“Without Music, Life Would Be a Mistake…”

Nothing seems more true to me than the quote “Without music, life would be a mistake” by Friedrich Nietzsche. Music is a powerful force that allows one to express their feelings in an unprecedented way. I hate to use another quote but Billy Joel explains the force of music perfectly when he says “I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.” I have always been very much into the music scene ever since I was a young kid starting off listening to Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, and Nirvana to my present day favorite bands like Taking Back Sunday, Blink 182, Brand New, and The Format. I live for music. It speaks to me in a way that no one can and I have always relied on it to express my own feelings.

My whole life has been immersed in the music scene, going to shows every weekend, hanging out with the people in the bands, following bands on tour, and connecting with people who have similar taste in music. Even by boyfriends were guys that were in bands. I couldn’t get away from music even if I had wanted to. To this day, whenever I find myself upset, sad, mad, happy, or any other mood, I turn to music since there always seems to be a song that expresses exactly how I am feeling in a way that I could have never put into words on my own. It is actually frightening to me that I relate so much to certain songs/albums that I feel like it could have been written by me (if I was poetically inclined that is) or about my life. I am constantly looking up lyrics online or listening to different albums on my iPhone. Music is my outlet, my escape, it allows me to relax and clear my head, get out any emotions that I am feeling and refocus; without music I would fall apart. Everything about it puts me in a better mood even if it is a sad song. It truly allows me to express myself.

Music has this ability to bring people together and to allow them to make connections with then brew friendships. I have met more people than I can even tell you due to music and going to different shows. In high school, I based who most of my friends were on the music that they listened to. Music was and still is my life and it is important for me to surround myself with people with the same beliefs. I even incorporate music into teaching Social Studies and the students respond positively each time. Many of them seem to only be able to express themselves through music which helps them make a mental connection to the seemingly unconnected information. Once again, this proves to me that music is a universal language that is understood by all.

I actually just went  to see Taking Back Sunday on Wednesday and I am going to see them again Saturday.  They are one of those bands that create songs that I am convinced are written about my life. I am sure everyone has one of those albums/songs. When I was at the show I was actually sitting next to the VIP box and the lead singer, Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday! Also, during the show he came over to me and I was able to sing into the microphone. It was by far the best show that I have been to in a long time and I look forward to seeing them again tomorrow.

Below are the lyrics and of one of my favorite songs written by Taking Back Sunday.

 Taking Back Sunday – Swing lyrics

Open the gate to your apartment complex

You're not getting off that easily

I climb the fence, the one that you've been sitting on

(How long) before I'm just a memory?

(How long) before you can't remember me?

Remember me

I never had a choice

I never had a choice

To leave the chokehold

Mouldin' around that to his doorway

I couldn't find the box to fix the list that's nagging in my brain

(How long) before I'm just a memory

(How long) before you can't remember me

Remember me

Lover lover on the fence

Bat your eyes, ball a fist and

Swing (swing)

Swing (swing)

Before you leave

Lover lover tell me this

Passion over consequence

When did the latter take the lead?

Just swing

(Just swing, swing, swing, swing, swing)

I never had a choice

I never had a choice

The evening lent itself

Watch my reservations fall to the floor

Fall to the floor

Now sing with me

(How long) before I'm just a memory?

(How long) before you can't remember me?

Remember me

Lover lover on the fence

Bat your eyes, ball a fist and

Swing (swing)

Swing (swing)

Before you leave

Lover lover tell me this

With passion over consequence

When did the latter take the lead?

Just swing

Open the gate to your apartment complex

Did you forget love, you're who called for me

How long did you expect to keep me waiting?

How long before I'm just a memory?

Lover lover on the fence

Bat your eyes, ball a fist and

Swing (swing)

Swing (swing)

Before you leave

Lover lover tell me this

With passion over consequence

And swing

Did the latter take the lead?

Just swing

Swing (swing)

Swing (swing)

Swing (swing)

Just swing

Swing

Swing

Just swing

Also, here is a link to some really inspiring music quotes… http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html

Lastly, here is a video of the singer and I from the show!

Vocabulary

1. Unprecedented – first-time; unique
2. Humanity – compassion towards people
3. Immersed – to be completely involved in; to be wrapped up in
4. Poetically inclined – to be actively involved/ interested in writing poetry  
5. Refocus – to make something clear again
6. Brew – to develop
7. Incorporate – to include; to fit in
8. Seemingly – apparently
9. Nagging – harassing; annoying; bothering
10. Latter – the second half; the last item or part 

Vocabulary Practice

1. Jessica had to ___________________ her thoughts after she was distracted by Marc throwing things at her.
2. Adam screamed John’s name several times but John was so ____________________ in the movie that he did not hear Adam at all.
3. ____________________ seems to be my mother’s favorite hobby, she is always yelling at me for something.
4. It was ___________________ impossible that Phil would pass the quiz since he hasn’t been to school in over 3 weeks.
5. Don’t lose faith in ___________________, there are still people who care about others and truly want to make the world a better place.
6. Mary would have to choose a laptop or car for Christmas; she insisted on the _____________ because she needs a car to get to work and school.
7. Sara is not ___________________________________ at all; she couldn’t write a poem if her life depended on it.
8.  It is important to ___________________________ music into some lessons since the rhythm helps students remember information.
9. There was a huge fight that was about to ______________ between Anthony and Jeff since they have been arguing over the past 3 periods.
10. It was _____________________________ to have over 3,000people show up to the annual Thanksgiving party; last year only 1,000 people attended.

Grammar Point:

Commas are used to separate phrases or items in a list. It indicates a short pause which helps make the meaning clearer to the reader.

Example: Saprice loves to play basketball, softball, tennis, and soccer.

Directions: Read each sentence and circle the commas in each one.

1. I have always been very much into the music scene ever since I was a young kid starting off listening to Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, and Nirvana to my present day favorite bands like Taking Back Sunday, Blink 182, Brand New, and The Format.

2. To this day, whenever I find myself upset, sad, mad, happy, or any other mood, I turn to music since there always seems to be a song that expresses exactly how I am feeling in a way that I could have never put into words on my own.

3. Once again, this proves to me that music is a universal language that is understood by all.

Grammar Practice:

Directions: Read each sentence and add commas to separate the things in the list and where there should be a pause.

1. We had chicken mashed potatoes and corn for dinner.

2. There were spoons forks and knives on the table.

3. After school I will read do homework and go to bed.

4. Once in a while I like to go to the movies with my family.

5. The salad has lettuce tomatoes and dressing.

6. Furthermore it is important to make sure to get all your work done before softball.

7. Jamie Sue and Jackie are all best friends.

8. In high school, it is obvious who the athletes are.

9. January March November and December are my favorite months.

10. To this day, I find it hard to leave my cat when I go on vacation.

What Ever Happened to Thanksgiving?

With less than five days to Thanksgiving, all I keep thinking is “why is there Christmas commercials on?” Each year the commercials for Christmas are starting to air earlier and earlier to the point where I saw a Target Christmas advertisement as early as mid-October and I feel as if I saw only a handful of actual Thanksgiving commercials. It drives me crazy that the shopping industry focuses so much on selling their goods that the actual meaning of Christmas is lost. Upon my return to New York from Jamaica, I plan to rapidly begin shopping for Christmas and my boyfriend’s birthday with fall within a mere two weeks of one another.  The next month in a half always flies by due to all the holidays, birthdays, and the end of the semester.  I am already starting to feel the stress weigh down on me. Thankfully, having this mini-vacation has allowed me to complete work but at the same time to unwind. I know that when I get back I have several different assignments to complete prior to the end of the semester as well as shopping for the holidays. But before I start working relentlessly on my assignments I will get to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

 I cannot wait to spend time with both my boyfriend’s family and mine since it has been a while since we have seen his dad because he received a kidney transplant and has not been able to see many people. In addition, my father and I always partake in Black Friday. Since my boyfriend’s birthday is December 2^nd I try and get all of his birthday and most of the Christmas shopping on this day. As crazy as it may seem, I try and research the different sales and items that I plan to buy so that I do not have to wonder aimlessly in a sea of crazed shoppers. I usually end up stopping in Best Buy, Kohl’s, Radio Shack, Sports Authority, Game Stop, and Brookstone. I might be the quickest shopper since I usually am done within 2 or 3 hours since I hate to linger for too long in any one store.

The only thing that has been annoying me about Black Friday is that it is starting earlier and earlier. Instead of starting early Friday morning at around 4 am, each year they have been starting earlier. For instance, last year they opened Best Buy at midnight and now this year, they are opening at 10pm on Thanksgiving. Same thing happened last year with Wal-Mart, they have opened 10 pm on Thanksgiving and now they are opening this year at 8pm on Thanksgiving. Not to mention that people start lining up 5 hours prior to the store opening. So what about celebrating Thanksgiving and spending time with family? Thanksgiving is supposed to be about being grateful about the friends, family, and things that you have. I feel that Black Friday counteracts the whole idea of what Thanksgiving is really about. People forget about the meaning of Thanksgiving and focus on the different sales that the various stores will be having. Granted, I am guilty of partaking in Black Friday, but, I would never leave my family in order to wait on a line to save a couple of dollars. I just wish the stores would respect the idea of Thanksgiving and at least wait till midnight to open their doors so that people can spend time with their families and appreciate the holiday as a whole. Either way I know that I still look forward to Thanksgiving and I am sure this one will be just as good as all the others.

Happy Thanksgiving! Do not eat too much J

Vocabulary

1. Rapidly – to do something quickly; fast
2. Mere – to small amount; only
3. Unwind – to relax
4. Prior – before
5. Relentlessly – to continue to do something without stopping
6. Transplant – taking something for one place and putting it into another place
7. Aimlessly – without direction; without purpose
8. Linger – to hang around
9. Counteracts – to work against 
10. Partaking – to participate in; become involved in

Vocabulary Practice

Look for the words listed below in the word search

P A R T A K I N G D F A R B V R C Z U S R T G I A I O A L H V E P A S M P J D N P O G Y Q M U L I T N S W N Q F G E H E D R I P I O J M L R K S L S W L A U I P O E M S Y H N A F S T I L J G L C O U N T E R A C T S Y V Q W T A P Y O N S T M R E L E N T L E S S L Y  .Vocabulary Words 1.    Linger 2.    Unwind 3.   Aimlessly 4.    Mere 5.    Rapidly 6.    Prior 7.    Relentlessly 8.    Transplant 9.    Counteracts 10.  Partaking

Grammar Point

An adverb is a word that describes an action, telling "how," "when," "where," "how often," or "how much" an action took place. In the phrase "the cat ate hungrily," hungrily is an adverb since it describes how the cat ate. Adverbs often end in ly. Some adverbs are: easily, warmly, quickly, mainly, freely, often, and unfortunately.

There are many types of adverb, those that describe an action's:

• manner (described how something happens) - well, beautifully, terribly, quietly, noisily, lovingly, kookily, greedily, nicely, frankly, naturally, neatly, oddly, hungrily, gently, slowly, quickly, loudly, together, independently, ...
• place (described where something happens) - here, there, everywhere, nowhere, inwardly, outwardly, nearby, far, then, away, upward, downward, up, down, inside, indoors, outside, outdoors, home, homeward, backward, forwards, southward, abroad, ...
• time (described how long or when something happens) - before, after, still, yet, punctually, today, tomorrow, suddenly, yesterday, recently, later, often, ...
• frequency (described how often something happens) - always, never, sometimes, often, seldom, yearly, daily, weekly, nightly, periodically, sporadically, rarely, frequently, regularly, normally, occasionally...
• degree (described to what degree something happens) - almost, nearly, barely, scarcely, quite, just, hardly, totally, fully, less, too, thoroughly, weakly, half-heartedly, whole-heartedly, extremely, enough, completely, very, enough, ...
• certainty (described how probable it is that something will happen) - definitely, probably, certainly, surely, undoubtedly, likely, doubtlessly, unquestionably, indubitably, absolutely, ...

Note: Adverbs most commonly modify verbs, but adverbs can also be used to modify adjectives or other adverbs. For example, in the sentence, "She is very tall," very is an adverb that modifies the adjective tall.

 Resource:

Jeananda, C. (2010). Enchanted Learning. Retrieved from http://www.EnchantedLearning.com.

Directions: chart below. Find an adverb for each letter (you can go to this link to help you if you get stuck http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml)

A	N
B	O
C	P
D	Q
E	R
F	S
G	T
H	U
I	V
J	W
K	X
L	Y
M	Z

Grammar Practice

Directions: Here are several different sentences from the blog. Circle the adverbs in each sentence

1. Upon my return to New York from Jamaica, I plan to rapidly begin shopping for Christmas and my boyfriend’s birthday with fall within a mere two weeks of one another

2. I am already starting to feel the stress weigh down on me.

3. But before I start working relentlessly on my assignments I will get to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

4. The only thing that has been annoying me about Black Friday is that it is starting earlier and earlier

5. People forget about the meaning of Thanksgiving and focus on the different sales that the various stores will be having.