My mom came to visit me this weekend. She got here Saturday afternoon and left Suday afternoon. It was nice to see her. I'm really glad I get along with my mom so well. We can joke about anything and get along really well. I was happy she got to meet all my friends. They all liked her a lot.
I think I'm pretty lucky to have the relationship I do with my mom. I feel like I can tell her most things. She can treat me both like a daughter and like a friend. She has taken pretty good care of me growing up and I try to be thankful for that everyday.
It's funny to think that I used to be so embarrassed of my mom. Now I'm not at all. Sometimes she will say funny things that could be embarrassing, but I've learned to laugh them off like she does. Some of my friends are still ashamed of their parents and embarrassed to be around them. I'm not at all. I love my mom so much. I know she isn't perfect , but she tries her hardest. I mean, she insisted me on walking me down the block to the bus stop (literally 13 houses away) and waiting there until I got on the bus safely, which was a little embarrassing. When I was 14 ad training for my learner's permit she still waited for me at the bus stop both morning and afternoon! But I understand that it was just because she cares so much about me and she likes spending time with me. I can't blame her for that.
When I have a daughter, I hope she loves me as much as I love my mom. Granted, it has been a process... I can to learn to understand and appreciate why she did certain things. We rarely argue about things now. Of course we'll get on each others nerves, but we don't hold things against each other like we used to. Both my mom and I have grown over the last 5 years or so and become more comfortable in our own skins. I'm very thankful I have someone that I can relate to and talk about things in life that she has probably already been through. My mom and I have added new levels to our relationship. For instance, we can look at the lighter side of things and share a good laugh or make fun of each other as well as discuss deeper issues and ask each other for help.
I really appreciate having my mom in my life and she means a lot to me.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
September 23rd, 2010
I still don't get why people don't like Animal Dreams. It makes me mad. The novel was so beautifully written it nearly brings me to tears when someone says it's a stupid book.
I had to read the book in tenth grade and I thought it was one of the coolest books I've ever read. In tenth grade we focused a lot on the archetypes within the novel. There were so many comparisons of people to animals. Kingsolver often used characters to describe the actions and behaviors of characters. The use of archetypes made the novel very rich and gave it a deeper meaning. I love that the book includes the animals because it is a very different element than what I have read in other books.
Kingsolver also mentions bones throughout the book. The way I interpret the use of bones within the novel is that it is a way to connect us all to one other. By the end of our lives, bones are the only remains of us that stick around, and that is true for humans and animals. The bones in the novel are a constant reminder of our place in the world and that we are all similar.
What I found most interesting in the book was the theme of instincts. Throughout the novel Codi constantly feels that she doesn't have a place to belong. Everyone else around her has a calling or a natural place in the world and Codi would give anything to experience that feeling. The story includes the use of animals and their natural behaviors and instinctual abilities that Codi longs for. The message that everyone has a place where they belong is a very powerful statement. Codi is devastated and lost without her sister, who often acts as a leader for Codi. Hallie is the closest thing Codi knows and feels at home with her. Hallie has always been driven, something that makes Codi extremely jealous. Throughout the novel, Codi is forced to find her calling in life and figure out what she is meant to do. Codi notices throughout the novel that many of the animals she sees around her are moving as if they had a predetermined path mapped out for them.
I feel strongly that this book can connected to many freshmen students here at Wartburg because of the theme of vocation. We are all young students trying to figure out what we are to do with our lives and are often under immense pressure. I think we can all learn from the book if we actually take the time to read it and not judge it.
So all the kids in our class are really lame for not liking it.
I had to read the book in tenth grade and I thought it was one of the coolest books I've ever read. In tenth grade we focused a lot on the archetypes within the novel. There were so many comparisons of people to animals. Kingsolver often used characters to describe the actions and behaviors of characters. The use of archetypes made the novel very rich and gave it a deeper meaning. I love that the book includes the animals because it is a very different element than what I have read in other books.
Kingsolver also mentions bones throughout the book. The way I interpret the use of bones within the novel is that it is a way to connect us all to one other. By the end of our lives, bones are the only remains of us that stick around, and that is true for humans and animals. The bones in the novel are a constant reminder of our place in the world and that we are all similar.
What I found most interesting in the book was the theme of instincts. Throughout the novel Codi constantly feels that she doesn't have a place to belong. Everyone else around her has a calling or a natural place in the world and Codi would give anything to experience that feeling. The story includes the use of animals and their natural behaviors and instinctual abilities that Codi longs for. The message that everyone has a place where they belong is a very powerful statement. Codi is devastated and lost without her sister, who often acts as a leader for Codi. Hallie is the closest thing Codi knows and feels at home with her. Hallie has always been driven, something that makes Codi extremely jealous. Throughout the novel, Codi is forced to find her calling in life and figure out what she is meant to do. Codi notices throughout the novel that many of the animals she sees around her are moving as if they had a predetermined path mapped out for them.
I feel strongly that this book can connected to many freshmen students here at Wartburg because of the theme of vocation. We are all young students trying to figure out what we are to do with our lives and are often under immense pressure. I think we can all learn from the book if we actually take the time to read it and not judge it.
So all the kids in our class are really lame for not liking it.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
September 19th, 2010
Lately I've been really nervous about the workload I'll have in college. I'm really not used to doing a whole lot of homework. I kind of regret slacking off as much as I did in high school. I know I am a smart person, but I didn't apply myself as much as I could. I've gotten in the habit of putting things off or not pushing myself. Unfortunately, I've gotten comfortable with only doing things halfway. I'll put some effort in, just to get the work done, but I rarely pushed myself unless it was something I was genuinely excited about and interested in. I've been working on this paper and it's been kind of difficult for me to write because the chaos theory is fairly complex and I'm struggling to explain it correctly in my paper. I'm trying to tell myself to keep working hard on it and push myself to get it done to the best of my ability. I'm getting worried about college! It's been so fun these first few weeks but my classes for winter term seem like more difficult classes and I don't want to get in the habit of putting things off here. I want to make sure I'm getting things done and working hard on them. When we were first assigned the research paper is IS 101 I didn't think twice about it because I loved research papers in high school and I like to think of myself as a strong writer. Then I picked the chaos theory because I was very curious about the background of it and what it meant. The quote from the movie that intrigued me was from Doctor Malcolm: "Anything that can happen, will happen."
Now as I'm sitting at my desk attempting to write my chaos theory paper, I'm regretting my choice because the reality of the chaos theory is far more mathematical and harder to explain than that.
I didn't expect it to be easy at Wartburg. Part of the reason I picked the school was because I knew it would be challenging and help me grow as both a person and student. However, my prior knowledge of the academic difficulty isn't making the transition any easier.
Now as I'm sitting at my desk attempting to write my chaos theory paper, I'm regretting my choice because the reality of the chaos theory is far more mathematical and harder to explain than that.
I didn't expect it to be easy at Wartburg. Part of the reason I picked the school was because I knew it would be challenging and help me grow as both a person and student. However, my prior knowledge of the academic difficulty isn't making the transition any easier.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
September 18th, 2010
While watching Jurassic Park in class I was reminded of my childhood. My brother and I loved the movie while we were kids. In fact, we watched it several times a week and had matching Jurassic Park t shirts. (Yeah, I'd be jealous if I were you too). While I watched in class I was able to understand things a lot more.
I tried to watch the movie with a scientific lens. My level of understanding and intelligence has grown slightly since I was 5 years old which allowed to make more sense of the movie. For example, the idea of cloning and genetic engineering in the movie meant little to me as an adorable red-headed child. It is interesting to me that Crichton blends fiction with science so easily. I've read many of Crichton's books before and have looked into the research and writing process that Crichton went through as an author and found that Crichton cared a lot of the science in his novels. Crichton committed himself to making his books based on scientific information, which I think is a really interesting way of writing a fiction novel. Crichton could have stretched the science even more in many of his books but chose not to stray extremely far from realistic possibilities.
Jurassic Park is a really awesome movie. I wouldn't be opposed to watching it a second time just for a re-cap of things.
I tried to watch the movie with a scientific lens. My level of understanding and intelligence has grown slightly since I was 5 years old which allowed to make more sense of the movie. For example, the idea of cloning and genetic engineering in the movie meant little to me as an adorable red-headed child. It is interesting to me that Crichton blends fiction with science so easily. I've read many of Crichton's books before and have looked into the research and writing process that Crichton went through as an author and found that Crichton cared a lot of the science in his novels. Crichton committed himself to making his books based on scientific information, which I think is a really interesting way of writing a fiction novel. Crichton could have stretched the science even more in many of his books but chose not to stray extremely far from realistic possibilities.
Jurassic Park is a really awesome movie. I wouldn't be opposed to watching it a second time just for a re-cap of things.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September 12th, 2010
I started playing hockey back in Minnesota when I was three years old. I have a pond behind my house and I spent much of my childhood skating with my dad and brother. My brother is four years older than older than me and I'd always looked up to him and his ability to play. Then, around the time when I was five, I saw someone at my brother’s hockey practices and games that I didn’t think I’d see -- a girl.
Brandi was the best female hockey player I’d ever seen growing up. She scored more goals and skated faster than any of the boys on her team, or any team for that matter. She guided her team not only with her physical ability, but with her natural leadership as well. Brandi joined the girl’s varsity hockey team in just seventh grade, a first in our city. Her strength in the sport inspired me to always try my hardest and to prove to myself that I was capable of whatever I put my mind to. Since I played on team that Brandi’s little sister played on, she would often come to our practices to help out and give advice. During these years I got to know Brandi a little better and worked hard to impress her. Brandi had been my idol growing up and playing with her was like playing with a celebrity.
Brandi worked at the rink throughout high school as well. She would always greet me with a smile and ask me how hockey was going for me and what was new in my life. When Brandi graduated as an All American Athlete in both hockey and lacrosse, the hockey association was sad to see her go. She moved on to play hockey at a division one school and everyone was very proud and excited for her, even if it meant we wouldn’t be seeing as much of her. To my surprise, Brandi came home during many breaks and helped out at my teams practices. She was the same Brandi I’d always known. She was cheerful and genuinely excited to see us and help us grow. My respect for Brandi only grew more.
Six days before I moved to Wartburg, Brandi committed suicide.
By the time of her funeral, the shock still hadn’t subsided. I could not believe that such a talented, amazing, and inspiring person had taken her own life. I wish Brandi could have seen just how many people she had touched in her lifetime. There were so many people attending her funeral that we had to park several blocks away from the packed parking lot. There were more flowers than I’d ever seen before in my life. The bouquets literally did not all fit inside the funeral home and had to be displayed outside as well.
I cannot possibly find words to sum up just the kind of person Brandi was. I haven’t run into anyone else like her in my life. It was such an honor to know her, even if our time together really was too short.
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