Why do I write?

I write because I have too. If I did not have to write in school, honestly, I would never write for pleasure. I'm sure in the future I may write to myself, but as of right now I don't particularly enjoy it. The only thing that I do enjoy about writing, is that I am good at it. In fact, that is one of the main reasons I took this class. I feel like this class can help me appreciate writing.

I tried keeping a journal once. That didn't work out so well.  Generally, when I would write in it, I would end up becoming drowsy because it's just not something I enjoy all that much. I have always been the type of person to want to go outside and play basketball or soccer. When it comes to reading a book, or writing in a journal, i just can't seem to find the time for it. I can write for school, because it is something I have to do, but even then I will often become weary. The only time I actually like writing is whenever I have a good topic to write about. I'm also not very good at writing if I don't have very much structure. 

My favorite things to write are research papers. Although I will often get frustrated throughout the research, it is so much fun to finally put it all together. You know those times where you actually feel like your hard work has payed off? Well getting the scores back on research papers are one of those times for me. I tend to go to a lot of different sites for my research, just to be sure that I have enough evidence to back up my work. I think one of the reasons I enjoy this so much is because getting to the finished piece is like taking a big weight off of my shoulder.
My mother has always been the type to write for pleasure. She has written atleast six books. I'm not saying that these books are particularly good, I just know she writes them for fun. Who knows, maybe one day she will become a best selling author. I doubt that, because I have read them, but maybe if she works hard enough she can achieve her dreams. She also has a blog page. I'm pretty sure she originally created it for school, but I know that she posts her own thoughts onto the page now. Who knows, maybe I will do the same thing in my future. I guess only time can tell.

Reading Response 6: Mistaken Identity

Chapter 8 is only about ten pages long, but it is entitled "First Milestone." This chapter talks about how Laura is progressing. The family continues to right on the blog every day to keep people updated on her condition. Laura is taken off of the ventilator and receives a tracheotomy, which will allow them to remove the ventilator from her mouth and insert it directly into the trachea. They did this to reduce the risk of infection and also decrease Laura's risk of developing pneumonia. The doctors discussed a number of procedures needed to be done to Laura for her to fully recover. They still needed to reset her broken elbow and stabilize her broken legs. They continue to ask for prayers from families. The chapter is entitled "First Milestone" because Laura went through her first major surgery, and everything went very smoothly. The blog post from Monday, May 1, 2006 read:

"Tomorrow morning, Laura is scheduled to go into surgery at 8:30. The fact that they are planning on doing surgery at this point is good news; it means they believe she is stable enough to handle a number of procedures. First, they will be setting her broken elbow and leg (femur) and possibly inserting pins where necessary. After the accident, they set them temporarily and now they will be setting them for good. While Laura is under, they will also do a tracheotomy. This has a number of purposes. They will remove the ventilator from her mouth and throat and insert it directly into the trachea at the incision point. This will help to reduce the risk of infection from the ventilator. This will also reduce the risk for pneumonia and lessen the severity of pneumonia, if she was to get it. The tracheotomy will also increase the potential to take Laura off the ventilator sooner.

When they do the surgery tomorrow, they will probably remove the tuve from her head that monitors her intercranial pressure (ICP). This is the device that has been measuringi any potential swelling of the brain. Since they haven't detected any significant swelling and pressure, the expect to remove it. 

Please continue to pray and pass this along to your prayer groups."

- Lisa Van Ryn

 

There isn't really much to conclude about this part of the story, except that Laura is strongly improving and everything went fine through the surgery. If I were the doctors in this situation I would feel so miserable if I were to let this family down. I am so happy that everything is coming along as smoothly as it can at this moment.

Reading Response 5: Mistaken Identity

We are now in Chapter 7, which is entitled "From Fort Wayne to Sydney and Every Point In Between." This part of the book is amazing to me. The Van Ryn family started a blog on blogger, which is funny because that's what I'm posting on right now. The blog was created so that family and friends would be able to stay updated on Laura's condition without having to overwhelm the family by calling them all of the time. The blog attracted people from all over the country, not just local family and friends. Within the first two weeks of existence, visitors had logged onto their blog from every corner of the United States and Canada, as well as from China, the Philippines, Colombia, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Africa. On May 10th alone, over 1,500 different people logged onto their blog, which was up from 1,300 the day before. The family read the comments every day as a source of encouragement. Some of the comments read:

"May God bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you... Even all the way over here in the Philippines, some are praying."

"Reading about Laura is one of the most encouraging parts of my day. Her/your family's story is such a cool testimony of God's work in the details of our lives. It's so encouraging to remember that God cares about things like ChapStick and pink balloons. so often I don't take the time to thank Him for all of the little blessings I receive every day. Thanks for helping me to open my eyes to the small things God does... often the smallest things are truly the biggest."

"Thank you for the updates... please know that we are praying for Laura and for you. Our hearts go out to you in these very anxious and sleepless days. May God continue to strengthen you."

- Newell and Colleen Cerak

This chapter made me feel as if I could relate to it. Not because I know what it is like to go through something like this, but because they are posting daily on a blog that I am currently using. It was so cool to me that people actually looked at her blog daily and genuinely cared about her, even though they did not know who Laura was. Also, the fact that Newell and Colleen show their respects for this family through this very hard time in their life is amazing to me. This chapter has helped me realize that there actually are some good people in the world, and we shouldn't take everything for granted.

http://whitneysstory.blogspot.com/2006/06/whitney-ceraks-blog-copy.html 

This is the link to the blog the Van Ryn's posted to keep people updated on Laura's condition.

Project 4 Proposal

My area of interest is:

Human Trafficking

My initial claim is: 

The U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) gradually decreases every year due to awareness of the horrific act.

Others might say: 

Human trafficking rates are either the same or greater than they were in the previous year because there is not enough awareness in human trafficking.

What does this say about our culture or how is this significant? 

This says that our culture actually cares for victims of human trafficking and is willing to prevent it. It is significant in our culture because it can happen to anyone at any point in time.

Resources will be: 

Articles and databases on the internet and books. One website I have found very helpful so far is 
http://www.cicatelli.org/titlex/downloadable/Human%20Trafficking%20Statistics.pdf

Reading Response 5: Mistaken Identity

We are now in chapter 6, which is entitled "Comfort in the Midst of Pain." Newell, Colleen, and Carly wrote the obituary for Whitney's funeral while driving home from Taylor the day after the accident. Once the got home they couldn't believe what they saw. Friends, family, and acquaintances had left things for the family. There were cases of water and coolers of Pepsi as they walked through the door, the fridge was stuffed with food, but the kitchen blew them away the most. There were food and floral arrangements gathered all throughout the downstairs of the house. The rest of this chapter displays the emotional ups and downs of losing their daughter. They were grateful that the community was so supportive of the family, but at the same time they were just shocked that it was them needing the support. Throughout this chapter the family is setting up the plans for the following days to come, the visitation, and the funeral. At the end of the chapter, Colleen and Newell decide to go to the high school soccer game because Whitney had played the previous year.

"They felt pulled between two poles. One of gratitude for all the expressions of love,the other of grief over Whitney's death." 

"It feels like this is happening to someone else. I almost feel like I'm outside my body watching all this." 

- Newell said to Colleen the day before the visitation

"It hurt when my dad died, but children are supposed to bury their parents. Parents aren't supposed to plan their daughter's funeral. It seems like you just took her shopping for a prom dress; now we're picking out a casket."

- Newell Cerak

"Even from there they could see that each girl on the team had wrapped a piece of white athletic tape around the top of her socks. On the tape was written, "Whit #9," along with a personal message for Whitney."

This part of the passage amazes me. To see a community be so supportive of a family in need is wonderful. Generally, people don't think that many people would care if they died. This is an important thing to realize. No matter how anti-social someone is, they will always be a part of someones life. The fact that this family had to go through something as tragic as this just kills me inside. I know it must be hard for every family who has gone through such a tragedy. I feel great sympathy for these people.

Article 1 Response: Is Google Making Us Stupid?

This article is based on the theory that the internet changes the way we think about things. The writer says that he once was able to focus on a long novel, but now he can't seem to do that anymore. The internet allows people to find things in a matter of seconds, compared to in the past something could

take a decade to figure out. The article is about whether or not the internet is changing the way we think, read, understand and interpret text. The author includes quotes from many different authors and scientists. He also makes a comparison between the internet and a clock, and a typewriter at one point in the article.

"Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I'm always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle."

"Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski."

I don't particularly agree with this man, but at the same time I feel for him. I do not agree that the internet is what's making people dislike reading and things like that, I do not agree with this theory. But I do know that I am unable to focus often times when I am reading a long book or story as well. Heck, I lost concentration during this article about twenty times. I do not agree that the internet has changed our thinking process, but I agree that it is harder for people to focus on long things. However, that generally only happens when the reader does not feel a connection to the text.

Reading Response 4: Mistaken Identity

The next chapter focuses on the Van Ryn family. This chapter is filled with so much emotion and hope as the Van Ryn family copes with the situation. The family is at Parkview Hospital and they learn that their daughter Laura is in a coma and there are no guarantees that she is going to come out of it, or if she'll be the same person when she does. Laura has a traumatic brain injury that was cause by the violent force of the accident. Many of her friends and family come to visit her. At one point Don Van Ryn, Laura's father is asked what he would say to the bus driver if he could say anything to him at all. Her father says that he would forgive him, because he knows how awful this man must be feeling. A couple of strangers come in to show their support for the Van Ryn family, one of which is the medic who got Laura to the hospital. The other stranger that visits them is someone who has been keeping up with their stories on the news. She feels  connected to the Van Ryn family because her father owns a hardwood store in the city that they are from. She owns a Little Ceaser's Pizza in Fort Wayne and offers to bring them food because she knows how awful it must be to eat the hospital food all day. She also informs the family of a house a few blocks away from the hospital that is specifically there for people who have family in the ICU.

"Oh god, she prayed, whether Laura lives or dies is completely up to you. 

You know what I want, but I don't have any choice

 but to trust you and place my daughter in your care. Again."

- Susie Van Ryn

"I was one of the medics on the medi-flight helicopter that  brought Laura in last night... I know I'm not the first one to say this, but this was pretty much the worst accident scene I've ever come across. I hope I never see another like it. Laura was the only one thrown from the vehicle who survived. She was breathing on her own when we found her. We had her here in twenty, maybe twenty-five minutes, after the call came in on the accident... God was watching out for her, you could sense that at the accident scene. And I have to tell you, this one was pretty personal for me. I graduated from Taylor. Working on Laura was like working on family."

- Jay Curry, paramedic at the scene

"God, hear my prayers! I want to be so mad at your will. Lord, but I can't. You know how much I love her. Please, I pray, perform a miracle in her life. You are the great Healer. Do your thing... I know that you will perform your will, and I pray that your will is a full recovery for her. You know I would give my life for you. How I wish it was me in that bed instead of her, Father. She doesn't deserve this. It is so hard to just sit around all day. Please give me peace knowing that you are at work. Life is so short, Lord, what a reminder this is... Please sustain us... I love you, Lord - Your faithful servant."

- Laura's boyfriend Aryn's prayer for her: April 28, 2006

These quotes are very empowering. They show how each individual, even a stranger, cares for and loves Laura. These quotes help give a feel for the relationship each of these individuals have with one another. It amazes me how they can go on for so long not noticing that something is off, and she is not who they think she is. I would think that someone would notice that her hair isn't the same or something. But then again, I guess it is hard to tell with her being in a come, unresponsive. 

Reading Response 3: Mistaken Identity

Now I am going to switch back to the Cerak family. Throughtout this chapter many things happen. It begins with the Whitney's mother and a family friend going to the hospital where all of the victims in the accident were located. The bodies were already identified, and Whitney's mother did not want to see their baby girl dead, so they avoided it. They went to the church service the next day along with thousands of other parents, students, and faculty members and it suddenly hit them. At the service they had a projection screen with the names of all those injured and dead. It was when Whitney's name flashed onto the screen that her mother realized that it was real.

"'They're praying for us. For me. For Newell. For Carly.' In that moment, she felt as though she could feel the prayers reaching up toward heaven and the arms of God physically reaching down to her in response. She closed her eyes, soaking it in."

After the service, the family heads out to pick Newell, Whitney's dad up from the airport in Indianapolis. They went to unpack everything out of Whitney's dorm room and her roomate gave her something Whitney made the day before as a reminder to serve God in everything she did. It was a small sign that said "Well done, good and faithful servent." This is ironic because, according to the Bible, these are the words with which Jesus will greet into heavven those who love him. Next they discussed when the funeral should take place. Colleen wanted it to be on the coming up Sunday, which Newell pointed out would be on Whitney's birthday. Colleen thought it was an even better idea to have it on her birthday because she knew Whitney always loved birthday parties. Colleen believed that it was only right to have one last huge party to celebrate her life, on her birthday. The family was riding home from Taylor University when this took place.

"This is our first sunset without Whitney."

I think these are both very important quotes from the passage. It shows how Colleen is thankful for all of the people praying for her and how she realizes that there are people who are there for her. The second quote is kind of a hard hitter. I started crying when I got to this part because it just builds up all these emotions, and then boom: you realize that it actually is real, it actually is happening and there is nothing you, or anyone else, can do about it.

What's Your Inspiration?

To me, inspiration is something that stimulates you to do creative work. Well, cheer is what gets me this way. I have been cheering for nine years now and I wouldn't change anything about it. I have cheered in Illinois and in Missouri and it amazes me how different the rules are, even though we are so close to one another. Something about cheerleading just gives me a sudden adrenaline rush; I don't know if it is the tossing, jumping, stunting, or cheering itself, but i love every thing about it. When I am cheering I suddenly get into a better mood and my creative side comes out. I can always think of stunts, routines, and chants that are very creative and challenging. Whenever I am faced with a challenge in cheer, I am always more determined to conquer it and be the best I can be at it. To me, the two poems below are what cheerleading is all about, behind the glamour.

I believe that cheer has made me a better person, and shaped me into the person I am today. Cheerleading has helped me learn to have a better attitude about certain things in life. The cheerleaders are the people who have to be positive about everything, win or lose. Because I am so used to doing this at football and basketball games, I do it in normal everyday life. I think cheerleading is so important to me because I have been doing it for so long and it has helped me in so many situations. People may not understand what  I mean when I say that it has helped me, but I mean that it is a place I can release my anger and stress. Instead of releasing these things in bad ways, I can release them in a positive way, keeping a positive attitude about it.

I am a cheerleader.

I must wear my uniform with pride and respect

or when serving in the role which my uniform places me.

I must accept the fact that I am no longer a volunteer.

Oligations to the "team" mean that I

am punctual for practice and never murmur when

called upon to do the related duties

that a cheerleader performs.

I will never allow my conduct, thoughts, attitudes or emotions

to betray the trust that others have placed in me

as a member of the team.

Now I lay me down to rest,

I've tried my hardest and done my best

to stunt, jump, dance, and cheer,

with the sharpest of motions and no trace of fear.

I know in the morning my body will ache

but, for what I love it's a price I gladly pay.

Thank you, God for making me strong

with determination and commitment

when practices are too long.

And Lord if I shall die before I wake,

I'll know I've shown the world,

Cheerleaders were born, not made.

Reading Response 2: Mistaken Identity

The girl in the hospital was thrown fifty feet from the van and was on a respirator. When the paramedics got her, she was breathing on her own, but they hospital felt it was a better idea to put her on a respirator so that her body could concentrate on healing itself. Because she had a brain injury, the doctors inserted a tube in her skull as a pressure-monitoring device. This girl was one of four survivors in the accident, and her injuries were the worst. Doctors stated that she is lucky to be alive. When the nurse handed the family the girls belongings, the family realized that those, in fact, were not their daughters. None of the items matched anything Laura owned, but they did not think much of it.

"Memories of Laura flashed through his head, along

with the fear that he would never enjoy such moments again."

The way the book is set up, the chapters go back and forth between the two families, which is why I am kind of going chapter by chapter. I believe this passage is significant because it describes how families can get through situations like this and explains that there is always going to be someone that is there for you, whether it is one person or a hundred people. The thought of this happening is so terrifying to me, and the fact that it did happen is still extremely shocking. It kind of makes you wonder how many other times it has happened to families in the past.



First line, Last line

My first line: The past is a foreign country; they dothings differently there.
- "The Go-Between," L. P. Hartley

My last line: So we beat on, boats against the current,borne back ceaselessly into the past.
- "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald

Reading Response 1: Mistaken Identity

This book is about Whitney Cerak and Lauren Van Ryn. One of these girls is buried under the wrong name, and the other is in the ICU being cared for by the wrong family. The two were in a Taylor University van on their way back to the Upland campus from Taylor's in Fort Wayne. On the way back to campus the van was in an automobile accident and the two girls looked very similar, causing the police to mix them up.

I have not gotten very far in this book, but this is what I have read so far and it honestly is terrifying. I can not imagine going through what these families are going through, and then finding out that it was all a mistake. Getting one families hopes up, and crushing another family, then soon switching it all up. If I was the Van Ryn family, I would be absolutely devistated to think that my daughter was alive and well in the hospital and to soon find out that the girl in the hospital, is actually the girl that is buried.

These are my only thoughts on this book right now, but I will keep you updated. :)

Things About Me

1. My name is Jessica Hamer.
2. I was born and raised in Danville, Illinois.

3. I moved to Springfield, MO in the middle of the second semester of my sophomore year.
4. Brock Johnson is my boyfriend.
5. I am a twin, and I have three older siblings.
6. I am a senior at Parkview High School.
7. Cheerleading is my favorite sport.
8. I have been cheering for ten years now, and I am a flyer.
9. I want to go to MSU or Drury for college.
10. I intend on cheering for one of these universities.
11. The mascot for Parkview (Vikings) is the same mascot for my previous high school.
12. I love to swim.
13. I could live off of breadsticks and dinner rolls.
14. My bestfriend is Brittany Lawson.
15. My favorite movie is Taken.
16. My favorite book is Mistaken Identity.
17. My favorite seasons are fall and spring.
18. Football is my absolute favorite sport.
19. I am not very good at writing poems.
20. I enjoy long strolls on the beach.
21. Boots and cheer shoes are my favorite.
22. I have been in volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, and softball growing up.
23. I played soccer for 11 years.
24. I lived in the same house from the time I was born until I moved to Springfield.
25. I am currently thinking about majoring in Accounting or Psychology in college.
26. My favorite sport to cheer for is football.
27. The Pittsburgh Steelers are my favorite NFL team.