Author: Clara

PW #9

This Saturday , my  father is flying in from Spain, where he has been for the past month on a business trip. I haven’t seen him since December because he usually lives in Korea for work, so I am really looking forward to seeing him again. It has been a long time since we have spent time together in person, and I’m excited to hear about everything he has been doing during his trip.

However, the day might also feel a bit chaotic. On the same day that my dad arrives, my mom will be leaving for her own business trip. Because of that, there will probably be a lot going on at home. We will need to make sure my mom gets to the airport on time while also making sure my dad has a ride back to the house.

While my dad is visiting, I am really hoping to spend some time together. If the weather and snow conditions improve, we might go skiing for a few days at Mount Washington or. I always enjoy skiing with my family so im really looking forward to it. We are also thinking about taking a short trip to Vancouver for a couple of days. I really want to go because I have some family friends there and I  always go around this time.

PR to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

While watching the film version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I found the story interesting but also a bit confusing at times. There were many characters and relationships, and when the magic love potion was introduced, it became hard to keep track of who loved whom. However, the confusion made the story goofy.

One of the most confusing parts for me was the conflict between Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena. Their feelings kept changing because of the magic potion, which made their arguments and misunderstandings complicated.

Another memorable part was when Bottom is turned into a donkey and Titania falls in love with him. This scene was strange, and it showed how powerful the magic in the forest is. The costumes and setting helped make the fairy world feel magical and different from the normal world. Overall, even though I found parts of the movie confusing, I still enjoyed it because it was creative and entertaining.

IRJE #8 Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson is a novel that explores love, memory, and the hidden prejudices that shape a small island community. The story is in the point Ishmael Chambers, who reports on the trial of Kabuo Miyamoto, a Japanese-American accused of murder. What makes this book really good is the way it shows how fear, war memories, and racial bias that changes people’s judgment, often without them even realizing it. One moment that stood out to me is when Ishmael reflects on how the past and the heart influence how we see others:

Ishmael thinks of the war, of the anger and fear that people carry, and he realizes that everyone judges not only by evidence but by memory, loss, and the invisible lines of prejudice that run through the hearts of men and women alike.

This passage made me think about how much human biases can shape thoughts and relationships. This is the turning point in the story where Ishmael understands that the trial isn’t only about Kabuo’s guilt or innocence, but about whether the community can face its own accusations. It highlights that a big challenge in life is not uncovering facts, but confronting the unseen prejudices we have.

personal response to ballads (so far)

Ballads are engaging forms of poetry because they combine storytelling, rhythm, and emotion in a way that can make them both entertaining and meaningful to read. Unlike many poems that focus mainly on abstract ideas or complex pictures, ballads usually tell clear stories with characters, conflict, story lines. They often use repetition, rhyme, and a steady beat, which gives them a musical quality and makes them easy to follow and remember. Traditional ballads often explore dramatic topics such as love, betrayal, adventure, sacrifice, or survival, making them more interesting. Because ballads were originally meant to be performed aloud or sung, the language tends to be vivid yet simple, allowing the audience to imagine the scenes clearly.

Personally, I enjoy ballads because they feel lively and exciting instead of distant or confusing. The rhythm pulls me through the poem and builds suspense, making me curious about what will happen next. I like how they express strong emotions in a straightforward way, which makes it easier to connect with the characters and understand their experiences.

IRJE #7 the thing about jellyfish

In The Thing About Jellyfish, Ali Benjamin explores how grief can completely change the way a person thinks and acts. Suzy, the main character, struggles to understand the sudden death of her friend Franny, and instead of accepting it, she turns to science to find answers. Her obsession with jellyfish and venom shows how she tries to use logic to make sense of something that feels unbearable and unfair. This suggests that Suzy is using facts to protect herself from her emotions

“Words were useless. I didn’t need words to find out what happened to Franny. I can do this by myself and without words.”

This quote reflects Suzy’s silence throughout the novel. It shows how her grief leaves her unable to communicate what she’s feeling, and instead of talking, she withdraws from the people around her, which increases her isolation. The simplicity of the quote makes her determination feel more real, showing that sometimes emotions are too powerful to explain.

What stood out to me most was how isolated Suzy becomes. Her silence isn’t just about not talking but it represents how disconnected she feels from the world around her. Even though people want to help her, she pushes them away because she doesn’t know how to explain what she’s feeling. Overall, the novel shows that healing isn’t about finding the perfect answer, but about slowly allowing yourself to feel, connect, and move forward.

PW #7 The Human Mind is Truly the Scariest Thing of Them All

The room wasn’t haunted. I checked twice. No creaking floorboards, no shadows slipping across the walls, no monsters hiding in corners. Just a desk, a chair, and a clock ticking too loudly for such a small space.

I sat down and stared at the blank page in front of me. At first, my mind was quiet, almost polite. Then it began to whisper.

You’re wasting time.
You should have started earlier.
What if this isn’t good enough?

The words didn’t appear on the page, but they were louder than the clock. I glanced around the room again, half-expecting to see someone else there. But there was no one. Just me, and my thoughts.

That was the scariest part. Nothing had changed, but now the room felt smaller, like the walls were closing in on me. The words swirled around me until I couldn’t tell whether they were was real or imagined. My mind was able to fill the emptiness so easily, turning nothing into something overwhelming.

I tried to shake it off. I told myself it was just a story, just a moment, just my imagination. But the human mind doesn’t listen easily. It takes one memory, one doubt, and twists it until it feels like the truth. Every mistake I’d ever made lined up all together, waiting to be replayed.

Then, all of a sudden, the thoughts paused.

In that  silence, I realized something unsettling. The room had never changed. It hadn’t trapped me, scared me, or whispered lies. My mind had done all of that on its own. It created fear without needing darkness or danger. It didn’t need monsters because it could invent them perfectly well.

The clock kept ticking. I picked up my pen.

As I wrote, the whispers softened. They didn’t disappear, but they lost their power. The words on the page kept me steady, reminding me that thoughts are not commands, but that they are only possibilities. The same mind that creates fear can also create clarity, courage, and control.

When I finally stood up to leave, the room looked ordinary again. Almost harmless.

I turned off the light, knowing the truth I’d been avoiding. The scariest thing in that room was never the silence or the shadows. It was the human mind, and what it can convince you to believe.

IRJE – #6 Louise Penny “the brutal telling”

Louise Penny’s The Brutal Telling is a mystery novel about secrets, truth, and identity. The story is set in the village of Three Pines, where a man known as the hermit is found murdered in the woods. As Inspector Gamache investigates, he talks to many villagers. Through these conversations, the reader begins to see how much people hide about themselves and their past.

One part of the book that stood out to me is a conversation between Inspector Gamache and one of the villagers. The villager avoids answering questions directly and instead changes the subject. Gamache pushes back, explaining that avoiding the truth does not make it go away.

“Sir, you must tell me what you saw.”

“I can assure you monsieur,” the man replied; “I saw nothing. Now please I have work to do.”

Gamache doesn’t stop. “We both know you have seen something in the woods; not telling me doesn’t make it better.”

The man sighs. “Alright.” (P. 164)

This dialogue really stood out to me because it shows how fear and guilt can influence people’s choices. The man knows something important, but he is scared of the consequences of speaking up. Gamache’s calm persistence shows that truth is necessary, even when it is uncomfortable. This part of the book helped me understand that silence can be just as harmful as lying. It also shows how Gamache’s character is built on patience and honesty rather than force. This moment made me think about how difficult it can be to tell the truth, especially when it might change everything.

PR to Jekyll and Hyde

Reading The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde made me feel uneasy in a way that felt intentional because the novel seemed to confront the idea that no one is entirely good or entirely evil. What stood out to me the most was that Dr. Jekyll is not a victim of Hyde; he creates him. This choice suggests that the darker parts of human nature come from within us, not outside forces. Jekyll wants to indulge his immoral impulses without harming his reputation. This made me think about how people often hide parts of themselves to meet social expectations and standards.

The more Jekyll tries to distance himself from Hyde, the more powerful Hyde becomes. This made me connect on how ignoring or denying negative emotions may actually strengthen them over time. and instead of addressing the problem, Jekyll gives in to it, and that loss of control leads to his death. The novel suggests that pretending to be perfect is more dangerous than admitting our imperfections.

I also really noticed the importance of reputation in the story. Many characters avoid asking questions or stepping in because they fear getting into a scandal, which I thought left evil to do whatever it wanted.  Jekyll’s life shows how harmful it can be to prioritize appearance over honesty.

Overall, the novel made me reconsider identity as something complex and fluid rather than fixed. Stevenson suggests that morality is not about completely erasing our darker impulses, but about recognizing and controlling them.

Pw #6 The Secret Garden

What if one day you decide to go exploring and you find a path that wasn’t on any map, hidden behind tall bushes and vines that wrap around each other. You get curious and so you slowly walk towards the path, and with each step you start to feel calm yet excited. The air feels cooler here, and familiar as if it’s been waiting just for you. At the end of the path there is an iron gate, it’s rusted but slightly open, and it seems like it’s urging you to come in.

You push the gate, and it creaks loudly before revealing a secret garden. Wildflowers bloom in every colour you can think of, their petals looking like it’s glowing in the sunlight. Butterflies and bees are flying around, and a small fountain in the middle. Everything feels peaceful like the garden has a mind of its own.

As you walk deeper inside, you notice strange details: roses that seem to move over to you, and leaves that seem to whisper as the wind brushes past, You feel calm, as if worries you didn’t even realize you were carrying are being lifted away. Sitting on a moss-covered bench, you start to realize this garden isn’t just hidden from the world, but it’s hidden from time.

Time passes but it’s impossible to know how much. When you finally stand to leave, the garden looks exactly the same, like it’s frozen in time; and maybe, it is. You step back through the gate, and the path behind you slowly disappears back into the bushes.

Later, you might try to tell someone about what you found, but you’ll find that you wouldn’t be able to find the right words to describe it.

personal response to A Christmas Carol

Reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens made me think about the importance of kindness, generosity, and personal change. At the beginning of the book, Ebenezer Scrooge is portrayed as a cold and selfish man who only cares about money. The author makes his attitude frustrating, shown especially in the way he treats Bob Cratchit and dismisses people who are struggling. However, this made his transformation later in the story much more powerful and meaningful.

By the end of the novel, Scrooge changes. His decision to help others and embrace the Christmas spirit showed that it is never too late to improve as a person. Dickens effectively uses Scrooge’s journey to teach readers about compassion and social responsibility. Overall, while the book wasn’t as interesting to me, it made me think about how my actions affect others and reminded me that generosity and empathy are especially important during the Christmas season, but also throughout the entire year.

IRJE #5 – Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

In the book Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny, Inspector Armand Gamache and some other officers face the emotional aftermath of a failed mission to save Paul Morin, based on instructions he had sent them over code in a phone call. The attempt was risky, and despite their best efforts, they could not prevent what happened. This scene takes place just after they return from that mission, and it shows how the weight of responsibility and guilt affects each character. Everyone is reflecting on what went wrong and what they could have done differently, revealing the human side of fear, loyalty, and moral responsibility. this is a scene where Inspector Gamache is speaking privately with Émile, an old mentor and friend.

“It’s my fault.”

“No it’s not.”

“They were all following me. I should have taken the path on the left.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“But I should have remembered that Paul said.”

“It’s not your fault.” (p. 375)

I chose this part because it really shows one of the central themes of the novel: how guilt, responsibility, and trust shape human behaviour, especially in high-stakes situations. Gamache felt the pressure of the mission and the emotional consequences of failure. Louise Penny emphasizes this tension through short, fragmented sentences that capture the panic, regret, and urgency of the moment. Each line shows how deeply they care for each other and how quickly people blame themselves, even when the failure is not entirely theirs. The scene also reflects how moral decisions are rarely simple; good intentions do not always lead to perfect outcomes.

PW #5 The thing I hated that ended up changing me

I moved from Korea to Victoria when I was seven, and at first, I hated it. I was leaving behind everything I knew like my friends, my family, my school, and the neighbourhood I was comfortable in. A month later, I was in a completely new environment. The culture was different, the environment was strange, and I often felt completely alone. Think of it as when everything that had once felt safe and familiar was gone and instead surrounded by strange and new things. I still remember the first day that we were in Canada, I was at my grandmas house (who I visited only once a year), and I opened this present I got from all my friends and it was a scrapbook filled with all the crazy random things that we did as a group and little notes from them saying how much they all loved me. That was the hardest that I have ever cried in my life.

At first, it was really hard. I wasn’t used to the routines at my new school, the way that I did things were always different as to others, and I missed my old friends a lot. Every day was a challenge, and sometimes I wished I could just turn back time and stay in Korea. It felt unfair and frustrating, the fact that all my friends got to stay together in our safe zone while I had to be across the world, and I didn’t think I would ever feel at home again.

But slowly, things began to change. I started exploring Victoria and learning more about my new environment. I made friends, discovered new hobbies, and learned to adapt to Canada. And slowly, what had once felt strange and lonely became familiar and even exciting. Moving taught me many things that I value and still think about today.

After eight years, I still sometimes wish I had stayed in Korea. I miss the comfort, the familiarity, and the friends I left behind. But I also know that moving to Victoria has shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I often think about what my life would have been like if we had never moved, and I’ve realized that this experience gave me a unique experience that I will appreciate my entire life. While I may always say that I like it in Korea more, I am grateful for the person I’ve become because of this change, resilient and adaptable.

PW #4 Why is it important to trust the process?

Trusting the process matters because let’s be honest, real change never happens overnight. We all want quick results and we’re used to it being that way, but when things start dragging on because nothing changes, it’s easy to think we’ve messed up somewhere. The truth is, the actual growth happens in those slow, awkward stretches, like when you’re frustrated, unsure, or convinced nothing’s working. Believe it or not, those aren’t signs you’re failing. They’re actually the messy groundwork that you need for the foundation to get stronger and more confident than you were before. When you stick with it, you get better at being patient with yourself. You stop expecting perfection right away. You start to notice all the tiny wins, even the ones nobody else notices. Maybe it’s dragging yourself to practice when you’re exhausted, or your determination with studying even though the class feels impossible. Maybe it’s working on your mindset, your discipline, or your resilience, the things nobody else sees yet. All those little efforts add up, quietly, until one day something just shifts. Suddenly, you’re handling things that used to freak you out. You look back and realize that you’re not the person you were before. That’s when you see why it all mattered. Setbacks? They’re not the end, they’re just part of the deal. Every mistake, every time you feel lost or behind, you’re actually picking up something you’ll need down the road. If you quit too soon, you miss out on the tougher, braver version of yourself that’s just starting to show up. At the core, trusting the process is really about believing in yourself. You do the work now, even if you can’t see the results yet, and trust that it’s leading somewhere good. And when those changes finally show, you’ll know every bit of effort was worth it.

PR #3 Our Town

Overall, I thought Our Town was a good play. I didn’t love it or hate it, but I guess that its uneventful style was meant to show what ordinary life really looks like.  The play explores who we as humans are through simple daily routines instead of dramatic events.

For example, the small moment between Emily and George where she was upset about how George changed and he promises to try harder. Even though it’s such a basic exchange, these moments can show how stories come from honest, everyday conversations. I didn’t feel attached to the characters at all, but the play still made its point that regular people can be complex even if their lives don’t seem impressive from the outside.

The play also made me think about how this applies to everywhere around the world and not just in Grover’s Corners. The Stage Manager keeps pointing out the town’s routines and habits, which made me think about how much our surroundings shape who we become. Even though I didn’t really understand why they chose to present it like it was, I saw where they were going with the idea. The place we grow up in really does influence how we see ourselves and others, and the play uses its plain setting to make that clear.

Act III was definitely the part that I noticed this in. When Emily returns to her twelfth birthday and realizes how little people appreciate the moments they’re living, it gave the point . It raises the question of what we should actually be doing in our lives. For example, paying attention, being more present, and noticing the small things we usually rush past. Even though the overall style of the play isn’t really my favourite, the message itself felt powerful and honest. In the end, I would say Our Town was just okay for me personally, but I do respect what it’s trying to get readers to think about. Even if I wasn’t completely drawn into the story, it made me reflect on how easy it is to overlook the ordinary moments that end up mattering the most.

IRJE #4 – Bury Your Dead

The book Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny is a mystery novel that follows Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he investigates a murder in Quebec City while also dealing with guilt from a past operation that went wrong. At one part of the book Gamache is having a conversation with another inspector named Langlois about how the investigation is going with the difficulty of the language barriers.

“My English isn’t very good. It’s ok, but you should hear the head librarian speak French. At least, I think she’s speaking French. She clearly thinks she is. But I can’t understand a word. In the entire interview she spoke French and I spoke English. It was like something out of a cartoon. She must think I’m a moron. So far all I’ve done is grinned and nodded and I think I might have asked whether she’s descended from the lower order.”

“Why did you ask that?”

“I didn’t mean to. I wanted to ask if she had access to the basement, but something went wrong,” he smiled. “I think clarity might be important in a murder case.”

“I think you might be right. What did she say to your question?”

“She got quite upset and said, ‘The night is a strawberry.’”

“Oh dear.”

Even though the conversation with the head librarian is confusing and awkward, Langlois keeps trying to get the information he needs for the investigation. He doesn’t let the language barrier or the librarian’s strange answers stop him from doing his job. This shows that even in serious situations, it’s important to stay patient and keep trying, even when things feel confusing or impossible.

IRJE #3 The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures

In the book The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures by Holly Hepburn Hope explores the process of healing, rediscovery, and learning to find happiness again after loss. It follows someone who is trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak, showing that recovery is not instant or dramatic, but something that unfolds slowly through small, everyday moments. In this section of the book, Hope is think about when she first moved to York feeling out of place, then how she is now, feeling a part of the community.

“In the end, it wasn’t the grand gestures or perfect plans that saved me — it was the quiet moments. The smell of fresh tea, a laugh shared in the fading light, the courage to open her heart again. Happiness didn’t arrive all at once; it bloomed slowly, like sunlight through dusty windows.” (p. 437)

This quote reflects the central message of the story. It suggests that happiness and healing are not found in perfection or dramatic change but in the courage to keep going, to open up, and to find beauty in small things. The main character’s journey shows that healing comes from acceptance and self-compassion rather than trying to erase the past. Hepburn’s writing captures the feeling of quiet strength that comes from starting over and learning to appreciate the gentle, comforting parts of life.

The Story of Joseph PR

What has Joseph made you think about?

Reading “The Story of Joseph” has made me think about how unpredictable life can be, and how quickly things can change from bad to good. It showed me that even when it feels like everything is going wrong, life has a way of turning around and surprising you in the best way. The story also made me realize the importance of patience and hope, even during hard times, because things don’t always stay bad forever.

What have you learned about yourself from reading Joseph?

Reading about Joseph has made me realize that I can sometimes lose patience when things don’t go the way I expect. Joseph’s story showed me that staying calm and trusting that things will work out can make a big difference. I learned that I can be stronger than I think if I stay hopeful and keep trying, even when life feels like it if punishing you. It also reminded me that forgiveness and understanding are harder than they sound, but they can lead to peace in the long run.

IRJE #2 – The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures by Holly Hepburn

In The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures by Holly Hepburn, main character Hope moves back to her childhood home in York, England after the death of her husband. In this part of The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures, Hope looks back on the process of grief and healing.

“Grief affects us all differently — sometimes we think we are coming through it — only to find another layer underneath. Maybe one day, we finish opening all the layers and find a new version of ourselves waiting — smaller than we were, sadder, but ready to face life again.” (pp. 251-252)

The quote suggests that loss isn’t something we can simply “get over,” but rather a long and ongoing process that reveals many different emotions as time passes. Grief doesn’t move in a straight line, it comes in waves, sometimes fading and then suddenly returning when we least expect it. Each layer we uncover in that process brings us a little closer to understanding ourselves again, even if we feel smaller, sadder, or more fragile than before. This quote also highlights the quiet strength that can come from healing. It reminds us that moving forward doesn’t mean going back to who we used to be; instead, it means finding the courage to face life again, even when we’ve been changed by what we’ve gone through. The phrase “a new version of ourselves” suggests transformation that comes from loss, we can develop deeper empathy, strength, and understanding. Holly Hepburn uses this moment to show that healing is not about returning to normal but about creating a new normal, one shaped by everything we’ve learned from love and loss. Her words tells readers that hope doesn’t always appear as a clear path; sometimes, it begins quietly, in small moments of courage and courage, and carves a new path.

PW#3 Life in Korea

As some of you may know, I am half Korean. I’ve lived about half my life in Korea, and the other half here in Victoria. Whenever someone asks me where I preferred living I would always way that I preferred living in Korea. However, it was only until the end of September this year when I actually started thinking about how different my lifestyles were based on the time of the year.

When I live in Korea for the summer, I have almost no limits. I can walk around the city by myself, I can hang out with my friends and walk to places with them at 3 am. I would never be able to do that here and feel like I was safe. I am also Closer to my mom’s side of the family and I only see them when I’m in Korea.

Another reason I prefer living in Korea is because of how convenient everything is. There are small shops, cafés, and restaurants everywhere, and the subway is super easy to use. When I live in Korea, I often go to the convenience store in my apartment complex. There, I can easily buy many things that I need.

Here in Victoria, things feel a lot quieter and more spread out. I have to plan everything ahead, and I can’t just suddenly go somewhere with my friends. I do like how peaceful it is here, but sometimes it feels a bit too calm. In Korea, even simple things like hanging out with friends or walking around at night feel exciting and full of energy.

Still, living in both places has made me appreciate different parts of each culture. Korea feels fast-paced and connected, while Victoria feels relaxed and open. I think having both experiences has helped me see the world in a unique way.

Personal Response to “Master and Man”

Reading Master and Man made me think a lot about how people treat others when they feel powerful versus when they are vulnerable. At the start, Vassili feels like he is better because of his wealth, and he treats others as though they are not as good. But as the story goes on and they’re trapped in the snow, his attitude shifts, and he realizes that all his money and power can’t save him. What surprised me was how it took a life-or-death situation for him to finally see Nikita’s humanity and even sacrifice himself. This book gives me questions. What if they had stopped in Grishkino for the night, would both of them have survived the night? I feel like if should not have taken a life and death situation for Vassili to realize that Nikita was a person. I also feel as though the story repeated a lot, to the point where it became predictable. if the story changed a bit and did not rush the ending, I feel like I would have enjoyed the story.

PW #2 – The Spectacularly Terrible Talent Show

On the day of the talent show at Coral Academy, Banana walks in to find the backstage was utter chaos. There were clothes thrown everywhere and people running around frantically. Banana goes up to their drama teacher, Ms. Clementine, and asked her what was happening. Ms. Clementine looked as if she was about to cry.

“Oh, Banana, it’s terrible! First, the pair of Pears from the tech group called in sick today, and they were the only people who knew all the riggings for the curtains! Then, Apple, being the tart one she is, provoked our makeup artist Peach by saying that nobody a-peach-iates her skills, and now Peach has locked herself in the costume room, so now we have no makeup artist, no curtains, and no costumes!”

Banana tried to reassure Ms. Clementine. “I’m sure it will be alright—” “Ms. Clementine,” Lemon interrupted, “me and Banana will fix this.” And so they got to work. First, Banana called the Pears to find a way to rig the curtain in an easier way. Meanwhile, Lemon confronted Apple.

“You need to apologize to Peach this instant!” he yelled. Apple scoffed. “Why should I? She’s way too sensitive.” “Because,” Lemon snapped, “without her, everyone’s going on stage looking like a fruit basket from the discount aisle!” That shut Apple up. She huffed, stomped over to the costume room, and knocked. “Peach, I am sorry, I didn’t mean it.” A small, muffled voice answered from inside. “Are you sure?” Apple rolled her eyes but continued. “Yes. You’re the only one who makes me look ready. Please come out.” The door creaked open, and Peach emerged, makeup brushes in hand, cheeks blushing brighter than her name. Meanwhile, Banana had the Pears on speakerphone.

“So you loop the rope twice, tie it like you’re tying shoelaces, and pull hard, right?” “That’s it!” one of the Pears crackled through the phone. Banana and Lemon followed the instructions, and in minutes, the curtain hung perfectly. When Ms. Clementine returned, her eyes filled with relief. The chaos gave way to harmony—makeup stations buzzed, costumes flew onto hangers, and the curtain stood tall and ready. The Coral Academy Talent Show was back on track.

IRJE #1 – The Night Traveler

In Act One of The Night Traveler by Armando Lucas Correa, the story focuses on Ally, a young mother in Nazi Germany, and her daughter Lilith. Ally is the image of a perfect German, while Lilith is a “mischling” what germans called black people. this section reveals how Ally tries to protect Lilith from the dangers surrounding them while also giving her comfort through poetry and imagination. One moment that stood out to me in Part 1 is when Ally whispers to her daughter Lilith while they walk through the darkness:

“By night, we’re all the same colour,” Ally would murmur to her daughter as they walked, as though reciting one of their poems. Ally was always writing, no matter where they were. She didn’t need pencil or paper, her mind worked more quickly than her hands, she used to tell Lilith. She recited poems to her, poems with a musical cadence that filled Lilith with joy. “What do you mean, Mommy?” “What I mean is: the night belongs to us, to me and you. The night is ours.” (p 9-10)

This passage is important because it shows how Ally uses poetry and imagination to comfort her daughter in frightening times. The idea that “by night we’re all the same colour” suggests that in the dark, differences that might divide people (like race, class, or background) fade away, leaving only the things connects us all. Ally’s words also reveal her strength as a mother. Even though she is scared herself, she tries to give Lilith a sense of safety and belonging by making the night feel like something beautiful instead of threatening.

PW #1 – the Impossible Homework

Maya looked at her homework in complete confusion. She was sure that this was math homework, but with all the letters and brackets, it could’ve equally been English homework. The teacher had assigned 20 questions but the first question already looked like it required a degree in computer science.

She sharpened her pencil, erased some words, and even managed to break a calculator. The questions got even harder with letter plus letter, fractions in square roots, and even symbols that she swore were in Harry Potter.

By the third hour, she had convinced herself that this was actually a secret test to recruit geniuses into a high-tech spy academy. She started daydreaming about how the math teacher was probably watching her and her class waiting to see who solved it first.

Suddenly, Maya had an idea. Grinning to no one in particular, she picked up her pencil and wrote: impossible questions will give you impossible answers. She then drew a model of a computer being created on only math questions.

The next day, her paper was handed back to her with a red note at the top. It said: Very creative… but still a zero. Maya sighed. Math proved that some things are really impossible!

Introduction

Hi my name is Clara and I am 14 years old. I was born in Korea and moved when I was about 6 years old. I have one sister who is in grade 7 right now, and no brothers. I can speak Korean, English and French and I’m currently learning Italian. my favourite sport is volley ball but I do also like golf a lot. I’ve played volleyball for 2 years, and I’ve played on comp and rec teams. my favourite time of the year is august, as that is the only time when I will actually be able to see my family from Korea.

outside of school, I like to hang out with my friends, go to the gym, go shopping, go on Starbucks runs with my neighbour/ best friend or attempt to learn how to play basketball with one of my family friends. my favourite thing to learn about is cultures, because I find it very fascinating to learn about how people around the world live in very different yet similar lives. Another thing I do is tutor kids in math. I have learned a lot while I’ve done this and I think that my patience and under standing has grown a lot since I’ve started.