Final Reflection on Blog

Firstly, I would like to apologize for any formatting or highlighting errors that you may see on this blog. I did my projects on Microsoft Word, and taking it from Word and placing it on Blogger resulted in a few problems. I was able to get most of them straightened out, but there are still a few.


Also, the reason I did two newspaper articles, is because I couldn't write very much on either of them. Since I wanted to make these articles realistic, I wrote them as if the event just happened, therefore not leaving much to write about. (Or it would seem as if I could tell the future.) I decided to make up for this, by writing two newspaper articles.


If you have any general questions or comments, leave them on this post.

Best Regards,

Gavr8H.

Glossary

1. Inaudible. “The sound drifts up to Arrow, sometimes nearly inaudible, sometimes so clear and loud it seems he’s in the room.”

In this context, the word Inaudible means without sound. As Arrow is describing the sound, she could say that it is loud, or that it is very soft and she can barely hear it. If it were such, then it would be “nearly inaudible”.

2. Accelerate. “She begins to accelerate into a run, but it seems to Dragan that she slows down.”

In this context, the word accelerate means to gradually become faster. If she accelerates into a run, that means she goes faster from a walk, in order to get to a run. Therefore she would “accelerate” into a run.

3. Hesitation. “The dog reaches the intersection and enters it without hesitation.”

In this context, the word hesitation means to wait before doing something, due to fear or other reasons. The dog isn’t scared of anything at the intersection, and therefore does not “hesitate” to enter it.

4. Adjusting. “Her eye is adjusting to the change in her scope’s position when she grasps what has changed in the decoy apartment.”

In this context, the word adjusting means that her eye changed to fit the situation. When one’s scope changes, their eyes will have to adjust to the new view, and quickly, too. And as here eyes changed to fit the change in her scope’s position, they “adjusted” to do this.

5. Linger. “He moves as quickly as he can, stopping every so often to catch his breath, but doesn’t linger more than he has to.”

In this context, linger means to stay in one place, for a longer time than necessary. So when he doesn’t stay more than he has to, he doesn’t “linger” more than he has to.

Peer Responses

I have done a peer response on:
Joel's News Arcticle.
William's Journal Entry.

These responses can be found on their blogs.

Journal 2

“Daddy, come quick!” yelled Alija.

Kenan walked over to the TV. Hopefully his son wouldn’t show him a cartoon again, he had important things to do while the electricity was still on.

“Son, this isn’t one of your silly programmes again, is it? We don’t have electricity for that long a time.”

“Yes we do, daddy! That’s why I called you! Look!” Kenan walked over to the TV, to see a BBC anchor speaking.

“Due to NATO’s involvement in Operation Deliberate Force, the Bosnian War has finally ended. Many Sarajlije are once more free, with the forces that have been terrorizing them for years retreating.”

Kenan Stared at the TV. He could not believe it. Though he knew this day would come, it still came as a large surprise to him.

“Edina!” he called to his wife. “Edina, look! It’s over! The war’s finally over! No more blackouts, no more dangerous streets! Everything will be back to normal!”

Edina stared blankly at the TV. It seems she couldn’t believe what was happening either. Cheers arose from the streets. There are only 4 channels, so it’s likely that many people were watching. The buzz of UN helicopters could be heard from outside. They’ve most likely come to expel the men on the hills.

In the midst of all the cheering, a shot was heard. It all stopped.

Kenan looked out the window, only to see a resident of his apartment complex on the ground in a pool of blood. Everyone scrambled inside. Obviously the men on the hills were not done yet. A gunfight broke out between the helicopters and the men on the hills. It was at this point that everyone had retreated to their houses and was watching through the windows what was happening.

“Daddy, why are they still fighting?” asked Alija impatiently.

“I-I don’t know son, it should be over by now.”
The fighting continued. A feeling of depression struck Kenan. Will the war ever be over? What happens if the men on the hills win? Kenan shuddered. The only thing he could do now is wait.
“When’s everything going to be normal again?”asked Aljia. Suddenly the guns were silenced, and cheers erupted from the far side of town.

Kenan chuckled. “They are now, son. They are now.”

Reflection
The reason I chose Kenan, and I believe he is essential to the story, is because of his perspective. He is the family man, and no matter what, he puts family first. And this outlook on life he has is a quality that would help him survive through the war. On the topic of perspectives, it can be noted (though many do not) that Kenan is Muslim, however Dragan is Serbian. The reason I wrote from both perspectives is to show, that though all this fighting is attributed to these ethnic hostilities, it is amazing how similar the people are, and that it's terrible what happens when two people who simply do not get along cause terrible issues between two larger groups.

The reason I chose the end of the war, is because the book doesn't really talk about it. It allows the reader to conjure up their own ending. I decided to make this to share my idea of the ending, and get thoughts from others about how they would interpret it. It is also nice that I could  be able to "solve" the problem. that this character has suffered with for such a long time.

Pictures

The picture above is the Bosnian parliament building on fire during the Siege of Sarajevo. I chose this picture because they represented one of the main themes in the book: The horrifying aspects of war and how many innocent lives can be lost or damaged, for practically nothing. The whole book (except for perhaps Arrow’s part) is about how regular citizens have to try to get by and complete day-to-day tasks in such atrocious conditions, and I believe this picture of a war-time tragedy represents that rather well.

This picture can also be interpreted to mean survival, another theme of the book. All characters in the book have to survive both mentally and physically, under those terrible conditions. And though this picture might represent death, there were those who were able to survive the harsh conditions and move on. And of course, one has to wonder, what if this were to happen to me? Would I be able to survive in such conditions? This picture helps us realise, how lucky we are, to not have to go through harsh trials every day, just to survive. And I believe that this, is one of the main themes of the book.

Wikipedia. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.wikipedia.org/>. (Do not fear, it was for the pictures only.)

I chose this picture (which can be interpreted as a modern-day Pandora’s Box), because it represents another one of the main themes of the book: Hope. In this book, all the characters hope that peace will return. Hope that they can continue with their lives, and hope that they and their families will survive. And I believe this picture shows that, while hope may be hidden somewhere, it’s still there, and it’s what keeps us going.

Reflecting further on the previous sentence, the fact that “shining hope” is found in a rusty old container can mean that, no matter how bad things are on the outside, and no matter how bad everything is, there can still be hope inside, for without hope, all there is is despair. And perhaps the only reason that all the characters in the book don't give up, and persevere through the Siege, is that they have hope. Hope for their families, and Hope from themselves.

"October 2008." NO REST FOR THE AWAKE - MINAGAHET CHAMORRO. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://minagahet.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html>.

Journal

Journal Entry: Dragan

I’ve never been on a plane. But I’ve seen one. It carried my wife and son to Italy. And as much as I know they’re in a better place, I can’t help but wish they were here with me. Ever since the war started, life has been about survival. Comfort has become a dream. I’ve been living with my sister and her husband, and it’s not the first place I would want to be. But as they provide me shelter, I provide them food, we are essential to each other. I can hardly remember what life was like, before the war. It seems I’ve gotten used to crossing sniper-infested streets to get water. Before the war, the worst thing that could happen to you if you tried to get water, is you’d slip in the kitchen. But now. . . . .  I don’t even want to think about it.

Today, I saw it happen. An innocent soul just walking along the street, only to promptly collapse, with the sound of a gunshot. As I scrambled to safety, I began to wonder, why? Why are the men on the hills terrorizing the innocent people of Sarajevo? Do they hate us? I believe they think that WE hate them. Well, we do now. Taking a moment to calm myself, I started taking a different path, when I noticed a figure on the street, with music emitting from him. I wanted to get closer, when I noticed where he was playing. It’s the marketplace. Where the mortar fell. I decided to avoid the risk, and steer clear of that street. It’s one of the most dangerous in the city. Continuing, I arrived at the bakery, when I noticed my friend Miodrag, who I haven’t seen in months.

“Miodrag!” I exclaimed.

“Hey, Dragan, how are you?”

“Physically, fine, but mentally, not so much.”

“Why?” He asked. Miodrag was always curious. Whenever something happened, he would have to know what it was. It was in his nature.

“Well, as you might know, my family’s gone.”

“Oh no.” said Miodrag with a tremble in his voice. “Were they, you know. . . .”

“No, no of course not.” I chuckled. “They escaped the city, and left for Italy.” I guess that when such a fate as being shot arises, being away is a much better option.

“Oh, do not fear, friend. When this war ends, you will be reunited. Trust me, I know.”

“I hope you’re right, Miodrag. How’s your family?”

“The usual. The kids play board games the whole day, and every week or so, they watch around 10 minutes of cartoons when the powers on for a bit.”

“And Gordana?” Gordana is Miodrag’s wife. She and I had never quite had a very friendly relationship, but I would be glad to hear she’s OK.

“Fine. Did you hear about the mortar fire?”

“Yes. That’s terrible. Those innocent people, just waiting there to buy food for their families, just killed, like that. It’s horrifying.”

“It is, isn’t it.” Miodrag looked at his watch. “15:00.” He said. “Best for me to be heading back right about now.”

“Alright, maybe I’ll see you around.” I smiled, and with that, Miodrag left.

            When I came back home, my sister and her husband were watching the TV. It seems as if the power has come on, and they’re going to make as much use of it as they can.

“Dragan, come here!” they yelled.

There was a man talking on the TV.

“And due to the severity of the blast, UN personnel and helicopters will be coming to the city to help the injured.”

“Do you know what this means?” asked my sister? “The fighting might stop! UN can help us!”

And as excited as they were, I knew this war wasn’t ending anytime soon.

Reflection

            The reason I chose Dragan’s perspective, is because he is a civilian whose life has changed so much since the war. Dragan’s life before and after the war are so contrasting that I felt his point of view would be the most interesting to write a story from. This is also the most likely reason, that Dragan is vital to the story. In it we have various types of people trying to survive in the war. Kenan is a civilian, who is trying to help himself and his family survive. Arrow is a fighter, who is trying to liberate her city, and Dragan is a civilian who has had to part with his family, and still has to try to survive in the bloody city. As for the cellist, we don’t hear much from him, though he may be he “hero” of the book.

           The time I chose, was shortly after the mortar killed twenty-two people waiting to buy bread. I felt that after this time, there would be lots of actions, and emotions that would give the writing, and the journal entry more feeling. After all, it is the event that causes the cellist to play.

Newspaper Article 2

G. Randjelović                                                     February 5th 1994

Tragedy in the Market Place

Mortar Shell in Downtown Sarajevo kills 68, wounds over 100.

 

Rescue Workers helping the injured

The family of those killed while waiting to buy bread in Sarajevo’s downtown Marketplace are haunted by the memory of what happened on Sunday, February 5^th.

At around noon, they and their loved ones heard a sound coming from the hills that surround the city. While they calmly waited in line to buy various goods, a 120mm mortar shell landed right in the middle of the marketplace, killing 68, and injuring over 140. The scene was horrible. People with their limbs separated from their bodies trudged across the sidewalk, screaming for help. While UN personnel and rescue helicopters did arrive eventually, unfortunately, the damage was already done.

And then the question arises: who did it? While the Muslim-led government blamed the Serbs, and the Serbs accused the government of shelling it’s own citizens to drag international powers into war against them, the perpetrator has not been determined. However, nothing can bring back those killed in the deadly explosion.

Reflection:

The reason I chose to write about this is because, in the Cellist of Sarajevo, one of the main events is a mortar falling into a busy marketplace, and while this might not be that same one (several mortars attacked the marketplace) it is easy to relate it to the one in the book.

I also chose this article to exemplify the horrors of the Siege of Sarajevo, how innocent lives can be lost so quickly, and how terrible war is. It was one of two large mortar bombings that forced NATO into participation in the war. (The other being on August 28, 1995)

References:

Fish, By Jim. "BBC NEWS | Europe | Sarajevo Massacre Remembered." BBC News - Home. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3459965.stm>.

            "Siege of Sarajevo: 1992-1996." Then Again. . . Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/easteurope/SarajevoSiege.CP.html>.

Newspaper Article 1

Tensions High in Bosnia

G. Randjelović                                                                               March 10^th 1992

Shooting incident causes anger amongst the Serbian community in Sarajevo

Protests and Roadblocks continue in Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo. The Serbian community has been angered, due to various Serb shops and business’ being the target of radicals’ attacks, and more recently a Serbian wedding being interrupted by radical Muslim gunmen, who shot and killed the groom's father. The culprits of the wedding attacks were identified, however, no legal action was taken. The Serbian community was convinced that the Muslim-dominated police were protecting these culprits due to their religion, and on February 28th, the roadblocks and protests began.

With the referendum for the Independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina looming, many Serbs feet afraid that this will lead to a Muslim-dominated government and that they will be treated badly and deprived of many rights. More problems arise due to the Declaration of Independence by Croatia and Slovenia. With all these ethnic hostilities, it seems that a major conflict might take place. Updates to come.  

Reflection

The reason I chose to write about this, is because when one reads about the Siege of Sarajevo, they want to know why it happened. Hearing information from a first person perspective (somebody who knows about Sarajevo) I decided to reasearch further on what they said and found out about the wedding and shop attacks, and how they might have influenced violence.

I also chose to write about this to share some of my backround knowledge about the Siege, after all, it was  not simply some men perched on hills trying to kill people, there were political, as well as ethnic issues that all contributed to it happening.

References:

1995, By July. "» What Role Did Internal Intervention Play in the Bosnia –Herzegovina War? - Focusire." Focusire : Journal of International Relations. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.focusire.com/archives/328.html>.

Sremac, Danielle S. War of Words: Washington Tackles the Yugoslav Conflict. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1999. Print. (Found using Google Books)