one question. At four AM I finally finished the last question that I knew the answer for. My mother helped me with the rest in the morning. I went to school exhausted, and I later found out that the packet wasn't due that day. Having done that quite a bit, I have decided to write done ever assignment I get, and the due date, for the rest of the school year.

The Hero Fights a Symbolic Dragon

     Odysseus comes to an island, and with him he brings the wine of the gods. This wine is ruby red, it smells like honey, and when deluded with twenty cups of water it still tastes good. Odysseus takes twelve of his best fighters with him on the island. The men want to take the cyclops flock of sheep, and Odysseus tells them no. They go to the cyclops den, and the cyclops shuts the door. The cyclops asks them who they are, and what they are doing. Odysseus answers him by telling him how cool he is, and demanding him to give them gifts or Zeus will punish him. The cyclops gets angry, eat a few of Odysseus' men, and goes to sleep. While he sleeps Odysseus and his men sharpen a spike and plunge it in the Cyclops' eye. Outraged, the cyclops cries out, and his brethren ask him whats wrong. He yells "No body's hurt me"! (Since Odysseus had told him his name was Nobody earlier). The Cyclops brethren tell him to pray to Poseidon and go back to bed. Later, when the cyclops opens the door to let his sheep out, Odysseus and his men ride on the sheep's back to leave. They go to their sheep taking the sheep with them. As they depart Odysseus yells to the cyclops, telling him how he bested him. The angry cyclops throws stones at their boat ant they almost sink. Poseidon curses Odysseus for what he did to the cyclops. By the way, the cyclops is named Polyphemus.
     When I was about eight, my mother took some friends, my siblings, and I to the neighborhood pool. The youngest in the party were my little sister and her friend. Neither of them could really swim yet. My little sisters friend decided that he would jump into the pool and catch hold of his noodle. Unfortunately, when he jumped in he missed the noodle. Since he couldn't swim he began flailing in the water, desperately trying to keep his head above the water. I saw him flailing in the water, and I jumped in to get him. "Grab on", I said as he reached out for me. With whatever swimming abilities I had when I was eight, I started progress toward the side of the pool. My little sisters friend was probably about three, and he was heavy for me. He was still really scared, and out of fear he kept pushing on my head so he could stay above the water. I couldn't keep my head above the water whenever he pushed it under. He wasn't trying to harm me, he was just too young to realize the problem he was creating. I was afraid I would run out of air, but I still kept on swimming until we reached the shore. I'm sure my little sisters friend was glad to get back on dry land.

The Hero Follows a Road of Trials

     Odysseus and his men had just left Siren island, and began their journeys towards Scylla and Charybdis. When the Odysseus' men hear the sound of Charybdis, they dropped their oars because they are really scared. Odysseus commands his men to pick up the oars and continue to row. Odysseus tells his men that they have to keep rowing so they can get past Scylla and Charybdis. The men can now see the bottom of Charybdis, and they obey Odysseus by continuing to row. As they pass, Scylla snatches six of Odysseus' men, and devours them. Odysseus and his men row the rest of the way past Scylla and Charybdis without anymore problems.
     For most of the school year I've always gone to bed at eleven thirty or twelve. Everyday I was tired, and complained a lot. My mom was tired of me staying up because it kept her up as well. That is when she made a rule that, every minute I was out of bed would count for an hour of chores. Since I didn't want hours of chores I went to bed at ten every night. I wasn't so tired anymore, and some of the other goals I needed to work on became easier. I didn't procrastinate as much because I knew I had less time to do my homework before bed time. Overall it made me a better, happier person.

   

     

Beyonders book three by Brandon Mull

            I personally think that this book, Beyonders book three, has a slow start. The beginning is exciting, but after that it gets quite boring. The book starts out with one of the people living in the Mionnamon temple, calling for Rachael with mind communication. In Lyrian (the world that Rachael and Jason are in), Rachael has a gift for the Ecodomic, the power that wizards use. Rachael has been teaching the people in the Mionnamon temple Ecadomic, and when one calls her in the middle of the night she goes to help her. The girl she goes to help is named Kala, and when Rachael comes to help her, Kala tries to kill her. Instead, Kala winds up dying.
            Then comes the slow part of the story. In the morning, Rachael, Jason, Galloran, Ferrin, Jasher, Faralee, and other people are going to embark on two different quests. Rachael will go in one group with Ferrin, Galloran, and others. Jason will go in the other group with Jasher, Faralee, and others. The oracle had told them that to save Lyrian, both of their quests had to be a success.
            Jason is watching ape like creatures battle each other for fun when Rachael comes to see him. They talk about how they are going to leave soon since Rachael was almost killed. Rachael tells Jason that she is worried that the oracle could have been lying to them. Jason tells her not to worry, and that if she wants she can talk to Galloran.
            After they talk, Ferrin takes a walk with Jason. Being a displacer, Ferrin can talk his body parts on and off. Ferrin gives Jason his ear so Jason can communicate with him, even though Faralee is bringing messenger eagles. Jason worries that Ferrin might betray them.
            That is all I read for this read for this reading response. Hopefully it will get more interesting.