Sam+Mattingly


 * __Assignment #1 My Hero__**

My hero is George Washington. George Washington has definitely accomplished beyond the normal range by becoming the first President of the United States. Washington left his luxurious life behind when he devoted himself to becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army when he risked everything for the good of his country. George Washington gave himself over to something bigger than himself by fighting for our country and later becoming the leader of our country. While Washington was the president he established how he thought the nation should be which served as a guide for many future presidents to come. George Washington's physical quest was leading the United States through the Revolutionary War against the world's best army at the time. Washington was an amazing general and never surrendered his army. Washington also went through a spiritual quest of finding his beliefs and letting his beliefs lead the country. George Washington went through many trials during his journey that strengthened him. In conclusion, George Washington was a great leader for our country and he was the perfect example of what a hero truly is.

__**Assignment #2 My Perfect World**__

In a perfect world everyone's needs and desires would all be met. There would be no poverty or war because everyone would have unlimited access to anything they could think of. Everyone could focus on their friends and families and live wherever they pleased. People would be accepting of all cultures and learn to respect peoples as they respect themselves. In this world there would be unlimited resources. Everyone's day could be spent on whatever that person wanted to do. There would be all of the world's natural beauty to discover. In this world technology would be limitless and everything that people only dream about this world and more would be available to all people. Time machines, portals, and flying cars would all be available. People would have no limits so they would be able to fly like an eagle and swim like a fish. In conclusion, because of the unlimited resources and technology of this world people would never be held down by limits that we have today, people would stop judging people and learn to love what makes that person who he/she is and together the people of this world would truly create a "Golden Age." I like your point about being accepting. I'm not sure I would want to fly.


 * __Assignment #3 God Teacher.......Gifts__**

In life there are many things that could be considered a gift and a curse, or a double-edged sword. In my life one of the biggest double-edged sword is my computer. My computer gives me the ability to do my homework in a way that is fast and productive. It gives me instant access to nearly all the information I would ever need to know. If I am ever in doubt I can go and look for an answer on my computer. My computer gives me the ability to communicate with anyone and study much more productively. Even though my computer is a tool meant for good, it can be very distracting. There has been countless nights that I spend on random pages on the internet and eventually I wonder why am I here, but I usually disregard the thought and continue on losing hours of sleep because of my computer. Also with countless games that are free and paid you can never be bored on a computer. In conclusion, my computer is a tool meant to help me, but usually I lose sleep because of it.

__ **Assignment #4 The End of Childhood** __

In life one goes through the stages of childhood and adulthood. Everyone has something that marks the end of their childhood. In my life, it was when my grandfather died. My grandfather died last year from a brain-disease he had been diagnosed with several years ago. My grandfather was my last living grandparent on my father's side of the family and when my grandfather died it made me think about how everyone dies. I thought about how one day that will be my parents or myself that will die. I also thought about how not everyone has a happy ending. My grandfather definitely would not have chosen that death and there are just some things in life that can not be controlled. This experience changed me from a child to an adult and made realize the fragility of life. (sorry I did not have a picture of my actual grandfather)

__**Assignment #5 The End of Time**__

Brought upon by the evils of humans To cleanse the world and start over The end of mankind is now

Struggling for survival I flee to the top of a mountain To avoid the inevitable

Terrified of the future ahead of me Pondering upon all of my wrongs I realize all of my sins

I stop avoiding death I accept my fate And ask for forgiveness From the one who is great

__**Assignment #6 Changes in the Stories**__

King Midas had a transformation when everything he touched turned to gold and his ears turned into those of a donkey. Midas was very greedy and asked Dionysus for the ability to turn everything into gold that he touched. Dionysus knew that this was a rash and foolish request, but to punish Midas for his greediness he agreed. Midas soon realized that he could not control what he turned into gold. His daughter was turned into gold and so many other precious things. Later on, Midas had his ears take the form of donkey ears. Midas was being punished for his folly. Midas is the perfect example of how pride can be the downfall of someone. Because Midas was constantly told only good things about himself, he only knew of good things about himself so he thought he was better than even the gods themselves which caused his punishment. __**Assignment #7 Changes in our World**__

In the life of everyone there is a change between the stages of youth to adult. This change can be very confusing for many people because they were used to having an easy life and having little responsibilities. Now they have to learn how to accept their new responsibilities and mature to the person they want to be. It is this metamorphosis that shapes people into what they will be like as an adult. This can be illustrated with the row of pictures in the book that shows a caterpillar changing into a butterfly.

__**Assignment #8 My Favorite Season of the Year**__

My favorite season of the year is summer. After a long and stressful year of school, summer is a much needed break. Summer gives me the ability to spend one whole day just watching a television show, or even sleeping. I also view summer as a time to greatly improve at things I wouldn't be able to during school. I have the time available to get stronger, better at violin, or get better at a sport or activity. During summer I go to many camps that I often enjoy. My family usually goes to the beach or to my grandfather's house. The archetype of the golden age is represented in summer because summer is certainly stress free and very peaceful. More than any other seasons, summer is the time were everything seems happy and care free. My brother's birthday is in June and my family likes to celebrate it. The warm weather and animal life are a very relaxing part of summer as well. In conclusion, summer is my favorite season because it is the only time when I can truly be care free and all of the exciting events that occur during the summer.

__**Assignment #9 What Have I Learned?**__

In the //Man the Mythmaker// unit I have learned many valuable lessons and truths about life and people as a whole that will change the way I think about things. I have learned how people can be good at heart or truly evil. One of the lessons taught in this unit that will influence me the most is the transition from childhood to adulthood or "End of Childhood." This lesson has taught me that there is a distinct difference between children and adults that is not just physical. Children are not aware of bad things that happen in life which gives them innocence that adults do not posses. Adults posses knowledge of the hardships that are present in life. The end of childhood can be brought upon by something as simple as realizing that life is not only about fun and games; or it can be something as complex as wondering why a family member had to die and even lashing out at a force beyond the human world. Children will have many trials in life before they reach the final stage of adulthood. These trials that lead toward adulthood end up shaping the person as a whole. People who live their life just trying to find the easiest way to do things do not become successful adults because of their lack of preparation towards their adult life. I realize that if I want to succeed as an adult I have to test myself as a child.