One Final Post

I read 27 Hours 5 Minutes.

I read Pride and Prejudice, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chosen, and the modern English version of Much Ado About Nothing. All books were over 300 pages, but of course the play was shorter.

I have learned that I read more when I read for myself and don't need to keep track of what I'm doing. I realized how much less I read between January and mid-March because of all the craziness going on in my life. I usually read before I go to bed, but I become so tired at this time of year that I fall asleep too fast. I also decided I like a good old-fashioned notebook and pen better than a computer, mainly because I don't work well with computers, but also because I feel like my creative writing/reading binder has a more personal touch. It was an interesting project and neat to try for a change, but I think I will go back to using my lovely binder. =)

Chosen

The next book I am reading is entitled Chosen and was co-written by P.C. and Kristin Cast. It is the 3rd book in The House of Night Series. The books aren't the best I've ever read, but I enjoy the teenage humor in them. The plot is pretty lame, and the writing is mediocre. It is about a girl who discovers that she is a vampyre (yes, it is "vampyre" in this book) and is forced to go to the vampyre training school. She quickly learns she is very gifted for her age and makes a few close friends. She ends up getting involved with three different boys and doesn't really know which one she wants to be with. She naturally has all sorts of insane problems with typical teenage drama, special gifts, a messed-up teacher, three boyfriends, evil undead creatures, and the list goes on. I know she will end up being the hero and she'll end up with the right guy and everything will be perfect. That's just the kind of book it is.
60 Minutes
Total: 27 Hours 5 Minutes

A Surprise Ending

The plan worked for getting Jim out, but Tom was shot in the calf during the escape. Huck took a doctor to help him, and the doctor ended up discovering Jim so I guess the plan actually didn't work. They ended up back at his aunt's house. Tom's other aunt came to visit when she heard that her sister thought Sid was there too when he was really at home. Everything just fell into place. Tom and Huck were finally correctly identified. She also told them that Jim's owner had set him free in her will, and she had died several weeks back. All along they had been trying to rescue a freed slave. Tom knew this the whole time but didn't say anything. Well, I guess it turned out to be a happy ending for the book with no real plot.
85 Minutes
Total: 26 Hours 5 Minutes

Trying to Lose the Royalty

Well, Huck worked up a plan to get the duke and the king caught, but things backfired and ruined the plan. Huck had to make a run for it and get back on the raft with Jim, but the other two caught up; they were once again on the run with the two "rapscallions" searching for ways to make some easy money. At one stop, Jim was taken away and sold. Huck left the other two to go save Jim. The plantation that bought Jim had been expecting a visitor and mistook Huck for him. The visitor they had been waiting for was none other than their nephew Tom Sawyer. So of course the two boys have been reunited; Huck is pretending to be Tom, and Tom is pretending to be his brother Sid. They have an ellaborate plan to save Jim. They throw in their own obstacles whenever part of the rescue mission is too easy. I think it would be wiser to just do things the easiest and safest way, but Tom says they need it to be more difficult so they look like bigger heroes. I have a feeling it won't end well.
135 Minutes
Total: 24 Hours 50 Minutes

The King And The Duke

The two men that Jim and Huck picked up (a.k.a. the duke and the king) have been on the hunt for some easy money. They decide to learn a few Shakespeare scenes and perform them in a country town. This didn't go over so well so they made up a show that ripped the people off but brought in a ton of money for them. They were on the run once again when they heard about a man who died and left a large sum of money for his brothers who had never been around that town. So the two men acted as the brothers to get the money. When I stopped reading, Huck was considering turning them in because they were taking the money away from the man's three daughters. I'm not sure if he has the guts to do it, but I sure hope so!

100 Minutes
Total 22 Hours 35 Minutes

Stuck in the Middle

Huck and Jim have been on the run for a while and managed to become separated. Huck ended up getting involved with a family that is constantly fighting with another family, the Shephersons. While staying with them, he becomes good friends with Buck, a boy his age. After being there for quite a while, he finds out the Jim has been living down near the river. A few days later Huck wakes to find no one around and realizes that they are all off fighting with the Shepherdsons. He ran off to find them and arrived in time to see Buck shot and killed along with most of the others. Huck hurried to find Jim, and the two of them took off once again together. They came across two more runaways on their new journey. Both men claim to be royalty, but Huck doesn't believe them. I left off as they were still traveling together on the raft. I don't think they will stay together for very long, but I guess I'll have to find out!



105 Minutes
Total 20 Hours 55 Minutes

Huck vs. Boys Today

You know, I think all boys have a little bit of Huck Finn inside them. They want to feel like they know more than their parents, more than their teachers. They think they can outsmart anyone, and some of them often can, more or less by luck. Some boys really don't think ahead at all, like Huck. They aren't worried about what a rash decision now might cause to happen later; although, I guess boys would argue that girls are that way. Isn't that funny? Guys and girls have all kinds of stereotypes about each other, but they can often go both ways. Imagine that, we are all human, whether male or female, and want to make the opposite sex look like the lesser of the sexes. It's a rather hypocritical world we live in, if I do say so myself.



70 Minutes

Total:19 Hours 10 Minutes

More Excitement

Huck and Jim are still on the run. They left the island after sending Huck disguised as a girl to find out what was going on. Some men were going to search the island, so they took of down the river to get to a safe place. On the way they found an abandoned ferry-wreck with several criminals on board, which of course led to several sticky situations; however, they are safe again on their own raft going down stream. I don't really have a guess as to where they will end up, but I'm sure it will be interesting (and potentially dangerous).



P.S. Mr.Strusz, you told me to remind you that we discussed my internet issues today in the hallway...so yeah, don't forget about that =p



90 MINUTES



Total 17 HOURS 50 MINUTES

The Runaways

Huck has been living by himself for a while on an island, while everyone back home thinks he's dead. He had faked his own death so they wouldn't try to find him. During his stay on the island he finds the widow's slave, Jim. Jim took off shortly after Huck did so he wouldn't be sold into slavery. Right now they are hiding and surviving together. I don't think it will last much longer, and I'm interested to find out where this all leads. I think Tom Sawyer will somehow find out the truth about Huck, and eventually the widow and Huck's father will become informed as well.




60 Minutes
Total: 16 hours 20 minutes

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

I started reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn this week. I had to go back and review in my mind what all happened in Tom Sawyer because it's been so long since I've read that one. Huckleberry Finn is basically a direct follow-up to the first book. I had forgotten how much I love Mark Twain! The book is written in first person as if Huck is narrating. He is an absolutely hilarious boy. He doesn't want to go to school until his dad shows up and yells at him for going. Then he actually wants to go just "to spite pap." It sounds like your typical boy. =p So far I am really enjoying the book. Huck is on the run from "the widow" and his dad right now. He just wants to be left alone to fend for himself. I'm very interested to see how that turns out for such a head-strong young boy.





75 MINUTES

TOTAL: 15 HOURS 20 MINUTES

THE END

Woohoo! That's all I will say because I don't want to give away the ending for anyone who wants to read the book. I was very pleased with the book and suggest it to anyone looking for a good classic romance. Reading this book has made me think alot about marriage. It helped me realize that people shouldn't worry about finding "the one." God has a plan for each of us, and he will bring us to that person when (or if) he wants to. I didn't expect to come out of a book like that with these thoughts, but like they say, you can't judge a book by its cover. =)

1 HOUR
TOTAL 14 HOURS 5 MINUTES

A "Happily Ever After" In The Making

I was beginning to think the Bennett family would never work out all of their man problems. Lydia ran off and married Wickham, and Jane is FINALLY engaged to Mr. Bingley. Mr.Darcy is still hard to figure out, but I don't want to give away the ending now that it's all falling into place. At last, it is turning into the romantic novel I expected. I must say Mrs.Bennett needs to keep her nose out of her daughters' business. I would be beyond embarrassed to have a mother like her trying to force guys on me. It makes me appreciate mine much more!

"I often think that there is nothing so bad as parting with one's friends. One seems so forlorn without them." --Mrs. Bennett after Lydia left home

75 Minutes
TOTAL: 785 MINUTES (13 HOURS 5 MINUTES)

High School Choir Students Sing at ALHS Conference--Charis Scharf

On Thursday morning, February 5, 2009, Lutheran high school students came together to edify the opening service of the Conference of WELS Area Lutheran High Schools at the Sheraton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Over sixty students gathered from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Manitowoc Lutheran High School, and Winnebago Lutheran Academy to perform for thirty principals, vice-principals, teachers, and pastors.

Mr. Dale Witte from Winnebago Lutheran served as the mass director. He was assisted by Mr. Ned Gaitty on the piano and several student instrumentalists.

The students met Wednesday afternoon for the first time. They rehearsed at Wisconsin Lutheran High School before heading to the hotel for the final dress rehearsal.

The choir sang a total of five songs throughout the service:

• In Christ Alone


• Speak, O Lord


• Psalm 150


• Festival Glory: All Glory Be To God On High


• Soli Deo Gloria

"It was really great singing with other students who genuinely care about what they're doing. I enjoyed being with such awesome singers and wish it could have lasted a little longer," said Peter Plagenz of Winnebago Lutheran.

Random Bits

"Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost three and twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not being married before three and twenty!" ---Lydia Bennett

"But I have always observed that they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up."---Mrs. Reynolds (Darcy's housekeeper)

Licentiousness: lack of restraint

Sanguine: cheerfully optimistic, hopeful

Pecuniary: of or pertaining to money

Accede: to give consent or approval; agree or assent

Profligate: immoral or corrupt; wasteful


105 Minutes

Marry me?

Can you imagine someone proposing to you if you have never even been on a date? I know I would say no without even thinking about it. Actually I would probably think it's a joke. But that's exactly how everyone proposes in this book. I can't believe guys just ask a girl to marry him when he hardly knows her! Wouldn't you want to know them really well first? I want to marry someone that I want to be my best friend for the rest of my life. I don't even want to think about living like some of those girls...marrying a man you know nothing about. I think it would be scary! It makes me shudder just thinking about the frightening situation. This is exactly what happened to Elizabeth's friend Charlotte and has now almost happened to Elizabeth herself several times. She just can't keep the men away from her! At least she's being smart and turning them down. I know she'll give in to one of them eventually, but it's cool that she goes against society by waiting.


80 Minutes

Visiting Hours

Well, Elizabeth's good friend Charlotte is now married to Mr. Collins...talk about drama. And Jane is staying with her Aunt near Mr.Bingley's current residence. It's obvious that Jane is upset that she hasn't been able to spend any time with Mr.Bingley, and it seems like he doesn't want to see her. Elizabeth is presently visiting Charlotte and her new husband. While she is there, Mr. Darcy and his cousin come to visit their neighbor, Lady de Bourgh. Mr.Darcy stops to visit Elizabeth several times and runs into her on different occasions while she is walking out in the garden. I'm still convinced that they are into each other. I think they would be perfect for each other, but hey, it's not like my opinion can change the book. It's frustrating when you want something like this to happen, but you can do nothing about it. It's just like when you yell at the TV, but the people on the screen pay no attention to you (man, I hope I'm not the only one who does that). I can sense things are going to change between them soon; I just wish it would happen already!

New Words (that I am going to use to stump Strusz sometime haha!)

Acquiescence:acceptance, assent

Transient: momentary

Impute: to charge of evil

Disapprobation: disapproval

Coquetry: flirt; attempt to attract admiration without genuine love

Veracity: truthfulness, habitual truth

Cessation: a ceasing, stopping, or pause

Iniquitous: unjust, wicked

Laconic: brief

Propitious: favorable

145 Minutes

Much Ado About Nothing

I took a break from Pride and Prejudice this weekend so I could read our play script written in modern English. It was much easier to understand than the original Shakespearean language. There was so much that I would have missed! It was a funny love story. It was fun trying to imagine our WLA cast in those parts. Some parts don't seem to match the person that is playing the role, but I'm sure I'll be surprised. After all, it is called acting! The plot of the story is an old one, but I found it very interesting. I understand how the Beatrice/Benedick, Claudio/Hero, and Borachio/Margaret relationships all fit together. I'm glad I took the time to read this version of the play. I think it will make the experience much more enjoyable for me now that I know what I'm saying! =) Yay Shakespeare!


2 hours 15 minutes

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Just when it seems things are starting to work themselves out, something bad has to happen, right? That's always how it goes. Jane and Mr. Bingley were falling in love, or so I thought. I was really hoping they would be engaged by now, but Mr. Bingley just left for town. His sister thinks he will be gone all winter, but I think she is going to try to force him to be gone that long. She wants him to fall for Darcy's sister so she has an easier shot at Darcy himself. Poor Jane is afraid that he left because he doesn't care about her. Imagine if your boyfriend left right before everyone expected him to propose. Wouldn't that be a heart-breaker? Talk about depressing! I hope he returns soon and unengaged, for Jane's sake.


35 minutes

Love In All Places

I am still amazed by how these characters are so focused on "good" marriages. Mrs. Bennet wants all of her daughters to marry a good man, whether they love him or not. I am glad that Jane and Mr.Bingley have obviously fallen for each other. Her mother was pushing for that relationship, and I think it will be a healthy one now that it isn't forced. A wedding is definitely in the near future for that happy couple.
And then there's Elizabeth. Her parents are pushing her towards their weird cousin, Mr. Collins. He proposed to her, but she refused; sadly, he thinks she is just trying to make him fall more in love with her. He won't take no for an answer. She would rather spend time with Mr. Wickham, but it seems like she's falling for Mr. Darcy no matter how much she would rather despise him. I would like to see Elizabeth treat Darcy with a little more kindness. He is apparently attracted to her, even though he is supposed to be falling for Miss Bingley. I can't keep up with who is in love with whom anymore. It's just as bad as high school!


70 Minutes