Love and Spin

In the Chapters, "Love" and "Spin", the horrors of war don't seem so horrible. The narrator talks about how Jimmy Cross, the love sick lieutenant, comes and visits some twenty years after the war. The narrator is basically remeniscing about the war and all the soldiers in his room?

Chapter 1, The Things They Carried

The first chapter starts off talking about exactly what the title is talking about. The items and emotional baggage that men at war carried. There is a narrator, not sure who he is in the beginning, but we soon find out in later chapters. We are immediately hit with the pressures of war, starting with the physique required to carry so many items all at once, while in combat, in a hot, humid, rainy, tropical climate. These men are desensitized towards death, being that they are surrounded by it almost constantly. They joke about death as if it isn't the end of a person's life. They have to joke... to keep from crying. They have to keep fear far away and I guess pretend that it's a game so that they wont go insane. Vietnamese seem like some crazy loyal people. From what I heard, they go into war not afraid to die, which to me, seems like they want to die, (e.g. Kamikaze planes). I don't seem to understand how commiting suicide will help anyone, unless of course you're Hitler, whose death actually helped people. But besides all that, war in general is described as Hell. I know i've heard stories, including this book, but i've never been exposed to war, or any deadly, tramatic experience, ever. How can someone describe war as Hell unless they've been to Hell and know what Hell is like? I know that a Vietnam War vet may want to kill me if they heard me say this, but, I kind of want to know what all the hype is about...

Time to change

Okay, here's how it's going to go: I am going to work on myself. For now on, i'm going to focus exclusively on myself, not trying to sound self centered or anything. But from this point on I need to pick myself up from this sluggish attitude I have about everything and start making my life better. I am constantly unhappy with how things are, but I am not doing anything to fix it.

It's really crucial that I pick up my grades and become more involved with the school now, before it's too late. I would like to end the school year with a couple A's if possible. I've noticed I have an "I don't care" attitude about school in general and I need to get out of that phase before it becomes permanent. I need to start studing and preparing for upcoming assignments, and I also need to make sure I have all of my work turned in before it's too late (Ram).

And another big issue I need to deal with is how I act towards my mother. Today is Mother's Day and I believe I have given her the worst mother's day of her life. I constantly argued with her all throughout the day, and I think I may have made her cry. I feel dreadfully, unbelievably horrible that I pushed her to say some of the things she said to me today. She went as far to say that only one out of the three kid she has loves her. And the one she was addressing is in jail. She definitely does not deserve to be treated the way I treat her and I am terribly sorry for everything I did to hurt her. Before this day is over I have to apologize and make the rest of her day wonderful as possible. I must've forgetten this is MOTHER'S DAY, not nasty, rude, ungrateful, teenage daughter day. Now, I have to finish this up so I can go make my mama happy she had me. Bye.

Hello everyone!

I'm starting to realize that things have changed a lot. It seems as thought the people, places, and activities have changed quite drastically since way back when. I've noticed the innocence in some people has just evaportated, just desentegrated completly from their lives. A lot of the people I pass in the halls aren't the same person they were a year ago; it seems as though they've lost their character, their conscience, their something! I don't know...But what I do know is that I don't like it. At ALL!

Is it just me, or is almost everyone making a change for the worst? I know I have a problem with change, and I understand that, but if you are doing something good and it's making you happy, why change it? Why disturb your happiness if it can keep going? I know that changes are good if they are to better something, and changes are bad if they are going from good to worst. But some people just change just to change, for no particular reason at all. I don't understand it. I know life is all about moving forward, and maybe that's my problem. I can stay in one place for a very long time if i'm satisfied with it. But some people just can't stay still, they have to move, even if it's in the WRONG direction (some people reading this know what I'm talking about).

One thing that is definetly changing is the way that school is run. School was different last year, it was better. And I heard that school was even better before that. I thought Open was all about being different, special, and above normal high schools, it seems like its moving towards becoming like any other school. These issues need to be addressed and handled properly or they will continue and get worse with time.

Mi best friends

I've had one of those days
you know what I mean
when I try to sit back and relax
and blow off some steam.

I'll talk to all my friends
who know just what to say
to make my stresses go
and my troubles fade away.

My friends you're always there for me
whenever I feel blue
and though we have differences
I know our friendships true.

And although we haven't been friends for long
in this short time it seems
we shared so many things already
our hopes, our fears, our dreams.

We come from different walks of life
but we share a common bond
and it's time to say that you two
I've grown so very fond.

So friends thanks for being there
whenever I've needed you
I know you're always there for me
and you know I'm there for you.

Megan

As the time pass,
and we grow apart,
I want you to know,
that you're in my heart.

You helped me through problems,
through things good and bad.
You helped me keep smiling,
when I was sad.

You helped me with guys.
You made me stay strong.
How will I live,
when you are gone?

And where the years take us,
No place is too far,
We will think of each other,
wherever we are.

You're a wonderful person,
with a good heart to lend,
And I want you to know,
You're a really good friend

Way too close

It was the moment when time seems to pause for awhile,
I was dazzled and taken for what I had witnessed,
feeling weak and defenseless against your lovely face and
timeless precious smile,
oh dear you take my breath away.
I had tried a thousand times trying to ignore you,
make you feel not being noticed nor admired,
avoiding every longed moment and opportunity
to have just a glimpse of you
but somehow again,
I was being conquered by your amazing passion in life,
and leaving me helpless of not loving you.
We became friends,
even thought in reality I never know who you really are or
what I may end up if gamble my tired and lonely heart
to someone as mysterious as you,
fears slowly creeping deep inside for I am afraid
that the beauty you had shown will one day just disappear.
I wish I could easily untie my heart from my horrible past,
I am confused and frightened for the truth is
my soul longed to know you more,
where heart beats faster its time you are near.
Yes, I do desire of being with you all the time,
dreaming to hold your hand and kiss your tender lips,
and if I had one last wish before I die
I would rather spend it a day with someone as beautiful as you