You have one year to live. What will you do?
We live in a society that travels in heards. The typical american wakes up and starts their day of by sitting in rush hour traffic. This person fallows a schedulae that leads that, most likely, does not stray from their daily routine. If allowed to fallow that schedule without interuption, that life might drone on. But, what if somebody told you you had one year to live ?
Hypathetically speaking: three hundred and sixty six days from now I will not be alive.
I would spend the rest of my days living my life as I normally do, however, I would stop to smell the flowers so to speak. By living my normal life I could spend time appreciating the little things that have made my like what they are. Some people might say that they would drop everything to do things they have never done before. I would not rule out adventure completly, but I would spend most of my time close to the things I know. I feel that ski diving and cliff jumping, as envigorating as they might be ( and are things that I hope to try someday) are not the things I will appreciate having done when I am on my death bed.
On my death bed I want to feel that I did what I could to clear up any misunderstandings with my loved ones. For me, a close friend is family, and anyone who knows me knows that along with my friendship comes my family. Family is one of the most important assets in my life. I dont understand any person who cannont appreciate anything and everything a family member does for them. Your family are those who know you best. They are through out every part of your day.
In the mornings, little things like: smells, tastes, the breeze, the soft sounds, are all things that I would spend more time appreciating for the way they make me feel. Bright sunshine in the afternoon, the feeling that comes over the day in late afternoon, you would know it even if you were blind, that lets you know night fall is coming. These are all lifes little entities that make it worth living.
In the end, it comes down to making my quality of life the best it can be. Not to fill it with all of the things you have yet to do, try or accomplish, but to shed light on the little things that embody the path your life has already taken.
But why does it take knowing when you will die to take action?--why dont you always live like this?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
What Should We Be Doing About Global Warming? Why? CLS 101
What Should We Be Doing About Global Warming? Why?
First and foremost is education. Getting people educated about what is going on is the first step to prevention. Global Warming is a rapidly increasing fact, with more evidence supporting that humans are the main contributor (Chart p. 137). Making people aware of what is going on and why, will hopefully help them to more readily want to contribute to its reversal. I feel that what politicians who support that Global Warming is indeed a fact, should be speaking out about it. Governors and Senators should be doing their part to educate their states and cities about ways they can reduce their emissions and save energy.
As the United States is the largest contributor of greenhouse gasses(!) our government should do its part in working to reduce emissions by signing such documents as the Kyoto Protocol. Being one of the most powerful countries in the world means that we have to set an example. The United States is “one of only two industrialized nations that have rejected the Kyoto Protocol, and, with it, mandatory cuts in emissions. (The other outlier is Australia)”(149). I am a firm believer of accomplishing something from the inside out. Even though the US has yet to sign the Kyoto Protocol I feel that if our government can start to get people moving on the reduction of emission then we can begin, as a country, to lead the world in reduction. It has happened so many times that the US is the leader by example that “if a country like the United States embraces a cleanup technology, then the market starts to drive the price down, other countries start to see that it is doable”(180). More nations are jumping on the train to slow global warming; it is time the US gets involved in a big way.
By increasing the number of more fuel-efficient vehicles, the US can set an example in preventing more carbon emissions. Other methods of reducing emissions are capitalizing on our recycling. We have got the resources and the knowledge to increase the percentage of waste that is recycled. Also, a gradual, yet swift change from un-renewable resources to renewable resources. Efficiency is so important in the reduction of emissions. Using coil light bulbs, hot water heaters and solar panels are just a few things that will make homes and businesses more efficient and environmentally friendly.
All these things: educations, action, efficiency, are all things that need to be done to make us a less wasteful world. Even if these things do make more than a dent in the emissions, or ‘global warming’ turns out to be part of a cyclical climate change, all of these forward movements will still contribute to our health and better appreciation for the nature that we take from. This effort will cause us to be more resourceful and develop a replenishing attitude, which will only help in the long run.
First and foremost is education. Getting people educated about what is going on is the first step to prevention. Global Warming is a rapidly increasing fact, with more evidence supporting that humans are the main contributor (Chart p. 137). Making people aware of what is going on and why, will hopefully help them to more readily want to contribute to its reversal. I feel that what politicians who support that Global Warming is indeed a fact, should be speaking out about it. Governors and Senators should be doing their part to educate their states and cities about ways they can reduce their emissions and save energy.
As the United States is the largest contributor of greenhouse gasses(!) our government should do its part in working to reduce emissions by signing such documents as the Kyoto Protocol. Being one of the most powerful countries in the world means that we have to set an example. The United States is “one of only two industrialized nations that have rejected the Kyoto Protocol, and, with it, mandatory cuts in emissions. (The other outlier is Australia)”(149). I am a firm believer of accomplishing something from the inside out. Even though the US has yet to sign the Kyoto Protocol I feel that if our government can start to get people moving on the reduction of emission then we can begin, as a country, to lead the world in reduction. It has happened so many times that the US is the leader by example that “if a country like the United States embraces a cleanup technology, then the market starts to drive the price down, other countries start to see that it is doable”(180). More nations are jumping on the train to slow global warming; it is time the US gets involved in a big way.
By increasing the number of more fuel-efficient vehicles, the US can set an example in preventing more carbon emissions. Other methods of reducing emissions are capitalizing on our recycling. We have got the resources and the knowledge to increase the percentage of waste that is recycled. Also, a gradual, yet swift change from un-renewable resources to renewable resources. Efficiency is so important in the reduction of emissions. Using coil light bulbs, hot water heaters and solar panels are just a few things that will make homes and businesses more efficient and environmentally friendly.
All these things: educations, action, efficiency, are all things that need to be done to make us a less wasteful world. Even if these things do make more than a dent in the emissions, or ‘global warming’ turns out to be part of a cyclical climate change, all of these forward movements will still contribute to our health and better appreciation for the nature that we take from. This effort will cause us to be more resourceful and develop a replenishing attitude, which will only help in the long run.
Anastasia
Once upon a time, there was a young girl; her name was Abigail. Abigail lived happily with her family in New York, New York. There beautiful home was home to many others whom served Abigail and kept the household going when she was on holiday with her family. Now, Abigail had great responsibilities waiting for the day she came of age. This would be the time that Abigail would begin to take over the stocks that had been bought in her name. Abigail would also learn her fathers business of stock broking. Abigail’s father was the king of stock broking: being the most successful and well known, other brokers came to him for advice.
One evening Abigail was sitting to dinner with her family. There was a knock at the door and Abigail could here the voices of a stranger and the butler coming from the foyer. There seemed to be a problem, so Father rose to see what was going on. As soon as Abigail could hear her fathers voice interrupt the scuffle, there was a loud crash. The family at the dinner table was startled. As Mother rose to see about the commotion, Fathers voice beckoned for her to hide the children. There was a moment of surprise before Mother sprinted into action. She scooped up Anastasia’s two younger sisters and had Abigial and the young servant boy Nills, who is a little older than Abigail, follows her through the house. In the commotion, Abigail and Nills, become separated from Mother. Nills shows Abigail to a crawl space of which she never knew of. The children escape through the crawl space and find them selves outside. Unfortunately, outside is another hooligan. Abigail is snatched up, Nills scrambles for her hand, but she is swept out of his reach.
Abigail has now been missing for a little more than five years. All this time her family has searched for her whilst the hooligans have hid her. Through out her time with the hooligans she has been brain washed and made to have a new identity. The hooligans acted as father figures to Anastasia until they benefited from her street talents.
While Abigail is forced to make a new life, Nills has grown up on the streets of New York, surviving as a street rat. After the intrusion his family had been let go and no longer served in Abigail’s house. Following much struggle to find work his family was forced onto the streets. Being so young he was lost among the many faces and adapted to life on the streets.
One day, Nills was working on a job and crossed paths with Abigail in the district. After a double take, he knew that Abigail was the girl he once lived with.
Feeling great guilt for allowing her to be captured Nills began talking to people and making connections. Nills connected Abigail to her family and now had to figure out how to get in contact with her. The only problem was the hooligans that had their claws in Abigail like dragons. If Nills could only get through that guard he could tell her of her past.
Posing as a client Nills finally make contact with Abilgail. A little uneasy about how she will take such a story, Nills is cautious and begins with a story from his child hood about when his house was invaded. Abigail is confused why he is talking so much but seems interested. He goes on to tell her of her family and past. Not yet convinced, but looking for a better life, Abigail agrees to follow Nills. Through their journey, Abigial is reminded of times when she was a young child and she and Nills played together.
On their way out, the Hooligans stop them. The Hooligans had been tipped off to Nills previous relationship with Abigail. There is a scuffle and the Hooligans threaten Abigail’s life. They try to make her feel guilty about what she is a bout to do. After all they have done to keep her off of the streets, in a certain sense, Abigail begins to get scared and feel guilty. Nills caught on and quickly reminded her of her family and what she meant to him. She is torn between what she wants and what she knows. Abigail is grabbed and pulled away from Nills by the Hooligans. Nills breaks free before they get a tight grasp on him. He is grown now and strong, he will not let them take her away again. After knocking one of them out Nills thrashes through the other two to reclaim Abigail.
When Nills and Anastasia reach Abigail’s childhood home there is much emotion. She has over come these dragons that have had a hold on her. Through her ignorance she has survived but not truly lived. Thanks to Nills she has family to connect to, and a past to remember. However, because of her experiences, Abigail cannot simply jump into her old high-class lifestyle. Nills and Abigail fall in love and build a life together. Abigail rejoices in being reunited with her family. She learns that true love does conquer all. She treasures her newfound companionship. Nills and Abigail live happily ever after.
One evening Abigail was sitting to dinner with her family. There was a knock at the door and Abigail could here the voices of a stranger and the butler coming from the foyer. There seemed to be a problem, so Father rose to see what was going on. As soon as Abigail could hear her fathers voice interrupt the scuffle, there was a loud crash. The family at the dinner table was startled. As Mother rose to see about the commotion, Fathers voice beckoned for her to hide the children. There was a moment of surprise before Mother sprinted into action. She scooped up Anastasia’s two younger sisters and had Abigial and the young servant boy Nills, who is a little older than Abigail, follows her through the house. In the commotion, Abigail and Nills, become separated from Mother. Nills shows Abigail to a crawl space of which she never knew of. The children escape through the crawl space and find them selves outside. Unfortunately, outside is another hooligan. Abigail is snatched up, Nills scrambles for her hand, but she is swept out of his reach.
Abigail has now been missing for a little more than five years. All this time her family has searched for her whilst the hooligans have hid her. Through out her time with the hooligans she has been brain washed and made to have a new identity. The hooligans acted as father figures to Anastasia until they benefited from her street talents.
While Abigail is forced to make a new life, Nills has grown up on the streets of New York, surviving as a street rat. After the intrusion his family had been let go and no longer served in Abigail’s house. Following much struggle to find work his family was forced onto the streets. Being so young he was lost among the many faces and adapted to life on the streets.
One day, Nills was working on a job and crossed paths with Abigail in the district. After a double take, he knew that Abigail was the girl he once lived with.
Feeling great guilt for allowing her to be captured Nills began talking to people and making connections. Nills connected Abigail to her family and now had to figure out how to get in contact with her. The only problem was the hooligans that had their claws in Abigail like dragons. If Nills could only get through that guard he could tell her of her past.
Posing as a client Nills finally make contact with Abilgail. A little uneasy about how she will take such a story, Nills is cautious and begins with a story from his child hood about when his house was invaded. Abigail is confused why he is talking so much but seems interested. He goes on to tell her of her family and past. Not yet convinced, but looking for a better life, Abigail agrees to follow Nills. Through their journey, Abigial is reminded of times when she was a young child and she and Nills played together.
On their way out, the Hooligans stop them. The Hooligans had been tipped off to Nills previous relationship with Abigail. There is a scuffle and the Hooligans threaten Abigail’s life. They try to make her feel guilty about what she is a bout to do. After all they have done to keep her off of the streets, in a certain sense, Abigail begins to get scared and feel guilty. Nills caught on and quickly reminded her of her family and what she meant to him. She is torn between what she wants and what she knows. Abigail is grabbed and pulled away from Nills by the Hooligans. Nills breaks free before they get a tight grasp on him. He is grown now and strong, he will not let them take her away again. After knocking one of them out Nills thrashes through the other two to reclaim Abigail.
When Nills and Anastasia reach Abigail’s childhood home there is much emotion. She has over come these dragons that have had a hold on her. Through her ignorance she has survived but not truly lived. Thanks to Nills she has family to connect to, and a past to remember. However, because of her experiences, Abigail cannot simply jump into her old high-class lifestyle. Nills and Abigail fall in love and build a life together. Abigail rejoices in being reunited with her family. She learns that true love does conquer all. She treasures her newfound companionship. Nills and Abigail live happily ever after.
Family and Place
My family is a very tight-knit clan. My mother has seven other siblings and that gave me 25 first cousins. That fact has made us very family oriented. It has also made for some interesting reunions. However, my mom’s family all lives in Chicago. Even though we try to see each other once a year, this has made getting together difficult and often expensive.
My family moved to Maine in 1993 and we began building our Maine-family from there. Because there are four children in my family, our house has always been teeming with life: that of our friends and ours. Quite often before I left for school, we got together with a few families in particular. These dinners are hours long lasting from early afternoon, and going well into the night. On these occasions each family prepares one or two dishes to complete a cornucopia of delicious food. This food is always accompanied by wine and music. Quite a drawn out evening spent simply enjoying each other’s company.
Just the other night here in Montana I was invited to spend some time at a friends out. A group of people who spent spring break together were having a shindig. At this party we helped clean gear from break, barbequed, drank, and danced. At a certain point during the night just felt so comfortable and I was reminded of the dinners I had at home.
This made me feel so good to know that even though I was not in the place where I usually call home, I was on my way to making this place home and building my own family. I am excited and cannot wait to share this new family with my Maine-family and friends.
My family moved to Maine in 1993 and we began building our Maine-family from there. Because there are four children in my family, our house has always been teeming with life: that of our friends and ours. Quite often before I left for school, we got together with a few families in particular. These dinners are hours long lasting from early afternoon, and going well into the night. On these occasions each family prepares one or two dishes to complete a cornucopia of delicious food. This food is always accompanied by wine and music. Quite a drawn out evening spent simply enjoying each other’s company.
Just the other night here in Montana I was invited to spend some time at a friends out. A group of people who spent spring break together were having a shindig. At this party we helped clean gear from break, barbequed, drank, and danced. At a certain point during the night just felt so comfortable and I was reminded of the dinners I had at home.
This made me feel so good to know that even though I was not in the place where I usually call home, I was on my way to making this place home and building my own family. I am excited and cannot wait to share this new family with my Maine-family and friends.
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