Opposites; the Ampang River

This is a good example of an opposite because on the sides there are the green trees that represent the nature. The view of the city in the middle contrasts a lot from the trees on the side. The trees stand out from the background of the tall buildings of the city.

The yellow leaf differs a lot from the silver leaf on the left. They are both the same kind of plant, but the yellow leaf was a very old leaf, and we didn't know what happened to the silver leaf. Both leaves have changed from their original colour of green. Both leaves have very intresting colors, and they differ from each other greatly.

If you disagree with a rule, law, or public policy, it is better to remain silent than to speak out and risk punishment.



I disagree with this statement. When we first took a look at these statements before reading the book, my opinion was the same, and reading the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas just made my opinion even stronger. I believe that if your thoughts different with a rule, law, or a policy and if you think that the policy is wrong, it is better to speak out. Of course, if there is a punishment following it makes one not want to speak up. I'm not saying that I think everyone should speak up no matter the consequences, I am saying that it is better to state your opinion rather than just being silent and going with the flow.


In the book, the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, most of the members of the household do not speak up. In page 40, Bruno's mother was saying her opinion about Father's job and the moving, and she was very startled when she saw that Maria the maid was standing there. Later when Bruno was asking for Maria's opinion of the house and Father's decision, she wanted to say something but she didn't. Both of these examples show how people were afraid to speak up when the Nazis ruled. This is understandable, for they could have easlily been killed if they said anything against the party, but if everyone spoke up one after another, things could have reached a point where the Nazis no longer had control.


Although I set the above as an example, my disagreeing to the statement doesn't have to apply to such big things only. For example, if you're part of a group that is hosting an event and everyone except you agree on an idea that you think is absolutely stuipd, it's better to say so rather than just saying 'yeah that's a good idea'. The consequence might be a cold stare from some of the others and maybe being ignored for some time, but chances are you could make a change, and there's probably someone else who actually agrees with you. Although often it doesn't seem like it, there are always people who agree with you, but are too afraid too say so, and is waiting for someone else to pop the question. You usually have more allies than you think, and when people agree on something and group together, the punishment might not be able to reach you.

A 'Good' Life

What is a 'good' life?
Please respond to this question. Please be specific in your response. Use examples of personal stories if you wish!

A 'good' life means different things to people. To people with religious beliefs, I think it is to live following the guidance their religion gives, and to live an honest living so that they can go to their promised land/heaven/etc. For me it means to 1) be happy with what you have 2) try your hardest 3) and to make yourself and others surrounding you happy. I think trying your best would be the most important out of the three. Although it would be nice if you succeded, but you can't always succeed. Even if you don't, if you tried your best in whatever you were doing, you know that you have something to be proud of. You can go ahead and say 'At least I gave it my best try'. To have lived a good life, it should have been happy. As I see it, I think there's no point if you did everything right and was the best in everything if you weren't happy. To be happy you have to do something you like doing, something you enjoy. Once you yourself is quite happy with what you do, you should try to make others around you joyful; you cannot live and survive in the world alone. Happiness with others double the joy.

My Identity

Montmorency's Revenge; The Protagonists

Describe the Protagonist in your book-qualities that they have, including physical description, and personality. Use exact examples (quotes) from your book to support!

As I already mentioned on my previous blog post, some of the protagonists in my book are Montmorency, Frank (Lord Francis Fox-Selwyn), Inspector Howard, Dr. Robert Farcett, and Malpensa.

Montmorency: Because this is the fourth book in the series, there aren't any physical characteristics of Montmorency mentioned in the book. But looking at the cover, Montmorency is tall, has dark eyes and eyebrows, and is bearded. Many of Montmorency's qualities are shown in the book. First of all, Montmorency is very clever. Right after the whole family made a code for Tom's mother and Gus to use, Montmorency understood that he and Frank would need a code as well, and soon he and Frank came up with one. He is also quite secretive. Although he is Tom's father, he had not revealed that fact yet. ("It was clear they assumed Tom was George's son. Montmorency had still not admitted that Tom was his son, and , as ever, the time did not seem right." - p.9) Montmorency is confident and reasonable; without hesitating he told Frank that his idea was ridiculous, and he gave perfectly good reasons on why Frank should help Inspector Howard on the investigation. ("No, Frank. You're not. You look a bit strange ti's true. But you'll never be able to disguise yourself completely." - p.2) Lastly, Montmorency is caring. When water was flooding Dr. Farcett's room, Montmorency helped the most. ("He helped his friend lift his feet onto the sopping bathmat and tied the towel around his middle." - p. 10)

Frank: Frank has pale skin, freckles, and did have pale eyebrows and red hair. At the start of the book he shaves his head and his eyebrows so he would somehow look different, which would enable him to go after his uncle's murderers. ("...as he saw the bald head and then the clumps of ginger curls scattered about the floor." - p. 2) ("Look at your eyebrows. your pale lashes." - p.2) ("Your pale skin and your freckles would give you away at once." - p.2) ("He dipped the razor into the water and started scraping away at his eyebrows." - p.3) Frank also seemed quite mad with his new look. ("With no eyebrows, Frank seemed crazed and wild, his face round and puffy, coloring up with rage." - p.3) For his qualities, Frank is defensive, loyal, and quite stubborn. In chapter 1 he defended Tom when his father Gus was scolding him. ("Stop picking on Tom. Stop blaming him for everything, Dad. You're always criticizing Tom." - p.3) He shows his loyal and stubborn side when he is trying to convince his dad to let him take vengeance on Malpensa. He insists that he goes after Malpensa, and no matter how much his dad disagrees his will stays strong and in the end permission is granted.

Inspector Howard: There is not much physical description of Inspector Howard, except that he was a gentleman and he looked professional. ("Looks a professional sort of chap." - p.30) Inspector Howard is quite persuasive, and he is straight to the point. Along with Montmorency and Frank he convinced Gus (Frank's dad, the Duke of Monaburn) by presenting all the bright sides of the mission, and reminding Gus that the actual purpose of the mission is to protect the royal family, and not to take revenge on Malpensa. Twice Inspector Howard is very straight to the point when 1) he tells Gus that he cannot get mixed up with a private vendetta, 2) he tells Montmorency that he himself cannot provide any protection if they break the English law. * p. 40 & 54*

Dr. Robert Farcett: Dr. Farcett is an old man, and Montmorency described him as a 'pathetic figure'. Other than that there isn't much physical description. Dr. Farcett is quite obsessive; especially with hygiene. He takes forever to take showers and to wash his hands, claiming that 'they are not clean'. *p. 10 -13* Dr. Farcett is also quite mad. After his love Maggie Goudie died in Tarimond died, he lost his mind.

Malpensa: Malpensa is foreign (Italian to be exact). He has a bad leg which causes him to limp, and he is seen wrapped in a heavy cloak. He is clever and evil, since he is the head of the anarchists. Although he controls the movement and the plans of the anarchists, Frank says Malpensa doesn't have courage because he never does the dirty work himself. (p. 17) Much about Malpensa is still a mystery.

Montmorency's Revenge; The Journey

Journey Book Project: What is the Journey in the book so far? Find a passage or quote that best describes that journey, write it (with page number) then explain what it means and why it is an important description of the journey.

First of all, I think I should explain the setting of the book I have chosen, Montmorency's Revenge. This book is the fourth book in the Montmorency Series which is set in the Victorian Era. So obviously the story is based in England. As the main characters there are Montmorency, Tom (Montmorency's son), the Duke of Monaburn Gus Fox-Selwyn, his sons Alexander and Frank, George the (deceased) twin brother of the Duke, Inspector Howard, Doctor Robert Farcett, and Malpensa. There are also other characters such as the wives and the servants including Harvey. In the previous books George Fox-Selwyn had been murdered by Malpensa, and Frank wishes to avenge his uncle's death. When Inspector Howard visits the Duke's castle, Frank's wishes are about to become true. The quote I choose is. 'There was a specific threat from Malpensa to target our royal family when they gathered for Queen Victoria's funeral ceremony' from page 18.

I chose this quote because it basically explains what journey this book is going to be about. Frank wanted to avenge his uncle's death although his father opposed it. When Inspector Howard comes, he tells the family that the Queen is very ill and that they are concerned about the royal family. Malpensa had been held responsbile for Uncle George's death, and it was also Malpensa whom sent the threat to the royal family. Since Frank had met Malpensa face-to-face in the past, Inspector Howard desires Frank's help in their investigation. I find this quote very important because it is where the two stories meet. Both Frank and Inspector Howard are after Malpensa, and with Montmorency's plan they can achieve their goal. So far I think this quote shows the journey the best because it explains for what purpose these people are working together, and what their quest is.

The Giver Week 4

- You have now become Jonas and it is the night before your planned departure from the community. You decide to write a farewell letter to Asher, Fiona, The Giver, Rosemary or your parents (choose one) to explain to him or her why you must leave.

- Dear Giver,

By the time you read this letter, I will probably be far away on my way to elsewhere. I apologize not for informing you about the change of plans, but once you read my explanations I know you will understand me. I honestly had no time. After returning to my dwelling and while having my evening meal, my father announced that he was going to release Gabriel the following day. Turns out that while I was gone they decided that they should try putting Gabriel back in the Nurturing Center. According to my father it seems that he caused an enormous amount of trouble, and even my father had voted to let go of Gabriel. Now there is something that I have been hiding from you all these weeks. One night I was trying to get Gabriel to go to sleep. I put my hand on his back, and I had transferred the memory of the sail ride to him. Please believe me, I had done it unintentionally. I didn't even know I was doing it at first. So night after night I gave Gabriel some of my memories. I am truly very sorry if you think this act was inappropriate, but I just felt something with him. I know you'll understand because you and I are the only ones with true feelings. I felt some kind of a bond with him, although he was just a baby. So I knew that I couldn't let Gabriel get released. First of all because Gabriel is very special to me, and also because if Gabriel got released his memories would be returned to the community, and although I only gave him pleasant memories I knew that I would have to face consequences for sharing my memories. This is why I had to leave the community immediately without contacting you. Now, I just want to thank you for making me the person I am today.

Just an year ago, I was just like any other child in the community, not aware of anything outside of our community or the things that we were missing out on. Once in a while I noticed that something had changed but I did not understand how it did or why. Like that time when I was playing catch with an apple with Asher. While the apple was in the air it had changed. I took it home in curiosity but I had not been able to figure what it was that I saw. Just a little less than an year ago, I was chosen as the Receiver of Memory, and the whole community had congratulated me. But that one thing that caught my ear was what the Chief Elder had said. She said that I would experience a kind of pain I've never knew of before. During the past year you have taught me the true meaning of life that used to exist, and the kind of life that could exist in Elsewhere. I also learned how blind our community was, almost literally. Although I will never be sure of this, I think you could have just given memories but you have given me more than just the memories. You gave me a sense of a real family. When you gave me your favorite memory, the memory of love, I had really liked it as well. After receiving that memory I felt as if you were my real family. It was really nice to know that I had someone like you beside me, but the memory of love also taught something else. That night, after receiving the memory of love, I asked my parents if they loved me. They said that I had used the wrong word, and that the word love meant nothing. I learned how heartless the people in our community is, and how every single individual is so apart. What enabled me to live through my days was you and Gabriel. You had always been there for me to help me, and the only regret I am having right now is that I can't be there for you.

It just seems like yesterday when I witnessed the video of the release and I determined how evil the community was. All those months of learning about true pain and pleasure never did I question what happened to those who were released. That day I thought myself stupid for not being after to figure out that to be released was to be killed. Not only was I shocked of how dishonest and cruel the Elders were to kill people and pretend as if it was a happy ceremony, it had startled me greatly to know that my own father had lied to me as well. Of course there was that time where I read my instructions as the Receiver of Memory and wondered if in every person's instructions it said 'You may lie', but I never suspected my father as one of those liars. But now that I look back at it my father has no truly feelings for me since he does not have any feelings at all, and I guess it would have not been a big deal for him to lie to us. It doesn't seem so surprising now, but I see why I was so stunned that my father had murdered someone; it confirmed that probably countless people in our community is not as innocent or honest as they look like, and in addition, my father had felt no guilt in killing the twin. After turning numb because of my father's true self and his mask, you had been there to calm me down, and even better you had created the grand plan that would have really saved our community from those liars who simply know nothing.

I genuinely believed that your plan would work. I did have some doubts since it was a very risky job and I would have to break a dozen rules, but I tried to be optimistic and I never thought it would turn out this way. I do know for sure that you won't blame me for anything, but the thought that I am not capable of paying you the same treatment and respect is the only thing that makes me hesitate. You haven't been able to give me the memories of courage but I know that I can make it to Elsewhere because you have trained me so well not exactly for this particular assignment, but I know what you have given and taught me is more than enough for me to make it to Elsewhere. During the short time I have known you I have learned the true meaning of life. I wish you could be here with me so that you can also live the life you have only seen in your memories, but now it's too late for second thoughts. Once again I apologize for leaving you in the middle of this chaos with the Receiver and the infant-to-be-released missing. Now I am off trying to find the better life in Elsewhere where color, love, and all the pleasant things still remain. I just wish you the best and I hope that you can fulfill your dreams of meeting Rosemary once again.

Sincerely,

Jonas