Author: Asia

PW#4 Christmas time

The snow is falling, the lights are bright, It’s Christmas time, what a delight!

The air is filled with love and cheer, As we gather with those we hold dear.

The presents wrapped with bows and strings, The carolers sing and angels sing.

The smell of cookies fills the air, And laughter echoes everywhere. The children’s eyes are full of glee, As they wait for Santa’s sleigh to see.

The stockings hung with care and love, Are filled with gifts from up above.

So let us cherish this special day, And keep the spirit alive in every way.

For Christmas is a time of joy and peace, And may it never, ever cease.

Asia’s IRJE#3

 

But sometimes you can’t control where your mind goes. You just have to train it not to go there anymore.

 The quote expresses the idea that certain thoughts and memories can be difficult to control or suppress, but with practice and effort, it is possible to train the mind to avoid dwelling on them. It suggests that our thoughts and emotions are within our control, and we have the power to shape them for our benefit. The quote is from the book “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover and is spoken by the character Lily in a letter to Ellen.

IRJE#2 It ends with us

 

I recently started reading the book “It Ends with Us” written by Colleen Hoover. The book tells the story of a young woman named Lily who finds herself caught in a love triangle between two men – one of which is her first love, and the other is a mysterious stranger. As the story unfolds, Lily discovers secrets from the past that threaten to disrupt her present and possibly her future. The book explores themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the complexities of relationships.

I feel like everyone fakes who they are when deep down we’re all equal amounts of screwed up. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others.

~Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, (Character: Lily Bloom as the narrator), Chapter 1, Page 16

This quote expresses the idea that people often pretend to be someone they are not and that everyone has their flaws and struggles. The quote suggests that despite our differences, we are all fundamentally the same in that we all experience challenges and imperfections. The difference lies in how well we can conceal our flaws from others. The quote implies that it is important to be authentic and honest with oneself and others, rather than trying to present a perfect image.

Personal Response #2 All Quiet On The Western Front

“All Quiet on the Western Front” is a book about war, specifically World War I. It tells the story of Paul Bäumer, a young german soldier. What I liked most about this book is how it shows the harsh reality of war. It doesn’t hide the brutality of it all. The author describes the fear, suffering, and death that the soldiers experience. It also shows how the soldiers find comfort in their friendships. The book explains how war affects the mental health of young men, as they lose their innocence and realize that they are just being used in a war that doesn’t make sense.

The book’s portrayal of the dehumanizing effects of war is particularly poignant, as it shows how the young soldiers are stripped of their identities and become mere cogs in the war machine. What makes this novel so powerful is its ability to convey the human cost of war, not only in terms of the physical toll but also the emotional scars that last long after the war has ended.

This book has left a lasting impact on me. It has given me a glimpse into the lives of soldiers during World War I and made me realize the devastating effects of war on young minds. The book has made me reflect on the importance of peace and has left me with a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by soldiers. It has shown me that war is not just about winning or losing, but about the human cost of conflict. Overall, “All Quiet on the Western Front” has left me with a sense of empathy and a desire to promote peace and understanding in the world.

This book makes you think and feel deeply. It reminds us of the terrible effects of war. It is essential for anyone who wants to understand how war affects people’s minds and why peace is important.

PW#W2 Everyone is home

You’re 10 years old and everyone is home. Mom is cooking, Dad is cleaning, and your siblings are doing their own thing but everyone is home. You look out your window dreaming of the day you grow up and be alone. You wanted to be older so badly that you forgot to live in the now in the comfort of everyone being home. Now, you are in your 20s and you wish you could go back. You and your siblings have moved out. Your parents have aged, they are trying to get used to the empty house you notice their gray hair and wonder where the time went. You realize there will never be another day you all live together, your siblings aren’t just in the other room, they are somewhere else. Now and then you will visit. But won’t stay. You will never be 10 playing with your siblings again, you won’t wake up and eat breakfast together every morning. You won’t even see each other every day. I long for the feeling of “home”, but I can’t ever return. My childhood is gone pieces are scattered but it’s gone. 

Nobody is home 

IRJE #1

I selected a quote that caught my attention from the class book, All Quiet On The Western Front.

“We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers- we reach the zone where the front begins and become the instant human animals”

This quote caught my attention because it highlights the importance of showing up and fighting back, no matter how the soldiers felt. War is a sensitive and emotional topic, but it’s clear that soldiers must push their feelings aside and give their all in battle. It’s almost as if they flip a switch and tap into a deep reserve of strength and determination.

They Shall Not Grow Old

At the start of the film, “They Shall Not Grow Old” there was mention of people ages 19 to 35 being allowed to join the army. Some soldiers expressed they were happy to join and fulfill the job. Even boys as young as 15 would try to sneak in by lying about their age as they were proud to go fight for their country. Being 15 myself, this was shocking to me. Watching the beginning, I felt surprised at how most soldiers seemed eager to join and help fight. Once we got deeper into the film, soldiers were expressing their feelings after being in the war and fighting. Hearing all the brutal words, I was devastated for all these innocent people giving up their lives for their country. Although some soldiers mentioned how they were “used” to the war and used to fighting, I felt horrible about all the suffering the soldiers had to go through and how many died trying. One soldier mentioned how the shooting was typically 10 minutes. I couldn’t imagine the thoughts and feelings going through their minds. As one of the soldiers was talking, it reminded me of a prison as he said they ate the same thing every day and had the same routine. I couldn’t imagine the pain of the families whose kids didn’t make it out. When the war was over, the ones to make it out alive had suffered so much and now have an unbearable amount of trauma and I couldn’t imagine all the pain and brutal memories. I have so much respect for and admire all the soldiers who gave up their lives for a future, our future. 

PW#1 New York

This past summer I had the opportunity to embark on an incredible trip. While my sister was on a leadership program in Costa Rica, my parents and I decided to go on a trip as well. Initially, my parents had told me that we were going to Seattle for some shopping, hiking and other adventures, which got me really excited. We first made our way to Vancouver for a night and then in the early morning we headed to the airport where my parents said, ‘Here’s your ticket with gate B12, go find it’.
When I arrived at B12 I was confused as it said Toronto!? I went back to my parents and said something must be wrong it said Toronto and not Seattle? My Dad said you’ll need this connecting flight ticket as well, when I read it, it said Manhattan, New York, as soon as I saw that my jaw dropped and my eyes lit the room! I was so surprised! The one place I dreamed of visiting was New York, I was so excited. 8 hours and two flights later we arrived. We checked into our Manhattan hotel and my views were amazing.
Several buildings were illuminating the NY skyline with their beautiful lights. Even the iconic Empire State Building was right outside my window!
We were in New York for a week and it was the best time of my life.
We went on a helicopter tour and viewed the whole city which included the Statue of Liberty and and the Brooklyn Bridge. I got to learn about the Twin Towers and visited the memorial at Ground Zero. We did some shopping, rode bikes around Central Park and had the most amazing food. My favourite thing we did was Broadway.
We watched, Wicked, it was the best! I got to learn a whole bunch of US culture, new foods, and geography. I’m so grateful I got to go to New York and I look forward to many more travel adventures.

Introduction

Hello! I’m Asia Leggett and I’ve been a student at Brookes Westshore since I was in grade 7. I absolutely love it here! Travelling is one of my favourite things to do, and when I’m older, I would love to travel the world and learn about different cultures. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym to stay active. I have an older sister named Summer who is also a student at Brookes, currently in grade 12.

I have never been a strong reader as I find it hard to focus while reading books. My goal is to try and read more this year and find a good book I truly enjoy. I have never really been motivated to read as it’s not an interest of mine. I prefer audiobooks as they allow me to multitask and listen while doing other things, which helps me concentrate.

I have always loved writing, whether it’s creative or writing for an essay. I enjoy researching and learning more about a topic that I’m passionate about and incorporating the information into my writing. I’m excited to expand my vocabulary and improve my writing skills further.