Saturday, March 13, 2010

Half Full


My freshman history class in high school was my first taste of college. My teacher was a great guy, but he lectured at us instead of speaking to us or with us. I can’t say he’d remember my name or that he even knew any of his student’s names for that matter, but I knew it was a high school course after receiving good grades for simply paying attention and completing required assignments. During one of his lectures, he gave very detailed stories that I can still recall to this day, I remember him describing early Rome. He told us that none of the women were educated, but were rather stuck with child and household duties, while men were all educated by their fathers. My teacher asked the class why this was a good concept. No one said anything, and it appeared as if no one had an answer. However, I did, but I wasn’t sure if it was right. My twisted optimistic self thought, “well half the population is educated!” That had to be a good thing; it’s better than none, right? My teacher looked around for an answer or a hand and asked the question again. Still, no one said anything, until I quietly murmured my response. My teacher quickly looked at me and said, “exactly!” All relief poured through me instantly as I realized my optimism pulled through.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Word vs. Rhyme


When you listen to music, do you find yourself listening to the beat and rhythm of a song, or do you listen to the words and messages sung? Have you ever sat and listened to the actual words being said in a song? It may surprise you what the actual meanings are or the blatant words that you may even sing yourself that you would never actually say to anyone. Somehow though, here you are spitting rhymes that your mother may be very ashamed of. Is it really important how a song is sung or what is sung in the song? I personally enjoy well-developed rhythms and rhymes, and am usually not phased by some of the meaning behind them. However, I find that songs with positive meaning or meaning I can better relate to are more powerful to me and aren’t just songs that are catchy that I can’t get out of my head.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Perception

Time is a funny thing. You may feel like you are using your time wisely, but realize later that what you were doing was a complete waste of your time. Making choices to occupy your time and deciding on your priorities is a part of life. On one day, you may consider a certain thing to be your top priority, when the next, you may realize how insignificant it was or how unpractical you were being. As the clock keeps ticking, I will never know if what I’m doing will be worth my while. I won't know if it will help me or stick with me later on. All I can do is continually learn from every unique or not-so-unique experience I decide to take part in and strive to enjoy every second of it.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Feel the Pain


I remember a few years ago running by my high school with the guys from my mid-distance team when an old man came running from the opposite way. We both gave each other an understood nod that said, “yes we’re both running,” and we had that in common. This was a usual gesture that people use in passing particularly when you don't know the person. It was when he spoke to me though that he broke the barrier of normality. Out of breath, he shortly said, “doesn’t pain feel good?” I probably smiled and politely said yes and continued on my run only to laugh about it once he turned the corner. Now that I recall that memory though, I can’t say I do enjoy pain. I enjoy the challenge. Pain is a part of the challenge that I must overcome to achieve a result or a destined goal.