Sunday, November 30, 2008

People Watching


Sitting in the airport today, I looked around and noticed the hundreds of people walking by.  Everyone lugging their belongings and hurrying to their gate.  From little toddlers to grandparents, there is always a wide variety of people at the airport.
I cannot help but notice how grungy people dress when flying.  My mom told me that "flying used to be a privilege" and that now "people take advantage of the whole system".  She always expects my brothers and I to dress very nice.  Meaning I will wear a dress and my brothers will wear blazers.  I always thought this policy was a little ridiculous.  People will look at you.  I used to feel self conscious about dressing so nice, but have realized that people can think what they want.  They may think that I am a stuck- up, rich kid but in reality I am not.  I am flying with my family and enjoying my time at the airport.
When I was flying home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, I was very flustered and a little nervous, considering it was my first time flying alone.  I know.  Can you say sheltered?  Anyways, I was going through security, struggling to take off my many bracelets, my belt, my shoes, and any other accessories that might have caused the detector to go off.  The man on the other side of the metal detector, noticed I looked like I was having a rough time.  He stopped and said, "You don't know where the American Airlines gate is, do you?"  Looking at his big grin, I shook my head timidly.  He soon directed me where to go and was a huge help.  
My mom told me that dressing nicely helped my cause.  Presenting yourself in a sophisticated matter definitely helps your situation.  Earning respect of the security, elders, and authorities is very important.  People are always watching.  

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Comments...

I commented on thinkagain's blog about the post: The Land is Kind
I commented on  Capitalization of Innovation for Value's blog about the post: Question and Answer.
I commented on Paris Hilton's blog about the post: Miz Alice's relation to Heat- Moon.  

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Comments...

I commented on college girl's blog about her post: Heat- Moons Journey.
I commented on Chelsea's blog about her post: Blue Highway.
I commented on Lynn's blog about her post: Blue Highways Question and Answer.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Least Heat- Moon


At first when given the assignment to read the passages from William Least Heat- Moon's book, Blue Highways, I did not really understand what the book was going to be about and how he was going to make the middle of nowhere interesting.  Being fired and wifeless, he took off on a journey across America.  The book focuses on heritage and displays several scenes where Least Heat- Moon connects with people of different heritages.
What do you think some of the important pieces of advice Least Heat- Moon can take away from his conversations?  What did he learn from Miz Alice compared to Kendrick Fritz?

-Miz Alice is an appreciative woman with a well grounded personality.  She loves the life she lives although it is on an isolated and secluded island.  Everything is within walking distance and life on the island is peaceful for her.  I feel bad for her because her husband and elder daughter passed away, leaving her by herself.  I think she teaches Heat- Moon about appreciating your surroundings.  Also, she believes a good education involves looking around and recognizing the beautiful things the world has to offer.  She says, "education is thinking, and thinking is looking for yourself and seeing what's there, not what you got told was there" (390).  Not only is Miz Alice very wise, the college student Heat- Moon converses with is connected with his heritage and understands his background.  Heat- Moon is able to learn about Fritz's Hopi heritage and what it means to be an Indian.  Although Fritz is a college student working to become a doctor he tells Heat- Moon that , "being an Indian means being responsible to my people.  Helping with the best tools.  Who invented penicillin doesn't matter" (182).  Heat- Moon also learns about the Hopi's beliefs.  He learns that the Hopis believe there are four worlds.  Also, they have an emergence symbol.  Heat- Moon gains insights about the Hopis.  He learns that the lines of the symbol "represent the course a person follows on his "road of life" as he passes through birth, death, rebirth" (185).  I think Heat- Moon's encounters with Fritz and Miz Alice are important in helping him find the right path.  He has been through a lot of stress and I think these people are helping him gain insights about the true meaning of life.