Comments on my friends' journals

I made comment on four journals of my friends'.

http://zeynepeda.blogspot.com/2012/12/reflective-journal-1-zumba.html?showComment=1359037334247#c7142625171435205333

http://lehsmate.blogspot.com/2013/01/journal-7-video-reflection-ii.html?showComment=1359038262782#c5787467525845441068

http://dellcode.blogspot.com/2012/11/journal-4-slogan-for-metu.html?showComment=1359039386794#c4293961554961666806

http://bayraktarayla.blogspot.com/2012/10/mydream-university-every-high-school.html?showComment=1359039977532#c1265692379947160205

Journal Set 3: Pyrography

     Pyrography is an uncommon work of art. It means “Writing with fire”. However, we usually know this art as drawing with fire. It is also named as Fire Needle Embroidery because you use a tool like burning needle instead of pencil. It is like charcoal drawing but it is different because you draw it on a wood by burning it. This art dates back prehistory. Early people used the burning remains of their fires and this art improved in time. Today, it has a special tool but it is hard to find such kind of a tool in Turkey as this art is not widespread enough and I guess that it is not produced now. However, as a person who tried it, I advice the people who are interested in painting and drawing pyrography. They will really enjoy it. The tool has different kinds of needles because the most important thing in this art is shadowing and you cannot erase it if you make a mistake. Therefore, you need to use true needle in right time and you should be really careful. Also, the wood type you use can improve the affectation of your work. It can be sometimes like the real one as you can see in the picture above. Nowadays this art does not arouse the necessary interest. The ones who are interested in this art cannot make any profit. Therefore, usually the foreign countries are more interested in this art but the art is disappearing day by day. I think it must spread and be introduced people again. In conclusion, pyrography is a descent art that deserves more interest.

     In the video above, you can see how to do pyrography. In a talented person’s hands, it can be a wonderful product. However, there are advantages and disadvantages of this art if you look at the video. Firstly, I want to talk about the advantages of this art. As you can see in the video, it does not stain anywhere. I mean you do not need to worry about the spilled paints or the black hands while you draw charcoal. Also, it is practical because the only thing you need is electricity. It has portable tools and as it is wood, the picture does not get harmed easily. Another advantage of this art is about the art’s itself. After you improve yourself, you can create more attractive works than you can normally do. In the video and pictures, you can see that pyrography makes picture more attractive than it normally is. As I mentioned before, shadowing technique improves the picture and it seems more realistic. However, there are also disadvantages of this art. If you do not have electricity, you cannot do pyrography. Therefore, you need to do your art in certain places. You cannot do that outside. Another disadvantage of this art is that you cannot retrieve your mistakes. However, with the techniques you learn, you can hide your mistakes or you can softly scratch them with a blade. In conclusion, pyrography is an art with both advantages and disadvantages but it is worth to try it.

Journal Set 2: Salvador Dali

     Even though every artist is precious, I think Salvador Dali has a different place in the world of art. The first reason why I think Dali is different from other artists is that he does not only focus on painting. He is also interested in sculpture, photography and film-making. He has got tens of sculpture. He also produced theatre decors, costumes and book illustrations and he made a cartoon named “Destino” which takes an Oscar price. Salvador’s paintings are really valuable and they have seen value since they were produced. That’s why Dali’s paintings are sold even when he is alive unlike many other artists. As you can see, Salvador Dali is really successful in visual arts. Another interesting point about Salvador Dali is that he is also interested in science. He was even in the front of his time. When the atom bomb was produced, he had already started to search molecules and DNA. From this fact, we can understand that Dali was a real genius. Salvador Dali’s life story is also interesting. Nine months before he was born, his brother had died and his family gave him his brother’s name. As his family was really upset about their child’s death and always think about him, Dali experienced identity confusion. I think this is a situation which affects Dali’s crazy but genius character. However, certainly the most important and attractive thing about Dali is his paintings. If you look at his paintings, you can see that there are some hidden figures and these figures are almost unnoticeable at first glance. This makes them wonderful because nobody can explain what he thinks while creating an art or how he transfers them to the toile. In conclusion, Salvador Dali is a man who can impress anyone and this makes him different from others.

      In the video above, you can see Destino which is a cartoon produced by Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. This cartoon shows us every characteristic of Salvador Dali’s paintings. Firstly, you can see there are figures that seem meaningless but every symbol has a meaning in his mind. He turns arouses interest in this way. You can realize some figures only after you watch it carefully for a few times. He does not focus on one thing, he shows us different things happening in the meantime by passing through one time to another. He mixes everything but he also succeeds in protecting the content and meaning. Secondly, he visualizes his sculpture in this cartoon. There are really interesting sculptures and structures in the cartoon. They are usually shapeless. He also prefers shapeless objects and figures in his paintings as he is a surrealist artist. I think this is a good way to hide some objects which seem irrelevant but everything is connected to each other in his paintings. Lastly, as you can see in the cartoon new things are born from the existing things. However, Dali uses these objects in such a way; it is hard to predict what will happen. Therefore, it is hard to understand the message lying under his art. Actually, I think there is more than one message under them. However, if all of them can be realized is an unanswerable question. To conclude, this is a video to summarize Salvador Dali’s art. Hope you enjoy it.

Journal set 1: Bermuda Triangle

    Bermuda Triangle is a mystery which still remains unsolved. Although there are wise and reasonable theories about what is happening in the triangle, nothing is the exact answer for the events in the Bermuda triangle. A zillion of ships, aircrafts, and more importantly a lot of people disappeared in the triangle since the time immemorial. This situation not only scares people but also leads them to be curious about the triangle. That why everybody tries to find an answer for the vanishings. Public usually consider the possibility of human mistakes and navigation problems. However, the fact that there is a huge loss of people weakens this possibility. The pilots and captains who got lost in the triangle are usually experienced and successful. I think although these two qualities of theirs does not prove they made mistake, the number of the mistakes cannot be that many. People also consider the possibility of extra-terrestrial creatures vanish all the ships and planes. However, I think it is only a way to give an answer to cut corner. Even though I respect to the believes of other people’s, I still think that aliens are nothing but a fairytale. In my opinion, the most reasonable explanation is the methan gas theory. This theory supports that the great amount of methan gas under the sea gets released and reduces water density and ships cannot float on the water. However, even this theory does not explain the loss of the aircrafts. In conclusion, Bermuda Triangle is still is a secret which attracts the attention.

     This is a video I found about the Bermuda Triangle. The reason why I chose this video is that it gives us important knowledge about the triangle. It mentions the points I share with you, too. Firstly, it tells us about an important accident occurring in the triangle. It is the loss of the Flight 19. This event happens on a day when the weather is perfect. Also, the crew consists of well-experienced and well-prepared men. Nevertheless, when they got close to the triangle, they lost the communication with the center. After this event, another plane was sent to find Flight 19 but it disappeared, too. I think this is not a coincidence. Secondly, video explains the methane gas theory in a detailed way. It supports the methane gas reducing water density can cause the sinkings. It also gives other people’s opinion about the methane gas theory. It also mentions that this theory is perfect for the explanation of losses. However, before it explains this theory, it also gives information about the weather conditions around the triangle. It is an area which is open to storms and seismic activity. You will see why I support this theory when you watch the video. Thirdly, the video does not the skip the theory of strange creatures. However, as you can see in the video, it has not got any support and it is only based on the believes. It also has a sarcastic tone. In conclusion, I believe this video will provide you a great amount of knowledge. Enjoy the video.

Revised Journal 2

    Like every student at METU, I think being a student at METU is a privilege. METU is one of the best universities both in Turkey and in the world. Therefore, I am proud of being a student here. However, METU has not got only opportunities but also challenges. Firstly, I want to talk about the opportunities of METU. The first opportunity of METU is that it has a large campus and in this campus, students can meet almost every need of theirs from accommodation to shopping. Moreover, as it has lots of facilities like gymnasiums, courts, computer rooms, conference rooms and a large library, students can improve themselves physically, mentally, and culturally. For example, you can do sports even in the dead of night or you can go to the different seminars which you cannot normally go to. From this example we can understand that at METU you do not need to run after the things you want to reach since they come themselves. Secondly, it has students and teachers from all over the world and this situation gives us a chance to meet different kinds of people, so you can improve your foreign language easily. Also, the world comes to your feet. As you meet other people in the world, you learn other cultures even you cannot go abroad. It gives a joy. Thirdly, teachers at METU are experienced, organized and well-educated people. Hence, they affect students in a good way and guide them. Now I want to talk about the challenges I live in METU. As METU is one of the best universities in Turkey, you need to work hard to be successful and reach its pace. This university is a changing and developing place every second and you must get adapted to this situation. I mean that you must improve yourself every second, too. You must always learn, think and produce something. Thus, every student may live hard times while trying to catch the pace. Another challenge is that you are responsible for yourself. What I say is not only about METU. It is about all universities. As a student, we must look after ourselves. For instance, if you become ill, you must go to hospital on your own. You need to cook your own meal or if you do not want to cook, you must buy it. However, if we look through another perspective, it is the freedom of being your own boss. To conclude, whatever challenge it has, I am happy about being here.

Revised Journal 3

     Everyone has an understanding of ideal university. Studying and spending most of their time in a well-known and prosperous university is everybody’s dream. In my opinion, an ideal university should have a lot of qualifications. Firstly, in such a university students should have the freedom of learning everywhere and every time. For this reason, such a university ought to have functional materials and comfortable environment which are available for students at any time of the day. Also, a large library and all kinds of technological devices must be involved in this university so that students can reach all sorts of information easily. Secondly, an ideal university should have an open-minded vision. Every type of people should be able to express their opinion without being oppressed because knowledge emerges from collision of an opinion with another one. Therefore, an open mind is necessary for the improvement of all sorts of scientific fields. Thirdly, such a university ought to have many activities. These activities should appeal to all students and personal development must be the main aim of these activities. However, this development should not be only about mental but also physical progress. These activities must include sport activities, social activities, and intellectual activities. If this occurs, students can find pleasure in what they study, read, learn and do. In my opinion, METU is an university which fits all of these criteria and it is my ideal university. METU is a functional university in which I can find any information every hour of the day. In METU, all students can express themselves freely. METU has many activities and services. It is a house of knowledge. In METU, every opportunity is reachable. In conclusion, ideal university should have got many characteristics and METU has got them.

Journal 4: METU Slogan

        

     METU has got a very popular slogan today. It is “I Brain Metu”. In my opinion, this is a really attractive and thought-provoking slogan. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the slogan “I Brain Metu” makes us think about itself. The reason why I think so is that I think we use brain symbol for the activity of thinking. It is like the time when we use heart symbol in order to tell love. Secondly, it is something which makes us regard METU as a brain-improving center. Also, this is true. METU is a world in which we improve our brains. Therefore, every METU student can use this slogan so as to describe their state. Thirdly, this slogan is interesting. When people first hear this slogan, they start to think about it. They ask what it means. Everyone may get a different meaning from this slogan. Therefore, it covers a large variety of meanings.
     On the other hand, I may suggest you another slogan although I think “I Brain Metu” is a perfect slogan. It is “METU, everything you wish”. It may seem very assertive slogan. However, I do not think I exaggerate it because it really is. The first reason why I chose this slogan is that the facilities of METU. It has got a huge library, a lot of computer labs, lots of study places, banks, cafeterias, and other enjoyment areas. It is like a small city. Secondly, it is a beautiful place. It is a large forest and you can get fresh air all the time. Also, it has architecturally good buildings.
      In conclusion, although “I Brain Metu” is a striking slogan, I think it tells us only about the brain part it is lack of living part. Therefore, I prefer the slogan “METU, everyting you wish”.

Journal 1: Article Analysis

A self-controlled swimming robot has completed a journey from San Francisco to Australia.
The record-breaking 9,000 nautical mile (16,668km) trip took the PacX Wave Glider just over a year to achieve.
Liquid Robotics, the US company behind the project, collected data about the Pacific Ocean's temperature, salinity and ecosystem from the drone.
The company said its success demonstrated that such technology could "survive the high seas".
The robot is called Papa Mau in honour of the late Micronesian navigator Pius "Mau" Piailug, who had a reputation for finding ways to navigate the seas without using traditional equipment.
"During Papa Mau's journey, [it] weathered gale-force storms, fended off sharks, spent more than 365 days at sea, skirted around the Great Barrier Reef, and finally battled and surfed the east Australian current to reach his final destination in Hervey Bay, near Bundaberg, Queensland," the company said in a statement.
Some of the data it gathered about the abundance of phytoplankton - plant-like organisms that convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and provide food for other sea life - could already be monitored by satellite. However, the company suggested that its equipment offered more detail, providing a useful tool for climate model scientists.
Ongoing travels
Liquid Robotics still has a further three robots at sea. A second is due to land in Australia early next year. Another pair had been heading to Japan, but one of them has suffered damage and has been diverted to Hawaii for repair.
Each robot is composed of two halves: the upper part, shaped like a stunted surfboard, is attached by a cable to a lower part that sports a series of fins and a keel.
They do not use fuel but instead convert energy from the ocean's waves, turning it into forward thrust.
Solar panels installed on the upper surface of the gliders power numerous sensors that take readings every 10 minutes.
Mixing electronics and water might sound like a risky idea - but Dr Jeremy Wyatt, from the school of computer science at the University of Birmingham, said there was good reason there was so much interest in marine robotics.
"The ocean is a very big place and therefore a safe place to test autonomous robots - these Wave Gliders move slowly and have a low risk of bumping into other objects," he said.
"There are also autonomous sailing competitions in which craft plot their journey completely independently - unlike the Wave Gliders which autonomously follow a prescribed route - and there are a variety of types: robots which bob on the ocean surface, gliders and even fully autonomous submarines which plan their own routes and dive to collect data.
"We are reaching a tipping point in that the technology is becoming so cheap that it's now a much cheaper to use a robot to gather data than to pay for a manned ship to be at sea for months at a time."

from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

a)adjective: risky, cheap, next

b)verb
i) intransitive verb: sound, become, bob
ii) transitive verb: complete, find, use
iii) linking verb: is, are, sound
iv)Action verb: collect, swim
v) State verb: provide

c)adverb
i)Place adverb: from San Francisco, around the Great Barrier Reef, at sea
ii)Time adverb: over a year, every ten minutes, for months
iii)Adverb of manner: independently, slowly

d)Object
i)direct object: gale-force storms, sharks, power
ii)indirect object: (I could not find any indirect object)

e) subject: Liquid Robotics, the company, solar panels

f) phrase: reaching a tipping point

g) clause:
i) dependent clause: The robot is called Papa Mau in honour of the late Micronesian navigator Pius "Mau" Piailug, who had a reputation for finding ways to navigate the seas without using traditional equipment.
ii) independent clause: A self-controlled swimming robot has completed a journey from San Francisco to Australia.

h) interjection: (there is not any interjection)

i) pronoun
1)interrogative pronoun: that, in which
2)personal pronoun: it, he, we
3)reflexive pronoun: (there is not any reflexive pronoun)
4)indefinite pronoun: (there is not any indefinite pronoun)

j)noun
i)common noun: mile, navigator, cable
ii) proper noun: San Francisco, PacX Wave Glider, Papa Mau
iii) singular noun: robot, journey, year
iv) plural noun: seas, ways, storms