I Want to be on the Inside

This is the sentiment that many people feel in the world today, and I believe Lewis adequetly addressed this issue. Entrance into the Inner Ring means acceptance and information which leads to power. Lewis' speech allows us to take a step back, assess our personal struggle for acceptance, and reevaulate our priorities.


I think that Lewis' speech carries a strong message not only for college students entering the workforce but also for teenagers in school. Just walk down Wayzata High School hallways. There are people willing to sacrifice much to gain entrance to the popular cliques and gain a favorable reputation with their peers. We all see it. Teenagers strive to be accepted, because acceptance means security. In "Mean Girls" Cady looses her identity in her struggle for acceptance into the Plastics. This example shows how relevent Lewis' warning is to many people.


After reading his speech I think the idea most high schoolers, and people in general, need to take away is this concept of friendship being the safest circle. Sure, it sounds mushy and fem but it makes sense. The people you are friends with are people that you choose to be around, and vice versa. In an exclusive circle, the memebers are working to exclude. (Notice the root similarity?) It is important that we stick to what really matters in life in order to live to the fullest. Relationships, true, organic, and easy, are more important than power.

A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Aren't Synonyms Wonderful?

Wonderful: Adjective
Definitions:
-Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration
-Extremely good
-Marvelous
Example: Christmas makes me feel wonderful.
Origin: Old English "wunderfull"

Synonyms
Amazing:
Definitions: Adjective
-Causing great surprise or wonder
-Startlingly impressive
Example: It is amazing how ignorant that girl is.
Origin: Old English āmasian, of unknown origin

Definitions: AdjectiveMarvelous
-Of, from, or like a God
-Devoted to God; sacred
-Excellent; delightful
Example: This peach cobbler is divine.
Origin: Late Middle English: via Old French from Latin divinus, from divus "Godlike"

Definitions: Adjective
-Causing great wonder; extraordinary
-Extremely good or pleasing; splendid
Example: I have never heard such a marvelous choir
Origin: Middle English: from Old French merveillus, from merveille

Tremendous
Definitions: Adjective
-Very great in amount, scale, or intensity
-Informal: extremely good
Example: The actions of the charity were quite tremendous.
Origin: Mid 17th century: from Latin tremendus

Outstanding
Definitions: Adjective
-Exceptionally good
-Clearly noticeable
-Remaining to be done
Example: The grease on the burger was outstanding
Origin: 1605 - 15 (Unknown Origin)

Excellent
Definitions: Adjective
-Extrememly good
-Outstanding
-Used to indicate pleasure
Example: This 18th century furniture has excellent grain patterns
Origin: From Old French, from Latin excellent 'being preeminent', from excellere

Definitions: Adjective
-Extraordinary, especially large
-Amazingly good
-Having no basis in reality
Example: This fabulous orchestra carries big sound
Origin: From French fabuleux or Latin fabulosus 'celebrated in fable', from fabula  

Astounding
Definitions: Adjective
-Surprisingly impressive or notable
Example: This essay is unusually astounding
Origin: Variation of astonish from Old French estone

Remarkable
Definitions: Adjective
-Worthy of attention
-Striking
Example: I find it remarkable that they included song in their performance
Origin: Early 17th century: from French remarquable, from remarquer 'take note of'

Brilliant
Definitions: Adjective
-Very bright, radiant
-Clever or talented
-Impressive
Example: The stars are brilliantly twinkling
Origin: Late 17th century: from French brillant 'shining', present participle of briller, from Italian brillare 

Opt Out?

You can take this at face value, as the musings of an angst filled teen. It's possible my thoughts are being replicated a thousand times over around the world. I wouldn't be surprised. Stress and pressure isn't a localized issue.

I really wasn't sure what to write, until a tsunami of stress engulfed me like this weekend's snowstorm. I wish sometimes there was an opt out button on responsibility. I didn't want to go to work today and deal with picky customers and remaking drinks when people take the wrong beverage. Opt out! I could spend my time doing something more productive than making 7.50 an hour, or as I calculated today at work, 1 dollar every 8 minutes. Wait, that's before income tax gets taken out. Opt out?

I know what you're thinking. Who is he to complain and whine? I was the one who signed up for my classes, got a job, and attempted to have the semblance of a social life. I also chose all the extra curriculars to fill my time with. That time is at a premium, and sometimes sleep is the weakest link. It's the first to go. Take tonight. It is 8:30. I still have an AP Gov essay to write, two essays to read, and an APUSH teaching project to finish. Dang.

Sorry if this is boring or annoying to read. I'd be annoyed to read it. However, I just needed to let out my frustration at the circumstances. Sometimes there really is nothing you can do, except regret for time wasted. Or maybe, in a perfect world, opt out.