Respond to one of the non-fiction prompts at Poets & Writers. 400 + words please, and respond to two classmates by next Friday. |
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Karlie Wixom
9/19/2014 02:20:41 am
The inevitability of change really is something that happens every second of every day yet you do not always tell at first. For the past year I could see changes in my little sister that no one else was seeing. She was turning sixteen soon but she was so immature she might as well have been eight. She started sneaking out, her grades started slipping and boys became her main priority. She was always a problem child but it was just getting worse and worse with each coming day. I do not really remember the day her switch completely flipped and made her the person she is today but oh man has she become evil. She moved in with my step dad at the beginning of the summer because my mother just couldn’t handle her anymore and now on a daily basis she sends my mother the nastiest text messages and continually makes here cry. I have never wanted to punch someone in the face so hard in my life, honestly. Especially since my mother is literally the best person I have ever known and deserves the world. Not some bratty teenager tearing everything apart.
Karlie Wixom
9/19/2014 02:28:00 am
The inevitability of change really is something that happens every second of every day yet you do not always tell at first. For the past year I could see changes in my little sister that no one else was seeing. She was turning sixteen soon but she was so immature she might as well have been eight. She started sneaking out, her grades started slipping and boys became her main priority. She was always a problem child but it was just getting worse and worse with each coming day. I do not really remember the day her switch completely flipped and made her the person she is today but oh man has she become evil. She moved in with my step dad at the beginning of the summer because my mother just couldn’t handle her anymore and now on a daily basis she sends my mother the nastiest text messages and continually makes here cry. I have never wanted to punch someone in the face so hard in my life, honestly. Especially since my mother is literally the best person I have ever known and deserves the world. Not some bratty teenager tearing everything apart. One day I hope she grows up, matures and really sees how terrible of a person she is. Even as she was younger and was a problem child, she had a huge heart and cared for other people but now I see no compassion in her whatsoever. It is sad to see how people change over time and also the influences they had that helped negative change come about them. My little sister is not the only person this happens to thought, I see people all the time with negativity just radiating from them and I always think of what could have happened to them in life to make them grow up so bitter and cold hearted. To me life is a beautiful thing and we only get so much of it. Therefore I would absolutely HATE to go through life without a smile on my face or love for other individuals in my heart. Change can be good or it can be bad. After seeing this terrible change in my sister I hope one day a new change comes about her making her realize she cannot go through life acting the way she does because it is not going to get her far especially when she is severing ties between the only people who will be there for her no matter what. Her family.
Marielle Carrera
9/19/2014 02:39:08 am
Reading your journal made me sad and happy at the same time. I feel sorry that you and your mom have to deal with your sister being emotionally abusive but I feel that is a small part in growing up. When you're around our age most of us want to be rich and popular and happy and don't really care much for others. It was nice to see your perspective on the situation and I think you can be really helpful to your sister in the near future. You wrote a great blog.
Dylan Baker
9/19/2014 02:44:13 am
Aww Karlie this makes me so sad! I am sorry about this happening with you and your family! I can relate to this as well. I understand where you are coming from when you say you, "have never wanted to punch someone in the face so hard in my life," because I am really protective of my mom as well. Anyways, this was a really well written blog and I enjoyed reading every word. Good job!
Mayli Alarcon
9/19/2014 02:44:31 am
Your journal is well written. I agree with you that no one gains anything from someone who is negative or spreading negativity. Negative people do not only ruin their lives but they try to bring other people down. I am sorry you have to deal with that situation. There is always that one person in the family that brings problem. But good job on your journal it was very entertaining. Just keep smiling and being positive.
Michele Reeves
9/19/2014 04:47:03 am
Karlie, I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you, that is probably such a huge burden on your whole family's lives. I can relate to what you're saying, though, maybe not as extreme as your situation but I definitely know that I went through that phase of being a brat for a while. It starts in middle school, at least for me it did, and I was just in a bad mood 24/7. My older sister had gone through it too and now my little sister also went through that phase for quite some time. Thankfully though, my little sister Emily is definitely the calmest of the three of us. So, Emilys snarky comments and moody personality did not last too long. Hopefully your little sister will realize how precious her family is for her and fix her attitude. With my older sister, I thought for the longest time that she would never get out of that funk that she was in, so, I started to mentally prepare myself to not be as close with her as I had in the past. I just couldn't do it anymore, I was constantly being screamed at and put down so I was ready to end my relationship with her. It sounds kind of unrealistic considering that I live in the same house with her and I had to interact with her on a daily basis but I was prepared to not continue our relationship once moving out. As of now, she has gotten a lot better with her attitude and has matured incredibly from where she was in the years past. Her maturity has really shaped her into the type of woman she will be for the rest of her life which is a lot better than what she was. I can now honestly say that my older sister will be someone that I can call for help, advice or just someone to chat with about anything. Give your sister time and hopefully someday she will wake up.
Nilufer Tokuz
9/19/2014 12:14:48 pm
Wow, I could definitely feel the emotion behind your writing. It sucks when kids turn against their parents. Even if they don't get along, mothers go through a tremendous amount of pain to bring their children into the world and therefore, deserve respect. I'm sorry that your mother had to deal with that from your sister. I'm sure when she's older she'll look back and realize that she should have acted differently. Teenagers always think that they know better than their parents but once they hit their 20s, they realize how great their parents really are.
Boyan
9/25/2014 12:08:14 pm
Wow, you were very informative in your experiences. I can certainly tell how you probably felt writing this. I always found it strange how some people change as life continues, especially drastic change. It can definitely have a large impact on the whole family. This is mostly just being a teenager and experiencing change. I am sure when she is older, she will find the error in her ways, and change for the better.
Sam Kennedy
9/19/2014 02:32:09 am
Prompt: Discovery
Michele Reeves
9/19/2014 04:48:44 am
Sam, I love Hobby Lobby, this is one of my favorite stores! I also love walking through that store because of , "all the bursting ideas that are just waiting to be generated." I like that sentence! I love to buy flowers from that store because they look so real.
Mayli Alarcon
9/19/2014 02:33:38 am
Family is over everything. I have a huge family. I mean like a really, really big family. I probably haven’t even met half of them. I remember on an occasion in Mexico while I was grocery shopping with my grandma pointed to a random lady and said,” Look there’s your aunt.” I had never seen this lady before. She did it twice that day with another lady. My family is too big to have a full family reunion. Instead most of our reunions are just with my mom’s family. It is a big deal because her siblings are scattered all over the place. Last spring in April all her family, which are her three siblings and her parents, came to Vegas. From Vegas we went on a family reunion road trip. It was about twenty of us and it was hectic. We went to San Francisco. But we went through Nevada to go visit Reno and Lake Tahoe. From San Francisco we went to Santa Ana and other small Cali cities. It was really fun, I had not been to those places before. It was the most fun yet stressful trip ever. My family is so crazy and dysfunctional, but we always have a good time. The most memorable day was our first day in Reno, we only stayed a day. We were so tired of driving from Vegas to Reno, it is like an eight to nine hour drive. All of our butts were so numb. When he got to the hotel our reservation was all messed up and the rooms were already taken. So we got the highest, farthest rooms in the hotel. All my family was so mad. All I could do is laugh at them while they were fighting with the receptionist. After that when we settled in and went to the casino to go to the buffet, it was closed. I was starving because we only snacked the whole way to Reno. I wanted a full meal. So I had to deal with a hungry, moody, and tired family. We had to leave the hotel to go find somewhere else to eat. Even though things did not go the way they were planned we still had fun. After that crazy morning we had so much fun at night. We went to the casinos in Reno which are awful and old compared to the ones in Vegas. The casinos were pretty empty for a cold Friday night. Reno is such a small and quiet city, nothing compared to Vegas. Lake Tahoe had a capturing scenery. Overall the experience is unforgettable. It would have not been as fun if it weren't for my family. Our family reunions are not like most families or the ones in movies, but we still have a good time.
Kayla Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:15:44 am
Mayli, this was so interesting to read. I laughed when I started reading about the part where you went to the store with your grandma and she would point out people in the store as one of your family members. I also don’t think I have met half of my family. Your family reunions sound like a lot of fun and like you said unforgettable.
Taylor Yasukawa
9/25/2014 10:37:39 am
Your writing has such great voice! It makes me feel as though you are telling me the story in real life. I've always thought that Reno kind of just seems like a boring version of Las Vegas. One time, I read all of the books in the "Crank" series by Ellen Hopkins, and they took place in Reno. The main character became addicted to crystal meth because she was so bored... I think those books made me feel weird about ever going to UNR.
Marielle Carrera
9/19/2014 02:34:55 am
Discovery
Alyssa Egeskov
9/19/2014 02:39:17 am
Oh my gosh I wrote about the same thing! I really miss Blockbuster because it was so much funner to go out and buy a movie than it is to sit in bed and "click" a movie. Netflix is definitely spoiling us, I think, even though I do love it. I think they need to keep local community stores open before we rely on the internet for EVERYTHING.
Sam Kennedy
9/19/2014 02:41:07 am
I think its much more entertaining to go to a movie store than watch a movie on Netflix. When I was a kid we would go to Hollywood Video, but I'm pretty sure that is an east coast things because they don't have them here. A giant store filled with movies is like fairytale land because there is so many possibilities, I find it more challenging to find a movie that sounds good to me because I actually have to go through selves of movies rather than scroll through them on my computer.
Bardia Eivazi
9/21/2014 03:29:44 pm
Wow, it was extremely entertaining to read your response because, although I coincidentally did the same prompt, your opinions are highly relatable and your experiences invoke strong emotions. The feeling of finding adventure in getting out of the house is mutual between us, as is the opinion that online services diminish the value of real experiences. Not only is it arguably less reliable, but it steals from human nature the excitement, sociability, and true legitimacy of productivity, of getting up off the couch to have encounters and see the world that cannot be described by images on a screen, despite the convenience that it brings to people.
Boyan
9/25/2014 11:58:02 am
It was really sad that Blockbuster closed most of its locations. I don’t think they have anymore locations in Las Vegas. Netflix in my opinion is a more ‘futuristic’ experience, as now most information can be transferred digitally. To me, Netflix is the next step.
Alyssa Egeskov
9/19/2014 02:35:51 am
Discovery:
Kara Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:27:55 am
I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I also miss blockbuster and renting or buying movies the old way. I love the new technology, but I loved picking out movies in a store. I also spent more time with my family going to Blockbuster than how we get movies today.
Bardia Eivazi
9/21/2014 04:17:39 pm
It was absolutely riveting to read your blog post, especially since your enthusiasm for the topic was prevalent in virtually every word. The argument you present is agreeable even from the start, since online purchases increasingly deprive people of motivation although having the facade of appearing convenient. The usage of language was also particularly amusing, and I highly approve of how it added depth to your blog with respect to personal voice as well as entertainment with a fearless tone.
Quinn Coulombe
9/19/2014 02:36:56 am
Moving
Marielle Carrera
9/19/2014 02:42:35 am
I really enjoyed your journal. You told a great story and it was very sentimental to you. I'm sure moving from Maine to Las Vegas was a big change and I'm glad you enjoyed this change. I can't even imagine dealing with a six day car drive but since you had good company I'm sure it wasn't a bad experience.
Sam Kennedy
9/19/2014 02:43:58 am
I had the same experience, I am from Boston and was not thrilled about moving across the United States to Nevada. I had to leave all of my friends back home and nothing was ever the same again. Since I've lived in Vegas I have moved about seven times since 2007, I have had my fair share of going back and forth. I have to say that I was happier on the East Coast because life is slower, leaving more room to enjoy your life. We moved here for no apparent reason to me and my mother hasn't been able to tell me why exactly we moved, but I've gained a lot of knowledge living here, although I cant wait to move out of the city.
Amy Mondragon
9/19/2014 09:32:54 am
I tired my best to put myself in your shoes and saw both pros and cons to this extreme change. I've never moved out of Las Vegas but sure wish I had. And I'm more than happy to read that you don't regret it, it'd be extremely hard having to live here by force; one lacks motivation to do anything when they're put in the wrong environment.
Nilufer Tokuz
9/19/2014 12:28:55 pm
I really liked your journal just because I could relate to it. My mom and I drove from upstate New York to Las Vegas when I was 13. It also took us six days to get here. The entire time my mom and I were going back and forth between arguing and getting along. It was definitely interesting to see the landscape of America. The two most memorable places to me were the cornfields in Nebraska and the dangerous drive through the Rockies. I'm glad that my mom forced me to move out here with her because I would never have an opportunity like CSNHS back where I lived in New York.
Tsedenya Haile
9/25/2014 11:10:56 am
I had a similar experience moving from Ethiopia to the U.S. It was really difficult for me to leave behind my big family and friends as I was already emotionally attached the people I loved and the place itself.
Dylan Baker
9/19/2014 02:40:12 am
Scars:
alyssa egeskov
9/19/2014 02:45:06 am
I also have a cabin in Duck Creek, and have been horse riding there! I ride horses now regularly, but this story reminds me of my stepsister. She fell off one of the horses, because she didn't hold on tight enough when they took off at the sound of car horns. Now she hates horses, and I don't understand why. I completely understand your reason though, because that's pretty traumatic!
Nilufer Tokuz
9/19/2014 02:42:30 am
Like a Tourist
Dylan Baker
9/19/2014 03:00:38 am
I love visiting foreign countries even if there are language barriers. Although, I do get where you are coming from, because, my family is French so when I went to France, I was having a hard time understanding and speaking with people. In the end of the trip, I actually learned how to speak the language quite well. The Strait sounds amazing! It seems like such a beautiful place! I have had family that has visited Turkey and they said it is unbelievably beautiful, I am very jealous that you went. I really enjoyed reading this blog because I could imagine exactly what the Straight was like. Really good job. 9/19/2014 02:42:44 am
Scar Tissue
Hannah Hancock
9/19/2014 05:28:56 pm
Callie, your monkey club sounds like something straight out of a book. I think that it's awesome that you have such fond memories of your club and your scoots. I'm glad that you can look at your scars and smile because they are attached to a happy memory.
Catherine Padilla
9/19/2014 02:42:49 am
Scar Tissue
Kara Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:21:18 am
Wow! I loved your blog post! I can’t believe you went through all of that. I am glad you made it through and you are all right now. I never noticed your scar. It is great that you have a funny story behind it though.
Mayli Alarcon
9/22/2014 02:11:36 am
I enjoyed your blog. I love how positive you are. I also have a scar. Except mines is large and on my leg. I could relate to you when you explained how scars can make you feel insecure or self-conscious. Scars are a part of us and we should not be ashamed. I really like the turn your story had. Overall I think it was very well written and interesting.
Amy Mondragon
9/19/2014 02:45:00 am
He drew me quite carefully, creating the structure of my face with divine precision, adding each and every detail there was, from the strand of hair that was placed on my cheek to the cracks on both upper and lower lip. I was examining his every move as he examined my every facial feature.
Kayla Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:26:58 am
Amy, I liked how your blog this week was so descriptive and detailed. I, especially, liked the description and detail of your lips and hair in your fourth paragraph. Your detail helped me draw a picture in my head. I also liked how you made the “him” in your writing a mystery. This was very interesting to read.
Alexis Candito
9/19/2014 03:32:07 am
Your journal was very powerful, and it makes the reader feel like you are much older and with much more experience than you have. This method really works because we feel like there is so much that could have been but never was and how it is a story with so much emotion and weight even though it is only describing a drawing.
Elendia Guerrero
9/21/2014 05:06:30 pm
I loved your journal! It was so descriptive and detailed. I could picture everything easily in my head. I liked how the story is filled with so much emotion even though its only describing a painting. Your journal was really interesting to read!
Kayla Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:07:56 am
When You’re a Stranger
Elendia Guerrero
9/21/2014 04:34:36 pm
Kayla I really liked your journal. Meeting strangers is always awkward and uncomfortable, but that is the only way we can meet new friends. I mean my best friend was once a stranger in my life. Im glad you got to meet more the girl and become friends.
Tsedenya Haile
9/25/2014 10:56:41 am
I can 100% relate to your journal. I feel the same way with strangers. I, too, don't feel comfortable talking to stranger, but that's the only way to meet new people and make friends.
Kara Eubanks
9/19/2014 03:12:21 am
Interview:
Alexis Candito
9/19/2014 05:44:30 am
Interviews are always a nerve-wracking experience because there is usually always something that is important to you on the line. Nothing is worse than rehearsing and rehearsing only to be given a question that you do not know the answer to and it is always hard to come up with something on the spot and even though you did not get the job it is a good experience to use for when you go on other job and school interviews so you know what to expect. 9/23/2014 11:50:11 am
I'm glad you prepared so much because, even if you didn't get the job, you know that you did all you can and you learned more then the basic don't wear your porn star tee shirt. I on the other hand, for my first interview- which it hardly was- had my headphones in, was wearing jeans and a tee shirt... I got the job mainly because the interview wasn't necessary. Because of that when it comes to a professional one... you're at a much better position. Ganbaruyo! Best of Luck!
Michele Reeves
9/19/2014 03:19:31 am
It was mid-June on an exceptionally heated summer night. I lay there next to my best friend as we quietly whisper to each other. We are laying on the patio of my parent’s backyard in a tent suitable for twelve people. There are about seven girls in this tent with us as Veronica and I try to keep our voices low because most of the others have already fallen fast asleep. Across the backyard, in a separate tent, that holds two people, lay my little brother Brandon and our friend Jon who lives up the street. Tonight was the night that my siblings and I decided to throw a neighborhood, backyard sleepover. Prior to the silence of what this previously exciting sleepover was, it has turned into a quiet night as the noise is consumed of subtle snoring and gentle whispers. Before the laughter and company of all others came to an end, we were enjoying each other’s company while roasting marshmallows as we huddled together around this sad looking fire pit that my Dad attempted to make for us. The evening did eventually drift away, as did the much chaos and ruckus that came along with it. The night has steadily come as the moon shines its glistening light over the tents as most of us are fast asleep. My friend, Veronica and I stayed up to chat but as we were talking, my phone chimes from the notification of an incoming text. Once, I take a glance at it, I realize it is Jon from the other tent. He wants me to be a part of a prank that he and Brandon are trying to pull off on the girls. He and Brandon want to lock us in our tent so that in the morning, we won’t be able to get out, therefore we will be at the mercy of the boys to release us the next morning. This is such a great plan… right? How hilarious this will be for the boys to billow in their laughter about. I chuckle as I write this while sarcasm splays in my mind. Anyways, once I agree to the plan, Jon wakes everyone up in the girl’s tent and recommends that we use the bathroom. Not only are the girls confused and steadily becoming iffy of Jon, they are also just plainly annoyed. Now, this was not the best idea for Jon to do because he now has to deal with moody girls that are not only cranky from being awoken, but also the fact that everyone is awake and will be able to see if he tries to pull a fast one on them. Already, his plan seems to be falling from success to begin with. Long story short, I am unable to control my laughter and be neutral enough to control myself as Veronica becomes increasingly suspicious of me. Eventually, word gets around the girl’s tent that we are about to be pranked so all of us walk out of the tent and sleep inside. Haha, the boys failed. That will teach them to mess with us girls, we have always dominated the boys just by outnumbering them, so we win. Summer memories are the best no matter what is happening, just that we are together making memories is what counts.
Michele Reeves
9/19/2014 03:20:50 am
this is about Summer Sleepover...
Alexis Candito
9/19/2014 03:26:12 am
Costumes
Amy Mondragon
9/19/2014 09:22:47 am
This is great! I would have loved to see your outfit and that bold lipstick of yours. I'm sure you made a grand statement to all that passed by. I could reflect upon this because I make many risks when it comes to my appearance and try my best to feel confident in what I wear no matter how ridiculous it may look. Always rock what you represent Alexis, and stay true to who you are.
Hannah Hancock
9/19/2014 05:19:51 pm
Alexis, I loved this journal. When I read your description of your outfit I was cheering you on in my head. I could feel the way that your outlook on how your day was going to be soared with every part of your outfit that you described. It's hard to get out of a funk like that. Maybe I should try putting on some heels and red lipstick next time I need to turn my day around.
Emilee Savage
9/23/2014 08:07:36 am
This is soooo great!! I can totally relate to how you feel, and that sounds like a fabulous outfit! But I teach/coach dance and sometimes when my boss, who sometimes I can't stand, makes little kids cry, I feel bad, but I also feel a small guilty victory because they always come to when they are crying and I feel like I'm doing something right and my boos knows it. So, its a good thing that kids are resilient so things like that don't bother them too much, especially with a little bribery! Very good story, love the outfit of confidence!
Elendia Guerrero
9/19/2014 08:14:16 am
Family is the gift that lasts forever. I have a rally big family, I have not even met half of them. I remember how over summer one of my cousins had her quinceañera. During the party a lot of people would come to our table and say hello to my mom, but I had no clue who half of them were. Most of our reunions are with just less than half of the family, since everybody is scattered all over the world. One of the best family reunions was over the summer, the family from my mom side got together for a family reunion in San Padre Island, Texas. It started with ten family members driving 1570 miles from Las Vegas to San Padre Island to meet the rest. Overall the people going to the reunion was five different families, and my grandparents. It was both, the best and most stressful family reunion because sitting in a car for more than eight hours its no fun. My family is so crazy that they made that long drive fun. We made a few stops on our way, so I got to see new cities and hear my family complain how far it is, but all I would do was laugh. I mean we were driving from Las Vegas to Texas, not to California. The best part of the family reunion was getting to San Padre Island; a beautiful and wonderful tropical paradise. This was when trouble was about to begin. I mean imagine being surrounded by little monsters, and crazy adults. But I have to admit it was so fun to hang out and get to catch up with my cousins. The best part was getting to go parasailing and do many different activities with my family. Thank god in this family reunion there was no family drama, all thanks to my grandma. She spoiled all my little cousins, whom I consider little monsters. This was sure one amazing family reunion, and I hope I get to go back next summer, even if is not for a family reunion. 9/23/2014 11:54:23 am
That sounds fantastic. I was reading somewhere or another that the family unit is falling- filial independence and and non-filial dependency is becoming more and more common which saddens me greatly but I'm glad to hear that someone loves their distant family so much.
Taylor Yasukawa
9/19/2014 09:42:50 am
Being raised with a scrap booking mom, it was hard for me not to take interest in her creativity. From a very young age, I always loved drawing and creating my own books out of paper, yarn, and coloring utensils. Now, today, I have moved on to more sophisticated art projects, but not entirely different. Arts and crafts give me a sort of therapeutic feeling when I work on them, and it feels nice to be able to focus on one project and relax for a while. Whether it be music or visual arts, I am always working on a project of some sort. Last month, I put out an album on bandcamp. The month before that, my mom and I took up trying to paint designs on our own personalized set of china plates (mind you, these plates did not turn out too pretty, but it was still so much fun). This month, in honor of Halloween, I am making a few dazzling costumes. Inspired entirely by one of my favorite movies, Moonrise Kingdom, my girlfriend and I are going to be Suzy Bishop and Sam Shakusky. In the movie, a set of angsty preteens run away together (one being an orphaned boy scout, the other being an angry and musical bookworm) and wreak havoc on a small island with beautiful cinematography. Since I already know how to work a sewing machine and follow patterns, I do not think that this project will be too hard. The main hard part for me will be the embroidery involved for the badges and patches on Sam's boy scout uniform. I intend on making personalized ones that have to do with things that we have actually done (pizza eating champ, stargazing specialist, etc) and hand sewing them all will definitely take a bit of time. Even though they will be very intricate and time consuming to make, I know that all of my work will be well worth it when both of the costumes are fully put together. I have already finished my costume (because I kind of cheated by only sewing on a collar to a pink dress) but it looks as though the other costume that I am making is going to take about a month to finish all the way. Amber and I both really love going all out for Halloween, so this is what makes the time and effort of this craft so worth it.
Hannah Hancock
9/19/2014 01:39:38 pm
Fireworks
Taylor Yasukawa
9/25/2014 10:43:33 am
Oh my gosh, this was such a cute paragraph. I, for one, never really liked fireworks as a kid. I remember crying because they were too loud or because I was scared that they were going to light everything on fire. I guess I don't have the same problem anymore, but I have still never held a sparkler! Above all, I have to agree with the peanut butter and jelly metaphor. Yummmmmm.
Bardia Eivazi
9/21/2014 02:40:02 pm
It would be on those days when, as I lie on my bed, the gray ceiling would offer no mental sustenance to feed thoughts, let alone act as a blank canvas to draw them on, that I would venture to pursue other means of even the slightest thought-provoking stimulation. On such days, there would always be the Borders Bookstore only ten minutes from my home as though it were a good friend who always had my back. Even from the outside, the warm and pleasurable air, the smiles of the diverse populace, and the towering bookcases resembling skyscrapers shone through windows. The place seemed to burst with joy, a playground where novels are the slides and monkey bars. I would go into the store, shuffle around in each isle, make a complete mess of the place, and sit at a table to rejoice in the pleasure of reading a bestseller, a study guide, a Sudoku book, or an entirely new genre of novel while simultaneously stuffing my face with sweets from the coffee shop within. Ironically, it wouldn’t be the thrill of finding something ordinary that would be predetermined by items I bought in the past that would keep me going, but it would be the sheer exhilaration of traveling down the isles like streets of an unknown, voluptuous city to find something extraordinary and new that would arouse an adventurous feeling within. Although seemingly more convenient, online purchasing devalues the excitement of not only getting up off the couch to have a social experience with friends at a bookstore, but also the wondrous journey of peering into other universes of unpredictable possibilities, oft times unexpectedly. If it wasn’t conspicuous enough already, it is without doubt that I prefer the extraordinarily unique experience of tangibly shuffling through novels like jumping from vine to vine in an overgrown jungle. Borders served as a completely adventurous and sweet smelling atmosphere welcoming a myriad of personalities and faces without the slightest hint of judgment, allowing people to connect and build everlasting friendships as unbound as the expanding worlds of the surrounding books. One could bask in the freedom of reading, discovering, or even fooling around, almost as if one could paint and scribble on the walls themselves. It seemed an absolute disaster when the store was closed due to financial reasons, creating a gaping, desolate hole in the shopping center in which it was located, dearly missed as a beloved relative.
Max Becker
9/25/2014 05:36:16 pm
This was a great journal entry Bardia. I can really see you walking into Borders and spending hours reading and enjoying youself. Its a shame that Borders has gone defunct.
Tsedenya Haile
9/22/2014 02:02:46 am
I come from a big family. My mother has six siblings and my father has ten siblings. While my mother’s side tends to have conflicts because they don’t get along much, my father’s side is the complete opposite. They love to celebrate holidays together and enjoy the companionship of one another. They usually get together for New Year, Easter, Christmas, and birthdays, but they’ll also gather just for the sake of being together. Last summer I had the opportunity to go back to Ethiopia to visit my family after ten years of living in the United States. It was a dream come true for me because every summer I would continuously ask my parents when we were going back. After a long eighteen hours flight, we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning and there awaited half my family eager to greet me, my younger twin brothers, and my parents with hugs and kisses outside the airport. I knew that the other half were at someone’s house preparing a feast. I was overwhelmed with joy that I almost started to cry, but I was determined to hold my tears back. They had brought five cars with them, so they dismantled our little family to take one individual in each car. We were taken to my grandparents’ house where the rest of my aunts, uncles, and all eighteen cousins were awaiting our arrival. A few faces were new as I had never seen them before. There were four new additions to the family, little ones ranging from the age of one to four.
Emilee Savage
9/23/2014 08:00:13 am
That's amazing!!! Neither one of my parents have a big family, they are only children actually, but now I have 6 sibling, so we made up for it! But that sounds so fun!! I have never been out of the country besides going to Mexico, especially because all my family lives in Las Vegas, but that sounds like such a fun time!! And as far as the language, it sounds like a beautiful language!
Catherine
9/26/2014 06:32:08 am
Your journal is so good! Plus I can really relate. Both sides of my family are huge, like humongous! I was also lucky to go to a country, El Salvador to visit my moms side and boy I felt overwhelmed by all the joy. I was happy seeing everyone there and eating really good food. I understood what you meant at the end about it feeling like you have always been there. I felt the same way. Good job!
Emilee Savage
9/22/2014 04:52:52 am
An early childhood memory that sticks in my brain is my first dance recital. My mom had me young so I was 2 1/2 years old and I was too scared to go out on the big stage by myself, so she told me she would dance with me if I wanted her to. So of course I did!! So she got me in my super cute gypsy costume since we were doing Aladdin. My costume was purple and I had on light pink or white tights and purple "underwear" on over that and then chiffon pants on with a sequin waist band, and sequin ankle bands. Then I had a purple top that was all sequined and a hat that came down under my chin. I may have been little, but I knew I looked cute!! After the costume was on I had to get my make up done, so I sat on my mom's lap while they airbrushed some foundation on, just when I thought it was all over, the eyeshadow was next, pink and blue eyeshadow. I was ok with all of this.... That was until we got to mascara, you would have thought that I had dropped my favorite lollipop on the ground and it was the last one in existence! WOW! My mom used gummy snacks to bribe me to put mascara on, yes I was so easily bribed by gummy snacks. Next came my favorite part, lipstick! I loved lipstick because I would look just like mommy, so that part was easy. Next was hair. My hair was already in a ponytail so it just needed some curls, thank goodness, because I was a total diva about my hair! So after some gummy snacks and a few melt downs about going on stage, it's my turn. My mom is on stage just like she promised! I did my dance and ran off stage!! I was so unbelievably proud of myself. It wasn't until a few years later when I thought about this that I realized, she was on stage but no one ever saw her on stage, how is that, I saw her up there with me! She would dance in the wings, so I could see her, but the audience couldn't! I've been a momma's girl all along, my mom has helped me through everything and anytime I didn't think I could do something, my mom was always there to reassure me that I could!
Emilee Savage
9/23/2014 04:54:20 am
An early childhood memory that sticks in my brain is my first dance recital. My mom had me young so I was 2 1/2 years old and I was too scared to go out on the big stage by myself, so she told me she would dance with me if I wanted her to. So of course I did!! So she got me in my super cute gypsy costume since we were doing Aladdin. My costume was purple and I had on light pink or white tights and purple "underwear" on over that and then chiffon pants on with a sequin waist band, and sequin ankle bands. Then I had a purple top that was all sequined and a hat that came down under my chin. I may have been little, but I knew I looked cute!! After the costume was on I had to get my make up done, so I sat on my mom's lap while they airbrushed some foundation on, just when I thought it was all over, the eyeshadow was next, pink and blue eyeshadow. I was ok with all of this.... That was until we got to mascara, you would have thought that I had dropped my favorite lollipop on the ground and it was the last one in existence! WOW! My mom used gummy snacks to bribe me to put mascara on, yes I was so easily bribed by gummy snacks. Next came my favorite part, lipstick! I loved lipstick because I would look just like mommy, so that part was easy. Next was hair. My hair was already in a ponytail so it just needed some curls, thank goodness, because I was a total diva about my hair! So after some gummy snacks and a few melt downs about going on stage, it's my turn. My mom is on stage just like she promised! I did my dance and ran off stage!! I was so unbelievably proud of myself. It wasn't until a few years later when I thought about this that I realized, she was on stage but no one ever saw her on stage, how is that, I saw her up there with me! She would dance in the wings, so I could see her, but the audience couldn't! I've been a momma's girl all along, my mom has helped me through everything and anytime I didn't think I could do something, my mom was always there to reassure me that I could! She has been my biggest supporter!
Boyan
9/25/2014 11:40:46 am
For the most part, yes, I would describe myself as being a cynic. I think like this, because we have successfully created a society around cynicism. In America, there is a strong emphasis being placed on individual labor and gratification. You are the one who should be able to achieve your own success. I don’t tend to look at cynicism as being distrustful of human integrity, but rather as the belief that your own priorities and objectives should come first. Others shouldn’t influence you as much without you first ensuring that you are meeting your own desired requirements. For this reason, I do not believe that there should be such a negative perspective attached with cynicism, at least not to all types. When one is cynical, I believe that he/she is better able to focus on their own self and place their responsibilities first in order to further their own goals. It is a good way to ensure that your priorities are being met, which are the most important priorities. From personal experience, I have always followed this rule. In my current stage of life, success in academics is my most important priority, and I have tried as much as possible to ensure it remains important. By focusing much of my attention on this subject, it has greatly paid off in that I am able to enjoy decent grades and know that I am making the right steps toward building a successful future. It is only natural to think that the more time you spend on a particular subject, the more likely you are to fully master it. Also, from my experience, being cynical may also help you to organize your life better. The more attention you focus on yourself, the better you are at deciding what is more important for you. You are better able to explore new fields on your own, and advise yourself on the best path for your future. In this way, you may even discover things that you did not even believe could be interesting for you. If you allow others to influence your decisions, it would be difficult for you to truly find yourself and be at peace with your future, but this is just from my own personal experience. I know that many would value advise from others for their choices and that it has helped them, but most of the time, that does not apply to me.
Max Moody-Becker
9/25/2014 05:29:10 pm
Boyan, I certainly agree with your opinion of cynicism in America. Cynicism is very present in the States as well as the rest of the world. I can only believe that cynicism is instinctual as it is necessary for self preservation.
Max Becker
9/25/2014 05:20:54 pm
World Cup
Catherine
9/26/2014 06:33:09 am
Max I really liked your journal! I can understand what you are saying. With this years World Cup, I sadly didn't go watch the games live (that would have been amazing), but I watched it with a large group of people at a restaurant. Every time there was a goal, we would all scream together. Some booing, some cheering. The sense of community you were talking about, happened watching those games too. Very well written journal. Comments are closed.
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