Ashley Luo, Period 2, 2/10/21, Day A

Ashley Luo
Period 2
2/10/21
Day A
Modern Mythology

Goal Setting & Growth

At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?

    At this current point in time, I want to focus more on myself and growing as an individual. Throughout this entire quarantine, I've been trying to work on improving my character as well as my mental health. I believe that healthy relationships can't last if you don't have yourself figured out first. This applies to family, friendships, and especially romantic relationships. I'll be off to college in September this year and I want to be able to feel put together and mentally strong as I start the next step of my life. I don't want to be in a bad place mentally while trying to make new relationships with people. Being by myself all the time at home this past year has made me realize that at the end of the day your problems are your problems and you can't rely on other people to help you solve them, especially because they have their own problems they need to solve as well. It is healthy to lean on the people who care about you for strength at times but in the end, to truly overcome your own obstacles, you need to face them head on by yourself. It is how you can become stronger.  

How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)
    It wasn't easy to work on my mental health. Before quarantine had happened, my relationship with my family was very strained. It was a result of events that had happened in the past where I've gotten hurt. I wasn't able to let it go and held grudges in my own heart letting it fester into resentment. I didn't talk to them unless it was necessary and I was very cold towards them. It was my way of protecting myself in case I were to ever get hurt again. I think it stemmed from unresolved issues from my childhood and it got worse as I got older. When quarantine first started, my mental health plummeted just from the thought of being cut off from my friends, who I considered a lifeline at the time. The thought of being trapped with my family 24/7 mentally killed me and I felt suffocated. I was immature and only focused on my pain instead of thinking how my actions could've hurt my parents too. The beginning was very rough. I got into arguments with my parents and even got into a physical altercation with my younger brother once. We both had gotten hurt, but my injuries were worse since my brother was stronger. But I had gotten the blame and that made the resentment I harbored in my heart even worse. I locked myself in my room for a few days and I couldn't stop thinking about how unloved I felt. But, the more time I spent by myself the more lonely I got. Yes, I was still in contact with my friends but I needed actual interaction with people. I reached a hand out to my family and hoped that they would be able to see through the strong front I always put up in front of them. I was scared that I would be rejected and in turn, hurt even more. My family didn't hold any grudges against me like I had towards them. I started talking to my parents more, starting small, and eventually opened up more. Once I opened up, my parents did too and we were able to communicate better and more efficiently. I could sense a change in myself as I opened up more to them. I felt lighter and happier. Like all the resentment in my heart just dissipated. It made me realize that I didn't hate them but I was just really hurt and I was trying to heal myself but in a whole different way. Instead of actually helping myself heal, I hid it and pretended I was okay until it eventually built up and exploded. Being able to finally communicate with my family, helped my mental health tremendously. Although all of our issues aren't completely resolved, I know that it's better to talk it out with them and solve it on the stop before it becomes an even bigger issue. I think that it wasn't only me that saw a change in myself but the people around me were also able to see a healthier version of me. My parents have told me that it seems like I've finally become mature and resembled an adult more. I'm glad that I was able to grow throughout this quarantine and build myself up without needing to have other people like my friends help me build myself up. 

How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)
    In the process of trying to improve my mental health, there are a lot of challenges. The stress surrounding college and college apps impacted me a lot. Previously, I would've cracked under all that stress. I was always scared about going through the college application process. I knew it was going to be really stressful and I was always scared that I might fall back into self-destructive habits like I had turned back in middle school as I was applying to high school. Seeing how everyone around me was working so hard on their own college apps made me feel as if I wasn't working hard enough and in turn, I forced myself to do a lot more than I could handle. Doing this made me even more stressed than I was previously feeling. When I felt my emotional stability slipping, I forced myself to step back and take a deep breath. I didn't want my year of emotional and mental growth to go to waste so I forced myself to take a day off from college apps. I just took a day over the weekend to just relax and not think about school or college. I did all the things I found relaxing and comforting. I played with my dog, cooked food, and in the end, stayed in bed to watch k-dramas. I realized that I only needed to focus on myself and my progress instead of constantly comparing myself to other people and forcing myself to meet their pace. I realized that I needed to set my own pace in order to do things successfully while maintaining balance. While I do work hard to get to my goals, I also make sure to set aside time for me to just relax and take a breath from everything that goes around me. 

Merna Moustafa, 2/4/2021, PD8, Day C

Merna Moustafa
Period 8
2/4/2021
Day C
Modern Mythology

Goal Setting & Growth

At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?



Usually with a new year comes the time to assign new resolutions. Although this is the second month of 2021, in my opinion it is never too late to set and reach goals. The main goal I have for myself is to live a healthy lifestyle. It has almost been a year since the beginning of the pandemic, and this crisis caused me to become sluggish, drained, and not too self-aware. I began to realize my problem since school started again. I would like to set this goal as motivation to become a better version of myself. This pandemic has clearly negatively impacted virtually everything. However, setting this goal will become an attempt for me to try at least to gain a sense of normalcy.



How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)


In order to achieve becoming a better version of myself I had to accept that I have changed in certain aspects. I realized that my energy levels have completely went down, so I decided it was time to fix my sleep schedule. Now I go to sleep by 12:30 am the latest and wake up around 8:00 am. This way I get at least 7 hours of sleep. Usually I never eat breakfast, but lately I have been making an effort to eat a nutritious breakfast in order to fuel my energy for the rest of the day. Even though gyms have opened, I still do not feel comfortable going back just yet. So, I decided it was time to start working out at home again. I have been attempting to work out for at least three times a week. I plan when the weather becomes better to take a walk or run at least twice a week. I could try to use this time to not only better my physical health, but my mental health. Lastly, I am trying my best to limit my time on my devices. I already spend a good portion of my day on my computer whether it is for attending class or doing work. I put a limit on certain apps each day as an attempt to get back on track.



How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)


Clearly with everything going on in the world, I feel like so many people are out of touch with reality and stuck in between four walls just staring at a screen. Of course everyone has to do their part in attempting to stop the spread. However, I feel that a good portion of my day gets wasted due to my low energy and my constant use of my devices. My friend has encouraged me to start trying to reach these goals again. Ever since I finished my college application process I realized that I do not have an excuse anymore for not making progress. This perception pushed me to start working towards my goals again.

Giorgia Musselwhite, Period 8, 2/9/21, Day C

Giorgia Musselwhite

Period 8

2/4/21

Day C

Modern Mythology 2021


Goal Setting and Growth



At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?


At this point, I have overcome the major hurdles of my senior year. My college search is finished, applications are submitted, and first semester is completed. However, I know that the second semester of senior year is still important, and that I need to stay diligent and prevent myself from becoming idle. Therefore, one of my goals for the next few months is to stave off “senioritis” and continue to try in my classes, as well as to begin to prepare for this year’s AP exams. I also still have essential extracurricular responsibilities. I am continuing to work with my team on updating and expanding the website for the New York Youth Civics Initiative as well as growing the organization as a whole. We hope to increase our site viewership numbers, reach out to more students, expand our social media campaigns, and grow our list of affiliated organizations over the next few months. I also have to continue to study for my Science Olympiad events and prepare for the New York City Regionals Competition so that my partners and I can win some medals.

In addition, I hope to have fun these next few months and enjoy the remainder of my high school experience. Life as a second semester is traditionally known as a highlight of one’s teenage years, and though COVID-19 has dramatically changed my original plans, I still hope to make the best of this time. I hope to spend more time with my family and friends, both virtually and in-person, when it is safe—whether that be playing online games together, getting food, or walking around the city on warmer days. I want to find time to celebrate and enjoy the rewards of the past four years before this chapter ends and I find myself in a new environment. Furthermore, I want to spend the next few months mentally and practically preparing for that new college environment by developing useful skills and teaching myself to be more productive, outgoing, and independent.



How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)


I have already begun to feel the draw of “senioritis,” and I know I have to demonstrate resilience by continuing to put effort into my assignments and submit my work on time. Though it is tempting to embrace the mindset that applications are over and there is no good reason to continue trying, I am confident that continuing to focus on my studies will help me in the long run. That way, I am still in good habits when college begins and do not miss valuable learning opportunities. However, I am simultaneously worried about devoting too much of my time to school and extracurricular activities and failing to have fun this last semester. Due to the nature of online school, it is easy to miss out on memorable activities.

I have concluded that I need to strike a careful balance between work and play over the next few months, and the best way of doing so is through time management. Procrastination and time management have always been some of my greatest struggles, but they are vital if I am to keep up my academic performance while also making time for friends and family. I will have to carve out time to do my schoolwork every day so I do not lose motivation. Additionally, I will have to make sure to get my work done before days off, breaks, or weekends so I can devote that time to enjoyable activities. I also have the bad habit of staying within my comfort zone, and I will have to break it if I am going to become more independent and develop the skills necessary for college life. I have already started to demonstrate resilience in this area by talking to new people and taking initiative in activities like shopping, cleaning, money management, and cooking—skills I will need once I leave my parents’ house.



How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)


To begin, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make learning and extracurricular activities more difficult, even though I have adapted after months of remote learning. I am finding it especially challenging to study and compete in Science Olympiad in this virtual setting, because Science Olympiad tests are rooted in collaboration with partners, and I have become used to traditional competitions. However, our team has managed as best we can—in our last invitational competition, instead of taking our tests seated next to our partners in the classroom, we took the tests online while on FaceTime. This situation exemplifies how I have grown more flexible and innovative because of the pandemic. Also, as I previously mentioned, COVID has limited the amount of traditional senior activities at school and made it challenging to see friends or make senior memories in general. However, just because it is different or more difficult does not mean it is impossible—I just have to take initiative and make a more conscious effort to spend time with my friends and commemorate our senior year.

Finally, the world around me has challenged my ability to prepare for college and independent life because I feel, in some ways, emotionally stunted, frozen in my pre-pandemic routine, and unprepared for the next chapter of my life. I realize that I have missed out on many of the traditional experiences that help upperclassmen prepare for college. I also think that I have missed out on a lot of high school closure, such as my last volleyball season as co-captain. Again, I know I have to actively focus on developing skills for independent life and mentally, emotionally, and practically maturing before I head off to college so that I can have a smooth transition. The extra time I have due to COVID has also been helpful in some ways, because it gives me more time to spend with my family before going away. Additionally, I have gotten more opportunities to research my potential schools, so I can make the right choice once I receive the rest of my decisions.

Iram Liu, Period 5, 2/8/21, Day B

Iram Liu
Period 5
02/08/21
Day B
Modern Mythology 2021


Literacy & Learning
- Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or non-fiction covered in class.
- Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.
- How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

After reading the introduction to Beowulf and watching a video about Abel and Cain this past cycle, we were tasked with drawing connections between the Biblical story and the epic poem to better characterize Grendel. At first, the poem was a little confusing since the structure was very different from previous translated and modernized stories that we read. However, after defining and providing examples to the literary devices such as kennings and stock epithets, the second reading was a lot easier to understand.

Through the initial descriptions of Grendel, he is characterized as a bloodthirsty beast that preys on humans. At first, my group decided that it was perhaps unfair to only see him as a demon since he was a direct descendant from Cain, the first murderer. Therefore, he couldn’t help his desire to perform evil, and since humans were his source of food, he had to hunt them in order to eat. As modern readers, we have the bigger picture and therefore understand his innate evilness. However, once Ms. Fusaro noted that Grendel was actually “feasting” on the humans, we realized that Grendel’s characterization was actually reasonable. When we think of the word feasting, there is usually a positive and celebratory connotation which shows that Grendel is not doing it because he has to. Upon closer reading, we found the following lines further proof that his actions were not out of necessity but out of “greed” and “lust.” As a result, we ultimately came to the conclusion that Grendel’s characterization as a monster was fair and accurate.

Continuing with Grendel’s descriptions, we realized that Grendel is extremely envious and hateful towards the halls of Herot and the people who rejoice in it. Similar to his precedent Cain who was envious of his brother’s blessings from God, Grendel hates that the Danes can have these fun and joyful feasts. Therefore, we concluded that Grendel can be a metaphor for the unrestrained enviousness and violence of mankind, a monstrous trait that cannot be quilled with weapons. This metaphor can be extended to the present as these traits can lead to otherwise unthinkable acts.

Despite the initial conclusion about Grendel being wrong, there was still value to seeing the backstory to his evilness. This is definitely prevalent throughout history and our world today. Someone just reading the text as it is would not question Grendel’s evilness and place the full responsibility on him. While keywords refute any argument, had it not been there, we might have sympathized with Grendel. Instead of only looking at the effects, we must also dig deeper and find the causes that led to the harmful acts. It is only through careful analysis that we will be able to address the roots of the problem and help to prevent future evil acts.

Kelly Li, Period 5, 2/8/2021, Day B

Kelly Li
Period 5
02/08/2021
Day B
Modern Mythology 2021

Socio-political Consciousness

What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

Typically, I choose to stay out of discussions about politics or the issues with our world as they might be uncomfortable to talk about. However, I feel that these unsettling discussions are necessary, especially during these times where everyone is learning more about themselves and their own personal values. It is vital that we can educate one another about the issues of inequity, oppression, and power because someday, this generation will have a greater responsibility in society and take hold of the reigns on the decisions of our government. Evidently, there have been many demonstrations of the bigotry, prejudice, and oppression happening in our world, still. Despicable actions such as hate crimes toward a particular group or unnecessary use of power or force from police officers show how questionable the people in our society are, and the range of reactions towards these acts show how controversial these issues can be. I feel that it is important that we do not ignore what is going on and that we can have efficient and educative discussions to acknowledge these hard topics, rather than avoid them for the sake of our own “bliss”. I think having respectful conversations about inequity, oppression, and the multitude of other difficult issues in our communities will guide future generations toward a more positive and healthy environment. Although these issues may not be extinguished for a very long time, tackling them by educating others and hearing one another is better than ignorance or averting the problems.

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

I reflect critically on my own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences by actively listening or reading about other people’s feelings or thoughts, and then learning from that. Being aware of other people’s perspectives allow me to reflect on myself and gain a better understanding of how the world around me functions. When reading the news or listening to podcasts about other people’s beliefs, I tend to find myself in agreement or disagreement or thinking about how I view the situation but nonetheless, it is informative and helpful as I take into consideration of their own personal views. By being mindful of everyone’s experiences, I can form my own opinions and connect them to my own thoughts. Overall, I like being informed by those who live different lives contrasting from my own as well as informing others about my own experiences so that we can learn from each other, form healthier connections, and develop a broader understanding of one another. As time passes by, I value growth and improvement as I progress to hopefully becoming a better listener, a better communicator, and the best version of myself overall.

Winona Liu, Period 2, 2/5/21, Day A

Winona Liu

Period 2

2/5/21

Day A

Literacy & Learning

Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or non-fiction covered in class.

    The lesson on “Thor’s Journey to The Land of The Giants” provided so much insight. In the beginning of the class, the Mentimeter indicated that the majority of the class believed that Norse values are not present today. I was one of those students: I had always associated the Norse with people who did not differentiate between good and evil, a characteristic that thankfully we do not encompass today. However, I changed my opinion by the end of the lesson. In the story, Thialfi claims that he is the fastest person he knows and despite losing every time, he races Hugi three times. Likewise, Thor tries to drink from a horn, lift a cat, and wrestle Elli. The Norse continue to accept challenges until Utgardaloki says stop. Their defeat are not failures because they demonstrated perseverance. Even when evil conquers in Ragnarok, the Norse believe they won because they continued to try. Determination is a value that we share with the Norse. When I do not do well on a test, I study harder and do better the next time. When I don’t know dance steps, I practice the choreography longer. Athletes are always competing against new opponents and trying to improve; with their victories also comes several losses.

Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.

    The lesson “The Death of Balder” and “The Last Days of Loki,” specifically the debate on who is to blame for Ragnarok, really influenced my critical perception. From a first glance, most of my classmates were eager to blame Loki. After all, knowing that it would make him vulnerable, he intentionally told Hod to throw mistletoe at Balder. Because of his actions, the gods lost one additional person to fight on their side during Ragnarok. That being said, the debate taught me that there is always an argument aside from my innate view. The gods had Loki watch as Vali, Loki’s son, turned into a wolf and killed his own brother, Narfi. They let snake poison drip on Loki’s face, making him suffer rather than killing him. While Loki’s actions were certainly immoral, the gods’ punishments were extreme. Loki and Odin had mixed blood and although Loki does use his trickery to help the gods at times, he is always considered a troublemaker. In “The Apples of Immortality,” when the eagle forces him to complete a task rather than the usual other way around, his deceitfulness and other prior qualities amplify. After all these years, his punishment made his resentment reach its maximum point. Ragnarok was no surprise: the gods made an enemy out of Vali and Loki and they would fight against each other in Ragnarok. This lesson actually made me feel somewhat sympathetic for Loki.

How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

    One discussion I found interesting was the discussion of how no one is to blame for Ragnarok because it is inevitable. Ms. Fusaro asked the question of how fate plays a role in society in our world today. The Greeks and the Norse believed that destiny was fixed and if you tried to avoid it, you would just end up closer to your fate. However, I believe that in modern culture, some people would believe that by knowing your fate, you can alter it. For instance, I just finished watching the Flash, which incorporates the view that the timeline can be changed. As a society, perhaps we are more hopeful because trying to do something to avoid something negative in the future is better than doing nothing.

    Another key point from the Norse mythology unit was the evolution of morality. In Norse culture, Odin was a very well-respected ruler and Thor was the strongest protector. While the Norse would not question Odin’s wisdom, from our reflection, his choices were not the best. Even if Balder was invincible, Odin was overconfident and took a chance when he let the gods throw materials at him. Likewise, Thor played a role in the suffering of Loki’s children who were innocent and was willing to sacrifice Freya’s marriage for his hammer. Marvel certainly does not depict this arrogant version of Thor because that is not who we would consider a hero.

    Overall, I enjoyed the Norse presentations. We were able to take texts from so long ago and turn it into an insightful lesson. It made me realize how much work goes on behind the scenes and it showed that there is always more textual analysis that can be done.

Rieko Luo, 2/4/2021, PD8, Day C

Rieko Luo
Period 8
2/4/2021
Day C
Modern Mythology

Goal Setting & Growth
At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?

This week marks the first week of February. By now, many seniors, including myself, are nearing the finalization of our college process. All that is left is sending out our Mid-Year School Reports and updated Transcripts to our colleges. However, after having the first breath of relief and finally relaxing during Regents Break, I have lost a great deal of motivation to continue doing my school work and completing scholarship applications. Perhaps the infamous “Senioritis” is finally kicking in. From numerous warnings from my teachers, friends, and older siblings, I realize that I may be walking into the endless dark pit. Therefore, before I fall into the grasp of “Senioritis,” I want to step back and take some time to reevaluate my possible future actions. One of my specific goals at this time is to set aside an hour every day for myself to do anything that makes me happy. For the rest of the day then, I need to recenter myself and focus on the important tasks at hand, such as school homework, classwork, and college scholarships.


How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)

I have had many disruptions and distractions spanning the past few weeks. My older sister gave birth in the middle of the night, and I suddenly became an aunt over FaceTime. My neighborhood had an internet outage for a whole day, and I missed an AP Chemistry exam I had to take that night. New York City faced one of the severest snow storms we have seen in years, and I spent all afternoon clearing the two feet of snow in my driveway. Despite these obstacles, I have not been discouraged from upholding my responsibilities as a student. I reached out to teachers about my situation, and thankfully, most of them are generous and understanding. With extension grants, I stayed up at night and immediately made up my exam and late homework assignments. These sleepless nights, unfortunately, had an adverse effect on my productivity the next day in school. I was tired, anxious, and even a little cranky. To offset this, I tried spending increments of an hour doing something that I enjoyed, something that would make me happy, and most importantly, something that would help alleviate the stress consuming me. From taking 20-minute power naps to jamming to Korean hip-hop music with my siblings, that hour dedicated to myself proved to be an outlet that I greatly needed and something I certainly plan on continuing to practice.


How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)

I realize that my obstacles I may be facing are not as significant as what the world may be suffering through. For instance, my older sister gave birth alone due to hospital COVID-19 social distancing restrictions on the number of occupants and visitors in the building. Without her husband, parents, or any support system, I cannot imagine the anxiety and fear my sister was going through as she became a mother by herself in a room full of strangers. Just like my sister, many women are facing similar situations as her around the world. However, despite the foreign nature of the situation, my sister was still happy and celebrated with us through FaceTime. She adapted to the situation quite quickly and still managed to put on a smile for us through the camera. She was alone yet surrounded by her loved ones at the same time. This event and COVID-19, in general, have caused me to view my future and goals differently. Sitting by myself in front of my computer at home, it feels like I am charging head-on at my obstacles alone, but I know that I am not the only high school senior struggling to stay afloat at this time. With this knowledge comes reassurance and hidden support that will continue to motivate me to persevere and push on towards my future.