Art Connections

When visited the Ball State Art Museum, there is one painting that stuck in my memory. From the moment I first glanced at this gruesome, detailed piece of art I quickly made a connection to Ishmael Beah's "a long way gone". This artwork was a little painful to look at, and imagine such a horrifying scene. It upsets me to see how this painting shows a pale, young man being roasted alive, and looking for an answer from the heavens above. The other young men in this painting that were forcing him down, seemed as if it didn't bother them to watch another human being die. This painting was know as "The Martyrdom Of Saint Lawrence". Being a boy solider, Beah would witness deaths right before his very eyes. Murders and deaths to him became a common everyday thing. No child should be in war and kill other innocent people. I could never began to imagine how I would feel, to watch this happen day after day, it would leave you traumatized. What a difficult life, to be constantly reminded of a unimaginable nightmare you were once living in.

Untraditional class

When you think of class the first thing that comes to mind is the traditional classroom setting, which includes a deck, chair, chalkboard, and ect. Today September 18, 2009, was a little different then your ordinary class. In Lafollette, there was a fire drill and everyone was to evacuate. We were unable to enter the building for a half hour, so we decided to hold class outside. It was unlike any class I have ever been in. It was very relaxing to sit in the sun, and discuss our agenda in english. Although class was shortened, and we didn't get done as much as we would of if we were able to be in class, but It was a great start to my Friday morning, and the start of a good weekend!

Can't Imagine Myself...

During Beah's journey he does some pretty unimaginable things. To relate how he feels I looked at a few clubs and organizations here on campus of things I would never imagine myself being apart of. Tonight was the night I stepped out of my comfort zone. The Ballroom Dancing League (BSBDL) met tonight at 7:00pm in Irving Gym 200D. The Ball State Ballroom Dance League educates members in the styles of ballroom dancing. At first I was quite nervous and scared to see what this new experience was about. Within five minutes I felt very comfortable and ready to learn some new moves! Only being there an hour, I felt like I learn a lot. I feel ten times more confident on the dance floor. This organization meets every Thursday, and I'm excited to see what the following weeks hold.

September 15, Ishmael Beah

It is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. On September 15 Ishmael Beah is coming to Ball State to talk about his book, a long way gone, memoirs of a boy solider. Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone in 1980, and lived the life as a boy solider fighting everyday just to see the next. I am every upset that I have class 6-9 and will not be able to attend. I wish I could see Beah and watch as he tells us about he's experience, and the powerfully gripping story he was once a part of. I wish I could ask him so many questions like: What does war look like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop?

Boy Solider

To even begin to think of what a boy solider went through is to think the unthinkable. Most children at the age of eleven are trying to fit in, make friends, and find out their meaning in life. The last thing they should ever have to consider in there life is war. Just to think of anyone going through what a boy soldier went through leaves me at a feeling of disgust. Deep in my stomach I get the feeling of hurt and sadness. If ever being in such a situation as this on, would make me want to run and hide for things in my life. They were so young, and don't even understand why this horrifying war is even going on. Just to imagine how hard it would be to watch your family and friends die right before your very eyes makes me shiver. These first four chapters of this book leaves you shocked with how anyone could over come the horrible nightmare of a memory!