Kennedy Way!

Kennedy Way Linky!

Box-Man Wishes

1.Something I learned, which I more really took a new perspective to is the simplicity of the Boxcar Children and the box-man's life. At first I saw it under a negative light, but during and after the discussion it took a more positive tone. As he is simple and content while everyone else is buzzing around busy and unable to enjoy the simplicity of life.
2. I wish that we had actuallky discussed how the back round of the author matter to the story. The author said that she worked at a law firm for only two years before she became a full time writer. Law Offices are always filled with people doing every sort of imaginable task. However, the author herself chose to be in a more solitude environment by becoming a writer. Writers typically spend a lot of time with their pencil or computer drafting their essays or books. Sometimes they simply sit alone lost in their thoughts and emotions about their soon to be, or a work they would like to begin. Thus praising the Box-man for chosing his own solitude is an interesting choice since it seems to relate so much to her own life.
3. One question that i still have lingering in my mind is how the author creates so much about the box-man? As well as why was the femine example of solitude not homeless? Perhaps to emphasize how much she did not chose solitude, that she was simply forgotten by all of her friends and family.

"I am a ______."

Here it is :)!

Anna Sukhova

Mrs. Guerard

Period 2

8/20/12

 "I am a ______."

Upon musing on what I am and producing absolutely nothing that could possibly depict me. Grasping at a needle in a haystack became frustrating so instead I came upon the realization that while I may be a lot of things,  but I am often incorrectly accused of one thing in particular. Being a perfectionist. I am not a perfectionist. Society has taken the liberty of naming me as such due to my tendencies to please. It is a very unfortunate observation, as no one sees the entirety of my personality. I will admit that my efforts, under all circumstances, are focused on bringing joy to any individual who has requested anything from me. That simple fact does not dictate my entire being, I am not obsessed, or remotely attracted to the idea of making anything perfect, for myself.  I do not strive to make my bed perfectly neat the morning, nor do I make it all on any morning. I do not have neat arrangements of any kind, not books or clothes. The only time I strive to make a perfect conclusion to anything is when it is for someone else.

I have been raised as a Christian my entire life. Constantly being encouraged to serve everyone as if you were serving the Lord Himself. Of course by encourage in a Russian family the encouragement is more distinctly a "do or die" situation, thus making the choice of behavior incredibly easy. There was never a standard for how one did things for themselves, that is where the perfectionism would shine through, if I was indeed a perfectionist. By definition a perfectionist would do everything perfectly, even tasks that are done for oneself. There would be no rest until everything is done precisely. Though the question has bounced around in my brain as to how one can be a perfectionist when every person has a unique point of view, and the definition of perfection varies.

However snobbish the term "perfectionist" may sound there are worse words that can be used to label myself such as, "try-hard" or perhaps "compulsive". Despite the negative connotation that rings off the word "perfectionist", the two competitors are much more negative. Being a "try-hard" is attempting to achieve a particular, and personal, choice of image, despite of its accuracy. Trying so hard to be something that one is not, does not have an appealing ring to it. It is also not often appealing to the persons around you to live a lie, instead of just owning the personality that truly belongs to you. Being "compulsive" simply means you cannot help yourself even if you tried. Not having the ability to rest until everything is "perfect". "Perfectionist" lies playfully in the middle, while being something you can help it is also something that you already are, not an imaginary image.

When I was first exposed to my label I was was hurt, but over the past years I have grown to learn my true personality and not be bothered by what the rest of the world perceives me to be. There is only growth to be gained from criticism. In attempts to drop the nickname I have proceeded to not share the extensive lengths I go to, or have gone to, in order to complete a task the best way possible.

No matter what one may call me, I am to remain myself, nothing less but hopefully one day something more. I will continue to please the requests for others. Society can categorize anyone and anything, but that is a mere label that can change from one sunrise to the next.

Long Form "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"

Here is the link for the long form! :)

#Senior Project

     Wasting time is not something I take to fondly. When the eminent Senior Project came along I was concerned with what could be done that would not only benefit me but also others. In my young years going to the dentist was never a horrible experience. I have always been fond of how each dental office is different, sometimes even each room. However, the climx of the visit has enduringly been the different teeth models that explain the separate parts of the tooth outside and inside, as well as what the various mouth diseases target. Playing with the displays brought endless joy while the adults talked business. Over the years as people have asked my choice of career my answer quickly became "something with teeth".
     Naturally, for my senior project I would pursue something involved with dentistry. As important as dental visits are, it is more important to keep yourself out of the dentist's office and as well as the expenses. My senior project will be focusing on predental hygiene, exposing the different techniques needed to keep good hygiene. Included will be insights on what to ABSOLUTELY AVOID and what is healthy for your mouth. Perhaps, amongst hours of interviews with countless dentists there will be some discoveries about myths that are spread around about hygiene.
    I will also be hosting a special lunch time seminar on how to avoid your dentist! With tricks to take better care of your teeth and which toothpaste is "best" or, if there is any difference at all. I will be going around to various dental, orthodontics, and hygienist's offices to listen to their expertise and see what differs and what overlaps.
     Nothing is fun without getting the population involved. Another element of my senior project will be challenging a group of peers to cut out soda, and other treats, out of their diet for a week or longer!

Все о мне!

     Hello, my name is Anna! Growing up in a different country always adds a different perspective, the cultural difference is obviously the most simple to recognize. Moscow is a beautiful place with a fast paced life that does not wait for anyone. The checkout clerks at grocery stores do not smile and ask how you are nor does anyone offer to carry your bags, unless they plan to steal them. However people are also honest with you, no one "beats around the bush". The fruits and vegetables are always fresh and canned food is unheard of. One of the more peculiar discoveries of my residing in America is the large love of peanuts  that Americans share. Peanut butter, peanut brittle, just regular plain peanuts, recess pieces, the list goes on and on! Strange how a population can love one little nut so much.
      This summer I have had the pleasure of occupying my days with an occupation at Piner's Nursing Home. Considering the extreme generation gap, listening to their childhood and adult lives was wildly fascinating. Though they know of all of the new technological advances only a couple of the residents actually own a computer. Their knowledge of the internet database posed for a mutually shared laugh when various questions popped up during regular conversation such as, the best techniques to crack a coconut. There is a surprising amount of challenges that need to be overcome when one is wheelchair bound. Naturally the range of mobility and daily tasks is limited but often the question,  one cannot answer by anything but experience, floated around, what it is like to actually sit in one chair all day, not in your own home, but in a skilled nursing facility. While some residents have family or friends that regularly visit and bring small slices of home with them to share, others are abandoned with only staff and other residents to interact with. Life is brought into a narrow perspective, treasure your friends and family because as the year race you too may end up wheelchair bound.
      Another large part of my life and summer has been working on my relationship with God. Getting together on Friday nights with our youth group has been a blast, playing ultimate frisbee and sharing testimonies has made for a satisfying summer. Being a teacher of the kindergarten sabbath school class has also been a long time passion of mine. Watching the little ones learn the new songs and love the new room decorations that change on the quarterly basis is fulfilling. Interacting with them and listening to their stories of their adventures never gets old. Their undeveloped minds absorb an overwhelming amount of information in a microscopic amount of time. Between working at a nursing home and volunteering with the kids at my church the commonality of the brain function from when you enter this work and from when you leave it has been etched into my mind. You come into this world in diapers and leave it often having to wear "adult liners".