Journal #8

8. If you were to describe yourself using a quotation, what would that quotation be? After you have chosen a quote, then write a bit about how it relates to you and reveals what kind of person you are.

“you can’t always trust the world with your heart and you can’t always lend a friend a hand, but you can always try and listen … you should never get too involved but always lend a hand in the good and especially in the bad and then they will know you are there and maybe then you’ll see someone is there for you as well.”

Journal #9

9. Given the authority to establish a holiday, what would you choose to commemorate? Why? What would the celebration look like?

Journal #10

10. What is the best advice you've ever received? Explain.

“you can’t always trust the world with your heart and you can’t always lend a friend a hand, but you can always try and listen … you should never get too involved but always lend a hand in the good and especially in the bad and then they will know you are there and maybe then you’ll see someone is there for you as well.”

Journal #11

11. Ask and answer the one important question that a university won't ask you, but you wish they would.

Journal #12

12. Your life is a movie. Describe the first 15 minutes.

I like to think the world and life hold a “perfect” path for me. Not always the correct one but one stable enough to get me through.  A life that will appreciate the most of me and will allow me to learn many magnificent things. I am only sixteen at the time, but I am eager to find more of life’s teachings so that one day I can teach them to someone else. I am willing to learn new things in life although I am very indecisive and often need help. I might not have the perfect family or the perfect school but I rather have everything imperfect and appreciate what I have for all the good things. I don’t like taking things for granted especially not friends. It’s hard for me to trust people sometimes but that’s only because I have been let down so many times. I am not a liar and don’t like the easy life even if life seems too harsh sometimes, I find a way to get through.  

Journal #13

13. Write a letter to your future college roommate introducing yourself and your background.

Dear roommate,

I am Itzel Ruiz, your future college roommate. I am from an all Mexican background. Everyone in my family knows all Spanish except for me and my brother, we are both bilingual. I was fairly young when brought to the United States and my brother was around four years of age. It was difficult being around children that did not speak your language but slowly we both learned. Now I am like any other fluent Spanish/English speaker so I hope we won’t have any problem. I am a respectful person as long as I am respected back. I tend to be a friendly person and I don’t doubt well get along just fine. I like to try new things and I am open minded to everything.  I do believe in god but I have reasons behind evolution as well. I am a trustworthy person so if you ever need anything you can ask. I only ask that when I ask of you to let me have a moment to study and work you listen because I like to work hard to achieve my goals and I as well will respect when you need that time.

Journal #14

14. Please describe your reactions/ideas to the following quote: "He does not possess wealth, it possesses him."

We have all heard that man obsesses over the sense of power. Most of the time power is symbolic of wealth and money. When man obsesses over wealth he does not control wealth … wealth controls him. By this I mean that usually too much power tends to get over people’s heads and people begin to change. Sometimes people become dependent of money and think that money/power is everything. Due to so much power people become selfish and greedy and want more and more and more power. All of that power makes them believe they can have everything they want and that everything can go their way because they believe to be all “powerful”. But all power must come to an end. Power cannot get you everything you want you want in life, it is only limited. So much power can also blind you to believe that everyone wants to be your friend an ally when in reality they going for your money/power. Power abstracts your path and it’s up to that person to see how much it affects them.