Best of Today: The Novel's Structure

          Not that 8th period classes are boring, it's just that it's the last period of the day; my skin starts to crawl anxious to go home, or things begin to look blurry and I begin to nod off. Walking into 8th period, it seemed like the same routine, just like any other day, but today was different. Today we learned about Marianne Wiggins' way of structuring her book, Shadow Catcher, which acted like caffeine. I was wide awake, on the edge of my chair, anxious to learn more about her structure.
       
         Dwelling on how Wiggins set up her book, my brain went wild. Ideas and questions began rushing into my head the more in depth we looked into her work. Attempting to answer the question of why the book was in three parts, rather than just revolving around "Edward and Clara," my mind went blank. I began questioning why there is a character version of Wiggins AND the author version of Wiggins. Blankly thinking as I was sitting in my chair, I was stumped.

       Just like Wiggins said they would, realizations came rushing into my head out of the blue. What Wiggins was trying to portray was deeper than just explaining the story of "Edward and Clara." She wanted to do more than just tell a story; she wanted to show what she thought about "Edward and Clara" and explain her perspective. Constructing a three-part braided story is such an original idea to me. Without a single part of the three-part braided story, the story just would not be complete. Completely changing the book just by constructing the setup differently blew my mind.

           I began to think how I did not notice this at all when Tim O'brien's The Things They Carried, as Mr. Allen mentioned he did. Then I smiled to myself because I think I've matured mentally and now capable of understanding this process. One thought kept leading to another as I continued to ponder this idea. I was awestruck at how creative and smart Wiggins approached this book and I knew that this was the best of today.

        Although I wish I could make a connection, I can't. This idea is so brand new to me, I did not know how to relate to the situation and I was disappointed. However, I looked past that and began to think how I could use this for my own in the future. I could see myself using this to benefit my writing skills or simply thinking out of the box more. Creativity has always been a struggle for me, but Wiggins inspired me to do more than just the typical student would do. Looking deeper into ideas is what I want to be able to do not only in my future writing, but also in my day to day thinking process.

   

Connection: The Kids of Calcutta and Costa Rica

        Three years ago I went to a mission trip to Costa Rica with my church. Our very first task was to paint this run down church in the middle of a run down neighborhood. When I got off the bus, I was appalled at what I saw in such little time. Kids were no where to be seen and it was in the middle of the afternoon. The roads were just lines of dirt, the houses had no electricity, and the playground in the center of the neighborhood could not even be called a playground due to its lack of quality. Questioning how any kid could have a good time in this neighborhood, my heart sank.

        As we painted the church for hours, two little kids from the neighborhood began to prance towards the church. Shy at first, the kids grew more comfortable with us and they began to help us paint; not because we asked them to, but because they wanted to!

        In the process of painting the house more and more kids began to show up and joined in. Then, this one kid slapped my butt leaving paint all over me and laughed hysterically. That's when it all started. A relationship began to form between my church kids and the local kids. We began to chase the kids all around the church. All of the kids began to grab our hands and taking us around the neighborhood. They taught us all of the hiding spots for hide and seek and which fruit you can eat from the trees. As a church we made them bracelets and sang and danced with them. What started off as a tedious job, transformed to an experience I will never forget.

        As we were watching the film Born into Brothels, all I could think about were the kids from Costa Rica. I realized how the two different group of kids were so similar. Although they may not have everything that the kids in US has, they have MORE fun than we do. The kids that are born into families with practically nothing, but they know how to appreciate and cherish what they have. For example, the kids in Calcutta had a blast taking pictures; the kids in Costa Rica had a blast painting. What may not be so awesome to the kids in the US, is something so exhilarating for the kids in Calcutta and Costa Rica.

        Both groups are also so mature for their age. From what I observed in the film and at Costa Rica, when they go through tough times, due to their hard life, it is almost as if they are able to fight through all of the hardships that are thrown at them. They are able to move past the difficulties and look forward to the good things they have in life.

        The relationship between these groups of kids really blows my mind. Their stories really motivate me to live like those kids. Living life with an appreciative attitude will get me so much farther than how I am living my life right now. Being able to always put a smile on when things get tough is something I want to mold into my personality. Rather than complaining, but appreciating everything is how I want to live my life. The kids that live like the kids in Calcutta and Costa Rica are my role models. I can only hope to grow up as mature as these kids when they were only at a mere age of 5-10 years old by the time I'm a 100.

         


       

Captured Thought: Major in Music, Not Medical

          Ever since my brother went into the medical field, my family kept pressuring me to pursue the same dream as my brother. My family wants me to grow up wealthy so I can provide my children with a good life that my family couldn't provide to my brother and me.

          I thought it was a good idea. Academically, science was always my favorite subject since it is so interesting to me. Since it was my favorite and best subject I figured that the medical field was the most suited for me. 

          Becoming a pharmacist was my goal ever since I was in elementary school until this year when I realized I love music and playing music. Playing the acoustic guitar was a hobby I picked up in 7th grade. My brother would always teach me a new chord to practice everyday and I loved it. I never figured I would want to do it for a living until I got a lot better. 

           When the idea of majoring in music came to me, the medical field meant nothing to me. Although I would earn a lot of money in the medical field, I wouldn't enjoy it as much as playing the guitar for a living. The idea hit me. It doesn't matter if I make less money as long as I love doing it. The saying of "money can't buy you happiness" became so real to me. Doing what I love as a living is the happiest I can become in life. The joys of having all the money in the world wouldn't come close to the joys music brings to me. ♪

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