"TEEN LEARNS FROM CREDIT MISTAKES OF OTHERS"

Jenna Jakowatz is a high school senior in Southern California and reveals to us that she is already beginning to feel the burden of finances even though she is just 17 [you can hear her full story at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101082178]. I have to say that as a senior myself, going off to college has made me more aware of our financial crisis. I have to think about how I can help my parents pay for the pricey private college I will be attending next fall. Unfortunately, our bank used part of my college savings and lost them in the tumbling market, and I am feeling the heat now more than ever [for my complete story visit MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY...MONAAAAY!!!Personal Narrative]. The economic crisis that surrounds my family is evident more than ever, not only because of my family's losses, but also because of my job. My boss is stressed and irritable, and has hired less people. Those that were left with a job, like myself, are constantly overwhelmed with work whereas in the past we were not because there were more people available to pick up the slack. All I can say is that I hope our economy will soon become more stable, Obama will do his job, and keep his promises.

“MY WAY” and “GOD'S CLOSE-UP”This American Life (2007)

Today we watched two episodes from the Lifetime series known as This American Life. The first episode we watched showed us four stories of people who made life changing decisions. Each of their decisions changed their lives and affected the course of their lives dramatically. They remember their decisions and how they affected them as they are forced to live with them. As they remember, they take the universal idea or stereotype of a life-changing decision and make it personal by showing the effects each of the decisions had on them. The second episode we watched was on the topic of God. We hear two stories. In both, the characters try to find God and we see how He influences their lives. They turn their journey and experiences into a personal myth by making it personal through their own ideas and views on how to express Him. In both episodes, they used interviews and voice overs to show us their personal ideas and opinions, and footage of their experiences to tell their stories.

THE RAINY DAYS My LA

Every state has something that defines it. California is known for its bright sun and warm weather. Within this sunny state is my Los Angeles, the so called “City of Angels.” It’s sunny so often that it is rare when the citizens don’t worry about conservation of water. We are almost always in the middle of a drought. It’s relatively annoying actually. But there are those occasional days where it rains. And those are the days that I remember most here in Los Angeles. We don’t remember every day of our lives; we just aren’t physically smart enough to do that. So the few days we do remember have to stand out to us, have something unique about them. That defining factor is the rain to me.
Today I drove to school. Like every other day. But I will remember this day for awhile. It rained. I wore Uggs—a stupid decision. They are ruined and I’ve almost fallen a few thousand times already. The count may reach a million by the end of the day. The puddles seep into my shoes and flood my toes with cold water. My freshly straightened hair from the morning has grown waves and frizz. The damp air is suffocating and I can’t help but wish for warmer days. I want it to be summer already—not just because of the weather though. I will remember this day. I will remember the cold, the damp, the rain, the puddles, the frizz, everything.

"ECHO PARK AVENUE"

Another personal narrative we read was from the book titled The Bus: Cosmic Ejaculations of the Daily Mind in Transit which was written by Steve Abee. In the story, the author walks to the bus and catches a ride on it because he has to pick up his car. We learn that he has a wife and a child and has recently gotten in a fight with his wife. After leaving his home, he tours Los Angeles and he retells us his thoughts and speculations on the universe. He tells us his story and turns it into his own personal myth by dominating the piece with his own personal thoughts, emotions, ideas, opinions, etc from that bus ride. Although he uses effective imagery and intriguing descriptions, his story is overwhelming to the reader because he floods us with so many ideas. Its information overload. This is why his piece didn't inspire me--although he created a well written story he simply told us too much.

“LAUREN & CAPPIE” High School Confidential (2008)

We watched episode one of the series High School Confidential. The video portrayed the stories of two high school students--Lauren and Cappie. Lauren is a popular student with a comfortable lifestyle whose life is shaken by a brain tumor. Cappie was an average teen who turns into a party girl. She chooses a job over the volleyball team, is hit early with financial responsibility, and has a troubled childhood. As we see the two girls grow and mature, it is evident how clearly they both fit high school cliches. They both seemed so naive and immature to me for so easily falling into their high school stereotypes, but then I realized that I am the same way. Both of their stories become personal myths because we are able to witness how they changed and what changed them. In the film, interviews, voice overs, and footage of their experiences were used. After watching it, I was inspired to tell my story through the visual medium of video.