Visitors

  My creative writing class was recently visited by some students studying abroad from China at MSU. My friend Hannah and I were accompanied by two girls named Tiffany and Helen. They were firstly surprised by how little we go to school and that we actually switch classrooms as opposed to our teacher switching. They remarked on how Americans got more freedom and that it was something they longed for. They talked about how they didn't have a lot of time for hobbies or fun where they are from. We then gave them a tour of the school. We showed them the gyms and the auditorium and the science wing. They found our school to be fun and open. I found their company to be pleasurable and informative. I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of beating my head against my keyboard for content here. They were just people. They had boyfriends and passions. They laughed and smiled and even opened up to us a little bit saying that they aren't always happy. It was nice to learn about their culture, but my favorite thing was that they were just like us in what they wanted or enjoyed. I learned a lot about customs along with everyday life where they're from. They were kind people who valued us as people as well. I think that is how I am going to remember them best. 

Raiders of the Lost Art

This is a picture of a square. A square that goes by the name of
Kathy Stephens. She's a babe, but she is also a buzz kill. Love
her to death.

 I've always found this courtyard to be beautiful. 
The trees and the compilation of stone make it so calming. 
I suppose one could expect nothing less from the art courtyard. 

This is Danielle Romay. She helped me to see that I could
perform my poetry and people would actually enjoy it. She gave
me a lot of confidence in performing and I am very grateful.

Connor Peters is a jerk. He is crude and unsympathetic
and I think that is probably why I think he is so funny.
Our jokes push the boundaries of what is morally acceptable and I love him for that.

This looks like a plate that has absorbed the souls of people
 who have peered too longingly upon it and compiled their faces
to stare and compel others to do the same.

Hayley Fraser is my life. Like literally, I want her job.
She has been one of the biggest supporters of my career as an
English teacher. I hope that one day I can teach a
class and connect with students in the way she does.

This picture of nature is the most authentic depiction around my school.
It reminds me of the woods behind my grandmother's house.
Minus the trash, of course.

Football is great and all but I will always see baseball as the most American sport.
It is so ingrained in our history that you can't go through any
history class it seems without discussing it.

The nostalgia runs deep with this picture. I was on the Speech and Debate
team for two years, and I loved it. If I had the ability, I wouldn't have quit,
but it ultimately wasn't going to help me on my career path.

This is a photo of a teacher filling out an evaluation on an A+ Tutor.
The importance is that it's a positive one. It gives me hope for my
generation and our ability to not be shitty people.

This is a picture of something round. That roundness comes from
our school mascot. Our school mascot is a chief. Like the Native Americans.

I hate people who can't park. Being a high school student this
is very much an uphill battle. It is not that difficult to park in a straight line.
You had to do it to get a license so prove it.

I found this to be an interesting angle. Mainly because the angle is
located in the science wing. Also, the science wing happens to be the
only section of the school that is not based on right angles and symmetry.
It bothers me.

Alright, there is no way you can tell me this elevator
phone wouldn't be interesting as hell to some little kid
with an iPhone. To them it's from the stone age.

I will never forget this bloody Tyrannosaurus. I've included 
him in music videos and innumerable pictures. His 
ability to just sit there will never be truly rivaled.

Real Life Questions

1. Should people write about what they know? I think that they should, yes. On the same note, I don't think you have to be good at something to be good at teaching someone else about it. For example, not every coach could participate in the sport they represent, but a lot of them are damn good. I think that having the ability to help somebody else with something you struggle with is a valuable skill, worthy of martyrdom.

3. Would I ever write for a newspaper? I have heavily considered it as a career. I really enjoy researching, informing, and upholding my opinions in respectable ways. Although it is dying, I think that the newspaper industry is one of the most valuable sources of information that we have. I feel as though I could contribute positively to both the knowledge and well-being of the people around me if I were involved in such activities.

9. What makes someone a "hottie" to me? That is the loadedest of the loaded questions. I can't say that I prefer beautiful women because then I am in some capacity a misogynist, yet if I mention that I like intelligent women I am being pretentious about my own intelligence. Nonetheless, that is my preference: somebody that I consider to be beautiful and intelligent. I also believe that everybody is beautiful to somebody. Tastes are different with everyone.

14. Is there a such thing as true love? I believe wholeheartedly that true love exists, just not in the traditional sense. I believe that there are individuals in which exists an imperceptible connection that trumps even the most perfect matches. I'm sure that somewhere someone has an equation to calculate that kind of stuff, but I really don't think that there is only one of these individuals per person. We all have multiple opportunities for true love.

22. Is life full of disappointment? How do I deal with it? The short answer is yes. Life is full of failures and disappointments and generally shitty scenarios, but what keeps me going is knowing that it gets better. At some point I get to lie down and sleep. At some point I get to relax and reflect and learn from what has happened. Don't get me wrong, I get pretty depressed from time to time, but I've discovered that not fighting is the only way to stay sad.

26. "Love isn't a feeling. It's an ability." Is this true? You know, I think so. To love someone isn't just the butterflies when you see them looking pretty. It is also the burning in your stomach you feel when they get hurt. It is the sick feeling you get when they are gone. It is the will to take care of them when they need you. Having the ability to love someone is having the ability the brunt of life's hardships for someone else to keep them at your side.

"You talkin'a me?"

"Yo Adrian! I did it!" -Rocky Balboa

"One particle of unobtainium has a nuclear reaction with the flux capacitor - carry the '2' - changing its atomic isotoner into a radioactive spider. Fuck you, Science!" -Greg Jenko

"You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much." -Sean Maguire

"Oh no, not my friend Copper. He won't ever change." -Tod the Fox

"I see you're drinking 1%. Is that 'cause you think you're fat? 'Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to." -Napoleon Dynamite

Across the Reel

  I could never peg a single movie as my favorite. I think Rocky would be the top contender, but I am watching Across the Universe as I write this so my opinion is swayed a bit. I love both of these movies for vastly similar reasons. Rocky has always been an instant source of happiness for me. It is so inspiring and pure that I have never watched it without crying. Across the Universe is on the same level solely for the genius imbued in the making of the film. Taking a track list from an artist, and some others that are related, and turning it into a beautifully moving musical is absolutely amazing.
 
 With this in mind, I find it difficult to enjoy unintelligent movies. There usually has to be some concept or point which requires you to think or delve. This could be psychologically through a characters thoughts and feelings or large plot points that regard social issues or other such matters. I don't have to watch a pure artistic movie like We Need to Talk About Kevin, but I find difficulty in watching movies like Rock the Kasbah (I forgive you Bill Murray).
  I will sometimes see a movie in theaters if it is one I think I will really enjoy. This mostly consists of comic book movies or ones I would generally expect to be good. I (currently) work at a video rental store so I have started to rent movies and watch them at home. In case you hadn't figured out by my mentioning that I am currently watching a movie, there almost isn't a time when I'm not anymore. I just need a somewhat quiet, comfortable area and I can watch movies forever.

 I took the personality test and the results were surprisingly accurate. I am about 17% emotionally stable, I like violent movies, and I am open to new experiences. So, according to this test, I am basically Travis Bickle. Don't worry though, I haven't met any Palantine's. Other than the violent implications, it was surprisingly accurate in that I love intelligent movies and adventure movies.
  
If there were a movie made about my life I would most definitely be played by either Andrew Garfield or Jesse Eisenberg. There is no one else who could be as charming and as dickish. It would probably include my moves to show my relationship with my mom and my several instances of self endangerment with my father for that relationship. Then probably some of my debate tournaments. I think the most important to me would be the instances where I am helping my friends. I haven't quite discovered the overall conflict yet, but I would hope it would have a happy ending. The name would have to be something like "Studying English." I could get behind that.

Running Bride

I do.
Not for you.
This is for my kids.
My friends have made their bids.

For you there is only hate.
For me you can only berate.
One day, I will win.
That should be my only sin.

You have no power over me.
I am as strong as I could be.
Beat me, cut me, turn me red.
I will not leave them, not matter how much I've bled.

The cowl comes up and I see you start.
I finally see you fall apart.
I haven't felt this good in awhile.
Because now, you see me smile.

Culture Shock

Dear Bingley and Blythe,
  I am bundling this letter together because it will feed into my discussion with both of you, but I assure you I still value both of you. With that in mind it seems as though your perception of Americans may have taken a hit. We also watched the scenes from What Would You Do? and the episode of Wife Swap, and that is what this letter will regard. I believe that there are both adamant fallacies and painful truths weaved into the fabric of those shows. You must understand they have to do what is going to get them a positive reception from viewers. As much as it displeases me there is a heavy bias in media towards entertainment as opposed to education. With that said, I do think that they bring to light important issues here. I hate that there is such a large weight still on the shoulders of women in my country. I am the only boy in the women's rights club at my school. I think that Wife Swap does a good job at showing the importance of the mother and the woman in general when it comes to the functionality of a household. Branching off from that, the What Would You Do? episode that focused on the Muslim woman showed just how scummy people can be. I do like that show because it shows both the good and the bad in everyday people. The woman receiving help when her breasts were partially exposed and then becoming ignored when they weren't infuriates me. I like to think that I am a helper. I sit down with my friends all the time and do what I can to stand as an intermediary for their problems and do what I can to keep them happy. My personal belief is to always put other people before you. It has always helped me fell better about myself. Depression has consumed my life for a long time, side effects of being a writer I suppose, and it helps me want to prevent others from facing that same fate. I truly enjoy seeing people helping one another and do so myself as much as possible. Are there a lot of conflicts in your school or your life? If so do you think I am crazy for wanting so badly to help people? I look forward to hearing back from you both.

Yours truly,

Dakoda English