C'mon N' Ride the Train

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. And hopefully you were able to spend some quality time with your family and friends and avoid the Black Friday stampedes. I personally was very thankful for the three helpings of stuffing I ate with my family and did some light shopping online.

What Black Friday looks like

I know it's probably easy for our brains to feel like mush after a week off, but as we reminded you in class, it's go time. You have to read a CE for tomorrow,  A Modest Proposal for Wednesday, WHAP Ch. 29 for Thursday, Manatee Tank due next Monday, and a quiz over Unit 5A next Wednesday. SO MANY THINGS. It's okay; we'll get through these things together.

If you're totally relating to the GIF above, it's from the world's best comedy, Arrested Development. This is required viewing over Winter Break. It's literally the best.

Today in class we had you explore certain facets of the industrialization.  Sophomores, you may recall the Agricultural, or Neolithic, Revolution from last year - when people discovered farming for the first time.  In the 18th century Europe underwent the second greatest shift in human history - the Industrial Revolution. Hopefully you were able to work your way through all six stations in class.  To sum up, you should've taken away the following:

• Copious amounts of coal and iron were necessary for industrialization 
• Mechanization first occurred with the textile industry 
• Working kind of sucked! You worked long hours under dangerous conditions with no government regulation 
• The expansion of industrialization led to a revolution in transportation - trains, planes, and automobiles! JKLols - there were no planes yet (Random trivia: the earliest trains traveled a whopping 20 mph - 3x faster than a stagecoach!) But don't forget ships...this will be important when we get to Imperialism next semester
• The economic disparities resulted in an empowered middle class and a defeated working class (proletariat)
• The Second Industrial Revolution provided more recognizable innovations for us today - electricity, automobiles, steel, etc. 

Since it's the holiday season, I thought I'd include my favorite Christmas song (I don't celebrate Christmas, but I enjoy the holiday season like the next person - gimme alllllll the red Starbucks cups!).

I'm also very partial to Mariah Carey's original

And here's a scene from one of my favorite Christmas movies, Elf. 

- Warrior Princess Siddiqui

THANKSGIVING BREEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Humanitarians,

I am very excited for Thanksgiving Break, as I assume you are. Enjoy a week of netflix, aunts you never really liked that much anyway, and all the carbs you can handle.

Today in class, we worked on the Manatee Tank. Do not forget this is due 1 week after we return from one of the most glorious of holidays. We will be waiting with bated breath for your genius....

When we get back from break we will continue our journey through the modern age, starting with the Industrial Revolution! ALL THE TECHNOLOGY and also child labor. 

Over Thanksgiving break, you may be wanting to either escape your family or find something to do with them that is not shoving mashed potatoes into your mouth (mmmmm....potatoes, thank you Colombian Exchange), so here are some options for a humanities experience:

• Starting TODAY, the DMA has a Jackson Pollock Exhibit. Jackson Pollock is one of the foremost American artists of the 20th century, known for his drip painting. Go here for details.
• If you can still get tickets and have nothing going on this weekend, the noted Moscow Ballet is performing the Nutcracker at SMU; tickets here.
• If you can't make it to the Moscow Ballet's version, the Texas ballet will put on shows of the Nutcracker through the beginning of December. Check it, it's awesome. The best part is taking your pictures with the Rat King during intermission! Tickets here. 
• SMU Meadow's Museum also still has an exhibit from "The House of Alba", which includes a few Goyas!!!! WHAT, check it here.
• If after our conversation yesterday you are all about the opera, then check out the Dallas Opera, there are two different shows you can watch before the end of the semester...info here. 

This day in history...

• 1945: The war crimes of 24 German World War II leaders began in Nuremberg, Germany.
• 1947: The future Queen Elizabeth II of England married Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
  
  
• 1962: John F. Kennedy ended the blockade of Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  

  
• 1975: Spain's fascist dictator, Francisco Franco, died, bringing back the monarchy.
  

  

Lastly, don't forget to check out NPR's Story Corp App. I downloaded it last night to check it out and it is super duper easy. It is a free app for iPhone and Android phones and it was questions you can use in it. Then when you are ready to record, you hit record and can then upload it to the site. 

Here is a TED talk over StoryCorp:

And here are a couple of links for more info:

The Great Listen - this is what you are participating in!!

Story Corp - Listen to some stories here. These are just the ones they've aired, the have over 65k recorded in the Library of Congress. Y'all this is the time to BE part of history. In 100 years, someone may be looking for oral histories and they could FIND yours. Plus your parents will love you when you interview them or some other old people you know. 

Finally, for the last time this week, social media account to follow, follow twitter.com/sweden. Every two weeks, the official Twitter account of the country of Sweden is passed to a different Swede, who gets to tweet as the official voice of Sweden. Most of the tweets are in English and they cover SO MANY topics since each Swede is tweeting with a different point of view. Super interesting!!! Here are some examples...

Disclaimer: Since it is a new person every two weeks, sometimes the conversation is inappropriate for teenaged audiences. View with caution. The views tweeted by @sweden, do not reflect the views of Mrs. Garafola or JHS. 

Have a FANTASTIC week off of school. Frolick. Rejoice in the nothingness. Talk to your family. EAT POTATOES. 

- cbg

T-minus 6 days until TURKEY. 

Bom, bom, bom boooom bombombom

Humanitarians,

Obviously that is music. Don't ask.

Today we talked about the change from the Baroque ---- the Romantic movements in music. Most of the same characteristics as Romantic literature and art. It's all about that nature, that nature, and also some feelz. We really only listened to a couple of people in class, the biggest, Mozart & Beethoven. However, personally I love the more nationalistic composers of the time. So I bring you a little more Romantic music on this fine Thursday evening...

First, Frederick Chopin, a Polish composer and nationalist. In this period, remember, Poland doesn't exist as a nation, so the nationalistic music of Chopin, which also samples (20th century musicians didn't invent sampling!) from Polish folk music, is an outlet for the anger and desire of Poles. 

Now, for Franz Liszt, a Hungarian composer. During this time, the Hungarians are part of the Austrian Empire, and honestly are not super thrilled by it. In the late 1800's, they stage a revolution where the Hungarian ethnic group, the Magyars, are successful in getting some political equality, changing the name of Austria to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get it Hungarians. In a side conversation, Hungarian is super hard but a super interesting language. Please enjoy the following Smurfs trailer in Hungarian. 

Finally, part of a Wagner Opera. This is the Ride of the Valkyries. Wagner is a German composer who is a super German nationalist. In fact, Wagner is also a huge anti-Semite and was Hitler's favorite composer. Many of his operas were put on the Hitler's entertainment during the Nazi Regime. He also wrote the famous "Wedding March" ("Here Comes the Bride"), so be careful using it at your future weddings, since it has some Nazi connotations. 

And then obviously time for some Romantic composer memes...

TOMORROW IS A WORK DAY! Be prepared, bring all the things to win so many benjamins from the Manatee Tank. We will NOT be in the library/computer lab, so you need to bring whatever you need. 

This day in history:

• 1703: A masked man held prisoner in the Bastille died. His true identity was the cause of much intrigue and his story became the basis of literary works by Frocnois Voltaire and Alexandre Dumas.
• 1863: Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the national cemetery on the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, PA. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
•  
• 1985: Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met for the first time in Geneva.
  
  
• 1990: Milli Vanilli's Grammy award was rescinded after it was discovred they didn't do their own singing. Who is Milli Vanilli?!?! WELL I'M GLAD YOU ASKED!

I don't have any great social media for you to follow today, I'm not feelin it. Will return with another installment tomorrow. BUT here is a #tbt picture for you to enjoy.

Mrs. Garafola as an adorable baby and Mrs. Garafola's mom. Check that 80's hair. 

Have a wonderful Thursday, tomorrow is the last day before BREAK!

- cbg

T-minus 7 days til turkey

"Yard with Lunatics" sometimes also describes teaching

Humanitarians,

Isn't Goya the best, I mean like the best. If I was ranking my favorite artists (which I do often and would encourage you to do as well) Goya would be top 5 for sure. Just so perfectly dark.

Today we talked about Romanticism as it relates to painting. Just as you saw in the poetry we read yesterday, you should be able to indentify some of the following characteristics in Romantic painting:

• Expression of Personal Feeling
• Love of the fantastical/exotic
• Interest in Nature
• Nationalism (dang, there it is AGAIN!)
• Erotic love

Not every painting will have all these things, but definitely some of them. Romanticism is super self-reflective, both self as yourself, but also self as in the national self. The best. For realz, the next artistic movement, Realism is not nearly as awesome, so soak in the greatness of Romanticism while you can. Maybe IN nature! (Have you been in nature lately? Maybe try doing some of your reading out in it, just bundle up first, it's getting chill-ay.) 

Tomorrow, we have another 2 question current event! Then we will continue feeling romantic with some sick beats, I mean Romantic music. ALL THE FEELZ. Here is a little preview of what's to come...

Oh that Hector Berlioz, such a Romantic

What about this day in history!?

1820: Captain Nathaniel Palmer discovered Anartica. I mean, I feel like the penguins already living there would have concern with the word "discovered," but....

• 1828: Mickey Mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie.
  
• 
  
• 1978: Jim Jones, a US cult leader, led 914 of his followers to their death at Jonestown, Guyana by drinking a cyanide-laced fruit drink. This is where the phrase "drink/drank the kool-aide" came from, so maybe be a little discerning when you say it!
  

Finally, in social media accounts you should follow, I bring you...

Norm Kelly, City of Toronto Councillor and funniest Canadian I know. His Twitter handle is @norm and I very much recommend him as funniest politician. Enjoy his tweeting!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! See you in the AM!!

- cbg

T-minus 8 days til turkey!

She Walks in Beauty Like the Night

Humanitarians,

Take some notes from the Romantic poets. Is there a fine young lady or young man out there that you'd like to woo?! BYRON KNOW WHAT'S UP. Seriously. Works every time.

Romantic poetry is also what much of the movie Dead Poet's Society revolves around. This is an excellent film with Robin Williams that many of you will watch when you get to AMSTUD, and if you are anything like me, will cry for days at.

Tomorrow, we will continue our trek through Romanticism by discussing the art of the period. This will really be our only foray into the literature of the time period, but I super recommend some novels from the period too. The gothic is a subgenre of the Romantic and one of my favorite books OF ALL TIME, Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley, wife of the poet you read today and "friend" of Lord Byron (told you that romantic poetry worked!) during this time. If you are in AP Euro, you will be lucky enough to read a section from the novel next semester. 

Some characteristics you should notice from the romantic period are emotionalism (sometimes actually romantic love, but not always), love of the exotic/supernatural, and an escapist trend toward nature. Basically all my favorite things. 

For tomorrow, make sure you have read all of your humanities reading over the movement (as well as a reminder on Rococo and Neoclassicism). We will be assigning another chapter from the WHAP book after this, so don't fall behind!

Again, no happy news, I'm over it. I want to hide under a rock or something. 

Here is a picture of all my animals hiding in our bathroom during the tornado sirens this morning. Sorry about the downed shower curtain, I think the cats are scared of it...

And for this day in history....

• 1558: Queen Elizabeth I became Queen of England, ending years (decades?!) of religious warfare. What a boss. 
• 
• 1917: Sculptor Auguste Rodin died in Paris, France. We will look at the art of the inter-war years next semester. Prepare yourselves! Rodin is most famous for his sculpture, The Thinker...
• 
• 1989: The beginning of the Velvet Revolution in Prague, which would lead to the end of Communism in Czechoslovakia, and marked the beginning of the fall of the Soviet Union, which would cease to exist a few years later. This was one of many revolutions/protests started by students. Y'all are far more powerful than you think!!!
• 
• 
  
• 2003: Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in as governor of California. My favorite Schwarzenegger movie is the often under appreciated Jingle all the Way, a lovely holiday film about rampant consumerism. 
• 

Finally, in today's installment of social media accounts you should follow, I offer instagram.com/socalitybarbie. It has actually ended its run (sob), but I recommend looking through it. It's a satire account about the ridiculousness of our "social media" lives versus reality, through the eyes of a super hipster barbie. It's on point. Enjoy!

I hope your Tuesday is wonderful and that eventually good news happens!


Also, in these sad days, a reminder from the graffiti in downtown McKinney....

- cbg

T-minus 9 days until turkey. 

Maps for days

Humanitarians,

I hope your map checks went well...DO YOU KNOW WHERE FRENCH INDOCHINA IS?! Oh, you do? OK, good.

Today we discussed common issues on the DBQ's. Please, please if you have any questions schedule a time to come see your teacher, but remember this is not a time to argue your grade. We may seem mean and like hard graders, but we are just trying to prepare you for success!!

After we went over the DBQ's, we looked at the impact of nationalism during the late 1700-early 1800's. Nationalism is cray y'all, it brings people together (see Germany & Italy), encourages people to fight for their independence (see Greece) and tears regions apart (see the Balkans). It also will be a major cause of World War I (and arguably II) when we get there, almost 100 years after what we are talking about now. Oh nationalism.

What else is going on this week??! We are taking a break from all these politics to get into some of the Humanities - Art, Literature, Music! YAY THE ROMANTICS. As someone who is seriously obsessed with Romantic literature, I AM EXCITED. Also, this:

Don't forget, humanities reading is due Wednesday and you have a current event (double!) tomorrow. 

I don't have any news articles that Mr. Stanton hasn't allowed for CE's lately, and honestly the news right now just keeps making me cry. If you have anything to send me that is happy, I'd very much appreciate it...

It seems not a lot has happened this day in history, but here are a couple of things:

• 1864: Sherman and his troops begin their "March to the Sea" through the South during the Civil War.
  
  
  
  
  
• 1907: Oklahoma became the 46th state. Yay little, less important Texas! I'll actually be there THIS Sunday running the Route 66 Half Marathon!  Check it out if you wanna cheer me on. Also, it made this song possible:
  

• 1933: The United States and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations, a mere 16 years after the Soviet Union came into existence. Sweet Soviet dancing:
  

Finally, I have for you a new feature in the Garafola-authored blogs. The following is an account on social media that I feel like you should follow in order to make your life better:

Today it is instagram.com/latenotes. A dad writes excuses for his children for being late to school, hilarity ensues. Maybe it will give your parents some inspiration? An example:

Well that's all folks, see you in the AM. 

- cbg

T-minus 10 days til turkey.

Roco-can't even.

You made it to Friday, Hugemanatarians! In a week from today, you will officially be on break and ready to consume more turkey than any other day of the year. Oh blessed Thanksgiving. Friend to all carb lovers everywhere.

Basically our thoughts for the entirety of  next week. Props to Siddiqui for this gem.

Today in class we let you explore the differences between two popular art movements during the Revolution-Rococo and Neo-Classical. Our hope was for you to spot that Rococo art was popular amongst the aristocracy and nobility as a means of escape during the tumultuous Revolutionary period, while Neo-Classicism attracted Enlightenment radicals of the middle class. Rococo art is light, "painterly", pleasant, pretty. Neo-Classical art embodied much of the Greco-Roman ideals (hence the name). Neo-Classicism even made its way into America's architecture. Most of the architecture you would recognize as quintessential "American" buildings were coming out of Neo-Classicism, such as the U.S. Capitol and the White House (some kind of important buildings).

Speaking of escapism, I'm sure you need some mental breaks at the end of the week, so here are some links to distract you from productivity:

• Find an awesome side dish you can cook for your family over break. 
• Which celebrity is as tall as you?! Lady Gaga for me. 
• Laugh at this little girl's sassy letter to the toothfairy. 
• Watch this pug dancing to Hotline Bling.

Because this weather makes me want to hike and be outside, this photo of the day comes from the Wave, a famous landmass in the Vermilion Cliffs of Arizona and Utah. Spot the hiker in blue?

Have the BEST weekend friends! I hope it's wonderful.

-Virdin over and out.

So much room for activities!

Is your head spinning from the flurry of activity? Okay, so maybe it wasn't THAT insane, but today was a busier one in the Humanities world. You crushed that CE and some of you had a reading check over Chapter 28. Then we flew over to Latin America to zoom through some of the major events during the Modern Age (make sure you finish that for Monday if you didn't today). We'll return back to Latin America later this year for more revolutionary upheavals by leaders such as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Dictators as hipsters? Check out that scarf action on Fidel.
Also, glasses game strong for Kim. 

Also...JFK as a hipster?

THAT HAIR.

Sorry, I got hipster distracted. Anyways, make sure you're keeping up with your map check. I know it's not the most stressful of assignments, but sometimes those are the easiest to forget. You get to crack open your Humanities book again as well for a chunk of reading due next Wednesday! Check the calendar for yo pages; it's your friend.

Actually, back to hipsters...did you guys see clip-on man buns are now a thing?! You guys know I'm all in favor of hipster follicle trends, but this is too far. It needs to stop. Keep the man buns authentic, people.

Because today's temps are dropping, I thought our photo of the day could come from the South Pole. Here's a research station at the edge of the world; those lights are called "aurora australis"...ask a science teacher what those are. #kraft

Where are all the penguins and polar bears?!

Happiest of Thursdays friends! Enjoy this perfect weather :)

-Virdin out.