Religion

My mother is an atheist, my father is a catholic who hasn't been to church since he was young, and I have no idea what to believe in. For two years I worked in a nursery at a catholic church and watched children from 6 months to 5 years old for parents while they attended mass. For about a year, I would go to the "teen mass" with my friends which was from 5:15 to 6:30 and was followed by LifeTeen, where teenagers from 9th-12th grade would attend after mass and learn more about Jesus for another hour. Since I had no idea about what they believed, I went in with an open mind. Although the idea of someone always being there and loving/forgiving no matter what you do is comforting, it's extremely hard for me to believe sometimes. I know a number of people who claim to be religious but don't act in a way that I think Jesus would be proud of...if that makes any sense. I can still remember being seven years old and my friends ten year old sister, whose family was extremely religious, told me that I was going to go to hell because of something I did. Also, when 9/11 happened, my friends grandma said that she felt sorry for those who didn't have God in their life because they're all going to hell. She saw me as a part of their family, however, I'm not baptized and don't really have a religion, so she was pretty much saying that me and my mom would be going to hell without even knowing it. I don't understand how some people who say that they believe in a God that doesn't judge, feel that they have the right to judge those who don't believe in the same things they do. I think that if there truly is a heaven then who I am and what I've done in life should matter more than how many times I went to church or who/what I believe in.

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest that was done at the Texas State Theater was definitely not for everyone. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand much of the humor, rarely laughing when the majority of the audience did. It was a little confusing, but I came to the conclusion that women in the 1800’s were extremely clueless. The fact that the two leading ladies, Gwendolen and Cecily were mainly in love with their significant other because their names were Earnest seemed silly to me. When the two Earnest’s whose real names were Jack and Algernon asked their fiancée’s if they would still love them if their names were Jack or Algernon the two shuddered in disgust. Cecily, for instance, had never met Earnest and was practically in love with someone she had made up in her mind, writing letters to herself but signing them with the name “Earnest.” She even made up an engagement with Earnest, who she had never met. It was important to the two women that their husband’s names be Earnest because they explained how it would be nice to be married to a man with that name. It seemed like the name “Earnest” was held in high regard, and it got to the point where the two men were going to be re-christened “Earnest.” I understand that people will do anything for love, but if someone only likes you because of your name then I think it’s time to move on. It was like their fake name decided how successful they were. I’m sorry to say it, but I didn’t enjoy it too much. The actors were wonderful, but these types of plays don’t translate to people in the same way. I love going to the theater, but only to Broadway musicals, they seem to keep me more entertained.

Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich, “a simple girl from the mid-west,” was surprisingly inspirational when I listened to what she had to say. To be able to hear the real person that was portrayed in a movie allowed me to understand what she had to go through in order to get to where she is today. She embodies success, not only through her story but through her words. Brockovich continually stressed the importance of “doing what you feel is right.” She explained how one day she was driving and thought to herself, “What am I doing? I barely get to see my children and I’m not making any money,” but she knew what she was doing was extremely important and she “was willing to stand up for what was right.” I admire her courage, strength, and pursuance for the truth. Brockovich also mentioned that that the “best lesson” that she could pass on to us was that it is “truly what is inside of ourselves that make all the difference” and to remember that even if you loose a battle it will soon lead to war and victory. I also learned that in high school she was voted “Least Likely to Succeed” but soon realized that it was “their choice to see her as a loser” and she could no longer allow others to decide who she was. I realized that many people have a little bit of “Erin Brockavich” in them. I’d like to think that we all want to fight for what is right but sometimes lack the courage to do so. She has achieved success against all odds and I can only imagine how many others she has inspired to do the same.

Gus

A man who seems like a cowboy has his back facing us and is looking off into the distance where the sky is filled with fluffy clouds with the sun peeking through. He is positioned in the middle of the picture frame from his elbows, up to his black rounded cowboy hat. Under the hat is dark thick hair that reaches down to a patterned bandanna that is wrapped around his neck that is turned slightly to the right. The long sleeved white shirt he is wearing is accompanied with a black vest which achieves a typical cowboy look. The overall picture is colored in a light sepia where the lights and darks can be distinguished nicely.