Nathan's English Blog

 I’d probably describe my own mind as a  busy jazz band rehearsal . Sometimes everything locks in and makes sense, with harmonies and rhythms flowing together. Other times, it’s chaotic like sections talking over each other, ideas competing for attention, and the tempo rushing ahead. But even in all the chaos, there’s energy, creativity, and moments when everything suddenly comes together. Summary: We did 3 commonlits in class Reflection: I should have used my time better instead of being off task

One adventure I would love to go on would be overlanding somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I want to do this because I love being outdoors, and I love driving bigger cars. I really like camping, especially in areas that don't have many people. I also just got a truck, so I would love to take it on a trip somewhere. The truck I got is a 1995 Ford F-150 xlt with a extended cab and an eight foot bed. Summary: We took a quiz where all the answers were A to see how we would react. Reflection: I was stressed because you said we weren't having the quiz so I stopped looking over the words since I have other work I needed to complete for other classes. I wasn't expecting to have a quiz today so it was a surprise. My lit teacher. last year gave us a quiz and almost all the answers were B except for a few scattered here and there.

 Something that I will never understand is how music theory works. I've tried to learn about transposition, which is converting say trumpet which is in the key of Bb to French horn which is in the key of F.  It's extremely confusing to me. I mean I understand bits and pieces but not a lot. Summary: We presented posters we made about our myths today. Reflection: I wish I prepared myself for my presentation more, I feel like it could have gone better.

 Here is the link to my myth poster: https://new.express.adobe.com/publishedV2/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:3c8d805f-5041-434f-a560-159cb9145d93?promoid=Y69SGM5H&mv=other 

 Prompt: One question I've had for a while is why are instruments SO expensive. I get that it's a niche market, but that isn't an excuse for pieces of brass to cost thousands of dollars. For example, a brand new Yamaha Xeno (trumpet) would cost you around 3400$. My second question is why schools don't teach us essential skills we need in life  such as: writing checks, filing taxes, job hunting, and financial literacy.  Summary: I stayed home because I was sick. I worked on some assignments for a couple classes Reflection: I got a lot done but not nearly as much as I would have liked, but I should hopefully be at school on Wednesday

The most creative thing I have made was probably a Rube Goldberg machine for physical science in 8th grade. I had to make one fore a project, and I'm more of a hands on person, so I decided to make a huge one. I made a base, and figured out how to attach a 3 1/2ft  by 4 1/2ft piece of plywood to it. I also had to figure out how to make it start another persons project. They were all connected so it made one long Rube Goldberg machine. When i finished with it, it used huge ball bearings that were about 1 1/2 inches for marbles, and it turned out really good. Summary; We talked about how to use adobe for presentations Reflection: I learned that we can use adobe to create a virtual presentation 

Prompt: One time I remember feeling completely lost was in an audition last year for All-State Jazz band. I didn't know my audition was the day it was, so I had to go into the audition completely unprepared, basically sight reading everything, and without scales memorized. I didn't make All-State, but I had a chance to do auditions for District Honor band. I decided not to go to District auditions because they were an hour away. This year I plan to ty out for All-state, All-state Jazz, and District band. Summary: I stayed home because I was sick. I worked on some classwork, an etude, and slept. Reflection: I learned I shouldn't procrastinate my school work because I might as well do it since I'm sick. I learned playing my trumpet makes me worse.

One challenge for me is turning work in on time, especially this year. I have practice on Tuesday , Wednesday, Thursday, and games on Friday. When I finally get home, I almost always fall asleep before I get the chance to start any of my homework. I also have to figure out how to balance practicing trumpet an hour daily with my work, trumpet is a non-negotiable for me. One strength I anticipate, is always turning in my work. I had a few times last year where my work was late but I still made a poi.t to turn it in even when I could not get full credit. Summary: We took a quiz on Native American myths. Reflection: I learned I don't like testing on illuminate. I also learned that a good way to pass tests and quizzes is the process of elimination

 Prompt Response: I was in a relationship with a girl. toward the end of the relationship, she started to get really jealous that I was texting and hanging out with my friends and texting them, especially if they were girls. I eventually broke up with her after a 9 month relationship because of this. Summary: Today, we read a Native American myth, and we're separated into groups to make powerpoints about certain aspects of the text. Reflection: I learned how to analyze reactions of characters throughout the text.

Prompt response: One meaningful object in my life is my trumpet. I got my trumpet from one of my friends, Rowan. He gave the trumpet to me before a basketball game that the pep band was playing at. At this point, I've only ever played a cornet which I had started playing my freshman year. The trumpet is a 1976 Olds Ambassador with a Pilczuk R47X leadpipe. It's my favorite trumpet that I currently own, out of around 6 different trumpets. The trumpet is also very sentimental to me. Mainly because I got it from one of my close friends who has helped me countless time with trumpet playing and preparing for auditions. This trumpet has been with me through marching band, many auditions, pep band, jazz band, some gigs at restaurants, and to many different states. I always wonder who has played it and where is had been, since its 49 years old. This trumpet got me into collecting trumpets, so I now have: six trumpets, one slide trumpet, two cornets, two flugelhorns, two clarinets and on...

Prompt Response: One specific time I remember feeling connected to nature was when I was fishing in Kentucky on my grandpa's farm. The pond we fished in had a couple different kinds of fish. All I really remember is Bass because I caught a few.  Summary: Today we had an introduction into Native American literature. Reflection: Today I learned the difference between myths, religion, and urban legends. I can use this knowledge to deepen my understanding of Native American literature. 

 This is a test post.