Octavian's English Blog

 I will never fully understand the concept of space and everything in it. It is so surreal how we are just a little tiny floating rock in a huge vacuum of space. The concept of it is so crazy and how we are in an infinite space in the universe. Also the idea of black holes makes no sense to me. I also cannot believe that we are alone, there has to be more life. Today in class, we read Robert Frost’s poem Birches and did an analysis of it. The poem made me think about how people sometimes want to escape their problems and go back to simpler times. Analyzing it helped me see how nature can be a way to find peace and feel free.

 An adventure I would like to go on would definitely be to the mountains of Europe. Specifically I would like to go to the Dolomites of Italy or the Tour de Mont Blanc in France. These adventures would be awesome and I would love to go there one day. It is very peaceful and amazing views on those mountains. It would be an unforgettable experience.  Today in class, we read Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken and did a worksheet about it. The poem made me think about how choices can shape your life. Doing the worksheet helped me understand how important it is to think carefully before making big decisions.

 To put it plain and simple, I wish I had more money. Money grants freedom and can grant happiness in some ways. I say this just because if I had more money, and even just a bit, just some financial freedom to travel the world or buy something I like, that would make me very happy. While not everything about a little more money is good, it has way more benefits. In a way, I kinda just wish I had more freedom. Today in class, we made a PowerPoint about the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost. Doing the PowerPoint helped me understand the poem better and think about how everything changes over time. I learned it's important to appreciate good moments before they pass.

One day, I was having a really bad day because I forgot my homework and got in trouble. Out of nowhere, my friend gave me some candy and food without me even asking. It was small but it made me feel way better. It  showed me how little acts of kindness can make a huge difference. I realized how much good friends matter. Today in class, we read and talked about the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost. This poem showed me that good things don’t last forever. It made me think about enjoying moments while they last and remembering that change is part of life. 

The Ultimate Frisbee team won the state championship in May 2024, and I was apart of that team. When we won the State championship, obviously the moment it happened I got lots of joy, but the feelings about it that surprised me the most was the days that would come after. The day we won it, I couldn't believe it, but I didn't take it fully in yet. The days and even weeks that came after I would think of it and it would bring me overwhelming joy. I also would sometimes just think of it and get feelings of major accomplishment and think I was on top of the world.  Today in class we read Out Out by Robert Frost. This poem helped me understand how quickly life can change and how fragile it is. It made me think about appreciating what I have and paying more attention to how sudden events can impact you.

Around the time of the pandemic and the COVID 19 disease spreading rapidly in mid to late 2020 was the same time my brother graduated high school. I had known him my whole life and we hung out a lot along with his friends. When my brother graduated he moved to Indiana to go to college at Purdue, and around that same time we all had to be in quarantine due to the pandemic. It left my dad and I alone and I was scared and felt lonely at times. I wouldn't know what to do in my free time and gained some weight. I persevered during this time though, and my dad and I got a good relationship and ended up spending that time together and getting through the pandemic.  Today in class we made a one one pager helped me understand Ambush better. It made me realize how the guy felt guilt and how trauma stayed with him even after the war is over.

 Today in class, we read a Newsela article called How to Give Your Worn-Out Sneakers a Second Life. I learned about recycling old sneakers and how they can be turned into things like playground surfaces, which made me realize that even small choices can help the environment. I might start thinking twice before throwing away old stuff. I liked that the article was easy to understand and had cool ideas for reusing things. My day’s going well. 

Prompt: In July 2024, a couple months back, we visited Romania. I really enjoyed Romania and we went hiking up in the mountains. The mountain was called the Fagaras Mountains and there was a high way leading up to the mountain range where we were going to go hike. On the drive up, it was the coolest thing ever, we were surrounded by trees and also could see brown bears on the side of the road. Once you got to the top and ended up at the mountain range, it was even cooler, there was a village where people would sell food and everyone was very welcoming, as well as large mountains surrounded you and you could see sheep and shepherds walking around. The best part about it though, was the hike, it was very steep and when we got to the top the view was stunning and there was even a lake. You could also see a city and the winding highway road that I took to get there, we were above the clouds, and it was so peaceful, at times you couldn't even hear anything, and just take in the view. I ...

 Today in class, we read a story called Ambush. I learned about how soldiers deal with their memories of war and the choices they made, which showed me that people can feel conflicted about their past actions. I don’t know exactly how I’ll use this, but it made me think more about how people handle difficult situations. I liked the story because it was honest about the character’s feelings, but it was kind of sad too. My day’s going okay, just busy with homework.

 Today in class, we took a test on The Rockpile. I learned that I need to pay attention to the story details, and all about the Rockpile. This helps me remember to focus more when reading in the future. I liked that the test made me think, but I didn’t like how some questions were tricky. My day is going fine, just a bit nervous about my next class.