Lisa Wilson/ Respecting Nature-

Lisa Milson's purpose in writing “So What's So Bad About Being So-So” I think was to tell people hat you could really learn something about nature and to respect and take care of it if you go on nature trips like river rafting. Lisa makes a lot of great points but I am not quite convinced due to experience.

My aunt once took me on a “white water” rafting trip with a big group of people. I was not really concerned about the nature around me, but more of me getting hurt, or dying; It was really scary. When the group was not water rafting and was on the camping spot, I did not really see a lot of people respecting the grounds as well as they should. Like Lisa said, the nature around you should make you want to appreciate and respect it. Wasn't the case here. I personally don't litter, and when some one else does, I go pick it up and throw it away, but I wasn't about to do that for everyone else. Also, when I go camping, its obviously in the nature areas and I still see people not respecting the nature and just throwing wrappers on the floor and not caring about their surroundings. I still think that Lisa made some good points though, and might have convinced a lot of people.

Anna Quindlen/ Appreciate More-

Anna’s purpose was to tell that people spend to much money on things they don’t even need rather than spending on necessities they actually need in life. People today rely on things that they don’t really need to make them happy. She states that people with less actually appreciate what they have more, and I agree with this statement. Anna thought it would be a better idea to spend money on things that we need rather than things that we want. I think people should appreciate what they have more.

I hate when people have something like an iPod or a laptop or a phone and they just throw it or not take care of it as they should. I ask, “why did you just throw that, can you just set it down?“ they respond with something like, “who cares, I’ll just get another one.” that really makes me mad sometimes because first of all, why would u even do that? do they not care about all the extra money there parents have to spend on buying you another one when that money can be used to pay bills or what not? And second, they should think about other people who cant even afford to buy the first iPod and appreciate what they have.

This is just my opinion on things. People should appreciate what they have more, and feel grateful that they have all these things that other people don’t or cant afford to get.

Amy Tan/ How I Felt Out Of Place-

Amy Tan felt ashamed of her culture and background when she did not fit in with the rest. She tells what her experience was when she felt out of place for being Chinese and not White.  When the whole experience was over, she learned that she should not be ashamed of her nationality just because she does not fit in. I personally understand how Tan feels to be out of place not by nationality but by no one really liking me.

Sometimes I feel out of place not because of my nationality but because I feel un liked. I don’t feel un liked, I am un liked. I go with my step dad sometimes to the Bay Area to visit his side of the family. The only reason I go is because I like to visit two of my cousins which are like two of my best friends. When ever I go, the family treats me kind of mean and bad. They don’t like me because I’m my moms son and not really related to my step dad in any way. They never liked my mom either. When ever we go it’s just me, my step dad and my brother.  At first, I just sit on the couch and not really talk to anyone and I’m just all embarrassed because I really feel like I do not belong.  When I am there long enough, I just think in my mind “”EF” this, I hate every single one of them anyway. They’re ugly, and I don’t even care what they think of me” and just go on with my day and do what ever I want, not caring what they think.

What I learn every time I go visit is who cares what they think of me. Ill be proud of who I am. They may make me feel bad for a little but they cant put me down for ever, so I continue my day not caring what they think of me.

About Matthew-

My name is Matthew B. Gonzalez, i'm eighteen years old and i am in the Media Arts and Animation program in the Art Institute of California-Sacramento. I am from Santa Clara Ca. but am currently living in Folsom. I like wearing plaid flannels, drawing, school and eating sushi. I also love Nicki Minaj, Nicki Lewinski, Nicki the Ninja, Nicki the Boss, Nicki the Harajuku Barbie. Like, she doesn't even know why you guys bother at this point.