Kate's Post

Kate Scott

May 19, 2009

Mr. Salsich

English 09

The Garden Stone and I:

An Essay about a Garden Stone, My Life, and a Passage

According to Rainer Maira Rilke everything is changing.  But one things that is not changing, is we can't let go.  Unlike a garden stone, or our eyes, we like to hold on and grasp things.  Rilke is trying to tell us that we need to change into something more like eyes.  

Next year when I am going to a new school, I too will begin a new season just like a garden stone that’s newly uncovered after a long winter season.  For 12 years I have been covered with layers of comfort and protection, just like a stone is covered through out the seasons.  The challenges I faced at Pine Point are similar to the harsh New England winters, and the hot and humid summer days that can wear away at a garden stone.  The foundation of a garden stone is strong and durable (FAST) and can withstand all the elements that nature throws at it.  I too have learned to weather my storms because of my strong foundation and my inner core.  A garden stone, sturdy and strong, is secured in the ground by weeds and moss that encase (FAST) the stone.  These anchors are similar to my own anchors that I will take with me.  My anchors will allow me to try new experiences, while feeling secure in myself (PARTICIPLE).  I know occasionally I will have to brush dirt off my shoulder to allow myself to experience new things.  I’m ready to find and travel along new garden stones on my next adventure.  

The first passage that Rainer Maria Rilke wrote is talking about transforming.  He says, "life is transformation."  I agree with what he is saying.  From when you are born to when you die you are always changing.  You change your mind, your clothes, how you act, and your physical appearance (TETRACOLON CLIMAX).  Throughout your life you will be a baby, a child, a teen, a young adult, an adult, an elder, and many more tranformations between these phases.  We are all continually transforming.  

Eyes are so ready to grasp and let go compared to hands that restrain us in the passage by Rainer Maria Rilke (ANTITHESIS).  When we use our eyes we scan and take everything in, we see the good and the bad.  Our hands can limit us and not allow us to see all the possibilities.  A garden stone is similar to our eyes, and a patio is like our hands.  A garden stone leads us on a path and provides us with different passages.  A patio is a defined area, which to some, can be restricting like hands and limits us.  By traveling down a garden stone it allows you to experience new adventures, taking them in and letting them go, if you choose too.  

I have to use more of my eyes and less of my hands as I travel on different garden stones to new adventures. Using my eyes will allow me to take in all that I can see rather than using my hands just to grasp.  I am confident that I will be able to transform myself into acting like a set of eyes, rather then a set of hands.  

Kate Scott - Self Assessment

1. Things to Work on: 

I need to work on understanding all the tools.  I always need to look back online, I wish that i wont have to do that any more.  

2. Things you did a good job on:

I think that most of my paragraphs were more graceful then usual.  I worked hard on them this week.

3. What grade:

B