O Captain! My Captain!

Robin Williams was one of the greatest comic geniuses of his time. He was always thinking on his feet and coming up with joke after joke, making people laugh so hard they would cry. The skilled way he effortlessly shifted from character to character in his stand-up was without comparison. He also brought some of the Hollywood's most beloved characters to life.
I first started to love the work of the late Robin Williams at the age of seven when I watched Mrs. Doubtfire with my friends at their cabin. It soon became a tradition and we would watch it every summer and laugh just as hard as the first time at Williams' hilarious portrayal of a father so desperate to spend time with his kids that he dresses up as an old woman and becomes their nanny. From that time on I began to watch more and more of his movies, truly appreciating the many diverse roles he played. Williams astounded audiences when he showed that his talent was not confined to comedy. He also successfully played many dramatic and serious roles such as those in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poet's Society. 
Robin Williams will always be remembered as one of Hollywood's most beloved actors and comedians. For forty years, he ruled the comedy world, and now his liveliness and brilliance will long be memorialized in his many films. In the words of Billy Crystal, Williams was more than just an amazing actor, "he was supportive, protective, and loving." Robin Williams was a compassionate man who truly wanted to make people smile with his work, and he will not be soon forgotten.

Spring Break

My spring break this year was great. Since the time to apply to colleges is fast approaching, my mom and I decided to go and look at four colleges in Texas. This was a great plan because I got to see my best friend, Makenna Brandt, who I have known since I was a baby, and my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. The first day, my mom and I flew into Houston and met up with Makenna and her mom. It was pouring rain, but we weren't about to let that stop us! We walked around Rice village (we were going to tour Rice University the next day) and looked in all of the cute little stores. The next day we toured Rice and I fell in love with the campus and the life the students who go there seem to have. It was great to have that as my first college experience. After the tour, we drove back to Makenna's home in Austin and our friend Eric came over to say hi. Unfortunately, the next day we had to part ways because my mom and I were going on to see Baylor. I didn't like Baylor quite as much as Rice, but I was still impressed. The school had a very homey, small-town feel that was very different from Rice. After the tour, we drove to Dallas to see some of our family. Once we got to our grandparents house everyone came over to say hi and we had a big dinner. I was so glad that I got to see everyone because I usually only get to see them once a year. The next day, my mom and I drive down to see TCU. It just so happened that Jeannie was touring TCU that same day so we met up and had lunch! TCU had a very different feel from the other two colleges. It seemed much more fast-paced and busy. On our last day in Texas, my mom and I toured SMU. SMU was my favorite of the four schools because it seemed to combine the best qualities of each one. The campus was gorgeous, the students were given tons of opportunities to research and take internships, and the students seemed extremely happy. Best of all, it is only a short drive away from my aunt, uncle, and little cousin! Unfortunatley we had to fly home that night because I was scheduled to take the SAT in Saturday. Great way to finish off break, right? Overall, it was a great spring break and I can't wait to apply to those schools!
In this last quarter, I am looking forward to finishing up junior year (it has been the hardest by far) and going on summer break! Although this year has been fun and exciting, I can't wait to move on to being a senior.

Real Riches- Definition Essay

            In today’s society, almost everything seems to revolve around acquiring and spending money. Wealth has become a status symbol that indicates success, intellect, and happiness. However, money is not the only thing that makes a man rich. A man can be rich in many different ways: in family, in friends, and in love. To many people, these riches are of far greater importance and are far more rewarding than money could ever be.

            The most common connotation of the word rich has to do with money. In this context, riches and wealth can be used interchangeably.  The lives of many people, especially in wealthy areas, are consumed by money. These people are always searching and working for more. Most are never satisfied with having a merely mediocre life. Monetary wealth is often spent on material belongings like cars, clothes, and houses. Although these objects provide some happiness, they are often not enough to create a truly happy life. As the cliché goes, “Money cannot buy happiness.” These descriptions can be very stereotypical though, as there are many wealthy people who do not spend all of their riches on material objects.  Many donate money or invest in a good cause rather than splurge on expensive possessions. Money can also provide important opportunities such as the ability to attend college without having to incur debt from student loans. Poverty-stricken people often place an extreme amount of importance on money as well. Since riches are necessary to put a roof over people’s heads and food on their plates, the earning of money can take on the most important role in a families’ life. The lack of riches and wealth often causes stress and fear that there will never be enough to sufficiently provide for and take care of the family. Despite all of the possessions and necessities that money and riches can buy, money cannot make people completely happy. Something more is needed to supplement this wealth and make it worthwhile.

            The etymology of the word rich fits best when rich is defined as having money or power. The word rich originally comes from the Old English word “rice” meaning “strong, powerful, great, mighty, and of high rank” (Harper). The word’s modern spelling and form is influenced by the Old French word “riche,” meaning “wealthy, magnificent, and sumptuous” (Harper).  This change in the word’s spelling and form indicates the important relationship between money and power through the ages. As in modern times, money has been important in establishing power since the beginning of civilization. The more wealth a person has, the more influence he or she is able to hold over the community. This social dynamic can be good or bad, depending upon who holds the riches and the power.

            Money and fortune are not the only forms of richness. In fact, they are not even the most important forms of richness. Although money can put expensive shoes on people’s feet and keys to a fancy car in people’s hands, it cannot put happiness or love in their hearts. The real riches of life come from close relationships and memorable experiences that have a lasting impact. These riches are not material objects. They are the memories and traits that shape a person’s character and outlook on life. According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, “relationships with other people have a much larger effect on the quality of life than money does” (Thompson). Relationships with others often produce many of the most important riches: love, comfort, and respect. The riches obtained through relationships with family and friends are also supplemented by experiences that can influence a person’s character or approach to life. A project to help others and put others first can be immensely rewarding because of the feelings of joy and satisfaction that come with being able to help others and change their quality of life.

            Service to the community is a very special experience that can greatly enrich one’s life. I experience this enrichment each time I volunteer for an organization called Feed My Starving Children. After spending time with my family and a community of other volunteers packing food for starving children in foreign countries, I feel a rush of happiness and thankfulness for what I have and what I am able to do. Being able to help people and make a difference in the world produces a lasting feeling of joy that cannot be taken away. I became richer in joy and love because of my service. The happiness and the change of character that accompany my service are lasting riches that are worth more than money because of the positive impact on my life and the lives of those around me.

            Many people, even famous singers and actors, have begun to take part in humanitarian projects to help impact the world and improve people’s lives. Even though they have fame and fortune, the actors and singers still search for a more lasting form of richness through service to the community and the relationships built in the process. For example, in his music video for the song “Headphones,” Matt Nathanson travels to Peru to join with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to raise money and awareness for the foundation and all of the amazing work they do to bring hearing aids to people who are too poor to afford them (Nathanson). While in Peru, Nathanson works with a special team that fits deaf children and adults with free hearing aids so that they can hear once again.  Nathanson experiences true joy when he sees the impact and change he makes in the lives of people who are able to hear again after losing that vital sense. The experience that Nathanson has and the love he witnesses are examples of the richness of love, overflowing joy, and thankfulness. In addition to Nathanson gaining richness in his life, the poor who receive hearing aids are also able to live fuller, richer lives because of their improved hearing and positive experiences with the Starkey foundation. Even in a place of extreme poverty, richness can still be found in the love and joy of restoring hearing to the deaf.

            Unfortunately, many people do not understand the true meaning of the word rich. Most people see richness as having to do with money rather than virtue. Riches are not just money and wealth. They are not the material possessions people own. Riches are the joys that come from love, charity, selflessness, and family. These virtuous riches are what are truly important. Truly rich people know that money is not a priority, love is.

            The different connotations of the word “rich” are quite similar even though they highlight the importance of different aspects of people’s lives. The common form of riches is money and the abstract form is positive relationships and a character filled with love, selflessness, and joy. It is extremely important to realize that riches of character and relationships vastly outweigh monetary riches. If people neglect to focus more of their energy on family, friends, and self rather than on money, they miss the truly meaningful experiences in life like laughing with a best friend or spending quality time with a parent or sibling. Being truly rich is not a matter of money. It is a matter of relationships and character.  Although a man can find riches in many different ways throughout life, the greatest riches of all come from love and compassion, not from money.

Works Cited

Harper, Douglas. "Rich." Online Etymology Dictionary. Sponsored Words, n.d. Web. 02 Feb.             

              2015.

Matt Nathanson- Headphones (Official Video) Ft. LOLO. Dir. Brendan Walter and Mel Soria.      

             Perf. Matt Nathanson. Youtube, 2014.

Thompson, Scott. "Why Is Family More Important Than Money?" Global Post. Demand Media,           

              n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2015.

Oh The Places You'll Go

Dr. Seuss is the author of countless classics. One of his most memorable works is Oh The Places You'll Go. The title of this famous story is going to take on a new meaning for my blog. In his story, Dr. Suess fantastically details the many places children can travel and the many exeriences they can have in their lives. However, to me, these expereinces can come from doing as little as reading.

Reading and writing are, in a way, another chance to explore the world. Although people are not physically in the setting of the book, while they are reading it almost seems like they have been transported to another world for them to explore. Books and writing allow people to experience new countries and cultures that they would never have the chance to experince in real life. The amount of places to explore in literature are endless. 

Since this is a blog about reading and writing, I saw it fitting that the name expresses the opportunities reading provides. Reading and writing allow us to have new experiences, and I hope this blog can be the source of some new ones. The title of this blog, "Oh The Places You'll Go," references the fact that writing can take a reader anywhere, and the more a reader reads, the more places he or she will go.