Silver Linings Playbook

After seeing the movie Silver Linings Playbook for the 7 billionth time in a row, I finally decided to read the book by Matthew Quick. The story begins in the novel exactly as it does in the movie: a man named Pat is wandering through his day at the mental institution he currently lives in. He keeps speaking of a woman named Nicky, who I later learned is his wife. Pat is in the mental institution because he one day walked in on his wife cheating on him with another man. Pat was so enraged he almost beat the man to death. (Who can blame him, though?) Pat then was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sent to the mental institution for four years. Pat is visited by his mother who has decided to take him out of the institution and bring him home to be with his family. As odd as this may sound, I greatly admire Pat. His motto is "excelsior", which translates to mean "ever upward". He chose this motto because he believes in silver linings, despite all of the hardships he has faced. He keeps moving forward with his life. Pat's character is beautiful because of his perseverance to win Nicky back, which he demonstrates by avidly working out and doing all of the things Nicky loves in a man. This dedication and love he has for her, despite the fact that she cheated on him, is a very moving topic. The idea that this man loves his wife so much that he would completely change not only himself but his outlook on life is an idea that is unfathomable to me. One can only dream of having someone love them in this way. All the while, I am hoping and wishing Nicky will take him back, and they will live happily ever after. But then I meet Tiffany. Tiffany is a relative of a friend of Pat's, and she is just as beautifully messed up as Pat is. She and Pat engage in a strange friendship in which they both seem to reluctantly need each other. In a way, I get the feeling that they are helping each other. This part of the novel almost frustrates me because I was unsure of how to feel. On one hand, I wanted Nicky to realize Pat's love for her. On the other hand, I couldn't help but be excited when Pat and Tiffany are with each other. WHO AM I ROOTING FOR??! Finally, though, I found the answer: I am rooting for both sides. I am hoping Nicky realizes Pat's love and therefore realizes what she is missing out on, but I am also wishing Pat and Tiffany fall in love because they ultimately bring out the best in each other and understand the extreme difficulties life sometimes throws at people. They deserve to be together, and they deserve their silver lining.

The Definition of a Human Being

If you were to define the word "human" in the dictionary, you would probably get a generic answer. A dictionary definition would most likely say that a human is a living breathing creature that can think, function, and choose between right and wrong all on their own. This definition is correct, yet incorrect all at the same time. It is true that a human lives, breathes, and can make decisions all on their own. However, that definition doesn't even begin to describe everything there is to know about being a human being. The true definition of a human being is as follows:

Human Being:

- a living, breathing creature that is capable of almost anything. What they decide to do with their lives is up to them.
- a living, breathing creature that sometimes is faulty and makes mistakes. Lots of them. These mistakes result in a new and improved human once they learn from their mistakes.
- a living, breathing creature that has the ability to care about another more than they care about their own self. (This includes parents, friends, husbands, wives, siblings, etc.) This ability allows humans to come together and make the world a better place.
- a living, breathing creature that also has the ability to become a monster. Due to their "free will", they have the option to not only improve another human's life, but they also have the option to ruin or destroy another's life.
- a living, breathing creature that is beautiful in all of its imperfections                                                                                                                                                

A change of topic

As a final summary to my previous three blogs, I want to use this fourth journal to express my love for individuality. Like Tally and Shay, there's no better feeling than being yourself and loving who you are. In addition, I love the idea of not giving in to conformity of society. Stick it to the man! No one owns us or who we are as individuals. Therefore, I believe that doing what you want is freedom, and loving what you do is happiness. America is known for their virtue of freedom. So why not live up to that idea and live life to its fullest while we still can?

Shay

In my reading today I have met a new character named Shay. She and Tally have become friends through their curiosity of the people who live in pretty town. Shay and Tally go on adventures together using their levitating hoverboards. I really enjoy Shay because I think that she, too, is a model of individuality. When Tally begins to give in to conformity, Shay talks some sense into her. Tally begins day dreaming about what she will look like after her transformation into a "pretty", and Shay shows no interest. I admire Shay because of her idea that we can't all look and act the same, or else the world will be pretty boring.

Tally

As I have read further into the novel Uglies, I have been able to identify with a few of the characters. I have met the main character, Tally, and I have begun to realize the similarities between her and myself. When I first meet her, I immediately notice her need for rebellion as she is plotting to sneak away from the boarding home in which she is staying. She is planning to visit her best friend who has recently become "pretty" and has moved to a new place that is strictly for "pretties". I enjoy Tally's personality because I admire her need to rebel from the idea of conformity in her world. I can identify with her, in a way, because I also often find myself wanting to go against the social norms I currently live in. The idea of individuality and the need for moderate rebellion in the novel Uglies has me very interested to see how the rest of the novel will unfold!

Uglies

At the beginning of the school year I was asked to use class time to read a book of my choice. I had forgotten to bring a book from home, so I resorted to borrowing one of Ms. Healey's. This book would be a temporary read, I told myself. I would bring in one of my own books from home and everything would be okay. I chose at random and began to read the book Uglies by Scott Westerfield, and I am glad to admit it was a good choice. The opening chapter includes a girl who has waited her whole life to become pretty. In her world, a person turned into a "pretty" once they turned sixteen years old. Up until that point, a person who is under the age of sixteen is seen as an "ugly". This plot is very interesting to me because I believe this is a parallel idea. The younger generation of our society is so pure and not yet exposed to the materialistic things of the real world, such as appearances; but as we get older we begin to experience more of the real world and how false and judgmental society can be.  I am looking forward to reading further into the book and seeing how the characters react once they become "pretty".