Once upon a time in Verona, Italy, there were two families, the Capulets and the Montagues, that hated each other. The families fought with each other because of the smallest thing. At last, the Prince could not stand the feuding, so he forbade the families to fight. Romeo, the son of old Montague, was the one that was anxious to make peace because he was in love with old Capulet’s niece, Rosaline. When he heard there was to be a feast in the Capulet’s house, he wanted to attend, too, wearing a mask, so he could see Rosaline without his enemies seeing him. His friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, donned masks, too, to escort Romeo.
When they arrived at Capulet’s house, the dance began. When Romeo looked around the room to catch sight of Rosaline, he saw a girl so beautiful that he forgot about Rosaline, and fell in love with the new damsel. He murmured about looking for a chance to talk with the girl when Capulet’s nephew, Tybalt, overheard him and, recognizing his voice, he decided to take revenge later. He then asked for a dance, and kissed the girl. When the girl’s nurse asked the young damsel to talk with her mother, Romeo learned that she was Juliet, the daughter of Capulet. He was stunned by the shocking news. He was the only son of Montague, and he fell in love with his hated family’s daughter! So he went away confused.
Juliet saw the handsome young man leaved and asked her nurse to find out his name. When the nurse came back to tell her that it was Romeo, Juliet could not believe it. She helplessly fell in love with Romeo, of the family her father hated!
As Romeo walked back to his house he stopped, as he passed the Capulet’s orchard. Hoping to see Juliet, Romeo decided to climb up the orchard wall. Suddenly he saw her talking out loud about how disappointed she was that Romeo’s father was Montague, and how she loved him. Romeo was so please he told Juliet that he’ll give up his family name, and they planned to get married.
The next day, Romeo and Juliet slipped away to Friar Laurence’s room for their marriage. The priest was surprised at their request, but he was glad, because thought that this love would bring an end to the long years of hate between their families. So Romeo and Juliet were married in secret.
When Romeo returned, he saw Tybalt arguing with Mercutio and Benvolio. Romeo asked to Tybalt to not fight because he had a new reason to love his opponent. Mercutio, not understanding Romeo’s strange behavior, challenged Tybalt and fought until Mercutio was killed. Then Romeo became so upset he challenged Tybalt, struck him dead, and fled. Upon knowing the fight, the prince came and Benvolio told him what happened. Instead of the usual death sentence of Romeo, the prince decided to banish him from Verona, because the both families shared some guilt.
Juliet’s nurse, knowing of the secret marriage, told Juliet that Romeo killed Tybalt and had been banished from Verona. The nurse suggested that she go to Friar Laurence’s place, where Romeo was hiding, so they could have one last night together. On the next day, before the rest of the household woke up, Romeo left and Juliet returned to her chamber. Just then, Juliet’s parents came in, and brought news to cheer her up after the death of Tybalt. Her parents had arranged for Juliet to marry Count Paris. She immediately refused. Her father insisted that she marry the Count, so she went to Friar Laurence's for advice. The priest told her to drink a kind of sleeping drug, so she would appear dead, and the priest inform Romeo of the truth. So the next day, instead of preparing a wedding, the Capulets had to prepare for a funeral. Benvolio heard about Juliet’s death, and quickly told Romeo about it. Romeo, who didn’t know about the drug, went to Juliet’s tomb and drank some poison to kill himself. Soon after he died, Juliet woke up. She realized what Romeo thought, so she killed herself with a dagger, because she did not want to live without her true love. When the families found out the truth of Romeo and Juliet’s love and death, they were stunned. Capulet and Montague reconciled; Capulet promised to make a statue of Romeo, while Montague promised to make a statue of Juliet, to remind everyone of the terrible price they paid for the long years of feuding.
8/17/2009
Summary of Cupid and Psyche
Long ago there lived a king with three daughters. The youngest, Psyche, was the most beautiful of all. In fact, she was so lovely that people said she was prettier than Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. The goddess became so angry she made her son, Cupid, shoot Psyche to make her fall in love with the worst man on earth. Obediently, Cupid, who was the god of love, flew down to earth. Clumsily, his finger slipped and he pricked himself with the tip of his arrow, and he fell in love with Psyche!
The god of love sent a message to Psyche’s family and notified them that she must not marry a mortal, and told them that she must go to a mountaintop to meet the immortal, who was a terrible monster. The maiden went courageously to meet her fate. As she arrived at the summit, she felt a warm wind surround her and found herself in a palace. Cupid visited her every night in the dark, and left before she woke up.
Psyche loved her unseen husband, and for a while she did not ask him to show his face or state his name. However, she became curious, and was afraid that he was really a monster. To clarify, one night she lit a lamp and went to her husband to see his face. When she saw that he was Cupid, she trembled with delight, and a drop of hot oil fell from the lamp onto the god’s shoulder, which made him wake up. When he saw what the maiden had done, he left her and went back to his mother, Venus. The goddess locked him in her palace because he deceived her.
As soon as Cupid departed, the palace vanished and Psyche was alone on the cold mountaintop. She began to wander around in search of her lost love, but could not find him. At last, the poor maiden went to the temple of Venus. The goddess did not greet her kindly; instead she ordered Psyche to separate a pile of various grains into their respective piles. Fortunately, an army of ants had come to her aid, and helped her complete the difficult task.
Venus became angry and ordered Psyche to take a box and ask Proserpina, the queen of the underworld, to put a little of her beauty in it. The damsel set off, full of fear. Suddenly, she heard a voice telling her to take a coin to give the ferryman, who would carry her across a river, then take a cake to the three-headed watchdog of the underworld, and after the queen of the underworld placed some of her beauty in the box, to not open it. Psyche agreed, but after she got the box filled, she began to wonder what was inside. She thought that she might be able to win back Cupid if she acquired the beauty for herself. As she opened the box, a deep and heavy slumber drifted out, and the maiden fell senseless to sleep.
In the meantime, Cupid’s love for Psyche had returned, and he managed to escape Venus’ palace, and saw his love lying on the ground. He took the heavy sleep from her body and put it back into the box, then told her to take the box to the goddess of beauty and love. Happily, the beautiful maiden went to do her task while Cupid begged Jupiter, the king of the gods, to bless his marriage with Psyche. Jupiter obliged, and even made Psyche an immortal, so Venus could not object to Cupid marrying the girl. So, they were married, and lived happily forever.
The god of love sent a message to Psyche’s family and notified them that she must not marry a mortal, and told them that she must go to a mountaintop to meet the immortal, who was a terrible monster. The maiden went courageously to meet her fate. As she arrived at the summit, she felt a warm wind surround her and found herself in a palace. Cupid visited her every night in the dark, and left before she woke up.
Psyche loved her unseen husband, and for a while she did not ask him to show his face or state his name. However, she became curious, and was afraid that he was really a monster. To clarify, one night she lit a lamp and went to her husband to see his face. When she saw that he was Cupid, she trembled with delight, and a drop of hot oil fell from the lamp onto the god’s shoulder, which made him wake up. When he saw what the maiden had done, he left her and went back to his mother, Venus. The goddess locked him in her palace because he deceived her.
As soon as Cupid departed, the palace vanished and Psyche was alone on the cold mountaintop. She began to wander around in search of her lost love, but could not find him. At last, the poor maiden went to the temple of Venus. The goddess did not greet her kindly; instead she ordered Psyche to separate a pile of various grains into their respective piles. Fortunately, an army of ants had come to her aid, and helped her complete the difficult task.
Venus became angry and ordered Psyche to take a box and ask Proserpina, the queen of the underworld, to put a little of her beauty in it. The damsel set off, full of fear. Suddenly, she heard a voice telling her to take a coin to give the ferryman, who would carry her across a river, then take a cake to the three-headed watchdog of the underworld, and after the queen of the underworld placed some of her beauty in the box, to not open it. Psyche agreed, but after she got the box filled, she began to wonder what was inside. She thought that she might be able to win back Cupid if she acquired the beauty for herself. As she opened the box, a deep and heavy slumber drifted out, and the maiden fell senseless to sleep.
In the meantime, Cupid’s love for Psyche had returned, and he managed to escape Venus’ palace, and saw his love lying on the ground. He took the heavy sleep from her body and put it back into the box, then told her to take the box to the goddess of beauty and love. Happily, the beautiful maiden went to do her task while Cupid begged Jupiter, the king of the gods, to bless his marriage with Psyche. Jupiter obliged, and even made Psyche an immortal, so Venus could not object to Cupid marrying the girl. So, they were married, and lived happily forever.
Summary of Pygmalion
Some time ago, there lived a sculptor named Pygmalion. He did not have a wife or children because he was perfectly happy to live alone, carving every day. His friends often asked him to get married and raise a family, but he would reply that he did not need since his art was his great love.
One day, the man began to make a sculpture of a beautiful woman. Pygmalion worked on and on without resting until the embodiment of his vision stood before him. The sculptor loved this statue very much; she seemed so real to him. He told her how beautiful she was and bought her presents, hoping she would talk. She remained silent, nevertheless he kept hoping.
One night, Pygmalion fell asleep at the foot of the statue, exhausted by the hopeless wish. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, took pity. She brought the statue alive, and named her Galatea. Something disturbed the sculptor from his sleep, and he learned that his wish had come true.
Venus blessed the marriage of Pygmalion and Galatea, and they lived happily ever after. When Pygmalion died and his spirit left this world, his wife’s spirit went with his, while her body returned to the figure her husband had shaped.
One day, the man began to make a sculpture of a beautiful woman. Pygmalion worked on and on without resting until the embodiment of his vision stood before him. The sculptor loved this statue very much; she seemed so real to him. He told her how beautiful she was and bought her presents, hoping she would talk. She remained silent, nevertheless he kept hoping.
One night, Pygmalion fell asleep at the foot of the statue, exhausted by the hopeless wish. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, took pity. She brought the statue alive, and named her Galatea. Something disturbed the sculptor from his sleep, and he learned that his wish had come true.
Venus blessed the marriage of Pygmalion and Galatea, and they lived happily ever after. When Pygmalion died and his spirit left this world, his wife’s spirit went with his, while her body returned to the figure her husband had shaped.
7/10/2009
From Elizabeth Lake to Lake Louise
7/10/2009
This morning, we had yesterday’s spaghetti for breakfast, and strolled along the trail around Elizabeth Lodge. We saw many Canada geese. Then we checked out, and departed for Lake Louise. On the way, we stopped at Sinclair Canyon. We also stopped at Radium Hot Springs for ice cream. We had pistachio and almond ice cream and mint and chocolate chip ice cream. They were delicious. After eating, we stopped at the rest area in Columbia Lake, which was very beautiful. Then we went to Olive Lake to see the green, clear, shallow lake. Later on, we drove to Kootenay Valley Viewpoint for the dramatic view, and then hiked at Paint Pots. We went there three years ago, too, and we saw iron-rich mineral springs bubble up through small pools, staining the earth a deep ochre. We also hiked at Marble Canyon, which was not especially pretty. I did not think it was worth the long, dreadful hike. After we arrived at Lake Louise, we checked into Paradise Bungalow, our next hotel. Then we drove to Lake Louise. It was very famous, but I think Olive Lake was every bit as beautiful as it is.
7/09/2009
Waterton Lake Park 2
7/9
It is cold today in Waterton Lake Park, too. This morning we went to First Oil Well in Western Canada. The plague there was stolen. However, I think the thing worth seeing there is not the oil well; instead, I think Akamina Lake is very pretty because of the clear water and the multicolored rocks and pebbles. Then we drove to Cameron Lake. On the way, we saw a lot of interestingly-shaped flowers in the green, serene forest. The whole national park was peaceful; the lake was very beautiful, and the coolness was comfortable after I got used to it, and it was quiet except for our quiet chatter. We took the 3-kilometer trail, and despite the fact that I was a terrible hiker, I loved it. I saw blossoms that look like up-side-down bells, small lovely purple flowers that looked like daisies, and also the interestingly-shaped flowers. The introduction in the Parks Canada Mountain Guide said: Discover life in the “Snow Forest” at lakeside exhibits and trails, but I think beauty would be better than life; I did not see many animals.
It is cold today in Waterton Lake Park, too. This morning we went to First Oil Well in Western Canada. The plague there was stolen. However, I think the thing worth seeing there is not the oil well; instead, I think Akamina Lake is very pretty because of the clear water and the multicolored rocks and pebbles. Then we drove to Cameron Lake. On the way, we saw a lot of interestingly-shaped flowers in the green, serene forest. The whole national park was peaceful; the lake was very beautiful, and the coolness was comfortable after I got used to it, and it was quiet except for our quiet chatter. We took the 3-kilometer trail, and despite the fact that I was a terrible hiker, I loved it. I saw blossoms that look like up-side-down bells, small lovely purple flowers that looked like daisies, and also the interestingly-shaped flowers. The introduction in the Parks Canada Mountain Guide said: Discover life in the “Snow Forest” at lakeside exhibits and trails, but I think beauty would be better than life; I did not see many animals.
After hiking, we were all ravenous, so we went to look for lunch. We discussed about whether we should eat pizza or Chinese food, but the time was wasted; the pizza store was not open and the Chinese restaurant had moved away. We bought sandwiches from Subways and ate it beside the river. The food was pretty good, and the view was excellent. After eating, we left the national park and drove to Cranbrook to our next hotel, Elizabeth Lake Lodge. It was not as large as yesterday’s, but it was every bit was wonderful. There are two beds that are much bigger than yesterday’s, and the view was superb; we stayed in a riverside room. The kitchen was pretty good, too, so we cooked spaghetti for dinner. It was very tasty.
Waterton Lakes Park1
7/8
We went to Sobeys and bought a roasted chicken for lunch. It was delicious. Then we drove a long time to Waterton Lakes Park. Then we walked around a sparkling stream in Red Rock Canyon, and went to the Visitors' Center. Then we drove to our hotel, Crandell Mountain Lodge. It was a suite with two bedrooms, a kitchenette. I think the lodge was very wonderful; it was furnished a way that it makes you feel like home, and there were many old books that make the room look like a fairy tale. However, when I looked past the beauty, I saw that the beds are a little bit too small. After looking around our suite, we went to the lake nearby and walked around it. The weather was very cold, and we saw many deer nibbling the grass. We hiked along the lake in Waterton Townsite and went to International Peace Park Pavilion. It was a small town.
After dinner, we went to Cameron Falls, and then to Falls Theater and saw a movie about bears because this national park was in Bear Country. We saw the movie in Yellowstone before.
We went to Sobeys and bought a roasted chicken for lunch. It was delicious. Then we drove a long time to Waterton Lakes Park. Then we walked around a sparkling stream in Red Rock Canyon, and went to the Visitors' Center. Then we drove to our hotel, Crandell Mountain Lodge. It was a suite with two bedrooms, a kitchenette. I think the lodge was very wonderful; it was furnished a way that it makes you feel like home, and there were many old books that make the room look like a fairy tale. However, when I looked past the beauty, I saw that the beds are a little bit too small. After looking around our suite, we went to the lake nearby and walked around it. The weather was very cold, and we saw many deer nibbling the grass. We hiked along the lake in Waterton Townsite and went to International Peace Park Pavilion. It was a small town.
After dinner, we went to Cameron Falls, and then to Falls Theater and saw a movie about bears because this national park was in Bear Country. We saw the movie in Yellowstone before.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
7/7
This morning, we drove for a long time to a dinosaur museum in Drumheller called Royal Tyrrell Museum. Because of the long route, we arrived at 11:30, and bought the tickets for 30 dollars, and then signed up for a program called Secrets of the Lost Quarry for 14 dollars. We wandered around the museum, which was mostly about dinosaurs, but there was a Darwin temporary exhibit that was about Charles Robert Darwin’s journey on the Beagle. There were many detailed explanations about the dinosaurs’ lives, habitats, et cetera, and there were many difficult words. The museum also provided information about the Earth’s distant past. Then, we attended the program we signed up, and then realized our mistake; this program is for kids. It’s quite boring, and I read the introduction again: In the early 20th century, fossil hunters didn’t always document their excavation sites and key information was lost. Learn how we locate missing quarries in this interactive program. I think the others knew that this was a kids’ program because of the word interactive. The program taught a little about the rocks and even less about quarries. We hiked a little in the hills outside of the museum, and then went into the building again. I did not learn much, but somehow it consumed much of my energy.
This morning, we drove for a long time to a dinosaur museum in Drumheller called Royal Tyrrell Museum. Because of the long route, we arrived at 11:30, and bought the tickets for 30 dollars, and then signed up for a program called Secrets of the Lost Quarry for 14 dollars. We wandered around the museum, which was mostly about dinosaurs, but there was a Darwin temporary exhibit that was about Charles Robert Darwin’s journey on the Beagle. There were many detailed explanations about the dinosaurs’ lives, habitats, et cetera, and there were many difficult words. The museum also provided information about the Earth’s distant past. Then, we attended the program we signed up, and then realized our mistake; this program is for kids. It’s quite boring, and I read the introduction again: In the early 20th century, fossil hunters didn’t always document their excavation sites and key information was lost. Learn how we locate missing quarries in this interactive program. I think the others knew that this was a kids’ program because of the word interactive. The program taught a little about the rocks and even less about quarries. We hiked a little in the hills outside of the museum, and then went into the building again. I did not learn much, but somehow it consumed much of my energy.
We went to Horseshoe Canyon after leaving the museum. We saw a helicopter. Then we drove to Strathmore to our hotel called Best Western Strathmore Inn.
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