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Damian's Page

The Alchemist By: Paulo Coelho December 28, 2011 Wiki Post 5/Semester 1

The Alchemist By: Paulo Coelho December 23, 2011 Wiki Post 4/Semester 1

The Alchemist By: Paulo Coelho December 22, 2011 Wiki Post 3/Semester 1

The Alchemist By: Paulo Coelho December 11, 2011 Wiki Post 2/Semester 1

The Alchemist By: Paulo Coelho October 23, 2011 Wiki Post 1/Semester 1

Damian, I thought that your analysis of this section of "The Alchemist" was very intricate. I find it wonderful that your author uses an array of imagery. I would also have to say that my book in the first section had a hard time getting to the point as well. Very good job on your first analysis. ~ Brooke Garrod

Forces that Changed My Life Prompt August 25, 2011

I believe that there are many different forces that created who I am today. I mean, lets face the fact that someone doesn't just pop out of thin air. Influence all around us, as we grow up, defy us. One major force that made me who I am would be my family. Since my parents have been divorced (which happened when I was three) my life has never been the same. But the love and comfort from my parents made sure that it wouldn't affect my life negatively. Another force is friends. Sure people hang out with friends but how close are they with their friend? I know I have one friend in particular who I know I can confide anything with them. Trust is a major contributor. Friends for me have always been that growing support at school. Sure we have love at home, but it feels a lot better growing up with a buddy. Grade are probably the most important thing to me. Why? I have no idea. I like the feeling of seeing over a 95% on a report card, and I love the praise I get from family. It is like a high I suppose. Grades are the knob that opens the door to the rest of your life. I "polish" those knobs just waiting to use them. When I was only eight years old, I had to converse with a judge over the matter of my parents #|custody battle. Sitting on the stand answering questions hurt me. Seeing people stare at me, waiting for answers. All I could say is I wanted both my parents. But who cared? No one. After seeing how hard the #|lawyers worked, defending their clients, I realized how much they make a difference in the world. I wanted to be that person, being depended upon. As of right now, that's where I'm going. Success is another force for my development. I like being able to say that I was invited to National Honor Society, or I am in Student Council. It's nothing like bragging though. More a sense of accomplishment. Motivation is another huge force for me. I am so motivated about high school, #|college, and law school so much that I work myself to the bone. I come to school sick (with medication in my body) and work until I completely run myself out. I'd say motivation is huge in my life. I think the second largest force that impacts who I am would be death. Life is only so short. I have been trying to live every day like it is my last simply because it could be. I think as human beings, we take life for granted. Death is such a depressing thing, and I try to not think about it too much. I think media really helped defy who I am. When you watch a movie it captivates you. You want to be like the protagonist and save the day or solve the mystery. I think that the curiosity of those movies help me be more open minded. For example, trying to save the day by giving someone the homework assignment. I look up to a lot of people... role models. Role models have shaped my brain into becoming bigger and better than they ever were. I was this thought of being better than Donald Trump. WIll it ever happen? Who knows. I think that role models have helped me set goals which allows me to be the best I can be. Ever since I was a little kid, the idea of a role model fueled me like rocket ship, ready to blast off to success. Lastly, fear is one of the forces that made me who I am today. Fear of not being what I aspire to be. Fear of failing a test. Fear of being late for school. All of these minor fears culminate to be one big fear. The fear of not being myself. All I ever want to be is true to myself and others. Some find this harder to do than others. But every night before I turn off the lamp at my desk, I ask myself, "Was I true today, or a fake." It is amazing how being a little bit more honest, faithful, and trustworthy can shape who you are.

Wow, Can't believe you had to go through your parents divorce at such a young age. But your attitude is strong and optimistic and I respect that. I also agree with what you say about friends, without friends there will be no support but work individually on everything. It's exciting to reading your story. Great Job! *clap clap* -Jason Z

I can definitely tell how motivated you are from just some of the things you have mentioned on here. Working hard will definitely get you to where you want to be in life, and you are certainly on the right track. I also liked how you mentioned the fear of being yourself. I know many people who really aren't themselves because they're just trying to fit in with certain people. It's refreshing to see that some people are trying to stay true to themselves. -Lyndsay Rathbun