the great gatsby: ch. 1-2

Passage 1 – “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t’ had the advantages that you’ve had.”

When I first started reading this novel, this line from the very first page stuck out to me. It is a line that is so true even in 2010, not just 1920. In all societies around the world, in the past and present, people have a tendency to judge one another. However, what we all fail to remember is that there is always more to the picture than you can see. There is always a reason behind how someone looks, whether it be good or bad. We as human beings, are still learning to try to stop judging before meeting and actually knowing someone.

Passage 2 – “Can’t stand them.’ She looked at Myrtle and then at Tom. ‘What I say is, why go on living with them if they can’t stand them? If I was them I’d get a divorce and get married to each other right away.”

This passage that I picked shows a major difference between present and past. Today, divorce is almost as common as buying a pair of jeans in the United States. However, in the past like 1920, it was so uncommon and frowned down upon because it was not the right way to go. Although divorce is very common in the United States and Europe, I feel like divorce in other places like Asia, is still less common and not as accepted in society. So in a sense, the way of thinking from the 1920s still exist in some countries in the world, even if it is not shown in the United States.

new years resolution.

My new years resolution is to be motivated enough to not cram before big events. I have had a tendency to always procrastinate somewhat, even if I have the mindset to start something early. The moment I receive some sort of project to do whether it be schoolwork or a personal project, I am always very excited to start it - and usually I will start it that day. But then as the days go by and the project due date is still looming far away, I start losing my motivation and inspiration to continue on. However, in 2010, I would like to start things early and actually continue them so I will not procrastinate and have a mental breakdown the week that the project is due. I should be able to accomplish this by mapping out my process and make sure I work on my project even if it is far away. I could also reward myself materialistic things every time I reach a checkpoint in my projects. With this resolution, hopefully my stress level will go down and I will be a more relaxed person.

on writing well.

"Our national tendency is to inflate and thereby sound important. The airline pilot who announces that he is presently anticipating experiencing considerable precipitation wouldn't think of saying it may rain. The sentence is too simple - there must be something wrong with it." - On Writing Well

I believe that the above quote is a true statement - America is plagued by trying to sound smart. From bank documents, to the fine print on credit card promotions, there are always more words than necessary. Why can't someone just say that if you don't pay the creditors on time, your debt will increase? Or that instead of weather reporters saying we will be having some form of solid precipitation of water falling tomorrow, we can't say there is a chance of hail?

I think this happens because everyone wants to sound educated or else no one will take you seriously. By using simple sentences and words, a listener might assume one did not take education seriously and only half-heartedly listen instead. On the other hand, using big words is a nuisance, especially if one throws it in just for the sake of throwing a big word in. As long as America will be in competition with other nations and each other, the tendency for a person to inflate a sentence will always continue. A person who seems the smartest always seems to get the better end of the deal. And today, everyone wants that better end of the deal.

nature.

A zen moment I had with nature occurred recently this summer when I took a trip to China in July. During the second week I was there, my family and I went mountain hiking. It was literally walking uphill for about 3 miles. At first, I complained about being forced to take this treacherous hike in 95º weather - but I found out it was worth it when I reached the top. After taking what felt about a million steps upward on a small path, we reached the top. There was a viewing platform and once I stepped onto it and looked out, I immediately felt at peace. All I saw for miles to come was the tops of other mountains and green lush trees all around me. The only sound I could hear was birds chirping and I could actually smell the fresh air with no hint of pollution whatsoever. I felt so at ease and all the stress including my tired muscles felt refreshed. I would definitely do the entire 3 mile course all over again to feel that sense of peace that can't be felt anywhere but surrounded by nature.

five important things.

• In some states, women couldn't vote, make a will, or file a lawsuit. A woman's property belonged to her husband 100% as well.
• Very few utopian communities prospered; however, one still exists today. Amana located in Iowa sold woolen goods like blankets. Their villages attract tourists and is a 700-member Amana Church Society today.
• By 1850, most people in the US agreed free public elementary/secondary schools should be provided for all students. Higher education should be available for students who can pay.
• Transcendentalism means knowledge or understanding a person gains intuitively, although it lies beyond direct physical experience.
• The Transcendentalists revered nature. (I connected this to why we had to put a picture of nature up.) Although they were very influential, their view of life was too rosy to many writers.

top ten things that bring me joy.

1. music.

2. photography.

3. friends & family.

4. dreaming.

5. concerts.

6. long car rides.

7. fall.

8. fun facts of the day.

9. surprises.

10. the beach.