TED Talk Review: Tony Robbins

I found Tony Robbins to be very annoying actually. A lot of his advice were actually just cliches and his anecdotes were just giving himself some praise. Sure some of his stuff was somewhat inspiration, perhaps, but I wasn't moved at all by what he was saying. I'd rather listen to a person that was humble than this guy.

TED Talk Review: David Blane

First thought; this dude is absolutely crazy. I didn't think that it was possible for someone to actually be able to hold their breath that long, it was insane. But as I was watching it I learned, however crazy it is, it actually is possible to do. I was amazed by his determination and willingness to do the seemingly impossible. A quote that stuck out to me was when he said something about, "I was just waiting to black out because I knew the doctors were there to revive me." I couldn't believe it, but I actually found it rather inspiring. It just shows what we can do if we push ourselves to the limit and dedicate ourselves to a cause.

Glass Menagerie Questions

Laura and Jim look at the glass unicorn.

1. What is Laura's disability?
2. How does Jim know each of the Wingfields?
3. What happened to the father?
4. Name a symbol used in the play.
5. Where does Tom work?
6. Why is Tom resentful for his mother?
7. What does Laura do instead of going to class?
8. Who does Tom see when he leaves the house after the fight?
9. What was Jim's nicknames for Laura and Tom?
10. What character break a class figurine in the play?

Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

I would like to accept the Nobel Peace Prize not only on my own behalf, but on the behalf of every person that has done a kindness, loved another, or helped the world. It is in these actions that I believe we are truly capable of anything.

I realized that helping people was the only way I could feel complete when I was a teenager growing up in Chicago. Volunteering was the most rewarding way I could spend my time, whether it was at a home for special needs adults, a hospital, or the library, I always felt that I was getting more than I was giving. And I think that the thing about the world I like the most.

There’s a quote that goes, “You cannot bring sunshine into the lives of others without getting some on yourself.” Imagine if every human  lived by that principle. Imagine if every human being valued life as if it were their own. Imagine if every human experienced the pain of another.

I think we would see our world become a better place.

And people do care about each other, but it can be hard to worry about danger when you have walls that protect you. It’s difficult to imagine dying of thirst when you can effortlessly turn on the faucet. And hunger is far from our minds when you go to bed full from dinner every night.

But more people are faced with these problems, then people who are not. We need to remember that there are human beings suffering and dying right now.

That thought may make you uncomfortable.

It makes me very uncomfortable.

When this thought wouldn’t leave me I began thinking, ‘What can I do about it?’

A small voice told me, ‘nothing, you’re young and basically insignificant in this giant world of people’.

But I held on to a louder cry, deep inside of me that said, ‘it only takes one person to help another.’

It only takes one to feed a starving person. It only take one to help the sick. It only takes one to save a life.

And so I began on what seemed like an impossible mission; solve the world hunger crisis. My idea was that if we can provide people with basic necessities like food, it will give them a chance to rise out of the poverty and situations they were in while also improving health and overall quality of life.

Although we are far from seeing the end of global hunger, we are closer. Every dollar we donate, every box we ship, every minute we volunteer; we are closer. Every starving child, on the brink of death, that we are able to save, we are closer. And I know, that one day, ‘closer’ will become a thing of the past and we will all say, ‘we are here, we have reached the end of this.’

As I’ve said earlier, this would not have been possible without every person’s assistance, but I’d also like to thank the influences in my own life.

My mother, for being a constant reminder that I can achieve anything and for all of the years of nurturing and love she has given me.

My father, who supported me through anything.

All of my friends and family, who decided to stick with the girl who thought she was crazy enough to change the world.

I also need to thank the people who helped shape who I am today, my teachers. I have been so fortunate to have wonderful teachers throughout my life. From my teachers I have learned the value of education, how to use what you learn, and most importantly lessons in life and empathy.

So, lastly, before I leave I hope to leave you with a message of empathy.

We are all humans, we all love, we all hurt, we all hope. And it is our responsibility to help those that are in need, even if we are the only ones. It only takes one to save another. 

You are that one.

Top 10 American Poems of the 20th Century

1. 'My candle burns at both ends' - Edna St. Vincent Millay

My candle burns at both ends;

it will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh my friends-

It gives such a lovely light.

2. Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening- Robert Frost

3. Humanity I Love You- e.e cummings

4. The Road Not Taken- Robert Frost

5. Phenomenal Woman- Maya Angelou

6. What If's - Shel Silverstein

7. Dream Differed- Langston Hughes

8. I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You- Pablo Neruda

9.  Raisin in the Sun- Langston Hughes

10. Fire and Ice- Robert Frost

Great Gatsby Questions

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1V7XUEkNrqJrOP

22 questions all about the Great Gatsby.

Winter Dreams by F. Scott Fitzgerald

It's the classic love story; Boy wants Girl, Girl doesn't want Boy. We meet Dexter Green in his youth, a caddie who encounters a beautiful, rich little girl, the infamous Judy Jones. Instantly, I despised Judy. My instant hate of the character was only rivaled by Dexter's instant love for her. But in that moment, Dexter's life was changed by the Judy.

How I hate Judy, let me count the ways. Her character seems to made from qualities I despise; she's manipulative, abusive, and vain. But she's pretty. Yay for her. I felt like throughout the story I was actually rooting against Dexter because I didn't want him to end up with her.

But I think after a time Dexter stopped loving the actual Judy. In this pursuit for Judy, a quest he started the first time he met her, he longed for the image that Judy became. She was 'love' and 'success'. By obtaining Judy, Dexter would have reached that perfect idea of love that he craved. So instead of loving a real person, it became this idea or symbol.

The ending gives me mixed feelings. We find out that Judy's life is a mess. No surprise to you, I'm completely delighted that things are going miserably for her. Dexter's in a pretty good spot in life when he finds out what happened to Judy. After learning that she faded and is nothing more than just some woman, below average, nothing special.

I feel bad for Dexter in this part, because his one dream, his perfect image of Judy is gone. Something he once thought of as timeless, a beauty that could never be dulled, has crumbled into a million pieces. As Dexter cries he says, what is in my opinion, the best line.

"Long ago," he said, "long ago, there was something in me, but now that thing is gone. Now that thing is gone, that thing is gone. I cannot cry. I cannot care. That thing will come back no more."