Friday, May 21, 2010

Narrative 5


When my mom first told me I was moving I couldn’t even think about leaving my friends behind. I had a lot of good friends in my town and did not want to start over. We lived in the city and were moving to a sub-urban area. My mom told me that we were moving into a neighborhood with a bunch of kids my age and that it would be a great adventure. I didn’t see it as an adventure at all I was not looking forward to this new beginning.
I said goodbye to my friends at the end of the school year. I felt like I was just saying goodbye until the start of next year like everyone else but I was saying goodbye forever. When I got home the moving truck was there ready to be packed up for our moving trip tomorrow. After dinner we started to pack up the truck I was sad to know that it was my last night at my home.
My mom woke me up early to tell me to get dressed and to put my last few things in the truck. I threw on my clothes I left out and put my pajamas in the truck. After breakfast we were on our way.
The neighborhood was big with about five different streets in it. As we were heading to our house there were kids running outside everywhere celebrating the first day of summer vacation. We pulled up to a yellow house that was going to be our new home. It didn’t feel right our old house was blue but my mom told me that I would get used to it in no time. My brother and I helped bring all the light things into the house.
The next day came quick I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. I wondered who could be at the door since we did not know anyone in town. I walked downstairs to answer it but by the time I got down there my mom had already let the lady and her daughter in. My mom and the lady talked for a while. The lady said that her daughter was going into 6th grade like me and that her name was Lucy. The lady said how the children go outside during the day and play games with each other. She said that I should go out later and met some of the kids. My mom thought this was a great idea so they exchanged house numbers.
After eating lunch I heard kids outside. I looked outside to see if I saw Lucy. I looked for a girl wearing a green shirt. I saw her playing four square with other kids. I remember playing that at recess one day at my old school, it was a fun game. The phone rang and it was the lady that had came over earlier. She said that all of the kids were outside and that I should go outside. My mom told me that she would walk me outside, but I told her not to because it would be embarrassing. So I walked outside by myself and sat on a curb near all of the kids that were playing.
They were friendly some were saying hi others were whispering to their friends wondering who I was. Once Lucy got out of four square she might have realized I was sitting there because she came over and sat next to me. She turned to me and said wanna play? I told her I was too good and I’ve only played once before. She said alright. I didn’t know what to say to her, but she seemed to know what to say. She told me about the neighborhood, the kids in the neighborhood, her school, her new pet puppy she got the other day; she was nice I liked her. I even talked about me about my old town and everything. She told me that I will love this town.
We talked for what seemed forever. I could tell that we were going to be great friends. Maybe this will be a great adventure after all.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Narrative 4



It’s been years since I’ve talked to Jim, John, and Marcus. In high school we were inseparable, playing pranks, going out, throwing parties we were the crazy ones in school. Everyone was so jealous of our brotherhood bond. But it seemed to fall apart in college. We met new people, went to different schools, and got into serious relationships so none of us had time for our old friends. After two years of college we lost all touch without even realizing it.

Every ten years our high school had a reunion. I got a letter in the mail saying that it was time for another high school reunion. I wasn’t sure whether to go or not because I didn’t think any of my friends would anyways. Besides, I never went to any of the reunions before, they are waste of time. So I just placed the letter aside telling myself that I would figure it out later.

When the time came around my wife and I were supposed to go out for dinner. Instead she went shopping for my grandchild’s birthday. She called me and told me that she had to cancel out dinner reservations and that we would go out another night. I said okay and sat down on the couch and started looking through newspapers. I came across the obituary and was stunned by what I saw. It read; ‘John Smith Born: December 23, 1944 Died: January 8, 2002. He will be missed.’ With a picture of him above the article. I sat there stunned at what I saw I couldn’t believe I haven’t seen or talked to this man in over 40 years. How could I let something like that happen? Lose touch with one of my best friends I ever had. I wondered whether Marcus or Jim knew. I then wondered if they were still around. The other way I could find out was to go to the reunion.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed the invitation to the reunion that was still sitting on the counter. I can’t believe Mary didn’t throw it away. My wife hated when things were in random places, she liked everything neat and organized.

I read the invitation the date said February 12, 2003. That was tonight I read the time it started at six. It was five thirty now. The place where the reunion was being held was only a thirty minute ride. I would get there on time or maybe even a little late. But as long as I get there I’ll be fine. I wrote a note for Mary telling her that I was going to the reunion and left the invitation there next to it so she knew everything. I never told her that I was thinking about going… I never actually thought I would.

After throwing on some decent clothes I hopped in the car and was on my way. When I got there it was easy to find a parking spot, this kind of scared me. What if none of my old friends went? I decided to go in and see if I saw anyone, if I didn’t I would just go home.

Talking to people there was like meeting someone for the first time. Nobody really knew who was who because it has been so long. Whenever someone walked up to me they would introduce themselves and I would introduce me. Some people I remembered and had long conversations with, others I had no idea who they were.

I didn’t think I was ever going to find Jim or Marcus. I walked over to the bar to get a drink. I saw these two men and a woman sitting there. They were laughing and they seemed to be having a great time. Once they realized me sitting there, one of them turned to me and said, “Hi I’m Jim” (putting out his hand to shake mine) “This is Lucy, my wife.” “And this is funny ol’ Marcus.” I couldn’t believe it, it was my old friends sitting right in front of me. As I was putting out my hand to shake his hand I said “Yeah I know you two, I’m George.” Instead of shaking my hand Jim and Marcus both jumped up and hugged me. Like the old days they started to mess with my hair, they knew I hated it, but this time I didn’t mind it.

We talked for a long time about our lives and what we’ve been up to lately. Jim seemed to have the most to say about his wife, his children, and his successful job. Marcus on the other hand did not have as much to talk about. He and his wife had got divorced recently and they never had kids. Then the subject came up about John. I asked them if they knew and they both nodded. They said that they had not talked to him either ever since high school. The night was over and my old friends and I had to once again depart like we did on the last day of high school. But this time was different we knew we would see each other again. We all regret losing touch with John, losing him showed us that you never know what you have and when it will be gone.

Image 30



Title: Sisters playing chess
Artist: Sofonisba Anguissola
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Location: Museum Narodowe, Poznan

Image 29


Title: Sisters of The Fertile Moon
Artist: Cyn McCurry
Medium: Oil
Location: Texas

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Image 28

Title: Best Friends II
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Photograph
Location: Unknown
http://www.ethnic2020.com/art2.htm

Image 27


Title: Beach Bums
Artist: Patti Mollica
Medium:Oil
Location: New York City

Image 26

Title: Encouragement
Artist: Elaine Hughes
Medium: Oil
Location: California

Image 25

Title: Friendship
Artist: H.H. Sheikha Mozeh
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Location: Unknown


Image 24

Title: Friendship
Artist: Aleksei Stepanov
Medium: Oil
Location: Russia

Image 23

Title: Inseparable
Artist: Dorothy Bonneau
Medium: Oil
Location: North Georgia

Image 22


Title: Curb Sitters
Artist: Laurie Justus Pace
Medium: Oil on Panel
Location: Texas

Image 21


Title: Best Friends
Artist: Laurie Justus Pace
Medium:Oil
Location: Texas

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

That’s What Friends Are For By: Dionne Warwick

Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

This song is about friendship and how friends should be to each other. He says that his friends should know that they can always count on him. He also says that friends are supposed to be there for each other through good times and bad.

Friends Never Say Goodbye By: Elton John

There isn't much I haven't shared
With you along the road
And through it all there'd always be
Tomorrow's episode
Suddenly that isn't true
There's another avenue
Beckoning, the great divide
Ask no questions, take no side
Who's to say who's right or wrong
Whose course is braver run
Will ever be, ask one

In this song Elton says that he and his friend have shared a lot. He also says that nobody should be right or wrong and to defend each other and be as one.

Put your Records on By: Corrine Bailey Rae

Girl, put your records on,tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

In this song Corrine tells her friend to let loose and enjoy herself. She also tells her that she hopes that she accomplishes her dreams.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Dumbledore: It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.

Dumbledore says that it very difficult to stand up to your enemies, but it’s even harder to stand up to your friends.
This means that friends don't want to stand up to their friends because they might be afraid of hurting their feelings or losing that friend. But with an enemy this is different because the person would not care if the enemy's feelings get hurt.

My Best Friend By: Tim Mcgraw

You're my best friend
You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me
And you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have

Tim Mcgraw sings this song about his best friend. He says that his best friend stands by him and believes in him. He says that nobody has ever done that for him. Also he says that his best friend is ready to help him when something goes wrong.

Wizard of Oz

Dorothy: Oh, you're the best friends anybody ever had. And it's funny, but I feel as if I'd known you all the time, but I couldn't have, could I?

Dorothy says this to her friends; scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion. She tells them that they are great friends. She says that she feels like she’s known all of them forever. Some friends you feel so close to when you've only known them for a short period of time.

Stand By Me

“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve.”

This quote was said at the end of the movie, Stand By Me. This means that the friends that he had when he was twelve were the best friends he had in his whole life.

Shrek

Donkey: Only a true friend would be that truly honest.

Donkey says this to Shrek, telling him that he is a true friend for being that honest to him. Honestly is a very important quality to have in a friendship. Without it some people would not see the truth.

Friendship Quote By: Aristotle

“Without friends no one would choose to live."

Aristotle says short and sweet that without friends no one would choose to live. This simply means that friends complete everything. Without friends you would have nobody to share your life with.

Friendship Quote By: Ludwig van Beethoven

“Never shall I forget the times I spent with you; continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours.”

Beethoven says that he will never forget the time he’s had with his friend. He also tells his friend to continue to be his friend and that he will always be his.

Friendship Poem By: H.W. Longfellow

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

In this quote Longfellow says how he shot an arrow into the sky and didn’t see where it landed. Then he said later on he found it but it wasn’t broken. The arrow had been in the heart of his friend. Metaphorically the friend protected the arrow and kept it from breaking.

The Clique

Massie Block: I choose A too.
Claire Lyons: What's A?
Massie Block: I'd rather be a friendless loser than have a bunch of friends that secretly hate me.

This is a quote from the movie The Clique. Massie says that she would rather have no friends
then have people who hate her. She means that it’s not worth people pretending to like you when they just go behind your back and say things about you.

Friendship Quote By: Albert Camus

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend."

This quote is about friendship. It tells someone to walk beside their friend because if you walk in front of them they might not follow and if you walk behind someone they may not lead.

Friendship Qoute From the Bible; Ecclesiastes

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

This quote is from the bible, it is saying that two people together are better than one person alone. It gives reasoning for this, it says that if someone falls then they will have someone to help them up but if they’re alone then they will have nobody to help them up.

E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial)

Elliot: You could be happy here; I could take care of you. I wouldn't let anybody hurt you. We could grow up together, E.T.

This is a movie about a kid who found something that came from outer space. When he finds him they become friends. The boy tells him that if he stays with him he won’t let anyone hurt him and that they will grow up together and be friends.

May Our Friendship Last Forever By: Nicholas Gordon

May our friendship last forever;
May I sail upon your sea.
May we go through life together;
May there always be a "we."
May I be your endless sky;
May you breathe my gentle air.
May you never wonder why
Each time you look for me, I'm there.
May we be for each a smile
Like the warm, life-giving sun;
Yet when we're in pain awhile,
May our suffering be one.
May we share our special days,
The happiness of one for two;
And if we must go separate ways,
Let my love remain with you.

May Our Friendship Last Forever is a poem written by Nicholas Gordon. In this poem he says how he wants his friendship to last forever with him. He also says that he can guarantee that whenever his friend looks for him he will always be there. But he says if they have to go their separate ways then he hopes his love stays with his friend.

A Time to Talk By: Robert Frost

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, 'What is it?'
No, not as there is a time talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.

A Time to Talk is a poem written by Robert Frost. Robert wrote that when he friend calls to him from the road he goes to visit him. He says even if he has things to do he puts his tools down and has a chat with his friend.

True Friend By: Hannah Montana

A true friend
You're here till the end
You pull me aside when something ain't right
Talk with me now and into the night
'Til it's alright again
True friends will go to the ends of the earth
Till they find the things you need
Friends hang on through the ups and the downs
Cause they've got someone to believe in

True Friend is a song sung by Hannah Montana. In this song she says how when her friend notices something is wrong with her she talks to her and finds out what it is. No matter how hard it is to figure it out her friend will find out to help her.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Carmen: It would be easy to say that the pants changed everything that summer. But looking back now I feel like our lives changed because they had to and that the real magic of the pants was in bearing witness to all of this and in somehow holding us together when it felt like nothing would ever be the same again.
Carmen: Some things never would be.
Lena: But we know now that no matter how far we traveled on our own separate paths...
Bridget: Somehow we would always find out way back to each other.
Tibby: And with that, we could get through anything.
Bridget: To us. Who we were, and who we are. And who we'll be.
Tibby: To the pants.
Lena: And the sisterhood.
Carmen: And this moment, and the rest of our lives.
Carmen, Lena, Bridget, Tibby: Together and apart.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a movie about four best friends that had to spend the summer apart. They decided that they would share a pair of pants and mail them to each other wherever someone went. They said that no matter where they were they always found each other. They learned from this summer experience that they would always be able to get through everything together.

Anytime You Need a Friend By: Mariah Carey

If you're lonely
And need a friend
And troubles seem like
They never end
Just to remember to keep the faith
And love will be there to light the way
Anytime you need a friend I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright

This song is called Anytime You Need a Friend and is sung by Mariah Carey. This song is about having faith is someone to always be there for you. She says that love will make everything alright. She also says to her friends that if they ever need her that she will always be there for them no matter how far away she is.

Umbrella By: Rihanna

Umbrella By: Rihanna
“When the sun shines, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)”

This song is Umbrella by Rihanna. In this song she is singing about her friendship with someone. She says that she said that she would always be a friend and that she’s going to keep that promise. She also tells her friend that we trouble comes that she will be there to help her. She goes about saying this by using a metaphor that when it rains she can stand under her umbrella.

Lean On Me By: Bill Withers

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Call me (if you need A friend)

This song is about someone saying that if their friend needs someone to lean on then they can come to him. It says that don’t hesitate to ask for anything.

She Told Me It Was Okay To Cry By: Daphna Renan

“She held my hand and told me that she was there and that it was okay to cry- so I did”
“So I took her hand and told her that I was there and that it was okay to cry- so she did”

This short stories tells a story about two old friends that havent been staying in touch. The first quote was from when the two girls were younger and were close friends. The second quote was from when the two friends reconnected and one of them was feeling alone. These quotes show that even though they didn’t stay in touch they would always be there for one another.

Friendship Quote By: Erynn Miller

“It takes a lot of understanding, time and trust to gain a close friendship with someone. As I approach a time of my life of complete uncertainty, my friends are my most precious asset.”

This quote shows that friendship means a lot to her. She turns to her friends when she is in a time of trouble or confusion. It also tells us that she values her friendship since she believes it takes a lot of aspects to become close to someone.

My New Best Friend By: Kimberly Kirberger

“I put my arms in front of me
And went to pull her nearer
And realized that my new best friend
Was nothing but a mirror.”

This poem tells a story about a girl who had thought she made a new friend. Her new friend she could confine in. She told her many things and during all of it the girl listened. She was happy to have made a new friend and wanted to hug her. But when she went to hug her she realized it wasn’t a person she had been talking to, it was a mirror. This shows that all the girl really needed was for somebody to listen. She had felt good about talking about her problems even though she really wasn’t talking to anybody.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Narrative 3

My sister and I have been fighting lately so my mother wanted to bring us out somewhere. Since my sister, Stacy and I are twins were in the same grade so we get annoyed of each other easily. She steals my clothes and wears them to school all the time. Usually I don’t mind it, but the other day she toke my new shirt that I bought with my money. I didn’t notice until school that she was wearing it. When I did notice though we were in the hallway and I went up to her and yelled at her. She didn’t think it was a big deal but I thought enough was enough; I will never let her borrow my clothes again.
When we got home from school Stacy told our mom that I embarrassed her in front of everybody. My mom thought I was being ridiculous and that I should have discussed it to Stacy when we got home from school. I tried persuading my mom to agree with me and to not let Stacy wear my clothes again but of course she sides with my sister.
The weekend came and my mom thought that we should all bond, the three of us. I looked outside and decided it was so-so out and that khakis and a short sleeve shirt would be appropriate. My mom and I were waiting in the car for Stacy to be ready. She always takes such a long time to get ready. When she walked outside I thought I was looking in the mirror, aside from being twins she was wearing the same exact outfit as me. The outfit was made up of a gray shirt with khakis and flats. The only thing different was my pink necklace and my white belt. I had no time to go inside to change it was almost lunch time.
We decided to go out for lunch before going to the market. Lunch was quiet for a while until my mom brought up a conversation about soccer. Soccer was Stacy and mine favorite sport we both played for the school team. Stacy is a forward and I am the goalie. My mother knew that the conversation about soccer would lighten things up and surprisingly it did. Stacy and I started talking about the last game we had when I saved the goal in the last thirty seconds that could have tied the game. I reminded her that she scored the winning goal to get us ahead 2-1 before I had to save the goal. After the conversation was over the rest of lunch went smoothly.
After lunch was over we went to the market and looked to see if we saw anything we wanted but nothing was anything special. As we were looking at purses it started to get darker but I didn’t think anything of it. Then a few minutes later it started raining. We weren’t getting wet though we were under the tent. My mother said we should leave now and go to the movies instead. My mom pulled out a small umbrella out of her purse; she has everything in that purse. We all huddled under the umbrella, my sister held it with me and my mom on each side. My sister said jokingly, “My hair better not be ruined I spent so much time on it.” My mother and I laughed at her. This was when I realized how wonderful my sister was and how great our relationship was. Not only are we sister were best friends too.

Website

http://www.friendship-inc.com/Stories/SuccessStories.htm
This is a website about an organization that helps disabled people. This seems like a good organization that helps a lot of people that need the help.

Website

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24843322/ns/today-today_technology_and_money//
This website is the top five friendliest cities in the United States. They are San Antonio, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Davis, Colorado; Nashville, Tennessee; and Madison, Wisconsin. For each of these places it has a quote from somebody saying how nice things are in that town. All of these places are a great community and are welcoming to visitors.

Website

http://www.friendshipmuseum.org/friendshipmuseum.org/Friendship_Museum.html
This website is the main website for The Friendship Museum is a museum located in Maine. This museum is very small and is only a brick schoolhouse. Inside the museum is a collection of artifacts and documents. These collections are from a traditional seafaring community.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Image 20


Title: Friendship
Artist: Kasey Sullivan
Medium: Photograph
Location: Australia

Image 19

Title: Friendship
Artist: Kelly Rae Roberts
Medium: Unknown
Location: Florida


Image 18


Image 17


Image 16


Title: Imaginary Friends
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Photograph
Location: Wellington

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/health/stories/study-make-believe-friends-make-kids-language-skills-better

Image 15

Image 14

Title: Real Friends
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Photograph
Location: Unknown

Image 13

Title: Best Friends Secret
Artist: Durr Wise
Medium: Photograph
Location: Unknown


Image 12

Title: Old Friends
Artist: Jim Van Geet
Medium: Oil
Location: Australia


Image 11


Title: Best Friends
Artist: Durr Wise
Medium: Photograph
Location: Unknown

Image 10

Title: Friendship
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Unknown
Location: Unknown

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/ejpphoto/popular-interesting/

Image 9


Title: Side by Side II
Artist: Kelly Rae Roberts
Medium: Unknown
Location: Florida

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Narrative 2

My mom always tells me how attached I was to that big ball of fur. Ever since I was born Trupper had always been around. My mom told me that I would always hug Trupper and he wouldn't mind. But if anyone else grabbed him he would start barking at them. He was almost like my brother even though he was just a dog. But no he wasn't just a dog to me, to me he was my best friend. I grew up being used to having him around the house, him barking if he heard something outside. He was like our family's gentle watch dog. But one day this all changed.
This was the day I was sure to never forget. I remember every moment of it like it was yesterday.
I was one of the shy kids in school I tried keeping out of people's way. So my house was a safe place for me. After school I'd come home and play with Trupper. He would be waiting for me at the gate in our backyard at the exact minute I'd get home, almost as though he knew what time school ended. I would let myself in and start playing with Trupper. His favorite game was fetch, he would run back and forth across the yard for hour. Repeatly doing the same thing.
One day I came home and I was having a losey day and was looking forward to seeing Trupper. As I came up the driveway heading towards the gate I couldn't see him. As I got closer I could see that the gate was open. My heart started pounding. I walked towards his doghouse but he wasn't in there. Maybe he's inside. I walked inside and yelled his name, again he was nowhere to be found. Maybe my mom took him out for a walk. I checked the counter for any signs of my mom being home; her car keys, her purse, nothing. I walked outside to look in the driveway for he car, that wasn't there either.
All the possibilities of where he could be ran through my head. They started of reasonable but then progressed into the worst things possible. Maybe my mom took him to the vet, no she always makes me walk him down the street to the vet. Maybe he got out and someone found him. Maybe someone say him in my backyard and took him. Maybe he did get out but nobody found him. What if he never comes back? So many possibilities were running through my mind.
I ran inside to call my mom and find out if she knew where Trupper was. As i dialed the numbers my hands were shaking so much I was unsure if I was actually typing the correct numbers. I put the phone to my ear I heard exactly three rings. Every ring seemed louder. She answer, "I'll be home in fifteen minutes, love you." Before I could respond she hung up. She had to of known where he was if she didn't want to talk to me. Usually when I called her after school she'd ask me how was school, do you have homework, or any other questions about my school day. I was always the one who didn't want to talk, but today it was her ending the conversation quick.
I sat on the couch for what seemed for ever. My mom finally arrived at 3:45 five minutes more than how long she said she would take. My mom wasn't usually home until 4:30.
As she pulled into the driveway I looked out the window into the car to see if she had Trupper with her. Maybe they were just coming home from the vet. When I didn't see Trupper in the car I sat on the couch waiting for my moms explination.
She walked in and looked at me then back down at the ground. But something caught my eye, her eyes were red as though she had just been crying. I knew that my possibilities could be correct from the look on her face.
She sat down next to me holding my hand. She looked me in the eye, I was right she had been crying. She told me that Trupper had been getting to old and that he was starting to hurt often. I have noticed him starting to be tired alot more often. But I thought nothing of it. She then explained to me that the vet and her thought it was the best thing to put him down. Those words froze in my head put him down. Once I realized I would never see him again I started crying.
My sad crys turned into anger towards my mom. I started yelling at her asking why would you do this. I said how could you do this and not tell me, all I would need was a goodbye.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Critique #3



The name of the painting is Friendship. The artist is Pablo Picasso. The medium of this piece is oil on a canvas. The subject matter is Friendship. When I look at this piece it is very calming and relaxing.
There are two figurative pieces in this art that seem to be humans. The body is made up of compositions that make the bodies a whole. These two people render two friends leaning on each other. The way the people are touching each other shows a content of friendship. There is chiaroscuro between the fronts of back of this piece; towards the front it is lighter but as you move back it gets darker. There is a hue of dark shades in this piece of art. There a darker shade of colors shown in this painting. There is a good amount of value between the amount of light in the painting and the amount of darkness in the painting. The person having their hand on the other person’s leg implies movement. In the foreground there is a human being comforted by another human. In the field there is a human comforting another human. There is a subtle white thing in the foreground of the painting that I did not immediately notice and that I cannot tell what it is.
The focal point that I see in this painting is the two people’s faces. Where the people’s bodies are there is a lot going on but when you look at their heads they are just resting on each other peacefully. There is an obvious narrative which is that these two people are friends. Also it seems as though the one in the background is comforting the one in front of him by having his arm on his shoulder and by touching his knee. The things that make this piece strong is the pieces that make it up and the relaxation of the piece. The thing that makes this piece weak is the white thing in the foreground that I cannot tell what it is.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Narrative 1


I was in Geometry with Mr. Smith going over last night’s homework, when I heard my phone vibrate in my bag. When Mr. Smith went out of the room to get the test that he forgot to print before class, I pulled out my phone. The text said “Claire, come to the bathroom I really need to talk to you.” I responded saying how I have a test soon and that I couldn’t but we could talk after school. With a quick response Michelle said “This can’t wait, it’s really important.” Claire wasn’t the type of person who would ask for anybody help so I knew this was serious.
As soon as Mr. Smith came in the room I told him I didn’t feel good and had to go to the nurse. Of course, if I had told him the truth and asked to go to the bathroom he would tell me to wait until after the test. This couldn’t wait Michelle needed me. He believed me and let me go to the nurse wishing me to get better.
I took the shortest route to the bathroom possible. Usually when I leave class I go the longest way just to get out of class, especially during silent reading. As I was walking all the ideas of what could be wrong ran through my head. Is she moving? Are her parents getting divorced? She has mentioned that her parents had been fighting a lot lately. Did she and Ian break up? Ian always had treated her badly. No, those can’t be it; she could have easily told me after school since we were hanging out later.
I came across the door labeled Girls and was nervous to find out the secret. As I opened it two of the four stalls were full. I knew Michelle was in the first stall because I saw her favorite pink sandals under the stall. I waited until the other girl left the bathroom to talk to her. I stood against the wall next to the sink, waiting for Michelle to come out.
She came out of the first stall holding her sweater that she had worn over her blue dress in her hand. I could see her looking at something inside the sweater, her face looked nervous with fear. Michelle was never the type of person to be afraid of anything. I stayed against the wall waiting for her to talk. Her mouth stayed open as if not knowing what to say. So I walked over to her to find out what was in her hand.
I couldn’t believe what I saw. Everything that I thought was wrong wasn’t. I looked up at Michelle still not saying a word, but trying to understand where her fear was coming from. I hugged her for what seemed forever, not wanting to let go, just to let her know that I was here for her.
Michelle was the last person I thought this would happen to. Her boyfriend and she were serious but this I couldn’t believe. Michelle was an independent leader who always made the right decision. But this decision she could never take back. She did tell me about that night, but I thought nothing of it until now.
Finally the silence was broken, “What am I gonna do?” Michelle sobbed. I held her tighter as if hugging her any tighter would make it all go away. I reassured her that I will always be here for her, as if the hugging didn’t speak for itself. So many questions came out of her. She always knew the answer; I was usually the one with all the questions. But now it was my turn to be the good friend. With every question I made a reasonable answer. But one question I couldn’t seem to find the answer. She asked, “How am I going to tell my parents?” I paused not know what to say, Michelle’s parents haven’t been getting along and this would only add on to the fighting making things harder. Michelle’s dad was also a very protecting father. Michelle had a curfew, her dad had to meet every boy that she wanted to date, and Michelle had to get all A’s and B’s in school or she’d be grounded. Her cry got louder and louder, I had to come up with an answer soon. I finally said, “I’ll tell them with you.” I think she liked this answer because her crying lessened. She said she’d tried tested it two other times but they all came out the same, positive. This was the third time, she knew she was. She also said that after the second time she had told Ian that she thought she was. Ian was in college so he could easily disappear out of Michelle’s life whenever he wanted to. Discovering he could be a father he did exactly that and disappeared.
She told me she has felt more alone than ever before. I told her again that I was here for her. I felt helpless but being there for her was all I could do. We were in the bathroom until the last school bell rang. We waited until the hallways were clear. We left the building and hoped into my red convertible. I drove us to my house, knowing that my mom wasn’t going to be home until later tonight. We talked about how we were going to tell her parents and that we were going to do it tomorrow.
Before we knew it, the day came when she had to tell her parents. We called them into the room telling them we needed to talk about something serious. Sitting on the blue couch our nerves were getting to us. It was time to see how they would react.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Psychology

http://www.succeedsocially.com/notinterested
This website is about why some people don’t want to be friends with other people. It says that someone can’t be a match for everyone. It also says that maybe you just don’t hang out at the same events that they go to. The website has many other examples to why someone may not seem interested in being friends with you.

Psychology

http://www.succeedsocially.com/notinterested
This website is about why some people don’t want to be friends with other people. It says that someone can’t be a match for everyone. It also says that maybe you just don’t hang out at the same events that they go to. The website has many other examples to why someone may not seem interested in being friends with you.

History

http://www.infed.org/biblio/friendship.htm
This website describes friendship over time. During earlier time Aristotle had his own view on friendship. It also describes modern vies on friendship. Also the age of friendship has different experiences with friends. It describes a five stage model with ages between 3-15. The final stage after these stages is adulthood.

Website

http://www.squidoo.com/traditions-of-friendship
This website describes the symbols of friendship. There are certain types of fruit, plants, flowers, jewels/ jewelry, and animals that are symbolic of friendship. On this website you can also find friendship quotes. It also tells you the traditions of friendship.

International

http://www.ipfusa.com/
This website is about Pen Friends also known as Pen Pals. This website provides people with pen pals around the world. This allows people from foreign countries to become friends through letters. The people are matched by their age, their interests, and their hobbies. It also allows school from all around the world to sign up and get pen pals.

Psychology

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Psychology-of-Friendship-and-Success&id=728330
The psychology of friendship and success is described on this website. This article is saying to advance in success you will have to put aside your friends and family. It also says that we say yes to all of our friend’s invitations but then regret it the next day for not studying for a big test you have. This article shows how sometimes friendship can get in the way of success.

Psychology

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200611/friendship-the-laws-attraction
This website goes well with my concept of Friendship. On this friendship it tells you how people become friends. It explains that we are more likely to become friends with people we see on a regular basis. The article also tells how some friendships last while others seem to fall apart. It also says that we are best friends with the people who support our own views on ourselves.

History

http://www.friendshipday.org/friendship-day-history.html
This website is about Friendship Day. Friendship Day is on the first Sunday of August. In 1935 the United States Congress made Friendship Day an official event. Also below the history of friendship is an article about the importance of friendship in the bible. The article explains how Jesus and his disciples’ friendships are constantly expanding.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Poem

Follow Me
By : Michelle Newton

Take my hand and follow me
to that place I long to be.
Take my hand and trust my way,
in that place forever stay.
Follow me toward the sand;
we'll run and play, hand in hand.
Take my heart and hold it true;
forever I'll stay close to you.
Seize my words and listen well,
then forever I will tell.
Release your heart and feelings too,
just as I will do for you.
Trust your heart and follow me,
to that place we long to be.

Raphael Soyer Biography

Artist: Raphael Soyer
Title: My Friends
Location: Russia
Medium: Oil on canvas
Regarded as America's leading advocate of realism, Raphael Soyer devoted his long, productive life to "painting people ... in their natural context-who belong to their time." During the 1930s, Soyer's poignant portrayals of New York City's office workers and the unemployed secured his reputation as a major Social Realist. The painting My Friends reflects the shift in Soyer's work of the 1940s from urban environments towards interior scenes. In this work, he has combined two common themes of his oeuvre: intimate studies of solitary women, often nudes, and portraits of fellow artists, reflecting his great affection and admiration for them. In 1941 his show, My Contemporaries and Elders, featured portraits of Raphael himself, his twin Moses Soyer, Chaim Gross, and David Burliuk. All four artists, along with Nicolai Cikovsky, later appeared in My Friends, one of Soyer's largest paintings. Represented in Soyer's studio, from left to right, are Cynthia Brown, Cikovsky, Moses, Burliuk, and the figurative sculptor Gross. In the background, Raphael is seated at his easel, painting an unidentified nude model. A scroll in the foreground proclaims, "Friendship is the wine of life." Among Soyer's closest friends were the painters Cikovsky and Burliuk, who shared his Russian heritage. Soyer's favorite artist-model was the pioneering cubo-futurist Burliuk, who is seated in the center of My Friends.Since 1917, Soyer's most frequent model was himself, often with pencil or brush in hand. "I always paint myself appearing introverted.... I never make myself entirely like myself. I always appear older looking, or unshaven, or all alone. It's the result of looking a little bit more deeply." Like Soyer, his friends are, in his works, portrayed as introspective, "dissociated from one another even when they're painted together." He felt that this interpretation derived not only from looking at the world from hisperspective but also as a result of New York City's "certain coldness and hardness and dissociation," which compelled him "to dig, to scrape, to unearth the beauty." Soyer appreciated this combination of aloofness and penetration in the work of Edgar Degas, which he regarded as a reflection of the artist's personality and profound psychological modernity. Soyer was "fascinated by the art of Degas-worldly, analytical, refined." The casual cropping of the nude model behind the space-dividing screen recalls Soyer's appreciation of Degas's compositional devices. Likewise, the subtle color scheme, the disassociation of carefully arranged, introverted figures, and the sense of the honest, unguarded moment in My Friends all suggest Soyer's admiration of such Degas group compositions as The Belleli Family (1858-67, Musee d'Orsay, Paris) and Portraits in an Office (New Orleans) (1873, Musee des Beaux-Arts, Pau).My Friends pays homage to the venerable tradition of group portraiture. According to Soyer, "the two greatest portrait groups ever painted" were Rembrandt van Rijds The Syndics (1661, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam) and Diego Velazquezs Las Mefiinas (1656, Nacional Museo del Prado). Velazquez's masterpiece reminded him of another work with the artist at his easel, Gustave Courbet's The Painter's Studio (1855, Mus6e d'Orsay, Paris). Soyer admired Courbet's "eloquent ... restrained color harmony" and "complete absence of melodrama." My Friends was featured in the major exhibition, Painting in the United States 1948, and in a solo show, both at the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, that year. Reviewing this exhibition, Robert M. Coates praised Soyer's "design [which] in such pieces as the large studio group called My Friends ... has become at once sounder and bolder."
GAIL STAVITSKY

Image 8

Artist: Pablo Picasso
Title: La Coiffure
Location: Spain
Medium: Oil on canvas


Image 7

Artist: Raphael Soyer
Title: Annunciation
Location: Russia
Medium: Oil on linen

Image 6


Artist: Mary Cassatt
Title: Young Women Picking Fruit
Location: Allegheny City, Pennsylvania
Medium: Oil

Image 5

Artist: Jesse TreviƱo

Title: Mis hermanos

Location: San Antonio

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Image 4

Artist: Washington Allston
Title: Hermia and Helena
Location: Waccamaw Parish, South Carolina
Medium: Oil on canvas

Friday, March 5, 2010

Image 3

Title:Girl’s Best Friend
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Photograph
Location:Unknown

Image 2

Title: Telling Secrets
Artist: Michele Hawes
Medium: Photograph
Location: Canada

Image 1

Title: Friendship
Artist: Pablo Picasso
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Critique 2


The artist of this painting is Romero Britto. The name of this image is friendship. The media of it is graphic edition, silkscreen. The subject matter of this piece is friendship. The image is made up of different shapes and patterns.
In the field of this piece there are many squares and rectangles with various patterns and colors. Some of the patterns in this image contain lines of different colors. All the parts in this piece make up a composition. The compostion parts make the image a whole. A balance is made between shapes to make the piece to make separate parts become equal. Harmony is well used to put the figures together using shapes. There is a good amount of tone seeing as though there are many different colors. The colors of this piece make it much more interesting and set a happy mood. It is subtle that the white figure has two different patterns on its face. The foreground is the two figures that seem to be embracing each other. The water droplets coming from the cat licking the other figure implies that there is movement going on it this piece. The cat licking the other figure renders that they like each other and that they are friends.
The focal point i see in this image is the cats face. The reason why I think the cats face is the focal point is because its face is a solid yellow. Also that cats face is in the center of the image. The story that I see within the piece is a cat with a person or something that has taken care of that cat. The cat is thanking the other figure by licking its face. Also the white figure is hugging the cat showing that they are friends. There are some characteristics that make this piece strong. Such as the use of shapes,along with patterns used to put this image together. The amount of color makes the piece pleasing to look at. There are also characteristics that make the piece weak. A weak characteristic is not being able to tell what exactly the figure on the right is.