Grayson’s American lit

  Prompt Response:  Alot of things in my life have changed much faster than expected, for example, people aging. I  have watched myself go through high school much faster than expected, friends graduate along the way, and everyone I know has begun to drive within the last year. Examples like this make me want to focus more on the present rather than the future. It heavily relates to Robert Frost, "Nothing gold can stay." Summary: I have experienced fast change all throughout my life. Reflection:  I think change is good and leaves good memories but reminds us to live in the present.

  Prompt Response:  My favorite word right now is definitely "Obnoxious." It has been my favorite word recently because it describes many things throughout the day. Drivers, people, sounds all fit the word at some part of every day. I think I use it atleast once or twice a day due to it describing so many things. Summary: My favorite word right now is "Obnoxious." Reflection:  I always have a new favorite word depending on how im feeling towards certain things.  

  Prompt Response:  Imagination, much like the one used in many instances by the text, plays an important role in my own life. I often use imagination to harness old memories during sad times. I also use imagination to plan my future and set goals, and picture the reward. Using my imagination to set these goals and have a picture of the reward gives me that push to keep going. Summary: I use imagination to plan my goals and reward. Reflection:  My goals being pictured is part of the reason im ever able to meet them, without imagining the reward, I would be met with no drive to complete it.

  Prompt Response:  A time when I faced a high-pressure situation was when my brother cracked his head open. I was home with him and his friend when they were wrestling around, then I heard screaming. I came downstairs to find him bleeding from the back of his head. My parents rushed over from the neighbors house and began to freak out. I focused on getting everyone to the car and to the ER. I kept my cool and helped in a serious situation instead of freaking out. Summary: My brother cracked his head open and I had to help handle it. Reflection:  I think I perform well in serious high pressure situations instead of freaking out.

  Prompt Response:  Over fall break, I went down to Orlando with my girlfriend's family to Universal Studios. We started by staying the first night in a hotel, from there we woke up the next morning to bring breakfast to her grandparents. That day, we stopped by an art festival and checked into our rental condo near the park. We then spent the next three days visiting each park, riding almost every ride offered. Summary: Over fall break, I went to Universal Studios with my girlfriend's family. Reflection:  The trip to universal was fun ad exciting, I think it was good to see even being older.

  Prompt Response:  I often have a lot going on in my life, sometimes making enjoying my day hard. However, there are little things I do each day so that I can enjoy my day to some extent. First off I start every day with a long, warm shower, this usually gives me a good start to my day making me feel refreshed and relaxed. I also take time every day to eat dinner with my family and have Conversation. Finally, I make time each night after I complete my homework to watch Netflix or another form of entertainment for around 30 minutes to an hour. Summary: Even when I have a lot going on, I still have little things each day to keep me going and enjoy myself. Reflection:  Having small little things to make your day better to make long and busy days feel more enjoyable.

  Prompt Response:  there have been times when someone’s words heavily impacted me. For example, when I was in the seventh grade, I was made fun of For For wearing skinnier jeans. That led to me, questioning my pants and eventually changing to other people Standards. From then on, I rarely wore anything besides baggy jeans and baggy sweatpants. It took me a long time to feel comfortable and what I wanted to wear again. Summary: I changed my style to fit other people’s words and standards. Reflection:  People’s words can have strong impacts on us whether it be good or bad.

  Prompt Response: I think everyone has stepped out of their comfort zone at some point in life. Personally, I know I’ve done so many times. For example, for the longest time I carried on a fear of heights. Up until my last couple trips to Six Flags I questioned and feared height.  The last time I went, however I allowed my girlfriend to convince me to try new things. I had ridden almost every ride in the park by the end of the day, pushing me far into my comfort zone, but bringing me a lot of joy. Summary: I stepped out of my comfort zone by breaking my fear of heights. Reflection:  everyone needs to step out of the comfort zone to experience new things at some point in life.

  Prompt Response:  I often don't dream, but when I do, they can be very vivid and clear. I had a dream not too long ago where I was running for my life. I was with a friend of mine, and someone had approached us aggressively. We ran through a city, then led to a forest. The last thing I remember is jumping down a rock, then I woke up in a gasp of air. Summary: I had a realistic dream of running from danger. Reflection:  Dreams can be very vivid, sometimes even making us question reality.

 Prompt response: Something I’ve always been curious about is other cultures. I’ve always been curious about their traditions, food and more. I’ve explore this in many ways through traveling and trying new things. I will often research for new foods and places to try. I also research the traditions in history behind the Places I travel to. In certain instances, I’ve even explored other religions that are linked to these cultures through visiting temples and churches. Summary: I have always been curious about other cultures. reflection: I think being curious about other cultures is very important, it has led to me Seeing, experiencing and trying many new things.

 Prompt response: The best gift I’ve ever received was going skiing in Colorado for my birthday in fifth grade. I see this as the best gift I ever received, because of the amount of joy it brought to my life. Seeing the beautiful mountains and snow in Colorado was one thing, but finding a new sport and feeling I had never felt was even more amazing. Every day, while I was there, I got onto the ski slopes when they open and stayed until they closed. This trip led to me going more often and more often, leading up to now where I almost go every year. Summary: My dad took me skiing in 5th grade creating a love for the state and sport. Reflection: I will always see me being introduced to skiing as the best gift I’ve ever received because of the amount of joy and peace it brings me.

 Prompt response: I have had many conversations that have changed me during my life. But some stand out more than others. For example, when I was in middle school, I often didn’t care about my grades and acted poorly at school. This led to me often getting into trouble with administration and staff, and eventually lead up to my parents having to discuss this with me. This conversation led me to mature after my parents made me realize that I needed to grow. They explained and emphasized to me that my grades and behavior would affect my future.  Summary: After getting into a lot of trouble in middle school, my parents discussed my future with me and helped me mature as a person. Reflection: Conversations are a big part of change for most of us, often leading to growth.

  Prompt Response:  I believed many things as a child that I found to be false as I got older. Like many people, I believed in Santa and that on christmas eve he came down my chimney with presents. This went on until about the 2nd grade, when I started to hear that he was fake from my peers. I began to question my belief, which eventually led me to the conclusion that he was fake. Summary: I believed in Santa when I was younger and then found out that he was fake. Reflection:  Childhood beliefs are fun and provided me with alot of excitement as a kid, even now I like to try and keep it going for younger family members.