honestly i feel like i wont stick to my plan of keeping a journal everday my life is kinda built keepiing a journal . being an artist it is important for i need to write out my feelings and ideas . my feelings need to be expressed so i can learn from my mistakes and others to make me the bst person ever and my ideas need to be wrtten so i wont forget, develop and articulate them. the second thing i thing is finding a respectful roommate i have seen i lot court tv where roomates sue each other for stuff . i hope they don't party all the time bring friends over with out letting me know . the third is getting dick hole teachers . i have have had my hand full of teachers and the worst ones just dont give a damn . or personality wise nosey. things i am excited about is moving out of my house finally i have been waiting for this moment for 6 years . i love my mother and grand mother but and man needs his own space . i am tired of following their conradicting rules . as soon as i turn 18 they told me i can do what ever i want. well when i started to do what i wanted to do they ignored what they said . getting to know chicago better . i love my city and i need

day answer by kwamain to arons post

Three areas that I struggle in are my study habits, procrastinating and being caution. They all relate which results in to time and much discipline. This is something that can become a problem for me into the fall semester in Columbia College. As soon as I get home or away from the school building I take a deep a breathe and relax. The relaxation that I feel gets me comfortable and a state of mind of rest which makes me fall asleep. Easily makes me lazy then next thing you know I’m distracted by what catches my mind and eye. The second I reach home It’s like comfort and recovery from the effort I put into my day.The second thing I’m curious about is how and when I’m going to meet my lifetime friends. It’s a saying that says your high school friends are not the friends you are going to grow with but the ones you meet in college is the ones you are going to be destined with. So I think about the day when I will run into them. How is going to be when we figure that we are a capatible mate when is the day and time we are going to meet. What will they or he think about me will we be an unbreakable force what will be the interest we will have. Every day I’m on the lookout but I do try to be patient.the third thing I have questions about is will it take me more time on my papers and class assignments to complete. It takes me to study or sit in quietness in order to focus but when given an assignment or being taught a lesson while being rushes I get disappointed and idmmdietly feel intimidated a defeated. When I don’t get the work the feeling is kind of like I just sinked in a pool or deep ocean.In spite of all that I recently mentioned I feel those very things will be the very thing that will help me on way t success. It will prepare me, motivate me and defiantly be a contribution towards my graduation.

well I’m stuck on just getting in right now then I need to pay for it after that It would be keeping up with the work study habits an not having to much fun other wise I think I would be ok I have come to the fact that I my self have to tack evey thing one day at a time or I will just get lazy an not care it happens to me often so I got a be ezey about some of this subject its just the way I am   

Malcolm

1. Math classes 2. Being away from home 3. Money Math classes have always been a struggle for me, because I lack some of the beginning skills necessary to move on, but I do fine in algebra, geometry, and trig I’m just worried that the lack of skill will eventually hinder me. Im not worried about being away from home just being away from my sister, and her having to deal with high school drama. Money is another thing that im anxious about always have been. Making sure I have enough to live the way I like to live 4. Intro to Audio 5. Production 6. Chicago I’m excited about these because they are new experiences in a new and unfamiliar place surrounded by other people who love what there doing. I was told I would love Chicago and would meet so many people.

Matt: Spring Semester

Well, I’m not coming in for the fall semester, so I‘m not that worried about anything financially. This way, coming into the spring semester will give me much more time to work on my financial aid a bit more, and give me a leg up with grants and scholarships. I think it’s a pretty good idea on my part. There are a few things I’m worried about when actually starting though. Studying has always been hard for me. I can never sit in one spot and read, unless I’m truly interested in it. So I’m a little bit worried about that, because I know that in college studying is a big part of getting good grades. I’m definitely going to have to work on it. I’m also a little concerned about housing. I don’t think it’ll be hard to get a dorm, but paying for it may be an issue. I can only hope my dad will help me pay for it, because commuting would be annoying. I’m commuting for the bridge program, and it would be so much simpler to live on campus. Depending on what the topic is, I may or may not be worried about writing. On some topics, I can easily fly through them, but on others I tend to just stare at my computer “trying” to think of a decent introduction, or middle, or conclusion. It tends to stress me out, especially if it ends up being five or more pages. I’m anticipating a lot for the spring semester. I’ve been looking forward to college for quite some time. My math class will be easy as long as I pay attention. I really enjoy math as long as I understand it, I always understand if I pay attention. I’m looking forward to joining some kind of club as well. I’m not sure what’s available, but I would definitely join some kind of writing club, or drama club, maybe even a chess club if there is one. I really want to room with someone. I think the idea of living on a floor with people you’ve never met, and developing friendships is great. If it’s anything like the movies, it’ll be quite an experience.

Slacking off. Nelson

Three struggles that I have, pertaining to Columbia college of Chicago would be my acceptance of the loans, being able to be dedicated to doing my work outside of school, and trying to keep my job and school time divided.

            The acceptance of my loan is one of my main worries, since I was denied a plus loan.  My parents have awful credit, so it is hard for me to get money for school.  I feel that if you have no credit it should be looked at as good credit towards school loans because how is a person that enters college around eighteen able to establish credit, if no one gives them a chance. Also, you barely receive eligibility to get credit at eighteen and your supposed to have good credit in a matter of a few months, which is next to impossible. 

            My next worry is towards me being dedicated to doing my work when I am not in school.  I have always had trouble getting my homework done since I am very easily distracted.  My house is always busy and everybody there is usually very interactive with each other making it harder to concentrate.  The reason why I did not do so well in Morton West high school was that when it came to doing homework, I would constantly slack off. 

            My last worry is being able to divide my time between my job and school.  Now I know work comes after school, but I still need to work.  I need the money and no one is going to help me if I do not make money.  Although in the end, my school is the main priority and anything that gets in the way has to get eliminated immediately.  

            My main weakness in school is my determination to do the work after class is over.  I tend to slack off after school and not think about the consequences until class starts up again and I have no work to give.

            My strengths in school are my good test taking skills.  I have always been able to do good on tests, that was probably the main reason how I passed high school when I was younger.  I would slack the whole semester, and then when the final came I would just study and ace it.

            

WALTER: Fall Semester

Elementary school and high school does not compare to my new challenge, Collage! I never actually thought I would make it this far. By experiencing the bridge program I felt the pressure of starting school loosen. I am not scared to start school am actually excited I want to begin school. I mean you figure you made it this far it doesn’t hurt struggling doing homework doing projects, its life if I really want this I must accomplish. However I am scared to do my math classes I am very horrible with numbers I tend to flip my numbers a lot. I mean its going to be a struggle for me but I am not in high school were I can just easily not do the work. It will all depend on me. Math is the only problem but I am ready. I want this challenge I want to write these 15 pages essay I want to experience, meet new people, be out there and enjoy what I have at the moment.  I actually don’t care if I fit in or don’t I am here to achieve what I want to be, and I am not letting fashion or letting me people tell what.

            I actually want to see the club I want to join some of them, maybe they can help me to throw my art out there and help me get my name out there. I actually think I will do fine with school work I have made my schedule not back to back that way I have some time to relax and actually get some work done. I want this new year this new beginning last I want to face the challenges that are ahead.       

Lola Ogbara's Answer

Struggle number one: Procrastination.

I seem to procrastinate a lot. It all started my senior year of high school. I had a strong case of senioritis. I rarely ever did homework, I was careless about in class projects, and I would usually forget about school once I left for the day. I never did these things while I was a lower classmen. Some of my bad habits are still with me and I’m trying to break free of them. As much as I try to get rid of this habit, Procrastination seems to stick with me.

Struggle number two: Leaving Family.

My mother lives in Alton, Illinois, southern Illinois. I used to live down there with her but I recently moved back to Chicago the day after I graduated from high school.  Even though we are apart right now, I still manage to call home and tell her about how my day is going. It’s hard now because I’m not actually officially enrolled at Columbia so I become restless or really bored. That leads me to think more of my mother and little brother. I know that once I get situated in college and in the dorms that it would be better but I still think it would be hard going through this process without them.

Struggle number three: Laziness.

I tend to get lazy with any kind of work, whether it’s schoolwork, housework, or having a job.

 

Success number one: School Work.

I plan on trying my best in college. I know I would probably get a little distracted but once I realize that I need to do this to succeed in life, I will get back in gear. I also want to be involved. I want to join some kind of club or organization since I’ve never really partaken in one in high school.

Success number two:  Being Social.

I’ve always been a quiet soul with a laid-back aura. I plan on keeping my aura but I want to be more sociable. I feel like life passes me by sometimes because I keep to myself a lot. I want to make friends and not just stick to one type of friend.

Success number three: Artwork.

I want to expand my horizons in art. I plan on building a portfolio that I can take to any company at a job interview. I also want to become a better artist and perfect my skills in my area of work, which is painting, photography, designing, and drawing. I’m good now but I definitely think I can be better.

Struggle Vs. Success

My 3 Struggles:

1. 1.     I am worried about my schedule. I picked classes and didn’t consider the locations of the different campuses. I have a class that I have less than 10 minutes to get to but the distance is about 10 minutes away.
2. 2.     In a way, I am also worried about my English class because I don’t believe that English writing is one of my strong points. I struggle with my creative side sometimes and I do plan to get tutoring, if necessary.
3. 3.     I am currently having housing issues because I couldn’t get my deposit money in time. So I will most likely be commuting from the west side to downtown everyday by train.

My 3 Successes:

1. 1.     As far as my major goes, I don’t believe I will have any problems because I’ve wanted to sing ever since I can remember. I was probably about 10 or 11 when I heard myself sing aloud.
2. 2.     I’m looking forward to making new friends. I’m quiet and laid back, but at the same time, I’m a very outgoing person and I get along with just about any and everybody.
3. 3.     I believe this coming semester will have many activities to look forward to. 

day 14 kevin scott promt

I think my 3 top struggles are going to be 1: staying away from students that are going to be in the way of my studies, like if it's a Friday and i have a test on Monday and i want to study, my roommates would try to make me go all the time. 2: Also i want to have enough money to get a dorm room downtown Chicago so i can have my own freedom like to think like me and not anyone else. 3: Looking for students that love the lord Jesus Christ and someone that i can trust because growing up i had a hard time trusting other people especially downtown. I also want a job that is not going to get in the way of my studies and my classes. I won't have trouble fitting in and i would not care that much if i did not fit in because i like having people around me that i communicate with but only take the conversation to a certain level, not gun talk or drugs or stuff like that. I plan on majoring in marketing and minoring in music advertising other ideas from other people and make music is a great combination. I will be successful I plan to.

day 14

A stuggles i will have is paying for houseing i just dont have the money right now and a weakness is getting more help on my writeing and the anther weakness i will have to work on is asking questions in class ever if the teacher is not cool

hghgfhjg

How is character produce is it something you are born is it something you are born with , something you pick every day of the week or is it just a matter of what you are going to do or not do then act on it .no one really knows , when i was in high school there was this banner that said "character is what you are when no one is watching " i guess thats true character . the response i choose for my proposal was about me discovery a piece of myself through accident when i did research on a topic that needed that needed to be disscuss mouths open that shouldnt . also my teacher saw a spark in me when asked questions which is how i came up with my thesis . All of our experiences effects us whether large or small to become the person we are today . we have experiences concerning our experiences. situations that happen to our family definlty effects us for we love our family and our attach to them who are us in a way . i believe spirituality is something alot of people have not grasp all the way some have and some havent . in the end this something we have to go after our selves. but those who do go after it seem to be larger than life and hard workers. suchas churches theolgy institutions and brotherhoods. this is something that will effect your identity.. for i know from experiences. whether religious political health wise or sexuaul orientatation, a strong fondation and social identity strengthen a persons character

fall semester

I don't have many worries about the fall semester because I know what to expect because of the bridge program and because I have a little bit of college under my belt already. There is one thing that is on my mind though, and its that there are no sports here and I don't know what I am going to do with any spare time besides clubs. 

I think I'll succeed with all of my ventures here in Columbia, mostly my major. I think I'll do well with that. I think I'll also make friends pretty easy because I'm out going, I also think I'll be able to find my way around campus well. If io don't succeed at most things here I will at least go down trying because you know what they say "Never Die Easy"

Day 14: Aaron's Prompt.

Ok, today's prompt is pretty simple, but we still want you to pay as much attention to detail and specifics as you possibly can. This is important, as it will prepare you for this afternoon's Orientation panel while also helping Katrina and I prepare to offer you further follow-up advice and assistance tomorrow morning. Sound good? Ok.

First, we would like for you to list 3 struggles and or anxieties you have about entering this fall semester, completing the work that will be assigned you, etc. What do you feel like your areas of weakness are? Are you worried about your commute? Computer and/or Internet access? Housing issues, etc? Are you worried about math classes? Writing, etc? Are you worried about fitting in and/or finding like-minded friends to spend your down time with? Number your three struggles as you write and identify each struggle separately in each of your first sentences. You should then explain how and why you feel this struggle has come to mind. Explain your anxieties fully, as always.

Second, complete the same type of list, but now focus on three successes that you're anticipating for the coming semester. Do you feel like you put together a great class schedule with class times that suit you as a person? Do you think you'll do excellent in your history classes? Writing classes? Math classes? Are you excited to join a campus organization or club? Or to volunteer for a group or organization? To play music or act or sing with others whom share the same passions as you, etc? Follow the same model from above, being sure to identify your anticipated successes in each of your first sentences and explain fully how/why you feel the way you do, just as you will for your weaknesses.

Darius strickland prompt

here we have a pic from the movie their will be blood which is about a business tycoon that works so hard that it results in his son's death. he feels so gulty about it that goes to a strict religous preacher to relieve him of his sins . i choose this pic because it represents the behavior of my culture. my family grew up in a strict church that believe in laying hands like this now thank god i wasnt around when any of this happen but iam shape from the past of it. it represents controlling establishments . the different rules that had to be obeyed or you were going to hell and punished. thankfully i my church has grew out that mentality for we are a welcoming churh and less punishing we are now probaly more understandin and patient . less judging we are a more free place. we welcome new ideas . and steady progress

And I picture because this is a rill war picture

jabo

A big thing going on that I have to put up with in my life is violence. In Chicago a lot of people is getting killed  for some of the smallest thing like the color you have on some people are even getting killed for just walking pass a group of boys  that they know its hard in the streets right now you cant even go see a friend on the bus because when you get off the bus and you don’t know someone it a chance you going to get jump on or killed 

The concrete example that I picked is the death of my grandma. When I was young, I was always following her around. Everywhere she went I was there. We had a natural bond with each other. Growing older we became best friends. I told her a lot of details about my life that I never even shared with my mom. When she passed away in 2004, it felt like a part of me died as well. 

Walter Prompt Answer:

Everyone has cultural pride in them selves and in there community. I was born in Chicago and live in California for two years. Growing up there two years made me see how the cultural is complete different from here to over there. The Latino cultural has much more pride and honor for there background history than people on this side of the country. The Latinos in California created unique ways to show there pride for there history threw having low riders. I never saw anything so unique than this. Here in Chicago we have the Mexican parade only once a year. Over there is like seeing the Mexican cultural or any Latino culture expressing there history threw cars fixed in colors Mayan and Aztec art.

I come from a place were gangs fight over turf and drug money. Dressing really baggy and looking like their clothes where given to them by their older brothers.  I have never like this ideal concept of the modern gang. While spending the time in California being in a gang was being a cholo being part of them meant honor and love for your background and your cultural history. I choose the low-rider image to show the honor these people have. The low-rider was invented in the 1920 when the Latinos were able to buy cars, after experiencing the great depression. There cars will get old and so in that process they turn the cars adding their own details and touches. From this invention and way of expression they as well come out with the low-rider bikes turning old bikes into modern cultural seen.  Each image shows how the Latino cultural came up with ways to show their pride for there culture.

   

 

 

 

Day 11: Lola Ogbara

Both pictures that I have chosen represent money and the pursuit of happiness. The first picture was taken in the 1920’s during the depression. This to me is people trying to find a way out of the depression by any means necessary after the stock market crashed. The people photoed in the picture are standing in line for what appears to be a “fix” for America’s economy. They are desperate for happiness and this is their way of trying to pursuit that after a major financial decrease.

 

My second picture is of the world known icon, rapper, and entrepreneur, Sean Combs. Also known as P. Diddy. Anyone who knows him knows that he is very wealthy. In this picture, he’s getting out of a helicopter with two other model-looking females.  All three are well dressed for what seems to be an important event. This picture to most may represent money and/or happiness. It’s not everyday that you see an average Joe hopping out of a helicopter with two models. 

Day 11 Malcolm

A concrete example of a dream becoming reality is Michael Jordan. He went from being cut from the high school basketball team to being one of the most influential players in the game. His dream was to play basketball after being cut he did everything he had to do to become better so when he got off that bench for the first time and the worlds jaw dropped as a legend was born.

This second picture is of a homeless person because it was probably not his dream to be sleeping on a concrete sidewalk. This man many have wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor. Maybe something just happened or he didn’t work hard enough but

I pick the picture of the solders with the guns because to me that is a clear view of what war isthough it’s a comic book

Day 11: Matt Singleton

The concrete example that I chose were two of my dreams, for the abstract of fear. I’ve never really been the type of person who has bad dreams, but recently they’ve been appearing a bit more. They’re never falling dreams or anything like that. Mine are usually of more devastating proportions. The first I had wasn’t horrible, a meteor crashed into the middle of a city, and I woke up in the clouds. It wasn’t heaven, but a different kind of paradise with Christmas presents, which was weird, but not horrible. The second one, which is one of the pictures I’ve posted, the best I could find anyways, had me driving with someone I knew, who I can’t remember, and a man that I didn’t know. We were driving down a relatively quiet express way and the area was very tan, sandy, but without the sand. As we drove, we could see the overpass ahead of us, and all of a sudden this giant orb falls through the sky and lands way ahead of us. The dust and debris rush toward us, and then the dream went white. What made it so terrifying was the fact that I could feel the heat when it hit us. It didn’t burn, but it was extremely warm.

The third dream I had was a little less extreme, but scary none the less. The details on the dream are sketchy, but what I really remember was a large fire tornado surrounded by three flaming pillars. Everything around me was red, and all of the people around were in a huge panic. Then the dream ended. The dreams keep me up when I have them, but now it’s almost like I’m anticipating the next one, because as scary as they are, the ideas they give me for my drawings and writing are superb.

day 11

It can be assumed that everyone would like to be happy. However, the moment an ad crosses your eyes you begin to wonder about it. Stated in the picture, Prozac is the ideal way to cure the symptoms of depression. The inventor for the drug demonstrates their desire to promote their sense in curing depression. In some cases one may say anti-depressants work, for others they do not. In a general term the media exploits our minds as individuals to believing their product works but in a sense of realizing their side effects it is being ignored by the dollar sign behind it. Not only has technology been able to promote toxic images for the human brain but they take pleasure in living off of the audiences’ vulnerability. Besides using medication as a cure for depression there are support groups to speak about a certain problem you want to get off your chest. It would be more natural to express individuality by being creative and finding a support system rather then rely on using money to pay for toxic drugs. In my opinion, I'd rather play soccer

and take out my aggression kicking the ball in different directions then exposing my brain to a drug that I am unaware of how it would react to.

Taylor day 11

The concrete idea I have chosen is a part of my idenity, that is rock music specifically AC/DC. People who know me always associate me with rock music and ACDC they are my favorite band of a genre that heavily represents my look and the style in which I play my own music.

The first image is a picture from the Black Ice world tour. I chose this picture because it really shows the energy and style that I bring to everyday life that I have adopted through my love of rock music. 

The second picture is from the very funny and famous movie Spinal Tap. I chose this image as well because it symbolizes the part of rock music I do not wish to be a part of. For those who have not seen this movie it is about a band of idiotic drug using rock stars and their path to fame. I am not saying I don't want to be famous because that would be a lie, but I do not ever wish to become a uneducated druggie with only one purpose in life.

T he concrete example of these two images that I’m using is row model. Barrack Obama Is the person I look up to as a row model he represents to me focused male and a loving oriented man. Barrack Obama graduated from his school top of the line and later on became senator of Illinois. His past has helped him become the man he is today. Encountering the past career he has being a senator you at least have to be 30 years of age and require more than twenty-five years of age with a degree, I imagine that it has you have to had major in some type of law political science classes. Having to pass college on top after being through a lot in his life such as losing his mother, finding his heritage, being a mixed kid in a rural area coming up. but whatever he did to show that he was tact it and overcame it discipline himself to achieve. That s why I say he I dedicated, hardworking and it’s only a little of his ethics he portrayed. Now in order to overcome everything he has been through says that he was pretty focus individual. The second paragraph will go into how he’s a loving oriented male, the way his wife and himself approaches the stage with their children by his side. They coordinate a lot the pound that she gives him, shows that he’s very loving. Obama is someone that I’m able to look up to. that why he Is my row model.

Day 11 Kevin Scott

I chose fear and it's something that people everyday tend to deal with on an everyday basis. It brings me to a place in my old neighborhood on the west side of Chicago. When i was living there my parents did not like the neighborhood that much because of the violence and the drugs that were being sold and used in the streets. So they would usually let me play outside but when the street lights came on we would have to go back in the house for my parents to secure safety. It was like that for a lot of the children in our community.

I chose the coffin pic because where i used to live in Chicago there was usual news about someone that died. Death was everywhere around my old neighborhood. One sunny Monday morning my cousin Johnnie was driving me home and we stopped by the citgo on Washington boulevard and there were 5 people standing over a dead body and it was sad.

I chose the fear pic because most of the kids in Chicago could dream all day but fear would always pull them down for example if you lived in a dangerous neighborhood full of prostitutes, gun violence and no parenting gang surrounding get a hold of you and they dont know how to say no and go after their dream.

Example for Day 11 Prompt: Aaron.

The concrete example from my life experiences that I picked is my great-grandfather, who was in the Klan back in the 1920s. Though I never saw him in robes or even learned of his involvement until I was older, this involvement of one of my family members in such a hate group causes the images of bigotry in America to strike home for me in real and literal ways. Below are my two images that connect to my concrete example.

So, I'm not going to complete the exercise, but if I were going to, I would now write one paragraph about a historical image of the Klan from the time period that my great-grandfather was involved with that movement, the 1920s (top image). I would then type another paragraph about my second image, one that would describe this more contemporary -- from my time, per se -- representation from (larger) macro-American pop-culture (image below). This is a video capture of Ed Norton starring in the film American History X. Perhaps I would describe how this image better represents the racism that I have encountered in my life experiences, and how that subculture has morphed and changed from my great-grandfathers time, which pre-dates Nazism in Germany, into my time, my cultural moment. Get to work.

Day 11 Prompt: Aaron.

Ok, now that you have come up with some concrete examples, I would like for you to find some further concrete examples, albeit in a different medium. In our classroom time you completed some work to ground ABSTRACT cultural values and themes with/into CONCRETE examples and actual experiences -- with/into representations -- from your own life and community along with some from your text.

Now, do the following:

1 - Pick one of the CONCRETE EXAMPLES from your list # 4 -- NOT one or any of your abstractions. You should identify this CONCRETE EXAMPLE in the first sentence of this Blog response.

2 - Post your two images.

3 - Now, the remainder of your reponse will assume the form of two paragraphs. One paragraph will explain and analyze how one image stands as a representation of the conconcrete example that you picked from your list #4, and your second paragraph will do the exact same for your other image.

4 - Get started, because this is healthy amount of work. Don't waste time.

5 - Above is my example. Check it out, quickly.

Response to Nelson's Question

Someone who influenced me to become somebody because of her own failures is actually my sister. My sister went away to Alabama State for a year, came back, fell in love, and got pregnant. After that, she didn’t get a chance to go back to school, seeing how she had to provide for her and her baby. She has held numerous jobs, but none that she loved. She worked so hard that she didn’t really have a chance to live her life. She didn’t get to go out to the clubs at night because she had to work the following morning. Even to this day, she still works so hard that she doesn’t really have time to catch up with herself. She works crazy hours, six out of the seven days of the week, and doesn’t even have time to spend with my niece. Once I got pregnant, I told myself that I would make time for my child. I didn’t plan on working or going away to school until she would be old enough to understand why I have to work and learn. I would spend all my time with my daughter. We would take her to the park, or we would just take walks to the neighborhood store for snacks. Every moment would count when it comes to my child and me. I didn’t want to miss a second of her life, no matter what. My daughter and niece both adore me and I love them both to death. I would do whatever it takes to make and keep them happy.

Malcolm Day 9

Someone that is not my role model but I learned from their mistakes are my two uncles Dwayne and Darryl. They messed up their entire lives being lazy. Even when situation to change the downward spiral, they still chose not to. Darryl is a great mechanic and always has been, and was given the opportunity to take over the shop that are family owns. He is a grown man that has kids all over the city that he’s not taking care of, no job and still lives with his parents who are. His brother Dwayne is also and mechanic but he was in the military working on machines. When he left, he got addicted to drugs and he also has kids, and no job. This encouraged me to not follow in their footsteps; neither of them graduated high school. The moment their experiences made me stronger was when Dwayne came over our house around one or two in the morning asking for a couple dollars. This changed my life because I answered the door with my mother he shook my hand and hugged me and I could smell that he hadn’t showered or cleaned himself in days, what made it worse was he smell like crack like he had been in the trap house. I didn’t invite him in because I didn’t know what to expect. I mean he is family but more now he was a fiend. This influenced me to do my work and always do what I love.

Day 9 Answer: Matt Singleton

There are a few people in my family I learn from almost every day. If they make wrong decisions in life, or if they make good decisions in life, I seem to learn a lesson each time. My uncle Leighton is the type of person who comes up with crazy half-assed get rich quick schemes. If you want to delve a little deeper, he gets involved with pyramid schemes too much for one person. The awful thing about it is he never learns his lesson. As many times as they’ve gone wrong, he always comes back with a brand new “this’ll get us our own island” program in a matter of months. What makes it even sadder is that he has great intentions. He only wants to help the whole family live a pampered life. The issue there is that no one wants his help. My family always says the same to thing to him each time he comes with a new solution, “just get a regular job”. He used to be a seriously good graphic designer, and artist. He had a great job, but just didn’t follow through with it. There are a lot of people who do make silly mistakes in my family. The grandmother who wasted all her savings and the uncle who is constantly “borrowing” cars from his own family are only a small amount of the craziness that is my family. Although, there the “smarter” folks in my family. Like my other aunt who is a destructive force in the real-estate industry. All of them have helped me learn a lot of lessons in my time. I’m already smart with the money I have. I know a pyramid scheme when I see one. And I’ll never “borrow” cars from my own family. Seeing their mistakes has helped me decide how my future will be. It’s helped me gain the intelligence it takes to live in the real world.

day 10 kwamain answer

Someone who has put no kind of effort in their life to achieve, it’s not specifically a being but anyone who is not doing anything but being a professional a bomb and delighting in It. such as the characteristics of one. To choose someone out of the bomb community would be a dear friend I know. His day consist of getting laid, smoking, gaining money the wrong way and eat. Nothing he strives for which is wasting time and self. Then he turns around and laughs at those who seek for greatness such as reading books to gain more knowledge and wisdom. Talking about the way they live and how pathetic it is to invest in you .how does one invest in one self by staying in school and apply yourself. Learn all that you can, so you can get an interest on who you want to be and what it is exactly you want to do in life. Getting an education it pays off yes it’s hard I would stress to him but it pays off. I constantly remind myself that the more work you put in the results you get back. Greats sacrifices great results, less sacrifices less results .this makes me stay away from him and yes it hurts but I if o continued to hang around him I could of became the same way an that is the last thing I won’t. He would have literacy laugh at me discourage me. for this reason he Is not my row model.

Lola Ogbara's Answer

There isn’t too many people that I know who messed up majorly in their life. But someone that does come to mind is my father. It wasn’t that he screwed up his life; he just made things really hard for himself. In his past life, he wasn’t the best person.  He didn’t attend college. He didn’t treat the women in his life with much respect, including my mother.  At the moment, he has six children and two whom are toddlers. With the economy being the way it is and him not having a college education, it’s pretty hard for him to provide for his children, which are my half siblings. He also has a couple of health problems such as having bad eyesight, not being able to hear out of one ear, and being overweight. I feel that if he wouldn’t made better choices in his past and treated people better, maybe the things that are happening to him now wouldn’t be happening. I learned from his mistakes. I treat people with respect and with courtesy. I’m conscious of the decisions I make now so that the future is better for me. I have taken all the advice he and others have gave me so that I to won’t make the same mistakes. Now, my father is a better person. He is still stubborn but I’ve learned to live with it being that that’s just the way he is.

day 9

I really try not to look at mistakes people have made but if I had to choose someone that I learned from their mistakes would have to be my older brother. He s a nice guy don’t get me wrong but he has screwed up on so many levels. He almost failed high school because he was too lazy to even dress for gym class, he dropped out of college twice despite getting a full ride from someone, he is getting married when he doesn’t have a job and he isn’t going to school, the girl he is marrying didn’t graduate high school and to top it off he play world of war craft with any time he has on the side. What I learned from him most is to have ambition and not to get sucked into the constant desire to do something you enjoy more instead of doing what needs to be done. He also helped solidify some stuff that I considered common sense like don’t get married when you have no job and no education because when you do that you are what the world likes to call screwed. I also learned not to let the personal joys of life take full power over me, they are important to have but not so important to drop out of school for them. All he really needs to do is learn that life isn’t always a party no matter how much you want it to be. You do have to grow up sometime.

Taylor Cole

There is a drug addict that I have seen almost my hole life my mother told me that he was ones respectable be he be came strong out be for I was born how it happened to this day my mother never told me that but I only have knew hem as a addict my hole life so this man has been on drugs for over 18 years I often wonder way isn’t he dead yet but I can see he is in bad shape.  He was like a brother to my mom in some ways he use to watch out for her but now he cant even watch out for hem self I even remember some day my mom use to give hem food he was an example on way I don’t want to do drugs 

Day 10 response:

I can remember the moment as if it were yesterday, my eldest sister sat across the kitchen table trembling to tell my mother a secret she was so embarrassed to tell. The secret was she’s pregnant. I was only eight years and old and already going to be an aunt. My sister was a senior in high school and unemployed. There are many times I ask myself why she would act out of stupidity to ruin her life with not taking responsibility for her actions. However, none of the reasons I came up with were the right ones to explain why she did it. My sister was afraid to say another word with the horrible news she told, so my mother stood quiet and walked away from the table. Words were not the answer to the situation; although my mom made it clear she would never walk out on her children. My mother worked a full-time job at a retail store at the Water Tower, after work she would cry because of how exhausted she was and for comfort I would massage her back to show my concern. Up to this day my mom and I have been close and no matter what a situation was I seemed to find a way to comfort her. I promised her I would take all the precautions I needed to protect myself in every way. What made me most proud of who I am is that I never once doubted my strengths and perused dedication to my education.

Darius Strickland Answer to Nelson Blog

.In the book of exodus (the bible) it talks about how children will some how suffer for their parents sins .

whether it be alcoholism abuse or profanity . inevitably they are hurt further down the line of life. well in my case i have been a victim of circumstance many of times.

unfortunatly my mother isnt the most active person.

growing up i always had to clean up everthing .there was no clean your room every week or just the dishes or other set of chores it was clean what ever i tell you to do. to the fullest . or your going to get an earfull or something else . i couldnt believe it. there were days where i should have called child services for endangering a minor but i didnt . i would just sit frustrated thinking how i will do better in my life.

so that resulting in back problems from all the work i did chemical injury from lysol and other washing liquids . also i think there were times i should have stood up for myself and didnt which affects me today.

but thats ok in my room and other areas soon i will be one of the most organize people in the world . when i lived with my grand father everything had a set place . i also plan alot more which she has to get better at . sometimes i over plan and screw up.

my mother is lazy ^^^^^

Nelson Day 10 Question

Most people have role models and inspirations that they look upon to make themselves not only stronger but also more hungry to become someone.  Now lets think about the people that are not your role model, is there someone that made you stronger from their own slack. Was their someone in life that messed up so bad that lead to you becoming a stronger person? Who are they? How did they mess up? And how or in what way are you stronger from that?

day 9 answer kwamin

The last time I rebelled against someone in my community was at school. had to use the restroom and I couldn’t hold it o felt like it was very important that I get to where I needed to go to take care of what needed to be taken care of. After repeatedly telling my teacher that I need to go urgently she didn’t care. She already had it made up in her mind that the answer was no even if she was going to let me go her action showed differently. So at this point I was getting tired of asking keeping my hand raised besides it was hurting. I thought back to what my mother told me “if you have to go ask your teacher and if she doesn’t let you go ask her again if she says no or doesn’t let you go then go right ahead on your own”. This gave me the courage to do so because I knew once I left my mom wasn’t going to punish me. She was the one who gave me the okay so I did exactly that, this is when things got rowdy. As I got up my teacher specifically told me to sit I responded no I have to use the bathroom and you would not answer my hand so no besides my mom said I can. After all everything that was said I open the door and walked out. Everyone was shocked that I did this even the teacher as well so shocked to write me up. When I came back she gave me a write up and the reason why I was getting written up this resulted in school suspension. I don’t think that it is right to be rebellious only under two exceptions standing for something that is morally right and doing It in a fashionly order .

day 9 jabo

An time I rebelled again my family is when I said that I was coming to Columbia because its so much money to come here but why pay all this money if im not going make it throw school but I had my eyes on this school about four year my mom was telling me that school is not for ever one but what I was telling her that I will do good in school because of my music because I cant get help on my music if I do not keep my head in the books so some time you have to do some things for your self.

Walter Day 9: Answer Responds

People have always rebelled against themselves, the government, or special occasions were they believed it was right to rebel. I myself have always rebelled against things that believed it was incorrect. Some of the occasions where I have actually gone against someone it happen when I was in junior year of high school.

I rouse to go against my community; my community is filled of gang and drug dealing, shoo tings almost every week. A place filled with gang writings on the walls. Children growing up believing having a gun are the way to be. I mean people are scared to go against the thorn stuck in the neighborhood not able to heal it. No one wanted to stand up for these guys. I was tired of this I wanted my brothers to go out without getting picked on or getting scared of stepping out. I rebelled against the oppression of those who were not allowing my people to have some good time sitting outside their house without anyone bothering them. I began to do a petition for more police in the neighborhood. I began to ask for more city cameras have at least a cop in every two blocks. The end was a success people began to gather protesting asking for more police watch more people began to see what it was meant to happen. We began to grow in numbers. People creating meetings and rallies.

            Towards the end we received our police we received more watch. Police began to stop more of these gang members. They wouldn’t let them loiter on the corners. Little by little gang members are hardly coming out, sure there still there but they don’t bother do stupid things as they used to. When we began to ask for more policemen they began to see how drugs were involved in the neighborhood. It got to them to the point they raided a whole entire street were they arrested 5 main gang leaders arrested the neutrals of the gang the henchmen. They found up to 5 hundred pounds of drugs in each members house illegal guns even stolen merchandise. Thanks to the support of the people and me beginning to organize a petition the neighborhood has been a little more mellow sure there still there. No matter how hard you try gangs will always be there. You can slow them down but they are all there.         

nelson answer day 9

When I was younger, my family never had money so when it came to my school clothes or a new haircut I was on my own.  In my family it is more of you do not have to tell your parents what your doing or where you are, but it was on you to support yourself.  I used to sell different things just to have my own money; it was the way my parents never wanted me to be.  I would rebel because it seemed there was no other way.  As my family had this belief that I did not have any money, my clothes began to change and so did my independency towards them.  I stopped trying to get money out of them and just began living my life.  That is usually when parents start to notice something is going on, when you are not bothering them for something.  They started sneaking around my room and started to play investigators around the house.  Noticing that I would have new clothes made them a little curious about the whole situation.  I finally gave up that fast money dream, stopped rebelling towards my parents, and began picking up different hobbies to make money like DJing, cutting hair, and working on cars.  I do not regret what I did in my past only because you should not regret things in the past because you can not do anything about them but just look forward in life and make sure you understand what you did wrong and what you can do to make it right. I understood my place in being wrong and now that I am older, I will only make my money in the best most convenient way.

Day 9 Amanda's response:

In my senior year at Benito Juarez high school, I was involved in a program called “Chicago Bound: After school matters- Digital Photography”. I learned many techniques to improve on taking my photographs, such as try not to focus on using a blurred background, and incorporate my moral values into sceneries that I can consider to be a part of. I practiced trying to perfect my images by walking around the north and south side as well as the downtown area of Chicago taking as many pictures as I could with a digital camera. After taking some time to review the outcome of my photographs, I had taken two hundred and fifty. On average, forty percent of my pictures were not as good as the others. However, I managed to use many of those photographs for ASM, such project for a display at Midway airport. From time to time, I maintain to take portraits for my portfolio. Some of my pictures reviewed by former teachers, and instructors and I had received positive feedback. I think a good way to start off my career as a phtographer is to sell my photographs and through the process improve my skills and not rely on fame as a source of my happiness.

Day 9 Answer: Matt Singleton

I have rebelled plenty of times in my life. The one that I remember more clearly has to do with my eyebrow. I didn’t think I was rebelling at the time, but deep down I realize that that’s indeed what I was doing. My dad has always been a pusher, and I mean he pushed me to work harder, or tried at least. He was never a mean guy, but was hard on me when I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. The time that I’m referring to was actually not long ago. I believe it was about 7 months ago. A close friend of mine is real tattoo and piercing fanatic. So for the longest time she tried to convince me to get a tattoo or piercing besides my ears. I had always considered it, but never really had the patience to go through with it. One day in mid January, I and my dad got into a bit of an argument, concerning me and a job. Things didn’t get too bad, but it was enough to get me heated. A few days later I made my decision about the piercing. At the time I thought I wanted it just because it would be a cool new edition to myself, but today I knew how it would make my dad feel. It was a pretty cruel thing to do, but my dad and I are on pretty good terms now, seeing as how I have a job, and I’m going to school. I also love my piercing on my own now, and I do think it’s a good edition.

Ashley Renee' Response 2 Malcolm's ?

In my mom’s eyes I was always her baby girl who could do no wrong. I always did what I was told with no back talk. Never questioned any of her motives. I guess you can say I was a mama’s girl! That was until I got a taste of the high school life. My first year in high school, I did nothing I was told. I would always tell her, “OK” but never do it. I started meeting new people and wanted to experience new beginnings. I start drinking close to my third semester of school. Once my mom found out, I could tell she was hurt but at the time it didn’t faze me. I didn’t really care because I felt like I was finally breaking out of my shell.  I continued to drink. I drank so much that it became an everyday habit. I had to have a drink when I got home from school. Since I wasn’t old enough to buy my own liquor, I would ask my cousin to go get some for me. Sometimes I would steal whatever liquor was in the house and replace it with water, just so no one would know the difference. I stopped drinking when I reached my sophomore year and picked up a new habit. Smoking. I started smoking marijuana, at first, just to try it and see if the effects were as real as my friends said. Once I got addicted, this was my new habit. I smoked everyday. Before class, after and even on my lunch break. I smoked for close to 3 years because it became a stress reliever. In May of my senior year, I kicked the habit because I had gotten pregnant. I still continue to drink, but only at social gatherings, as far as smoking goes, I haven’t started back and don’t really plan to. 

Malcolm's Question: Lola Ogbara

Being a teenager, there were plenty of times that I rebelled against my family, particularly my mother. She would ask me to come home around a certain time. Sometimes I came in at 1a.m the next morning.  There was one time when I was out with some friends and I experimented with marijuana. I came home high and as much as I tried to deny it, my mother still knew that I was up to no good. My mother tells her mother everything that happens in the household so this event was no different. I soon got a call from my grandmother the next day. She was disappointed in me for doing what I had done. Hearing this from my grandmother is different from hearing it from my mother. When it’s from grandma, it’s bad. I felt disappointed in myself. I felt like I had failed her because she faith in everything I did. Not saying that my mother didn’t but the impact was much greater from grandma being that I’m much closer to her. From that point on, I didn’t come home high. I tried my best to come home at a reasonable time. I spent less time with the friends I experienced marijuana with.  I learned from my mistakes so I tried to be more careful. The end result was that I got in less trouble with my parents.