Day Two

Second day, and i can already feel the changes. no computer and no phone means no texting and no facebook chat, but its not all bad. im finding the lack of electronics to be a lot less stressful. i took a walk around my backyard today to find beauty in nature, and capture it on camera. Ive decided to try and upload all my pictures onto this blog next week. today while walking around, i saw a gorgeous sunset. i took the picture, but after glancing at the picture i realized that it was a lot prettier in real life. i think that this experience will be a positive one, and hopefully the sacrifices will start to get a little easier.

Day One

First day of the experiment, and so far it doesn't really seem like a big deal. im sure that i will feel the difference later in the week, but i have only been doing the experiment for half a day. here is what i have decided to change:

• no phone
• no computer
• no hairdryer
• Everyday i will take a picture of beauty in nature

Im really curious to see how this turns out. hopefully ill have more to say tomorrow

Wow day four! today was, how should i put it Awesome. I dident get home til five thirty. why did I get home that late? Well I began driving today. for two hours. I drove up to high point then back. I dont know why I had to drive all that way but it took forever because of trafic at Three. I dont know why there was trafic at Three but there was. Then when i got home I took a nap, woke up did some homework. Now i'm typing this. So tomarrow is a half day, and then....BREAK!!!!/CHRISTMAS!!

Day 2

Its the second day without drinking anything other than tap water. At first I thought it was going to be easy, but its a lot harder than it seems. I went out to dinner with my sister and my mom at Panera bread in Flemington. I asked for a cup for water and I was looking around for water near the drinks. It turns out they only had bottled water. So I didn't have anything to drink with my chicken noodle soup. My mom offered me some of her iced tea, but I told her that I was only drinking tap water and Im stickting with it!

*********The Middle and Modern Family are on tonight************

Just sayin!

Banjamin
Intelligent, Rational, Political
Sibling to James
Lover of Logic, Science, and Politics
Who feels rational, science, and observant
Who fears British rule, the absense of logic, and stupidity
Who gives the people Logic, Reason, and Principle
Who would like to see Philidelphia, growth, and education
Resident of Pennsylvania
Franklin

a biopoem of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin
Observant, talented, rational, intelligent
Brother of James
Lover of science, logic, and improvement
Who feels that logic, observation, and rationality can solve world problems
Who needs quiet careful study
Who fears irrationality, passion, and impulse
Who gives ideas, knowledge, and new technology
Who would like to see a world governed by rational thought
Resident of Philidelphia
Franklin

A Poem on Emily Dickinson

An introverted, unique, and eccentric mind
overflowing passion painting raw emotion on paper.
No titles limit the caged words.
Inspired. Desperate. Lonely.
One of solitary beauty, living with pain of sorrow.
Only after the last breaths were given, did her greatness come with the morrow.
Daughter, sister, Emily Dickinson.

Walden Pond

The essay Walden Pond was written

Thoreau secluded himself from society

Living in the woods overlooking Walden Pond

The ideas of Transcendentalism

Thoughts of a new world lead to thoughts of the one we are already living in

Thoreau

Emerson

Simplicity and Emotion

I would learn to embrace the beauty in nature

Emily Dickinson

Emily
Unique, shy, creative genius
Samuel, Lavinia, Austin
Poetry, intellect, nature
Anxious, peaceful, questioning
Independence, knowledge, a pen in hand
Heartache, death, socialization
Emotion, pain, influence
Freedom, happiness, natural beauty and individualism
Art and Massachussets
Dickinson

Histopoem

The Enlightnenment
During the 18th Century
In England, Europe, and American Colonies
Humanism, Superstition, Reason
Reniassance, Medieval Times, Colonization of America
Transcendentalism, Industrial Revolution, Civil War
Ben Franklin, Montesquie, John Locke
Mozart, Bethoven, Bach
Guillotine, Seed Drill, Steam Power
Trancendentalism, Environmentalism, Constitution
Excited by Knowledge
1793

Henry Thoreau

Henry

Wise, Enlightened, Nature-lover, Writer

Helen Thoreau

Nature, Simplicity, Writing

Enlightened, Love, Happy

Peace, Quiet, Happiness

Technology, A complex life, Advancement

Poetry, Knowledge, Wisdom

Simple lives, Less technology, Peace

Walden Pond

Thoreau

World poem

The Enlightenment

18th century

England, Europe, America

Humanism, Superstition, Reason

Renaissance, Medieval times, Colonization of America

Transcendentalism, Industrial Revolution, Civil War

Ben Franklin, Montesquieu, John Locke

Mozart, Beethoven, Bach

Guillotine, Seed drill, steam power

 Transcendentalism, Environmentalism, Constitution

I would be excited by knowledge

1793

Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism
Stormed by Simplicity, Nature and Feeling
From the skies of Boston
For there was too much reason, too much logic, too many facts
From the Age of Divine Rule, the Enlightenment, Romanticism it came
To the Mental Sciences Movement, Industrial Revolution, and Depression it birthed
Thoughts of Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson
Art of Margaret Fuller, Walt Whitman, Bronson Alcott
Comes "Nature,""Walden," "Self Reliance"
Gave way to Environmentalists, Lovers of Nature, and Cravers of Simplicity
But I would have not belonged
In this age of the 19th Century

John Locke

John
Pure, Birdfaced, Philosopher
Rousseau, Voltaire, Franklin
Liberty Tabula Rosa, Natural Rights
Philosophical, Liberty, and Conciousness
Natural Law
Large Government
Influence and Ideas
Government with the influence of the evryday person
Essex England
Locke

HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Englightenment

Starting in the 18th cenutry

In the Wonderful country of England

Due to skeptism of dogma!

Coming from colonazation, Glorious Revolution, and more war

Which started Trancendentalism, Romantism, and Unitaranism.

Blooming Franklin, Locke, and Rousseau

While destroying the peoples nature of art.

Creating the printing press

causing the flicking of mans light bulb.

Oh what a wonderful cenutry

18th century

Franklin

Benjamin
you clever intellectual founding father
James provided your experience
you fall for science, America and journalism
reaching for logical, scientific and feelings of being enlightened
a yearning for a revolution, knowledge and freedom
you cower from disunity, the british and unreasonable beings
inspiration, discovery and wisdom are what you've left us
envisioning independence, a nation built on freedom
breathing the essence of Philidelphia
Franklin, the American Enlightenment thinker

Biopoem

Ralf

WAS a old, wise, inquisitive individual

SON OF a Reverand named William Emerson

LOVED writing, public speaking, and nature

FELT like an individual, leader, and trendsetter

NEEDS writing, literature, and education to be happy

FEARS materialism, worldly ways, and industrialization

GAVE speeches, insight, and knowledge

WOULD LOVE TO SEE smart people, individuals rise, and nature dominate

LIVED in Boston Massachussetts

Emerson

A Biopoem

A man by the name of Henry,
Revolutionary, intilligent, creative and loving to all,
The brother of his sister Sophia,
Lover over nature, simplicity, and all people.
Feels the connection to nature, the lover for all
and the self values of all.
Where? where would he be without simplicity nature and himself.
Advancments in society and a cluttered way of life
are like a creature of the night, horrifying.
He gave his ideas, his literature, and his new ways of thinking
but would like to see simplicity, self-love and more nature from his thinking.
The boy from boston his name will raign
until you here it again, Thoreau.

zach

Histopoem : Revolution

A great big day in the mid of may it is the year 1793

And we are in France where they will dance

With their guns and their knives and their guillotines

The cause is known for the equality is not shown, only political and social spite

Those in the third estate have finally decided their fate

to be bankrupt is not what they want

The patriots ingited the flame that will burn as the French Revolution

The American government is alive and they've breathed on the country of France

Napoleon is emporer now he's got them all in a trance

He'll conquer. He'll win. And the directory will aid in assisting him

Marie, ma cherie, and Louis XVI the guillotine will turn you in

Matisse, Picasso, and Rodin

Great men, Artists if I must say so

The battery is born with mayo and bifocals also the

Death of a queen and her loyal man has birthed a monarchy-free France

If I'd been there I would've.... that would suck.`

The Walden Week Experiment

December 14 - December 21

South Hunterdon Regional High School

Thoreau, Walden, Curiousity

The Enlightenment, the Birth of Transendentalism, Everything that didnt happen today

Dont Ask Dont Tell Repealed, Christmas Vacation, Today

The 10th Grade English Classes

Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Maroon 5

iPad, Cell phones, Xbox 360

Feelings of Absence, Lessons Learned, Self Discovery

I would not have succeeded in my lifestyle change

2010

Henry

Wise, Intune with Nature, Freespirited, Hermit

Helen(sister)

Naute, Simplicity, Beauty

Love, Comparassion, Shown a New Path

Change Naturalism, Peace

Clutter, Materialism, Conformity

Writing, A New Depth to Life, Advice to the Average Joe

Simplicity, Change, Spiritualism

Walden Pond

Thoreau

Paul Cally

A Biopoem on Henry David Thoreau

Henry

wise, inquisitive, robust, and unique

Brother of Nature

trees, fleas, and bees

love, compassion, and sadness

happiness, peace, and stability

technology, advancement, and urbanization

knowledge, ideas, and beauty

world peace, nature, and global unity

Walden Pond

Thoreau

A Histopoem by Jason Shurts

World War II

1940's

Europe

Persecution of religions

Pearl Harbor

The Cold War

Adolf Hitler, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Benito Mussolini

Louis Armstrong, Roy Hilton, Ivory Joe Hunter

The Atomic Bomb, Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), Napalm

German Downfall, Italian Downfall, US Bombing of Japanese Cities

It would be a very scary time for all of the world to live through

1945

Ben Franklin

Ben
traits consist of smart,successful,proud
relative of brother James Franklin
lover of dain Silvestri, inventing , and enlightenment
who feels the need to be independent
who needs freedom from great Britain
who fears rejection and British rule
who gives inspiration, inventions, and ideas
is a resident of Boston
last name is Franklin

biopoem

Ben
smart, wealthy, intelligent
he had a brother
lover of light, lover of writing, lover of words
who feels freedom, and adaptation, he feels the world needs to move on
who needs love, who needs money, who needs liightning
who fears not adapting, doesnt fear the future.
who gives ideas, belifs and thoughts
who would lioke to see the world today, how far we have come since his time, more electricity
resident of philiadelphia
Franklin

Histogram

Declaration of Independence
July 4th 1776
United States of America
Britian, America, France
Revolutionary War, Defeat of Britian, Independance
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, King George
Freedom, Indenpedance, Justice
I would have been for the Revolution
1776

Biopoem

Ben
Wealthy, inteligent, and very proud
Had a son william franklin
Lover of knowledge, lover of inteligence, lover of freedom
feels for freedom, world needs to gain new ideas, and improve
who needs enlightenment to survive, money, needs ligthning
who fears the slow growth of america, not enough untiy, who also fears death
who gives electricity, knowledge, and the spread of ideas
who would like to see america grow, develope, and continue to work together
resident of Philly
Franklin

Ben Franklin

Benjamin
Smart, Diplomatic, Sleezy, Different
Elizabeth, Samuel, Hannah, Josiah, Anne
Lover of Science, The U.S., theEnlightenment
Who feels Happpy
Who needs attention
Who fears tyrrany
Who gives Ideas
Who would like to see freedom
Resident of Philadelphia
Franklin

Emily Dickensin

Emily

dark, Gothic, Skinny and pale

Samuel Dickensin

lover of writing

who feels death

who needs society

who fears people

who gives life to words

who would like to see the outside of her house

resident of massachusetts

Dickensin

Bio poem

David (call me Henry)

Transcendentalist, daring, philosopher, infleuntial

Son of John Thoreau

trancendentalism, natural history, simple living

simplicity is everything, don't follow the crowd, world too complicated

Only essentials, simplicity, to feel "awake"

Complication

Beautiful aphorisms

Less technology Concord, massachusetts

Thoreau

RALPH WALDO EMERSON!

Ralph Waldo
Logical, smart, sensitive, artistic
Son of Willam Emerson
Lover of writing, nature, and practical beliefs
Who feels strongly, deeply and inspirationally
Who needs society, facts and judgement
Who fears death and Andrew Nini's face
Who gives inspiration to young adults
Who would like to see people living simply
Resident of many places
Emerson

Biopoem

Emily

Shy Awkward Genious & Lonesome

Lavinia Dickinson

Not One Person, Poetry & being Alone

Anxious, Deathly & Tired

Love, Warmth & a Friend

Death, Rejection & the Outside World

Her Best, Her Life & Her All [to poetry...obviously]

Her future works, Her Success & her Dreams [coming true, OF COURSE]

Massachusetts

Dickinson

biopoem benjamin franklin

Benjamin

successful, proud, intelligent, determind

James Franklin

inventions, science, Deboran Reed

opposed, independent, responsible

independence. love, education

Britain, rejection, his older brother

light, inventions, life

Congress today, improvement in inventions today, his effect on society today

Boston

Franklin

poem about emily dickinson

Emily
Shy, awkward, intelligent, and outcast
Lavinia Dickinson
Poetry, Samuel Dickinson, and seclusion
Scared, loneliness, and death
Love, society, and the meaning of life
The world, death, and reality
Poetry, her life, and honesty
Her dreams become true, success, and the world
Massachusetts
Dickinson

AHH!!!!!

HOLY FUDGE! SON OF A SHIFT! NOT CURSING IS HARDER FOR THE ADVERAGE KID THAN U MAY THINK. Day2. has come today, but im am totally undercontrol, i think that if we all stop cursing sometimes we really think about what we are saying, and it actually helps in certain situations, well i am guna go, and idk, finish this dang project with julianna :D erika is not heere today though :'( ERIKKAA!!!!! <3 ANYWAY, not cursing can help you think better.

Mreh.

I am giving up cursing. Im getting rid of my horrid language and holding a grip on my tounge. (as hard as it is, cuz u know some ppl, haha) But sometimes i think we could watch what we say, helps us i guess. Even though i want top say a few thing to a certain person right now <<<<<< but its ok :) im going to go, now and scream some things in my thoughts, UGGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

finally got something

ive decided to become one with nature. ive came up with the idea of taking a walk everyday after school to see the brighter side of things and to relax and go threw everything that happens thrrew out the day and just think.

"The rain has spoiled the farmers day; Shall sorrow put my book away? Thereby are two days lost: Nature shall mind her own affairs, I will attend my proper cares, In rain, or sun, or frost."

-Suum Curique, by Walden Emerson

When i read this peom it kind if makes me think of my own experiment. the first sentens means that this is hard for me. the second sentence states that I am in fact giving something up. The third sentence show how long i have been going along with this. Then the last sentence states for me that that i wount give this ups. if i fail one thing i'll just get another thing to give up. This poem kind of sums up my Walden experience.

Day 1

It was really hard for me to find something I would give up for a week. I tried not to drink coffee for a week, but I felt that it was very hard to give up because I drink it every day in the morning. I decided to make tap water my main drink and at first I thought it would be absolutely disgusting, but I was willing to try it! I will start drinking water from the water fountain.

Day 7, we are done!!!

The Last day has ended and this expiriment has come to a close. I will probably continue drinking a lot of water as it just seemed like a good idea though i will no longer shut out other drinks, I am really looking foward to apple juice this morning. =)

"Simplify, Simplify, Simplify." This quote seems to best represent the past week for me as it was all about simplicity. The idea that life can be gone about just as easily without as with in some cases was very suprising to me, suprising to see that we are not completely dependant on technology. As a wrap to my last blog i will mention that these Transendentalists were absolutely pshyco and would never survive today, but their ideas do.

End

Today the no television did not really affect me because I was too busy. Not being able to wear jewelry or clothes with patterns or designs is getting annoying. I still feel boring and non-expressive and I find myself getting into a bad mood. I enjoy expressing myself in every way possible and not having the option to is frustrating me. I'm glad it's finally over. I feel that television can distract me when I need to get things done, but it also entertain me when there is nothing to do(being the holidays there was more to do though). I found expression to be a very important part of my life, and I feel very boring and plain without being able to express my individuality in the way I dress for a week.

As the end draws near a successful day did appear

Today is the final day of my blogging and the final day of doing my HW by candle light and drinking only local drinks. Today I had apple cider and water all day!:) yumm and healthy. (I cannot say I ate healthy or simply though). I got my homework very early today...my sunlight. I did realizes one way that this project did help me. It encouraged me to do my homework earlier to avoid the difficulty of candle light working. In regards to candle light hw, I do not believe that it is so bad... just not preferable. The chemistry test that I studied for in Candle light last week. I got a 100% (A++++++) on. So maybe simplicity is not so bad after on.
Technology.. Technology simplifies or lives in so many ways. It allows us to preform almost any task with the utmost ease. However in this same act technology clutters our lives as well. Allowing us to do every task with ease clutters our lives by allowing us to do more than ever before. The technology allows us to work easier and to do more work. Cluttering and simplifying our lives.... Is the Glass half full... or half empty?

Day 6

Today I was in the car for 8 hours. I did all of my homework early so there was light out to avoid the candles that I did not have access to. I did not follow my drinking goal on this day either. I drank orange juice, milk, hot chocolate and, root-beer. Not very good:( It was just a bad day in general.
Emily Dickenson poems have themes that are timeless and therefore can still be used to this day.

Enders Game

" To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplisment." Those are the wise words of Emerson. I believe this describes my life the best this week. After doing this small experiment of not eating snacks this week i feel like i can achieve more and maybe i we move on to do that next year, which is sooo sooon! Just saying santa comes in 4 days :) But anyway back to my blog today was the last day and i did not give up and achieved what i wanted to achieve this week! It felt so good not to snack on the last day. Thank you trancendentalist! thats all cya

The Final Day

Let me just start off with that this opened my minded to many things such as Transcendentalism and the superficial things of life that people just don't ever think about. A few superficial things that come to my mind are facebook, ipods, and television. But our society lives off of these superficial things in life. If we didn't have them, we wouldn't know what is going on in the world, and the stupid things in life that we thrive on so much. But I do have to say that I am one of those people that couldn't fully simplify my life, but I bet there are people that could simplify their lives just like Thoreau did. I say I can not simplify my life because I live within my ipod, it helps me through so many moods.

Day 7:

Today was definitely the easiest of all because I have been off facebook for a week now so I do not really feel a need to go on it anymore. Not drinking bottled water was an easy thing to do as well, and I think I am going to continue that one. All in all this was a pretty cool project and it should definitely be done next year.

Emily Dickinson's poems are very popular today because their themes still apply to the people. The things that Dickinson writes about are important topics that people still care about, so they read them. No one wants to read about something that was a problem years ago, and does not apply to today. This is why Emily Dickinson is just as popular as when she was first published.

Day 7

I am so happy that I am done, tomorrow I will finally be able to eat everything meat and MILK. But I feel like from this I will still be concious of what I eat. Because of the experiment I have been eating a lot less, only because I didn't have many options. Now that this is over I will eat healthier but in normal amounts. I think this project showed me all that I have to be grateful for. We don't realize how lucky we have it. And this project definately opens up my eyes on things. So I think you should definately do this next year:)

Last Day Finally

Yay. End of experiment. It was actually kind of a fun challenge by the time it was near the end. But i'm glad its over I need my music again because it's making me depressed without it. It helps me get through the tough times in my life like now. I caved in today and started listening to music again. The Tv doesn't matter to me really any more.
Technology both clutters and simplifies our lives. It enables us to preform tasks easier, and faster. Take phones for example, they are able to help us communicate better, but at the same time we are able to be consumed by this technology. On the other hand, technology is able to clutter our lives by consuming all of our time, effort, and energy that we have available. Todays new inventions and technology definitly has its pros and cons.

day 6 final daaaay (:

WELL to be brutally honest. I cheated on sunday with Facebook, only because I logged on to delete my facebook. Yeah about the texting, that thing is NOT working. I've been texting... Anyways, I feel like not using facebook was good for me. It made me realize how pointless fb really is. I feel like I should have chosen something that would've been easier for me to stick with, and something that maybe would've been more challenging.

Emily Dickinson's poetry is still relevant and popular today, because they're very well written. They are also written about common topics, something that everyone can easily relate to.

The End!

Well, we did it. Thanks for all of the feedback in the PPCs today. Next year, I plan to:
1. do the project in warmer weather
2. NOT use those silly questions (but still find a way to make students think about the Transcendental connections)
3. do the first blog together in class (maybe a brainstorm of ideas for how to simplify?)
4. have some of you visit as guests to talk to next year's sophomores about chosing wisely
Thanks everyone...now onward and upwards!

FINAL DAY!!!!! (day 7)

Well it is the last day of this experiment and really waiting for it to be tomorrow for 2 reasons. 1 i can play my gamecube and PS2 again and 2 a lunar eclipse is going to happen at around 1:33am tomorrow. So i'm setting my alarms so I can see this sight! hopefully I will still be able to get out of bed f0r school.

Day 7

Finally the last day!!!, my parents can finally stop complain about me messing with the heat. I have to say after hearing all the "testimonials" in my class today, I feel my using less heat promise was pretty easy to accomplish. I also felt that after the first few days I probably should have picked something to do that a little harder. Nonetheless I feel like I have learned how important electricity and heat are in our important lives. Technology can clutter our lives in many ways. We can get overly attached to certain devices, like cell phones and the internet, which take away from the lives we live. Even though technology is meant to help our lives, it frequently clutters it. Technology can simplify our lives because it helps us get many jobs done faster. I have no idea how I would be able to do some of our homework 40 years ago. The use of computers in our society have really simplified our lives, or maybe too much?

This makes day three, i skiped day two because i wasent sure if was was suposed to be posting every single day. I guess its good that i am posting anyway. yesterday wasent to bad without the xbox. I went cristmas shoping with the family and workrd on a tone of homework. So even if i could play i wouldent of had the time to. Now today and tomarrow will probable be the esayest day of them all I dident get home till six o'clock due to bowling practice. then i have homework to do. to marrow i have a bowling game in which i'll get back later then today, so that makes it easyer for me.

12/20 day 7

Finally the last day of no contacts or hairdryer, i am so relieved. Wearing glasses the past week hasn't been so bad, just that it was annoying trying to see in gym with out contacts in and popping the left lense back in all the time. The hairdryer wasn't that bad, i didn't miss it as much as i thought i would.

"things do not change, we change" i picked this quote because things do not change, people do. I changed this week by now appreciating the things i have, such as contacts and being able to use a hairdryer. The contacts are still the same and so is the hairdryer, but i changed as a person in not taking these things for granted.

Day 7

It's over. Today was a successful day eluded of any beverages besides tap water and the use of the microwave. I have failed numerous times over the course of this journey, but it has taught me the concept of simplifing my life. Thoreau has taught me to let go of the day's dribbles and just live on the next day. Although I will probably start using the microwave and drink everything besides water, I have been enlightened so to speak.

The Transcendentalists theme was that of simplicity and dwelling with nature. They lived to rebel against the Enlightenment and listen to the bare facts of the earth. Those as Transcendentalists were striving against the concrete and reasoned world they were currently living in, and started a new era.

12/19 day 6

Today was ok, still feeling bad. I took my little cousin to church for a christmas special that was not bad, but didn't catch my eye. that was partly because i din't have my contacts in. After that i shopped all day and felt completely worse then before. Nothing else really happened today, just school tomorrow.

my perspective changed as a result of reading thoreau by i've become more aware of nature and to be more thankful for the technology. Reading emerson changed my perspective by realizing how important individualism and a relationship with nature is.

Day 6

Day 6 is here, im almost done. I am kinda glad this is starting to wrap up as i am starting to miss my morning juice. I was good this sunday with drinking only water as i was home all day and the tap isnt too far away from any given point in my house. Kinda boring today after our last soccer game for the year fininshed.

Anyway, Emiliy Dickenson's poems are still so popular today simply because of the volume of poems written there is something for everyone. The themes in these poems also can be applied still today, another reason that they are still so popular. Short post today, anyway, bye now.

Day 7

The final day! As I look back on this week, I realize that I actually didn't challenge myself enough. I wish that I could go back in time and change my idea, because after this week, I realized TV was not as important in my life as I thought. I also wish that I had spent more time in nature. Despite all of this, tomorrow I plan on watching TV and most likely the day after that.

Emily Dickinson's poems are still popular today because her topics still apply. Dickinson's poems capture human emotions like love and despair that will always be apart of human nature. Her prominent themes were life, nature, and love.

Saturday and Sunday: No Facebook

Being without Facebook has only affected me for the better. When I was a Facebook addict, I would constantly check the website for no reason, which would interfere with my homework and other work that I needed to get done. I was able to get most of my homework done during the weekend on Saturday because of no Facebook, which gave me more freedom for the rest of the weekend.
Because of Saturday, Sunday was enjoyable because I had completed most of my homework. Perhaps no Facebook is better. Perhaps I do not really need it. Seeing how much time it wastes really spoke to me.

Because of the Trancendentalist writers, my views on life have somewhat changed. Living life simpler could in fact be better than living jam-packed lives filled with technology and electronics.

Day 6

Sorry, forgot to post last night. But on day 6 I cracked yet again with the water. This week in particular I have been dehydrated and just water is taking a toll on my taste buds. This time it was Sunny D. Mom doesn't get Sunny D a lot and so I didn't want to miss out and let Jessica drink it all. But I did stay away from the microwave, I caught myself just in time when I was going to pop in a quesadilla.

Emerson and Thoreau's themes mean, today, that we should not give into peer pressure. All of the materialism surrounding us, especially in our world today, should not influence the choices we make independently.

day..something

I keep forgetting to post but i have been simplifying my life. Sort of. I went without caffeine and have gone insane. For the past few days I went without coffee and it was torture! This morning I needed coffee!!! So I had some and it was great. I need to answer some questions so i will do that.
What were Thoreau's themes?
Basically Thoreau encouraged people to simplify their lives. He thinks that people waste time with frivolous things and there is more to live for than that.

How does technology clutter our lives? How does technology simplify our lives?
Technology is a big part of our world today and some people have even grown an unhealthy addiction to it. Instead of being outside people spend time watching tv or being on the computer. I think technology has taken over and thats how it clutters people's lives. Technology can also simplify our lives because its very quick and easy. Instead of writing all this on paper I can just post it right here making it easy for you to read.

How has your perspective on the world changed as a result of reading Thoreau and Emerson?
Emerson had a much bigger impact on me than Thoreau. Emerson is correct in thinking that in order to be "great" or different you have to have your own thoughts and be self-reliant. I agree with Thoreau that "things" take up to much of people's life. In the end it's is only stuff so why would oyu let it take over your life. Everyone is obssesed with the iPad but I don't understand why because it is just and object. I agree with Thoreau that progress for the sake of progress is petty.

day 4&5

Day 4: So I forgot to post the last two because I had a very busy weekend full of soccer games. Shockingly I didn’t use face book or play Xbox on Saturday, but the fact that I had two soccer games kind of distracted me I had no time to play. Emily Dickenson's poems are popular today, because their themes can still be applied to our society today even though she lived in a completely different time frame than us. Her themes within her works were mostly about her solitude, nature, and living in need. Throughout her life she left home, and she rarely had visitors.

Day 5:Today it was harder to not play Xbox. i only had one game so I was less distracted. But instead of playing I slept a lot, From 4pm till 9pm. And really that was my day. My perspective of people’s actions and lives has changed after reading Thoreau. People are just taking the easy way out and not really putting effort into living there lives.

Days 5 and 6

I couldn't blog yesterday because I was busy. On Saturday, giving up wearing interesting things didn't really affect me because I didn't really go anywhere. Not being able to watch television also didn't effect me because I was mostly doing homework, or helping out before the holidays with my family. Today, though, I was less busy, so not watching television really did effect me. We celebrated my brothers birthday, and when we were going to watch a movie all together, while eating his cake, I had to eat alone in the dining room. I didn't really enjoy this, and when I went out to get the cake I had to shout through the door for them to shut off the T.V. My dad was reluctant to do so, because of some show or game on.

The themes of nature and simplification of life can be used today. Many people allow technology to stress them out. Technology can seem like a necessity in our society today, but in fact it is more of a luxury and we can forget this at times. By cutting down on technology we can release the stress that comes with it and allow for a simpler life. By relieving our lives of technology, we can start to become more aware of nature, and from this remember its a necessity for us. As Emerson had said, "Every sweet has its sour, every evil its good." This can be related to technology, in our own basic lives. Technology as much as it can make life simpler it can also be bad for us, if we take it for granted. This can not only be applied to society as whole but to my own individual life.

day 4,5,6

blogging now to pretty much sum up my entire weekend. On thurs i was going to try and not watch tv or eat meat. I had steak for dinner and hot dogs for dinner on friday. that is just one of those things i couldnt really resist. it is too big apart in my life to take away. I also said i was going to give up tv, but i broke that today while watching the giants choke themselves to death handing the eagles a division clinch. That completely ruined my day, maybe if i didnt watch it they would have won? who knows. Anyways i played xbox on saturday uncontionsly, just kinda walked in and turned it on without giving it a second thought. So guess i cant really survive without my normal day to day things.

Day 6

Living with less heat has not been that bad all week, but today was probably the worst. Sundays are always football days, which means I'm sitting in my living room, the coldest room in the house, for long periods of time. It became cold enough to wear a sweatshirt while sitting on my couch. Anyway the Transcendentalist quote that I chose is "Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing,"by Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote embodies my week because everyone takes having heat for granted. During this week I learned that we should be happy that heat is so easily available to most people in our society. Less than 100 years ago many people had to huddle around fires or live the winter in coldness. Because of heat we are able to prevail through even the harshest winters.

Day 5&6

I missed blogging yesterday because I was christmas shopping and didn't get back till almost 11:00. By then I was tired so I watched some Billy Madison and went to bed. Today is sunday and aI was amazed at the EAGLES comback win over the giants!!!!!!!!!! After the game I went to 5 guys burger and fries with Mike and Patrick then headed from there to curtis for bowling. Emily Dickson's poems are still popular today because there are some people that like poetry. "Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." this is one of Thoreau's quotes. It relates to my life this week because I said I was not going to play my gamecube and i haven't.

Sunday 12/19

Today I had to work, I work at a coffee shop so obviously it was hard not being able to drink or eat anything at the shop since mostly everything has either milk or some of the pastries have egg. I must say it was torture. I wanted to eat everything and knowing I couldn't only made it worse. But it was busy so it took my mind off of things for a while. After work I went to a friend's house to eat dinner and they were eating pork. Of course. So I ate apple sauce and everything they had that didn't have any animal products in it. I'm glad this project is almost over.

Day 6?

well today was a good day. didnt play any xbox, i watched football all day and i am very happy the Eagles Beat the giants (again). Emily Dickensons poems are still popular today because they were mostly about death and imortality. people read her poems to help deal with losses of loved ones.

Saturday 12/18

When I woke up in the morning I went downstairs and like normal I went to have some cereal although this time without milk. I'm kinda missing meat. I miss not having to think about what I want to eat. But there are only a few more days left and I will feel good knowing that I was able to do it.

Friday 12/17

I forgot to blog on Friday... So on Friday I was getting better. I was getting used to what I could and couldn't eat. It was always on my mind and I wasn't getting sick of it yet. Except at the end of the day I was on my way to bio and someone offered me beef jerkey in the hall way and without realizing it I put it in my mouth. But I quickly realized what I was doing and I spit it out.

Day 6 - The Hardest Day

Last night and today were definately the most difficult days of my week. Almost every Saturday night I watch a movie and as I was eating dinner last night that craving for the screen creeped up on me. To make matters worse, "Them" came in on Netflix. I felt myself learing towards the TV, my eyes flicking in the direction of the family room. But, after telling myself that Thoreau would not approve, I finally veered away from the television.

But, alas, today I let down Henry. I was out Christmas shopping at Dicks and of course the Eagles Giants game was on every flat screen in view. I was trying to ignore the exciting HD, when suddenly everyone in the check out line let out a bunch of yells and I couldn't help it. I looked up and there was the reciever scoring a touchdown! I mean, how could I look away, when every shopper's eyes were transfixed on DeSean Jackson's legs flying down the field? I am dearly sorry Mr. Thoreau, but this is was inevitable trap.

In the context of the times, Transcendenalist themes meant getting in touch with nature, whereas today they mean "going green." Transcendentalists back then were poets and writers, whereas today the modern Transcendentalists is most likely referred to as a "hippy."

"Don't waste yourself in rejection, nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The quote represents my week as a Transcendentalist. I learned to not hang on my craving for television, and instead avert my attention in the direction of something else. Once I got over not being able to watch, I was actually very happy with the time I had for other things.

Friday, Saturday, and Today......sorry :)

Well I am not very good at this maybe next time I will simplify in another way. Let's start with Friday. I ate unpackaged food and was good with all of that. My walk? I did not go on an exact walk except for walking with people down to the cows and back but at least I was able to go see the boys win their game that night! So hopefully school spirit will make up for that. Emerson and Thoreau's themes, in context of the times, meant that material progress is unnecessary to live happily. Through their writings they both proved this. Most obviously in Walden Thoreau showed how the simplistic way he lived was enough for anyone to live like.

On Saturday I was able to finally take a walk with Beef, my dog. It was really nice and relaxing even though I was really tired. Even though I see them all the time I loved accidently walking up on a rabbit. When it saw me it got scared and scurried under all the branches that used to be full green bushes and the dog freaked out a little bit but it was safe from Beef. I did a round-a-bout on the field and got to the edge of the road and was able to see my neighbor's horses running around blowing out steam into the cold air and saw my neighbors putting up christmas lights and I said hello and went back home and it was a successful walk. Technology clutters our lives because with all the stuff that is going on around we find the need to always be on it and people find the need to have to get the next new thing and it is very overwhelming at times. Technology simplifies our lives at the same time because connections to our friends and all the answers in the world are at our fingertips or our ears and it expands our lives so much. I for one find it sad sometimes to see how much people are relying on technology and turning their backs on nature and other things but that is my opinion.

Today I ate good again and I went on a walk in a different field from what I normally do. All of the cows raced to the edge of the fence and watched me the whole time when I went by the first time and as I went back even more had congregated around to watch me walk. I didn't think it was that interesting but they always are nosy and curious. I feel like this weekend was not that cold and I missed the extra cold on Friday so I feel lucky. After reading Emerson and Thoreau my perspective on life has not exactly changed but it makes me think more. I have always agreed with what they say but what does that do if I don't act more on it? I completely agree with the importance of being yourself and being with nature so nothing really changed but it makes me think about that a little bit more and what I could do.

Day 6 walden Week

"All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man had taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

This quote is highly significant to my life this week. I t is true that anyone can do something once or make a grand gesture. However, what separates ordinary people from extraordinary people is the ability to commit to your work and make more than a single step. The first day of the experiment was easy, with days getting harder to follow but eventually shorter. Looking back on the week i am proud of my determination and i see how each day is magnified in importance like the great steps of masters. My first day of the experiment is a testament to human willpower and confidence in success. Good night and good luck.

little miracles

Transcendental it wasn't, but I enjoyed the little miracle my Philly Eagles delivered today. I got bogged down with writing college rec letters and some family obligations today, so I didn't go for a long walk as planned. Also, didn't cook for tomorrow's lunch, but took the "simpler" path to Whole Earth Market and bought a vegan salad to share ;) ... See you tomorrow when we'll finish up the projects, process this week a bit and start on Emily's poetry.

Omgosh what a night

Today is the day next to the last day of this experiment! Here in the U.S. it has been great unlike Canada, where we say eh. Let me update you on what went on yesterday... no snacking.... so i didnt give in even though it was the weekend. Today is going to be another extremely easy day of not snacking since i slept through breakfest. My three meals today will occur over a shorter time so i wont be hungry inbetween, which is good because i have almost gone a whole week without snacking. Emily Dickinsons poems are unlike my life this week. Her poems are diverse in their meanings, which is why they are still popular today. Emily dickinsons themes equal Santa. Her poems themes will also apply todays world and always bee there. there isnt much to say any more since this experiment was gotten easier as the week has progressed. So im got and over.

One more day!

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness."-Henry David Thoreau
I thought this quote definitly was able to be related to my life this week. Everything has actually become simpler ever since i simplified my life. This quote has come true for me, and it was in a good way that I definitly benefited from :)
Day six whoop whoop! Haha this project is actually becoming very easy. I have no urges to break any of the rules. It only adds to my frustration of my short term memory when i can't remember the stuff i'm not supposed to do though. Today I was kept busy by Christmas shopping, homework and youth group. Fun day :)

5 Down 2 to Go

Emily Dickenson's poems are still popular today, because their themes can still be applied to our society today even though she lived in a completly different time frame than us. Her themes within her works were mostly about her solitude, nature, and living in a state of want. Throughout her life she seldom left home, and she rarely had visitors. This was the cause of poems on Dickenson's loneliness, and natures influence on her.
Day five ended up being easy. I had work then my family and I ended up visiting relatives for the entire evening. So we didn't watch Tv or play any video games. The music part was tough to avoid though. My parents and other family members kept putting Christmas music on. I guess it was alright though because it wouldn't have been my first choice for enjoyment.

Days 4 & 5, oops

Ok, so i missed yesterday to the crazy amount of stuff going on so im doing a double post thingy here. The past two days have been good in terms of keeping up with drinking only water except for 1 tiny exception. Staturday inbetween soccer games the team went back to someones house, i had gatorade and hot chocolate, the fact that it wasnt water didnt even cross my mind until later, it just happened. Friday on the other hand was a good day and i had stuck to it pretty well. No problems there.

My view on the world has changed from thinking about the themes of Emerson and Thoreau. Both of these Transcendentalist thinkers have made their impact on the world, but i think that Thoreau has impacted me more personally. The idea of living simpler, that if the world at large decided not to use as much fuel for 1 week, could save so many people and animals so much. Now imagine, almost 7 billion people not driving a car for 1 week, just one week would save an ungodly amount of fuel. Now although this may seem unrealistic if you think smaller and on a wider scale it is possible.

Technology is the clutter of modern times, but it is also the life saver to many. The simplification of life as a result of technology has made both a positive and negative impact on the world at large. Cell phones, for example, have made it possible to run a buisness from anywhere, message multiple people at once, and talk to someone around the world from a device that fits in the palm of your hand. The downside is people relying on this to stay in contact instead of face to face communications. The positives definately outway the negatives in the technolgy is bad argument and this is why people still use it today.

Food For Thought

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.
-- Henry David Thoreau

OMG!

one can only imagine that hardships ive been going through, No tv or computer? more like no fun and no life.
i read the news paper for thefirst time in my life today. Congress repealedthe "dont ask dont tell" motto for the army whic is a great step for egalitarianism in America. good for us :)
This project helped me understand why people read emily dickensons poems; they were really really bored, and the tv wasnt invented yet. i understand that her works were the greatest of a female for her time, but still.... probably not something i would do in my free time. not terriblepoems though :)
as a final note. i heard from a friend that the most recent episode of THE OFFICE was a reapeat and i didnt miss a thing! over all good day.

Lady Gaga breaks her leg golfing

Day 5
This is my first blog from Canada, and I am fearing for my life in this tundra with about one foot of snow on the ground.
The only Homework that I did today was 5 minutes of reading in a car during the day so no possible candle use there.
And drinking only local drinks... well did i mention that I'm in Canada.. So instead of giving further explanation I will simply list the drinks that I had today:
Hot chocholate
Milkshake
iced tea
water (tap) ( oh yeah)
Slushy
So... i did drink some tap water. this just shows how hard it is to live simply now a days sorry Emerson... Its tough
Emerson said that a truly great person can act for them selves (as if they were alone) in society.(not exact quote because I did not have the resources here. This quote relates to my life very much. lets use today as an example: Today I was eating breakfast sipping hot chocholate when my father and brother both ordered a milkshake. I craved that milkshake partly because of the deliciousness but probably party because I wished to fit in. I ended up sharing the shakes but this shows that I could learn something from Emerson and should try to apply this to my life.

Day 5

Today I was not in my house that long, mostly because of Christmas shopping, so I did not really experience anything different than any of the other days. Last night though I did sleep with all 3 of my blankets on. The reason Emily Dickinson's poems are still popular today are because her poems were written mainly about simple, yet beautiful things in nature that transcend time. Her poems' subjects were and still are easily recognizable. This aspect helps her poems transcend time and have cemented her legacy as one of the best poets ever. A few of Emily Dickinson's themes were love, death, and nature overall. Emily used these themes in very unusual ways which made her poems quite entertaining to read. Because of these themes she was, and is thought of as very original and authentic.

day five

Being separated from facebook is finally starting to get to me. I honestly don't care THAT much, but it's kinda bugging me not being able to check it. The texting thing on the other hand is making me anxious. I think I have compulsive texting disorder :)

Technology clutters our lives because we let it control our lives! Back when I would spend 1+ hour on facebook, I would literally get nothing else done. No homework would be done, nothing productive. It simplifies our lives by being convenient. It's so simply these days to communicate with someone who lives across the world, thanks to technology.

Day five of Experiement

The whole day has been hard on my willpower. When i woke up, i ate breakfast and immediately went upstairs to play x box. However, i remembered my experiment and instead chose to compose a culinary article. My brother has also been teasing me that i cant play Xbox and it can be aggravating. I believe that Emily Dickinson's poems are so popular today because they are  very diverse and varied, and detailed. Many modern readers like fresh ideas and themes so the variety is appealing.Some of her themes concern natural, secular and more spiritual material.

The Walden Week Experiment: Day 4 and 5

The Walden Week Experiment: day 4"

Friday is today and it is particularly hard to not game on the Xbox. However, i studied tests and homework even though i felt a drive to play. My friends text ed me to play many times and it stung to deny their requests. My perspective of peoples actions and lives have changed after reading Thoreau. It makes sense when he wrote that many people act in conformity because it is harder to be self reliant. This makes the daily lives of people make more sense in relation to society at large.

Day 5

Today it was not that tempting to listen to music or to play xbox because of was working and cooking for most of the day. I worked for about 6 hours from 11:00 to 5:00 and then cooked for another 2 hours after. Tomorrow might be different because I have nothing to do except watch TV or something.

Ms. Damron Day 5

I was supposed to go to NYC today, but had a change of plans. The day was very busy, but I manged to stick to the vegan diet and to go for a short walk. I really had to drag myself out to take the walk, but once I got out there, it was nice. I almost ate some cashews, but realized that they had butter on them -- strange. I will try making a vegan dish for the faculty lunch on Monday -- not sure what, so I'll be checking my cookbooks tomorrow. I can't wait to start Emily D next week. I really love her poems and I love seeing the poems that are produced by students during the unit.  Bye for now.

day 5

today was not all that hard not playing xbox considering i wasnt home all day. ive been out all day shoping (so Boring). So for the rest of the night i will watch movies that are on tv.
Emerson and Thoreaus themes Mean to live without all the fancy things in life. the first people that come to mind that does this are the amish people.

12/18 day 5

today was so boring and i did nothing. after yesterday i began feeling under the weather and did nothing but watch tv and sleep for most of the day. I really didn't need my glasses to see though, i have gotten used to seeing fuzzy outlines on people. I don't have much to write about what i did today for i did nothing productive and it was i guess a relaxing day.

Emily dickinson's poems are so popular today because her poems have many ways that they can be interpreted by.Her themes are in flowers and gardens, master poems,death and gospel poems. Her poems have such a wide variety of themes that her work is not considered one genre.

12/17 day 4

I forgot to blog yesterday because I was so tired after taking my little cousin to giggleberry fair last night and then walking around Pettlers village. It wasn't bad yesterday, but I only wore my glasses for one of my classes then forgot to wear them the rest of the day. Then on top of that after i got off the bus I realized that I forgot my glasses at school. My hair wasn't so bad that day because i woke up earlier to straighten it. Now all week I'm going to see everything all fuzzy and burry.

Transcendentalist themes ment in the context of times were to better ones self to connect with god directly rather then through religion in church.

Ok I quess this is day one for my class. ive been trying to decide on what to give up all day. I thought about trying something new like meditating but i dont see how i can write about that. So i decide to give up.... my xbox, its something that i play alot. When ever i get a new game i almost play it every other day. I choose this because i havent played it in two days anyways, so i might as well just keep that up. it not as bad as i thought, but when i goten bored i wanted to play it but couldent. Such things as reading and drawing have keep me ok. this also gives me more time in my day to do extra studying if needed. Tomorrow should be esay considering im going cristmas shopping.

Day 3,4, and 5

My computer decided not to live for half the week so this post is a catch up. Day 3 was the cross country banquet at Olive Garden and I accidently took a sip of this "male version" of a shirley temple. At first I didn't realize my slip, but then I looked at Juli and confessed my failure. But then on day 4 I refrained from anything but tap water for redemption. Day 5, today, was a doozy. I was baking Christmas cookies with my mom and sister, does "cookies and milk" ring a bell? I love food and have a huge sweet tooth, freshly made cookies with milk is one of God's holiest creations. The temptation was too powerful and I folded, fast. And to top it all off, since I haven't had any microwave troubles, I completely forgot about it and heated up some left-over wonton soup. I didn't even realize the mistake until two minutes ago.

Emily Dickinson's poems are still so popular today because her themes of nature, love, faith/doubt, pain, and death are still very much pondered today. All of her powerful messages are timeless because those vast subjects will never be forgotten. My perspective has not changed in a hugely significant way from reading Thoreau and Emerson, I have just become even more aware. More aware of how much others' influence and manipulate their fellow people around them. It has expressed how individualism is rare and how much more it is cherished in today's world. Technology clutters our lives because it consumes so much time we could be using for better things. Cell phones are used for texting 24/7 and computers contain websites, like facebook, that become an addiction. Yet, the same things simplify our lives. It is way easier to contact people and communicate with emails and calls. Communication makes everything simpler. No longer do we have to cook over a fire, we can simply pop it in the microwave or oven, whichever you prefer.

Day 4 and 5

I was so busy yesterday that I didn't have time to blog. Normally on Friday afternoons, I like to relax. I enjoy sitting down to watch TV and letting all the business of that week fall away. But, that was not an option. Also, last night I had to babysit for these two little girls. I was really nervous that they were going to want to watch a movie or something and that I would have to tell them not to. And when they asked why, I would say have to start explaining to them the simplistic values of Thoreau, which would most likely not go over very well. Thankfully, the TV was not touched (even though I kind of wanted to.) Life without TV is actually really boring. Normally when I'm finished with my homework, I watch but now that is not the case. Instead, I roam the house annoying my parents because, unlike them, I have nothing to do. Actually, since giving up TV, I have been on my computer more often, what I like to call the "placebo" for my addiction. I guess when you give up something, you always somehow replace it.

Technology clutters our lives in the sense that it is one more distraction to keep us away from what really needs to be done. It makes us lazy. Think about when you turn on the computer to write an essay, what's the first thing you do? Check facebook? For me it's open up iTunes or Pandora. But then again, technology simplifies our lives by making tasks quick and simple. Nowadays, you can check your email, upload pictures, purchase music, and chat with friends all on the same device at the same time. It's crazy stuff, that technology...

Day Five

I know that it is extremely early to be posting for day five but i will not be able to post later since i am extremely busy. As of right now it got a little harder for the weekend but its still early. As this experiment comes to an end i feel like i can answer this question my perspective on the world has definately changed as a result of reading emerson and thoreau. By just giving up snacking i feel like i have more energy since i am eating healthier. As a result of having more engery i get more done in a day, thank god becasue i wish a day sometimes had liuke 26 hours in it. My perspective has changed because i always that if i wanted to help make the world a cleaner place it would take a big event but from this small experiment i saw that it has a bigger effect on me than i thought. So this would work for making the world a cleaner place. That is how my perspective has changed and maybe now i will help make the world a cleaner place. I guess we will have to see. That is all i have to say since it is still early i havent faced many challenges of the weekend snacking yet, but i will inform you all tomorrow.

Day 4

I dont know how this question is different then one of the other ones but anyway thoreaus themes mainly consisted of simplicity and some more simplicity. Which is why i am on day four of not snacking. I feel like i am repeating myself for answering this question but i have to answer one everyday. Anyway friday was another easy day since i was so busy. After school i went home and played xbox (no one was on which sucked since like everyone gave it up) and then mad emy own dinner so it was good i could eat whenever i was hungrey i didnt even have to worry about snacking. Then i went to the girls basketball game which was so intense that i couldnt even leave my seat to go get skittles. Good thing becasue then i would have broke my experiment. There isnt much to say for friday since it was such an easy day. We will have to see how day five plays out. Avoir

Day 4 OH YEAH!

Today i did absolutely no homework which was great and easy! After yesterday... I stuck to my simplified drinking habits. At lunch a dame by the name of Danielle Lelie purchased an iced tea for me. After I reminded her that I could not have it she opened it...waved in in front of my nose... and drank it... (cruel)! However, Thoreau would have been proud of my simplicity.
As a result of reading Emerson and Thoreau my views of the world have changed significantly. The Transcendentalists themes of these writes combined with their common ideas have changed my views of the world. I now realize that life doesn't have to be dogmatic, there is room for change. I now know that just because society doesn't accept something you do, doesn't mean that it is not great. I now realize that life should not be so structures, focusing on a career is not necessary, the true necessity is to have time to appreciate the world around me.

Day 4

Today i was preoccupied with my chores and my homework so there wasnt much time to spend thinking about my gamecube...well... now i just remember about it. So now i really wanna play it right now. This project is only easy if you are occupied with something else. Like school or homework. Since it it freezing cold, going outside is bad unless you want to catch frostbite. As a result of reading Emerson and Thoreau i realized that simplifying life would make everything easier.

Day 4

Today was worse than the last week, because I actually had time where I would have normally watched TV. I came home and instantly wanted to relax in front of the TV after a long week of school, but I couldn't. I keep feeling more and more boring as the days go on without jewelry or any designs on my clothes.

It is weird that technology makes our lives easier but also more stressful. Take social networks for example, they make it easy to contact people far away, but it can also lead to misunderstandings and disagreement (sarcasm can't be expressed on the internet easily). Technology can make work easier, but also harder to focus on and can distract us easily. It can calm us and frustrate us, basically it can be positive and negative.

Halfway There (Day 4)

I found some pretty colors to write in finally. So today i decided that I'm gonna give up my music.... this is gonna be sooooo tough for me. I already got annoyed today because I couldn't sit down and watch Tv with my dad like we always do on friday nights :( It's a good thing this project isn't longer than a week.....
My perspective has definitly changed since reading Thoreau and Emerson. I have definitly gained some more respect for nature and it's beauty. Emerson taught me to have more drive to become who I am, and have more self-reliance rather than being a follower of the society's ways. Thoreau has taught me that simplifying my life can actually be beneficial. Also that nature has amazing beauty and deserves to be appreciated more often. These realizations made by Emerson and Thoreau have definitly helped my life, and this project has been beneficial so far :)

Ms. Damron Day 4

I had a great walk today -- it didn't feel cold and I stopped and listened a lot. I took my camera, so maybe I can figure out how to post some pictures this weekend. I watched a big buck cross a brook and then he saw me and we looked at each other for what seemed like half a minute before he decided to run, white tail flashing. There is so much life even in a winter forest. As Thoreau said, "There was something cosmical about it... the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world." I'm thinking that the walks are the best part -- maybe I'll keep it up. I think it is really interesting that a few minor changes have actually made me more "awake" to life -- just breaking out of routines sort of forces me to think about what I am doing more, you know?

Day 4

I have to admit today in my family room I could finally feel the change in temperature. I wasn't freezing but my fingers were cold and so were my socked feet. Living life with less heat for the past three days has really showed me how important electric and gas heat is in our lives. The winter would be so much harder if we were shivering and freezing inside our houses in 20 degree weather. After reading Thoreau and Emerson my perspective of the world has change a little bit. I realize now that there is more clutter in our lives than we need. In advancing life we have hurt certain good aspects in life. This has led to in extreme cases depression and even suicide. Suicide rates have gone up in the past century and many of them can be linked to new technology and advancements. Even though technology helps us in so many ways it can also damage our lifestyle.

day 3&4

i forgot to post yesterday so i will answer two questions in this post. today hasnt been that difficult without xbox. i just got home from school and i have decided to watch a movie on demand. this will keep me busy for a while until i can do something. my perspective on the wolrd has changed after reading Emerson, and Thoreau's ideas. i have realized that the world has become lazier and has come up with inventions that make life alot easier, but we dont nessesarily need.
Thoreaus main theme was to life your life simpily. he showed this by going to live in the woods for a while living only on nessecities.

Day 4&5 and it's not going fast enough

I forgot to blog yesterday, so I will be answering two questions: 1. How was your perspective on the world changed as a result of reading Thoreau and Emerson? 2. Why do you think Emily Dickinson's poems are still popular today? Discuss her themes.

My outlook on the world, I do believe changed. It changed by me being more aware of things in the world. It also made me realize that the world use to think in very simiplified ways compared to today's world. Such as they use to hang out with their friends and not sit inside. To where we, are those who sit inside by ourselves and find amusement from technology.

I think Emily Dickinson's poems are still popular today because have very meaningful themes such as death, love, and nature. These topics are still relevant in today's world because many age groups still deal with these problems. The many age groups will be dealing with these problems for years to come. Wether they are easier at times or more difficult.

It hasn't been that difficult without facebook because it truly is a pointless website that people start drama on and off. I am highly considering when I get back on to facebook, on Tuesday, to disable my account. Facebook and other websites such as twitter, blogger, and youtube are superficial and unnecessary. But this week without my ipod has been a very difficult week. I realized that my life pretty much revolves around my ipod. I say this because when I'm upset, mad, or in a dancing mood, I pull my ipod out to deal with my mood.

Day 3

So at least I know when I'm older I'll have good vision. I've been eating soooo many carrots, whenever I can't eat meat I always seem to find my way to carrots. It's not THAT bad, but now that I can't have any kind of animal product I seem to want it more! But it'll get easier. And I'm finding a lot of other things to eat that don't have to do with meats or anything and it is all so much healthier.

Day 3

Day three has only gotten harder. looking at my xbox in my room only makes me want to play it more. so i decided to remove it from my room. but latly i have been more productive with my life. facebook has not really been a problem its easy to avoid going on. but i cant wait untill the week end when i dont have school work to do , it is not going to be easy.the themes today are only fallowed by very few. most people dont want to simplify their lives because that would be hard for them . i have come to the conclusion society is becoming lazy and that is why the themes of thoreau and emerson are diminishing.

Day 4

Separation from facebook is becoming a big problem, even though I hate facebook, I still have urges to go on and check it. Whenever I open the internet, my initial reaction is to type in 'facebook' but I'm coping. Hahahaha. Anyways, the texting thing is still a realllllly big problem. Yeah.

"As if you could kill time without injuring eternity." -Henry David Thoreau.

Day 3 already?

Ok found the new post button thats nice.

Day 3 has gotten even easier. It seems that because we have no more juices or milk or the like for lack of a grocery run that i havent really noticed me not drinking anything but water. I definately think though it will be harder this weekend as i am going to be on the go for most of it. No gatorade+soccer game=unhappy me. I will try though. In the context of today, Emerson and Threau's themes still hold true, mostly. Yes, the idea of living simpler and without the clutter of everyday life seems like a good idea but if the work world suddenly stopped using email, and the interwebs, and the smartphone, the global economy would fall apart, buisnesses would default and foreclose, and the world as we know it would crash and burn. Yes, technology clutters our lives and the idea of living simply is still a good one, but it is a less realistic idea than it was in Emerson or Thoreau's time.

Day 3

It was easy today not to play my gamecube. Been busy with school, then bowling, then a party so was not at home. During the week it seems real easy because i'm usually occupied with school or homework. Just hoping I can last the weekend. Usually not much to do now because of this freezing weather. Thoreau and Emerson's themes are not used much. Only a few people still follow the themes they told. Not really many people want to simply their life because then work would be harder and it would tske hours more to finish one job.

Day 3

Again today I feel very plain and simple, and I feel almost bored of myself. I hate not being able to wear jewelry, I like wearing something that I know no one probably owns. I miss my coral bracelet, my rings and my strange earrings. I also and running out of completely blank shirts to wear, because I like wearing patterns and interesting designs. I just feel so dull and uninteresting!

Thoreau and Emerson's themes can be applied today, especially with the environmental crisis. It is interesting to see that during that time period, they had trouble with the environment as well. Their ideas about preserving and understanding the importance of the environment is an influence on many environmentalist groups, working to save our environment today.

Day 3 of My Exiperment

Emerson and Thoreau's ideas, I believe would be hardly visible or known in todays world. I believe this because no one really believes in Transcendenalist ideas.

The third day of my experiment was not that bad considering I didn't have INT (for my Ipod). Facebook hasn't been bad at all the past two days because I've had basketball and school work to do. But tonight was a different situation because I had late practice tonight and did my homework before hand. So I am now extremely bored and want to go on facebook because of it. But to be honest I don't miss it that much. It actually thinking about it is a superficial uneccessary item to live and I'm thinking about disabling my account on tuesday. But without having my Ipod has been a huge problem for me; I realize this because my life is surrounded pretty much around my Ipod. I can not wait to get my Ipod back on Tuesday to listen to it for hours.

Day 3! oh shoot!!!!

Emerson and Thoreau's themes have changed more significantly in today's context. There themes of simplicity have become much more significant with all of the new technology such as cars, electronics, and much, much more. It would be nice if everyone could become a little more simple. It would help the world (go green) and it would be great for a persons well being!
Well not much homework was required to be done tonight so that was fine... HOWEVER, In terms of the drinking only locally produced liquids...well...you see.... So there is was, Sitting at the bowling alley starving out of my mind, when an idea stumbled upon my mind! Why not get some wings I said to myself! So I got come wings and was consuming them when a great thirst stumbled upon me! The water fountain was broken and I had no choice but to purchase the beverage made from the best stuff on earth... SNAPPLE! If i had not had the Snapple I might have died! This shows how difficult it is to live simple and how if more people used Thoreau's ideas, the would would be a simpler, better place!
When I returned home that night i suffered from dehydration. I ran out of Apple cider and without the 'tastiness' of beverages, the will to drink is gone! :(

3rd time is the charm

This day marks the third day i have not logged on or played the Xbox 360. Excuse me if i am piggybacking on what kyle said, but I find myself in the same state as Campbell now. I find myself busy with other things and playing does not seem as significant to me. While i see it was an important amount of time i used while playing, more time for other matters seem like a more logical use of time. My brother is currently gaming upstairs but i don't care nearly as much as i would've a few days ago. Emerson's and Thoreau's themes are very relevant in the context of today. My life is more simple now as my tasks are more educationally oriented. This simplicity leads to less stress as i would be arguing with my brother over who gets to play Fallout: New Vegas if i was still gaming. Simplicity has a place today in all situations where over-complication can lead to stress and loss of happiness in the individual.

12/16 day 3

Another day come and gone without my contacts or hairdryer and it hasn't been so bad. I fixed my glasses with the help of the FAB-BLU-US Mrs. Damron, but the tape makes the glasses look weird. My glasses are fixed, i guess that's all that matters. This morning I woke up late and didn't get to do a good job of straightening my fizzed up hair. I need to learn to get up earlier.

Technology clutters our lives because we rely on it so much sometimes like for communication, to get information, or for entertainment. Technology can consume our lives and over crowd us. It can simplify our lives because it can make talking to people over seas easier and talking to friends and family. also with video chat people can talk face to face to family or friends they can't seen as much as they would like.

Busy Day Yet Again...

Today, Emerson's and Thoreau's themes can still be applied. Their themes show to be more of another way of saying "lets go green". They had the main idea of simpifying their life more to be more in contact and harmony with mother nature, and that is what we can do if we use less technology. Not so hard is it?
Ok so today was pretty busy, I didn't have any time to sit down and watch Tv or play video games, so no problem there. I'm considering giving up my music too along with that. My music seems to be like a drug for me, and it might have an even bigger impact. I don't know 'bout it yet but i'm considering it. I'll decide tomorrow...

Llyod is a Liar! Anyway Day 3

Before i start my blog i just wanted to say llyod i was looking forward to Justin Beiber and did read anything about him! whats that about? Well today was the easiest day of the challenge, it just keeps getting easier. I think i officially got over that bump. I honestly don't think that this will be much of a challenge anymore but we will see. The reason it is getting easier is because i had the urge at bowling to eat fries again but i don't have any money so i cant get anything anyway and when i come home i eat dinner right away so there is no problem there. The biggest problem is dessert but i just have to eat enough dinner to fill me to i get too tired! The transcendentalist themes meant in their time and our time today mean simplicity simplicity simplicity! This definitely applies to me and my giving up snacks for a week, because i am simplifying my life to 3 meals a day an nothing else. It is not a huge simplicity of my life but it definitely simplifies it. That's all for today, cya