Books

Books are almost always good storytellers, and can give you a view on a topic from a completely different point of view. I think it is very helpful to zoom in on the life and thoughts of one or two persons, and getting to know them, instead of just learning about the whole situation generally. You feel like you get to know the main character, and understand their opinions and experiences. It is so much easier to connect with one person, and you can feel empathy and sympathy for them. That is probably why reading books or watching films makes it easier to understand really is. You get to experience it through another person, instead of just reading the definition in a boring textbook.

Public Speaking

Public speaking is not one of my strong suits. In high school, I had to give countless presentations in front of my fellow classmates. It seems like every time I have to give a presentation, I get very nervous. However, once it is over, its one of the best feelings in the world. Knowing that you did your best and that your turn to present is over is amazing.  In high school I took voice class. That is when you sing in front of the class, and you have a voice recital twice a year in the preforming arts center. At the time, I hated that class. Now that I am in college, and looking back, taking voice class was extremely helpful. It gave me practice standing in front of a crowd and performing.

            When I gave my poetry presentation, I was nervous. I didn’t really know my classmates that well, and my poem was challenging. I spent countless hours conducting research and preparing my PowerPoint. Going last was not fun, however, it allowed me to observe previous presentations. I saw the pros and cons of each presenter and that aided me when it was finally my turn. Keeping in mind the criteria needed to achieve the highest grade possible, I presented my poem and my thoughts about it. Since my poem, “The Red Wheelbarrow”, was so short, I gave background information on the author followed by how the wheelbarrow has been used throughout history. I then read my poem out loud and gave an analysis about it.  

            Overall, I think that presenting in front of people gets easier each time you do it. The nerves get less and less and finally you are comfortable with people staring at you. I received a 98% on my presentation and I was very pleased with that grade. Presenting poetry, or anything, takes practice and planning.

Cultures and Travel

In my life I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit. I have been to Italy twice, France, Spain, Hawaii, Florida, and Arizona three times. When traveling, I love observing the different cultures I come in contact with. Mostly in Europe you seem a vast contrast between life over there, compared to life in the United States. The language is different, however, there are many other things that most people would find intriguing when traveling abroad. One of my favorite things to observe, and taste, is the food. Especially in Italy, the food is amazing. The ingredients are so fresh and the portions are smaller than the food you are served in the states. When the food is that fresh and vibrant with flavor, you don't need a huge portion. 

     Along with the food, the architecture is amazing. In Rome, the colosseum is an extraordinary work of art. It blew my mind that it was created in times when the technology was very primitive. The materials used stood the test of time, which allows it to stand tall to this very day. Language is fascinating to me. Each country has a language unique to its people. Italian is referred to as the romance language and I can see why. When you hear Italians talk, you can relate to why it is referred to as the romance language. 

     Each country is unique and the literature that comes from these countries has its own vibe as well. Italian poetry cannot be translated. The meanings and emotion cannot be understood when the literal translation is made. The literature was made for that time and country. When you read work by Shakespeare, much of the language and events don't make sense. That’s because it was written for its time period and the people of that country. 

   

Surprises

The best things in life can often come without us knowing. Being surprised, in my opinion, is one of the best feelings you can get. For some people it is a natural high. Just like some people can get that natural high from running or playing sports. The surprise is amazing when it happens, and looking back on them is just as exhilarating. Movies, literature, T.V. shows, and just life in general are full of surprises. 
     One of my favorite ways to be surprised is when watching film and television shows. When unexpected events happen that really catches me off guard, that excited me. Sometimes these twists are what keeps me interested in a show. I recently finished a show on Netflix called Californication. The show is about a writing living in Los Angles. Throughout the six seasons of the show, countless twists and turns occur. Events that you never thought would happen take place, and it allowed the show to remain interesting for the entire length of the show. Over winter break, I was able to see the newly released movie, Interstellar. Christopher Nolan, who also directed Inception, directed this film. In the film Interstellar, time travel plays a huge part in the events that take place. I found myself entranced by the idea of time travel and how it affected the characters. I was surprised countless times throughout this film and it had me glued to the screen for the full two hours. Movies and T.V. shows are a great source of surprised, however literature is another great way to become excited and surprised. 
     In literature, surprises happen quite frequently. Plot changes and character progression can be surprising at times, and can keep even the dullest of work intriguing. I enjoy reading literature for this very reason. You never know what is going to happen. The events sometimes have no transition and the changes in the work can happen almost instantly. The author of the work has full control of the events that transpire in his or her work. Some authors, more than others, are known for having more eventful stories. All authors, however, keep their reader enthralled in the piece in one way or another. My favorite works to read are ones that surprise me. Keeping me on my toes when reading each line, not knowing what is going to happen next, is very exciting.

   

Disappointment

Disappointment is not a fun thing to deal with. It can come at any time, often when you're least expecting it. If you have high standards, you are more likely to be disappointed. This is very true. I try to keep myself to a certain level of excitement, so if the plans don't happen, I am not too disappointed. However, sometimes you can't help but become overly excited and that’s when disappointment hits the hardest. 
     Literature sometimes has the tendency to disappoint. Endings to stories, poetry and other works of literature can be disappointing at times. You start to read a short story, for example, and you begin to imagine what the ending might be like. The events that occur in the story all point one way, but then you read the ending and it is the complete opposite. I get mad when this happens. I often find myself talking out loud and getting extremely annoyed by the ending. Each piece of literature I read, I try to anticipate the ending. It is a fun way of staying involved in the story and keeps me interested. 
     Movies can be disappointing as well. Not just the endings, but also the movie as a whole can sometimes disappoint me. Before going to see a movie for the first time, I tend to look at the reviews online and see what other people thought of it. Most of the time I don't agree with the reviews anyway, but I still like to know other opinions of the film. When watching films, like reading literature, I like to try to guess how the film will end. This does sometimes lead to disappointment, however, when my guess is correct, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Watching film is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. Disappointment comes with the territory sometimes, but what’s life without risk?
     I am no stranger to disappointment. The best way to overcome it is to think positively and move past it as quickly as possible. Life isn't that bad and when you look at the bigger picture, being disappointed every now and again isn't that big of a deal. 
     

Entertainment

I love to be entertained. One of my favorite things to do for entertainment is go see musicals. I have seen three shows on Broadway and they were fantastic. Goosebumps come over me from the first number to the closing scene. Musicals are no the only for of entertainment I enjoy however. Almost everything I do can suffice. Some for longer periods of time than others. Playing FIFA, listening to music, and surfing the web are just a few examples of ways I can be entertained. Believe it or not I am always looking for new ways to keep myself entertained. 
     As the days have progressed, I have found that reading poetry and short stories are a great way for me to stay entertained and keep the boredom at bay. The plot, events, and characters I read about are fascinating. I love to watch the progression of events in a short story. "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner is one of my favorite short stories to read. I had the opportunity to read this work in high school, however I did not enjoy it. I think I might have been to inept to ideas and underlying meanings in this short story to really grasp its meaning. The story progresses through the life of Emily, the main character. The mystery shrouded in the words on the page keeps me wanting more. Each line I can imagine the movements and events happening. Faulkner does a terrific job of using descriptive language in order for the reader to paint a mental image inside their head. I have always enjoyed reading mystery stories. The events that transpire have a bigger meaning than they first appear. Reading this genre of work can keep me entertained for hours and I have often found myself researching the story and trying to find a better understanding why the author wrote what they did. 
     More often than not, I entertain myself through writing. I can sit down and start typing. I write about anything. Usually just about my day and the events that have happened so far, or funny moments hanging out with my friends (yeah there’s a lot of those!) People that write have a better sense of the world around them. They can express their feelings and really get in touch with themselves, that’s my opinion at least. I would say I am easy to entertain. Playing basketball with paper balls and a trashcan is something I have resorted to in the past. Now that I am in college, being entertained has taken on a more mature role. I seek enjoyment from literature and there is no shortage of that.

Boredom

Boredom is inevitable. Everyday we face boredom and how to overcome it. For college students, like myself, boredom is hard thing to come by. Classes, studying, and homework keep me busy for hours at a time. When I do find some free time, it is usually filled with doing laundry, hanging out with friends or going to the dining hall. Sometimes the work I get assigned from class seems interesting at first, but quickly becomes boring and monotonous. Study is especially boring for me personally. I have often been heard saying I would rather write an essay than study. This is one of the reasons I chose English as my major. Of course there will be tests and quizzes to study for. However, the amount of essays I will have to write will hopefully out weigh the studying. 
     Writing to me is not boring. I enjoy writing because it allows me to write my thoughts down and it allows me to really express my feelings on a topic. Research papers are one of my favorite essays to write. When professors let you choose what topic to write about, I get excited. Conducting research about that topic is an interesting process, and sometimes I have to adjust my topic slightly. When the final paper is completed on my topic of choice, I feel a grand sense of accomplishment. A decent grade on the paper always help my confidence, but just knowing that I did my best and was passionate about my topic is gratifying enough. 
     As this week has progressed, and I have read more poetry than I every have before, I can see how the authors of the pieces I read had similar feelings while writing. They are passionate about poetry and it allows them to clear their mind. Much of the poetry is based on events that occurred in that author’s life. "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke is a great example of this. As the reader, we get the feeling that during Roethke's childhood he experienced similar events like the ones occurring in his poem. Although this poem can be interpreted many different ways, the passion and description of the events are solid through the whole piece. When I read this poem, I was able to paint a picture of the events taking place in his work. In order be a good writer, you need to find that passion. Find what you enjoy and what you want to write about. 
     Boredom is something I am very familiar with. When writing on my own, I find that the boredom I faced before is gone. Writing is my own form of meditation.