Sophie's Sentiments

      When Sophie was a little girl, I was too tall for her. So, she had to stand on a step stool to get a complete view of me. I watched her as she did her daily routines: brush her teeth, comb her hair, call for her mom when she needed help.      When she was about five years old, I watched as her sister asked  her, "do you want me to take off the Band-Aid slow, or rip it off fast so it doesn't hurt?" Pfft, that was a leading question if I ever knew one.     "Fast," Sophie responded, of course. And soon after the Band-Aid was ripped off, she dramatically started screaming in pain. She regretted her decision; even I could tell.     When Sophie reached seven, she threw many tantrums over her hair. Either she couldn't get the style right herself, or her mom tugged her hairbrush through her tangles too roughly. It was painful to watch the tears streaming down her face.     In 2014, I watched as Sophie sang along to her favor...

     I see myself in Meursault. No, I'm not a cold-blooded killer. And yes, I would cry at my mother's funeral. But, there's one aspect of his character I can relate to. He cares deeply about what others think of him.      I wouldn't go as far as to say that what others think about me overcome my own emotions, but sometimes it can be close. For example, I could be competing at a DECA competition. And let's say I delivered one of the best performances I've ever done. I probably wouldn't feel this way sitting across from a judge with a disgusted look on their face. Their negative reaction would diminish my confidence, and thus make me believe I didn't compete so well.  It's similar to how Meursault reacts when he's questioned by a lawyer about his mother's death. He answers in the way that he knows would please the lawyer, or not upset or confuse him. He's not being honest or truthful, but maybe sugarcoating his words to appease what he be...

"For what do we live for, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?' - Jane Austin, Pride and Prejudice    Posed as a rhetorical question, a philosophical question, an existential question, Jane Austin brings lightness to life and provides a thought-provoking inquiry to readers in just one simple sentence: Is the greatest purpose in life not to make jokes?     Imagine this: a world where everyone is serious, straight-faced, and melancholy. I wouldn't want to live in it, would you? So it's not silly or far-fetched to believe one of the most important things in life is to tease others or make situations light-hearted.      I, personally, try to find the light in everything. I can't stand it to listen to others fight. It makes me uncomfortable, and I feel bad for the people bickering for being in such a negative headspace. I often try my best to interject and make a joke to lighten the mood.       Especially ...