Thursday, March 12, 2009
Essay free write
I think that it is kind of sad that in the minds eye of the people in America sees individuals as being all alone. Everyone needs someone and relays on someone to help them become who they are. Often in the American west stories, the pioneers are helped by the people traveling with them, the neighbors who live next to them and have been there for some time, a band of friendly Indians is also one of the common helpers. We tend to gloss over those people because we do not see them as being all that influential. On of the good things about "the power of one" is that the author makes us see who is there, who is helping, and who influences while now necessarily in a very good way. Those people are all present in a well thought out story, but they are often glossed over as unimportant in compared with what else is going on in the story in the main character's life. When I was in Mythology class we discussed the role that a hero takes, of "The hero's journey". I will admit that I do not remember all the steps and might not have them in the right order, t I know that it starts out with the call to adventure, refusal of the call, acceptance of the call, meeting the mentor, the first threshold, ..., the second threshold, the innermost cave, the resolution, the return to normal. This, we were told, is in every story of the hero, even if it is just in part. We learned this from Mrs. PK, but Ms. Nathe also has the information on it as well. As I see it, the book is true to it's title to me in the fact that there is no real way of living your life with other's. In you, you hold the power to rule your life and only you are given that power over yourself. I do not know if this is what the author intended for me to see in it, but I wonder, is his intentions to find "the power of one" in our own hearts and minds? If so, I think that he has done a good job because there is no end to what I see in myself now.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Quotation essay
- In The Power of One, written by Bryce Courtenay, we find that life's lessons come in many forms and in from many people. As we follow the main character, Peekay, we see how he learns and who teaches him these lessons. As the story is told from Peekay's point of view, starting from when he was a small boy, we see the most important things that other's tell him. We see how choice words hold meaning for him and how they help with the rest of his life.
- "The searcher after truth must search with humanity. Ruthless logic is the sign of a limited mind. The truth can only add to the sum of what you know, while a harmless mystery left unexplored often adds to the meaning of life. When a truth is not so important, it is better left as a mystery." (The Power of One, pg 263) This quote is said to Peekay by Doc in one of their conversations. Delving deep into the meanings of his words we can see how he teaches the important lesson of how one can not conquer life's mysteries by merely thinking them to death. True, one must have knowledge and a set thought process to begin in any matter, but one does not advance very far when thought holds you back and adds no more to what you know. One must then apply their own gut instincts and what one feels. Immersing one's self and mind in the subject leads to a true understanding and a true knowing of what is going on. Peekay has heard this lesson before from Hoppie, but in much simpler terms, "First with your head and then with your heart."
- This lessons falls into play when Peekay falls in love with the new teacher at his school. The true intellect of all the people around him can not help and he has no knowledge of the sort of things that go into love or of how to express his love in proper ways. This poses a difficult problem for him because his head has come up short on several accounts and he must rely on both his own heart and that of the others around him. In the end they ended up deciding that a bunch of roses a week would be a wonderful way of expressing his love. People in our society now seem to have a vast advantage over poor Peekay because we learn from watching TV and all the romantic movies were we see the perfect relationship. We then try to apply what we learn there to our actual relationships, applying them as though they were actual knowledge. There comes a time though when we leap without looking, following our heart into the unknown and then, SPLASH, everything works its way out and we either succumb to our love or we get over it and swim somewhere else.
- This lesson is a good one because it stands true beside everyone. You can only go so far relying on your mind to guide you. At some point you have to give way to your heart and let it guide you and give you strength and feeling to carry you through. In this world, there are very few things that you can get by doing with just what is in your brain. The worst part of that though, is thinking back and wondering, "Is this worth it? Will I regret following this path?" It is, ironically, questions that only your heart can tell you.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Response
I learned a lot about the actual workings of the country of South Africa from my own reading. I guess that I really didn't realize that racial differences were so prevalent in South Africa. I knew about the mineral wealth in Africa but I was amazed by the magnitude of how much actual profit that comes from such trading. The Government is still rather strange to me even now that I know basically how it works.
Response to Josh's
I thought that the differences between people, mentioned in Josh's blog was interesting. I was unaware that the racial segregation was based off of Hitler's Germany. I guess that People can never get along very well with those that they do not understand.
Response to Shane's
I like the way that Shane went in depth with all the different people and their relations. I was awair of most of the facts in his report, but I thought that the depth was nice. I liked knowing what was going on behind the story rather than the glossed over version.
Response to Josh's
I thought that the differences between people, mentioned in Josh's blog was interesting. I was unaware that the racial segregation was based off of Hitler's Germany. I guess that People can never get along very well with those that they do not understand.
Response to Shane's
I like the way that Shane went in depth with all the different people and their relations. I was awair of most of the facts in his report, but I thought that the depth was nice. I liked knowing what was going on behind the story rather than the glossed over version.
Friday, February 20, 2009
South Africa, A Basic View
South Africa is one if the richest countries due tho their diamond fields and gold mines.
South Africa lays on the tip of the continent and has four provinces; The Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Orange Free State, and the Transvaal. Most of south Africa is a plateau that sits at an altitude of 3,000 to 6,00 feet. A series of mountains, called The Great Escarpment, walls off the Plateau area from the coastal regions. The Great Escarpment can reach altitudes of 10,000 feet. Where mostly smaller mountain ranges separate The Great Escarpment from the coast, along the northeastern coast is extensive lowland plains. Two main rivers, The Orange and The Limpopo (Crocodile River). The Orange flows west while The Limpopo flows north.
Because South Africa lays south of the equator, winter months are in June, July, and August. Weather varies from the different regions of the country, but no matter where, the climates are very mild in both winter and summer.
The most important cities in South Africa are Johannesburg, Cape Tow, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Kimberley. Johannesburg is the largest city, but Capetown is the oldest, is the seat of the Parliament, and was the location of the world's first human heart transplant. Durban is the largest port and the center of the whaling industry. Pretoria is the Administrative capital and Bloemfontein is the nation's Supreme Court Seat.
South Africa has a population of about 19,620,00 comprised of 68% African or "Bantu", 19% White/European (Afrikaners and English), 10% Coloureds (mix of African and other races), and 3% Asians. Mohandas Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 and, appalled by what was going on, started his reform and protests.
Unlike almost any other part of the world, South Africa still segregates races. This is most evident in the school system where children of different races must go to different schools and universities. In South Africa there are nine universities for whites, three for Bantu, one for coloured, and one for Indians.
South Africa's economy is dependent on diamonds, gold, and agriculture. Before the 19th century South Africa was a poor agricultural country. When diamonds and gold was found, people pored in and the economy got a lift. The diamond industry was in an uproar until Cecil Johns organized the trade and founded De Beers who now control the output of South African Diamonds and the sales of all rough-cut diamonds at Kimberley. Three fifths of the worlds gold comes out of Africa and 80% of that comes out of South Africa. Out of the fifty-five gold mines in South Africa, $1,000,000,000 dollars worth of gold is mined yearly. South Africa also has the largest coal deposit on the continent and fuel form that is used in blast furnaces which are used in the production of steal and is also burned to produce electric power. The most important industries besides mining are iron working, steel working, food processing, textiles, chemicals, and machinery.
Because of low precipitation levels and terrain difficulties farming is impossible in some areas. In places that can not be farmed, people run sheep for the wool. Over 40,000,000 sheep roam South Africa. Sheep, to the people, are ok, but they see owning cattle as the greatest sign of wealth. Where crops can be grown, corn and wheat are planted. Because these few patches of productive land do not provide enough food for South Africa, they import a vast amount of these crops form the US and Canada. The wine and grape industry thrives in the Hex River Valley near Cape Town. Other major crops that are grown are citrus fruits, tobacco, sugar cane, and cotton. They are also one of the leading countries in fishing.
South Africa was originally settled by the Dutch in 1652 who established a refreshment station on Table Bay for ships who were sailing to Asia. During the Napoleonic Wars, the English acquired the Cape Colony from the dutch. Tensions were strained and in the end, after a three year war broke out, the Dutch moved North. In 1910 the Orange Free State, Transvaal, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal formed the union of South Africa. And in 1948 the government embarked on a policy of apartheid, or separate development of the races which to this day is being condemned by the rest of independent Africa and the rest of the world. In Oct. 1960 the white minority population voted to remove their country from British control and on May 31, 1961, South Africa was established as a Republic.
The Head of State is the state President who serves a seven year term and is elected by the members of both houses of Parliament, The House of Assembly and the Senate, when they meet together as an electoral college. Te head of government is the Prime Minister who is the leader of the party that holds majority in the House Assembly. The Senate is comprised of fifty-four members, forty-three are elected to represent the four provinces and Namibia* and eleven are appointed by the State President. The House of Assembly has one hundred and sixty-six members who are elected from the constituencies f the Republic and Namibia*. Though their officials are elected, only white South Africans that are eight-teen and older are aloud to vote.
* = South West Africa
South Africa lays on the tip of the continent and has four provinces; The Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Orange Free State, and the Transvaal. Most of south Africa is a plateau that sits at an altitude of 3,000 to 6,00 feet. A series of mountains, called The Great Escarpment, walls off the Plateau area from the coastal regions. The Great Escarpment can reach altitudes of 10,000 feet. Where mostly smaller mountain ranges separate The Great Escarpment from the coast, along the northeastern coast is extensive lowland plains. Two main rivers, The Orange and The Limpopo (Crocodile River). The Orange flows west while The Limpopo flows north.
Because South Africa lays south of the equator, winter months are in June, July, and August. Weather varies from the different regions of the country, but no matter where, the climates are very mild in both winter and summer.
The most important cities in South Africa are Johannesburg, Cape Tow, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Kimberley. Johannesburg is the largest city, but Capetown is the oldest, is the seat of the Parliament, and was the location of the world's first human heart transplant. Durban is the largest port and the center of the whaling industry. Pretoria is the Administrative capital and Bloemfontein is the nation's Supreme Court Seat.
South Africa has a population of about 19,620,00 comprised of 68% African or "Bantu", 19% White/European (Afrikaners and English), 10% Coloureds (mix of African and other races), and 3% Asians. Mohandas Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 and, appalled by what was going on, started his reform and protests.
Unlike almost any other part of the world, South Africa still segregates races. This is most evident in the school system where children of different races must go to different schools and universities. In South Africa there are nine universities for whites, three for Bantu, one for coloured, and one for Indians.
South Africa's economy is dependent on diamonds, gold, and agriculture. Before the 19th century South Africa was a poor agricultural country. When diamonds and gold was found, people pored in and the economy got a lift. The diamond industry was in an uproar until Cecil Johns organized the trade and founded De Beers who now control the output of South African Diamonds and the sales of all rough-cut diamonds at Kimberley. Three fifths of the worlds gold comes out of Africa and 80% of that comes out of South Africa. Out of the fifty-five gold mines in South Africa, $1,000,000,000 dollars worth of gold is mined yearly. South Africa also has the largest coal deposit on the continent and fuel form that is used in blast furnaces which are used in the production of steal and is also burned to produce electric power. The most important industries besides mining are iron working, steel working, food processing, textiles, chemicals, and machinery.
Because of low precipitation levels and terrain difficulties farming is impossible in some areas. In places that can not be farmed, people run sheep for the wool. Over 40,000,000 sheep roam South Africa. Sheep, to the people, are ok, but they see owning cattle as the greatest sign of wealth. Where crops can be grown, corn and wheat are planted. Because these few patches of productive land do not provide enough food for South Africa, they import a vast amount of these crops form the US and Canada. The wine and grape industry thrives in the Hex River Valley near Cape Town. Other major crops that are grown are citrus fruits, tobacco, sugar cane, and cotton. They are also one of the leading countries in fishing.
South Africa was originally settled by the Dutch in 1652 who established a refreshment station on Table Bay for ships who were sailing to Asia. During the Napoleonic Wars, the English acquired the Cape Colony from the dutch. Tensions were strained and in the end, after a three year war broke out, the Dutch moved North. In 1910 the Orange Free State, Transvaal, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal formed the union of South Africa. And in 1948 the government embarked on a policy of apartheid, or separate development of the races which to this day is being condemned by the rest of independent Africa and the rest of the world. In Oct. 1960 the white minority population voted to remove their country from British control and on May 31, 1961, South Africa was established as a Republic.
The Head of State is the state President who serves a seven year term and is elected by the members of both houses of Parliament, The House of Assembly and the Senate, when they meet together as an electoral college. Te head of government is the Prime Minister who is the leader of the party that holds majority in the House Assembly. The Senate is comprised of fifty-four members, forty-three are elected to represent the four provinces and Namibia* and eleven are appointed by the State President. The House of Assembly has one hundred and sixty-six members who are elected from the constituencies f the Republic and Namibia*. Though their officials are elected, only white South Africans that are eight-teen and older are aloud to vote.
* = South West Africa
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What I know.
I know that Africa is famous for its diamond mines. 
Africa was claimed and colonized by many different European countries, and some still own part of Africa. Probably the most famous African people were the Egyptians who lived along the Nile River and were highly advanced. Much of the conflict between people in Africa is do to Genocides. 
Africa holds a divers amount of species ranging from Elephants to Rhinos
Lions to Leopards
Zebras to Gazelle
Some of the largest Great White populations live off the coast of Africa. Madagascar is part of Africa and has some of the most unique animals, found no where else. It is speculated that humans as a species originated in Africa with Australopithecus. Africa has the highest number of people with AIDS and it is thought that AIDS originated with a hunter in Africa. The black people Americans brought to this country were originally from Africa.
Africa was claimed and colonized by many different European countries, and some still own part of Africa. Probably the most famous African people were the Egyptians who lived along the Nile River and were highly advanced. Much of the conflict between people in Africa is do to Genocides. Africa holds a divers amount of species ranging from Elephants to Rhinos Lions to Leopards Zebras to GazelleSome of the largest Great White populations live off the coast of Africa. Madagascar is part of Africa and has some of the most unique animals, found no where else. It is speculated that humans as a species originated in Africa with Australopithecus. Africa has the highest number of people with AIDS and it is thought that AIDS originated with a hunter in Africa. The black people Americans brought to this country were originally from Africa.
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