TER 4

TER 4

(26/10/12)

The Wedding

Pages 165-276

                In this section, the book really turns around and goes in a direction you wouldn't expect.  It starts out explaining the plans of the final wedding details for the wedding they had planned for the upcoming weekend. While over the course of the entire book, Wilson tries proving to his wife that he still loves her and that he is the same hopeless romantic he was back when they first met. As last minute details are finally falling into place, Wilson plans a very special date for his wife Jane and at the end they realize that they are the same still people; the same lovers they had once been. All in all in the end the wedding that was supposed to be planning for his daughter Anna had really turned out to be a time to renew vows for Wilson and Jane. He managed to keep everything one big secret and just went with everything that came up. She was surprised and she knew right then and there that she was the luckiest woman on the planet.

                This book really did a great job of proving that love is still the same old love that everybody dreams about. Although not everyone is as fortunate as Wilson and Jane, they can still live a happy life together for many years. “You did say you’d marry me again, didn't you?” (Page 267) was the quote I chose because I think it brought the book to a great ending in such a way the reflected upon the whole entire reading. On the date that Wilson planned for Jane, he did find a way to pop the question once again and although she didn't think anything of it, it gave him the perfect opportunity. A chance to bring back lost memories, to reflect on the wonderful life they had been living, and most importantly a time to be thankful for each other.

                Although the image I have chose didn't come from the movie based off of this novel, I think it gives a great reflection and is very symbolic.  The people pictured are actual “ancestors” of the characters from the book “The Wedding” and not only does it show two hopeless romantics falling in love, but it shows that sometimes you just need to take a few minutes to catch up on lost time and realize how lucky you are. You only live once, and that one special person you  decide to spend the rest of your life with really can make an impact on your life. 

Reflection

1. What inspired me to write this story was ideas from multiple books, stories I've heard, and movies I've seen. My idea of having a meaning within the name came from a book I have read in the past, the setting came from a movie, and the whole idea of being captured and taken  away had come from stories I had heard from friends and relatives. 
2. What part I found most easy to complete was the climax in which the story gets all of its intensity and the action takes place. I found this the easiest, because this is the part that my whole story was based upon and lead up to. 
3. What part I found most difficult to complete was the introduction. I found this part hard, because I wanted to catch the reader's attention from the start in a way that would interest them.
4.  On a scale of 1-10 I feel that my final project was a 9, because of the detailed events and the whole plot of the story. Also, because of the time and effort put into writing it, I think I deserved this. 
5. I. feel that I deserve an A- for my story for multiple reasons. For one because of my detailed planning, two for the suspenseful climax and ending, three for time and effort, and four for the creativity used to create twists throughout the story. 
6.  On my next writing project, I will be sure to include more descriptive, detailed characters. Also, I will be sure to add more various scenes, and abstract ideas such as the meaning of the main character's name. 

TER 3

TER 3

(17/10/2012)

The Wedding

Pages 105-164

        As the story progresses, the love that Wilson and Jane have for each other develops more deeply and the wedding for their daughter Anna is believed to be responsible for that. As they share the stories of how they first met and how Wilson proposed, they realized why they found each other in the first place and why their marriage was so magical. After feeling like so much was get accomplished, between the wedding and their relationship, they hear news that Noah had fallen and went unconscious when he hit his head. Now, they had to work through more than expected on top of the stress from the wedding.

        As I had mentioned in earlier readings, swans had become an important form of symbolism with Noah. Not only does it bring him great joy and peace of mind, but also gives him a feeling that his wife Allie was still with him. In this section, after Noah had fallen he asked that Wilson was the first to come to his hospital bed and they discussed something that not only was important to him, but something that would become more relevant in the future. “Wonder Bread,” I said. “Four pieces in the morning and three pieces in the afternoon, right?” (Page 149).  I thought that this quote was important, because not only in Noah giving his trust to his son-in-law, but he is doing so in such a way that he hopes to pass down.

        The bond between a father and his son-in-law can really set the bars so to say for a trustworthy, loving relationship; not only between them, but also in the other relatives. Jane is fortunate enough to have the bond with these two important men, and with that she feels more secure. This picture I thought showed a good explanation of what the definition of family really is and what family means in this particular story. No matter if it’s just being there for each other, or doing them small favors here or there, the family in the story is very fortunate.

TER 2

TER 2

(11/10/12)

Pages 41-104

                        It all started out talking about how Wilson and Jane met for the first time and developed their relationship. During the times they had spent together they had had to make many compromises, including the way their wedding was held, which reflects on the whole wedding process they are going through with their daughter Anna. When Wilson goes to talk to Noah about the plans they have made for the wedding, Noah starts talking about swans and how much of an importance they had played in his past romance with his (dead) wife Allie. Then Wilson is told that part of the reason he was so fascinated with them was because they mate for life, which leads to him reflecting on his own marriage with Jane and how he has been failing. In an attempt to make Jane “fall back in love with him,” Wilson prepares a fancy dinner which gets them back into the swing of things and laughing. From this point, wedding plans are discussed more deeply and the wedding is quickly approaching. What better idea than to hold it in the backyard of the house Anna’s grandparents shared their love and grew old in.

                The most significant part of this reading was the point in which Noah and Wilson are talking about swans and their importance to Noah and Allie’s previous romance. “Did you know that swans mate for life?” he said. “I thought that was a myth.” “It’s true, he insisted. “Allie always said it was one of the most romantic things she’d ever heard. For her it proved that love was the most powerful force on earth.” (Page 58).  This quote summed up the passage, I thought, because not only were the swans symbolic, but they were another sign of hope in a failing marriage. This whole wedding was very helpful in bringing Wilson and Jane closer together and back to things used to be.

        Personally, this section of the book was easy for me to connect to, because I had previously read “The Notebook,” the book that comes before this one. Because I had already read that one it provided me with background information about everything that happened between Noah and Allie, the grandparents, and how close they were in their relationship. I chose to pick this picture of the cover of   book, because not only are there swans that represent the symbolism going on in this section, but I am also predicting that the number of swans may have a significance later on in the story.

The Other Side of Me

I honestly have no idea what happened between falling asleep last night and waking up this morning. What could have I possibly done differently? My mornings usually consist of getting up, jumping in the shower, getting dressed, and then proceeding to walk back into the bathroom to finish getting myself ready for the day. As I walked in and turned on the light I startled myself; with myself. I did not look like the same person I remember looking like. I glanced around, everything was where it usually was placed, except for me. I was the only thing different, and I was very alarmed when I realized the new person I had somehow changed into. I was Jennifer Lopez. This was seriously a dream come true, literally, and that’s when I remembered what I had dreamt about that night…..being in one of JLO’s movies. Now was my opportunity to do just as I had pleased. But there were just a few problems. People would not recognize me if I didn't dress properly and drive a fancy sports car. That’s when I decided to update my wardrobe, and I must say I did a great job of portraying her looks. I borrowed my parent’s corvette, which was only used for special occasions and date nights, and cruised off to here I believed she filmed all of her movies. I met with the director and together we discussed our ideas of what should be the next movie to explode ticket sales at the box office. The script was written, the costumes were designed, and I was the star of the show. Nothing felt better than standing up there on that stage and soaking up all of the lights. After we finished for the day, I drove back home, curled up under a blanket, and fell asleep. When I woke up that next morning I was back to my usual, non celebrity self. I just thought about how lucky I was to have been able to have that experience even if it was just for one day. I smiled to myself, and six months later I went to that movie. I have never felt so accomplished. 

TER

(5-10-12)

The Wedding

Pages 1-40

                In the beginning I was introduced to the main characters and was given a background setting. Wilson Lewis was having a hard time grasping the concept that over the course of time his marriage was failing.  He and his wife, Jane Lewis, were slowly drifting away from each other and he was trying his best to do everything that he could to save it. He was a middle aged man with three grown kids and at this point in his life he realized that everything should have already fallen into place. His best idea was to get married once again, to try to bring back the feelings that he and his wife once had. As he starts arranging and making plans, he shortly finds out that his oldest daughter, Anna would be getting married in a matter of weeks. This lead Wilson to seek someone who could help him stay on the right track and that man happened to be his very own father-in-law.

                Without even realizing, you tend to seek help from elders; not only because they are people you look up to and respect, but because they have probably been in a similar situation before.  When Wilson goes to look for some help, he grts told exactly what he wants to hear. “Falling in love, “he said. “That’s what I remember. On her good days, it was like we were just starting out all over again.” (Page 26).  This quote was very meaningful to him; because it gave him hope that his marriage could still be saved, and gave him that mentality that sometimes you just need to take a few steps back before moving forward once more.

                Nicholas Sparks has always done an amazing job and making scenarios and ideas very relatable. Not only does he make it hard for you to put the book down, but also has a way of getting you close with the characters. I have always been curious as to where he gets all of his inspiration from, or if these novels were based off of his idea of a perfect love story.  I researched a little about what inspires him and realized that both love and renewal were both reoccurring concepts in almost all of his books; he sometimes takes a real life event and turns it into a fairytale ending, leaving you breathless.  http://www.nicholassparks.com/books/ttohe-wedding#inspiration

Boo!

Tall and dark with cupolas; twisting hallways with no destinations. It’s only open on Halloween night, when the young children file in for the best scare of their lives on this dead end road. This was THE house at the end of the street. When you first enter, you are immediately put into a state of mind in which you can’t see past the person in front of you. Smoke rising up from the floor and you get crammed into an elevator with what feels like dozens of people. Before you know it you are on a different level, the room quiet with the exception of people screaming in the background.  You walk through the house, clenching the person’s hand in front you while people jump out from blind corners.  As you are just getting over what recently happened, you are shocked when the floor beneath you begins to shift. You stumble and in the blink of an eye you are in a chamber. Alone, cold, confused, and short of breath. The large wooden door opens and you are guided by a strange old man onto a boat. As you float around, flickering lights and tunnels bring you to your next destination; a staircase leading up. As you take slow motions to move up the stairs you approach another large wooden door. You knock, it opens and you walk through it. All of a sudden you are held tightly and thrown outside. You have survived the haunted house, but unfortunately you were the only one who came out. Your friends are still in there so now not only are you worried, but you have to go through the whole thing again to retrieve them. Boo.