Final Reflection

1) One writing piece I really enjoyed and always look back on was our very first one, our "I am" poems. It was nice to think about, reflect, and remember some of the great things in the past. Too often we get caught up in daily life and forget about the great, simple things in life. Writing about this made me think about memories I often don't. Looking back on this writing will be nice because it will remind me of those times and make me think in the way I did when I wrote it. Another piece I loved was my writing about my old baby blanket. While I don't remember most of my childhood when I was that young, I do remember little bits. I used the blanket until I was at least 8, so I do remember those times a bit more. It was a big thing in my life because I had to have it next to my face to sleep at night, and even after it becoming basically a ball of tattered knots, I still used it. It is fun to think about these times and this piece really brought back those memories.
2) One piece I read was the "Dan in Real Life" post by Samantha. I have liked reading some of her work throughout the semester and share a lot of the same thoughts and opinions as her. I like her description of a perfect day and I think my girlfriend would say about the same thing to that question!   Another one I read by her was the "Caged Bird" piece originally by Maya Angelou. It is relatable and I think her description is very interesting. I love the ending how she references flying away like a bird leaving its cage and now it will be all up to her.
3) I think having a blog was nice because it was separate and different from our journal. I liked our journal because we could put whatever we wanted to without other classmates really seeing it. While that was nice, it was also fun to write pieces that could be viewed and commented on by classmates. Having these things that you can put your thoughts on is good because sometimes writing can put together thoughts that would just be jumbling around in your head stressing you out.
4) Journaling was fun because there was a variety of things throughout it. I have pieces about topics like food, my life, and even pieces about just different shades of colors. I would let close friends maybe read this, and definitely my girlfriend if she wanted to. There are a lot of random thoughts throughout and it's sometimes nice to keep those to yourself in a journal. I may continue to journal in small notebooks I have, I would write about random thoughts I have and how life is going because it is nice to look back on those things in the future.
5) I sing of freedom. Making your own choices is a great feeling. Truly getting to do what you want, when you want. I think moving out is the biggest step of freedom because you start experiencing all of the things in life that make it hard to be fully responsible for yourself. I love the freedom of having a car and being able to go where I want, and do what I want during the day. It is exciting, and of course a little sad, to think I will be moving out within the next couple years or so.
I liked Maya Angelou's piece about freedom because it is relatable to anyone. Anyone can think of these types of things that make you feel either free or caged up like a bird.
6) I am..
A son, a brother, and the oldest of three
Springfield Missouri with all of its beautiful features, and its few boring ones
A little boy running through my great-grandparents house, more than excited to go out in the backyard and help granddaddy with yard work
Jumping over my back fence to Garrett’s house since kindergarten until I was 12 or so, but times change and we grow out of certain friendships
A guitar player and someone who loves music, it can make a bright day even better and help cure a day where you just aren’t feeling it
My first dogs, playing with them and my family all the time, and my two new dogs
Chic-Fil-A, Sushi, and Japanese food, which I of course had last night
A good student, who doesn’t like school just as much as most people
A sushi chef and dishwasher at Tasia since the summer I turned 16
Into the Wild, my favorite and most inspiring book I have read
My new black G35 that I am lucky enough to have as a teenager
Not a little kid anymore, I am 18, and am enjoying almost every part of it
Sad sometimes, thinking about the old times spent with all of my family that I enjoyed so much, and the fact that now, I mostly look forward to time with my girlfriend and friends.. But this is part of growing up I guess, we only have 24 hours every day..
In love with my sweet, beautiful girl that is an amazing support system and has already helped me get through so much and makes me happy every day
I am, in the future..
A happy man with a job that I enjoy
In good contact with my family and still get to see my sister dance, probably professionally, and my brother play soccer
In a nice, cozy, nostalgic house with my gorgeous princess
In a city where we both love living
In love
7) I would do creative writing and drawing in some type of notebook in the future. I think writing creatively lets your brain flow and relieves stress. I like being able to talk about whatever you want because you reflect on your life and for me, I usually realize how great it is and to remember to enjoy each day. I have began to like writing more over the last 2 years. While I don't necessarily love it or want to do it everyday, I do enjoy it more when I do write.
8+9) I have liked being in this class and think it has been a relaxing class to have 1st block, I think many people feel the same way and appreciate that. I wish everyone good luck through life and while we may not remember these moments in detail like we do now, it will still be great to look back on and remember bits and pieces that made up this time. I hope everyone can enjoy and learn from high school like I have. I am excited, but a little sad, to move on from high school now. It really did fly by and each year seems to go by quicker and quicker.