Philosophy of Life

How can dying inform living? 
We are all dying right now. In other words, life is basically a process of dying--since you were born. The problem is: what do we do during this 'long' process. Yet, we can do whatever we want and perhaps whatever others want us to do as well because IT IS SUCH A LONG PROCESS. People always we have to live like as if today is the last day of life so we are more productive, vigorous, and positive. However, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. How can you live like that--you will be crazy and probably mentally breakdown. And if you really live in that way...[if you answer Yes, skip this whole sentence]......you're not living the way life should be, which means even worse without this dying awareness. There is nothing to lost or gained. My philosophy of life is to just enjoy the moment we live and choose what we really want to do, instantly.

Samuel Johnson's Character

I think the definition of Samuel Johnson is "lexicographer" because he is the one who wrote this definition to show that a lexicographer, like him, is innocent, harmless, but diligent. He wrote this dictionary in a very subjective manner. For example, his definition for "patron" includes his opinion that a patron is wretched and flattery. He also thought "to period" is a vulgar word. His dictionary showed that he was satire and pessimistic to the society and the government. He thought there were no well written "sonnet" after Milton. In his definition of "tory", he used parentheses to indicate tory means savage in Irish. This showed that he thought a tory is violent and bad, and that he did not support this political party. On the other hand, he only define "whig" "the name of a faction".  In addition, he thought people are originally kind because he defined "unkindly" as "unnatural". Overall, his dictionary showed he was subjective and satire.

Macbeth Part 1 Reflection

At the beginning, the super scary nurses who represents the three witches announce the provision of Macbeth and Banquo in a empty, seemingly obsolete building with a drip full of blood. The scene is the most creepy part from which we have watched. From that on, I became very sensitive to the nurses whenever they appear on the screen. Later on, Macbeth becomes king of Cawdor and Lady Macbeth performs a shocking speech after she read the letter about the nurses' omen. After Macbeth kills Duncan and Lady Macbeth sets up the faked crime scene, Act III begins with exist of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Then, it reaches the climax when Macbeth becomes more courageous and Lady Macbeth becomes more passive. Actually, from the beginning to the part we have seen, I always think of Macbeth (the actor) funny and clumsy. He, making a sandwich, commands to the two murderers, who are also eating sandwich, to kill Banquo. Honestly, I like the 1997 version of movie better than this one which the story, beside the great play written by Shakespeare, seems nonsense. Besides, the actor who plays Macbeth and actress who plays Lady Macbeth, are not as handsome and beautiful as the ones played in the 1997 version. Still, it is a interesting movie worth to be watched during class.

What Does Love Do To You?

Think of someone you know or have read about who was in love. Did love make the person see the world clearly, or did it cloud his or her vision? Explain.

Love is the care of another person, the beloved one. Therefore, love clouds a person vision because once he has focus, he has blind spots as well. Although no one can really have a objective vision, love makes things even blur. Falling in love, he would think about his girl all the time. He would be more aware of where she is, what she is doing and how she feels. If he is a good lover, he would try to understand her. For him, spending time with her is the most wonderful things in the world. He could give up anything for her. He thinks about her so much that sometimes he does things as if she is looking at him. He would like to perform his best in front of her. However, he sometimes shies away from her when he doesn't have confident on her faith. He would worry and feel frustrated if she ignore him. Because of her, everything he does is insane. Yet, that's how sweet love is. Nothing in the world has ultimate reason anyway.

Poetry Recital Reflection

Almost everyone felt nervous to read a poem in front of the whole class, and it didn't exclude me. I was about the last person to read, so I had listened to many other students before I went on stage. I was struggling in a conflict to enjoy listening to my classmate but at the same time kept thinking about my own poem. I appreciated some of them with nice voice and accent, although they might not memorize the poem so well. It's hard and challenging. When people are nervous, their brains are sometimes blank. I knew it didn't matter wether I memorized the poem well nor not, I would eventually be "blank" in the front anyway. So, when I practiced, I paid attention on the mood and feeling of the poem, and tried to anticipate how the poet felt. Yet, my brain was totally blank when I went on, but I just followed the feelings and let the words through out my month. All of a sudden, I realized I have finished the poem. I have no idea how I did, but at least I survive and didn't stuck catch the memory.

The Fall of Satan - Beelzebub & Satan - Paraphrase

Beelzebub said:
"Satan, Chief of many Powers. You led the highest angels to a dreadful war, endangering God. This war proofs the omnipotent of God who cannot be defeated by strength, chance or fate. We have lost Heaven, and I wish this horrible destruction can be undone. We lost our glory in heaven and our happiness. Although gods and things in heaven can be destroyed, for the mind, the spirit remains invincible. But what if the god, who we want to defeat (I now have to believe his power since we lost the battle), have left us with some spirit and strength that are just enough for us to suffer and painfully support ourselves. Is he making us endure his vengeful anger or he want us to be slaves and servants to work in hell or wander in this gloomy place? What advantage do we get, even though we have undiminished strength and eternal being? To have this endless punishment?"

Satan replied quickly:
"Fallen Cherub [Beelzebub]. It's miserable to be weak. Whether active or passive, it's sure that whatever good is not our task, rather, doing evil and ill things is our delight. We will resist to his high will. If we accept the protective care of God and try to bring good from evil, we will against our goals. To always find means of evil from good is our approach to be successful. Perhaps we shall make God feel sorrow and mess up all his plans. See, the anger Victor [God] has already called back his ministers of vengeance and pursuit back to Heaven. The heavy and bitter storm, thunder and lightening that shot after us have gone. Perhaps they have used up their weapons and left us bellow the vest deep. Let us not loss this chance, whether they corn on us or satisfy with their violet anger. Do you see that dreary plain, forlorn and wild land? It's dark here, only with livid and dreadful flames. Let us go and have a rest there. We will restore our powers, and discuss how to attack our enemy, how to gain from our loss, and how to get help from hope or get resolution from despair."

Song: To Celia - Paraphrase

Drink to me with your eyes gazing, and I will make my promise too. Or else, leave a kiss on the edge of cup and I will not want the wine because your kiss is more than any alcohol.
The thirsts for love rise and only a drink of god can alleviate it. Even I can have Jupiter's nectar, I will not exchange it with your love.
I sent you a wreath of roses recently. It's not to honor your beauty as anyone hope with roses. It will not dry out nor shriveled because your breath will give it immortality. When it grows and smells, I swear that I only smell the pleasant scent of you.