Live or Die

People say life is short. I agree with them. I try to make my life as interesting and exciting as possible because I know that life is limited. When I become older, I want to reflect on how happy and thrilling my life has been. Life should not be wasted. No matter how long I live, there will always be something I wish I could have done or had. Everyday seems too short. I often wish I could go back in time and revisit certain events. I wish time could be extended. Sometimes at night I stay up late because I don't have enough time to finish my homework. When I go on vacations I wish that my trips could be longer. I want to live my life as long as I possibly can.

I would prefer having a long healthy life over a short famous one. If I only lived to my early twenties, I would be missing so many years of life. In those missing years, I could have raised a family or visited places all around the world. Think of all the exciting possibilities or events that I would never experience if I only lived to my early twenties. Fame is not important to me. Even though becoming an idol of the world and making history sounds nice, I think that my life would be way too stressed. Everyone would be watching me and there would be no time for rest. I would be on T.V. everyday. I do not like this because I like to have some privacy. If I became insanely famous, I would be on YouTube. I do not enjoy having so much attention. For me, a short famous life would cause too many problems. I would much rather prefer the plain and simple life.

Remember when....assignment #5

Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite comic book series. I remember when I was about eight I got my first Calvin and Hobbes comic book. I enjoyed reading the comics so much that I started collecting them. Now I have five or six Calvin and Hobbes books. The funniest comics I can remember are the many times Calvin gets into fights with his babysitter. Calvin purposely harasses the babysitter which leads to their numerous arguments. I enjoyed how Calvin would always argue with his babysitter to stay up later or watch more TV. Some other scenes that I found amusing were the scenes when Calvin would fight with his classmate Susie. Whenever Calvin is at school, he is always trying to find a way to get Susie in trouble. Calvin hates Susie because she is smart and he is not. I liked Calvin's mean tricks and lazy behavior. When I was younger, I hated reading. Calvin and Hobbes was an excuse that I used on my parents to tell them that I was productively reading.

For many people, including most westerners, two opposites are never thought of as being together. Good does not come with evil. In our western mentality, we have a tendency to separate ideas. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of old people is death, not being born to eternal life. We seldom take the time to look at things from a different perspective. Old people are not always about to die. Why not associate them with happy people who are continuing to look for eternal life, instead of jumping to the gloomy thought of permanent death?

The main thought behind this philosophy is that opposites can be contained in each other. Sins aren’t always full of hate, but can bear forgiveness. A baby doesn’t have to be thought of as young, but can be looked upon as containing an old person. The yin yang symbol embraces this idea. The two opposite colors of black and white are inside each other. Don’t think in opposites, but group ideas and things together.

Paradoxical experiences

Two of my favorite school sports are cross country and soccer. I enjoy competing in races and games. On the other hand, I hate training. Whenever I am at practice, I find myself complaining. I always feel like quitting. This situation is paradoxical because I love and hate the sport. Another paradoxical situation is when I have to prepare for a test. I hate studying. I reassure myself that once the test is over, I will feel great. If I could get this one test over with, my life would be so much better. However, after I finish my test, I usually don’t feel so great. I am usually worrying about my grade and wishing that I had studied more. During the school week, I measure my life through my work and how close the day is to Friday. My daily life feels complete once my classes are over and my homework is done. My life gets better as the days get closer to Friday.

ICON

No country in the world is as enthusiastic about football as the United States. NFL football is one of the most popular sports in America. Football games are special events for a variety of people. At high schools and colleges, football games are places where people can socialize and have a good time. Adults also love watching football games while drinking a couple of beers. America goes crazy during the football playoffs and especially the Super Bowl. Game tickets are sold out in an instant. Football games are ways to express rivalries between groups. Schools use football games as an opportunity to demonstrate school spirit. Everyone is pumped up and ready for their team to finish at the top. I think NFL football is an American icon that will continue to impact people’s social and sport lives.

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." - Muhammad Ali

I chose this quote because I am an athlete who is always trying to improve. I play many sports such as cross country and soccer. I have never been the best on the team, but that doesn't stop me from trying my hardest. I've learned not to focus on how well other people do, but to pay attention on how I can get better.

“When you´re small, you can choose which way to grow. If you´re kind and decent, you grow into a kind and decent man." - Nancy Farmer The House of the Scorpion

I chose this passage because my future lies in the hands of myself. I am an independent person and I prefer making my own decisions.

Help me.