Living A Hard Life

Living A Hard Life

I am really impressed and moved after watching the film project "Last Train Home". There exists so many migrant workers throughout China and all of them are not only suffering the feeling of sorrow that they have to leave behind loved ones, but also trying their best to work laboriously with low payback. When I saw the scenes of jammed train station, I can understand their anxiety of coming back soon. In my view, it is their most desired moment through the year.

KIMJONGILIA

After seeing this film i was very taken back. I was very surprised that in this day and age there still exists a country like this. The total control that the government has over its people is unimaginable and the camps are just as mind-blowing as that. As an outsider I can hardly grasp what it must feel like to live and grow up in this mind-controlling society and to wrestle up the courage to escape. I cannot imagine what these people have gone through for most of their lives and that they ended up leaving their country. It is a very touching story and the survivors are more than happy to have escaped certain death by their own government.

Elderly?

This reading assignment on the elderly driving is a controversy that I am particularly close to. I have many great aunts and uncles along with grandparents who drive. These are the people who are taking care of their parents and loved ones and even though they are having problems, they are too proud to admit it and that makes them dangerous drivers. I think the video showed a great representation of how the elderly think and feel about themselves, and how they define themselves as drivers. It also points out that the American population has become an elderly population in general and we will be seeing more elderly drivers on the road than ever before. I don't have a problem with older drivers as long as they are able to handle the vehicle correctly. So I guess that I am for the older generations having to do regular driving tests to prove that they are still able to control a car. All in all a very interesting video clip that brings forth problems that we as a country will be facing in the future.

My Favorite Film Project

Blog Discussion 2 (Due Nov 29)

For this Thanksgiving, may I invite you all to watch many great movies. Please visit the link http://film.economist.com/#

Please:

1.          Select a film project that you find most intriguing

2.          Use 75-80 words to write a very clear and concise interpretative statement

3.          Sum up your perspective with an engaging title

4.          Post your view as comments, thanks J

Strength

I was greatly impressed by her strength and pride in what she does. Even though many, especially men in the air force doubted her, her determination to prove them wrong was her drive to perform her duty very well. I admired the fact that she did not let what others thought of her keep her from doing what she loved. I learned and understood that it’s very difficult for women to try to achieve the same position as men. It’s never easy, no matter what we do or where we’re at, we’re being judged. Her photographs has a story to tell and has an important value, that is why I consider it art.

I was very impressed with Sgt. Pearsall's dedication. The interview really showed how a person can come as far as she did with dedication. It really inspired me to think about what I have in my life that I can dedicate myself to. I was even more impressed to see her artwork. To think that someone who is so disciplined would still be interested in art and would take the time to take pictures in her surroundings and environment.

Woman of Steel

Sgt. Stacy Pearsall is by far one of the most influencial women in the world. What I was most impressed with was the way she spoke about how our arm forces should be treated and recognized. The most precious lesson I've learned is that women have just as much or more will to be in the armed forces than men. They have to work harder to prov themselves that they go far and beyond. I think these pictures are art because she took those pictures with a story behind them. That is how paintings are interpreted so this is considered art to me.

Heroic

I think it's unbelievable what this lady did with her life. Her determination and drive led her to do great things as a American soldier. Even though she had physical disabilities, she did not let that stand in her way to help protect our country. I've learned from this that I am very blessed to be where I am today, and that no matter how bad off you have it, there's always something good going for you that you can focus on and carry forward with. Yes I consider her photography art because it captures live images of soldiers in action and tells a story of the lives they live everyday to protect the nation.

Persevered Beauty

In Sgt. Stacy Pearsall’s interview, she serves as an inspiration through her passion for service and her continuous drive. I was amazed when I heard she was injured and pushed through it. I believe the lesson that stuck with me most is if you are passionate about something, persevere. I definitely consider Sgt. Stacy Pearsall’s photography artwork. She takes into consideration the light and color of a picture. This is even more impressive with the limited amount of time she has. Sgt. Stacy Pearsall’s artwork inserts her passion and reflects her perseverance in every shot she takes.

-Christine Kaiser

Willful Woman

Sgt. Pearshall is deserving of respect and honor due to her persevering personality and strong will in the face of difficulty. She showed remarkable courage in through her bodily injuries and emotional. She proved that nobody can make decisions for you, your life is completely up to you. Her devotion and commitment are quite noteworthy considering the abuse and pain she experienced. Her portraits are truly art because they depict each soldier as an individual and captures the emotion locked deep within the eyes of every man.

strong will

I was very impressed with Sgt. Pearsall. She had a really powerful determination attitude that stood out to me. She wasn't going to let anything get in her way no matter what the circumstance was. She is someone who shows true support for our country. The fact that she has physical issues that make life hard she continues to take pictures of our military in action and will do anything to support our troops. This shows really how strong of a woman she is and what is important to her. What I learned most from her is her determination to not let anyone or anything else affect what your passion is and what you, yourself want to do. I consider her pictures as a form of art because it captures a story to be told and brings across something that is important to her and that people can relate too.

TOUGH

I was extremely impressed with Sgt. Pearsall. I think what she went through and what she is still going through today is an true testament to her courage and support of our country. What most impressed me was the fact that she wasn't going to let anyone or anything stop her, not a road side bomb or the fact that she was a woman; this really tells me how amazing people can be. The lesson I learned from Sgt. Pearsall was to never let the bad parts of your life over shadow the good parts. Even though she has bad nerve damage, she still fights through it to take pictures and do what she can to support our troops and veterans. She knows what she loves to do and she is not letting her limitations stop her from doing anything; she just works right through the pain. I believe that the Sgt. work is art, for one main reason: Her portraits show veterans in all different kinds of stances and faces and backgrounds, so I think this as art because she becomes creative with it but not to the point of distorting the point of the project. Nobody really knows what our veterans and soldiers go through and they are in my mind everyday heroes, that we often take for granted.

When there's a will, there's a way

The thing that impressed me the most about Sgt. Stacy Pearsall is her shear power of will. She refused to let anything hold her back, not the people who believed she didn't belong in the military, nor the injuries she received during her service. She did what she loved even when it became almost physically impossible. Also, she was very outspoken about her beliefs, and I appreciated how upfront she was. The greatest lesson I toke away from Sgt. Pearsall is that no one can tell you what you can or can't do, it's all up to you. When there is a will,there is a way. I do consider the photographs Sgt. Pearsall took to be art because the tell a story. Every photograph has a story behind it, they make you feel and look at things in another way. I find her photographs beautiful and emotional.

Heroes Among Us

What impresses me about Sgt. Stacy Pearsall was her determination to prove everyone wrong by being accustomed to hide her pain and the emotional after-effects of combat from others. After watching this interview, I learnt that as humans we share the responsibility to ensure the perpetuation of mankind by preventing another war for the safety and well-being of all our children. I consider Pearsall’s photography a form of art because her photographs successfully captured the character and experience engraved in the faces of soldiers and veterans the emotion in their eyes.

A Woman of Power

I was very impressed with how Sgt. Stacy Pearsall overcame many adversities and joined the military at 17 years old. It isn't an everyday thing that you see women joining the military and being on active duty. I was very impressed to see that she stuck with it and overcame everything, even when she had a man tell her that she wasn't supposed to be in the military. I can learn from this that you should do whatever you feel is right for you no matter who tells you differently! She was a very strong person and did exactly what she wanted, even when people were trying to bring her down! I was very surprised with how she had been injured and still didn't say anything because she didn't want people to think that she was weak! I do feel like her pictures are art work! They get peoples attention and they definitely make people stop and want to analyze them! I am very impressed with how her and husband have a studio so she still continues to publish pictures.

Unsung heroes

The things most impressed me in the interview is that she was the only girl in that all-male club and did well in her work. In addition, these shocked me are not only her hard working in army, but also she brings these real scenes of battle field and army life to me. Her pictures short the distance between me and the war. They let me know more about these people who risk their life to protect us from thousands miles away, and I learn that there are a lot of heroes around me. They just do not show off what they did for us. They are the real unsung heroes.

Her photographs are art. Although, they are just some pictures of men, there are deeper meanings inside them. Every faces in the pictures hide a long story and different people can read different feelings from the same picture. That is what art brings to us.

A true born hero

Sgt. Stacy Pearsall is a women that little girls can look up to and see someone that is great. The determination that Sgt. Pearsall has is on of the things that impressed me most in the interview. Men see women in the army as not being tough enough and that they can't do all things that men can. But stacy didn't want the men to think less of her. She toughed it out through all the pain and when she did finally get out of the military she didn't really leave. Today she continues serving our country in a different way, she takes picture of veterans that tell us their story. What I learned from Sgt. Pearsall is that no matter what happens you should get back up and fight for what you believe in. I think her photographs can be considered art. I think this because when you look at them you can see into the people and its like they are trying to tell you their story from all the hardships that they went through while in the war. Stacy is a great woman for being able to capture these people and share their stories with us.

Believe

The thing that impressed me the most was the fact her determination to not have the excuse of she is a woman be put on her. I am impressed that she did everything in her power and more to prove that she was no different than any guy. The most precious lesson learned is that no matter your gender you can do anything you work at. Also that even if you have doubters as long as you believe in yourself you can succeed. Yes, her pictures are art because they are taken to show people what is going on. Also there is a story behind each picture and anyone can interpret them however that feel.

A Life Under Fire: Combat Photographer Captures, Carries Wounds of War

Blog Discussion 1 (Due Nov 15)

For this coming up Veterans Day, I select the work of Sgt. Stacy Pearsall who is a combat photographer. Please visit the link below for an interview that was conducted on Oct 27 by PBS NewsHour:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec11/warphotog_10-27.html

In your writing, please consider:

-              What impress you the most in her interview?

-              What is the most precious lesson that you learn from Sgt. Pearsall?

-              Would you consider the photographs of Sgt. Stacy Pearsall as art?

Please conclude with a title and a statement

1.          Please use 75-80 words to write a very clear and concise interpretative statement regarding the work of Sgt. Stacy Pearsall.

2.          Please sum up your perspective by using an engaging title.