May 11, 2008
Dear Journal:
Mama said "Today is a special day, Forrest!" when I was about to leave for school. I had no clue what she was saying but I love her, so I said "I love you mama." I think it was the wind's fault, mama caught something in her eyes, as she said - tears kept coming down to her cheeks...
Today in Theology class, Mr. George talked something about LIFE. When he asked the class what is life, I raised my hand. Mama always tells me that life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're gonna get. When I told the whole class that I think life is a box of chocolate, everyone began to laugh - I think they love what I just said & they felt happy for me. Everyone in the world is nice & friendly...I'm so grateful that I'm a part of this world. See, mama is right. Life is like a box of chocolate - what a sweet life for me & for everyone!
During lunch, everyone was talking about Mother's Day. I still don't know what exactly that mean but I know it's something about mother & something about flowers. So I decided to give the Jasmin I found in the school's garden to mama.
Mama bust into tears when I put the Jasmin in her hands...
Why was she crying? I must have done something wrong. I felt so guilty & had no idea what I should do. So I hugged her & let her continued to cry in my arms.
"Oh Forrest, you're my life." mama murmured softly.
Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're gonna get...
"Don't worry mama, I'm the box & you are the chocolate. No matter what happens, I'm always gonna be the one who hugs & protects you like what I'm doing now..."
And then, I saw a white feather came down from the sky... "Angel is somewhere near us." Mama said with a smile... I'm happy because mama smiled...
Love forever,
Forrest Gump
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Journal Entry #2 - A Student Obsessively Infatuated with a Teacher
February 14, 2009
Dear Journal:
Love is in the air... It's Valentine's Day!!!!!
I woke up this morning & had this feeling that I've been shot with the Cupid's arrow. "Something is gonna happen between me & Mr. Philip today," I said to myself, "Mr. Philip & me... Awww... that would be wonderful!"
When I walked into the classroom, my Phili was eating Doritos. I sat down but I just couldn't get my eyes off him - the way he ate Doritos was so cute. After putting the last chip into his mouth, he sucked his fingers gently...what if those fingers were mine?
He began to talk something about unit circles, but I just can't focus on the subject. He looked so cute with his pink tie... OMG! His tie had the same color as my bra! I was on a cloud. "I knew it, I knew he has feelings for me," I told myself,"he's tie matches my bra! This is the cutest thing ever!!!"
After class, I told Jenny (my best friend) my discovery. She said I'm insane - she was just jealous that Phili loves me!
During lunch, I ate a whole bag of Doritos. While I was eating it, I keep imagining that my fingers were Phili's... Ohhh~ my heart is beating so fast right now!
Mr. Philip gave me a detention after school. He said I wasn't paying attention in class. Ha, he was just saying it. I know he always wanted to spend some time with me, alone. So he got this idea of detention to let me stay with him after school. I know him so well~
So this is my fabulous Valentine's Day with my Phili. Others might think I got detention, but only US know that it was actually a special romantic date in the classroom.
I love you so much, Mr. Philip - my Phili, my cutie, & my future hubby <3
Future Mrs. Philip
Jessica
Dear Journal:
Love is in the air... It's Valentine's Day!!!!!
I woke up this morning & had this feeling that I've been shot with the Cupid's arrow. "Something is gonna happen between me & Mr. Philip today," I said to myself, "Mr. Philip & me... Awww... that would be wonderful!"
When I walked into the classroom, my Phili was eating Doritos. I sat down but I just couldn't get my eyes off him - the way he ate Doritos was so cute. After putting the last chip into his mouth, he sucked his fingers gently...what if those fingers were mine?
He began to talk something about unit circles, but I just can't focus on the subject. He looked so cute with his pink tie... OMG! His tie had the same color as my bra! I was on a cloud. "I knew it, I knew he has feelings for me," I told myself,"he's tie matches my bra! This is the cutest thing ever!!!"
After class, I told Jenny (my best friend) my discovery. She said I'm insane - she was just jealous that Phili loves me!
During lunch, I ate a whole bag of Doritos. While I was eating it, I keep imagining that my fingers were Phili's... Ohhh~ my heart is beating so fast right now!
Mr. Philip gave me a detention after school. He said I wasn't paying attention in class. Ha, he was just saying it. I know he always wanted to spend some time with me, alone. So he got this idea of detention to let me stay with him after school. I know him so well~
So this is my fabulous Valentine's Day with my Phili. Others might think I got detention, but only US know that it was actually a special romantic date in the classroom.
I love you so much, Mr. Philip - my Phili, my cutie, & my future hubby <3
Future Mrs. Philip
Jessica
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Journal Entry #1 - Obese Child
October 28, 2008
Diet: breakfast - apple & yogurt
lunch - Caesar salad
dinner - oatmeal
Weight for Today: 250 pounds
Dear Journal:
Guess what? Today, my nightmare of all time "came true" - I'm 250 pounds now. TWO HUNDRED & FIFTY POUNDS, this damned number sprawled in my mind on my way to school.
"What would people think of me?" I kept thinking about this question. My life from now is going to be a disaster...
And this is my life for today...
I. Sitting in the classroom
When I sat down, the chair crashed a little bit. I heard the whisperings behind me, like always. "It's gonna be fine," I calmed myself down, "At least they're not mocking me at my face." However, things didn't went as fine as I thought. The boy siting behind me told me that he couldn't see the board. I know what he meant - "You are too fat & you are blocking my sight to see the board!"
I was about to cry...
II. Sitting in the cafeteria
Eating lunch at school is something I don't like. Today, like always, I'm always the one who is eating the pathetic caesar salad while everyone else is eating their hot dogs. I haven't got a single bit of hot dogs for almost half an year. The taste of hot dogs is fading away from me - What does it taste like?... NO NO NO!!! Stop thinking of those stuff.
Anyway, the embarrassing thing happened today was I fell down from the stairs because I felt dizzy for not eating enough food for weeks. The nurse told me I have to eat something, but I can't. You know why, my friend...
III. Sitting in the school's library
I went to the library & saw on the post board that the juniors are going on a field trip next week to Walden Pond. I can't go...because they're going to swim. I don't have a bathing suit that's big enough to fit me so I guess I'm not going. I'll say I'm sick. They're going to have a lot of fun without me anyway...
After that I sat down & began to do my homework. Then I heard some girls near me were discussing something about fashion. I smiled bitterly - I can't join the conversation because they'll laugh at me. So, of course, I walked away...
Oh, Journal! What should I do? I tried everything I can to lose weight, but how is it not working? Is it my fault to be obese?
...Or it's just my fate?
Pathetically,
"Fat Kid"
Diet: breakfast - apple & yogurt
lunch - Caesar salad
dinner - oatmeal
Weight for Today: 250 pounds
Dear Journal:
Guess what? Today, my nightmare of all time "came true" - I'm 250 pounds now. TWO HUNDRED & FIFTY POUNDS, this damned number sprawled in my mind on my way to school.
"What would people think of me?" I kept thinking about this question. My life from now is going to be a disaster...
And this is my life for today...
I. Sitting in the classroom
When I sat down, the chair crashed a little bit. I heard the whisperings behind me, like always. "It's gonna be fine," I calmed myself down, "At least they're not mocking me at my face." However, things didn't went as fine as I thought. The boy siting behind me told me that he couldn't see the board. I know what he meant - "You are too fat & you are blocking my sight to see the board!"
I was about to cry...
II. Sitting in the cafeteria
Eating lunch at school is something I don't like. Today, like always, I'm always the one who is eating the pathetic caesar salad while everyone else is eating their hot dogs. I haven't got a single bit of hot dogs for almost half an year. The taste of hot dogs is fading away from me - What does it taste like?... NO NO NO!!! Stop thinking of those stuff.
Anyway, the embarrassing thing happened today was I fell down from the stairs because I felt dizzy for not eating enough food for weeks. The nurse told me I have to eat something, but I can't. You know why, my friend...
III. Sitting in the school's library
I went to the library & saw on the post board that the juniors are going on a field trip next week to Walden Pond. I can't go...because they're going to swim. I don't have a bathing suit that's big enough to fit me so I guess I'm not going. I'll say I'm sick. They're going to have a lot of fun without me anyway...
After that I sat down & began to do my homework. Then I heard some girls near me were discussing something about fashion. I smiled bitterly - I can't join the conversation because they'll laugh at me. So, of course, I walked away...
Oh, Journal! What should I do? I tried everything I can to lose weight, but how is it not working? Is it my fault to be obese?
...Or it's just my fate?
Pathetically,
"Fat Kid"
Notes on an Obese Kid's Journal
I. Sitting in the classroom
· the chair is too small for me
· the boy behind me told me that he couldn't see the board because I'm too "big"
II. Sitting in the cafeteria
· eating Caesar salad while watching everyone else eating their hot dogs
· felt dizzy for not eating enough food for weeks
III. Sitting in the gym
· the only one who's sitting there, everyone else is on a sports team
· some one threw a ball at me & ran away... I couldn't do anything because I'm not able to run
IV. Sitting in the school's library
· noticed that there will be a field trip next week to Walden Pond - can't go because they're going to swim & I don't have a bathing suit that's big enough to fit me
· girls are discussing about fashion - can't join the conversation because they'll laugh at me
· the chair is too small for me
· the boy behind me told me that he couldn't see the board because I'm too "big"
II. Sitting in the cafeteria
· eating Caesar salad while watching everyone else eating their hot dogs
· felt dizzy for not eating enough food for weeks
III. Sitting in the gym
· the only one who's sitting there, everyone else is on a sports team
· some one threw a ball at me & ran away... I couldn't do anything because I'm not able to run
IV. Sitting in the school's library
· noticed that there will be a field trip next week to Walden Pond - can't go because they're going to swim & I don't have a bathing suit that's big enough to fit me
· girls are discussing about fashion - can't join the conversation because they'll laugh at me
Thursday, October 23, 2008
#5 - Letter from Mother to Unborn Baby
Dear Baby,
Are you a boy or a girl, my dear baby? Are you going to have straight or curly hair? Are you going to be outgoing or shy? Are you... oh, dear, what I'm I thinking about? I'm going to love you and take care of you no matter who you are or what you are going to be - as long as you are my child.
Your dad and I are waiting for your arrival for the last ten month. It was an painful but amazing experience to have you in my womb. Sometime I find it's kind of funny that I don't really know you, although we've been together for almost a year.
Sometime I'm scared that I'm not going to be a good mother. There are so many things to learn and most of them are things that you cannot find in a book. So I'm writing this letter to you asking your forgiveness to my future mistakes.
Oh, my baby, my love for life. I wished upon a star last night that you will be happy and healthy forever. It is not important for me how rich or how pretty you might me, as long as you are a warm-hearted person who appreciate life.
May God be with you...
Love,
New Mom
Are you a boy or a girl, my dear baby? Are you going to have straight or curly hair? Are you going to be outgoing or shy? Are you... oh, dear, what I'm I thinking about? I'm going to love you and take care of you no matter who you are or what you are going to be - as long as you are my child.
Your dad and I are waiting for your arrival for the last ten month. It was an painful but amazing experience to have you in my womb. Sometime I find it's kind of funny that I don't really know you, although we've been together for almost a year.
Sometime I'm scared that I'm not going to be a good mother. There are so many things to learn and most of them are things that you cannot find in a book. So I'm writing this letter to you asking your forgiveness to my future mistakes.
Oh, my baby, my love for life. I wished upon a star last night that you will be happy and healthy forever. It is not important for me how rich or how pretty you might me, as long as you are a warm-hearted person who appreciate life.
May God be with you...
Love,
New Mom
#4 - From a Body Part to Yourself
Dear Lu,
Hey! It's me, your mouth. I'm writing this letter (not speaking) to you because I'm really mad at your unfair treatment to me, compared to the other parts of my colleague.
First of all, I have a question to ask, "How much do I mean to you?" I'm the one who nurture you; I'm the one who taught you how to talk; I'm the one who make it possible for you to smile and kiss... Shouldn't you be grateful for all the things I've done for you? Shouldn't I be the most important part of your body? So why you put nose in the middle of your face? This is just ridiculous.
The quarrel I have with nose had been there for a while. The recent cold you caught is making our relationship worse. The nose breathed in the cold air and made you sick. I'm a direct victim of his carelessness - cough is killing me right now! That's not it. When the nose sneezes, all the mucus come down from the nose run directly to me. Ewww...why am I the one who has to bear all those nasty mucus?
I cannot bear this anymore! Here is a choice I give for you: put me in the middle of your face or I will not let you speak, eat, smile or kiss anymore!
Pissed off,
Your mouth
Hey! It's me, your mouth. I'm writing this letter (not speaking) to you because I'm really mad at your unfair treatment to me, compared to the other parts of my colleague.
First of all, I have a question to ask, "How much do I mean to you?" I'm the one who nurture you; I'm the one who taught you how to talk; I'm the one who make it possible for you to smile and kiss... Shouldn't you be grateful for all the things I've done for you? Shouldn't I be the most important part of your body? So why you put nose in the middle of your face? This is just ridiculous.
The quarrel I have with nose had been there for a while. The recent cold you caught is making our relationship worse. The nose breathed in the cold air and made you sick. I'm a direct victim of his carelessness - cough is killing me right now! That's not it. When the nose sneezes, all the mucus come down from the nose run directly to me. Ewww...why am I the one who has to bear all those nasty mucus?
I cannot bear this anymore! Here is a choice I give for you: put me in the middle of your face or I will not let you speak, eat, smile or kiss anymore!
Pissed off,
Your mouth
#3 - Letter Asking for Permission to marry Future Husband
Dear Dad,
You have loved once before, and I believed you are still in love...
But how come you disagree with my marriage that is on grounds of love? Eric and I love each other, and I'm sure this love will be fresh forever. Although he is the son of your business foe, this can not be the obstacle of my marriage to happiness. How could you think that "like father like son" is the immutable truth? Unlike his father, Eric is a enthusiastic and cultural person. He has this amazing gift of marketing strategies and business mindset, as well as a wide interests in literature.
Do you remember the tragedy of Romeo and Juliette? I'm sure you don't want that to happen on your beloved daughter. I understand that you don't want to be family with your enemy, but don't you think it is a little bit cruel to your daughter to sacrifice her whole-life happiness to satisfy your so-called business dignity?
Do you still remember the happiest moment in your life 30 years ago, when you and mom got married? I bet the reason you love her is that you just simply LOVE her. You always tell me that it is important to "follow your heart"... that's what I'm doing right now.
Dad, please give me a smile and a warm huge when I give you the invitation card to my wedding. I'm not going to leave you dad - I'm still your little girl. I love Eric, and I love you, too!
Love you forever,
Lu Li
You have loved once before, and I believed you are still in love...
But how come you disagree with my marriage that is on grounds of love? Eric and I love each other, and I'm sure this love will be fresh forever. Although he is the son of your business foe, this can not be the obstacle of my marriage to happiness. How could you think that "like father like son" is the immutable truth? Unlike his father, Eric is a enthusiastic and cultural person. He has this amazing gift of marketing strategies and business mindset, as well as a wide interests in literature.
Do you remember the tragedy of Romeo and Juliette? I'm sure you don't want that to happen on your beloved daughter. I understand that you don't want to be family with your enemy, but don't you think it is a little bit cruel to your daughter to sacrifice her whole-life happiness to satisfy your so-called business dignity?
Do you still remember the happiest moment in your life 30 years ago, when you and mom got married? I bet the reason you love her is that you just simply LOVE her. You always tell me that it is important to "follow your heart"... that's what I'm doing right now.
Dad, please give me a smile and a warm huge when I give you the invitation card to my wedding. I'm not going to leave you dad - I'm still your little girl. I love Eric, and I love you, too!
Love you forever,
Lu Li
#2 -Letter from Devil to God
Dear God,
I'm writing this letter to you, my dearest friend, to talk about our future cooperation. Humans always believe that the path of our principles are parallel forever; however, those pathetic creatures don't know that we, the greatest powers in the world, have one great thing in common - the pursuit of absolute power.
It is obvious that both of us are the leading figure of today's society. People worship us and they follow us - this is something we can use. I just finished reading your famous biography (the Bible) and found out that you want to build "the Kingdom of God". This really inspired me because that is what I always wanted to do - to take control over mankind. Building a kingdom of my own is exactly what I want!
We both seize the hearts of human, no matter they are good or bad - everyone has a bright side and a dark side. So if we can work together, we will have everyone in our future Kingdom. WE can build the Kingdom together! Think about that... when great powers come together, they will definitely change the world. And when that moment comes, the world is ours!!!
Power is everything,
Devil
I'm writing this letter to you, my dearest friend, to talk about our future cooperation. Humans always believe that the path of our principles are parallel forever; however, those pathetic creatures don't know that we, the greatest powers in the world, have one great thing in common - the pursuit of absolute power.
It is obvious that both of us are the leading figure of today's society. People worship us and they follow us - this is something we can use. I just finished reading your famous biography (the Bible) and found out that you want to build "the Kingdom of God". This really inspired me because that is what I always wanted to do - to take control over mankind. Building a kingdom of my own is exactly what I want!
We both seize the hearts of human, no matter they are good or bad - everyone has a bright side and a dark side. So if we can work together, we will have everyone in our future Kingdom. WE can build the Kingdom together! Think about that... when great powers come together, they will definitely change the world. And when that moment comes, the world is ours!!!
Power is everything,
Devil
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
#1- Letter found on the Titanic
Dear John,
I'm on my way...
Hey up? Are you thinking of me right now? I can't stop thinking of you. You are the angel God sent from heaven to care and protect me. It has to be fate that you came all the way from America to Britain to run into my life. That cafe, that cup of cappuccino, that dance, and that kiss... Oh, you sealed my heart with your gentleness.
I still cannot believe that I'm going to marry you next week in America - a whole new world for me, and of course, a whole new life too - a place that is beyond my ken. When I got onto this ship, when I left the place I've lived for twenty years, I'm scared - would it be a clanger going to US? I felt I was a bird that finally got rid of it's cage but doesn't know where to go. And then, your face with that smile you always have appeared in my mind - I'm no longer lost, because I know my home is meant to be in America - my home is YOU.
Blimey! I have to stop writing now - there are some noise outside, maybe someone just saw the seashore of America! Oh, my love. I can't wait to see your face and feel the warmness of your breath when we kiss. See you in a minute... We will meet in spirit...
I'm on my way...
With all my passion and love,
Christina
I'm on my way...
Hey up? Are you thinking of me right now? I can't stop thinking of you. You are the angel God sent from heaven to care and protect me. It has to be fate that you came all the way from America to Britain to run into my life. That cafe, that cup of cappuccino, that dance, and that kiss... Oh, you sealed my heart with your gentleness.
I still cannot believe that I'm going to marry you next week in America - a whole new world for me, and of course, a whole new life too - a place that is beyond my ken. When I got onto this ship, when I left the place I've lived for twenty years, I'm scared - would it be a clanger going to US? I felt I was a bird that finally got rid of it's cage but doesn't know where to go. And then, your face with that smile you always have appeared in my mind - I'm no longer lost, because I know my home is meant to be in America - my home is YOU.
Blimey! I have to stop writing now - there are some noise outside, maybe someone just saw the seashore of America! Oh, my love. I can't wait to see your face and feel the warmness of your breath when we kiss. See you in a minute... We will meet in spirit...
I'm on my way...
With all my passion and love,
Christina
My Ideas of Letters
4.) From a body part to yourself.
11.) Letter asking for permission to marry future husband or wife
14.) God to Devil or Devil to God
15.) Letter found on the Titanic.
16.) Letter from mother to unborn baby
11.) Letter asking for permission to marry future husband or wife
14.) God to Devil or Devil to God
15.) Letter found on the Titanic.
16.) Letter from mother to unborn baby
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Forgiveness Letter
Dear Lu:
Although we meet every single day, I feel like it is necessary to send you this letter. I can still feel the gloominess of that unpleasant quarrel we had a month ago. You dashed the bowl to bits on the ground… in front of my face. I was so pissed off that I stormed out of the door. When I got out of the dining room, I heard something that nearly broke my heart, “I hate you, and I hate you forever!” Like that bowl you dashed on the ground, my heart was broken into pieces. For all the things I have done for you, for all the fun days we spent together… How could you say something so cruel like that?
But this is not a letter of dudgeon; this is a letter of forgiveness. When I came back into the room of emptiness with a pool of tears on the table, I realized that you cried… like me. “This is so wrong,” I said to myself, “this is totally unworthy!”
When I woke up the next day, I say an envelope underneath the door – a letter from you which was unexpected. The words on the letter were not clear – I can see those marks of tears. All the hates and all the hurts were blown off by the blissful wind that came from your letter. You don’t hate me and I don’t hate you. I forgive you because I know that I love you. We should never forget that LOVE is the thing that is holding us together… forever!
Love you forever and ever,
Aunt
Although we meet every single day, I feel like it is necessary to send you this letter. I can still feel the gloominess of that unpleasant quarrel we had a month ago. You dashed the bowl to bits on the ground… in front of my face. I was so pissed off that I stormed out of the door. When I got out of the dining room, I heard something that nearly broke my heart, “I hate you, and I hate you forever!” Like that bowl you dashed on the ground, my heart was broken into pieces. For all the things I have done for you, for all the fun days we spent together… How could you say something so cruel like that?
But this is not a letter of dudgeon; this is a letter of forgiveness. When I came back into the room of emptiness with a pool of tears on the table, I realized that you cried… like me. “This is so wrong,” I said to myself, “this is totally unworthy!”
When I woke up the next day, I say an envelope underneath the door – a letter from you which was unexpected. The words on the letter were not clear – I can see those marks of tears. All the hates and all the hurts were blown off by the blissful wind that came from your letter. You don’t hate me and I don’t hate you. I forgive you because I know that I love you. We should never forget that LOVE is the thing that is holding us together… forever!
Love you forever and ever,
Aunt
Sunday, October 19, 2008
My Cliff Hangers Continuation
1. I looked at the clock – it was already 4am. “I hate myself,” I murmured, “this needs to be stopped!”
"the consequences of the Treaty of Paris" I typed, "is..." It was already 2 o'clock and I was still writing my history outline. "Just a few more sections to go," I tried to cheer myself up, "and u have to hurry because u have an essay to write for English class after this!" Yes, I have to start writing an essay about white lies in 2am... This is impossible and somehow ridiculous! I began to think about what I did on that day and figured out that I did pretty much nothing but wondering around.
2. “Oh Lord, please help me…” I closed my eyes, but tears still burst out…
My mom called my friend and found out that I was not with her as I've said before I went out. Yes, I lied to her. I felt the air was getting thinner because I could not breath anymore. "I need to do something," I told myself, "you need to confess or she will not trust you anymore."
3. I walked into the classroom …and I walked out of the classroom with a long streak of tears on my cheek.
My last day of school in China wasn't as pleasant as I thought it would be. I always wanted to get rid of the insipid and strict classes in China, but when I recognized that it was probably the last chance for me to sit in a classroom and study in China, my heart was thrilling...
4. Time is ruthless, I have to say, because it can change a person you know well to a totally stranger.
I haven't seen her for a whole year. I moved to another city and left her, my best friend at that time, alone in the city which contained millions memories of our friendship. She became a part of my memory of that city, which have never changed since I left. We were miles away from each other, and everything has been so different after all those changes of leaves and blossoms of flowers.
5. I wanted to turn around and look at them for the last time, but I didn’t have the courage to do that – I was afraid that if I turn around, I would never be able to walk away by myself.
I was at the airport, saying good-bye to my family and to the place I've been living for almost 16 years. I looked at everyone greedily, hoping to capture more details of their images so that they would not fade in my mind after I left.
"the consequences of the Treaty of Paris" I typed, "is..." It was already 2 o'clock and I was still writing my history outline. "Just a few more sections to go," I tried to cheer myself up, "and u have to hurry because u have an essay to write for English class after this!" Yes, I have to start writing an essay about white lies in 2am... This is impossible and somehow ridiculous! I began to think about what I did on that day and figured out that I did pretty much nothing but wondering around.
2. “Oh Lord, please help me…” I closed my eyes, but tears still burst out…
My mom called my friend and found out that I was not with her as I've said before I went out. Yes, I lied to her. I felt the air was getting thinner because I could not breath anymore. "I need to do something," I told myself, "you need to confess or she will not trust you anymore."
3. I walked into the classroom …and I walked out of the classroom with a long streak of tears on my cheek.
My last day of school in China wasn't as pleasant as I thought it would be. I always wanted to get rid of the insipid and strict classes in China, but when I recognized that it was probably the last chance for me to sit in a classroom and study in China, my heart was thrilling...
4. Time is ruthless, I have to say, because it can change a person you know well to a totally stranger.
I haven't seen her for a whole year. I moved to another city and left her, my best friend at that time, alone in the city which contained millions memories of our friendship. She became a part of my memory of that city, which have never changed since I left. We were miles away from each other, and everything has been so different after all those changes of leaves and blossoms of flowers.
5. I wanted to turn around and look at them for the last time, but I didn’t have the courage to do that – I was afraid that if I turn around, I would never be able to walk away by myself.
I was at the airport, saying good-bye to my family and to the place I've been living for almost 16 years. I looked at everyone greedily, hoping to capture more details of their images so that they would not fade in my mind after I left.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Andy Medina's Second Paragraph
1. The sound of a bone cracking is an awful sound. Hearing a scream soon after is worse. Hearing the words, "We need you to really step up now" is even harder to hear.
That was a hard game and I played hard on that game. The score was tie, we need a touch down to win the game. I saw the ball was coming to me, like a star falling from the sky... no, it was a lucky charm to me and to the whole team! I jumped up and caught the ball. All I have to do now was run a few feet and... All of a sudden, I felt there was a dark shadow on the ground - someone was coming to block me. The next thing I could remember was I was on the ground. I wanted to stand up again, but i just could not -the great pain in my arm was killing me. "We need you to really step up now!"
Yes, I need to stand up and finish the game...
2. "Andy, come in here I need to talk to you." My mom was never home from work so early. Her eyes were red from crying. I knew something terrible had happened
I knew what was going on, but I just could not believe this is happening so fast. I was doing homework in my room the day before. I could hear the noise downstairs... it was not the television, it was my mom and dad - they were fighting again. I put on my headphone and turned on the music. I did not want to hear it, i did not want to know anything about it!
3. "Bang." I hit the floor with a thud. I touched my face with my hands and saw nothing. The next time i saw my hands they were soaked with blood.
First time in life to get into a fight.
He hit me in the face, but I felt it was only my heart feeling panic. We were best friends when Jesus was still a boy. I still could not believe this is happening to us. i felt it was the end of the world...
4. "Wow she's cute. Good job Andy." That was the first time my family ever excepted a girl I brought home.
It was not a surprise, I had the confident that Nicole is a good girl. But this was really important to Nicole... She was so nervous about seeing my parents. "They love you as I do!" I whispered to her. She looked directly into my eyes... no need to say, she said with her eyes "I loves you too..."
5. My mouth had a terrible taste. I had just gotten sick. When I looked down I was not in the bathroom.
Actually I had no idea where I was... All i could remember was that pure white pill he put in my drink. I felt I was drowning. Yes, like that dude in the bar told me, I forgot all the problems I had. But why... why couldn't I feel the "happiness" he told me I'm going to get?
That was a hard game and I played hard on that game. The score was tie, we need a touch down to win the game. I saw the ball was coming to me, like a star falling from the sky... no, it was a lucky charm to me and to the whole team! I jumped up and caught the ball. All I have to do now was run a few feet and... All of a sudden, I felt there was a dark shadow on the ground - someone was coming to block me. The next thing I could remember was I was on the ground. I wanted to stand up again, but i just could not -the great pain in my arm was killing me. "We need you to really step up now!"
Yes, I need to stand up and finish the game...
2. "Andy, come in here I need to talk to you." My mom was never home from work so early. Her eyes were red from crying. I knew something terrible had happened
I knew what was going on, but I just could not believe this is happening so fast. I was doing homework in my room the day before. I could hear the noise downstairs... it was not the television, it was my mom and dad - they were fighting again. I put on my headphone and turned on the music. I did not want to hear it, i did not want to know anything about it!
3. "Bang." I hit the floor with a thud. I touched my face with my hands and saw nothing. The next time i saw my hands they were soaked with blood.
First time in life to get into a fight.
He hit me in the face, but I felt it was only my heart feeling panic. We were best friends when Jesus was still a boy. I still could not believe this is happening to us. i felt it was the end of the world...
4. "Wow she's cute. Good job Andy." That was the first time my family ever excepted a girl I brought home.
It was not a surprise, I had the confident that Nicole is a good girl. But this was really important to Nicole... She was so nervous about seeing my parents. "They love you as I do!" I whispered to her. She looked directly into my eyes... no need to say, she said with her eyes "I loves you too..."
5. My mouth had a terrible taste. I had just gotten sick. When I looked down I was not in the bathroom.
Actually I had no idea where I was... All i could remember was that pure white pill he put in my drink. I felt I was drowning. Yes, like that dude in the bar told me, I forgot all the problems I had. But why... why couldn't I feel the "happiness" he told me I'm going to get?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cliff Hangers...
1. I looked at the clock – it was already 4am. “I hate myself,” I murmured, “this needs to be stopped!”
2. “Oh Lord, please help me…” I closed my eyes, but tears still burst out…
3. I walked into the classroom …and I walked out of the classroom with a long streak of tears on my cheek.
4. Time is ruthless, I have to say, because it can change a person you know well to a totally stranger.
5. I wanted to turn around and look at them for the last time, but I didn’t have the courage to do that – I was afraid that if I turn around, I would never be able to walk away by myself.
2. “Oh Lord, please help me…” I closed my eyes, but tears still burst out…
3. I walked into the classroom …and I walked out of the classroom with a long streak of tears on my cheek.
4. Time is ruthless, I have to say, because it can change a person you know well to a totally stranger.
5. I wanted to turn around and look at them for the last time, but I didn’t have the courage to do that – I was afraid that if I turn around, I would never be able to walk away by myself.
Cheat
Spotted. Freshmen year on a math test, I was stuck on a “multiple choice question”. There were only two choices – cheat on the test or not. I forgot a really important formula. The formula was in my book and my book, with its graceful glow, was lying there on the ground right beside me. “I need to get that formula right,” I told myself.
I looked around: the teacher was all the way in the frond reading his beloved comic; no one was wondering around, the students were all doing their work; and my book was whispering, “come to me, come to me…” This is a really good situation to cheat - I made this conclusion. My hand started to move toward the book… “Stop it!” I heard a voice in my mind, “cheat on a test is not the right thing to do.” The little angel on my left shoulder warned me. My hand was back on the desk. “Do it Lu, do it!” that voice came from my right shoulder this time, “no one would find out. Think about getting all the answers right.” Should I do it or not? This ambivalent feeling loomed up in my mind.
I stared at the book. It seemed like there was a wisp of fragrant coming from the book – the aroma of right answer.
With the cheat-or-die spirit, I reached out my hand again. I opened the book carefully and started looking for the formula. Here it is! The formula is… All of a sudden, I felt a cold hand was on my shoulder. I turned around and looked up: my teacher’s glasses were sparkling. I felt there was a real nip in the air. I looked down and saw he was holding the comic he was reading. On the cover, there was a cartoon figure laughing heartlessly … at me.
I looked around: the teacher was all the way in the frond reading his beloved comic; no one was wondering around, the students were all doing their work; and my book was whispering, “come to me, come to me…” This is a really good situation to cheat - I made this conclusion. My hand started to move toward the book… “Stop it!” I heard a voice in my mind, “cheat on a test is not the right thing to do.” The little angel on my left shoulder warned me. My hand was back on the desk. “Do it Lu, do it!” that voice came from my right shoulder this time, “no one would find out. Think about getting all the answers right.” Should I do it or not? This ambivalent feeling loomed up in my mind.
I stared at the book. It seemed like there was a wisp of fragrant coming from the book – the aroma of right answer.
With the cheat-or-die spirit, I reached out my hand again. I opened the book carefully and started looking for the formula. Here it is! The formula is… All of a sudden, I felt a cold hand was on my shoulder. I turned around and looked up: my teacher’s glasses were sparkling. I felt there was a real nip in the air. I looked down and saw he was holding the comic he was reading. On the cover, there was a cartoon figure laughing heartlessly … at me.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Question #1:
Sedaris turned a potentially boring experience- auditing a beginner’s language class- into a humorous essay by being sarcastic about his downfall and adding “footnotes” onto the different situations he met. He was being honest about his feelings and he does not care putting himself on the same level of the readers – this made his essay sympathetic. Adding “footnotes” is really a good strategy to be funny. Every time he describe a normal or even boring thing, his mind can always capture something else which made his argument vivid or even hilarious. The readers are pleased by his mind-made footnotes and that’s where his sense of humor came from.
The funniest part of the essay “And it struck me that, for the first time since arriving in France, I could understand every word that someone was saying.” (227)
“Deadpan” humor is showing humor in an indifferent tone. An example would be “The teacher continued her diatribe and I settled back, bathing in the subtle beauty of each new curse and insult.” (277) From here we can feel the indifferent attitude the author wanted to show to us. When sarcasm is intertwined with indifference, the humor that came out of it is even more powerful.
Question #2:
Sedaris reveals himself indirectly by explaining the situation but not identifying himself. For example, when he wants to tell us that he didn’t understand what the woman was talking about, he said, “If you have not meimslsxp or lgpdmurct by this time, them you should not be in this room.” (274) The author didn’t try to explain to you how he couldn’t understand French, he just gave u a side-look of what he saw and what he heard and let the readers to figure out by themselves.
Sedaris turned a potentially boring experience- auditing a beginner’s language class- into a humorous essay by being sarcastic about his downfall and adding “footnotes” onto the different situations he met. He was being honest about his feelings and he does not care putting himself on the same level of the readers – this made his essay sympathetic. Adding “footnotes” is really a good strategy to be funny. Every time he describe a normal or even boring thing, his mind can always capture something else which made his argument vivid or even hilarious. The readers are pleased by his mind-made footnotes and that’s where his sense of humor came from.
The funniest part of the essay “And it struck me that, for the first time since arriving in France, I could understand every word that someone was saying.” (227)
“Deadpan” humor is showing humor in an indifferent tone. An example would be “The teacher continued her diatribe and I settled back, bathing in the subtle beauty of each new curse and insult.” (277) From here we can feel the indifferent attitude the author wanted to show to us. When sarcasm is intertwined with indifference, the humor that came out of it is even more powerful.
Question #2:
Sedaris reveals himself indirectly by explaining the situation but not identifying himself. For example, when he wants to tell us that he didn’t understand what the woman was talking about, he said, “If you have not meimslsxp or lgpdmurct by this time, them you should not be in this room.” (274) The author didn’t try to explain to you how he couldn’t understand French, he just gave u a side-look of what he saw and what he heard and let the readers to figure out by themselves.
Monday, October 13, 2008
My Unflattering Moment
It happened a long time ago, but I still remember it as it had happened yesterday.
It was kind of like a ritual in my elementary school to give credit to the students who give back the money they found in random places. The principal used to read the name of those students in the school’s studio station weekly. As a naïve little kid in first grade, I thought it would be a great honor to be mentioned by the principal. So I made up my mind to be good and honest - give back the money I found on the ground.
But the problem is… I have never got a chance to find money on the ground.
My chance ran into me on a sunny day after school, when I was walking back to my house. All of a sudden, I saw something shiny on the ground. It’s a quarter! I was so excited that I start picturing the principal reading my name in front of the whole school. “I finally found a quarter on the ground!” I said to myself. When I was about to pick up the quarter, I had a feeling that someone was watching me. I raised my head and looked around – there was an old lady sitting in front of her house across the street. I couldn’t actually see her face clear, but I just had this feeling that her eyes were on me. This made me embarrassed in some ways, “Is she thinking that I’m going to keep the money as my own?” I thought for a second and this groundless idea was sprawling in my head. “I don’t want people to think I’m stealing the money” I said to myself, “but I do want to get credit for my honesty.” My little heart was struggling, it was a really hard decision for me to make at that time. “What should I do?” I asked my self again and again. When I recognized that it’s even worse standing in the mid of nowhere because that lady would think I’m acting awkward and probably think I’m going to do something bad. I need to make the decision now, I told myself. NOW!
I ran away. Yes, I ran away with that shiny quarter waving its hand saying “good-bye” to me. I was about to cry when I got back. The story ends with my grandma’s surprised facial expression and a line, “ I never noticed before that your little mind could think that much on this kind of thing!”
It was kind of like a ritual in my elementary school to give credit to the students who give back the money they found in random places. The principal used to read the name of those students in the school’s studio station weekly. As a naïve little kid in first grade, I thought it would be a great honor to be mentioned by the principal. So I made up my mind to be good and honest - give back the money I found on the ground.
But the problem is… I have never got a chance to find money on the ground.
My chance ran into me on a sunny day after school, when I was walking back to my house. All of a sudden, I saw something shiny on the ground. It’s a quarter! I was so excited that I start picturing the principal reading my name in front of the whole school. “I finally found a quarter on the ground!” I said to myself. When I was about to pick up the quarter, I had a feeling that someone was watching me. I raised my head and looked around – there was an old lady sitting in front of her house across the street. I couldn’t actually see her face clear, but I just had this feeling that her eyes were on me. This made me embarrassed in some ways, “Is she thinking that I’m going to keep the money as my own?” I thought for a second and this groundless idea was sprawling in my head. “I don’t want people to think I’m stealing the money” I said to myself, “but I do want to get credit for my honesty.” My little heart was struggling, it was a really hard decision for me to make at that time. “What should I do?” I asked my self again and again. When I recognized that it’s even worse standing in the mid of nowhere because that lady would think I’m acting awkward and probably think I’m going to do something bad. I need to make the decision now, I told myself. NOW!
I ran away. Yes, I ran away with that shiny quarter waving its hand saying “good-bye” to me. I was about to cry when I got back. The story ends with my grandma’s surprised facial expression and a line, “ I never noticed before that your little mind could think that much on this kind of thing!”
Shooting an Elephant Questions
Question #1:
The story Shooting an Elephant has two major themes: the antipathy of imperialism and the sentiments to peer pressure. Although these two themes look disparate at first, they have a common element that linked them together – the feeling of ambivalence. “All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible.” (Orwell, 222) From here we can see that the character is in some sort of self-identity dilemma – on one hand, the narrator, an Indian-born man, thinks the British rule as an unbreakable tyranny; on the other hand, root to his English pedigree, the narrator is just an cold-blood colonial police officer in the locals’ eyes. When the narrator was going to shoot the elephant, he was in an ambivalent situation too. He did not want to shoot the elephant, but due to the peer pressure from the crowd, he made a decision that went against his heart. By showing the ambivalent feelings of the narrator, the Orwell successfully intertwined oppositions to the negative consequences of imperialism and peer pressure.
Question #2:
First and foremost, Orwell used first person to write this story, which made it believable. He also used the tactic of comparison. He unveiled the unflattering feelings of himself by showing the difference between the true him and the one he wanted to be seen. “He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it.” (Orwell, 224&225) The ambivalent self-identity of the narrator was demonstrated clearly by comparison. “The crowd grew very still, and a deep, low, happy sight, as of people who see the theatre curtain go up at last, breathed from innumerable throats.” (Orwell, 225) From here we can see that Orwell is also good at building the atmosphere to coordinate with the development of the character’s mood.
The story Shooting an Elephant has two major themes: the antipathy of imperialism and the sentiments to peer pressure. Although these two themes look disparate at first, they have a common element that linked them together – the feeling of ambivalence. “All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible.” (Orwell, 222) From here we can see that the character is in some sort of self-identity dilemma – on one hand, the narrator, an Indian-born man, thinks the British rule as an unbreakable tyranny; on the other hand, root to his English pedigree, the narrator is just an cold-blood colonial police officer in the locals’ eyes. When the narrator was going to shoot the elephant, he was in an ambivalent situation too. He did not want to shoot the elephant, but due to the peer pressure from the crowd, he made a decision that went against his heart. By showing the ambivalent feelings of the narrator, the Orwell successfully intertwined oppositions to the negative consequences of imperialism and peer pressure.
Question #2:
First and foremost, Orwell used first person to write this story, which made it believable. He also used the tactic of comparison. He unveiled the unflattering feelings of himself by showing the difference between the true him and the one he wanted to be seen. “He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it.” (Orwell, 224&225) The ambivalent self-identity of the narrator was demonstrated clearly by comparison. “The crowd grew very still, and a deep, low, happy sight, as of people who see the theatre curtain go up at last, breathed from innumerable throats.” (Orwell, 225) From here we can see that Orwell is also good at building the atmosphere to coordinate with the development of the character’s mood.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ten Easy Lessons to Be Popular
1. Develop self-esteem
Confidence is the cornerstone of popularity. Popular people tend to believe that they are outstanding in some ways. Self-esteem is necessary for a leader.
2. Be friendly to everyone
It’s really important to be friendly to others. Be friendly is the fastest and easiest way to make people like you. The process of becoming popular is sort of like running for the President – you cannot get popularity without population!
3. Sense of humor
Everyone loves to laugh. Popular people know how to make jokes to make people laugh. However, it is important to know that humor is an expression of wisdom, not clownery.
4. Teamwork
Do not be lofty or self-centered when you are working with others because teamwork is about help and support. These are very important in your process of becoming popular.
5. Seek opportunities to socialize
Those partygoers tend to be popular at school. Why? Because they are always seeking for opportunities to know people and being known by people. It’s essential to socialize with others when ever you can –hallways, parties, camps, etc.
6. Study hard
Just imagine your name is on the Top 10 List, Best Student of the Year, Principal Honor List, etc. Or there is a picture of you shaking hands with the Principal in the school’s website and you got a national student award for the achievement in science. It’s hard to not be recognized in this situation.
7. Be an activist
Be active in school’s activities. Join a sport team or the student government. You will get the chance to know more people. If you are luckily good at those activities, people will get to know you, too.
8. Looking good
This does not mean you need to look cute. Don’t wear those shabby clothes or geek outfit. You should be responsible for your appearance as a popular kid. However, your behaviors and characteristics are more important than your appearance – you will shine if you have a golden heart!
9. Step out of the crowd
The word “popular” has the word “pop” in it. That means you need to pop out from the crowd to be recognized by others. How could you do it? Try to find the uniqueness or talent of yourself and try to improve it. Remember it is never to late to learn a new skill to make yourself a better person.
10. Stand beside the crown
This may be a little bit wicked but it really works. If you are hanging out with a bunch of stunning girls in school and dating the cutest guy on earth, I guarantee you would be in the middle of the spotlight.
Confidence is the cornerstone of popularity. Popular people tend to believe that they are outstanding in some ways. Self-esteem is necessary for a leader.
2. Be friendly to everyone
It’s really important to be friendly to others. Be friendly is the fastest and easiest way to make people like you. The process of becoming popular is sort of like running for the President – you cannot get popularity without population!
3. Sense of humor
Everyone loves to laugh. Popular people know how to make jokes to make people laugh. However, it is important to know that humor is an expression of wisdom, not clownery.
4. Teamwork
Do not be lofty or self-centered when you are working with others because teamwork is about help and support. These are very important in your process of becoming popular.
5. Seek opportunities to socialize
Those partygoers tend to be popular at school. Why? Because they are always seeking for opportunities to know people and being known by people. It’s essential to socialize with others when ever you can –hallways, parties, camps, etc.
6. Study hard
Just imagine your name is on the Top 10 List, Best Student of the Year, Principal Honor List, etc. Or there is a picture of you shaking hands with the Principal in the school’s website and you got a national student award for the achievement in science. It’s hard to not be recognized in this situation.
7. Be an activist
Be active in school’s activities. Join a sport team or the student government. You will get the chance to know more people. If you are luckily good at those activities, people will get to know you, too.
8. Looking good
This does not mean you need to look cute. Don’t wear those shabby clothes or geek outfit. You should be responsible for your appearance as a popular kid. However, your behaviors and characteristics are more important than your appearance – you will shine if you have a golden heart!
9. Step out of the crowd
The word “popular” has the word “pop” in it. That means you need to pop out from the crowd to be recognized by others. How could you do it? Try to find the uniqueness or talent of yourself and try to improve it. Remember it is never to late to learn a new skill to make yourself a better person.
10. Stand beside the crown
This may be a little bit wicked but it really works. If you are hanging out with a bunch of stunning girls in school and dating the cutest guy on earth, I guarantee you would be in the middle of the spotlight.
Monday, October 6, 2008
For Lies
Should lying be acceptable in different situations? The answer is yes. No one on earth can say that he or she has never lied before. The truth is, everyone lies. However, some lies are spiteful and the others are well meaning. There are lies called white lies – lies with good motivations. These are the lies that will neither insult the civilization, nor ruin our humanity. White lies are powerful and even beautiful – we make small lies for happiness and hopes of others – those lies became a kind of understanding, esteem, and tolerant.
First and foremost, white lies came from good motivations. We make white lies for the benefits of others. For example, on your mother’s fiftieth birthday, she asks you if she looks older than the year before. What should you answer? “Of course you look older than last year – that is the logic – people get older every year, no exception of you!” or “Oh, mom. You look even younger than last year! Happy Birthday to my gorgeous forever-young mother.” Everyone who loves his or her mother would probably choose the second one over the first one. Why? Because truth is always hurtful; white lies are essential to make our lives more lovable. White lies are a way of thinking for others’ good. Isn’t it great to make the one you love and care happy by not telling the cruel facts of something small-beer?
Secondly, white lies can encourage and bring hope to people. When someone is suffering through serious illness, his or her family would never say something like, “you will die within a year” or “we have spent an enormous amount of money on you and we are really stressful.” As we know, in this kind of situation, we used to cheer the patient up and try to make them believe that then will get better soon. This is not lying, this is a way to encourage the dying lives - this is an extension of love! In the famous short story The Last Leaf, when the dying young girl looked out of the window and saw the last leaf on the vine shivering in the cold wind like herself, she lose her hope to live. But an artist next door drew a green leaf on that vine in a stormy night just because he did not want the girl to know that the leaf had fell. Although in some perspectives the artist lied to the girl, but that action brought hope to live to that little girl. The green leaf drawn by the artist is not only a symbol of hope and life; it is also a strong evidence of the power of white lies. Isn’t that the superlative of lies? We can see from here that white lies came from love, trust, and hope; white lies also build up love, trust, and hope. White lies can make people live with great fortitude and hope.
Last but not least, I am not here to advocate telling lies. It is important to know that lies are not always against honesty. In other words, lie and honesty are never paralleled. What is the definition of lie? From seditious commercials to lovers’ sweet talks, we can even see literature as a form of lie. So there should be a ruler in our mind to distinguish whether a lie is acceptable or not. Compared with those spiteful lies, white lies are more of a social strategy to make our relationships with others in harmony.
My dear people please wake up! White lies would never be an opposition of honesty. If you are thinking about others by heart, lies can be precious and meaningful. Make lies powerful! Let it encourage you to achieve your dream, let it strengthen your heart. If lying is for stopping oneself and the others from suffering, why not choosing it?
First and foremost, white lies came from good motivations. We make white lies for the benefits of others. For example, on your mother’s fiftieth birthday, she asks you if she looks older than the year before. What should you answer? “Of course you look older than last year – that is the logic – people get older every year, no exception of you!” or “Oh, mom. You look even younger than last year! Happy Birthday to my gorgeous forever-young mother.” Everyone who loves his or her mother would probably choose the second one over the first one. Why? Because truth is always hurtful; white lies are essential to make our lives more lovable. White lies are a way of thinking for others’ good. Isn’t it great to make the one you love and care happy by not telling the cruel facts of something small-beer?
Secondly, white lies can encourage and bring hope to people. When someone is suffering through serious illness, his or her family would never say something like, “you will die within a year” or “we have spent an enormous amount of money on you and we are really stressful.” As we know, in this kind of situation, we used to cheer the patient up and try to make them believe that then will get better soon. This is not lying, this is a way to encourage the dying lives - this is an extension of love! In the famous short story The Last Leaf, when the dying young girl looked out of the window and saw the last leaf on the vine shivering in the cold wind like herself, she lose her hope to live. But an artist next door drew a green leaf on that vine in a stormy night just because he did not want the girl to know that the leaf had fell. Although in some perspectives the artist lied to the girl, but that action brought hope to live to that little girl. The green leaf drawn by the artist is not only a symbol of hope and life; it is also a strong evidence of the power of white lies. Isn’t that the superlative of lies? We can see from here that white lies came from love, trust, and hope; white lies also build up love, trust, and hope. White lies can make people live with great fortitude and hope.
Last but not least, I am not here to advocate telling lies. It is important to know that lies are not always against honesty. In other words, lie and honesty are never paralleled. What is the definition of lie? From seditious commercials to lovers’ sweet talks, we can even see literature as a form of lie. So there should be a ruler in our mind to distinguish whether a lie is acceptable or not. Compared with those spiteful lies, white lies are more of a social strategy to make our relationships with others in harmony.
My dear people please wake up! White lies would never be an opposition of honesty. If you are thinking about others by heart, lies can be precious and meaningful. Make lies powerful! Let it encourage you to achieve your dream, let it strengthen your heart. If lying is for stopping oneself and the others from suffering, why not choosing it?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Rebuttal Against The Trouble With Self-Esteem
“Who are we, and what we will become?” This is one of the most pointless questions we always ask ourselves. We can never foretell our future because we can change the future by ourselves. So where does that common inner motivation come from? Yes, self-esteem has always been our engine that makes us look forward and move on.
However, someone apparently oppose this idea. In Lauren Slater’s essay The Trouble With Self-esteem, she argued that self-esteem is something we should get rid of it. “People with high self-esteem pose a greater threat to those around them than people with low self-esteem and feeling bad about yourself is not the cause of our country's biggest, most expensive social problems.” Slater said that self-esteem could lead us to violence or even kill. In her opinion, “standardized” people are more of a blind and mindless follower in the society. People are not made to be the same; it is important for people to inspire themselves to think they are special. What is self-esteem for? It is for finding the path people want to go and building up the confidence to make dreams come true. Yet sometimes it is not good to just focus on ourselves and lose our way, but if we got good control, this would not be a problem. Slater was just extremalizing the characteristics of confidence and inner-directed people.
We are born to be special – this is an axiom that does not need to be proofed. Maybe you cannot be a “great person”, but you can still be a “better person”. Human’s potential is waiting us to explore with our self-esteem. ''Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.'' Slater sneered at this, and I sneered at her. It is sad that she does not understand what life really is. Life is not about getting onto a tremendous hilltop; life is about getting higher and higher – better and better. And who is going to be our fellow along the way? You are right, self-esteem with be with us and will always be with us.
However, someone apparently oppose this idea. In Lauren Slater’s essay The Trouble With Self-esteem, she argued that self-esteem is something we should get rid of it. “People with high self-esteem pose a greater threat to those around them than people with low self-esteem and feeling bad about yourself is not the cause of our country's biggest, most expensive social problems.” Slater said that self-esteem could lead us to violence or even kill. In her opinion, “standardized” people are more of a blind and mindless follower in the society. People are not made to be the same; it is important for people to inspire themselves to think they are special. What is self-esteem for? It is for finding the path people want to go and building up the confidence to make dreams come true. Yet sometimes it is not good to just focus on ourselves and lose our way, but if we got good control, this would not be a problem. Slater was just extremalizing the characteristics of confidence and inner-directed people.
We are born to be special – this is an axiom that does not need to be proofed. Maybe you cannot be a “great person”, but you can still be a “better person”. Human’s potential is waiting us to explore with our self-esteem. ''Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.'' Slater sneered at this, and I sneered at her. It is sad that she does not understand what life really is. Life is not about getting onto a tremendous hilltop; life is about getting higher and higher – better and better. And who is going to be our fellow along the way? You are right, self-esteem with be with us and will always be with us.
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