Response To Tuesdays with Maurie

     The book Tuesdays With Maurie was one of the best books that I have ever read. Not only does it give the reader a positive way to go about life, but it implies morals to them as well. Unfortunately in our society good morals are rare. Most people are selfish, conceited, and only willing to help themselves. This is only because of the fact that humans are naturally selfish. However, Maurie shows that not everyone has to be like that. He shows love and compassion to everyone in his life; his students, children, late wife, and even strangers walking down the street.
      I personally like this book because I feel like I'm very similar to Maurie. When it comes to my friends and family, I go out of my way to try and make people smile and show them that I care about them. This makes me feel good about myself, knowing that I can make someones day just a little bit better.

Tuesdays with Morrie: Discussion Activity

        Through my life, my mentor would have to be my grandpa. He's given me many of my morals and values. One of the ones that sticks out to me the most and I use on a day to day basis is, "You can never have too many friends." By this he means that you should try to be friendly with everyone in your life and try your best to make everyone around you happy.
         The reason that this quote is most important to  me if because it has changed the way that I treat people completely. I try as hard as I can to be nice to people as long as they're nice to me in return. Throughout my life, this quote will forever stick in my head. I plan to keep in touch with all of my close friends that I've met in my life. Whether it be from school, or from work, as long as they want to be my friend, I will always be loyal.

The Whale Rider Responce

       After watching the Whale Rider, one can have a new appriciation for culture and family. Paikea perseveres through her grandfathers disagreements and disappointments to become the one who saves her people. There is much to say about the many symbols throughout the film. One very important one being "the rope." The rope symbolizes the ties of the ancestors, each thread being one of them. It is implied that when the motor breaks down that the ties between the ancestors are broken, and Koro can't fix it. However, Pai seems to fix it with ease, this was forshadowing that she would be a great leader. Overall, the film shows the importance of change for a cause that will benefit the many.

The Horse Dealer's Daughter

       The Horse Dealers Daughter is a story in which an emotionally disturbed girl is faced with love. Mabel lost her mother at a young age and now was the only woman in the house with her brothers, who are far from saints, and her father who she loved deeply. However, he died and left the family in great debt. This caused Mabel to fear love. When Mabel was upset she would go to her mothers grave for her comfort. One day she was extreemly depressed and decided to try and end her life to be with her mother. She went to the pond outside of town and submerged herself. Luckily for her Dr. Fergusson witnessed it and went in to save her. He pulled her out of the water and saved her life. This event symbolizes a baptism, because when she came out of the water, she fell in love with the Doctor which was very unlike her. However, it was very short term due to the fact that she became insecure and afraid to love yet again.

Why is it, or why isn't it, appropriate to share one's opinion with others?

      It is extreemly important to share your opinion with others. Whether it's your friends, family, or colleagues. This is a way that others can get to know you, and where you stand on on certain issues. Putting in your opinion can change your situation from complete compliance, to having certain aspects to go the way you would like them to. However, it's necessary to keep in mind what type of audience you are giving it to.
      An opinion is also a way that people may judge you. This is why you need to be careful how dramatic you're opinion is. It's very unfortunate that there are so many people that have the mind set that,"They don't care what people think." For example, if you were to say to your mother that you don't agree with the nineteenth ammendment, you will without a doubt affend her, and possibly could result in you getting a nice beating. The point there being that you need to be careful about who you may affend when stating your opinion on certain issues. On top of that many people may not even want to hear what your opinion is at all, but if you're the type of person who needs to get it out there, just make it brief; people will give you more respect.