Senior Project

   For my Senior project I have chosen to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles). Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm a really indecisive person so picking a topic was the hardest part...so far. I am choosing to run a half-marathon because, well in quite honesty I enjoy running. Back in early May I was stressed out (not as much as right now), because I learned I had to pick a topic...soon. Well there went my plan of coming up with one over summer. I felt like I needed to get away from everything so I went on a run, a difficult one. 6.4 miles, and it felt awesome. Yes I was extremely sore the next day but I didn't mind at all. That's when it hit me, I should run for my project! I feel like running is immensely relaxing even if you're sweating like a pig.
   I chose healthy living but more specifically fitness because we as humans engage in some form of exercise in our daily lives whether it's walking to our cars or running on the treadmill. As for my research paper I will talk about the many benefits of exercising and how obesity has increased over the past years. My end product will not only be running the half-marathon but also devising a training plan for others to follow in order to live a healthy lifestyle. I haven't done much for my project. No mentor, ergo no mentor interview. But in order for me to not sound incredibly lazy, over the summer I got up everyday at 6:30 a.m. and ran 3 miles. So in a way I kinda started my project but without mentor "assistance". I should probably get on that soon. For those of you reading this, don't be surprised if I change my research paper topic...it's still in the "works".
  

Into the Wild-final discussion

                Do you feel that McCandless was either mentally ill or suicidal? What a biased question I must say. After reading Jon Krakauer's  Into the Wild, I for one, didn't (still don't) believe there is any factual evidence in his narrative let alone McCandless's journal entries for one to label him as mentally ill or simply a suicidal human being. Chris came from a family with secrets and double lives; as one becomes older they’re very much influenced by their family and the habits/mistakes they go through. Having said this, Chris could have been exposed to much worse than his father’s infidelity but why is it he decided to go into the wild? McCandless enjoyed a life full of adventure and love, but in no way was he mentally unstable or suicidal.

                Chris embarked on his Alaskan journey so he could live in solitude from the rest of society and more importantly leave his family and all the problems that came along with them. If McCandless was feeling suicidal why did he not talk with Carine, his beloved sister who he had the closest relationship with in his entire family? This raises a very important question of who he truly cared about before going on his journey. As stated before if Chris was truly suicidal I believe he would have talked with Carine before heading into the woods and not run off and starve to death over the course of two months. Coming from a family with high expectations and great wealth, when he graduated from Emory University Chris became aware that it was all about the money. His parents wanted to buy him a new car but McCandless refused replying with "the Datsun works just fine”. Being in college can be very stressful, I for one shouldn’t be speaking, but even in high school it is crucial to get good enough grades to please your parents. Grades weren’t a problem for McCandless but if he had felt so overwhelmed with everything wouldn’t it have crossed his mind to kill himself, if he was suicidal, in college? Think about it; one is so caught up with everything and learning about say your father’s infidelity for two years at this point in one’s life can really push someone to take risks. This being said I highly doubt Chris was suicidal because he would have done it sooner than wait around for two months while starving to death facing harsh conditions.

                In The San Francisco Examiner, Patricia Ryan explains how different programs have helped to catch mental illnesses earlier than ever. In a research study Ryan states how “children with unaddressed mental health problems are much more likely to drop out of school, go to jail as adults and suffer other negative outcomes”. As many would argue Chris McCandless was indeed mentally unstable, I disagree. If Chris had a condition it would have most likely have been brought up in Krakauer’s narrative. After all, he did talk to Carine and Billie McCandless regarding Chris’ life; so why wouldn’t a mother give away this information to set the facts straight? Much to Ryan’s statement, if Chris was mentally ill he would have dropped out of school before even attending Emory. One might conclude that many of his decisions were caused by a mental instability, but Chris was above all a man living by his beliefs and morals in order to experience the nomadic lifestyle without parental intrusion. McCandless’s death was tragic and ultimately much unexpected, but in my opinion was due to a lack of knowledge and preparation rather than a mental illness or suicidal thoughts.

 

           

Scottish wedding

Scotland, United Kingdom. Superstitions, rituals and even the eminent feet washing are all important aspects of a Scottish wedding. Lets start with pre-wedding traditions such as The Open House, or more commonly known as the "Show of Presents." Before the bride is married, her mother holds an open house, similar to a bridal shower, where invitations are sent to women who give wedding gifts to the couple. Why does this happen? In order for the bride to show respect for her guests, she must know who will be attending the wedding. After the "Show of the Presents", she is given a baby doll, and a plastic potty with salt at the bottom. Accompanied with her guests and friends, she walks through the town as the others bang pots and pans announcing the bride's upcoming nuptials. This tradition is said to bring luck, prosperity and fertility to the bride on her wedding day as she exchanges kisses for money, which is then dropped into the potty. Not only does the soon-to-be bride receive money but also has the opportunity for her feet to be washed. She sits on a stool while an older, married woman washes and dries her feet. This ritual is said to bring good fortune for the marriage. So what about the soon to be groom? Similar to the bride's Open House, the groom is taken out by his friends for a Stag Night. Having a few drinks leads to the groom becoming partially or fully stripped from his clothes by his friends covered in soot, flour and feathers and left overnight tied to a tree; this ritual is called blackening.
The morning of the ceremony is extremely important as one must take caution. Why you must ask? If the bridal party encounters a funeral or a pig on the way to the church, they must return home and set out again as it is considered bad luck. Who knew a harmless pig could do such damage. As a token of good luck, the bride is given a Silver Sixpence to place in her shoe that morning. When leaving her house for the last time, the bride must step out the door with her right foot as it symbolizes good luck in her marriage. For a traditional Scottish wedding the bride will wear a white or cream colored dress along with "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe". Something old is a gift given from the mother to the bride to start off her married life symbolizing her mother's wisdom. Something new is a gift that represents the new start of a married life. Something borrowed will be from a married couple in hope that a little of their "marital bliss will rub off on the newlyweds"; and something blue is usually a blue garter, a sign of love and modesty. For the groom, his outfit consists of the following: a Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat, kilt, tartan flashes to match the kilt, white hose, gillie brogues, kilt pin, sgian dubh, black belt with buckle, formal sporran with chain strap, wing collar shirt, black or colored bow tie, and a piece of lucky heather on the lapel...and he ends up looking like this! As the bride enters the church, pipers start to play the bagpipes; many play outside as to protect the guests' ears. As part of their Celtic heritage a couple engages in hand fasting during the ceremony; the couples hands are bound together in a tartan cloth or with a cord during their vows. This shows everyone that from that point on, they are no longer two but one. Many celebrations also include the "Presentation of the Sword", where the groom presents a family sword to his bride which will then be given to their first born son or the bride's family presents the groom with their sword as acceptance into their family and the obligation he now has in protecting his new wife. A famous tradition in Scotland is for a toddler to hand the bride a horseshoe as she walks out the church with her husband. A horseshoe carried by the bride is a symbol for fertility and luck towards their marriage. Another gesture for luck and fortune involves the bride and groom scattering coins for the children to collect at the end of the ceremony.
Now it isn't a wedding without a cake right? A traditional Scottish cake consists of two tiers of brandy-flavored fruit cake. As much as this sounds appetizing, only one tier is eaten at the wedding celebration as the other is saved to celebrate the birth of the couple's first born. As superstitious a Scottish wedding might sound, all the elements lead up to a beautiful wedding filled with laughter and dancing and most importantly lucky newlyweds.

Essay: Fast Food

Here is a link to my essay on fast food.