Book:
The "greatest lesson" the I have learned from Morrie is to definitively live your life. Not just sleepwalk through it and not be motivated about what you are doing; not caring for what you do and how it turns out. We should live our life with passion and do the things we love, pay attention to our surroundings and learn from our mistakes, not just regret them. It is important to reflect on our actions and improve if we need to, with all our strength. To think, 'If I were to die today, would I be happy with the person I've become? Would I not mind leaving the impression I have given to others behind? Or would I be ashamed and die with regret?'. With those thoughts in mind, it has inspired me to try and become a better person, to try my best in everything, to get involved in many community or environmental projects even if they take up all of my energy and make me frustrated and stressed. I want to live my life to the fullest, leave a good impression on the world and be remembered for who I was and what I was able to give for this planet. I want to help others, not just myself, and not go through life with not having a purpose or having not contributed anything to the world when my life is over.
Group:
What motivates me is knowing that I will at the end, help out others. Knowing that in the end I will gain knowledge that will help me for the future. When an activity involves something that I love or have prior knowledge about, then my motivation also increases. However, my motivation goes down when there are either people not playing the game fairly. It takes away the point of hard work and the fun of the game. When others don't do their part and put all the work on one person, it also takes away from my motivation as it, again, has to do with fairness.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Day 8: 18-03-13
Book:
On page 128, Morrie says that "giving to other people is what makes us feel alive." I definitively agree with what he is trying to convey. First of all, it is very important to give to other, to help others. It gives us a feeling of accomplishment giving us a purpose for the day. It makes us feel as though we
helped improve the life of another and even made a difference in the world. The slightest gestures can make anyones or things day. There are a variety of ways you can help someone: by assisting them with their homework, picking up fallen objects, even listening to others, letting them borrow an object, or even just being by their side. These gestures allow us to be active throughout our lives thus making us "feel alive."
Group:
Today we were able to get a big chunk of the pitch done. We do need to cut back on the words and created slides that only consist of a single picture. The denouncing ad had progressed and new ideas were surfacing. All of our slides were drafted and one member even created a short trailer for the promoting Roosevelt pitch. It gave us an outlook on how our commercial could be. For next class, we plan on finalizing our pitch.
On page 128, Morrie says that "giving to other people is what makes us feel alive." I definitively agree with what he is trying to convey. First of all, it is very important to give to other, to help others. It gives us a feeling of accomplishment giving us a purpose for the day. It makes us feel as though we
helped improve the life of another and even made a difference in the world. The slightest gestures can make anyones or things day. There are a variety of ways you can help someone: by assisting them with their homework, picking up fallen objects, even listening to others, letting them borrow an object, or even just being by their side. These gestures allow us to be active throughout our lives thus making us "feel alive."
Group:
Today we were able to get a big chunk of the pitch done. We do need to cut back on the words and created slides that only consist of a single picture. The denouncing ad had progressed and new ideas were surfacing. All of our slides were drafted and one member even created a short trailer for the promoting Roosevelt pitch. It gave us an outlook on how our commercial could be. For next class, we plan on finalizing our pitch.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Day 7: 14-03-13
Book:
In the book around page 118, it talks about finding a meaning in life. I have still not found what I want to do or what I should be doing. It is still early but time is approaching quickly. Choosing whether I will pursue something that matters of gains me money is already decided. I will sadly, probably, go for money. I have reasons though. I want to be able to support a future family. allow my children, if I have any, to get a good education. I want to donate a lot to charity for both people and the environments. But society doesn't give that unless you do certain jobs that most people do not initially dream of doing. Many art students or writers, poets, or even musicians have it hard in the world. Those jobs that involve a passion that is a hobby won't allow us to gain enough money for our goals in the future. Society should definitively change that but for the time being I need to go with it.
Group:
What we have been struggling the most with in our group is definitively the denouncing-Roosevelt ad. We came up with the idea which littering but making the pitch and all the elements within has proven to be a challenge. The only thing we can do is be more communicative between each other. The other pitch about values is coming along but we need to cut short on words and add more images.
In the book around page 118, it talks about finding a meaning in life. I have still not found what I want to do or what I should be doing. It is still early but time is approaching quickly. Choosing whether I will pursue something that matters of gains me money is already decided. I will sadly, probably, go for money. I have reasons though. I want to be able to support a future family. allow my children, if I have any, to get a good education. I want to donate a lot to charity for both people and the environments. But society doesn't give that unless you do certain jobs that most people do not initially dream of doing. Many art students or writers, poets, or even musicians have it hard in the world. Those jobs that involve a passion that is a hobby won't allow us to gain enough money for our goals in the future. Society should definitively change that but for the time being I need to go with it.
Group:
What we have been struggling the most with in our group is definitively the denouncing-Roosevelt ad. We came up with the idea which littering but making the pitch and all the elements within has proven to be a challenge. The only thing we can do is be more communicative between each other. The other pitch about values is coming along but we need to cut short on words and add more images.
Day 6: 11-03-13
Book:
During today's class, everyone had a discussion about death. Many had different opinions on whether they would be ok with dying now or whether they would still have regrets when doing so. I myself would only regret not being able to say a proper goodbye to my family and friends. Accomplishments are the least of my troubles. Knowing that I won't ever see my family again just leaves me with a terrible gut feeling. We had also discussed if we would be happy die with who we are rather than what we regret and what we think comes after death. I believe, I would not be satisfied with dying now if I am who I am right now. I have so many things I still want to change about myself such as my confidence and how I act towards life. After death, I believe that there is either heaven or hell, since I'm catholic, or even and in between which is earth and those who have unfinished business are doomed to stay until it is resolved or they are put at rest. However, I have a lingering gut feeling that after death, It'll just be a boring-black-pitched room where I'll sit for all eternity, alone. It's quiet a scary feeling not knowing whats after death but its more important to think about living now.
Group:
Our group improved on discussions but they were more one-sentenced. We had difficulty choosing what we will denounce of Roosevelt but advanced greatly in what we value. We came up with the type of combinations of pictures and videos we might use. Every class I feel that our group is working better with each other.
During today's class, everyone had a discussion about death. Many had different opinions on whether they would be ok with dying now or whether they would still have regrets when doing so. I myself would only regret not being able to say a proper goodbye to my family and friends. Accomplishments are the least of my troubles. Knowing that I won't ever see my family again just leaves me with a terrible gut feeling. We had also discussed if we would be happy die with who we are rather than what we regret and what we think comes after death. I believe, I would not be satisfied with dying now if I am who I am right now. I have so many things I still want to change about myself such as my confidence and how I act towards life. After death, I believe that there is either heaven or hell, since I'm catholic, or even and in between which is earth and those who have unfinished business are doomed to stay until it is resolved or they are put at rest. However, I have a lingering gut feeling that after death, It'll just be a boring-black-pitched room where I'll sit for all eternity, alone. It's quiet a scary feeling not knowing whats after death but its more important to think about living now.
Group:
Our group improved on discussions but they were more one-sentenced. We had difficulty choosing what we will denounce of Roosevelt but advanced greatly in what we value. We came up with the type of combinations of pictures and videos we might use. Every class I feel that our group is working better with each other.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Day 5: 7-03-13
Book: "Once you know how to die, you learn how to live" (82). Morrie tells Mitch this sentence when he goes for his fourth Tuesday to talk about death. Once something is gone, you start to realize the value it has. For example, we take our phones for granted or the amount of trees that are left on this planet; but once they're gone, we realize how much we depend on calling others when in need or how much we depend on the source of oxygen the trees give. The same goes for living, once we realize we are going to die, we start to reflect on what's really important in our lives and how we have taken it for granted in not doing the things we wanted or had to do. It also makes us look back into wondering if we accomplished what we had wanted to in life. I myself have many moments in which I'm not living my life to the fullest. There are many things I could do with my time but never go around to doing it as I tend to be lazy. Such things as being more with my family or family. Of course its is partly because of my personality but also knowing I will have other days in the future to do it; I never think that my life will end until I am way older.
Group: We have really been improving on our group work. A fairly good discussion about trust was talked among us and Ignacio came up with a good phrase "trust can be gained in years but broken in seconds." We also advanced quiet a lot on the pitch and expect to do the same in the next class. I feel as though we have opened up more to each other. By the next class, I will try to get our group to work on storyboards and on a full-fledged discussion.
Group: We have really been improving on our group work. A fairly good discussion about trust was talked among us and Ignacio came up with a good phrase "trust can be gained in years but broken in seconds." We also advanced quiet a lot on the pitch and expect to do the same in the next class. I feel as though we have opened up more to each other. By the next class, I will try to get our group to work on storyboards and on a full-fledged discussion.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Day 4: 6-03-13
Book: On the first Tuesday, Morrie talks about how death had made him much more empathetic and how it can then make "strangers shed a tear for another" (pg. 51). I agree, it does make you empathize with other more. Even though I have been beside a dying relative or close one, I can imagine the pain that must come with it. There are a few far relatives on my moms side who are having issues with cancer. They would get ill from one day to another, it happened so fast and so unexpectedly. There is a saying that my grandma had once told me "once you have cancer, it will always come back," which is true with many cases, Life is so easily taken away and we don't realize it until it is done. Having a fight with a mother and then the next day being gone must be terrible; the bare thought already shaken's me. I've had many friends who've already lost many relatives and the what they feel will never be perceived properly until you've gone through the same thing. People―many of my friends―who go through such harsh moments in life and are able to grow from the experience really have my admiration. I hope, when the time comes―which I don't want to happen any time soon―that I will also be able to grow stronger from the experience.
Group: By the end of the class, one team member and I had a fairly flowing discussion about our pitch for the advertisement. Today we didn't have a good discussion about the book and its value though but we have decided, with the help of Mr. Topf, to bring several questions and topics we want to talk about. I hope by tomorrow that we will be able to finally have a proper discussion.
Group: By the end of the class, one team member and I had a fairly flowing discussion about our pitch for the advertisement. Today we didn't have a good discussion about the book and its value though but we have decided, with the help of Mr. Topf, to bring several questions and topics we want to talk about. I hope by tomorrow that we will be able to finally have a proper discussion.
Reflection Day 3: 4-03-13
Book: The next few chapters have shown more in depth the relationship between Morrie and Mitch. Such a teacher and student relationship is hard to come by. I think it is wonderful and that both parties should try to achieve this more.Sure there are many cases where they interact and converse but where they became good friends is not very common. There have been teachers that I could talk with but never on this level.
Morrie had told Mitch how most people are 'sleepwalking' through their lives. So many, including me, don't take the time to actually think about what we are doing and trying to achieve. What we view as our goal is not the right one as we show no devotion towards it. Only the money, or in our case grades, is the most important in life as we perceive it to be the road to happiness. Mr. Topf had mentioned in class how we don't use computers as the powerful tool it is to quench our curiosity. We are taking many things for granted and not taking enough time to learn and reflect. He had also mentioned hot our society has been killing our curiosity, which is true in the sense how we are forced into a specific path to follow and cannot stray from it.
Group: Again, I attempted to do a real discussion but failed to do so. I don't know why, but I can't naturally discuss with my group as I can with my friends. I'd really like to but I find it to be hard. We did manage to discuss a bit about 'if students should be able to have a friendly relationship with teachers' where we all wrote down an answer. We did, however do this through Google docs and didn't even talk about it. For the next class, we definitively need to start having real discussions.
Morrie had told Mitch how most people are 'sleepwalking' through their lives. So many, including me, don't take the time to actually think about what we are doing and trying to achieve. What we view as our goal is not the right one as we show no devotion towards it. Only the money, or in our case grades, is the most important in life as we perceive it to be the road to happiness. Mr. Topf had mentioned in class how we don't use computers as the powerful tool it is to quench our curiosity. We are taking many things for granted and not taking enough time to learn and reflect. He had also mentioned hot our society has been killing our curiosity, which is true in the sense how we are forced into a specific path to follow and cannot stray from it.
Group: Again, I attempted to do a real discussion but failed to do so. I don't know why, but I can't naturally discuss with my group as I can with my friends. I'd really like to but I find it to be hard. We did manage to discuss a bit about 'if students should be able to have a friendly relationship with teachers' where we all wrote down an answer. We did, however do this through Google docs and didn't even talk about it. For the next class, we definitively need to start having real discussions.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Reflection Day 2: 29-02-13
Book: Morries attitude is inspiring. I have never read a non-fictional book with such a person being part of it. I'm speechless at his actions, his thoughts. More people should definitively take more of his values, including me. Even though I have previously seen my faults, I am starting to deeply reflect on them and think of ways to change, thanks to Morrie. Mitch on the other hand, I can empathize with him. How he had a passion―and with Morries lessons perused it― and failed to live off it, causing him to turn to a job that he doesn't feel passionate about but receives what he needs. He believes he can control his happiness with money. I have a similar issue, at a younger age, where I won't my passion due to the society we live in. My passion won't give me what I need to survive. It's quiet sad really. I feel like I'm going on a journey to discover myself better with Mitch who is doing the same. I also hope to see Mitch change throughout the book so I can do so as well.
Group work: I feel as though we have improved a little. I have certainly opened up more in contributing ideas. Though we did more summarizing than discussing. We need to ask each other more questions about the scenes in the book that relate to our personal life so that we analyze more but a bridge of trust still needs to be formed. We also need to be more active on the Facebook page and on the Google docs discussion.
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