Proposal, Only the Beginnings

   Lack of family unity has become a problem in the United States, because it results in unhappy people who strive for a false sense of independence.

Problem:
   Family life within the U.S. has dulled over time, but not as noticeably from the current emphasis on individuality and technology. The push for individuality initiates the pull away from the family, because the individual is trying to find him/herself. Technology only reinforces this concept by allowing people to act on their own.

Solution:
   Policy/Practical- create a movement at the national governmental level to push for "family time" towards the end of the day, when the family has a chance to come together. This movement and advocacy from the governmental level would not be enforced due to the sheer difficulty of the thought of it, nor would there be physical incentives, because of the size of the group it would apply to. People would be shown the positives of this behavior and could choose to follow it.

   Research- look into the direction families are headed and why. Using this information and records of family life in the past to bring to light the path families are headed and what the causes are.

   Media- make a hit television show that would glorify the benefits of working together as a family unit. With the advancements in technology, television shows could be seen on a television, or online via various methods, making it available to a wide variety of people.

Secret of the Gothic 2.0

TO: Mikayla Beaudrie, ENC1101 Teacher

FROM: Mark Tracz

DATE: June 27, 2014

SUBJECT: Challenge Check-in #2

Reflecting on what I am currently going through and connecting it back to the Gothic, has only reinforced the bleak nature of my situation- something I did not think was further possible. When I think back to the days before this all started, I remember what it felt like to have control over my emotions. Now my mood cycles faster than a wind turbine in the midst of a tornado.

Research

My "research" has been life experience. I have not had to pursue additional research, because I am the point person in my story. Rather, shall I clarify and say I am the main point person. Most stories told include more than just one person, and my story is no exception. In fact, I am one of two main characters in my story.

Story for the Gothic at Heart

The event I am going to write about is currently unfolding, but originates back to my freshman year. There are many connections between this and the Gothic, none more so evident than misery and loneliness. -Wait, but Mark, why do you not work to change your situation? If you do not like the situation you are in, there is always something you can do to change it. Great question, while I experience self loathing on the daily, I have also experienced something that is difficult to describe. This "feeling" is a mixture of joy, comfort, warmth, and trust. And it is this feeling that visits me every so often, that keeps me steadfast.-

With my aforementioned reflecting, I finally feel ready to begin writing. I have even recently talked to some of my friends about what action to take, if any, with regard to my situation. So far, the consensus is to wait. I guess carpe diem can take a backseat to my wishful thinking.

Blogspot #3: Weighing the Cauldron Against the Sword

   I cannot say I remember too much about the movie, but there is one movie from my childhood I remember to this day that applies to my current setting. Back in middle school, I went to visit my state capitol Springfield on a field trip. On the way to the capitol, the movie, The Black Cauldron, was playing in the background. Despite that I could not see it well from my seat, I have a bad habit of getting distracted by movies or television shows, and looked up every so often to steal a glance.

   One particular moment when I looked up to watch the movie, I saw a scene that intrigued me. The main character (a boy) was given the offer to trade a powerful sword he found, for the black cauldron, which a villain was hoping to use and rule the world with. Now here's the tricky part, the cauldron could only be destroyed with the sword, or have its magic nullified by someone sacrificing his/her life. So in giving up the sword, he would be giving up the easy way to destroy the cauldron and in taking the cauldron, (to prevent it from being taken by the villain) he is accepting that someone will have to die to protect the world.

   Now, I do not see myself in the same situation, bartering my magic sword for a pot that has enough power to change the world, but I do however have my own tough decision with no easy answer. I would discuss this more, but this ties into my writing choice for the challenge prompt "Glamorizing My Gothic". I will however shed some more light on it: imagine the sword is my pride and the cauldron is something that has the possibility to make my world better or worse. The setting this offer takes place in, within the movie, is also key. The sky is dark, mirroring the looming decision the protagonist has to make, and the impossibility of the situation.

Glamorizing my Gothic 1.0

   I'm not one to take a gothic approach to my life, but throughout the course of 20 years, I've definitely gone through some rough patches along the way, with a couple I am currently going through. To give an example of how my life relates to the gothic, I will discuss something I am currently experiencing.

   Before doing so, I want to make sure I capture exactly what it is I am feeling and experiencing to convey it properly. In order to do so, I will write my thoughts down and keep periodic track of both a timeline of events and my reaction to them. That's the best way for me to accurately recall what happened and relay it properly. Once I have written enough notes down to form concrete thoughts and knowledge on it, I will translate my notes into a coherent work to add here towards the end of the summer.

   In my opinion, back stories are key components to understanding an individual's behavior. This specific story I have in mind roots back to when I first came to college, that has since caught up to my present. Had this story had a positive end, I would not be able to consider it within the genre of gothic, but as this ending is predetermined (to a point), I know the outcome is at best, bittersweet.

Blogpost #2: Flashbacks From a Recent Past

   Setting: This is my last full day being a senior in high school in May, 2012. I am pictured sitting next to my AP (Advanced Placement) Statistics teacher Mr. Lyons, who I had the pleasure of seeing every day Monday-Friday from ~12:45-1:30 PM.

My senior year of high school, I opted to take an extra class instead of having a lunch period. With that said, I still needed to find time to eat in the day. The time during my statistics class is when I generally grew the hungriest, and it happened to be the most convenient class to eat in, still within the normal lunch time. So at least 4 out of the 5 school days, I brought some sort of lunch ranging from pb and j sandwiches to spaghetti. It became a bit of a running joke as to what I would bring and how subtle I tried to be about eating. School "policy" dictated no food in class, but as I was trying to be discrete and not disrupt class, and my teacher was great, it wasn't ever an issue. On the last day though, I had the idea to have a formal candle light dinner, pulling out all the stops. In my go big or go home mentality, I brought a table cloth and electronic candles to set the mood, an actual dinner plate with silverware, and a full entre consisting of spaghetti squash, broccoli, and french bread.

My quirky and victorious smile is a result of about 1/3 rebellion, 1/3 reactions from everyone else in my class, and 1/2 because of how happy I was to be eating tasty and healthy food in school. In case this wasn't clear, in Mark World, 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/2 = 1, I like to do my own math, which may be why I didn't get college credit from taking the class.

This will always be one of my many favorite memories of high school. I personally loved high school, it was to me like the golden age was to Ancient Greece- good. I don't think it would be outlandish to say this picture mirrors my high school experience, bright and positive, but shadowy around the teacher. Most of my teachers were great, but even the best of the best gave homework.

Blogpost #1: More Than Just a Mouthful

What is a "Family, Youth, and Community Science" (FYCS) degree and when does one decide he or she wants to major in family life 101? Well, I cannot speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself and what it means to me, along with why I chose it.                                                                                                                      

Family                                                                                                                                                      

   

-To say families are a one-mold-fits-all concept is to not understand families. To give just two examples of what I mean, you have the more traditional-based family as pictured on the left composed of a mother, father, and a child who love each other dearly; mirroring the love they share, the landscape is set against serene cherry blossom trees in full bloom. On the right is more of a nontraditional family style of people who are more different than night and day, which is further evident through their different clothes and hair styles; despite their differences, they managed to form a unit through shared experiences and struggles.

This is the beauty of families- no two are the same. Just like as these pictures show, my family is completely different, capturing its own style. My parents are recently divorced, a concept different from either of these pictures. When I found out this was happening, I think some part deep down inside of me lit up, and I realized I did not know much about family structures and factors that affect them. This was when I first became interested in this type of major.

Youth
                                                 

-This group of high school students truly represents unadulterated youth like no other. Through all their mishaps and the laughs and tears that ensue, these students in Ouran High School's Host Club learn what it means to grow up in a world they are just starting to understand. Between the bright color of their uniforms and the innocent look they all possess, no expense is spared to prove this is a tale of youth finding their way in this maze we call life. One of the interesting aspects of growing up, is no two people experience it the same way. Sensing a pattern yet? I like uniqueness. Two or more things, that while they may share similar aspects, are different. That is the main selling point an FYCS major brings to the table for me. Essentially FYCS focuses around the teaching and application of development, growth, and relationships; each of which are different for everyone.

Again, there is one more trend that should be noticeable by this point. Every picture I have used so far has been anime related. Like an FYCS degree, no anime is exactly the same. However, anime goes above and beyond that, each anime is created from scratch, with each aspect purposeful down to color and shape. That is not something you can find in "real people" shows. Yes, things may be purposeful, but each component was not created for the sole reason of being a character or object in that show. In anime, everything is from scratch and created for each individual story line, making each anime as unique as a fingerprint.

Community

                                      
-Living your own life, but working towards a common goal is at the center of community. Funeral Parlor, the group depicted above, shows seven people headed in the same direction. While every community does not have to be as fluid and cohesive as Funeral Parlor, they show what a community is capable of when in perfect sync. Their own personalities and styles are evident from the slight variations in their wear, but they maintain a theme to keep a sense of togetherness.

Originally, I am from Illinois. Growing up, my community consisted of the combination of my own family, along with two neighboring families. We bonded pretty fast, and before I was in high school, we were going on vacations together. By the time I reached high school, we had a rotation set up so that every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we would alternate which family would host dinner for everyone in our group and we would have a potluck. Some of the best experiences in my life have to do with my neighbors and the dinners we had. To this day, I still look forward to holidays when I can go back and have dinner with my neighbors.

I think learning about adolescent behavior and the inner workings of group dynamics, and using that knowledge to better others is cool, to put it simply. Each aspect of this degree holds a place in my heart. Whether it relates to my own life, brings uncertainty and a change of pace, or reminds me of my past, a Family, Youth, and Community Science degree is the degree for me. It all boils down to one moment though, the moment I knew I was in the right degree track. Right before my Intro to FYCS class was about to end, my teacher summed up what she thought about an FYCS degree, "The FYCS degree is the helping people degree."