Achieved yet Unachievable

ENGL100-92533 Freshman Composition

January 6, 2019

Achieved yet Unachievable

“The 400 richest individuals in our country hold more wealth than the poorest 150 million Americans combined” (Reifenberg). Sometimes things make no sense. Sometimes things obfuscate perception. Sometimes things exist only to take advantage of the more unfortunate in society. Humankind is flawed. By themselves, people know their own destructive nature. Something must be done. Therefore, we take action. In our country, the community lives, eats, works all for the general welfare of America. Continuously, we, the people of the United States, strive for a perfect world, a transcended culture, a renewed realm, but we will never achieve it. Barack Obama delivered a speech titled “The Defining Challenge of Our Time.” In a letter to the editor of The Observer, Natasha Reifenberg and Patrick LeBlanc claim, “Yes, income inequality really is that bad.” Robert J. Shiller describes “The Transformation of the ‘American Dream’” in The New York Times. Although vague in meaning, the American dream is twofold: unachievable because imperfect humankind runs the government achieved already through the government ensuring the life and rights of citizens, and also achieved through the constitution our forefathers dictated word for word.

The American dream idea could refer to a fictional United States where every man and every woman live perfectly. Does that sound vague? Unfortunately, the reason that the definition sounds vague is because the American dream means different things to different people. Arguably, one of the most defining traits of the phrase is that people cannot define it truly. In the New York Times, Robert J. Shiller explains that the phrase “has changed radically through the years.” Even only through the country, the phrase holds enormous, differentiating value. To one person, it means liberty, and to another, justice. In 1931, James Truslow Adam attempted to define the term as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement” (Obama). Many today could misinterpret even this definition of the phrase. Surprisingly, the phrase even sounds something like the Socialist Karl Marx could have proclaimed in his Communist Manifesto: a disgusting parallel. “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” speaks to audiences by instilling a greater wish for the fairness of life. While patriot-sounding, this socialist idea would ensure equality of misery. Disappointingly, we will never understand the concept of the American dream, but as citizens of the America, it means nothing. The definition of the American Dream is difficult, tricky, and also impossible.

Additionally, “the American dream” can be viewed for what it really is: a tool used by the media, governments, and politicians to trigger in each person a sort of pathos. Although seeming tangible, those three little words, that utopian concept, exist today specifically to make us crave and consume. Barack Obama mentioned it, “making sure our economy works for every working American.” Used by both recent presidents, the phrase intrigues people, causing a yearning for a better life. Again according to Robert J. Shiller, “as the term became more commonplace . . . home builders used it . . . in advertisements, perhaps to make conspicuous consumption seem patriotic.” Consumerism in America has grown and thrived. Greed always motivates. Incentive always drives. Money-changers will continue to use whatever they can hold onto, even when that means ruining a fine idea, taking what provides humanity with hope in change in exchange for a little extra change.

In an alternate light, our American dream is precisely just that: American. Unsurprisingly, our core values, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, weave through and throughout the United States of America; today, exactly as they should, our value of human rights protect the innocent and craft a quality of life for all. Part of what we think of our American dream has already been achieved. Peter Marshall, a previous chaplain of the United States Senate, clearly articulated “the twin pillars of the American dream” as “religious liberty to worship God according to the dictates of one’s own conscience and equal opportunity for all men.” In schools no matter the state, students represent every race, language, and religion. Strikingly, the “melting pot” of America, as we sometimes call it, cooks thoroughly. In America, our rights are upheld. Our courts give to each their due. The Latin, Greek, and other writings of Plato, Tacitus, Aristotle, and Socrates testify to our method and measure. Greek philosophers could only nitpick at the pristine state of our states today. If they would be proud of our nation, we should too.

Although true, just, and righteous, our American dream is also precisely just that: a dream. Sadly, we will never achieve the perfect world that our country was meant to be. Flaws will perplex us in new ways in the futuristic realm. No matter what, we will strive for that utopian universe, yet never will we catch the uncatchable goal. In our country, the community works, eats, and lives all for their own satisfaction, a better life. They thrive from driving forward. America grows and prospers although capitalism causes an unequal sharing of blessings. Although torn by human nature, people captivate the market, manage the agriculture, and innovate through the unpaved roads of technology; all these they do despite their own destructive nature. With our knowledge we conquer challenges, and overcome obstacles. Even when some things do not make sense, we persist and stride on.

Total Words: 909

Works Cited

Obama, Barack. “The Defining Challenge of Our Time.” America Now: Short Readings from

Recent Periodicals. edited by Robert Atwan, 12th ed., 2017, Bedford/St. Martin’s, pp. 308-310.

Reifenberg, Natasha. Patrick LeBlanc. “Yes, income inequality really is that bad.” The Observer. 

Feb. 1, 2016. <https://ndsmcobserver.com/2016/02/94141>

Shiller, Robert J. “The Transformation of the ‘American Dream.’” The New York Times. Aug. 4,

2017.

E4 first semester final

Western Lit: God and Man

Section 3

December 19, 2018

Total Words: 634

Homer speaks to his audience using poetry as the medium of his story. Contra Marshall McLuhan, in the case of The Illiad, the medium is not the message. In the day of Homer, people generally wrote through the form of poetry. Through poetry, Homer told a story including and utilizing the Greek gods as characters in the story. Pagan culture surrounded Homer at the time of writing, meaning many people believed in many gods. Thus, by having multiple gods in this way, Homer appealed to the worldview of his audience. Additionally, people at that time believed that if one worked enough, they could become a god. With a belief that mankind could conquer the evil of society, people thought that humans could achieve perfection.

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the rule of three, the number three, and the symmetry inside the book suggest the specific theological idea of the trinity. Many examples show three different things or ideas. Specifically, the story generally follows three people throughout. Prominently, the Dante divided the book into three sub-sections. Symmetrically, three things point to the three figures of God. Throughout the book, Dante reminds readers that God exists in the three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Speaking to readers, Dante communicates an obfuscated idea, yet readers can discern the truth in the message. Structurally, Dante beautifully furnishes his poem with the number three in order to suggest the greater theological theme.

All words hold power. Even the nimblest of words own authority. Seamus Heaney, in “Digging” expresses intricate concepts through nimble and simple phrases. For instance, the third line of the second stanza portrays a clear picture of a son analyzing thoughts with the three simple words of “I look down.” On Sunday mornings during church, taking notes, I look down to my almost sub-conscious doodling: a gun with my pen as the barrel. Influenced by Heaney’s artistic craft, I recall, recite, and rewrite the elegant words, “the squat pen rests; snug as a gun,” remembering the power of words. I love words. Heaney reminds me that if I do not use words carefully, I lose the control over my influence and could harm others.

For years and years, English teachers plague students with the requirement of reading his work and writing about his talent: Shakespeare. Why would teachers plague students? Teachers must have a good reason. Perhaps students should learn the reasons if they do not understand. Through many ways, Shakespeare crafted himself into the greatest wordsmith of all time, a position he made difficult to contest by using rhyme schemes and consistent rhythm. With messages interlaced in humorous plots and tragic tales, his work resounds across culture even still today, influencing practically everyone everywhere. In Richard II, he uses analogies left and right and words like insinuate or beguile: vibrant vivid verbs. As a virtuoso, Shakespeare was an excellent leader the writing realm. Conclusively, students can learn why they read Shakespeare with ease.

Humans, now broken creatures, once lived in an unblemished realm, a constant fellowship of peace. I think most likely, Ayd Rand spoke once, “Every writer is a moral philosopher.” In all different ways, all writers elude to their life patterns: how they live, what they ought to do. For instance, Richad II illustrates no king or queen could perfectly rule for justice. Humankind, a fallen race, cries out at the breaking of spirits everywhere. Dante elaborates upon the recreation of human reality; he even seems to think humans are beasts. We have lost our touch; from the beginning we broke the rules. Siegfried Sassoon speaks also of injustice and the corrupt nature of people in “Base Details” through the immoral actions of even the scarlet Major. Every character profanes an aspect of life; the degree and method vary, but all people sin.

The Easy Way Out

The Easy Way Out

As the rain rattled recklessly against the dark office window, splotches of light smeared about the room from the lofty ceiling fan. Sitting on my enormous four-feet-long desk, objects scattered themselves. On the glass tabletop pane, pens laid down, tired from the hefty note-taking job. My eyes glimpsed my slightly stained sticky-note pad that refracted a reflection. Next to the pad, two tiny notes updated me on my class grade. More sticky-notes hung on one of my computer screens, expounding upon my learning efforts with various bites of information. In conjunction, multitudes of book pages settled: my Spanish textbook, my previous English book filled with 50 Essays anthologized by Samuel Cohen, and finally, a half-full and half-empty notebook containing other peoples’ notes on my speaking style and speech content from speech class. Near the middle of the desk, wrapped up neatly, a piece of candy gently rested with a plastic paper curl only a candy commercial could craft. However, I had placed more plastic on this desk. Specifically, one-inch-wide, cubic, bent, dented, and empty boxes of an array of colors stacked themselves neatly in order, straight from my 3D printer tests. Along with the boxes, two miniature plastic Eiffel Tower models of differing heights and depths soared above the other various objects. Snapped in half when once my brain did too, a crumpled and tiny and used and orange eraser sat in the center of the other things. Pensively I pondered.

Like a pig deep in mud, I sprawled out with my elbow bent and resting impolitely on the desk and with my hand inching my head through my hair and with my feet folded and propped atop another chair standing next to my desk. Quietly, I appreciated some peace away from the bustle of life, so I let my thoughts wander. “School can wear a person out,” I thought, and “My parents never taught me time management. How can I balance all these subjects?” But as the time started to run itself away, I brought myself back to the problem at hand. Sourly I mulled over previous ideas I thought would solve my problem. Stubbornly, I did not wish to write of the meta problem my teacher suggested, my problem of tackling an important essay, so I wracked my brain for the different problems of my life. As I stared into the depths of the monitor, unfortunately, the empty Word document did not fill itself. While I stared, only a few things popped into my head. Contemplatively I uttered, “Lots of problems occur at robotics class, and we have to diagnose and solve them all the time!” However, all the ideas complicated my wish for simplicity. Additionally, I questioned, “Why not explain a problem that my 3D printer solved?” Sadly the workings of my brain presented no such problem. During the interlude of brainstorm, Jonathan, my brother, called from work. He asked of the matter and suggested, “How about a narration of finding the perfect Christmas gift?” Arduously, I turned him down, thinking to myself, “How in the world would I do that?” Sneakily, he alluded, “Want to do something really meta?” My brother reminded me, so I told him how my teacher previously proposed this idea. Repudiatively, I turned it down once again. Yet none seemed as simple. In a way, none seemed as massive. None seemed as close to reality. I gave up and took the easy way out.

Cause-Effect essay on FRC

Cause-Effect essay on FRC

Yes… I really wrote a Cause-Effect essay about robotics. I’m joining team 3476, Code Orange, this year; I love Code Orange!! By the way, (just to brag) Code Orange(‘s alliance) placed seventh at the FRC championship this last season! But wait, you may ask: What’s FRC*? Find out yourself:

The Benefits of FRC

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Dean Kamen holds this vision. By creating FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotic competitions, Dean Kamen made his vision come true. FIRST robotics competition (FRC), one of four leagues in FIRST, is where students from grades 9-12 compete to build a robot that competes in the game for that year. Participating in FRC provides students with improved leadership skills, hands-on experience, and motivated students wanting jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related fields.

          First, through FRC involvement, students improve their leadership skills. Creating a robot requires a team that works together to demonstrate organization, communication, planning, and skill. In every FRC tournament, each team sends three representatives, called the Chairman’s Committee, to present a speech to tournament judges about the exciting things their team has done that year. Representing the team to the judges, these committee members learn speaking and leadership skills. Furthermore, each main team forms sub-teams that include machining, programing, research and the Chairman’s Committee, and eventually, a student leader naturally emerges. The members of the sub-teams learn by following the student leader. In brief, FRC helps students grow their leadership skills.

          At the same time, students, through engaging in FRC, receive hands-on experience, which will help them later on in life. When using power tools and machines in a real workshop, mentors, whether parents or graduated team members, guide students how to make parts and install them onto their robot successfully. Having only a limited time to build a robot, students learn to work under high-stress environments. During what people call build season, a six-week period to build a robot for that year’s competition, students learn to work quickly and efficiently. Additionally, being in FRC benefits students even after their part on the team ends. Workshop experience assists former students by helping them perform their jobs or hobbies better. Former students who have graduated with this experience in making things also continue to benefit. Summed up, FRC helps students by teaching them how to use tools in a real workshop.

          Furthermore, FRC encourages students to pursue jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related fields. After students graduate, they obtain jobs easier and enjoy their jobs more. First, through FRC teams, they receive internships. Because building robots cost an extremely large amount of money, FRC teams receive grants and contributions to help with the cost. Some of these sponsors hire students for internships during the summer. With a solid work record, these students often advance with the company, and the internships eventually develop into a full-time career. Not only do students obtain jobs, they have grown to love their jobs. Because FIRST competitions are about STEM, students become enthusiastic about STEM. After students graduate and move on to job in a STEM field, these former students relish their job because FRC taught them to love STEM. As a result, students often develop fantastic careers.

          In conclusion, FRC helps students in multiple ways: boosting leadership skills, providing hands-on experience, and often leading both former and current students into meaningful jobs. Because of the benefits, every student should consider involving themself with FRC. Leadership skills and real-world job skills are crucial to being successful in life. Natalie Kalin, a former student in FIRST, reports, “The skills you will learn from being a part of FIRST robotics goes so far beyond knowing the right tool to use … In addition to the technical know-how I gained from FIRST, I have also acquired other professional skills necessary in the real-world work environment.” In conclusion, students should join FIRST robotics competitions and become involved on a team.

*If after reading my essay you still don’t know what FRC is, watch this.

Descriptive Picture essay!

Descriptive Picture essay!

A Peaceful Prayer from a Patient Man

          Peacefulness, patience, and perseverance: these words describe what is currently happening. An old, bearded man rests himself on a frayed chair and leans on a table. Combed with care, his well-groomed hair tells a tale of wisdom. For today’s chilly winter weather, he wears a dark green-plaid flannel jacket to warm himself. In a primitive bowl which lies on the table, stew steams a beefy-smelling air. Bounding in from the window, the morning sunlight shines through the window; shadows bounce from wall to wall. Birds chirping, bees buzzing, and butterflies flutter just outside the window; a new day begins. Along with the stew, a dry piece of sourdough bread patiently waits to be cut with the knife sitting on the table; the man still prays. His Bible together with his round-rimmed glasses also resides on the table. With folded hands and with elbows resting on the table, he mumbles inaudible words to God. Although his stomach rumbles, he exerts patience and perseveres to pray to his Father in Heaven.

Writing this essay was difficult because I had a very strict set of rules. Not only did I have to write about a specific picture and ONLY what was in that picture, I had to write with 200-250 words. I started writing Tuesday which was a huge mistake; although, I couldn’t write on Saturday or Sunday because I had a robotics tournament and other homework. My class starts Wednesday at 6:45, so I have absolutely no time to turn it in before class. My first draft was amazing, and I thought “This is good! I only need fifty more words!” But since I described all the things in the picture previously, this was an extremely difficult task. Eventually, I added some things that made the essay worse, but got me a better grade.

yet another boring essay

A Trip on “Sideways Eight” in Tahoe (yet another boring essay)

Idle once again, gazing at the mountains surrounding the sunny California side of Lake Tahoe, I eagerly await for my father to get the key for the rental boat. Finally, he told me to hold the keys while he carried our bright red cooler of food. On the keychain were the numbers 00. Excitedly, I then proceeded with my two brothers and my parents to hop onto the boat. Unfortunately, the adventure had to be delayed a little longer. We all had to hear more instructions and safety tips from a crew member. Of utmost importance were the instructions to radio in when we approached the buoys. Using the boat’s radio, we were to radio in “Sideways Eight coming into the dock.” It took me a few seconds to figure out that was a catchy way of saying boat number 00. These crew members knew how to make their job and our adventure fun! As we pulled away, our instructor called out, “Drive it like you stole it!” We were off!

Intensely observing the deep water of one the clearest lakes in the world, I felt the cushiony, soft carpet between my toes. My father sat down in the driver’s seat. He drove the boat out into the spacious open water; our journey had begun.  Spinning around to view the dock, which was becoming smaller, I detected something in back of the boat: a large inner tube. Realizing we had possession of a giant inner tube, my brother, James, and I pleaded to my parents, to ride on it. When they finally gave in, James and I unhooked it and jumped on it; the boat took off without us. Lengthy and durable, the tow line, which was attached to the boat and the tube, became taut, and we, clinging to the handles, jerked. As we gave the thumbs-up to go faster, I felt the bounce of the waves much stronger than when I was on the boat. The freezing water splashed, and the wind whipped at my face. Bobbing in the wake, I pondered, What if we went outside the wake? Attempting to go outside the wake, I fell off. Once safely back in the boat, I dried off and lived to tell the tale.

Slightly later, my family and I found a compact, picturesque island that was steep with rocks and cliffs. On the top of the tiny mountain, a tiny, rock, one-room house proudly stood. Without thinking, we excitedly jumped in the freezing water and swam to the shore. Climbing up to the top, we felt the hot sun beating down on us. It felt good against the cold water clinging to my back. My bare feet were jabbed with rocks. Planting one foot after the other, I reached the top and bolted into the tiny house. Inside a fireplace humbly sat and nothing more showed itself besides the walls: not even a roof. Climbing down is always harder than climbing up. Being my second time climbing on the small mountain, I noticed more details. Oddly enough, at some points organic stair-like rocks lead down from the mountain. Thinking of how amazing they lead down the hill, I thought to myself how God made them.

Once we returned back to the boat, my stomach started rumbling. My parents decided it was time for lunch. As we ate food from our cooler, our boat drifted slightly. Eating my dry sandwich of turkey, tomato, and lettuce, I crunched on the crispy lettuce. As I took another bite, I felt the texture of the tomato in my mouth. Another bite showed me slimy turkey. Combining the three flavors into my mouth made me want more. Juicy and soft, the tomato especially punched the tangy zing into my mouth.

In conclusion, this story reminds myself of how God made every little detail. Noticing the little things is just one lesson that I learned on that trip. From the icy splash, to the rocky touch of the mountains, God made everything so thoroughly. Because God crafted the microscopic things, we are blown away by His awesomeness. Listening to the plunge of the waves against the bow, smelling the clean air, taking in the whole experience forced the goodness of God on me. Every wave has a purpose; every rock has a place; even the atoms of a sandwich tell the story of God’s creation.

At first, I enjoyed writing this essay until it got monotonous; my teacher make me make multiple revisions. Yeah.

My first completed essays

My first completed essays for English 2!

          I have this one friend who checks my blog frequently (probably the only one who reads it currently), and I kinda thought about them when I wrong my paragraph on music… Oops. So here it is:

Music is a large part of my life. Whether singing in my choir or playing the piano, I enjoy music thoroughly. Whisking me away to my happy place, piano songs thrust emotion into me. Captivating and intriguing in every way, songs force my mind into a state of fearlessness. Whatever songs I play change the way I think. Playing, pondering, listening, marking my music: these are the things that completely collect and collaborate my brain. Choir clears my mind. Melodies and lyrics take me far away from school and help me clear my mind. Much like piano, the notes that I sing float into my head and extract any worry or fear that clogs it. Although sometimes I do not have enough time to play or sing, I know next time that I will. Music is my special place; my place no one can take me away from.

          Yes…. I’m sorry…. I wrote about Jessica again… She was the only other thing I could think of when I was thinking about something I liked to do! Alright here’s the next paragraph:

My dog, Jessica, is incredible. Whether good or bad, she has her own unique personality. Like people, Jessica often does the wrong things. Once she is caught from eating trash or trotting upstairs or even cantering out the door of the house, she puts her tail between her legs and leisurely saunters to her kennel for a timeout; she knows when she does wrong. Unlike people, Jessica likes chewing on stuffed animal toys and playing games. Here are some of her favorites: tug-of-war, catch, and squeaking plastic toys. Ripping toys to shreds, she lunges, grabs, and attacks. Although she loves the toys themselves, I’ve noticed that when I leave her to play with them by herself, her energy ceases. When I come back, her energy flares up again. She loves playing just as much as I do. Jessica is special to me in many ways.