I hardly think so.

I’ve never really been a ‘movie watcher’. I’ve always thought that, after watching a bad movie, I had just wasted two hours. I hate wasting time. Whenever I’m just sitting around I’m constantly thinking of what I should be doing instead of what I am doing. And movies, they don’t really fit into that ‘productive’ category. As a result of all this, I watch very few movies now, which isn’t shocking, and I grew up being, as some would say, ‘deprived’ of all movies and television. 

The reasoning behind this? Who knows? Perhaps it was to keep me from developing bad habits, to keep me active, or just because, let’s face it, I’ve got hippy parents. In my dad’s words, “It affects your brain development and there’s hardly anything worth watching.”

Some may ask, well if you didn’t watch TV, what on earth did you do?! My answer to that question is a simple one. What didn’t I do? I started learning to read when I was three-and-a-half so naturally, I could read, comprehend, and be entertained by chapter books at a young age. I also took up cello lessons when I was the same age. As if that wasn’t enough for just a youngster, I had three older brothers to keep me on my toes and out of trouble (or rather in trouble). Well, I have to say, little things like forced creativity, and being immersed in unusual experiences and ideas might have led me to be where I am today. I see myself as a free thinker with my own unique and strong opinions about the world and my surroundings. Always cynical and challenging other’s personal views. I suppose this could lead me to some trouble, but a lot of things can lead to trouble if you don’t carefully groom them and care for them trimming off the bad spots and nurturing the healthy ones. 

Kids in my generation don’t realize how, by watching television so young, they learn to believe everything it tells them- lies and all. Some kid shows teach that violence is not the right way to deal with your problems: However, somewhere along the line between childhood, and adulthood, that mindset of peaceful conflict management, is stamped out of us all. The government solves their problems by making war and nuclear weapons not just for self-defense, but to attack. Sometimes, or rather a lot of times, I think that as American citizens, we see ourselves as the ‘heros’ and it comes as a shock to remember how many people we killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I’m not sure how we can go from one end of the spectrum to the other in one lifetime, but we can. It’s so hard to differentiate between the truth and lies, between right and wrong. 

Children’s shows often show children that authority is superior and always holds the right answers luring us all into a false sense of security under the ‘safety’ of our corrupt government. To me, it seems like television is far more harmful than beneficial. Is it really necessary? Is it really becoming something that is common to entertain young ones with and keep them busy? I hope we’ll realize, before it’s too late, that we can do better than that for our next generation of kids. 

So a favorite childhood movie? I hardly think so.     -fb

fav movies

When I look back on my childhood, I don’t remember watching a lot of movies or television. I remember playing outside with our dogs a lot or helping my mom at her job working at my grandparent's restaurant. I remember watching The Lion King or Toy Story, and those are my favorite movies of all time. 

I really enjoy The Lion King a lot although I haven’t watched it lately. I love The Lion King because it is based in Africa, a place where I always wanted to travel and because it was the first musical-type movie I watched. I love the triumphant journey the Simba struggles through the movie.

Toy Story would be in my top three. Animation movies are my favorite. I love the trilogy of Toy Story;  the third instalment is my favorite of the three because we finally get to see “Andy” grow up and go to college. We also see in the last movie a great life lesson for children. Andy gives up his toys to a younger child and that is a very selfless act children need to see.

We all watch movies from time to time and for the most part enjoy them. They give us a release from life. When we are engaged watching a movie, we find ourselves sometimes screaming at the TV, “He’s right BEHIND YOU!! RUN!”Movies provide a escape from the real and immerse us in a fiction land that goes to infinity. 

-AJ

Home is home.

Home is home for me. What else would it be?  Home is where my family is- all my brothers and sisters, and my parents who are always teaching me new things every day. I always have someone to keep me company at  home. 

My little brothers and I enjoy playing basketball and soccer together. But it’s kind of a love-hate relationship. Most of the time we’re all on good terms, but sometimes we just feel like killing each other. 

My sisters and I goof around a lot too, but supposedly they want me to be proper. So in my mind my home is home for me. -el

Home...

Everyone has a place they call home, and for me, that is the theater. Whether I'm performing or watching, I always feel like I belong there and I love it. There's almost always amazing music, but even without the music, there is always preparations for, or performances of great shows. With something happening almost all the time, there's always a way for me to get involved and to enjoy it.

There's something to be said about the people there, too. Everyone has a great attitude because they all have one common goal, which is to put on a great show. During the process of rehearsals for shows, these people also become a sort of second family. We become very

close, we laugh at each other, and we work hard to put together the best show we can.

Performing is a passion of mine, and I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t. It doesn’t matter if I’m singing, dancing, or acting. I just love being in the theater entertaining people. I’m happy when I'm there, because I can do something funny, and people don’t care, because they expect it. They just want a good show that I know I can give.

Even just watching a show is like watching a movie at home to me. Many of the shows I go to see involve many people I know from other shows, and it’s always fun to go watch them in another role. At other theaters where I don’t really know the cast, I still see a great performance and I’m in an environment that I love surrounded by amazing music and acting.

Theaters, no matter what they’re showing, always seem like a awesome place to me. Between the people and the music, I can always feel at peace and relaxed. There is always the imminent end of the show, striking of the set, and departure of friends, but the great fun we have along the way makes up for it. Plus there’s always a chance to come back again next year, and start the process over again.

LS

Home Sweet Home

What is home for me? Home for me is at my house because it is were I feel the most comfortable.  I can just go there and do what I like to do. I feel safe at my home, where at other places I don't feel as safe. My family is there and I can always talk to them, and sometimes they're fun to be around. I do love them.  When I go home, I know were I am- I know the place.  Sometimes when I go to a random place, I don't know anyone and feel uncomfortable. I hate when I go to a place I don't know and have to ask where everything is:  where's the bathroom? and where do you guys keep the cups? I also feel comfortable at my friends' houses- like my friend Ben's house.  I know where things are, I know the people, and the big one -I know where the bathroom is located. It might not be my home, but it could be because I know it well. 

BR

Where I Call Home

Where I call home. Where I call home. Where do I call home? I sat for quite a while staring at a blank document, waiting for one place to come to mind. Just one place though. At first I was thinking, maybe, Thailand.

The scenic island of Koh Samui, where every panorama looks picturesquely like a postcard.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the sparkling blue waters and the sand on the beautiful beaches in Thailand are on the front of some postcards. I’m sure that after visiting there, many people would like to make it their home. The lushness of the surrounding beauty draws you in and makes you wish that it was your home. 

Or maybe it’s Hawaii.

Of course, it’s the desired destination of many vacationers, but for me it’s also where my family lives. My cousins and aunts and uncles and second cousins and my grandfather are all there. In fact, almost everyone on my mother’s side of the family lives there. Always living overseas, I was never even in the same country as my extended family. It made so happy to visit them and be able to hear their voices. Although, some may consider the hubbub of a large family an annoyance, I am comforted by the noise of the people I love around me. 

Mongolia. Maybe, it’s Mongolia actually.

Mongolia is the country I resided in for ten years. That surely makes an impression, surely counts for some “home points.” When exotic place comes to mind, it’s not the fact that the the sky is almost always a beautiful blue or the fact that the appetizing smell of the traditional food leaves me nostalgic, it’s the fact that this place is where I had all my childhood memories. My first pet, my first day of school, my first bike ride all occurred in Mongolia. 

But I realized, despite all the places I’ve been, all the places I consider a home, there isn’t one place, or country, that is my home. There isn’t one that is my only home. Even after the many beautiful, inviting, and striking countries, states, areas, regions that I’ve been to in the past, and will go to in the future, I am doubtful that I could ever choose just one. I could never choose one to live in forever, or to be my home forever, because home could be anywhere that I can be happy, comforted, and … at home, really. 

KW

Home

Home’s true definition is where you feel comfortable and at rest, somewhere you can picture yourself residing forever, whether it’s in your apartment, at the workplace, or playing a sport.  For me, home is anywhere with a basketball in my hand and a basketball hoop near.  It is the only place where I can picture myself experiencing maximum happiness.  There are three main reasons why I think of basketball this way:  the friendships created while playing, the infinite room to improve, and the sheer beauty of the game. 

While people play pickup games or H-O-R-S-E, they bond with the player they are competing against.  I met some of my best friends playing basketball, and that was the way we strengthened our bond.  Although some disagreements and brawls occur on the court, or as some call it, the“Garden of Eden,” what happens on the court stays on the court.  Teams are not only teams, they are brotherhoods.  

No basketball player will ever be even close to worthy enough to hold the title as “The Perfect Basketball Player.”  There is always things one can improve on, such as your mid-range jump shot, defense, ball-handling, free throws, vertical leap, etc.  That is what I love about basketball.  My hunger for improvement will only grow as I get better.  This hunger will never be satisfied.

A basketball game is usually composed of a ten-foot hoop, an NCAA or NBA basketball, and a hard surface to bounce the ball on.  No matter where this location is at, people play it the same way universally:  whoever scores more points wins.  The ten-foot hoop is at a perfect height, a height most players want to dunk on.  The size of the ball, depending on your league or age, always will find a unique way to fall through the net.  All surfaces will do good for a basketball game, even if it’s on a hill or partially submerged in water.  If you cannot dribble, you can always shoot.  The sport is always changing, such as the way players handle the ball or a player’s shooting form.  Basketball seemingly never stops.

To me, basketball is a flawless art.  I only feel fully satisfied while I’m honing my skills, whether it’s by myself or with others.  Basketball is my passion.  When I play, all my worries seemingly drift away and my stress is cut down exponentially.  It motivates me to do well.  Basketball is not only where my home is, it is who I am.

~Chamalmy