Assignment #5- Haley Noehren- T.V. Just isn't for Me

Growing up I never watched all the popular Disney Channel or Nickelodeon shows. Looking back, it's created a kind of disconnect between me and my generation, but for the most part it doesn't bother me. When I started high school I still didn't have Netflix and rarely watched T.V. It was the middle of my Sophomore year that my parents caved in and got Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. I thought that having these popular streaming services would foster my love for television, but after attempting to watch the popular shows (like The Office) I lost interest. Since then I've seen my interest in television consistently decrease, and I hardly ever watch T.V.  I've thought about why I seem to have no interest in television and I've often times linked it back to my lack of time. Most of my days are filled with school, church, and running, so by the time I'm done with everything I'd rather go to bed than watch another episode on Netflix. On-top of that, none of the shows really interest me. Sitting down, watching some actors on a small screen is fun for about an hour, but after that my eyes begin to hurt and I loose interest. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the occasional binge watching session, but for the most part I just really don't watch T.V.

Assignment #5- Ellis Padgett- Long Live Shrek (and other films)

Television is a valid form of entertainment.  The accessibility of it all has allowed people to fall deep into pits- late nights spent binge watching, foregoing of social activities.  Whereas others forms of entertainment involve going outside, television allows you to launch into that gratifying realm all from the comfort of the couch.  Does this mean that there is something wrong with us?  No. 

It is because of this ease of viewing that the Emmys have danced their way into the spotlight rather than the Noble Prize.  When people watch TV, they make connections with the characters.  They root for the underdog, admire the uniqueness, get lost in the plot.  They align themselves with these stories, so when the Emmys come on with awards to give, people watch for their story.  The Nobel Prize doesn't hold that same connection with the masses.  This doesn't necessarily mean that our society is shallow- it just means that we're human.  The individuals who truly advance society and make educational leaps should no doubt be recognized as well (probably more than the Hollywood personas).  Yet educational elites are quick to label those that go for the connection rather than the culture as "shallow" rather than simply people looking for what entertains them the most. 

 

And that brings me back to my introductory sentence: television is a valid form of entertainment.  Not only is it building these relationships with people- making them cry, laugh, weep, and think- but it is also a form of art.  Each genre- the comedy, the horror, the tragedy- has an entire team of people behind it thinking of ways to truly convey story.  You can tell a good cinematic piece if you take away the sound and can still identify the genre.  For instance, The Office is characterized by a shaky camera that swivels around to different creative characters, effectively (and sneakily) introducing the comedic timing.  Taking away the sound wouldn't take away this facet of the art.  Good cinema is also characterized by plot, music, lighting, photography, and more.  If anything, television is different forms of art coming together to create one.  That is why we watch television.  We test these shows to see if they've accurately brought all of these art forms together to where we can appreciate them as a whole.  

To put it simply, I watch television because I like it.  I enjoy how the camera angles, music, writing, and actors can come together to create a piece that can actually move a person emotionally.  This doesn't mean that I am shallow as a person; there are films that have actually moved me to think more profoundly.  We live in this unique age where it's hard to tell whether the film industry is having an overall positive effect on people.  Like with any form of entertainment, overstepping boundaries and trading enjoyment for advancement is dangerous.  But in the end we as a society will continue to toy with this medium, finding its many odds and ends, until we finally feel comfortable with it.  And who knows- maybe some people never will.  

Assignment #5 Benjamin Webster- TV, a love hate relationship

I wouldn't call myself a TV fanatic, but I do enjoy it. I would say it is a brilliant tool that can convey important messages to the masses. However, it often gets a lot of glitz and glamour that is unnecessary.
We as humans often forget things like the Nobel prizes instead for what catches our eye and gives us excitement. TV and entertainment is a high wire in a sense due to one side being exciting and fun while the other side is knowledge and understanding. I feel TV needs to be used both because a world with no excitement or fun is not one I would want to live in but on the other hand, knowledge and understanding fuel our ingenuity and problem solving.
Like everything, TV is amazing in moderation. Staring at a TV won’t take you somewhere exciting or exercise your body and mind. Make sure you take a break from time and time and enjoy something else instead.

Assignment #4 Benjamin Webster- Something everyone should read

I was told as a child to always follow the rules. It seemed sensible, if you do something wrong you are in trouble and would have to brace for a chewing out. You had a plan set in stone of finishing school, going to college, getting a 9-5 job, having a family, retiring and dying quietly and insignificantly. As I’ve gotten older I have realized something important about the world. There are set laws or standards set by society, government, and your family. 

However, the only laws that you can and should follow are your own. People can tell you how to act but it is ultimately up to you. That doesn’t mean that there aren't any consequences to your actions because there are other people with their own laws that may not line up seamlessly with yours.

That being said, you only live once and there is no point in doing anything that doesn’t make you happy or will lead to future happiness. Everyone has the right to that regardless if they want to be in a herd or a lone wolf. I don’t know what will happen in the future, nor do I pretend to know, but what I do know is that wherever life takes me, I will embrace it and continue the search for a meaningful, happy life. 

Assignment #3 Benjamin Webster- Not a World Traveler

I’ve sadly never traveled out of the country. On top of that, I’ve only crossed the Mississippi River once. But the time I did was so awesome that I intend to go back next summer.

I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico, for a ten day trek into the wilderness with nothing but the things you can carry on your back. I went with four friends, and three of the collective groups fathers. It was surreal being out there without any contact with my family and enjoying the wilderness. I feel I learned a lot about myself while I was there. I learned how to lead, enjoy the journey despite it being rugged and mostly off the beaten path, and persevere.

The hardest and best day would be the day we climbed Baldy Mountain with an elevation of 12,441 ft. The mountain was incredibly steep with a lot of loose stones with frequent, intense thunderstorms. Because of this top was worthwhile; I felt a surge of pride unrivaled. This feeling is one I chase everyday and hope to find this school year and this summer when I hope to return. 

Assignment #2 Benjamin Webster- I actually read?!

I have read plenty for being a teenager boy. Some of my favorites are: The Mannings, Monsters,The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France, Those Who Wish Me Dead, Coming Back Stronger, A Man Called Ove, and Craig & Fred.

I feel like all of these books were interesting and held my fleeting interest very well. My favorite from the list has to be Craig & Fred. The book was about Craig Grossi, a Sergeant doing work for Marine RECON.

While deployed in Afghanistan, him and his fellow marines spotted a goofy looking dog (Fred). The dog formed a bond with Craig and he decides to get the dog back to America while dealing with the impending threat of terrorists.

The book provides an interesting flow with the story flowing from Craig’s deployment to the present where he, Fred, and one of his friends are on a road trip across the United States. This book really held my interest more than the others did. In reflection, I should probably read more but I am happy I do indeed read books.

Assignment 6: Create Your Own Adventure (College)

What interests you? What is your point of exigence? What's on your mind?  What do you want to chat about? Rant about? Learn about? What intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science, or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you: 

'Cause really, isn't it all about you? <wink wink nudge nudge>

This response allows you to discuss something that is important to you and to demonstrate how you think about intellectual problems. This is an exercise in creative and critical thinking. It also provides a platform for you to convey your enthusiasm for learning. What excites you about this intellectual experience? How did the experience challenge your preconceptions? How did it impact your way of thinking? What was your reaction? How did it change your perspective?

Ready...

Go!

Due Sunday, October, 6 at 11:59 pm

October 29 is last day to make up Blogs 1-8

Assignment #5-Sneha Amrit- Why do I watch so much TV

I love watching TV, but over the years my TV watching has evolved. While in elementary school I would stay up until 8 o’clock every night to watch whatever new episode of Hannah Montana or Wizards of Waverly Place was airing so that I could talk about it with my friends the next day. I no longer have the excitement that I once had for TV watching, now it is more of scrolling through Netflix to find something that looks bearable to watch. Although there are many trashy shows on Netflix, I feel that I have found some diamonds in the rough. As many people do I am a lover of Parks and Recreation. I think what makes me love it so much is how they made such a mundane topic into such an engaging shows particularly through characters such as Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope. This is also why I’ve watched all of The Office three times through.

Assignment #5 - Wes Davis - Strike a Pose

Madonna's "Vogue" pulses in my earbuds as I scroll mindlessly on Netflix, looking for something to waste my time with. After binging 9 seasons of Grey's Anatomy in approximately three to four months, I couldn't fathom watching anything. I would forever have that post-binge hangover. 

A woman's voice pierces through the music, ice to my ears. I slide the earbuds off and watch. An eclectic group of men and woman fill the screen, one calling herself "mother" and yelling at a girl wearing hoop earrings and a thin red bandana across her forehead. As she storms from the room, the trailer ends, and the word POSE fills the screen in pink neon. 

I'd been hearing about the show for months, but maybe now was the time. I pressed play on the first episode and the sting of tears in my eyes after 5 minutes not only showed me what I'd been missing out on, but reminded me of my worth, and that I deserve my place on this earth. 

~

As Billy Porter of Pose said in his Emmy Award speech for "Best Actor in a Drama Series" - The category is love!

For me, television has never been something I spend a ton of time watching or really talking about. However, after diving into the masterpiece of a show called Pose, my view and purpose for selectively watching television has morphed into something else entirely. 

Pose is the TV show that makes makes me not only want to sit down and dedicate an hour every day to, but it's a show that has changed the way I view myself. Pose - inspired by the iconic film Paris is Burning - catalogues the lives of queer people of color surviving the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80s and 90s. The cast makes history with five trans women of color having recurring roles. 

Pose isn't just a television show I rewind with, it's a show that actively changes my life. I've never felt more seen or understood than when watching this series. 

Pose has taught me to love myself and for that alone I not only recommend the show but for everyone to find some sort of media that makes them feel seen, accepted, and cared for. Television, for me, is a great form of self care when I'm watching something I'm truly attached to. 

I understand that television not for everyone, but maybe some just haven't found the right story to cling to yet.

assignment #3 - lily gardner: corn bread supper

My mother’s plane ride, LaGuardia to Cincinnati (back when you could get a direct flight), must’ve been impishly tormenting. Lured by the possible capacity for goodness described by the voice, perpetually short of breath, on the other end of the line, she had packed her bags with the expectation of a year of service deep in the mountains of Appalachia. The word decade hadn’t yet entered into her conscience. 

“Were there cars when you were my age?” I accosted my father with such questions, left unresolved until I was older, upon realization that elderly did not equate to primitive. He was born into a chicken coop, raised on the taste of soup beans on Sunday evenings, watching the sweat drip down the side of glass of iced tea on a hot summer day. 

My mother grew up in a ranch style, my father on a ranch. They both sat down to dinner at six. 

Whisperings of concertos by the likes of Beethoven and Bach, Ravel and Rachmaninoff ushered in the Tuesday night spaghetti dinner after the Tuesday afternoon meeting of Boy Scout Troop #3, Ardsley, New York. Mamaw was not allowed to sit down in the house where the phone was left ringing unless she answered. 

In the comfort of the mountains I learned to read and sing and weep. I learned to say I was allergic to meat outside my house, swerved around the used condoms when we went bike riding in the park on Saturday mornings. I learned to accept how many people were praying for me, my jokes about Jesus not as funny to them as they were to us. 

My father taught me algebra in the bathtub, the angle necessary to pour a perfectly foamed beer and the surface area of cinnamon necessary for toast. My mother? Everything else. She played the dulcimer in our family until we left when the leaves turned gold. 

I now live in a ranch style, far from a ranch. A converted mountain woman.

assignment #3–emanuelle sippy—and where i haven't been

Grandpa Lachman came to America from India as one of 6,000 Asian Indians to enter the U.S. between 1947 and 1965. 

During the Yom Kippur War, Grandpa Jonathan removed shrapnel out of the eyes of soldiers, Palestinian and Israeli alike. 

Grandma Carol documented the stories of Holocaust survivors. 

Nani counseled mothers who fed their infants McDonald's in order to keep them from starving. 

Mom listens to Somali girls in Faribault, who have spent lunch dodging the bacon and pepperoni thrown at them. 

Aba did not stop protesting confederate statues until they were removed, and pressures McConnell to address the plight of the Rohingya.

Culture and identity aren't synonymous, but the connotations they illicit in my mind are inextricably intertwined, in large part because of my grandparents and parents. When I think about where I’ve been and where I haven’t been, I also think about why. How we name the places—maybe I should chronicle every school I’ve been to, based on what the students said, or every city by dust, or art, or food.  

I probably felt just as uncomfortable with my positionality in Ciro, Jeserlum, Bethlehem, and Hevron, as in Heart County, Franklin, Salyersville, and Ames. 

I go to have conversations, in which I merely understand sentence fragments, to absorb and observe life. 

I call Lexington, Minneapolis, and Berkely home, but I’m not privy to most of the cultures they encompass either. That’s bizarre and overwhelming. It speaks to how much we remain siloed, but it's also kind of cool to be surrounded by limitless unknowns.   

assignment #5—emanuelle sippy—i used to hate tv a lot. now...

When I was little, I refused to watch T.V. shows, and movies, and music videos. I don’t know if I thought I was too good for all of it. I know I was much more intrigued by evesdropping on adult conversations and playing high school, which my friends and I made out to be so much better than it is, or singing songs at ant funerals. (We may have murdered them first). 

My brother would beg and plead for more screen time, whereas when adults expected me to be entrained
for even a few minutes, I went off and did something else. While my friends swooned over Dinsey,
I would play with their siblings or help their parents. I know it sounds ridiculous but this is not hyperbolic. 

Then, I was corrupted. Pretty gradually I started watching what Zach watched and enjoying
Parenthood with my mom, even though she was on season six (I went back to the beginning later),
but never picked anything for myself or watched shows in full. 

In seventh grade though, everyone I went to school with, and I mean everyone, was obsessed with Greys
Anatomy. I swore I wasn’t gonna watch it. I was okay with knowing enough to follow the conversation
and nothing more. But thanksgiving break was upon us, and I was incredibly bored. It felt like all of my
friends and their mothers were out of town, so I was like what the hell, I’ll watch an episode. That promo
turned into twelve seasons in one year. I would come home from school, watch Greys, go to dance, watch
Greys, finish something for SVT, watch greys, have friends over, get them hooked or make them rewatch
Greys. It was equally intense as my aversion had been, and again, no exaggeration. 

Sandra Oh is a god. The story is kind of compelling, especially before everything started repeating itself.
Someone dies, someone has a baby, someone flirts, they get together, they break up… on loop. I was just
conforming to an extent, but now most of my friends have stopped watching and I won’t until the show
ends. 

In a way, the exact reasons I could not stand T.V. as a kid, are some of the same reasons I’m obsessed with
Greys. I love people watching. Cartoons and High School Musical didn’t appear to be real people
(of course, Greys is glossy and fabricated too), but it does occasionally address real issues, from rape to
abuse to gender non-conforming surgery to abortion to cancer. Both on and off the screen, it has been radical,
created by one of the most well known Black Women of our time, and at the forefront of equal pay
in entertainment. I’m not claiming that watching is an intellectual pursuit, but it's good to see people in
the industry, who aren’t suppressing their (so-called) political views. 

Ironically, when I was staunchly anti-T.V. and went to bed before my parents, they watched Greys.
I love that entertainment has intergenerational audiences. But that bright spot isn’t limited to T.V. and
was true long before with good old books. 

Assignment #5 - Irene Kim - Our TV Habits Need Modifying

My relationship with technology is very confusing. Up until about third grade, I loved playing computer games on my dad's desktop, the only technology we had apart from my parent's flip phones. When we moved to Kentucky, I was shocked to see fifth-graders sporting Apple products and sharing Instagram posts. As I entered seventh grade, I got my first cell phone; my first laptop in tenth grade. Since then, I regret to say that most of my spare time has been spent on YouTube and Netflix--a habit I desperately want to change.

With TV, however, it's different. My parents have always been avid watchers of Korean television, whether it be K-dramas or Korean news updates. I had never been a regular audience of any form of news other than the occasional New York Times update on my phone--until I entered high school. Upon taking Colonel Brown's class which was filled with general knowledge and where everyone was subject to interrogation on the latest news, I began taking more interest in the news. Now, I enjoy reading through daily updates from outlets such as the New York Times or CNN--and occasionally indulging in a Buzzfeed "Tasty" video. I also love listening to NPR's TED Radio Hour podcast when I'm on the go.

Still, I rarely watch other television on the actual TV, including the Emmy's and the Nobel Prizes. I haven't ever intentionally taken the time out to watch either of these shows, though I have seen bits and pieces posted across the Internet afterward. To be frank, I didn't know that the Nobel Prizes were shown on TV--but now that I do, I will definitely make a point to watch them this year. While I respect every actor or actress for their hard work, I do think this goes to show that the entertainment industry and celebrity media is emphasized far more than academically oriented achievements of equal importance. Entertainment provides a form of amusement and diversion from the real world; the Nobel Prize winners are what keep the real world running. From Marie Curie to Martin Luther King, Jr. to Einstein, these winners and especially today's winners who are often obscured in the mass of the entertainment industry, deserve more recognition for their work.

Assignment #5- Miller Luhan- The Reality of Television

Based on my experiences of television, it seems that most people- especially in our culture- primarily watch television for entertainment purposes. That statement is based on the fact that our culture in the television industry revolves around sports, reality television (as well as other broadcasted shows and commercials), and fictional entertainment. I personally rarely watch television in the sense of cable- but with the development of streaming services, I tend to gravitate towards shows on those devices. One of my favorites is Friends, a show created solely for entertainment, with no educational intentions whatsoever, but I also enjoy the occasional documentary- some of my favorites being Fed Up and Waiting for 'Superman'.
The Emmy's, an annual event held to recognize greatness and excellence in the television industry, nominates actors and directors worthy of receiving awards. Even though I enjoy watching the shows and the people that get nominated, I question who is to judge whether or not one well-respected actor's achievement is greater than another's. Another problem that I have with much of the television industry is their emphasis on advertisements. These broadcasters are masterminds- they know that viewer rates are high during these shows, and that they will make the a huge profit selling commercial slots for large companies. An example of this is The Super Bowl. Every year, a bunch of companies buy spots for their silly, entertaining commercials so that people will correlate their product with the happy feeling they got viewing the advertisement. I remember the 2015 Snickers commercial that aired at half time- using The Brady Bunch to not only market their product but also a funny plot line to portray a diaphanous relationship with the audience.
In terms of Nobel Prizes, the reason I think they are less recognized is because humans desire to be sensationally pleased- this is not to mean that Nobel Prizes are not interesting, in fact I like to read about the winners on the news because of their developments in their fields of study, but to assume that the general population wants to watch hours of television in honor of research is not reasonable. This is not to say, "Yes! Let's focus on stuff that is not as important," but it does demonstrate how our society tends to focus on material/pop culture rather than education and achievements in academia. 

Assignment #4- Caroline Blitch- Sunday Mornings

For the most part, my beliefs closely align with my parents.’ However, a clear divergence emerged when I was in eighth grade and my parents signed me up for confirmation classes. 

When I was younger, my mom would drag my siblings and I to church every Sunday. We would whisper and make each other laugh as discreetly as we could in rebellion. Although my parents took me to church growing up, nothing was ever drilled into my brain. I found comfort in the idea that there was a nice man in the sky named God looking out for me but I honestly didn’t think much about religion. I was more interested in going home and playing outside with my brothers and my friends than listen anyways. 

Because the church I attended, as well as my parents, never strictly imposed religion on me, I never identified as Christian, or religious for that matter. Over the years, my family and I attended church less and less frequently, as my mother became tired of forcing us all out of bed each Sunday. I thought nothing of it. That is until my mom informed me I would be going to a weekly confirmation class that started at 9:00a.m. As I’m sure you can imagine, I was not happy. I thought church was out of the picture for me. But I “had to go because my older brother had to suffer through it, so I did too.”

The first class I attended was drastically different than any church service or Bible class I had ever attended. Thoughts and beliefs were shoved down our throats as fact without any consideration or questioning. The adults no longer danced around the beliefs that they were imposing on us. I began to see God and Christianity as a Santa for adults - a false reality to persuade people to be good. As soon as I got home from the first class, I told my mom I wasn’t going back. But there I was the next week, writing bullshit in my “prayer journal.” This continued for weeks until my mother finally told me I could quit going if I gave her a valid reason. And that is when I said “I don’t believe in God.” The next Sunday at 9:00a.m., I was sound asleep in bed.

Assignment #3 -William Webb

Personally, I have not had many cultural or intellectual experiences in my lifetime so far.  But I have great experience in many extracurricular activities, including sports, after school activities, and even things unrelated to school. These included particular sport teams and just things I enjoy.  But one activity that has allowed for me to become more involved and culturally experienced has been Cycling. I have been cycling for close to 2 years and I’ve grown as a person tremendously. I have meet new and different  people throughout my journey. For those that do not know cycling is a very family like sport. Just like football you have to work together with other people to accomplish goals and other achievements. Very few people are able to grasp the idea that cycling isn’t a one person or solo precipitation.  Although you ride alone, cyclist push and encourage each other greatly. To put in short terms, cycling has done everything put regressed my life experiences.

Assignment #4- Sneha Amrit- The Prison System

When I was little I used to think that all people who went to jail were bad people that deserved to be there, but as I got older I began to realize the complexities and inequities of the American prison system. Unexpectedly I first became aware of the unfairness when I watched Orange is the New black. The show added a human element to people that would otherwise be characterized as bad people. After watching the show I began interested and started to research American incarceration. Through research that stemmed from Orange is the New Black I found out that certain minorities specifically black men were given substantially higher and harsher sentences in comparison to their white counterparts who committed crimes of similar scale. I also learned about the unfairness of the prosecution system and how often public defenders will only have 12 minutes with each client which disproportionately affects those who cannot afford legal defense. This information completely changed my perception of the prison system and those incarcerated.

Assignment #3- Traveling!-Sneha Amrit

The majority of my extended family lives in India, so over the years I have been to India many times with my family. No matter how many times I go the first day is always a culture shock because of how different India is from Kentucky. The most interesting thing I find is the Indian obsession with KFC. My aunts and uncles always get us KFC when we first arrive since they think that’s all we eat in Kentucky. The KFC in India tastes a lot more like Indian food than the KFC here. It’s interesting to see how different American and Indian items combine to make a new one. This is most prevelant in fast food restaurants like KFC have their own unique version in India. I think seeing unique things in India help my educational environment because it has allowed me to see different perspectives on things and to recognize that people may see the same thing and have different ideas on those things. This has allowed me to look into more topics in detail to find those different perspectives.

Assignment #5-Emma Shadwick- Disney has gone downhill

Personally, I do not watch lot of TV. Volleyball and school take up most of my time. However, when I do find time to watch TV it is mostly Netflix crime shows. I love criminal minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Gotham, and old nickelodeon/Disney shows like Zoey 101, Jessie, and iCarly, which are rarely aired anymore sadly. I hate all new Disney shows. I think after the shows mentioned above went off air that it went very downhill and now it is not even funny, just stupid. I think taking a brain break to watch TV occasionally is never a bad thing. It just has to be in moderation so it doesn’t take away from productivity. In addition, this generation is turning more to Netflix to watch TV. Netflix has no advertisements so I don’t think advertisers are getting their message to the masses like they probably wish they were. I think the fact that the Emmys are very played up and the Nobel prizes are very play down sums up our society very well. Basically, we are concerned way more with appearance than substance and I think this is very unfortunate, even though I do fall victim to it occasionally. 

Assignment #2 -William Webb

My list of books I’ve read in the past 12 months may be short, but a book that surprisingly demonstrated my passions as an American was The Great Gatsby.  Even though, last year, we read this book as a class, I wish I could have read it before hand.  This book challenged the way I looked at school and other ideas such as the need for money and love. This book most likely had the greatest impact on my personal ideas than any other book I have ever read before. This is not the only book that has challenged my ideas or demonstrated my passions before.  The Teenage Brain also created a basis for my knowledge on how people see and interpret teenagers/ young adults in today's world.  This idea (not present before) became present to me that parents are the only ones that have to deal with teenagers are not parents.  This idea of the teenagers and their ideas and problems are much more community involved.

Assignment #1 -William Webb

My name is William Webb, named after my grandfather.  I love sports and pretty much all physical activities. But i have a certain passion for Football and Baseball, mostly because I excel so well at them.

 

Some personal academic goals for me this year included an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher, and even the ability to pass all of my AP classes this year.

The most meaningful moment of my summer this year was the bonding of Ms.Cable and myself.

If I could pick any super power, it would be super strength.  I would choose super strength 

because daily activities would become very easy.

Something that geeks me OUT, is stereo systems.  It doesn't matter what kind, car, home, or even boat.  I just can't help myself.  Ever since i was little they’ve surrounded me consistently. My father's love for them are mostly likely for the reason of my knowledge and interest in them.  My love for stereos and music have also aloud for the interest and influence of my friends.  I’m the go to stereo guy.

Assignment #5- Emma Lauritzen- run run run

Around 2011, family friends gave our family a giant TV when they got a new one. Thinking back on it, it may have just been that I was very small and everything was big, but to me the TV was like a movie screen. It was about a foot wide and very telling of its time period. It also almost tore my house apart. 
During this time my brother was the sole owner of the front seat on the way to and from school in my moms mini van, but the TV finally gave me power over my brother. The house rule was "first to the remote wins." So after school everyday for several months my brother and I raced into the house (even playing dirty by tripping and hiding the remote), and on the rare occasion when my little legs beat my brother I got to enjoy a glorious hour of control over the TV until my dad came home. But then we stopped racing when our family got a subscription to the brand new Netflix streaming service. Once a week my brother and I got to order a new DVD (back in the days where Netflix actually sent you CDs) and we didn't have to fight over the TV because we could watch the movies or tv shows on my dads laptop or in the basement. This was the beginning of a new age where I did not watch TV. 
As the years passed, streaming services changed and grew and suddenly there was no need for TV. Around middle school I only used the TV to watch the news but then all the sudden I had the news in my back pocket. So now I don't watch TV at all. Its funny to think about how my brother and I would fight for hours over the TV and now we can watch pretty much anything anywhere.
This is great and all but TV has also silenced many homes, what used to be family movie night has become silent streaming in everyone's respective bedrooms. This great american pass time has completely changed. TV is also a lot more subconscious than it used to be with advertising and politics. While its mentally numbing television isnt so bad and I have a great deal of respect for it even though I dont use it much anymore.

Assignment #2: Books - M'Kiyah Baird

In the past 12 months, I have read Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon and Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans. I reread Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins and Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell. There's a countless amount of books that I've started and not finished yet because of my short attention span but I plan to finish all of them. I recommend the Michael Vey series, the Hex Hall series, and Frozen Charlotte. They're all fantasy books which is my favorite genre and they're easy to get in to quickly.

Assignment #4: A Presentable Way to Look -M'Kiyah Baird

As I've grown up, I began to notice several people with piercings, dyed hair, and tattoos. I had never wanted to do anything more than dye the ends of my hair green back in middle school. Of course, my parents told me no and I went on about my life, but I've never truly gotten over the thought of a small tattoo on my wrist or another ear piercing or a few blue streaks in my hair. We've made compromises and I've given them as many examples as I can, they still hold on to the idea that one with tattoos and piercings simply won't be taken seriously in "the business world". I still disagree and my parents continuously shoot back the "it's just a phase" comment directly after I've said something they don't agree with. I understand that sometimes a face full of tattoos isn't the way to go, but I still think they're being a little dramatic. However, I agree not to do anything drastic until I'm 18, and even then, I'm positive my mother won't willingly let me do whatever I want regardless.

Assignment #4- Haley Noehren - Perfection isn't Always Ideal

I came into high school with a mindset that I had to get all A's, and that those A's had to be at least 95% or above. While this was a good motivator for me to keep myself focused on my schoolwork, I also began to see that it was only worsening my perfectionist tendencies. Nonetheless, I stuck with this mindset through Freshman year, and survived. But I wasn't prepared for the jump from one to three AP classes, and the effect of thinking that everything had to be done 101%  correctly would have on me Sophomore year. In AP world my notes were 11 pages long and I was repeatedly told that it was excessive. All Freshman year I believed that if I didn't over-prepare that I would fail, and that would result in me getting a B on a test, and that was the end of the world. Sophomore year taught me differently, and made me re-think that belief. I learned that no one has time to do everything, and therefore no one can do everything perfectly. I therefore decided to change my belief that I had to over-prepare and always do great on everything, or else I would be a failure. I decided that I would do everything to my best effort, and learn that sometimes things just don't work out and that's ok. I had to teach myself that failure wasn't the end of the world, and that if I did bad on a test or quiz to instead use it as motivation to do better the next time.

While I did discard my belief that perfection was the only option, I have to admit that it's not completely gone yet. The outcome of a rocky start to Sophomore year was a wake up call to reality. It forced me to realize that maintaing perfection was impossible, and it's ok to not always be the best. It's better to fail and learn than to fail and beat yourself up over it. It took me a while to realize that, but once I did it completely altered my belief on how I should approach my school work     

Assignment #4 - Taylor Galavotti - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday. For a Catholic family like mine, it's an excellent excuse to get roaring drunk and make whatever sexist or homophobic comment that suits your fancy. The worst part is they all think that I agree. So I smile and nod and find my way back to the kitchen where my Aunt Gay always manages to end up. 

There I can talk about my "crazy liberal ideas" like a woman's right to her own body or god forbid, gun control. She tells me about her life when she was my age, sneaking out to go to parties and being a cheerleader in high school. We eat powdered sugar donuts even though it's 11 pm. We talk and talk until finally the designated driver has had enough of this not-drinking nonsense and herds the drunk 40-somethings into the car to head home. By that time, I'm too tired for words, so I stumble off to bed, feeling exhausted but happy.

In the following months, she sent our family a letter to thank us for coming. She wrote half the card to me, recounting how happy our chat made her feel. I could feel my heart fill up with happiness; it felt something akin to waking up to snow on Christmas or seeing decorations finally go up (even though it's only November). Voicing my opinions like that was something I had never dreamt of doing for fear of being outcasted by the rest of my family, but I found a like-minded friend that Easter Sunday night. I'm only sad that I didn't talk to her sooner. 

Assignment 5: For the Love and Hate of Television

The Emmy Awards (aired recently) are kind of a big deal. Not a big deal in that life-altering-kind-of-way, but a big deal in the sense that a lot of celebrities dress up, that a lot of companies pay more money in advertisements, and a lot of people stop watching reruns.

The Emmys are not the only award extravaganza of the season though. During the first week of October, without the advertising, paparazzi, or celebrities, the Nobel Prizes are announced. But how many people are listening? With the Emmys comes television's fall lineup, but what does the common person get after the announcement of the Nobel Prize in physics?

So, what are your thoughts? Choose one or two or all of the following prompts:

Why do you watch TV? Why do you not? What shows do you love or hate?

Does TV provide a good form of entertainment? Is it just a convenient delivery system for advertisers to send their messages to the masses? Is it an inane use of time? Can it be all three?

What does it say about our society that the Emmy's have so much glitz and attention and the Nobel Prizes are quietly announced in the news? Is this bad? Good? Appropriate?

Check out these sites for more information:

Turn off your TV

Television and Health

Positive Benefits of TV on Toddlers and Children

Due Sunday September 29 at 11:59 pm

October 29 is last day to make up Blogs 1-8

Assignment #4 - Wes Davis - It's All Gonna Be Okay

The dull scrape of forks and knives against cheap porcelain plates bears the weight of the otherwise silent room. A family of five - three triplet boys, their parents, and the three dogs sitting around the table waiting for a meager leftover bite - eat. The scream of the thoughts in one boy's head are so loud he's sure his mother, who sits to his left, can hear every word. He wouldn't be welcomed here, not if his parents had a choice. Their staunchly right-winged views on the queer community keep his throat tight, unable to scarf down the lasagna going cold on his plate. He may never be welcomed here. The family portrait that adorns the cream colored wall above the stained-wood dinner table stares him down with the glaring truth. That person in the portrait, the young boy with swooping brown-blonde hair, isn't him. It never will be. 

Coming to terms with one's true identity is an emotionally exhausting journey. No matter how he feels now, he knows this will all pass, and that he will be okay. As the boy with the swooping hair forces down a miniature bite of now cold lasagna, he repeats this to himself. That motto, that it's all going to be alright, is now more of a daily mantra than a gentle reminder. As he excuses himself from the table the chair groans against the faux-hardwood floor. He abandons the suffocating crowd of four in the dining room for the vacuous kitchen. A symphony of sound floats through the air. The wheezing laugh of his father, the tired sigh of his mother, the chatter between brothers, all bittersweet to his ears. He's disgusting, he tells himself. He has no place in being here. Just push it all down, he doesn't have to face his reality. 

Sliding the sauce-smeared porcelain plate into the dishwasher, he balls his fists, squeezes his eyes closed, and silences that voice in his head. He gnaws on his cheek with hands now pressed firm against his temples. He is none of those things, he tells himself. Stop fighting, please stop fighting this, he pleads with himself. His brows un-furrow and hands fall to his sides as soft light fills his vision. He rolls his shoulders back and releases his cheeks from the firm grip of his molars. 

It's all gonna be okay. 

Assignment #4- Miller Luhan- A Shade of Purple

I grew up in a mixture of red and blue. It's hard to grow up in a red state and not expose yourself to those views, but also difficult to grow up in a family where your parents lean towards a shade of blue. I understand both sides of the political spectrum and respect anyone who has evidence for their viewpoint. Me- I don't like to get involved. I like to learn new things and hear other people's opinions, but also listen to their statements through a filtered lens. It bothers me most when people just believe what others tell them. 

By listening to others and sifting through their ideological nonsense, I have found my views to land in a purple landmark. My dad is not very involved in politics- he's an academic. He taught me from a young age to be knowledgeable about both sides of any argument, providing the best possible opportunity for an informed decision. My mom- on the scale of one to liberal, she's liberal. Therefore, with a well-rounded upbringing I decided I am an in between. On social issues I tend to lean towards democratic values. For example, I don't believe that abortion should be illegal for everyone, however there should be some regulations on it. I abhor that some women use it as a form of birth control. On issues like gun control I tend to rock back over to the conservative side. Why should all guns be banned? My family loves to hunt and my uncle uses guns daily because of his job in the FBI. Guns can be used for protection and for entertainment, however, again where I differ is regulations. A good limitation to the dangers of guns are: background checks, monitoring of sale to those with mental health issues, and informational classes to teach proper techniques of guns if one desires to purchase one. 

With a mixture of color in the world surrounding us- and much like experiences change our lives- social interactions shape views held by the world in order to independent opinions daily.

Ellis Padgett- Assignment #4- My Neighborhood Has a Good Gaydar

I grew up in a sea of red.  My neighbors proudly sport their Make America Great Again hats to the pool daily; they speak on controversial ideas, all looking one way.  I- a black sheep- face the other.  My neighborhood is a sea of conservative people.  I happen to think a bit differently.  This of course is typically not an issue.  I don't argue; I go about my own ways, and look at arguments from a place of understanding rather than anger.  I walk among them unnoticed...yet my friend does not. 
In eighth grade one of my greatest friends cut her hair short, looked me in the eye, and told me she was gay.  All my life I had grown up surrounded by traditional families, both within my family and in the larger community.  But suddenly that didn't matter; this was my friend sitting in front of me, and I loved her all the same.  To me, that moment was just another facet of the real world making its appearance in my life as I grew.  And that was that. 
Life goes on; we continued through the sea of red to jump in the sea of blue- the neighborhood pool.  But something had changed.  Eyes peered up at us from sunglasses, teenagers stopped looking our way.  We were getting weird looks, and I bet I could figure out why.  Suddenly, my friend was not welcomed as warmly to my home.  And years later when she got a girlfriend, she wasn't welcome either. 
My mind was confused, sad, and then angry.  Here was a girl I had known since preschool, a member of my community as much as anybody else.  We had grown up together.  And her sexuality did not define who she was as a person.  It is a touchy topic- I understand that.  Yet from my point of view, trying to keep her out of our lives was simply a thinly veiled attempt at avoiding confrontation with what makes you uncomfortable.  If we don't confront our fears or invite circumstances that make us question our beliefs, how will we grow?  Maintaining a one-way vision does not make your source of dilemma disappear- it just divides us as humans even more.
I don't want to live in a world where we don't come together to work out our differences.  Moreover, I don't want to live in a world without my friend.  That is why I raised my voice and told my family to allow my friend and girlfriend to come with us to the pool.
They both ended up coming to the pool with us.  And her girlfriend was very nice. 

Assignment #4 - Irene Kim - High School is a Struggle

If you know me or have had a conversation with me at all, you probably know that I'm incredibly oblivious. Not only do I struggle to keep up with lectures and discussions in class, but I'm also very lacking in the general knowledge area. In terms of my own future, this includes preparing for college--taking college tours, knowing what colleges are looking for in applicants, and doing those things.

As you can imagine, high school was a huge reality check for me. While everyone was busy doing college visits and building their resumes, I was still watching Disney movies and barely finishing the homework due the next day. So as I entered my first year of high school, I quickly scanned a list of career paths and decided I would look into the medical field. I joined Future Medical Professionals club and began attending their monthly meetings, started volunteering at the local Korean school, joined Beta Club and Student Council, and overall just started seeking out more academic opportunities. While this bolstered my academic status and while many ended up being very valuable experiences, it was a whole stressload—I spent more days cooped up in my room doing extra work and losing a lot of time on the weekends.

My parents, noticed this and suggested I focus on my own well-being and mental health before anything else. Most any teenager would know, but anxiety—especially social anxiety—isn't easy to deal with, especially when being involved in a myriad of clubs that require social gatherings. I dropped Beta Club and Student Council but continued Medical Club (upon discovering it was actually very interesting and close to my interests) and Korean school. This past year, spending more time outside of my room and out in the open has been incredible. I'm incredibly blessed to have parents who put more weight on my well-being than any form of academic success. My dad loves finding new places for us to hike each weekend, and we love taking walks in our neighborhood and visiting the orchard or arboretum. It's normal things that people do, but it really is the little things that make your life better.

Coming into junior year--which is supposedly the most stressful year, the year we begin our college application processes—I think it's important that we make time for ourselves as well as our academic pursuits. It's great to devote time to preparing for college and engaging in academic interests, but at the same time, make sure you're not over-stressing. Junior year, I think, comes with a certain bias and stereotype of being the 'most important' or 'most stressful' year of high school--it doesn't have to be that way. Challenge that ideal by balancing your own life out--spending more time outside, doing the things you love, spending time with your family and friends. :)

Assignment 4: Emma Lauritzen- Seize the day, not the application process

When I was about to start high school my older brother, who was about to be a senior, helped me compile a list of every club and team I was going to join. I grew up watching movies where the main character was the president of every club, varsity in two sports, and happy as can be. Therefore I assumed that to be wanted by any college I had to do this too. Bad idea. It was great at first because I made a lot of friends and I felt accomplished, I thought that any college would be impressed by my resume. However, life kicked in and I began to be overbooked, tired, and generally unhappy. I began to dive into my questioning of the college admission systems. How was I supposed to do all of this and still get good grades? My family had been encouraging me my whole life to be successful and my brother helped to warp the definition of success to being the perfect college applicant. I was angry at the idea of having to be perfect to get into college but I furious watching people in my schools doing clubs and sports they hated only to get into a good school. This is when I began to challenge the idea of being the perfect applicant and resent the entire college system. For months I researched and fell into a hole trying to figure out why I had to fit that movie cookie cutter. So, I did my AP seminar project on it. Slowly I began to realize that this belief that you have to break your back trying to get things to put on your college resume, is a terrible one. During sophomore year I changed, and I no longer wanted to do clubs for the application, but because I like them.
I am now in clubs I like. I think I got tired of watching people who were falling apart on the inside trying to manage their high school life. I watched my brother do the same as me in college. I went from having the same beliefs about success as the boys in the beginning of the dead poets society, to the boys at the end (not like Neil though, like the end when they figure out that life has more purpose than school). So, to the college admissions system I say: you suck.

Assignment 3: Emma Lauritzen- How to get to another reality in 1 hour and 42 minutes

Throughout my life I have been gifted with the opportunity to travel. I went on my first plane when I was less than 3 months old and I have since gone on planes several times a year. While this travel is amazing, personally none of the trips were life changing. I mean in no way to sound spoiled and ungrateful-I was just sheltered and young. These trips were with family, meaning that they were the same experiences and in different places. But when I was reading the prompt, one change to my environment did come to mind. It was not a vacation or a trip and it was only 1 hour and 42 minutes away.

During my freshman year of high school I had the biggest reality shock I think I will ever have. I will spare the details that led me to this atomic bomb of change; lets just say time passed slowly for months on end and then everything came to a screeching halt. Two days passed, and I was living in the adolescent in-patient division of a psychiatric hospital. Never in my life had I experienced something so foreign.  I was in a completely surreal environment with people I would have never met otherwise. When I said that my fun vacations didn't change me its because they don't compare to how this new living environment changed me. I met people who made me look at life differently, and I learned what its like to rediscover pride in life, but mostly I learned to adapt to the climate around me. You never truly get to discover your own being until you are placed somewhere where you don't have your friends, your school, your hobbies, your possessions, your phone, or any of your earthly possessions to define you. I had to define myself by my actual mind as opposed to my bullet points on a "get to know me" handout. It changed me. 

I can now present myself in an honest manor, and I don't take what people say to heart. In terms of school, my education is not longer a waiting game until real life starts but an opportunity to rediscover who Emma really is. It also gave me a second chance at life. I believe explains the enrichment of my life better than anything else.

Assignment #4-Emma Shadwick-Family Politics

My family loves politics. After every single family birthday dinner, gathering, etc. the adults will sit around a table and talk about current events. Sometimes I sit in and other times I don’t. Don’t get me wrong, politics are interesting, but it also gets very tiresome once they are going on an hour talking about it.  More specifically, both my parents are conservative. Especially my dad. One of the particular issues he is very passionate about is opposition to gun control. He believes that under no circumstance should Americans’ Second Amendment right be limited. However, I disagree with this opinion. I am somewhere in the middle of pro and con gun control. I do not agree with taking all guns away or leaving things like they are now. All the mass shooting speak for themselves in my opinion. My view on gun control is that there should be a ban on assault weapons like the AR-15's and AK-47’s. I don’t think there is any point for weapons of this magnitude to be on the streets for civilian use. I think they should be for military use only.

Assignment #3-Emma Shadwick- Trips to Eastern Kentucky

My moms entire side of the family is from a tiny town so far East it is almost in West Virginia. It is called Inez, population 650. My mom and her three other siblings all got out of Inez, but my grandmother and grandfather still call it home. My mom, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are very proud of this part of their heritage. When I was little, I would take fairly recent trips to Inez to visit my grandparents. Probably about once a month. Now that I am older the trips are less frequent but I probably get to go an average of twice or three times a year, if I’m lucky. I thought it was the best place ever as a child, and I still do. What I learned from visiting Inez is that there is a very different world outside of the little bubble I live in. One of the things my mom likes to do when she is in Inez is take my sisters and me back in the hollers she grew up surrounded by. Today, my grandparents live in town, but when my mom was growing up they lived in the “boonies” outside of town. As we drive on these curvy roads, I am always shocked by how little these people have. Some of the houses are little more than shacks, surrounded by junk and old cars. When I was little, it really changed my perspective and every time I go back there I am reminded of how blessed I am. My mother worked very hard from growing up with very little to make sure all my sisters and my needs are met. Truly not a day goes by that I am not amazed by how hardworking my mother is and how proud she is of her eastern Kentucky heritage. These humbling experiences to the hollers have all contributed to my love for giving back because I am aware of how profoundly blessed I really am. 

Assignment #3- Caroline Blitch- Only the Beginning

I went to Maxwell Elementary School from kindergarten through 4th grade in their Spanish immersion program. Math and science were taught in Spanish, while language arts and social studies were taught in english. Our “Spanish teachers” were all native speakers from various countries in South America and Spain. This early exposure to a different language and many different cultures made me eager to travel to as many Spanish-speaking countries when I got older. 

This past summer I had the opportunity to travel out of the country for the first time, and although it was not to South America or Spain, I was thrilled to participate in the Sister Cities program to Ireland. Initially I expected the political climate to be more progressive than it is in the United States based on current national policies. However, shortly after arriving I realized the emphasis that Irish culture places on Catholicism and the extent that it can influence political/social sentiments. I was most surprised by the opinions of the younger generation, which aligned with their elders. It was a distinct contrast with American youth who tend to be more progressive than their parents and grandparents. 

Although I have only had the opportunity to travel out of the country once, I have also been all over the United States and feel that different states can seem like a whole other world. One of these places being Mobile, Alabama. Both of my parents grew up in Alabama and thus my family and I travel down there quite frequently to see our relatives. The southern culture that my parents grew up in is something that stood out to me even as a small child. As I’ve grown older, I increasingly see distinctions with the social norms and mentalities of people that live in Lexington compared to people that live in Alabama. This made me appreciate the unity of the United States despite the differences.

Post #3: Traveling - M'Kiyah Baird

Over the course of 16 years, I have traveled to several cities in The United States of America yet I have never been out of the country. I've been to at least 15 states and in most of them, my mother has made it a point to visit HBCUs.  We do this to open my options for colleges and see more historical spots that represent my race and its culture. Last spring break I went to Las Vegas, which also happened to be the trip where I experienced my first airplane ride. Here in Kentucky I go to the annual Roots and Heritage Festival where you can learn and buy things of African culture. I have experienced the different climates of several states such as the extreme heat of Nevada or the cold of Michigan. Traveling to different places allowed me to experience a variety of different climate, cultural, and educational experiences that I would not have by simply staying in Kentucky. It interested me in photography when I could take photos of the landmarks and scenery. Overall, traveling has made me want to experience more places and understand how others live their lives.

Assignment #2- Caroline Blitch- Love, Hate Relationship with Books

When I was younger I absolutely loved reading. I would go to the library with my mom monthly to stock up on books and read them as a form of entertainment. This enjoyment of reading dwindled as I got older. Reading began to feel like a chore rather than a reward. As my workload for school increased, reading was pushed to the bottom of my to do list and I slowly lost interested. Assigned reading from school also made me begin to dislike reading, as I associated it with work and boring texts. Additionally, Netflix and social media have replaced books as entertainment. Because of these reasons, I admittedly have not read much this past year outside of news articles and assigned reading from school. However, two books that I read and actually really enjoyed were The Joy Luck Club and Life in the Galloping Lane. The Joy Luck Club appealed to me mainly because I love Amy Tan’s writing style and the fact that the book was written from eight different perspectives. Life in the Galloping Lane depicts the life of a married couple that have both won numerous Olympic medals for eventing and interested me because I ride as well. Finally, I read The Teenage Brain. Although it was assigned, I loved the book because psychology fascinates me and I am thinking about a career in psychological research.

Assignment #3- Haley Noehren- Around the World and Back Again

I absolutely love traveling. So far I think I've been to around 34 of the states and have been out of the county three times. My dad is a bio-mechanics researcher and he frequently presents at conferences all over the country and the world. Our family loves to go with him to his conferences and explore the the cities and states that he visits.

The summer before my sophomore year we had the opportunity to go with him to Ireland, which was my first time overseas and to Europe. It was a really eye opening experience, as I got to see the local culture of the country. We divided the trip into two weeks, the first of which was spent exploring the countryside of Southern Ireland. This was the most eye opening part of the trip for me because it offered more opportunities to visit local sites tied to the local culture. We visited many castles and fortresses as we drove along the Ring of Kerry, and each one had a unique story. Most of the castles were either tied back to Ireland's feudal age or used partly as monasteries for Catholic monks. Visiting these places, rather than just reading about them online, really helped me to grasp what life was back during the gilded age and understand the living situations and daily lives of the some of the first people in Ireland. Overall, traveling to Ireland helped me get real world experience with a different culture and become better acquainted with their history.

Having traveled to so many states in my short 16 years of life, some memories and cities begin to blur together. Nonetheless, Utah and pretty much all of the New England region have been some of my favorite places. Iv'e only been to Utah a few times, but my mom's half of the family comes from there, and the mountains are absolutely breathtaking. Luckily I'll get to go this fall for a college visit to BYU and I can't wait to see more than just Salt Lake City. I absolutely love the New England region of the country. My dads half of the family is from New York, Connecticut, and Boston, and my family lived in Delaware for four years. Besides the family ties to the region, there are so many breath taking sites to visit and there is such a rich history surrounding the area.

I love traveling and learning about the history and cultures surrounding each place I visit. One day I hope to reach all 50 states and possibly travel back to some that I might not have spent enough time in. As I grow older I gain more respect and awareness for each place I visit, so I hope to continue travelling to engage with even more cultures.

Assignment #3 - Taylor Galavotti - The Big Apple

New York City has always been a fever dream for me. A place that I could imagine and look at studio apartments in but never visit or, god forbid, live. Basically unattainable until I was sitting on a hefty sum of money and well into my 70s.

In April of my freshman year, I went to New York with my AP Art History class. Even though, I had one half of a friend going into that trip, I still had the absolute time of my life. I can still vividly remember walking out of the subway station in Brooklyn and feeling like I had finally made it home. 

The pace of the city and the roar of the subway all immediately felt normal to me, like I had lived there all my life. Coming back to Lexington after that trip, I felt like I was moving in slow motion and everywhere I went was just a bit too quiet. That trip proved what I already had a good feeling about. I need to be in New York City if I am going to be the best version of myself.