Reflect This (developmental periods)

It is depressing that by age 20, an age in which life experiences are at a potential maximum, three-fourths of the life span periods are already in the record books; enjoy life with the mindset of a child so that everything is fun, the physical development of an adolescence so that anything is possible, and the wisdom and knowledge of an adult so that everything and anything are worth it. Experience life.

Reflect This- High Quality Literature

Thoughts about Reading and Using High Quality Books

    Having limited exposure to literature growing up concerns come to the mind more quickly than the benefits of having high quality literature in the classroom. First, what criteria is needed in order for a book, or piece of literature, to be considered “high quality?”  Most books are thought to be considered “high quality” depending on the individual experience one has with, or from, a book. A “high quality book” is one that would provide a higher quality, more eventful, more worth remembering life experience to its page turner.
    Secondly, just as news journalists from around the world wait for the “appropriate” moment to unleash their true thoughts on some of the worlds most controversial topics, age “appropriate” books wait in libraries to be found; to be found by a child that has yet been exposed to some of those topics deemed “appropriate.” What makes the topics “appropriate” and who decides at what age it is a child is to be exposed to these more controversial issues.
    Lastly for concerns would be that in the form of advocacy for a higher quality of literature in the classroom. An individual should not have to wait 29 years into his/her life before understanding that there is a higher quality of literature out there. Learning about the different reasons books are given awards provides a much clearer path to higher quality books than does the sometimes wasted felt effort in reading and then deciding. A way to make the concept of “high quality reading” universal to parents is a must for advocacy of reading high quality literature.
    For some, literature is the only form of experience they may have. To ensure that that these experiences are worth-wild and in the end will benefit society in some way, shape,or form, high quality books with life learned lessons must be presented. Some moral questioning and placement should take place after reading a higher quality book; something should be learned that was worth learning.
    In order to keep ones attention, higher quality books must also keep the attention of the reader. Story lines must be relevant and relate-able to the reader or an association will not be made.
    Reading does improve the imagination. Most things that benefit civilization were not just found in the world as it is. Ideas were thrown around, sometimes by means of literature, to be tweaked and fine tuned until the full benefit could be felt. Readers will continually build off of the imaginations of others. A higher quality book can be thought of as the motivational launching pad that may boost a child's imagination to the next world cure-all.
    The name of my favorite childhood author is Maurice Sendak, writer/illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are (1963); which is also my favorite childhood book mainly because this is one of the few memories I have of my childhood; this experience can leave one to think that the process (the sitting with momma as she reads a loud) is more important than the act (cognitively reading for ones self) of reading. Through experiences comedy and fiction novels have most often found their way into my hands. My favorite adult authors are David Sedaris (my non fictional choice), a Grammy Award nominated humorist, and mother-daughter duo P.C. and Kristin Cast of the House of Night series (a fictional representation of how the world may work with vampires). My favorite book by Sedaris is titled When You are Engulfed in Flames (2008); this is a collection of humorous non fictional experiences, more about his attempts at quitting smoking than anything else. The entire House of Night series follows the fictional character of Zoey Redbird, a human turned vampire high princess, and all of the troubles that may follow a typical female teen-aged vampire princess.

Reflect This (Currahee)

I have recently returned from an experience that I am glad I decided to do. I got to meet up with some of the guys that were, as I was, forever changed by the often un-thought of exposure to war. I now know that am not alone with my thoughts and reflections. Often times it difficult to fathom just what we did during the "Battle of Ramadi." The thought that scares me most: seeing one of these brothers in arms giving up when he has already been through so much. As of right now though most all of the "Outlaws" are either still doing what they do across the ocean or are pursuing some type of professional degree in college. Individual memories were shared and new ones were made. Embracing was a must because the fear of never knowing when we will meet again is always in the back of our heads. These are men that I have a bond with; a bond like any other; a bond that will never be matched. We saw death together and in a way played God together. I can easily recall one memory of each and every man I served with; I have taken a part of all of them with me and am happily satisfied with the camaraderie obtained and the person I have become through the means of bonding on a level with people that not all get to experience. Other than my wife I feel that these are the only people in the world that have the RIGHT to hold me accountable for anything. We became and will always be our own individually specific band of brothers no matter where we are in life. Many became one by doing something bigger than themselves. CURRAHEE!