Amazing Art

Norman Rockwell
By Rachel

Norman Rockwell was born on February 3, 1894 in New York City. He always longed to be taken seriously as a painter instead of just as an illustrator. Norman Rockwell was most famous for the 320 New York Times covers that he did. Norman Rockwell painted many holiday scenes; my favorite of them is called “The Discovery”. I love this picture. It is of a young boy who finds Santa’s clothes in a drawer in an old cabinet. Norman Rockwell died at the age of 84 in the year of 1978 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on November eighth. Norman Rockwell was a wonderful painter.

History Mysteries

The Mystery of King Solomon’s Temple
By Rachel Donka
12/10/09

King Solomon was a Hebrew king who started his reign in the year of 965 BC, after his father, King David, died. King David had been preparing to build a large temple during the last years of his life. When his son, Solomon, came to the throne in 965 BC, he continued with his father’s plan to build a temple. This temple was to be built somewhere in Jerusalem. Archaeologists are not completely sure on the exact site, but most agree that it was most likely built on the mount platform in the city of Jerusalem. This temple took seven years to construct. Solomon’s Temple, as it was called, was destroyed in 587 BC by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon when he took control of Israel and Judea and banished the Jews from their home. Soon after Cyrus of Persia defeated Nebuchadnezzar and took control of the city of Jerusalem, the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild their temple presumably on the same spot as where it had once stood. Today, the Second Temple, as the second temple was called, is gone as well, and the only reason we know about this magnificent temple is from biblical records. But, with new technology and resources, who knows what new discoveries could be made about history and this puzzling mystery of Solomon’s Temple.

http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2008/temple.html

Magnificent Musicians

Peter Tchaikovsky
By Rachel Donka

Peter Tchaikovsky was born in Russia in 1840. Tchaikovsky began studying piano at the age of four. He graduated from law school at age nineteen and went to work as a clerk for the government. When Tchaikovsky was twenty-two, he entered the Conservatory at St. Petersburg. At the conservatory, he studied organ and flute. In 1886, Peter Tchaikovsky was hired as professor of Harmony in the Moscow Conservatory. Soon after Tchaikovsky arrived in Moscow, he was employed frequently by a widow named Mrs. Nadezhda von Meck to compose many different pieces. All though Tchaikovsky and Mrs. Von Meck corresponded often, Mrs. Von Meck insisted that that they never meet. After Tchaikovsky went on a tour of Europe and America, he began writing his most famous work, the Nutcracker Ballet. His last work was called the “Pathetique”. He died in 1893, just after his last work was performed. Peter Tchaikovsky was one of my favorite composers, and he will be always be remembered in history.

Poetry Potraits

Christmas Day
Rachel Donka

Snowflakes are falling from the sky,
In the air is the wonderful scent of a baking pie.
The cars are all sliding over the ice,
Christmas Day is oh so nice.

Children are screaming and laughing in joy,
As the open their presents which are filled with many a toy.
Then they dress in their snow gear and go out to play,
And their parents all say “We love Christmas Day”.

A story is told to the Children to teach,
Them a lesson that is slightly out of their reach.
“Don’t be naughty or haughty and just be gay,
Or else you’ll get naught but coal on a crisp Christmas Day.

The Turkey is sliced,
The baked potatoes diced.
“Thanks for the food on this day,”
A Family prays on Christmas day.

Rabbits

Hi! Shakespeare and Elizabeth are getting very big. Shakespeare is turning into the perfect show rabbit. Elizabeth is still hard to catch, but once you have her, she is great! Here are some pictures of them their first day with me:

I love my Rabbits! Shakespeare is going to be in a rabbit show in February. I can't wait! I hope he wins a prize! Elizabeth is fixed, so she can't be shown, but she is a good companion for Shakespeare. I'll write more later!

NANO WRIMO!!!!!!

Hi! I am in a special writing program called NANO WRIMO! NANO WRIMO stands for "National Novel Writing Month". NANO WRIMO is where you write a novel in November. It cannot not be started before November 1st, and it cannot be finished after November 30th. I am writing a novel about a colony of Rabbits who flee their treacherous leader's warren and set out on a mission to find the Ideal spot for a home. They meet many troubles along the way, but they finally reach their home. So far I have written 6,863 words. I hope to write 3,237 more. My goal is 10,000. I have to go now. I'll write more later!

Italy!

Hi! We are back from Italy! Our trip was great! I had lots of fun! We went to Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena, and Luca de Marsi. It was great! I loved seeing the Pieta by Michealangelo. I can't wait to go to Chicago for christmas! It will be fun. I am going to make Biscotti and Nut Rolls with my Grandma. I can't wait! That's all for now!

Peculiar Predictions

Hi! I have decided to add a new section to my blog. In this section will be my mom's, my brothers, and my predictions for the Future!

My Mom's:
"I think that in the year 2029, it will be proven that exesive use of Hand-Sanitizer used during the Swine Flu outbreak has contributed to and caused thousands of people to get some sort of cancer.

Mine:
"I think that in the year 2029, all people who used exessive amounts of Artifically flavored toothpaste when they were children will get mouth cancer.

My Brother's:
"I think that in the year 2029, it will be scientifically proven that both my mom, and my sister are wrong."

That's all for now! More next week!

IMPORTANT! READ ALL!

I AM GOING TO ITALY!!!!!!! I can't wait! I am going with my mom, my brother, and my grandma! I can't wait! I have $160.00 to spend and I can't wait! We have been there once before, but that was 3 years ago. I LOVE Gelato. I can't wait to eat some. One place that I am really exited to go to is Cafe ZAZA in Florence! It is my favorite Italian food restaurant EVER (and that's saying something). I will post some more things on my blog from Italy! Ciao!

Hi!

Hi! My Dad is in South Africa right now. He will get home tomorrow at around 3 pm. I miss him a lot. Nothing much is going on around here. It just stopped raining. My bunnies are really cute. Elizabeth got fixed. She is doing much better. On Monday, she is going to the vet to get her stitches taken out. My friend Zoe is coming to our house from California on Tuesday. I can't wait to show her the bunnies! That's all for now!

Radical Reviews

Watership Down
By Richard Adams
Copyright 1972

Watership Down is about a society of rabbits. One of the rabbits, Fiver, can sense bad things before they happen. Fiver gets a strange feeling that sends prickles down his spine. He senses that something terrible is going to befall their warren. He confides in his brother ,Hazel, and together they lead a group of rabbits, who are willing to leave, away from their home. They face many dangers, while Fiver, speaking of a beautiful home far away, go away in his mind. The Rabbits are pushed to get to this place, and they only barely make it, as they are not used to traveling far. In their new home, they face many hardships and they go through many different adventures. This is a pretty difficult book, but all the time taken reading it is well spent. Watership Down is my all-time favorite book. It has thrilling action, but it is not only action. I think everyone should read this wonderful novel.

Bunnies, Bunnies, and More Bunnies!!!

Hi! Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I got my rabbits!!! Shakespeare (the brown one) and Elizabeth (the broken pelted one) are very cute. They are almost 10 weeks old! They are very cute. I am teaching them to use a litter box, and it seems to be working! That's all for now!

Bridging Over the Golden Gate!

Hi! This is me in San Francisco with my Girl Scout troop! We drove down their and got to bridge to the next level of Girl Scouts over the Golden Gate Bridge! It was lots of fun!

This is me and one of my best friends Zoe! I have known her for a long time, but she moved down to San Francisco a couple years ago. I miss her a lot and I only get to see her once or twice a year. We met Zoe's troop in San Fransisco and I got to see her. She is coming to our house in about 16 days!!! I can't wait! That's all for now!

Girl Scout Trip!!!

Hi! I am going on a girl scout trip in a half hour! We will be gone 5 days. We are going to
San Fransisco to bridge to the next level of girl scouts over the golden gate. I am not looking forward to the drive because it will probably be very noise. I will get to see Zoe!!! We might even get to cross the bridge together! That's all for now!

Exotic Animals

Hi! This is a picture of me holding one of my teachers pet Ball Python. His name is Monty. Monty is four feet long and he weighs about two pounds. He eats only eight mice every month!!! It may sound like not much food, but each mouse is larger than his head. Imagine eating a mass of food that is eight times the size of your head! That's a lot of food. Monty has a huge cage that has a jucusey all for him. when he travels fromplace to place, he goes in a pillow case. It may sound weird, but this is the perfect traveling cage for a snake. It is dark and small (so he feels secure), and he can breath just fine. The pillow case gets tied at the neck and Monty can't get out. That's all for now!

Bunnies, Bunnies, and More Bunnies!!!

Hi! These are pictures of my bunnies! The brown one is Shakespeare, and the black and white one is Elizabeth I. They will be coming to my house in a week or two. I can't wait! That's all for now!!!

Poetry Portraits

Mist
By Rachel

The mist is drifting,
Ever shifting,
Shrouding in the air.

Drifting over stream and lake,
Not caring if the earth should quake.
And silencing the world.

The air is thick,
The scare is quick,
Of those inside and out.

The Mist is drifting,
Ever shifting,
And will never cease.

Bunnies, Bunnies, and More Bunnies!!!

Hi! I am really excited. I am getting Rabbits! Right now, They are only 6 days old! I all ready know what their names will be. I will name the boy Shakespeare, and the girl will be Elizabeth. Me and my dad will start building their cage this weekend. There are pictures of which babies will hopefully be mine. That's all for now!!!




This is one of the rabbits...
And this is the other!!!

Arizona!!!

Hi! Last week, I was in sunny Arizona! It was hot the whole week! We got to do a lot of cool things. We went on a hike, and even got to go in a hot air balloon! On the day we went on the hot air balloon, my mom didn't tell me where we were going. I had no idea what we were doing until I saw the balloon. I wish I could do that again! I was afraid of rattle snakes all week, until I leaned they were still in hibernation. That's all for now!

Poetry Portraits

Inka
By Rachel

Inka is my kitten,
But don’t be fooled by that.
Slinks around looking for trouble,
But she is a nice cat.

She is always in the way,
Nearly getting stepped on,
But when you finally want her,
She’s almost always gone.

Always sneaking from behind,
She strikes out then attacks,
When our other cat sees this move,
She gives Inka some smacks.

Inka is my kitten,
She is very sweet,
Even though Inka slinks around,
I think it’s a real treat,
To have her as my kitten.


This Poem is written in iambic form. This is the main form of poetry that Emily Dickinson wrote poems in.

Poetry Portraits

I’m going on a Trip
By Rachel

I’m going on a trip,
I’m flying far away,
I’m going where the sun shines,
That’s where I want to stay.

I’m going on a trip,
I’m leaving rain behind,
I’m going where it’s dry and warm,
I’m leaving the place where the sun never shined.

I’m going on a trip,
I’m flying far away,
I’m going on a trip,
Won’t you come with me today?

Poetry Portraits

Spring
By Rachel

Winter is coming to a close.
The sun is finally showing.
A sweet scent fills the air,
And the spring breeze starts blowing.

Wildlife wakens from its sleep,
The blue birds fly back home.
Snow starts melting everywhere,
And squirrels start to roam.

Flowers start to blossom,
Bees start rebuilding their nest,
Flies are buzzing all around,
And bears come out of their rest.

Rain drops fall from far above,
The sun still shines behind the clouds.
Puddles form on fallen leaves,
And the mist in the air shrouds,
The bright blue spring sky.

Hysteric History

Marie Antoinette
By Rachel Donka

Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna, Austria in 1755.
She was the youngest girl in her family and was the favorite of the Emperor Francis I and his wife Maria Theresa.
When she was 15, Marie Antoinette married the French dauphin. 4 years later, in 1774, Lois XVI became king of France and Marie queen.
Marie Antoinette was bored with court life. To amuse herself, she would gamble, go to masked parades, and attend balls every night. She bought diamond necklaces and Jewelry quite often and spent a lot of money on every outing she made.
Lois XVI was constantly getting complaints from the people about her reckless money spending, because it was paid for from France’s treasury, but when he asked her to stop, she said “Don’t you want me to be happy?” and flounced off in an offended way.
Meanwhile, France’s people were becoming even unhappier. Marie Antoinette realized the threat to Lois XVI reign, so she convinced him to try to flee to her home land of Austria with her.
In the middle of the night, Marie and Lois stole away in a carriage headed for Austria, but the driver recognized Lois XVI and they had to go back to the palace.
When Marie Antoinette got back to the palace, she started sending letters to enemy countries of France with important military info in them hoping that she would get help in return to flee. The people suspected Marie of treason, and on August 10, they threw the royal family in prison. On January 21, 1793, Lois XVI was beheaded. Just 10 months later, on October 10, 1793, Marie Antoinette was tried, found guilty, and beheaded. This was the end of the French monarchy

Hi!

Hi! Yesterday, I was in the play of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was a lot of fun. I was the Character Violet Beuregard. I got to chew real gum! The only problem was, I really had to stick it behind my ear. For the first show, it was fine, but in the second show, it got stuck in my hair. Luckily, none of the audience knew because it was hidden. When we got home, we tried to get it out with canola oil, but it didn't work. We had to cut it out. luckily, it was only a little piece of hair, so you can't tell what happened by looking at me. That's all for now!

Poetry Portraits

When is Evening Coming?

By RMD

When is Evening coming out?

Where will daylight go?

Will the moon shine from up above?

Please tell me, I don’t know.

When will the moon show itself?

When will the stars appear?

When will the sun leave skies above,

And go past mountains near?

Day is finally ending,

Evening is drawing near,

The Sun is slowly fading out,

And yet the sky stays clear.

This poem is based on Iambic form. Iambic is the main form that Emily Dikinson used.

Poetry Portraits

Emily Dickinson

 By Rachel

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10^th, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. She was a very quiet girl who was very shy as well. Emily began to write poetry when she was in her teens. She loved her school, even though she was shy and quiet. When Emily grew up, she kept writing poetry. Emily’s main form of poetry is called “iambic”. In iambic form, each line has a certain amount of syllables. The first line has to have 7, the second has 6, the third has 8, and the forth has 6. This is how iambic form went. On May 15^th, 1886, Emily Dickinson died. During her life, only six of her poems were published, though she wrote over seventeen hundred. Emily Dickinson was a great poet.

 

 

Hi!

Hi! A couple days ago, I got to dissect a sheep brain! It was awesome! In a couple of weeks, I'll get to dissect a cow eyeball and later, a heart! I can't wait. I get to all of this dissecting because I'm in a class at a home school co-op. I can't wait until I go again! That's all for now!

Magnificient Musicians

Franz Joseph Haydn
By Rachel
Franz Joseph Haydn was born in Austria in 1732. When he was 8, he became a member of the boy’s choir in Vienna called St Stephen’s Cathedral.
When his voice changed, he left the choir. He started teaching harpsichord and playing organ in churches to earn his living.
In 1790, Haydn left Austria and traveled to London where he composed some very famous works. His most famous is Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Otherwise known as “surprise Symphony”). This peace was a simple pattern of notes followed by a loud chord. Haydn says he composed this piece to “wake up the ladies”. When he performed it, only half his audience was left when it ended.

In 1809, Franz Joseph Haydn died. His body maybe gone, but he will live on forever through his music.

Happy New Year!

Hi! We went on a great Christmas vacation to Chicago. It was a lot of fun. I had a sleep over with my cousin on Christmas evening. We stayed up till 12:00 AM watching a TV show called "Lost". I had a fun Christmas. In 4 days(on Monday), I have a choir concert. It starts at 8:00 PM. I can't wait. I'm doing a solo in it. I'm singing "Candle on the Water". It will be lots of fun!