Reflection

When Professor Mott first said that we were going to have to write a blog as an assignment throughout the semester, I was needless to say skeptical. I had never written a blog before and didn't know how I was going to go about it. In the end, I have really enjoyed this assignment. It has allowed me to get to know my classmates better and interact with each other outside of the classroom. I have learned a lot over the semester from the lesson and my peers. This assignment was a different change of pace than I was used to in my other English classes, but it was a nice change. Over all it was an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

Family is Everything

I have always found comfort knowing that the group of misfits I call "family" have always been there for me when I needed them. Although they can drive me nuts sometimes, I wouldn't be the person I am today without them. Chris McCandless was able to leave his willingly. This is something that I believe that I will never be able to understand. Also, I believe that because these people have impacted my life so greatly and believed in me wholeheartedly, is one of the many reasons I am successful today.

My parents have always encouraged me to peruse my dreams and have supported me in everything I do. I am indebted to them for life, for giving me life, and shaping the person I am today. (In order from left to right: Lauren my mom, Larry my dad, Tony my step dad, and Denise my step mom) I aspire to be like they all. My mother inspires me to never give up, no matter how much you want to and how it may be easier if you do give up. My dad inspires me to always be hard working and never take the easy way out. My stepdad inspires me to balance family and business and to know that you can be successful and still be happy. And My stepmom inspires me to know that if you get knocked down ten times, get up eleven. 

My sister Hayley makes me want to pull my hair out half the time but I could not imagine going a day with out talking to her. She is my best friend, confidant, teacher, and inspires me everyday. She pushes me to do better, constantly pushes me to try new things, and drives me nuts in the process hahaa. But, whenever things get really bad she is always the first one to try to brighten the situation. 

My grandpa Jon is one of the smartest people I know and always has an opinion on everything. I want to know that I have helped people as he has, and know as much about psychology and working with patients as he does when I am his age. My grandma Judy is one of the strongest people I know. Her determination knows no bounds and her positivity is astounding. I want to be able to see the bright side no matter how consuming the dark is as my grandmother does. 

My best friend Kirsten challenges me to consider other options and that laughter is the best medicine. I have known her since we meet the first day of third grade, and she is like family to me. It is comforting to know that I don't have to experience tough times without her by my side. 

And last but not least, my to big brothers Michael (left) and AJ (right). My brother Michael reminds me everyday that we may get sidetracked in life, but if we can over come it great things can come to us. My brother AJ reminds me that you must be happy in what you do, and if your not, it is never too late to go after what will make you happy. 

I couldn't think of any better role models than those of my closest family members. Each one has brought knowledge and inspiration into my life and has shaped me today. I could never leave them as Chris did, and own my success to their constant support.

Alex Supertramp

Chris McCandless my have wanted to cut all ties with his parents, but what I do not understand is how they did not try harder to find their son. I know that if I was in their position, I wouldn't be able to not get involved with the search. If one of my siblings was to take off and not tell anyone I would be devastated. Chris did write to his sister, but a few letters would not suffice my need to know if they were alright, why they left, and when they were coming back. Last year, when my brother was on a long haul, I was always nervous him and the long hours his company had him driving. Family is precious, and I don't understand how hiring a private investigator was enough for them. I feel for this families loss and the criticism they hear/see/read about their son's/brother's choices.

What is Your Alaska?

What is your Alaska? In class we discussed what our Alaska would be and what it means. The Last Frontier has been idolized and a symbol for the dreams you have for yourself and a place many people want to be. The thing is, Alaska is just a frozen tundra and not the shining dream it is depicted as. It is a beautiful place to be surrounded by some of the most incredible views and wild life around. Many of the Alaska natives see many types of individuals like Chris McCandless, thinking that Alaska will be able to solve all their unanswered questions and my the world seem right again. We idolize the mythical Alaska, but must remember that it cannot be everything we want, or need, it to be. 

Into The Wild

Chis McCandless was a brave sole to choose to become one with the wild in the bush of Alaska. I don't quite understand why he felt so compelled to make this drastic life change and cut all ties with his family, except for the letters he wrote to his sister. Throughout this novel I found it hard to connect to Chris, making it hard to enjoy the novel fully. His dream and the distinct impression he left on the ones be came in contact with on his journey have not forgotten him. His determination to get to his final destination is inspiring, although I would not choose to go as far as he did.

What Is Success?

Over the coarse of this semester, success has been a topic throughout. I have always thought what success meant to me, but by talking about it throughout the semester with my classmates, success has become many different definitions for me. Success can be completing the everyday tasks that you wanted to get done at a certain time; it could also be what you want to see achieved in your life time. Success means something different to everything and that's the important part. My visions of success for myself are not the ones that my sister, brother or friends have. And in the same sense, the hopes my parents had for me as a child may have changed, and may differ slightly from mine.

Love Actually movie review

Love Actually is a heart warming romantic comedy that features an all star cast. Every character in this movies life intertwines with one an other. This movie is written and directed by Richard Curtis, and stars Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, and Rowan Atkinson. The open line is very touching and inspiring, and is one of my favorite parts in the movie. A great thing about this movie is that there is many things that tie into the story, but it is pieced together in a way that the viewer doesn't get lost. Even though this is technically a Christmas movie, you can watch it at any time in the year. There are many humorous aspects to this movie; the couple that doesn't speak the same language and end up saying the same thing to each other without knowing it. This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I highly recommend it. Although I must warn, this may not be the best thing to watch for the first time with your kids together, there are some 'strange' scenes and being that it is also rated R.

Trailer:  http://youtu.be/KdzH6a-XEGM

Opening Scene:  http://youtu.be/cUoxXpqof8A

The Guardian Book Review

The Guardian, by Nicholas Sparks was an intriguing page-turner of a romance that takes a life threatening turn. I really enjoyed this novel, just as I have every other Nicholas Sparks that I have read. The plot line of love and jealousy in this story will have you turning page after page. Who will Julie choose, Richard or Mike? This story is about a woman who looses her husband at the young age of twenty-five. Before Jim passed, he made arrangements for her to receive a Great Dane she would name Singer. Four years later, Julie begins to open her heart to love again.

To anyone who enjoys a good romantic base for a story integrated with an interesting twist, I highly recommend this novel. If you have seen any of Sparks' novels that have been made into movies, the books are one hundred times better. Sparks knows how to pull at the heartstrings and develop a great story. This book was an easy; light read that was able to hold my attention throughout the novel. It had a great plot line coupled with characters that were easy to relate to and whose personalities made the novel enjoyable.

Media In Our Society

I'll admit that when I take a step back and think about the amount of TV that the younger generations are consuming it can be a little alarming. We read this article by David Nyhan called " Turn Off the TV Before it Ruins Us" in my English class. Although he made some valid points, he was a little more drastic in his approach to the topic. Yes, children are watching more TV today, but they have grown up learning that watching TV was okay and not bad. Also, it is up to their parents to limit the amount of TV that their children are watching on a daily basis. The parents have to make the conscious decision to not let their kids watch as much TV if that is what they choose. The media isn't "ruining us" in my opinion, that doesn't mean that I think that we should watch TV all day long, but in the same degree that we need to get ride of it all together. We all need to decide this for ourselves.

Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexies novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, is a great light read. I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it for anyone who wants something light and good humored to read.  Junior is a perfect character to take you through he story and how he deals with it all. I really enjoyed this book, and aside from some of the swear words it could even be a book that maybe a ten year old could read.

5 Words

Hope
Death
Determination
Perseverance
Maturity

These are the five words that I would use to describe The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. Junior is determines to find hope, so much so that he is willing to go to a new school where he will not fit in or be accepted. Junior also experienced more death than a fourteen year old should be objected to. Junior displays determination in everything he does, and preservers through all the trials and tribulations he has faced since he was born. And throughout the novel he matures by taking it upon himself to go to a new school twenty-two miles away, accept that his tribe will hate him for it, loosing the ones he loves, and taking on more responsibility than a normal fourteen year old could handle.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

We are reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, in my English class and were discussing the themes. The main character Arnold/Junior moves from the school on his reservation, being the only thing he knew, to moving to an all white school twenty-two miles away. Junior is in pursuit of hope and believes he will find it at Reardan. Junior's determination to strive in an academic setting is inspiring to me. Why is it that we often find ourselves holding back because of societies out look what is expectable and what is not. We all conform and try not to break the mold that we have been set in our entire lives. Junior is fearless, on the outside, for making this decision, knowing for a fact that he will be hated on the reservation, and at Reardan. After a while he begins to become accepted at Reardan and has made new friends. After his grandmother's death, he stopped being harassed on the reservation but doesn't feel 100% normal. And unfortunately his best friend still hasn't forgiven him, believing that Junior left to hurt him, not to better Junior's outcome of life.

Tomorrow

After all..... Tomorrow is a new day.

This is an old saying, but is all too accurate. If you really think about it, it can solve the dilemma you may be struggling with today. You cannot walk around angry today because of something that happened yesterday. And, if something horrible happens today, tomorrow is a new day to start fresh and positive. Why would anyone want to be angry all day every day? My step dad always says "hate eats away at the container". And in all honesty, it does. Medical records have shown that those people with angry personalities are more susceptible to heart attach and heart disease.

You never know what can happen tomorrow, so why not start it with a smile on your face? Choose for the glass to be half full, and not half empty. I hope that by people seeing this post that they will remember this message and remind others as well. After all... Tomorrow is a new day.

Ad

I have never really paid much attention to ads in magazines much. But, after a discussion in my english class I began to look. I noticed this ad for COVERGIRL mascara for women. I have never really liked the fact that cosmetic companies "lie" about how their product is supposed to make you look. If you look closely you can clearly see "lash inserts were applied to add lash count prior to adding LashPerfection" The cosmetic industry shapes and conforms to how society believes women should look, so in turn we conform to it as well.  And we believe that if we use the product we too can be "easy, breezy, beautiful" and flawless like the COVERGIRL models. But what we must realize is we need to learn how to find the fine print in ads, and in life.