Be Open-Minded (#ITSBEENALONGDAY)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Although the book that we are reading incorporates multiple elements of gothicism, I find actions to be the most effective in inflicting horror, mystery, and supernatural aspects. The book does set the atmosphere and setting with very descriptive details, such as the scene where the author sets the tone for the bringing to life of the monster. Another instance where the author paints the scene for the readers would be the part of the book where Victor seeks solitude and locations that he enjoyed as an adolescent to distract him from his sorrow, such as his trip to Chammounix. However, no matter how discriptive, as a reader, I am not strongly effected. Mary Shelley also includes supernatural aspects such as the monster. Nevertheless, because I am aware that supernatural aspects do not exist in the real world, I do not find it to be an effective aspect in gothicism writing. As a result, I find actions to be an essential aspect because they indicate situations and feelings that could occur in everyday life, allowing for the reader to relate and be inflicted with what Mary Shelley tried to get across. For example, Victor's reactions when he met the monster after believing that he was the cause for the death of two individuals close to him. This scene was realistic, visual, and intense, creating high emotion and suspense for the reader. 

Goosebumbs...

Mary Shelley opens the novel Frankenstein with four letters. In these letters, Robert Walton, an explorer on a journey to unknown lands in the north, is writing to his sister, Margaret Saville about his journey. Throughout the letters, Mary Shelley provides background, mystery, and suspense. She also foreshadows and introduces characters, such as the stranger that readers will later see as the main character of the story, Victor Frankenstein. By doing so, the author introduces the main character in an uncommon way, creating an interesting and captivating prelude to the story. If I had to write a ghost story, I would be very creative, just as Mary Shelley was. I would make sure to begin it in a way that is very uncommon, as well. I would want to captivate readers and create an uneasy feeling right at the beginning of the story. I would do so by beginning with something that could be terrifying and that most can relate to. In this way, I would make it seem as if it were based on a true story. This would provide a realistic and horrific feeling for the reader. Therefore, allowing for the ultimate enjoyment throughout the rest of the story. Beginning the story in such a realistic but unexpected way, I would hope to create a very eerie, visual, and hair raising experience for the readers. 

What Did I Get Myself Into?!

One thing that I hope to do on my Spring Break is to actually relax. Unfortunately, I will not be having a genuine Spring Break. This is resulting from the many responsibilities I have taken. It also is resulting from the fact that LCCC's Spring Break was weeks before Early College's. During the college's Spring Break, I still had to attend my high school courses. Now that Early College is on Spring Break, I have to attend my college courses. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I have microbiology research lab. Although, I always have research lab, regardless of my school schedule. Even on breaks, such as summer vacation. I will also be going to Columbus on Friday for an American Society for Microbiology convention to present the research that I work on in Dr. Kestler's lab. On Tuesday, I  will have to attend my HIV and field production class. On Thursday, I have my field production class, again. That means that on every day of the week, I will have to give up my free time. On top of my busy schedule, I have piles of homework to complete. My life is a struggle, but I 

know it will pay off in the future. I rather have all of these responsibilities my sophomore year of high school than in my junior or senior year. In those years, I am determined to relax and flow through with ease. 

The Possibilities

If I had to choose between the ability to fly or the ability to turn invisible, I would choose to have the ability to turn invisible. I would not choose to have the ability to fly because I am afraid of heights and falling. Only being able to fly 10 mph would also be annoying and useless. However, the ability to fly would be an experience. On the other hand, I would want the ability to turn invisible for the simple fact that I could do multiple things without others knowing. I could use the ability for good or evil. Although for the most part, I would refrain from commiting crimes. For example, I could find out what is really occurring in Area 51. I could scare my siblings. I could sneak into the front row of concerts that I attend without security knowing. I could dance around people without them knowing. I could annoy my family. I could see what people say about me. I could hide when my mom wants me to do something. I could sneak backstage. I could attend confidential meetings. I could possibly meet Beyoncé. I could mess with random people. I could be on stage with celebrities without them knowing. I could get out of trouble easier. I could also do favors for others. Even though I would not want to, I could even be an assassin, secret agent, or ninja. From scaring people to finding out the unknown, the ability to turn invisible would allow me to do almost anything. 

If I could not control when I would turn invisible, I would still want the ability because some of the possibilities are worth the trouble of getting caught. 

I would also not let anyone know of my abilities. 

Depressed

It was the summer of 2012. My favorite boy group was going on their first major, headlining tour. The day that the tickets went on sale was a very depressing day. Unfortunately, the group was not coming to Ohio for this tour. My friends and I were devastated. We were strongly looking forward to the tour. We saved our money and we planned our outfits to be given the news that the tour would not be making it to our town. That was when we began to plot. We knew that they would be performing in Detroit because they had a large fanbase there. Detroit is also close to Ohio. The drive wouldn't have been bad. So we begged our parents to take us. My parents said no because of previous obligations. However, my friend's grandmother offered to take us. After pleading with my mom for days, she finally promised that I would be able to go. I was ecstatic. I was about to leave my family for the first time. My friend and I planned to meet up with other fans that we knew from social media. This was going to be the time of our lives. Little did I know, my mother only said yes because she planned on traveling to Detroit as well, without me knowing. Sadly, something came up, restricting my mother from following me to Detroit. Therefore, she revoked my clearance for the trip. For weeks, I was devastated and crying. All I would see on social media was images and videos of the concert and how much individuals were enjoying. My family thought I was depressed. Eventually, I got over it, but I will never forget how I missed out on such an amazing opportunity. 

Side note: The group is on tour again and I have front row seats!!! 

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

It happened just the other day. I was leaving school around six in the afternoon. My mom picked me up from the parking lot outside of the University Partnership building. We then stopped to get gas. Next, we arrived home. I was hungry so I decided to put a mini Tony's Pizza in the oven. The box that the pizza came in had already been thrown away, so I did not know what temperature to preheat my oven to. I ended up preheating the oven to 425 degrees after my pizza had already been sitting in there for a few minutes. I set the timer for 10 minutes. When the ten minutes were up, I opened the oven door to find that the pizza was not cooking evenly. I decided that I was going to rotate it. I got a fork from a drawer and attempted to rotate the pizza. Being the clumsy person that I am, I dropped the fork inside the stove and it landed under an electric burner. I panicked, attempting to pick up the fork with an oven glove, but I could not quite reach it. The electric burner also started to spark. I was terrified, but I did not want to scare my family. I seriously considered using my hand to get the fork. I ended up finding a random scissor looking utensil with ends that grip things to retrieve the fork. 

Looking back on the situation, I did not handle the situation in smartest way. Although, I am glad that I did not burn my house down or lose my cooking privileges. The pizza also turned out to be very delicious.