lexicographer:

avarice: insatiable greed for riches.
billowy: surging.
damask: a reversible fabric or linen.
idly: not working or active.
imminent: likely to occur at any moment.
irreverence: the act of not being respected.
languidly: lacking in vigor or vitality.
meticulously: taking or showing extreme care about minute details.
plaiting: anything that is braided.
presentiment: a feeling that something bad or evil might happen.
progeny: a descendant or offspring.
quizzically: odd or queer.
semblance: outward aspect or appearance.
shroud: a cloth or sheet that is used to wrap a corpse.
surmised: to guess.
thatched: to cover with.
unabashedly: not embarrassed or disconcerted.
unfettered: to set free or keep from restrictions or bonds.

exodus movie:

This is a video that a student made which summarizes the next book, Exodus. Since I read Bel and Serpent, I was really curious to know what happened next without reading the entire book. It leaves some questions that remain to be answered. But when I go back to read the rest of the story, everything will hopefully be cleared up. :]

blaming:

Blaming one side of a party does nothing but reflect bad character. If we do have problems that need to be resolved, then we have to initiate the problem but then meet them half way. Svi Shaprio believes that schools must help students understand moral choices and social issues. He is absolutely correct. On average, students spend at least five hours of schooling everyday, sometimes even longer. But this is just the education part. After school there's sports, extra curricular activities, or time to kill because parents usually get off at five. If you think about it, you spend majority of your time at school than home. Most reasons for going home are to sleep and eat; basic shelter needs. Because of our lifestyle, teachers are kind of like our second parents. They teach us things that will be useful in future years, they arrange time to talk to us when we have questions or don't understand something, and they pit our best interest at heart. Why give any reason not to trust them? They put in the time and effort to help us grow in all aspects of life and without them we wouldn't be able to reach higher levels of knowledge and understanding. We will listen to what they say and in most situations come to a conclusion that their teachings are correct. Since they have gained our respect, they should be responsible for introducing moral choices and social issues. Honestly, if you hear these things from a parent, you might listen but not actually commit yourself to doing it. On the other hand, when you hear these things from someone that you respect differently from your parents and want to be on their good side, then you will do whatever it takes. From experience, I know that I probably have more respect for teachers than my parents. When my parents tell me to do something and I don't do it, I'm not worried about it because they won't stop loving me unconditionally. There's sort of a connection/understanding that doesn't make me freak out when I don't do tings their way to some extent. However, when a teacher tells me to do something, I will do it with haste and full effort because I want to have a consistent appearance of being a good student. Having that motivation of getting a reward such as an "A" really sparks ones attention. In situations, listening to your parents only makes you feel good because you did what was "acceptable" in their eyes. Teachers are not the only ones to have full responsibility though. The students must meet them halfway and take what they're teaching us into consideration. It's all about the choices we make. When a teacher is going out of their way to guide us down the right path, we have to step out of our comfort zone and do it. There is no excuse for being disrespectful because they are only trying to help us and make our lives better. But no matter what kind of things people say, you will always have that little voice in your head that will be influential. Our conscience never goes away. With wisdom, we must know hot to agree with our conscience to make the right choices. Making better choices makes a better world to live in. :]

perspectives:

The quote that I chose was from page 302, "I was thrown right into the mud. Before I even realized what had happened, my precious mirror had slipped from my hand and cracked against the side of the boat. I scooped it up quickly from the river's edge, but as I stood up the pieces slid apart and fell like knives into the mud. I stood up in shock as the boat sloshed away from the shore. They left me. And my mirror, strewn all around, reflecting moonlight in crazy shapes. Just left me flat, in the middle of all the bad luck and broken sky." This incident happened when their village got attacked my ants and made everyone evacuate. What Rachel's saying really captures the essence of who she really is. Out of all the objects that she could have saved from her house she chose a hand mirror. A more practical thing to bring would probably be something that could be used for ones benefit for survival such as food. But as we all know, the only thing that Rachel seems to care about is herself and more importantly her appearance. Her mirror is the only way that she can have her daily views of herself. Clearly, Rachel is so consumed with herself and doesn't do what a missionary should be doing. When her mirror broke, you can tell by her reaction that she was devastated. That mirror meant so much to her and when it was destroyed, she was stripped away from her first love. In a way, Rachel is kind of like a mirror, you can only see ones beauty from the outside. You can't see Rachel's good heart because she doesn't really have one. When you look into a mirror, you can't determine what kind of personality or characteristic that a person has. Actually, I can see right through Rachel. I feel like there's really no substance to her and she doesn't care about anything past skin-deep. Perhaps this quote is a foreshadowing too. Rachel says that she was left behind. As the book goes on, I think that she will be on her own and kind of detached from her family. I'm excited to know what is going to happen :]

pictures:

parallels

Between the Mosquito Coast and the Poisonwood Bible, one can see many parallels. It is interesting that both Nathan Price and the father of the family in the film have a strong passion to go to place with a paucity of resources to help make improvements and changes. Nathan drives to influence the religious aspect of people. He wants to save that Congolese out of the dark depths. His purpose for being in the Congo is more like a life investment. He's putting all this work into preaching the bible and spreading the news about God so that in they end, the Congolese can be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. Harrison Ford in the Moquito Coast is an inventor that strives to improve the life of poor villagers living in a remote area. He strongly denies the concepts of the bible because of his scientific mind set. However, he does have good knowledge of the bible. Ford's inventions and creations indeed improve the lifestyle of the poor villagers but how civilized does he want them to become? Although both thier intentions are ultimately for the better, they tend to convey their ideas in a more forceful way. Instead of making change by leading through example and gentle actions, they tell people what to do and what would happen if they don't follow their orders. They both have this state of mind that their decisions are ALWAYS right and there is no other way to do it better. But if you really want people to follow your actions shouldn't you be more approachable and flexible? Despite thier personal beliefs, it's very funny how many physical characteristics/ family simmilarities they share. Each family has four children each with a pair of twins. Only, the Price family have all girl siblings and the other family has all boys. There is one child in both families that adores their father and wants to be just like him one day. In addition, they are also of the caucasian ethnicity. Both of their wives don't seem to have much power. Ultimately, it's the men who have the final say no matter what the wives may think. Kind of like the husbands appropriate the power to themselves. I know that they want to help others but are they thinking about the best interest of their family before their passions? I don't know how to explain if what they are doing is right or wrong. It's a never ending question.

a Kilanga 180:

Think of Kilanga, the lush trees stretching towards the blazing sun. Its rays spread across the dry lands choking its cool waters. Red dirt blows in the air like ashes released from its laquer vase. An endless realm of jungle systematically lives the circle of life. Creatures loom in dark crevices and feed off of each other. Life bleeds as new ones grow. It's a never-ending story. Swampy rivers are infested with deceased animals. Scaly crocodiles patiently wait under the murky pools, waiting for a foolish soul to fall into its trap. Kilanga is hell, but I dare not say it in public. When I see this place though, it is heaven. No more living in the pit of fire. No more dangers lurking about every corner. No more Belgian army holding back many secrets to tell. This is heaven. Intricate sidewalks seem together tall buildings where learning takes place. Friendly faces of young adults move like herds of animals all together. We are humans here unlike back in Kilanga where we were the animals. Children learning everyday. Fresh water. Security. Freedom. How can you not want to be anywhere else? If my family only knew how much I hated Kilanga. I didn't want my children to take one step out that door because then I took a chance at never seeing them again. NO. This is where we will be; HEAVEN.