Meeting Maung-Maung

The theme of "Meeting Maung-Maung" is that a person's financial situation doesn't determine their happiness and successfulness. Towards the end of the story, while Maung-Maung is reading an essay he wrote to Iyer, he comments on his financial situation: "He was a poor man, he went on, but he made more than his father. Most important, he made many friends. And through riding his Trashaw he had begun to learn English." One form of effective language that Iyer uses is her humorously cautious attitude towards Maung-Maung. Towards the beginning of the trishaw ride, Maung-Maung passes back a book full of pictures for Iyer to look at: "Reluctantly I opened it, bracing myself for porno postcards or other illicit souvenirs." Another form of effective language use in "Meeting Maung-Maung" is its use of simile. In response to Maung-Maung allowing her to look through his precious textbooks, Iyer says, "I was touched by his show of trust. But I also felt as uncertain as an actor walking through a play he hasn't read." Simile is used effectively in this line to give the reader the impression that Iyer doesn't know how to behave in this situation.

Meeting Maung-Maung

Throughout Meeting Maung-Maung, Pico Iyer demonstrates the value of life experience over monetary items. Iyler describes the cultural and life differences of his guide, Maung-Maung, and how despite him living a very different life than one idealized in western society, his life seemed to be rich with meaning. “I do not make much money. But in this job, I can meet tourist and improve my English. Experience, I believe, is the best teacher” (20).

“But I also felt as uncertain as an actor walking through a play he hasn’t read” (22). This analogy is highly relatable and very effective. Simply imagining how it would feel to be a clueless actor ignites an immediate understanding for what the author must have been going through. 

“In them, Maung-Maung warned visitors against ‘twisty characters’... and told his readers not to trust him until he had proved worthy of their trust” (23). When the author incorporates Maung-Maung’s direct words, it grows the depth of his character for the reader and provides a more three dimensional understanding of who he is.

"Meeting Maung-Maung"

The theme of "Meeting Maung-Maung" is judging books by their covers. Pico Iyer assumed many things about Maung-Maung, all of which proved to be false, and it turned out Maung-Maung was much better than Iyer had given him credit.

"'Experience, I believe, is the best teacher'" (20). While everything Iyer thinks and assumes has some level of cynicism or arrogance, everything Maung-Maung is strikingly honest and so simple in its genuineness.

"Made quiet by this labour of love, I looked up" (23). Iyer finally allowed his assumptions and arrogant suspicions to fall from his mind. It's a good moment between the two of them.

Meeting Maung-Maung

In Pico Iyer's essay Meeting Maung-Maung, he addresses the theme of money versus happiness. Although it is possible to have both, he specifically focuses on the lack of money through Maung-Maung, a Buddhist trishaw biker: "I do not make much money...Experience, I believe, is the best teacher" (20). The conflicts that Maung-Maung experiences (page 21) while following his principles of life are commonly crossed and most can relate to those experiences. The description of the letter notebook paints quite a picture in the mind, and it brings a sense of reminiscence to the audience: "Inside, placed in alphabetical order, was every single letter he had ever received from a foreign visitor" (22). Maung-Maung cares very much about the lives he was able to touch, as shown through his meticulous handling of the letters. 

Meeting Maung-Maung Reflection

In his essay, Meeting Maung-Maung, Pico Iyer shows the theme of experience outweighing money. Maung-Maung, after getting a degree in Mathematics, chose to give tours to the many visitors. He decided that meeting tourists and making human connections was worth more than money. His small apartment mattered less to him than his prized possessions: a sociology textbook, an old English-Burmese dictionary, and, most treasured, a thick black notebook. Iyer's detailed descriptions show how valuable Maung-Maung's dictionary and notebook were to him. The line "as gently as if it were his bible...a dusty old English-Burmese dictionary, its yellowed pages falling from their covers" showed just how much Maung-Maung revered the dictionary. It made the book more than an object, but something holy and important to him. "With a mixture of shyness and pride" showed the feeling of bearing your soul to someone.

"Meeting Maung-Maung" Blog Post

In his essay “Meeting Maung-Maung”, Pico Iyer teaches his audience you do not need money to live a rich life. Despite having a degree in Mathematics, Maung-Maung pursues a career as a trishaw driver in Mandalay because he “can meet tourist[s] and improve [his] English. Experience [he] believe[s], is the best teacher.” Throughout the essay, Iyer’s diction adds to his weariness of Maung-Maung. He continuously asks questions like “Where […] was the catch?” and has thoughts like “here comes the setup” despite Maung-Maung giving Iyers no reason to not trust him. When describing his experience in Maung-Maung’s house, Iyers uses imagery to describe the “old English-Burmese dictionary, its yellowed pages falling from their covers” and “a thick black notebook [with] every single letter he had ever received from a foreign visitor”, two of Maung-Maung’s most prized possesions. Maung-Maung’s rich life despite living in poverty proves you do not need a lot of money to live a rich life.

Meeting Maung-Maung Reflection

The prominent theme is that no matter how much money or education someone has, experience will always outweigh those aspects of life. Despite Maung-Maung's degree in mathematics, he still chooses to work with tourists. He emphasizes that "Experience ... is the best teacher," which shows that he would rather be immersed in the tourism and make less money than utilize mathematics to make more money. "All tourist people are my bread and butter" stood out to me because Maung-Maung uses the common phrase of bread and butter in comparison to how he makes a livelihood. It seemed unusual to describe people as his means of making money, which shows how important of a role the tourists play in his life. Iyer's use of dialogue and translations of money amounts allows the reader to understand his values better, as well as break down the barrier in culture. If Iyer did not include U.S. dollars, there would not be as significant of an impact of how little importance money has to Maung-Maung.

I think the theme in "Meeting Maung-Maung" is that experience and human connection is more important and more valuable than money. This idea is demonstrated when Maung-Maung talks about how although he has an education, he would rather make less money and be able to meet tourists and make a difference in their lives. One example of language that stuck out to me was "... the conversation was proceeding swimmingly." I noticed the use of the word "swimmingly" because I had never heard it used in this context before, and I would like to try to incorporate it into my own writing. The other example is "But I also felt as uncertain as an actor walking through a play he hasn't read." I enjoyed this description because I have also felt this way but could not put it into words as well as the author did.

"Meeting Maung-Maung" - Pico Iyer

In Meeting Maung-Maung, Pico Iyer demonstrates a theme of experience and being helpful and kind to others is more important in life than money. He does this by describing Maung-Maung as someone who prefers to meet tourists and help them have a good experience in Mandalay than getting a job to use his degree in mathematics, which he is still proud of. Maung-Maung is also depicted as a sweet soul who tries his best at following the Buddhist principles of life and cherishes the people he meets by making albums to commemorate them. Iyer uses simile to show Maung-Maung as a cautious, caring individual, "...as gently as if it were his Bubble, Maung-Maung passed across the other volume..." Through the description of the way to Maung-Maung's home, "dirty alleyways," "lanes of run-down shacks," "a hut, fronted with weeds," the author paints a negative picture of the city and despite this, Maung-Maung is shown again as grateful, "smiling proudly." From meeting Maung-Maung, Pico Iyer was enlightened on the idea that experience and placing an important on other people's happiness are more important than money, materialistic things, or status.

Meeting Maung-Maung

I think the theme of Iyer's essay is that experience, not money, is the most valuable asset of life. For example, Maung-Maung has little money, but deeply appreciates his ability to interact with tourists and learn English. He could work a different job, but chooses not to because he likes to interact with people from all over the world. Additionally, the author in this story is using his money to gain experience in another country. One language use that struck me as effective was the author's constant interjections of fear whenever Maung-Maung offered him something. It showed that he was cautious of his surroundings and a little weary of the taxi driver. Also, the repetition of the word "then" when describing how Maung-Maung paid for school shows how determined and motivated he was to receive and education.

Meeting Muang-Muang Response

Pico Iyer expresses a theme in which pessimism and assuming the worst of a situation can hinder one from creating connections and memories. Iyer was very cautious in regards to Muang-Muang, thinking his tour guide was leading him into traps or danger at times. This is seen when Muang-Muang handed back a simple book of letters and pictures and Iyer writes, “reluctantly I opened it, bracing myself for porno postcards or other illicit souvenirs” (20). Again, Iyer doubted Muang-Muang’s genuine kindness when he was given a piece of jade saying, “I instantly wondered, [what] was the catch” (19). A third time Iyer is suspect of his guide as he thinks, “ah, I thought, here is the setup,” when Muang-Muang simply wanted to share his home and treasures with Iyer. The constant suspicion of Muang-Muang by Iyer exposes how people often assume danger or unpleasant situations will occur; this can inhibit genuine experiences and connections with others.

The Temptation of Two Reflection

The theme of the Temptations of Two is the struggle to balance safety and adventure. Rogers shares the back and forth in her mind as she questions the safety of kayaking alone but then has a wonderful experience. She goes on to share the experience with her friend, feeling even more daring. They go out even later and in a storm warning, this resurfaces the fears that it isn’t safe but she is proved wrong and enjoys the adventure.

“... large, blocky floes of ice that knocked against each other like ice cubes in a glass, only the sound was pitched higher, and on a grand scale” (Rogers 161). I could hear her descriptions because when the lakes up north freeze over, sometimes the ice booms as it shifts in the cold or makes weird twanging sounds.

She used different words such as loneliness, solo, and freedom to differentiate her different feelings/the stigma of being alone.

The Temptations of Two

The Temptations of Two speaks on the liberating freedom of traveling alone and the safety of traveling with another party member. The two are compared throughout the piece, each given multiple pros and cons. While there is peace with independence, there is also loneliness and the fear that comes with no one being there to help you. But at the same time, One can get into more dangerous situations with another person, and the tranquility of nature can be lost. 

Overall, the ideal situation seems to be to find a person that makes an adventurer out of you, one that is willing to take risks, but offers safety in companionship. While nature’s beauty is best observed alone, it almost becomes pointless if you have no one to share the experience with, which is why the narrator asks Emily to come back with her to the river. Conclusively, the moral seems to be “don't be afraid to travel and experience things alone, but don't forget how great it is to share those experiences with others.”

Hey everyone,
My names Oliver and I'm a cinema major. I'm from Mount Vernon, IA, a very small town about a half hour from Iowa City. I really enjoyed the trip I took with my family last summer to the Grand Canyon. Nothing anyone told me could've prepared me for the overwhelming beauty of the park. My favorite memory while I was there was when I woke up early to get coffee and watch the sunrise from the rim of the canyon with the rest of my family. At that time in the morning, the park is so quiet that the only sounds you can hear are the birds and the wind.

Bicycle Love

The theme of Goodspeed's "Bicycle Love" is that of pilgrimage. The author refers to this concept multiple times throughout the piece, most notably at the end when she meets someone who tells her she's hiking the Long Trail because she turned 50 and is going through a divorce: "I paused for a moment, appreciating her honesty, and then said, 'You're on a pilgrimage.'" Earlier in the story, it had been Goodspeed that was on a pilgrimage and this is the first moment in which she finds someone else on a pilgrimage.
One effective language use of Goodspeed is her personification of the bike. "The bike and I were a team. A couple. Together, we were indomitable." By referring to the bike as a partner, Goodspeed reminds the audience of her dependence on the bike. Goodspeed also does a good job at describing her exhaustion throughout the trip. "By the time I rolled into my friends' driveway, I was so exhausted that my body slumped over the handlebars and I could barely pedal." This line gives the reader a good sense of Goodspeed's exhaustion.

"The Temptations of Two" Reflection

In Susan Fox Rogers' essay, she employs themes of danger, individuality, and exploring outside of your comfort zone. Throughout the essay she uses themes of two vs. one to illustrate one's comfort zone. As she explores with Emily, she is forced out of her comfort zone because there is so much possibility and opportunity when you go with someone else. Although at first glance it may seem safer to adventure with another person, Rogers argues that "the temptation of two was dismantling my edifice of one. For so long the pleasure of one was not just enough, but perfect, and now, so quick, I had been swept away by the adventurous possibility of two" (167). In this passage, her language is effective because she compares her individuality with her relationship with Emily. Through this juxtaposition, she conveys that going with another person actually causes you to step outside of your comfort zone more. Rogers also uses the theme of love to show the bigger picture when you step outside of your comfort zone. She writes, "Hot or cold, the result is the same: an excitement that tastes of fear. Here, though, the word that comes to mind is love." Through her language, Rogers shows that love is the primary emotion behind the adrenaline rush she receives when she goes on these adventures. And that's why going with two people is more thrilling; with two people, there is more love to share.

The Temptation of Two

I think the theme is finding the balance between independence and dependence. Throughout the essay, Rogers tries to figure out whether being alone or being with Emily is better, but in the end, she realizes that both have their advantages and one doesn’t necessarily have to be better than the other. I like how candid her tone was when she was telling her story. For example, she talks about the sound of the motors and how she expects to hear them “and in that expectation affection emerges.” She is blunt with her descriptions and shows how much she has adapted to the river and the experience that comes with paddling. I also like the description of how she kissed Emily. She doesn’t make it overtly passionate or specific, she describes the feeling of satisfaction she had that she just had to express, so she decided to let Emily be her outlet.

The Temptation of Two

The theme of Rogers' "The Temptation of Two" is that adventures are often more fun with a companion. This theme is shown towards the end of her story when she says, "Truth: I never would have left at seven-thirty alone, never would have paddled backward, or raced in the dark or ridden in the dark." Rogers argues that the more adventurous side of ourselves is best revealed when we're accompanied by friends.
One example of effective language use I found in the piece is used right before Rogers leaves to go on a solo canoe trip: "'I've never been in the river by myself', (Emily) tells me. 'I don't know why, it just doesn't seem safe.' Her words echo as I drive alone to put my boat in at Cheviot." Hearing this line as the reader makes us feel uneasy in the same way that Rogers must be feeling uneasy as she's about to go solo canoeing. Another piece of language use I enjoyed appeared later on in the piece just before Rogers starts canoeing: "Years ago, I made a rule for myself: If you go solo, reduce the variables, go someplace familiar." The next moment, Rogers begins canoeing in unfamiliar waters. This line adds some humor to her writing and continues to make us feel uneasy.

"The Temptations of Two"

The overarching theme of Rogers’ essay is that a love for nature can be taken in through solo adventures but is more rewarding with a partner. When boating alone, Rogers describes the landscape as, “the word that comes to mind is love… but this love goes beyond the love of self… it needs an object. If someone were with me, I’d ask for a kiss.” She knows she loves the adventure but wishes she could share it with someone. However, when she is enjoying the river with Emily, “an exquisite satisfaction took over… I couldn’t hug or kiss the river, the sky, the factory across the river… so I kissed Emily, fat and sweet.” That kiss changed Rogers’ opinion on solo adventures, realizing she “had been swept away by the adventurous possibility of two.” Her love of the landscape could be relayed through someone who she also cares deeply for.

The Temptations of Two Reflection

     Throughout “The Temptation of Two” Susan Rogers illustrates a theme of the differences in what one receives when traveling alone versus traveling in companionship, in choosing safety versus breaking out of one’s box. Throughout the piece Rogers discusses how spending time alone is rewarding for her, and how she enjoys solo travel. However, she often likens solo travel with cautious travel, saying, “you are alone, I remind myself, don’t push it” (164). She then goes on to question “What is safer? The folly of two or the caution of one?” (167). Through the essay a dichotomy emerges between what one receives in solo travel versus travel with others, in choosing the safer route and in branching out. 

    “Blocky floes of ice that knocked against each other like ice cubes in a glass” (161). This simile immediately ignites an image in the readers mind of the scene Rogers is describing. 

    “eerie and so utterly full of death that it shook me for days” (161). The description of ice on the river as being “full of death” appeals to the senses or the reader; I shivered when I read it. 

Goblin Valley, Utah

"The Temptations of Two"

The theme is adventure, having an adventurous spirit, but also having enough common sense to not get in too much trouble. There's also a strong element of camaraderie. Here are two women, doing borderline reckless things, both with each other and without, and all for that sense of adventure and freedom.

"Outdoors, where silence is one of the great pleasures, my own voice irritates me" (160). I like this because of how relatable it is; it's something most people have felt, if not all, and it's very difficult to put into words. Plus it's so peaceful in nature, and to ruin that would make you feel awful.

"in a child's game it [the car] would be home base, the place of safety" (163). Again, this puts into words a very common feeling, at least among afab individuals.

The Temptations of Two Reflection

In Susan Fox Rogers' The Temptations of Two, she addresses the differences between traveling alone versus with a group and the dangers involved either way. When Susan kayaks alone she is "full of bold caution" yet she is also free. What others call loneliness she thinks of as freedom. When Susan kayaks with her friend, Emily, they take more risks. Susan admits that without Emily, she never would've left so late, paddled backwards, or ridden in the dark. Yet, "safety is not why [she] go[es]" on these trips. Rogers' use of language and metaphors gives the essay life. When she describes the water as "silty and almost gelatinous" as it "washed creepily over [her] skin", Rogers does more than describe how the water looks; she gives it personality. She describes the air, free of bugs, as having the "texture of...velvet", which is something readers can feel.

The Temptations of Two Reflection

The overall theme highlighted in the travel story is the differences between traveling on one's own versus traveling in a group. Susan contemplates the safety and caution of traveling alone compared to the possible distractions but comfort of having someone else during travels. This contemplation is shown when she questions, "What is safer? The folly of two or the caution of one?" A literary technique used by Susan is personification where she says that water "washed creepily over my skin." Giving water the human-like qualities makes her seem more in touch with her surroundings and feel like the water is more of an acquaintance than part of nature. In addition, Susan's use of similes throughout the story gives the reader a comparison of what she is seeing and experiencing. She stated that "each dip is like treading ... in the thickest milkshake," which gives a clear image that the reader can perfectly imagine.

The Temptations of Two

In her story "The Temptations of Two," travel writer Susan Rogers supports the theme of individuality versus society (group). This is shown through her overall message of the differences of boating by herself and boating with Emily: "What is safer? The folly of two or the caution of one? Neither and both" (Rogers 167). She supplies this claim with evidence that both provide highlights and drawbacks to be aware of. 

Roger's language captures attention with her use of metaphors. For example, on page 166 she says, "Free of bugs I breathe deeply, and the texture of the air is velvet" (Rogers).  This paints a picture in the audience's mind. Additionally, her descriptions of biking is picturesque: "North of town, past the large houses and the glow from living room windows, my headlamp offers the sole, frail slice of light" (Rogers 166). It adds depth and authenticity to her account.

The Temptation of Two

Throughout her essay “The Temptation of Two”, Susan Fox Rogers questions “What is safer? The folly of two or the caution of one.” Rogers kayaks, and in the essay, she describes two kayaking excursions. During her first solo journey, Rogers is “alert to every possible danger, human or not.” Rogers diction expresses her panic. She uses phrases like “bunched up” and “bold caution” to describe her alertness at the start. By the end, she rediscovers her love of kayaking. On her second journey, Rogers is with her friend Emily and thinks “paddling [..] this evening might be more dangerous then paddling alone” because it is dark when they push off and a storm is brewing. After kayaking, they bike back to the car and Rogers uses imagery to describe “the haze from the full moon [that] keeps us on the narrow country road” after the pair turn their headlights off. Despite paddling alone on her first journey, Rogers felt in more danger on her second journey.

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

The Temptations of Two - Susan Fox Rogers

In The Temptations of Two, Susan Fox Rogers demonstrates a theme of pushing boundaries during travel while with someone else instead of playing it safe during solo travel. By describing a journey alone and fearful of her surroundings juxtaposed to a trip with Susan, doing several things she wouldn't have done by herself, Rogers makes the theme very clear. Rogers uses simile to describe what falling out of the boat would be like as she tests it out, "the water had felt like a cooled bath, though the water, silty and almost gelatinous, washed creepily over my skin." She also uses strong diction in her feelings about falling for Emily and travel with others, "The temptation of two was dismantling my edifice of one." From an experience with Emily, doing things she hadn't done since grade school, Rogers started to appreciate traveling with others instead of traveling by herself, making her travels more dynamic with more possibilities.

The Temptations of Two

I think the theme of this story is the importance of exploring and being alone at certain times. The author talks about how she finds freedom in doing activities by herself, but she often has to work through feelings of doubt and fear in order to do so. It shows that in order to truly appreciate something, you have to experience it/do it yourself first. One use of language that stuck me was Rogers' use of similes. For example, the water feeling "like a cooled bath" and Emily's back being "solid as a horse's flank" helped place me in the story and allowed me to experience it. Additionally the author contrasts her and Emily's lives throughout the story by describing their age, appearance, and even the cars they drive. However, at the end, the author shows that it terms of experiences, they are more alike than different.

I think the theme of this story is independence. It talks about both the good and the bad parts of it. Up until the very last page she talks about how much she loves traveling in solidarity, but by the end she ends up wanting the comfort of a companion. One example of language that stuck out to me was when the author said, "...the saucer-sized snapping turtles that rise like moving globs of algae near out paddles." This creative description of the turtles gives the reader a clear view of what she was seeing. Another sentence that struck me was "Outdoors where silence is one of the great pleasures, my own voice irritates me; silence is guaranteed only if I travel alone." I liked this sentence because I can relate to it. I have also had these feelings when being outdoors with others.

The Temptations of Two Reflection

Susan Fox Rogers establishes themes of danger and risk in comparing taking on adventures alone or with another person. Her repetition of words such as “solo,” “alone,” and “solitary” exposes how she is able to travel by herself where as her companion Emily, “does not go alone.” While Rogers often encounters “loneliness” she also finds “freedom” in not having to report to anyone else. The peace she finds in nature, specifically paddling down a river alone, is emphasized in her metaphor describing her solo trip writing, “each dip is like treading, with my arms, in the thickest milkshake . . . [and] a peace descends” (163). While Rogers contemplates whether it’s safer to travel on the river alone or with someone else, she also states that, “safety is not why I go,” but rather for the “tantalizing heat that spreads” following an excursion on the river (167). Thus Rogers has an intriguing dilemma, wanting to be alone and safe yet desiring companionship and adventure; these both are risks.

"Ascension in the Moonlight" Response

The main theme for “Ascension in the Moonlight” is kindness and the acceptance of kindness can lead to unforgettable experiences. Paul and Angela could have decided to go about their lives and let Simon fend for himself, or even let him stay with them and just let him entertain himself. They chose to share their lives with him and show him the wonders of their island instead of wallowing in the boring parts about it. Further, Simon could have chosen to not accept their kindness or push away their advances to surprise him but he chose to trust them and was blessed beyond belief.

I really liked how Winchester described the different volumes of sound, it helped contrast the different events in the story. The way that Winchester described the island was very dull which reinforced the dullness that the island actually was, it was very well done.

"Ascension in the Moonlight" Response

The theme in Simon Winchester’s, “Ascension in the Moonlight” is that unanticipated detours can bring about memorable experiences. Stopping at Ascension Island was a last-minute decision, a mere stop on the way back to London, since “for reasons long forgotten [Winchester] was in a desperate hurry to get home.” The fact that Winchester doesn’t remember his reason for rushing home but remembers every detail of Ascension Island proves that his experience was memorable long into the future, even though short-term he was focused on getting home. Winchester met a kind couple, the Wilsons, who were able to provide him with this experience. When they brought him to see the turtles, he reflects on their kindness in welcoming him into their home and showing him all wonders of the island, and says, “and of course their kindness wasrewarded… for neither they, nor I, will ever be able to forget it.”

"Ascension in Moonlight" Response

        As I read Winchester's story, the theme of luck struck me. Throughout the story, he reflects on how him being in the right place at the right time lead to such a pleasant trip. Looking back at the experience on the beach, it boils down to luck. Seeing the turtle and the comet and the eclipse all happened because he was in the right place at the right time. Winchester carries this theme throughout. He writes, "Brazilian green turtles, living on Brazil's Atlantic coast and yet choosing, due to some curious quirk of nature, to lay their eggs three thousand kilometers away" (Winchester 269). By chance, the turtles came here on the same night that he and the Wilsons were watching. Both came here by "some curious quirk of nature". Winchester parallels his journey to the island with the turtle's, which is effective in creating a bigger picture throughout the story. His journey belongs to some higher cause rather than just a pleasant vacation. 
        Another theme is kindness. Without the kindness of the Wilsons, Winchester would have had nowhere to stay and he wouldn't have had the same experience on the beach. Kindness drives the plot forward. Without it, the plot would be stagnant as he waits for his flight to depart. One effective use of language in the end is when his tailors remarks, "Wherever would you be--have you ever wondered?--without all the kindness, and without all this luck?" (Winchester 271). The tailor acts almost as a reminder of why Winchester's journey happened in the first place and he forces the reader to reflect on this. This also opens a door to the idea of paying it forward. Will Winchester pay the same kindness to other strangers? Or will he just leave, content that it just happened to him in the first place?

Ascension in the Moonlight

Winchester develops a theme of “making good of a bad situation” and “finding beauty in all places” by deploying a use of imagery and contrast. The imagery is very present in this piece, especially in describing the scene at the beach, “glistening pure white under a fast-rising moon.” But moreso, the imagery utilized in describing the island beforehand it also vital in setting up the contrast of what is experienced at face-value versus what can be experienced with an open mind and while actively searching for the good in a situation.

The audience is not given a pretty picture as their first impression of Ascension Island. It is described as being “as lifeless as the moon” with nothing noteworthy besides the donkeys that plague the island. In a way, Winchester is not only demonstrating his own initial reaction, but is also leading the audience into a state of mind that allows them to feel as shocked and mystified during the beach scene, as he must of felt at the time.

"Ascension in the Moonlight"

Ascension in the Moonlight's theme is that a person's companions are what make a trip most worthwhile. The beginning of the essay is very pessimistic. Winchester spends multiple paragraphs criticizing the lonely and uneventful nature of the island. Nonetheless, the story ends on a positive note. On the second to last page, Winchester reflects on his trip: "And that state of grace had all come about purely and simply because one man and one woman [...] had decided to offer me, for one unrewarded moment, no more and no less than their kindness." Although Winchester found Ascension Island very unappealing at first, he was still granted a wonderful experience there thanks to the kindness of the couple that accompanied him. One technique that struck me as effective was his use of simile. While describing the vastness of the ocean while looking down from the mountain's peak, Winchester says, "If the clouds part for long enough, it is possible to see a hundred kilometers in all directions, and the ocean - looking like an unblemished sheet of hammered pewter - stretched empty to every horizon." I chose this because I felt that it did a great job painting a picture of the setting for the reader. From his description, I could much more easily understand why he found the island so unenjoyable. Winchester also does a great job with using imagery throughout the story. Towards the end of the paper, he says, "Only (the runway lights) and the stars broke the velvet blackness of the night." His descriptive language at this point in the story allows the reader to better comprehend the beauty of what he's seeing. Because I've never experienced the complete darkness of a lunar eclipse, I have a hard time imagining what it would feel like. From his descriptive language, however, I'm given a very good sense of what it would've been like for him.

“Ascension in the Moonlight” response

The theme illustrated throughout Winchester’s essay is that meaningful rewards can be hiding in the unexpected, and that one has to be careful not to brush off the unexpected because of these often later revealed rewards. When Winchester arrives at Ascension Island, it is merely an in between location in his journey homeward; it doesn’t strike him as much to look at, in fact he describes it as feeling incredibly lonely. When Winchester first meets Paul and Angela, he seems underwhelmed. Yet, these people unexpectedly lead him to “the greatest wealth of expirence any one individual could ever know in one moment” (270). In a place and with people he didn’t much value, Winchester experienced perhaps one of the most memorable moments of his lifetime.

“this postcard-sized field of the purest white shell powder, illuminated by the immense pale moon, and with a clear sky full of a blizzard of stars” (268). This exert about the beach is packed with descriptive language that allows the reader to visualize the author’s other-worldly experience.

“moving slowly and almost painfully the the sloping sand, like wounded soldiers of an invasion force”(268). This simile was very effective in providing striking imagery to the mind, making the moment of the turtles reaching the beach accessible to the reader. 

"Ascension in the Moonlight"

The theme, as I interpreted it, was taking risks. Risk going home early, and on the way there risk making friends with strangers, and with these strangers risk new, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

"a blizzard of stars" (268) really stuck out to me from its unique description that creates an immediate and striking visual.

"For at almost the same moment as she asked this rhetorical question, she shivered" (269) gets the reader's attention instantly. The wording makes one feel suspicious and almost worried, but definitely curious, especially since the sentence ends at "she shivered."

"Ascension in the Moonlight" Response

The theme of “Ascension in the Moonlight” is making the most of every moment and every kindness pays off. The narrator diverts from his original plan and trusts strangers in a strangle place, but he ends up having one of the best experiences of his life. I liked the casual and candid tone he uses when he describes jumping on to the steps. He doesn’t claim to have mastered the task or even to have been completely sure of what happened and that makes it seem much more realistic and relatable. I also liked when he attributes his experience to Rev. Paul and Angela who “decided to offer [him], for one unrewarded moment, no more and no less than their kindness”. The way he describes them makes the whole amazing situation seem so simple. It’s as if he’s saying it’s so easy to have an impact on someone.

Ascension in the Moonlight Reflection

"Ascension in the Moonlight" encompasses the overall theme of unexpected adventures being the most rewarding. Upon arriving on the island, he described it as being lonely, until he met Angela and Paul Wilson. The unexpected company of these two people led Simon to the realization that he was "blessed beyond belief." On page 268, Simon's metaphor comparing the appearance of the sand and stars against the vastly contrasting background to "snow" and a "blizzard" allows the reader to visualize the scenery and vivid images that Simon sees. In addition, Simon's comedic description of Angela, comparing her to a "small, animated sofa." This description, although somewhat offensive, adds an air of comic relief and gives the reader an image to compare her to, no matter how funny. The comic descriptions are necessary to add a lightness to the writing and an honesty to the journal.

Ascension in the Moonlight Reflection

Winchester's Ascension in the Moonlight showcases the theme of unexpected experiences through the kindness of others. Ascension Island was originally described as "so lonely that I almost shuddered" but then Reverend Paul Wilson and Angela Wilson showed Winchester unexpected kindness. Despite not knowing him very well, they set up a midnight picnic on the white-sand beach for Winchester so they could watch the Brazilian green turtles nesting in the sand. After the turtles arrived, there was a total lunar eclipse that made the stars shine brilliantly and a comet become clear. This experience was only available because of these strangers' kindness. Winchester's use of descriptive words and phrases helped the setting of the story become clear. Phrases such as "velvet blackness" and "rusting, salt-stained" as well as "clear sky full of a blizzard of stars" all helped to make Ascension in the Moonlight's setting rich and clear.

"Ascension in the Moonlight"

Simon Winchester's "Ascension in the Moonlight" draws attention to the many variations of life. When he first arrives at Ascension, he focuses on the life of the town, painting it as an empty island with little to do: "I stayed in their little rectory for the rest of the day and night, chatting and indulging in what passes for Ascension tourism" (Winchester 266). He then progresses to describe life as he spends time on the island. When he was on the mountain, he says, "From high up on top of the mountain, if the clouds part for long enough, it is possible to see a hundred kilometres in all directions, and the ocean...stretched empty to every horizon" (Winchester 267). This stuck with me because of the imagery. The mystery of the turtles coming to shore was also described in a remarkable way, giving an emphasis to the surprise he felt.

Ascension in the Moonlight - Simon Winchester

In Ascension in the Moonlight, Simon Winchester demonstrates a theme that some of the best things in life come when they are least expected due to the kindness in others. Winchester makes this clear when describing his spur of the moment idea to head to Ascension Island where he would have to stay for a day, to his demise, to catch a plane back to England. The island is unbearably hot but Winchester made new friendships, saw the whitest sand, and even witnessed Brazilian turtles all because of two kind people. Winchester uses personification to describe the feeling of the expectant surprise from Angela, "...the house was alive with a curiously expectant air." He also uses vivid imagery to show his gratitude to the immensely hot island turned beautiful, "...the purest white shell powder, illuminated by the immense pale moon, and with a clear sky full of a blizzard of stars." From a spontaneous decision Winchester thought he may regret, he came to "a state of grace" because of the kindness of Paul and Angela and the luck of experiencing things hardly anyone gets to do.

Ascension in the Moonlight Reflection

I think that the theme if Winchester’s essay is gratitude and the wealth of experience. One sentence that led me to believe this is when he says, “(it) was perhaps the greatest wealth of experience that any one individual could ever know in one moment. I was at that instant blessed beyond belief, beyond all understanding.” He shows his gratitude for all he has just experienced and recognizes that it is one of the greatest wealths to experience something like this. Two examples of his language that stuck out to me were “the enormous dark pyramid of Ascension Island rose up directly ahead of us” and “between them this postcard-sized field of the poorest white shell powder, illuminated by the immense pale moon.” Both of these paint a picture in the readers mind and give a perfect description of what he was seeing. They both help the reader envision exactly what he was experiencing in that moment.

"Ascension in the Moonlight" Post

In his essay “Ascension in the Moonlight”, Simon Winchester proves large amounts of money aren't needed to have a great wealth of experience. On his way from Antarctica to his home country, England, Winchester, by chance, ends up on an old British Navy base of the coast of England called Accession Island. To describe his experience, he uses metaphors to describe “the soft and sugary sand [that] took on an appearance just like snow” and the turtles that came to the beach “like wounded soldiers of an invasion force”. When he experiences a lunar eclipse, he uses imagery to express “only the glow of the distant runway lights […] and the stars broke the velvet blackness of the night”. Even though he didn’t spend much money, his experience “was perhaps the greatest wealth of any experience that any one individual could ever know in one moment”.

Ascension in the Moonlight

Ascension in the Moonlight deals heavily with the theme of "not judging a book by its cover." At the beginning of his time on the island, Winchester mentions how hot, boring, secluded and unpopulated it is, showing that he is not particularly happy about spending the day there. However, at the end of his stay, he witnesses green sea turtles laying eggs on the white sand beach, an action he describes as the greatest experience. One use of language that appears throughout the story is the contraction/comparison of light and dark. In the beginning, when he does not like the island, he describes it and the ocean as dark. However, when he experiences the turtles, he is at a white sand beach and the stars light up. Lastly, repetitive use of commas at the beginning emphasize how quickly he jumped from the boat and onto the island.

Ascension in the Moonlight Response

Ascension in the Moonlight incorporates a theme of appreciating unexpected blessings, received through luck and the kindness of others. Winchester accomplished this through his utilization of rhetorical devices such as imagery, repetition, and tricolons. His imagery in describing the scene on the beach, labelling it an “astonishing grand conjunction,” details his feelings of being “blessed beyond belief, beyond all understanding.” Winchester emphasizes his luck to be present during these events in a tricolon writing, “Lucky to be in such a place. Lucky to see such things. And luckiest of all to meet such very kind people.” Paul and Angela’s extreme kindness coupled with Winchester’s luck in experiencing such a multitude of awe-striking events exposed his extreme gratitude in that single instant on the beach. Winchester reinforces the theme of appreciating such unexpected luck and kindness through his repetition in the rhetorical question, “Wherever would you [Winchester] be. . . without all their kindness, and without all this luck?”

Response to Goodspeed's, "Bicycle Love"

The theme of Brianne Goodspeed’s essay seems to be that of personal growth stemming from leaving one’s comfort zone. Before Goodspeed left on her “pilgrimage” bike trip, she had much consistency and order in her life; a five-year long relationship, a college degree, and a job, which all ended abruptly. While she was free from her past, she needed a way to completely start over. Her trip to France was trying at first, but it allowed her to grow as a person. The line, “The bike and I were a team. A couple. Together, we were indomitable,” emphasizes her growth and newfound connection to her new bike, through personification. While picking up her bike, simile is used to represent her newfound confidence when she describes feeling of, “the rush of power that a man must feel as her grabs a girl around the waist.” 

Bicycle Love and Self Love

I found the theme of Bicycle Love not necessarily about finding a passion for, and learning to love a means of travel, but of learning to love one's self and grow confident in our abilities through hardship. The bikes are used metaphorically to symbolize Goodspeed’s own perception of self worth and confidence. In the beginning, Goodspeed has the Huffy, with broken breaks and an uncomfortable seat. This is matched with her recent personal dilemma of losing a long relationship and forfeiting a long-planned trip. However, just having a better boike does not alter Goodspeed, which is seen in the clumsy way she handles the “Bad Girl” early on. Rather, it is only after an extensive and harrowing trip that she comes to appreciate, and even love, her bike. This is reflected by her own personal growth. She is more confident in her abilities, more resourceful and independent. Like stated in the piece, Goodspeed had to go on a pilgrimage not to learn to love bicycling again, but to love herself again.

Bicycle Love Theme

The theme conveyed throughout “Bicycle Love” is that of the meaning found in and self growth induced by breaking out of one’s comfort zone. When she realizes her life is stalled and the direction of her next step unknown, Goodspeed elects to embark on a risky solo journey. Despite facing self doubt and the doubt of others, she successfully bicycles through unknown terrain by herself and expirences a multitude of rewards. 

“I thought I recognized condescension in his voice and I again fantasized about leaving France... He smiled warmly and laughed” (142). Here, the dichotomy she draws between her perception of the cafe owner and the actuality of his kindness cleverly represents her initial hesitations in contrast with the positivity of her experiences. 

“The terror had burned off, like calories... The bike-which at first made me feel vulnerable-now empowered me” (147). Her language here shows the growth she experienced through her journey; contrasting her initial feelings in the beginning of her trip with that of what she felt after.

"Bicycle Love"

I understood the theme of "Bicycle Love" to be pilgrimage. The idea of searching for something when you feel as though you've lost everything, going through an experience that changes you and enlightens you.

One line that stood out to me was, "'Un pélerinage,' he said. You're on a pilgrimage." There are several French phrases in this piece that Goodspeed doesn't translate, but this one she does, and it becomes a hard-hitting sentence because of it. It, like her reason for this journey, starts out mysterious (for those who don't speak/read French), then is suddenly clear and understood.

Another line was, "I started to cry when I told her that I didn't want to go back to the United States." I understood what she meant perfectly; being in Iowa instead of Idaho has significantly changed me for the better, and the thought of going back "home" terrifies me sometimes.

Bicycle Love Reflection

The theme of Bicycle Love is self discovery along with the building of confidence through trials. Goodspeed hit a rough patch in her life where everything seemed to be going wrong, so she decided to take a trip to find herself (whether she knew it or not when she planned it). Her trip was physically and emotionally exhausting, much like her life back at home was with the end of a long relationship and quitting her job. As the trip progressed, she gained confidence in her abilities, found joy in the journey, and learned that she was stronger than she thought she was.

"I imagined the Bad Girl luxuriating in her attention and feeling relaxed and refreshed for the next day's ride" (Goodspeed144), demonstrating her closeness with the bike. "I sat down in front of it and basked in the pleasure of the cafe owner's kind words" (Goodspeed 143) shows her re-found confidence and determination to complete the trip.

Bicycle Love Reflection

       Throughout "Bicycle Love", the theme of passion and perseverance develops. Encouraged by her colleague Dr. Margulis, Brianne Goodspeed begins riding her old bike again after years of retiring it. Soon she departs on a pilgrimage throughout France, on a newer and better bike. Throughout her journey, she progresses from reluctance to passion, all through perseverance. Initial doubts from her loved ones didn't stop her, nor did getting lost on the streets of France. Her persistence despite challenges helped manifest her passion for riding. The author also uses dialogue in French and English, which effectively shows the gap between Goodspeed and those around her. Though she is able to speak, it is a difference between them, another challenge she needs to overcome.
        The story also conveys themes of transference and share experiences. At the end of the story, Goodspeed encounters a hiker, also on a pilgrimage. While walking with her to a close water source, they exchange conversation. In the same way that Dr. Margulis was a guide and inspiration for Goodspeed, so is she to this hiker. The story comes full circle even further when Goodspeed describes the hiker like Dr. Margulis. Her language effectively shows their enthusiasm for life and adventure.

About Me

Hi everyone,

My name is Cassie McNitt and I am from Buffalo MN (45 mins West of the Twin Cities), I am currently studying as a Pharmacy interest and hoping to make it into the Pharmacy program in two years. One of my favorite trips was when I went to Mexico during my freshman year. We went around Easter which is a big party week in Mexico, the streets and restaurants were crowded with people vacationing and partying for the first half of my stay but once the party week ended it became super quiet. I really enjoyed getting to swim with dolphins, climb Mayan temples, and swim in the ocean. There are 5 people in my family but most taxis can only take four, one taxi driver had pity on us and took all 5 of us. The taxi driver told us to hide my brother passed by a traffic stop where a bunch of police with large guns were making sure people were following the law. It was honestly kind of scary but now I look back on it and laugh.

"Bicycle Love" Reflection

The theme of "Bicycle Love" is one of growth and self-exploration through venturing out of your comfort zone. At the beginning of her story, Goodspeed feels lost with no plans for her future. To combat that, she bikes through France relying only on herself. By the end, she takes what she learned on her pilgrimage and makes something of her life. I liked when Goodspeed says her bike started as the Bad Boy, but it was “rechristened the Bad Girl”. This stuck out to me because it shows how she grew closer to the bike and how they began to understand each other and work together as the trip went on. I also liked the ending when she describes the connection she feels to Green Knees. The tender language she uses shows the lasting effect the trip had on her and how it changed her view on life.

Bicycle Love Reflection: The Truth of Self-Discovery

Brianne Goodspeed's essay "Bicycle Love" has a theme of self-discovery through a pilgrimage. She sets off on a journey in France, challenging herself through a language gap and an unknown territory. This results in her discovery show significant self-improvement, as shown through her words at the end of the essay: "I paused for a moment, appreciating her honesty, and then said, 'You're on a pilgrimage'" (149). This stuck out to me because while she is on her own journey, an old man recognized her position on page 143. 

Her use of personifying the bicycles was also important in her path to discovering herself. It starts with Huffy, an old bike that has sat in the basement for over twenty years. Her new bike, as she later gives the name Bad Girl, slowly becomes a part of her, making the journey easier as she gains strength.

Bicycle Love Reflection

In her essay “Bicycle Love”, Brianne Goodspeed shows stepping outside your comfort zone changes you through her experience biking across France. When her journey begins, Goodspeed questions her decision to go on her “pilgrimage.” Her diction proves this. She “fantasize[s] about leaving France” more than once, but once she “discover[s] France’s Alter ego: the one that loves cyclists and independence”, she “[doesn’t] want to go back to the United States.” When Goodspeed gets a new bike, she nicknames the bike “Bad-Boy”, but once tragedy strikes, the connotation of “Bad-Boy” changes from a fun nickname for her new toy to her way of disciplining her bike for misbehaving. Once she starts her journey and gets more comfortable, the bike’s nickname changes to “Bad-girl”, showing she’s past the initial struggle. Over three weeks, Goodspeed’s time on her bike changes her as shown through diction and the connotation of certain words.

Bicycle Love Reflection

In her essay, Bicycle Love, Brianne Goodspeed demonstrated themes of self-discovery and perseverance by showing the struggles she faced and how she overcame them.

Goodspeed challenged herself to bike over France, despite not being fluent in the language. There, she struggled with the unfamiliar landscape. But, she persevered when she was lost, especially with kind help from locals. They commented that she was "toute seule" and asked about her fear. Throughout the essay, Goodspeed's fear faded.

Goodspeed named both her bikes: the Huffy and the Bad Girl. In doing so, she made them characters in her essay. Her relationship with them grew as she gained confidence. Eventually, she thought of the Bad Girl as a partner, not a tool.

Goodspeed also included dialogue in both French and English which made the scenes more realistic. Her use of French also showed how she became more comfortable with the country.

Bicycle Love -- Brianne Goodspeed

In her essay, Goodspeed maintains the theme of when embarking on a seemingly scary journey, alone, at a time of despair, can teach one self discovery and change the way one thinks about certain things. Goodspeed left feeling as she had no direction in her life after big life changes. Despite being afraid, she still sets forth on her journey and comes back, "...forever changed by it."

Two sentences that stuck out to me were, "I almost crashed admiring how good they looked, how strong they felt, and how worthy they were of such a powerful bike," and "I felt the rush of power that a man must feel as he grabs a girl around the waist and scoops her up unto his horse." Both lines show how Goodspeed is emotionally and physically stronger she is after this journey.  The parallelism in the first makes it easy to see her emotional and physical growth in self love and the imagery in the second shows how strong she has gotten making a hard task look simple.

Bicycle Love Reflection

The theme of Goodspeed's essay is all out self-discovery and growth. The whole reason for Brianne's journey was to rediscover her happiness after a hard breakup and quitting her job. She impulsively decides to go on this journey despite all her fears. She uses her fears and the obstacles along the way as a form of growth and determination. With every problem she faces she only becomes more tenacious in her endeavor.

The first sentence that stuck out to me was "I discovered France's alter ego: the one that loves cyclists and independence." I love this sentence because it is a simple, yet it summaries her experience in France perfectly. The second sentence that I loved was "The speed and the smoothness were intoxicating and I no longer felt as if I were pedaling." This vivid language in this sentence helps the reader imagine exactly what she is feeling.

Bicycle Love

Goodspeed's theme of her story is that there are rewards to stepping outside of your comfort zone. This can be seen when she talks about her lack of knowledge in biking, traveling alone and France. However, she decided to take a solo bike ride around France and it ended up being an amazing experience. One use of language that struck me as effective was the capitalization of her bikes' names, which served to personify them and show how valuable they were to her. The second was her use of French phrases. This helped me understand the confusion that comes with being in a different country and how the author was able to overcome language barriers. By the end of the story, she had grown to love the bike and also became more comfortable conversing and asking for directions in French, meaning her pilgrimage was rewarding.

Bicycle Love Reflection

Goodspeed's travels displayed the encompassing theme of positivity despite challenges and perserverance. Although she was discouraged by her parents and strangers and was constantly being asked about her safety and feelings about her travels alone, she continued her trip to France and face the challenges head-on. Near the end of her trip, she felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and "felt forever changed." Goodspeed's use of dialogue, both in English and French, helped convey the feelings that she experienced and the difficulty navigating France. Her sigh of relief when she encountered someone who spoke English shows that she perservered through the issues in communication. In addition, the comparison at the end between the traveller's "pilgramage" and her own journey greatly added to the meaning of the story. Marilyn's response that the trip has "been everything" further emphasized the theme that it is acceptable and positive for trips to have challenges.

Goodspeed Reflection

Goodspeed’s essay expresses themes of self-discovery and personal growth through utilization of rhetorical devices such as personification and metaphors. Goodspeed emphasizes the narrator’s dynamic character as there is extreme contrast between her relationship with bikes in the beginning and end of the essay. While she initially had “retired both the helmet and the bike,” she ultimately came to feel “empowered” by the mode of transportation. This is exemplified in Goodspeed’s metaphor writing, “The bike and I were a team. A couple,” personifying and comparing the bike to a person with whom she could conquer anything. These phrases represent her growth from a naïve, “afraid” girl to a courageous, independent woman; this shift was due to her “pilgrimage” in France after which she stated, “I felt forever changed by it.” This trip created dramatic changes in the narrator’s attitude and character as she made discoveries about herself, ultimately growing from them.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Alex Kautzman. I am from Bismarck, North Dakota and I will be double majoring in Creative Writing and Journalism.

My most recent trip was actually driving down to Iowa for school with my family. It is about eleven hours from Bismarck (granted that the stops are minimal), but my family decided to have a road trip of sorts. So while I moved in on Sunday morning, we actually left town the Wednesday prior. We made stops at Mall of America and Valley Fair to entertain my four younger sisters that came with to move me in. Since all seven of us came to Iowa, there was very limited luggage space. So while I only came with a single tub of clothes, there was still hardly any space in the back. And while the drive broken into five days wasn't bad, my family had to drive the whole way back on Sunday. While it was sad to see them go, I am very thankful that I did not have to be in the car for any longer.

Hey guys,

I'm Kelsey and I'm from a suburb outside of Chicago. My major is neuroscience and my minor is creative writing. One of my favorite trips was to Mackinac Island in Michigan. We went during the summer to this quaint town and it was very beautiful. There are no cars there, only horses and bicycles, but the island was so small that you could easily loop around it on a bike in a few hours. I remember getting homemade fudge that was so good. My family and I spent so much time outdoors, swimming in Lake Superior and riding around the town.

    Hey everyone! My name is Olivia Dotson and I’m from Des Moines, Iowa. Right now I am an open major, but I’m interested in pursuing social work.

    The most noteworthy trip I’ve taken in recent memory was to Alaska. My family flew into Anchorage on a commercial flight and then took a bush plane to Seldovia, Alaska. Seldovia was this quaint little fishing town that had a totally unique pace of life. We stayed in a tent on a peninsula that was facing the Pacific Ocean on one side and an isolated bay on the other. A combination of the late setting sun, total disconnection from other people, and dramatic striking features of the land gave us the distinct feeling that we were sitting on the edge of the Earth. It remains one of my favorite experiences that I’ve ever had. 

Hey everyone, my name is Morgan Tyma. I am from West Des Moines, Iowa which is just a suburb of Des Moines. My major at the moment is pre-Business with the hope to major in Business Analytics or Finance. One of my favorite trips I have ever went on was to Santa Barbara, California to go visit one of my friends who had moved out there. It was a very relaxing week and half spent at the beach, shopping, hanging out, and eating some of the best food that I have ever eaten. We walked up and down a smaller, local beach looking for shells and other random beach treasures. As we walked, we laughed and joked around making it one of those unforgettable moments just hanging out as friends and enjoying the coarse sand and salty ocean air.

Hi guys! My name is Carson Lilley and I am from Indianapolis, IN. Right now I am planning on majoring in Journalism and Spanish and I really hope to study abroad sometime soon!

One of my favorite trips my family has taken was our road trip out west. We flew to Los Angeles and then rented a Jeep for two weeks. During that time we drove from LA to San Diego to Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and then to Las Vegas. Before the trip, I had never seen a desert before, so driving through one for two weeks was exciting. It was so strange to me to be driving along a road for hours on end and see nothing but red dirt and a blue sky. I vividly remember seeing a cow skull on the side of the road just like in western movies and even seeing tumbleweed blow by. We even got to drive on some of the iconic Route 66 roads, and it inspired me to one day drive the entirety of Route 66.

Hi!

My name is Talia Halleck. I'm from Broomfield, Colorado, which is about 30 minutes outside of both Denver and Boulder. I am a biology major on the pre-med track.

At the beginning of June, I traveled to Costa Rica with some of my high school classmates. We stayed at Pacuare reserve. The humidity was almost unbearable, and there were bugs covering everything. The rooms had no air conditioning, but I had no choice but to cover myself with the thin sheet for fear of being attacked by bugs. During the nights, we walked the beach in complete darkness, which was hard for two reasons. 1) I was exhausted from being up all day, and 2) the sand crumbled beneath my feet on each step and clung to my shoes. I couldn't see anything. It was super fun to see a turtle; she would dig her nest, lay her eggs, and then go back to the ocean. I got to hold a bag of her eggs. The trip brought a lot of new experiences and changes in to my life.

Hello everyone!

My name is Amy Zine and I'm from Aurora, Illinois which is a city near Chicago. I am a biology major, but I love to travel and to see the world from different perspectives.

This summer I biked up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with my dad. One of my favorite parts of the trip was when we biked through Veteran Acre Park, a park in northern Illinois. The park was a wave of hills going up and down one right after the other. Thankfully, the downhills were steeper and longer than the uphills for us. I remember racing down the hills and feeling the sensation in my stomach you get when you summit a roller coaster and begin the descent. You're not sure if you're falling or flying so you just keep going.