Jaylicf's Weblog

All Over Creation

jaylicf — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:57:09 +0000

So recently in my AMS class we had to read a novel entitled All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki. This novel had a lot to do with family and the relationships we have with those closest to us. I feel it had a lot to do with how our relationships evolve in the first place and the origins of these relationships. One of the main characters, Yumi, had a very negative relationship with her father. He was disapproving of her life style and the decisions she was making. This caused Yumi to run away at a very young age. Many years later, when Yumi’s father is dying, she returns and they are able to fix their relationship by the end of the book. The reader is able to see the unconditional love associated with a parent/child bond. I feel the love that one recieves from their parents allows a child to properly develop. Without this love at the beginning of our lives it can negatively effect our future adult relationships.

In the novel Cruddy, the main character Roberta has never had a very solid home life. Her mother ignores her and her father treats her not only as an adult but also as the son he always wanted. This causes Roberta to strive for acceptance from her father and this need for love causes her to undergo very tramatic experiences. Roberta did not lead a good life due to the lack of affection from her parents. She eventually has her friend push her in front of a train at the end of the novel because she is unable to overcome the psycological damage her parents have done to her. “The good life” needs to originate from caring parents who will love their children and take care of them in the hopes that they will lead good lives.

Thanksgiving and “The Good Life”

jaylicf — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:56:10 +0000

Next week is Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to spend the week at home with my family. This is a particular holiday where most families gave together and are supposed to give thanks to God for all of the wonderful things he has given to us and done for us. Your supposed to just relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. I love my family and I love my friends however I do not believe that family and friends are an essential part of “the good life.” I’m not saying I could live without them because they have given me much support; however, there are other things that can act as a support system. I believe that its much more important to be an individual than rely on your family constantly to hold you up and be your backbone. A person needs to go out and make things happen for themselves in order to lead a “good life.” It’s alright to enjoy your families company and love them unconditionally but you can’t rely on them to create your life for you. You need to go out and experience as much as you can and form your own opinions on the world. I love my parents but I really don’t want to have to rely on them for everything. Right now I do depend on them a lot and thus I’m not currently living my version of “the good life.” Hopefully when I’m older and have my own career I will be able to provide for myself and truly make my own decisions but until then my version of the “good life” will have to wait!

Big Fish

jaylicf — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:42:28 +0000

Last week in my AMS class we were asked to read a book entitled Big Fish by Daniel Wallace. I had seen bits and pieces of the movie but I had never actually watched the whole thing so I really had no idea what the story was about. I was surprised by how quickly I was able to read the book and how interesting I actually found it to be. Big Fish is about a man named Edward Bloom and his life told from the perspective of his son. His son is constantly bothered by the father’s long fanciful tales about the things he’s accomplished and the people he’s met. Edward Bloom’s main objective in life was to become a “big fish.” He wanted to be important and make an impact of the world he lived in. He told many stories and most of them were probably exaggerated but they all had a significant meaning. Bloom literally lived through his stories. He wanted to go out and have wild adventures and experience as much as possible. In this sense, I believe Edward Bloom was leading “the good life.” “The good life” is all about experience and going out and doing something with your life. Edward attempted to do something with his life when he left his home town in search of a more promising future. Big Fishis a very interesting story about adventure, relationships, and the meaning of life.

American Beauty and “the Good life”

jaylicf — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:25:59 +0000

A few weeks ago in my English 105 class, we watched a film entitled American Beauty. I had seen this movie a couple times before and think its one of the most intresting and meaningful films that I’ve ever watched. The movie is about a man named Lester Burnham and his family. Lester is at the point in his life where he’s searching for more. He’s trying to find a meaning or purpose for all of the things that go on in his life daily. Lester is a man trapped in the past. During the course of the film, he constantly reflects back on how happy him and his wife, Carolyn, once were. Carolyn has now become a woman solely consumed with her job as a real estate agent. Her main focus in life is to be perfect. She wants to be the best and have the most material possessions possible. American Beauty is a film that says a lot about “the good life.” Lester was trying to seek his “good life.” He started sticking up for himself, working out, and saying whatever he wanted. Lester also believed that if he was able to win the attention of his daughter’s friend, Angela, his life would truly be perfect. Lester’s idea of “the good life” was Angela and he went to great lengths to attract her to him.

Carolyn on the other hand believed that power and financial success would lead to a “good life.” She was attracted to a successful real estate agent named Buddy Kane. Carolyn constantly measured how great her life was and how happy she was by how many material possessions she had. There is a particular scene in the movie where Lester and Carolyn are sitting on the sofa. Lester is leaning in towards Carolyn about to kiss her with a beer in one hand. Carolyn stops him and says he’s going to spill beer on the couch. Lester replies by telling her that all of these material possessions have become so important to her that they’ve become more important than actually living.

American Beautyis a film that gives very different perspectives of “the good life.” In my opinion a person can not be a source of “the good life” and money is definitly not a component of my “good life.” I believe that in order to be happy you need to experience as much as you can. Enjoy the people you chose to spend time with and feel as many things as possible. The bad things in life will allow you to grow as a person and through this growth you are able to find yourself. Ones identity is the true provider of “the good life.”

Paris Hilton and the “Good life”

jaylicf — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:48:14 +0000

Often times when people think about the “good life,” they associate it with money (its unfortunate but true) and along with money comes the rich and famous such as Paris Hilton. Paris is constantly in the headlines and is known for her extravagant taste and spending. She was born into money and really doesn’t have to work that hard to live a lavish lifestyle. Paris is known for going out and having a good time and many people consider going out and partying to be part of the “good life.”

Although Paris Hilton is considered to be an image of the “good life” for many individuals, I do not believe this to be true. Personally I would not like to live like Paris. She is constantly made fun of by the public and no one really takes her seriously. Paris tries to break into almost every part of the entertainment industry and she has never been successful. Her album did not do well and her movie, house of wax, as a flop. I feel like Paris is only known for going out and doing nothing. Not to mention the fact that a lot of people resent Paris for her recent activities. She went to prison and was released earlier then expected when any ordinary person would have had to serve their full time. In my opinion Paris does not have what I consider to be the “good life.” Sure she has money but money isn’t everything. I think people need to focus on their own lives and not compare their happiness to that of someone in the public.

“The Good life” in general

jaylicf — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:22:20 +0000

So today when I went and searched “the good life,” I decided to see what type of pictures would come up for that specific topic. There were many different pictures that came up in relation to ”the good life,” however, they all conveyed the same basic messaged. There were men relaxing on hammocks, cartoons of people drinking, and business men (who I assume were very wealthy). This pictures all project certain images of “the good life.” No where in this search were there picturess of family or groups of friends. All the images contained people alone just lying around. In my opinion, this is not “the good life.” My “good life,” would include traveling, being financially comfortable, and possibly having a family. I don’t believe just hanging around by a pool is “the good life,” I don’t even like pools that much! But these kinda of images can be seen everywhere. When we think of relaxation and “the good life,” a main image that comes to mind is just laying on the beach on some tropical island in a hammock without a care in the world. The cares we have, or the problems we have, in our lives are what make life intresting. The experiences we go through are what make up a “good life” to me. Personally, I would never like to lay on a hammock and be bored all my life.

The Best Years in relation to “the Good life”

jaylicf — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:05:27 +0000

I don’t know if anyone has seen this show called, The Best Years. It’s one of my favorite shows and comes on the-n at 8 on Fridays. The show is basically about this girl named Samantha who is entering her first year of college at Charles University. Samantha has always had a hard life. Her parents died when she was younger causing her to be sent to live with her uncle. Her uncle, Patrick, was unable to take care of Samantha because he was dealing with a substance abuse problem. Because of her uncle’s actions, Sam went from foster home to foster home. She never really felt as though she had a family or fit in anywhere. Sam’s dream was to go to college and become a lawyer, however the only thing standing in her way is the fact that she really has no money to pay for college. Throughout the series, Sam describes her idea of “the good life.” Basically, she wants a family and a place where she feels she belongs. Sam believes that feeling accepted is one of the most important aspects of “the good life.” She is determined to make something of herself and get a college education even though it will be a struggle. I agree with Samantha’s veiws, feeling accepted and loved is a very important factor in living a good life. One needs to feel as though there is a place in the world in which they belong. Acceptance is definitely a very important ingredient to “the good life.”

The “Good Life” magazine

jaylicf — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:51:23 +0000

So today when I searched the “good life” on google one of the search results was for a magazine entitled “the Good Life”. This magazine is published monthly in Austin, Texas since October 1997. The goal of the magazine is to promote what the publishers consider the “good life.” There ideas of the good life include supporting local businesses in order to keep a smooth economy, family, friends, and keeping the environment as healthy and stable as possible. The magazine is quoted as saying:

We believe that a good life is comprised of family and friends, fulfilling work, intellectual dialogue, peace within and without, and an enjoyment of the bounty our community has to offer. The stories in our pages include these elements and more.

We try to practice and promote sustainable living, protect the environment and minimize the use of natural resources, and we encourage our readers to do so as well.

I do believe that this magazine is emphasising important elements of the “good life.” Family and friends play an essential role in most people’s lives. The people in our lives are what keep us from being lonely and depressed. Interaction with those we love is one of the most enjoyable things in our lives. Fulfilling work is also an important part in what I believe is my version of the “good life.” One needs to feel as though they are accomplishing something in order to truly feel satisfied with themselves. The “Good Life” magazine tries to promote these principals and I believe a magazine that promotes a positive message is worth reading.

Sleep and the “Good Life”

jaylicf — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:14:04 +0000

I came across an article entitled, “Good Sleep, Good Learning, Good Life” by Dr. Piotr Wozniak. In the article, he describes sleep as a direct provider of the “good life.” Dr. Piotr supports his theory by giving facts such as sleep is directly related to learning. Without sleep a person is unable to concentrate on the material and thus can not retain as much information. Sleep allows you to function through out the day. Scientists have conducted experiments involving rats in order to show the importance of sleep in everyday lives. The rats were chronically deprieved of sleep and eventually died after about two and a half weeks. The article then goes on to describe ways in which you can organize your sleep patterns and tips on how to get a good nights sleep.

I chose to summarize this article because I have come to realize that as a college freshmen I never am able to sleep. I think that has been the major complaint of most other freshmen on campus. It seems as though everytime I try to sleep something disrupts me or someone comes into my room and asks to hang out. So Im wondering is it possible to live a good life with out sleep. According to Dr. Piotr its not and at this point Im starting to agree with him. I have been starting to feel the effects of a lack of sleep. I find myself constantly wanting to take naps during the day. It feels as though everytime I lay down in my bed I just fall asleep! According to Dr. Piotr some helpful tips for sleeping are:

1. Sleep as much as you need

2. Aviod alarm clocks

3. Forget trying to fall asleep at a set time, instead fall asleep when your bodies ready

4. try to eliminate sources of stress

5. stick with good people, a bad group of friends will often ruin your sleep patterns

6. quit smoking

7. reduce caffiene in take

8. if you can not fall asleep within 30 minutes get up because your body is not ready for bed!

9. use the details of your sleeping patterns to adjust your schedule

10. if you experience racing thoughts before going to sleep try to relax and get up for about 30 minutes

FoxFire by Joyce Carol Oates in relation to the “Good life”

jaylicf — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:58:22 +0000

Foxfire by Joyce Carol Oates depicts a group of girls who have joined together to form a girl gang, entitled Foxfire. What all of these girls have in common is they all have come from families who have betrayed them in one way or the other. So the girls attempt to join together and form their idea of the “good life,” through the formation of Foxfire. Foxfire is a place where they can all fit in, the girls join together and defend each other against a world that they feel is out to get them. Although the girls longed to have a “family,” they soon realize that they have got themselves into more than they can handle. Problems with the law start causing the girls to question, is this what we really want? As time goes by, the girls change thus causing their ideas of the “good life” to drift apart and develop. Maddy is quoted as saying:

One thing I’ve learned, transcribing these CONFESSIONS has taught me, we all knew a lot more at young ages than we remember knowing, later. Some kind of peculiar amnesia must set in. Some kind of reinvention of ourselves. Maybe because much of what we knew we didn’t like knowing and worked to forget so if you haven’t been keeping a diary or such (and nobody does, these days) you’ll succeed in forgetting what’s mysterious, upsetting.

What Maddy is saying is that as shes writing this confession, she’s going over her old notebooks and realizing that she did understand many things about life and goals, just not the things that she wished she knew. Maddy just choses to forget everything she once knew because shes a different person now. In her own words she has “reinvented” herself causing her previous idea of the “good life” to not match up with her present veiws. Shes a different person now and what she wants out of life is different as well.

Foxfire describes transformation and shift of dreams. Its relatable to the average person because, although we may have not joined a gang or broke the law, we are all able to reflect back on what we wanted when we were younger. What are previous ideas of the “good life” were. And like Maddy many times we’re embarrassed by our once so important dreams.