Words Right Outta My Mouth.

I never thought I'd say that Dr. Seuss is able to express things better than I am. Don't get me wrong. I love his books, but they weren't exactly created for clarity. Simplicity definitely, but that's not the same thing.
Anyway, today was the day that Dr. Seuss gave me words [Thanks!] See what happened was my friend Ammon is leaving for him mission soon and he said, "Oh the things that I will miss..."
For some reason that instantly brought to mind Dr. Seuss's "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" It seemed to apply in his situation, or at least that one line did, but then as I read it through I realized it's just generally a great poem to get me through what I am going through. Hello! College 2,000 miles from my family is not a small step. I love them (and am anxiously looking forward to Saturday when I get to be back with them again.)
So, to me this poem/ book/ story/ whatever you want to call it is about my growing up story right now.

Thanks Dr. Seuss. How did you know?

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
by the incomparable Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

[And then some of the less clear stuff. Basically it's about those Bang-ups and Hang-ups.]

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.

[And then some more stuff ]

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
[blah blah blah. I promise it's good, just not the point I'm going for.]
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!





p.s. If anybody happens to find this book and wants to pick it up for me I am more than willing to pay you back.

I have writer's block

Well, I mean, I can't actually write what I'm supposed to be writing. It's called a Great Works Response. I've seen this movie three times. I know what it's about. I know the context. I know what I should be saying, it's just that when I go to write it I have some major issues. Which is why I'm pretending to write about something completely separate. Maybe eventually I'll work my way into that other paper.
Let me tell you, next semester is not allowed to be fun. I basically have classes all day and then I'm thinking about getting a job. Yes, I am insane. Most likely certifiably so. Would you like to drag me to an asylum now? Which one? I'll walk there myself. Especially if it meant I would not have to do that lame paper.
Fine. I'll just write something about it.

Nope. I tried. Epic failure. Well, maybe not epic. There was no cool music playing in the background or anything. Mostly just a regular type failure then.

Oh well. I quit. Night.

My last response for Writing

(To understand this response, you have to know that Dr. Brown was my ninth grade Honors Lit. teacher. Let’s just say he was not my favorite.)

Dear Dr. Brown,
You gave us books. I read them. You lectured for hours. I took notes on your opinions. Essay time? That’s when regurgitation was a good thing. Yes, I realized your vanity was to my benefit.
After escaping from your class we would occasionally meet. Once you finally remembered which “Ms. Prestwich” I was, you backhandedly told me I was not good enough. Thanks so much.
Despite our apparent distaste for each other, I did learn one thing from you. Teachers love to hear exactly what they have said. Well, at least it got me through high school. Now, as I finish my Honors Writing class I can tell you a great thing. You were wrong. In this class I have had the chance to come up with my own topic, do my own research, write my own opinion, and use my own voice. I am good enough on my own.
What students need to know most is that writing is not about telling people what they know they want to hear. It’s about telling them what they never knew they wanted to hear. Maybe you should think about teaching that.
Your sincere student.

Basically, nobody could possibly understand how good writing this down felt. I've actually considered sending it to Wylie Brown himself. I don't know though, it might ruin the lives of my sisters, his future students.