Day128

GIORNO 128

DAY 128

Oggi finisco tutti gli esami finali (tranne quello di Computer Graphics, che sarà domani), e posterò il tema che ho scritto mettendo a confronto il libro "I martedì col professore" e il Trascendentalismo. Ripeto ancora una volta che consiglio questo libro a tutti: è semplice ma così profondo che sarà difficile non "divorarlo". 

Oggi è anche l'ultimo periodo buco con Barbara -- nel secondo semestre non coinciderà. Ma non importa, perchè sono così contenta per il programma del prossimo semestre, che quasi quasi non vedo l'ora che inizi! Avrò le stesse materie, ma, al posto di disegno avrò cucina (!) e al posto di computer graphics avrò sollevamento pesi per ragazze -- non intendo diventare una palestrata, ma solo allenare i muscoli per farli diventare più tonici ed essere in forma!

Ricevo anche la busta da Aspect Foundation: contiene un certificato e tre carte prepagate da $100, $100 e $50. Orgogliosa di avercela fatta!!

Inizio a preparare i regali di Natale, da distribuire alle persone con cui ho legato di più. Domani, per esempio, dopo la scuola (che finirà alle undici), avremo un party con lo Student Council, e ognuno di noi ha pescato il nome di un membro a cui fare un regalo di Natale. Non vedo l'ora!

Ann e Gary escono per cena in un ristorante italiano (ottima scelta!), e, prima di andare, Ann ci prepara il chili. 

Ottimo direi.

Today I finish all the final exams (except for Computer Graphics, which will be tomorrow), and I'll post the essay I wrote for the English class, comparing the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" and Transcendentalism. I repeat once again that I recommend this book to everyone, as it is simple but so deep that it will be difficult not to love it.

Today is also the last off-hour with Barbara - in the second semester it will not coincide. But no matter, because I'm so happy for the schedule of the next semester, that I almost can not wait to begin! I will have the same subjects, but, instead of drawing there will be cooking (!), and instead of computer graphics I will lift weights - I do not intend to become a body-builder, but I just want to train my muscles to make them more toned and be fit!

I also receive the envelope by Aspect Foundation: it contains a certificate and three prepaid cards of $100, $100 and $50. Proud to have made it through!!

I start preparing Christmas gifts to deliver to the people with whom I tied more. Tomorrow, for example, after school (which will end at eleven), we will have a party with the Student Council, and each one of us has a Secret Santa gift. I can not wait for it!

Ann and Gary go out for dinner to an Italian restaurant (great choice!), and, before going, Ann prepares us some chili.

I'd say it's all great.

Dopo scuola, andiamo con Ann a lavare la macchina. Mi ricorda di quando ero bambina ed andare col papà all'autolavaggio era come un regalo per me...
After school, we go with Ann to wash the car. It reminds me when I was a child and going to the car wash with my dad was like a present for me...

Mami, i tuoi orecchini sono arrivati: sono bellissimi e sono qui con me!
Mom, your earrings arrived: they're wonderful and they're here with me!

Sweet movie with Barbara: no lights in the house, it seemed like we were at the movie theatre!

Ecco il tema -- Here's my essay

A STUDY OF CHARACTER IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Transcendentalists were strong believers in the power of the individual. They believed that society corrupted the purity of the individual, and they were therefore convinced that people are at their best when independent and self-reliant. After reading the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, I find that many of the transcendentalists’ tenets are supported and reinforced by the protagonist, who lived in the twentieth century and echoed many of their opinions. Morrie Schwartz shared many transcendental ideas relating to friendship, meeting life with full presence, beauty appreciation, and nonconformity, exactly fitting concepts expressed by Ralpho Waldo Emerson in his passages “Friendship” and “Success,” and Thoreau in his essay “Walden.”

When comparing Emerson and Schwartz and their beliefs on friendship, I find them to be very similar. First of all, both authors state that friendship does not require anything because it is a deep, priceless feeling. In fact, Schwartz states, “Ted, we’ve had thirty-five years of friendship. You don’t need speech of hearing to feel that” (71). He does not have to talk to make his friend feel like he is loved, and his friend does not need to be able to hear to appreciate Morrie’s company. The most important thing is that, despite everything, they are still together. Regarding Emerson, he states in his passage “Friendship,” “My friend gives me entertainment without requiring any stipulation on my part.” In this particular quote, he is stating how friends do not need to show anything to each other but just act as true friends. It often happens that people expect certain behaviors or actions from friends, but Emerson is just telling us that none of this is required. In both cases, friendship is an inestimable bond that goes beyond everything else.

Schwartz not only cares about friendship, but he extends his passion to all the bonds he has in his life. In fact, he is convinced that his disease is not an excuse to affect other people lives, as he states, “Do not stop your lives, otherwise this disease will have ruined three of us instead of one” (93). He always invites others to live life to its fullest, and when he says, “I believe in being fully present, that means you should be with the person you’re with. When I’m talking to you now, Mitch, I try to keep focused only on what is going on between us,” he just means that the relationships we care about, have to be built and consolidated by an active participation on both parts (135). Using nature, Thoreau encourages his readers to accept and make the most of what we are, as he states in his essay “Walden.” “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but morning star.” He is asking us to be awake, and to fully appreciate and experience life. Both Schwartz and Thoreau agree on the fact that we should live our lives to the fullest, give our best to whatever we are doing, and experience as many new things as we can.

We will live to the fullest if and only if we will “appreciate beauty,” as Emerson states in his essay “Success.” A life is successful when you fully appreciate what surrounds you, when you recognize where beauty is and extol it. As Emerson says, we should always appreciate beauty, and never take it for granted. Schwartz also talks about appreciation, especially when it comes to nature, as he says, “I can’t go out. I can’t run. I can’t be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? I appreciate that window more than you do” (84). With this sentence, Schwartz is also telling us that we will fully appreciate one thing when, for any reason, we cannot have it anymore. Both authors invite the readers to be aware of what is around us, and always be happy with the amazing things that make our lives so special.

Overall, both Schwartz and transcendentalists are convinced that no matter the reason we should not blindly follow what society considers to be important, but we should rather be independent and decide for what is best for us. As Schwartz states, “The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it” (142).  One has to learn to be active, observe what is around and decide for himself, without fear but with courage and inclination to a better, purer life. A similar thought is expressed by Thoreau, in his essay “Walden,” as he says, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.” He is saying that we should not allow conformity to control our lives, but we should dream big and build the foundation for it, feeling limitless.

Reading the book Tuesdays with Morrie gives everyone the chance to stop and reflect about the meaning of life, what is important and what, instead, is just superficial. Morrie Schwartz teaches his readers so much, that it is impossible to forget him or his legacy. I learned a lot, but, given the fact that I consider love to be the foundation of our lives, I will always keep this quote with me, in my heart. “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in. Let it come in. We think we don’t deserve love, we think if we let it in we’ll become too soft. But a wise man named Levine said it right. He said, ‘Love is the only rational act’ “ (52).