Final Reflection

1. From all the writings that I have done in this class, from poetry to memories, to music, to movies, to famous writers I thought that it was a good class to be in. One of my more favorite classes so far in my years at Kickapoo. I enjoyed how relaxed the class was and how we could express our thoughts through writing.

2. One piece that I've read this quarter would be articles on a couple famous people and/or writers including Maya Angelou and E.E Cummings. I thought both were very deep and put forth a ton of meaning to what they had to say. E.E Cummings with his poetry and Maya Angelou with her quotes upon quotes. I really respected Maya by the amount of advice and knowledge she put into what she had to say. I also thought it was interesting that she was Operas inspiration. I would be honored to know that I impacted a very famous person in a positive way.

3. Setting up a blog was something that I have not done and it was really easy. I think the idea of blogging is really cool because it's a way for everyday people to get their stories and writings out to the world without having to go through the trouble of publishing a book. It's a great way to really display what you are thinking and what is going on in your head to others and it's always good to relate to other people. The name of my blog "Sparks Notes" came from my last name, Sparks, and the website Spark notes that helps people learn the details to a book or novel with not actually reading the book. So being a blogging account I mixed the two due the fact both Spark notes and Sparks Notes have to do with literature. I don't see many people reading my posts, just frequent bloggers and people that enjoy writing. I don't plan on blogging after this class but if I ever decided to pursue a career with writing involvement I would look back into using it.

4. There is nothing really personal in my journal. Most of my journal consists of in class writings and activities that we did together. It includes memories, poetry, music, movies, and just general writing I did throughout the class. I seldom wrote in it outside of the class. If I was to have anyone read my journal in the future I would like for my kids to read it.

5. I thought it was a little strange or erie that the Gemini horoscope matched me well considering the events that have went on today. For instance I asked multiple people how they were doing today and tried to start a more personal conversation. Another example is of when someone said something jokingly yet I took it more seriously. With that being said, I would say I'm more serious and sensitive today. Just like the Gemini description.

6. 7th Grade. Middle School. A time for fun, stressless life. Wrong. I will always remember that time and year my football teamate Tanner passed away.

The year started off great. New experiences with middle school, no stress, happiness, and just enjoying life. I really enjoyed the moments with my classmates, for we all got along and knew each other well. I also enjoyed the game of football. 7th grade was the first taste my teamates and I got from competitive football. As for what my thoughts were, there was nothing else like it. The intensity, bonding, and fun moments made it special. It was definitely something to remember. Just like Tanner, a person to remember.

Tanner was a very outgoing kid that was always looking for ways to make others smile and he generally did because he was really easy to get along with. He was always nice and was good at the things he did. I knew Tanner early in middle school because we had band as well as football together. We got along and were friends but I remember we would pick on each other and it would go a little farther than it should. Friday was one of those days. I recall Tanner getting picked on by other classmates and I too joined in too, more in a jokingly manner, but I did. Tanner took it more seriously than I planned and it turned out to be the last time I would ever talk to him.

As the routinely relaxing and fun weekend died down, we returned to school Monday. That Monday morning the entire school got informed by teachers regarding Tanners unexpected death. Just one day after picking on Tanner, he passed away. My classmates and I were told that Tanner casually went to take a nap on the couch on Saturday and during that time, he had an angerism in his sleep. He never woke up. After hearing about the tragedy, the school was in shock and left to think of the loss. I couldn't believe it and I couldn't believe I was rude the last time I socialized with him. It made me regret all the words I said and basically made me feel like a horrible person. The football team then set out to play our next game in honor of him so that Tuesday, we did just that. We shutout the competition and got Tanner that one last win. Immiately after the game the whole team and most of the school attended his funeral. It was a very sad and vivid memory that I'll always keep in my head.

As daily life continued, we keep Tanner in our thoughts and minds. It was sad to see him go but he taught us a lesson. To be thankful for everyone in your life for any day could be the last day you ever see them again. I've appreciated the close ones in my life ever since.

7. I honestly do not plan on doing much creative writing if any in the future. Although I may not be doing creative writing pieces, I will say that a release of stress is gained and earned from writing creatively. By no means is it a bad thing to do. I like how creative writing all comes from your mind and what is inside of you whereas papers from school are more knowledge and researched based, which is no fun.

8. I don't have much to say but I think is a very talented class when it comes to writing creatively. If anyone from the class choose to pursue a writing career I think they would do great.

9. I will miss this class but I look forward to taking film is lit next quarter!

Movies

My favorite, or one of my most favorite, movie would have the be The Dark Knight. I really enjoyed seeing this movie because of the great suspense and thrilling moments all throughout the movie. It started at the beginning of the movie and didn't let up all throughout the movie. I also enjoyed the personalities of the characters, especially the joker, he was great. Just an overall good movie I could watch many times and many people would probably agree.

The movies I do not really care for are click flicks, mainly because I am a guy, but they are just boring. I don't see much point to educational movies either.

I honestly hardly watch movies. However, when I do watch movies, I will generally wait till the movies that look good come on at the palace. Watching movies is normally something I'll do when that is all my friends are wanting to do. Not that I don't like movies, because I do, but it is just not the most important thing on my mind.

I really only need two things for when I watch a movie, an armrest and most importantly, a blueberry ICEE. I always have to have a slushy when I go to a movie theater.

YOUR PERSONALITY

Take a look at how you scored on the Big Five personality dimensions below.
Your scores, compared with the responses of other people, suggest that you may be described as follows:

YOU ARE 67% EXTRAVERTED. You are moderate in activity and enthusiasm. You enjoy the company of others but you also value your privacy.

YOU ARE 42% AGREEABLE. You are hard-headed, sceptical, proud and competitive. You tend to express your anger directly.

YOU ARE 92% CONSCIENTIOUS. You are conscientious and well organised. You have high standards and always strive to achieve goals.

YOU ARE 67% EMOTIONALLY STABLE. You are generally calm and able to deal with stress, but you sometimes experience feelings of guilt, anger and sadness.

YOU ARE 50% OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES. You are down-to-earth, practical, traditional, and pretty much set in your ways.

The survey above does an excellent job of describing me and who I am. The conscientious column has the highest percentile of all the other catergories with 92 percent. The sentence following the conscientious column is a great example of who I am.

If my life was a movie it would most certainly be a top comedy with many awards ;)

Window Poem

I see trees afar
Along with some cars

To the left, a grassy field
A field where the young play

Today I noticed a different car
I sometimes wonder
What lies outside

I see a tall hill of mystery
For afar, I see the my past
I see their future

Ice Storm 06-07

As the power went out in my family's home, I had no idea the length of this problem would last. In a quiet morning after, it was chilly beyond belief yet very pretty outside seeing all the ice covering items and trees. Stepping outside, it was silent with occasional cracking of trees echoing through a long distance. Happy about not having school, things began to get a little interesting in the storm. We had an entire tree fall directly in front of our door do where we could barely open our door, as well as a tree branch breaking through our ceiling. Luckily we had a generator to provide electricity and help us survive on electric blankets and my game boy for a week. It was definitely a memory I won't forget.

Berlin Wall

As I strolled up, I could feel the emotions inside of me imploding and ready to burst like a bottle. Pulling out my tools to break the barrier, I knew this would be one of, if not the greatest moments in my life. I wasn't doing this for me alone. I was doing this for my family, for other families, for my country, for everyone. Living this lifestyle, I was ready for change, ready to break free and live. I was ready to tear this wall down and enter the future I desire.