Nothing Like Heaven- Peter's Story

The lives of the The Lost Boys in Sudan has been far from easy . Starting at a young age of four, Peter, a lost boy in the documentary "The Lost Boys of Sudan", had to take care of himself and keep himself alive. Peters village, like most Dinka Boys villages, were attacked by the Rebels in the civil war. For their own safety, they had to flee their homes and start a very long journey across the country with other Dinka boys with the same terrifying experiences as Peter to the refugee camps in Kenya. Many did not survive this journey because most people were attacked by African wildlife, starvation, thirst and exhaustion. Even though they were safe in the refugee camps, they still had a lack of food, medicine, electricity, education, and the camps were crowded. Some boys in the camps were migrated to America where they would get a job and send the money over to the the refugee camps in Kenya to help the people and Sudan. The boys saw this as a golden opportunity to start a new life and help start a new Sudan. They saw America as Heaven on earth. Little did they know what was really ahead of them in America.

Peters journey in the United States starts in Houston, Texas where he tried to get a job but was unsuccessful. Peter wanted to fit into the American society and to do that, Peter had to change his way of life by forgetting about his Sudan culture and learn a new one. He started by wearing basketball clothes, started to learn english, watched American TV to see what life was life in the U.S. But Peter also wanted an education. He knew he wouldn't be successful in achieving his goal in Houston so he moved to Kansas City. In Kansas, Peter was able to get into a public high school where he gained knowledge on schoolwork but also about American society. Peter also started joining in on things his friends did like go to parties, eat pizza, play basketball and get a girlfriend. Peter easily fit into his community but still has to face racism.

Peters boss believed that Peter could work in the hot sun for long hours in the heat because he was African and already sunburnt. Not just in work was there racism but at school. When Peter went to the counselor to talk about colleges, the counselor immediately thought that he should go to community collage and not the full four year collage because he believed Peter was not capable. Peter strongly believes in himself and proved that he was capable and the counselor was shocked of how well he had done through out the year. Also, when the counselor read Peters essay about his life, the counselor called its 'too sad to read' not realizing that Peters life in reality was struggling and 'sad'. On the streets, Peter was a different colored skin to the white Americans. He was much darker than the African Americans . Looking at Peter's skin color, people assumed he would hurt them or steal from them which Peter would never do. Peter just goes on with his life trying to block out the racism and showing the world how capable he really is.

But Peter had one major problem- being able to take care of himself all alone, go to work, do well in school, complete homework and pay his rent by himself. Peter's job had very little pay to pay the bills and for him to survive. On top of that, Peter had to send money to the people in Africa to help them survive as well. Lots of responsibility and pressure was on one 17 year old. Peters sister also complained that he did not call enough and he needed to send more money over. Peter had transferred into the American society so much that he had forgotten that he was meant to be helping the people in Africa such as his family. Peter overcomes this problem by promising his sister that he would try to send money over to his friends and family even if that meant he has to have less. Peters continues to concentrate on his schoolwork and to work hard. In the end, Peter finally graduates high school.

This is just one life of a Sudanese Lost Boy in America. Migrating to a new country and starting off with literally nothing isn't easy. Peter had to change himself into a new culture and a new life all by himself. Peter had been facing challenges alone all his life and in the United States, Peter had to face challenges alone with all the racism, pressure, responsibility and taking care of himself and his Sudanese people at the same time.

Julius Caesar: Caesar and Decius

Calpurnia has just begged Caesar to stay home because she has had a terrible dream which she understands to be an omen of bad fortune. Caesar has just given in to Calpurnia when Decuis shows up, to take Caesar to the Senate House, and Convinces Caesar otherwise. Decuis translates Calpurnia's dream to be one of good fortune and virtue, he tells Caesar that the Nobles plan to give him the crown on that day and if he does not show, they might change their minds. This convinces Caesar into leaving with Decuis to the Senate House.

This passage is significant because Decuis manipulates Caesar into going to the Senat House with him which leads to the death Caesar. Caesar was not planning to leave on this day, because his wife Calpurnia convinces him to stay home, however when Decuis arrives he reinterprets the dream to persuade Caesar to leave. This passage Characterizes Caesar, Decuis and Calpurnia. Caesar is characterized as guilible, when Decuis so easily convinces him to come to the Senate House and arrogant when he is explaining why he is nto going out "I will not come; that is enough to satisfy the Senate." This passage also shows that he trust Decuis, considers him to be a freidn and "loves" him. Decuis is characterized as manipulative, persuasive, easily able to turn around a situation (to his benefit) and quick on his feet. Calpurnia's characterization is that she loves Caesar and is at a very vunelable state at this time, begging on her knees that Caesar will stay at home. Calpurnia's dream uses metaphors, similies foreshadowing. "She dreamt tonight she saw my staue, which like a fountain did run pure blood." The metaphor is comparing Caesar's body to a statue, running blood, the simile is comparing the statue to a fountain, and this is foreshadowing Caesar's death, the stabbing of Caesar. There is both verbal and dramatic Irony in this passage, when Decuis telling his interpretation of Calpurnia's dream he relates Caesar to a god and talks about how Caesar will bring Rome together, on that day the conspirators are going to kill Caesar and after the death of him, war begins. This passage includes multiple literary techniques and is a very significant passage in the play "Julius Caesar".

Act 2 Scene 2
lines 57-107

Decius: Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.
I come to fetch you to the Senate House.

Caesar: And you come in very happy time
To bear my greeting to the senators,
And tell them that I will not come today;
Cannot if false; and that I dare not, falser;
I will not come today. Tell them so, Decuis

Calpurnia: Say he is sick

Caesar: Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afeard to tell grey-beards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

Decuis: Most mighty Caesar, let me knwo some caus,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

Caesar: The cause is in my will; I will not come:
That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
But, for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.
And these does she apply for warnings and portents
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home today.

Decuis: This dream is all amiss interpret;
It was a vision of fair and fortune:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd,
Signifies that from you Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signifed.

Caesar: And this way have you well expanded it.

Decuis: I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now. The Senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word that you will not come,
Thier minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd for some one to say,
'Break up the Senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me Caesar; for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
And reason to my love is liable.

Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

The School of Athens

When we look at art, we are able to see where and when the painting took place but in The School of Athens, it is a different story. This fresco The School of Athens by Raphael was painted on the walls of the Papel Palace amongst the Vatican in Rome from 1510 to 1511. The work of art is truly sensational and intriguing. Just the title has a significant meaning, The School of Athens. There was Roman architecture painted but the school was thought to be in Athens, Greece. During the Renaissance, ideas were being 'reborn' and re-taught from past times like the knowledge from Greece because this where many Greek ideas were being acknowledged again. People started to think for themselves and question the Church. Another Greek contribution to the painting are the two statues of the Greek Gods Apollo and Athens. This painting is a humanist fantasy. Individuals from all different time periods were gathered together to talk about their theories and beliefs under one roof. The symmetrical columns and Roman arches are another example showing the different time periods that were coming back during the Renaissance. The classical and elegant Roman architecture was starting to be build for attractiveness and uniqueness in the city state. The people framed by the arches were geniuses during their time period. Spirtiual thinkers such as Play Doh, mathematicians, believers about religion and the universe like Aristotle, and scientists were placed in 'The School of Athens'. From just looking at this painting, we can truly see what the vibrant Renaissance was all about.

Apollo the Sun God

If I were to be anyone in The School of Athens painting, I would be Apollo, The Sun God. Apollo was a man that was supportive of all arts. He was the son of the Greek God Zeus and had a twin sister Artemis, goddess of of hunting and wild life. Apollo was an over achiever and set high stantards in his life. I love to do well and achieve my goals in sports and school. Apollo was also a risk taker and extremely courageous. When Apollo was only four years old, he rescued his mother Hera from the giantic serpent- Python that was haunting her and giving her absolute pain while she was pregnent with Apollo and succesfully killed the Python. I am always helping others in tricky situations and 'healing' them with my words. I take risks to help myself and others. Apollo had many intellectual pursuits. I don't enjoy small talk, I like to see the bigger picture and different ways of doing things. I think deeply in significant issues. At the moment, I am in the Global Issues Network and am intrigued by all the new thoughts, ideas and what is happening around us. Like Apollo, I enjoy entertaining people with jokes and sharing my new skills and what I have to say. Apollo was a very talented man and was involved in many activities. I'm always busy doing either sports, music, art, or nurturing people. I love life even though I don't always feel that I am on a magnificant golden chariot being pulled by swans, I am still determined to make the best of it.

Da Vinci The Genius

The definition of the Renaissance is rebirth and culture and ideas coming back to life. Da Vinci was truly a creative man and was filled with ideas for the future. Whenever someone thinks of the Renaissance, Da Vinci always comes into the subject because he had such a big role in it. He has painted the most magnificent paintings that show his passion for religion and new life. He will always be remembered by his inventions and different ways of looking at things such as proportion. In many of his paintings, the mountains in the background are blue because he believed that all things in the distance looked bluish. He was a genius. Da Vinci always had a dream of flying. He came up with the image of making wings to fly, the intention of a hot air balloon, breathing underwater, and the concept of gears for a moving object (in our case, a car) and much more. His inventions make our tasks daily routines much easier.

The Rainbow Nation Man

"The moment for which I had waited so long came and I folded my ballot paper and cast my vote. Wow! I shouted, Yippee! It was giddy stuff. It was like falling in love. The sky looked blue and more beautiful. I saw the people in a new light. They were beautiful, they were transfigured. I too was transfigured. It was dreamlike." - Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu was a caring and passionate activist that was against apartheid in South Africa and supported an economic boycott for his country. Tutu agreed with other South African's that their shouldn't be apartheid but did not use violence to show his anger and fustrasion but his voice. During the tragic stages in South Africa, blacks' were constantly being pulverized by the police, having their houses taken away from them and even loved ones. Tutu was there for those unfortunate people and helped them recover after having so many years of abuse and disrespect. I love the quote he says when he is finally voting for the first time. Tutu symbolizes the struggle for democracy. Black people in South Africa were finally able to vote and this uplifts and allows people to have a voice and gives them self worth. Desmond Tutu's Rainbow Nation concept transcended all races and cultures in South Africa. Tutu's goal in life was to have democracy, no discrimination and world peace and to this day, he is still working towards peace and shows that everyone must do their part for world peace even if its just using your words.

Biography on Desmond Tutu:

Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in a small mining town in Transvaal. He studied to be a teacher like his father but due to the segregated nature of South African education, Tutu was encouraged to enter the church. After a period of training in England Desmond Tutu was appointed the first black Archbishop of Johannesburg in 1975.

Desmond Tutu became one of South Africa’s most outspoken critics of apartheid. He said he was motivated by religious teachings rather than a desire to enter into politics but his strong views clashed with the apartheid State. He says he was influenced in his views by many white clergymen in the country, who were also strong opponents of apartheid such as Bishop Trevor Huddleston. The Archbishop consistently told the South African government that apartheid was contrary to the will of God and was doomed to failure. However as well as being a strong critic of apartheid Desmond Tutu has also stressed the need for reconciliation and forgiveness between the different parties associated with apartheid.

In 1978 he became Secretary General of South African Council of Churches this gave him the opportunity to continue his work against apartheid. In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Committee cited his "role as a unifying leader figure in the campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa."

In 1989 FW De Klerk introduced reforms, which led to the downfall of apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela. Desmond Tutu welcomed these and by 1994 South Africa had its first democratically elected Government with Nelson Mandela elected as President. After the fall of apartheid, Nelson Mandela appointed Desmond Tutu to be head of the Truth and Reconciliation committee, which sought to deal with crimes, committed during the apartheid era. This proved to be a difficult process uncovering many painful experiences

Desmond Tutu is an international figure of high regard. He often speaks out on behalf of oppressed groups around the world. He has been a noted supporter of the Palestinian cause, and the people of East Timor. Recently he has been an outspoken critic of the mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. (http://www.writespirit.net/authors/desmond_tutu/)

Go the Distance

“When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day has been luminous, because I’ve known that every hour was part of the dream that I would find it. I’ve discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve.” (Coelho Pg.125) In The Alchemist, Santiago is a young spirited shepherd boy that has a repeating dream about The Great Pyramids of Egypt and believes that this is where his treasure is hidden. Santiago bravely ventures out on a quest to find his destiny in life. Throughout his journey, Santiago encounters many people that are connected to his destiny and help him to achieve his goal. He must conquer problems and make careful decisions in order to find his destiny and ultimately, his true love. Santiago is a heroic, dynamic character, who manages to be brave even in the most life threatening situations, trusting others, and staying resilient to finally succeed in finding his destiny.

On Santiago’s journey, he shows bravery in a variety of ways. For example, in the beginning of Santiago’s journey, he was brave enough to leave the glorious Andalusia that he knows well, to go into the unpredictable world to find his true destiny. When Santiago met King Melchizedak, he told Santiago, “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.” (Pg.28) Santiago was adventurous and trusting enough to believe in Melchizedak. Even though Santiago was only used to the slow life of a shepherd and was unsure of what he was committing himself to or where he would need to go to find his treasure, he was prepared to venture forward to seek his destiny. During his journey, Santiago must stand up to a mysterious man in black on a white horse with a shining blade. We later find out that this was the alchemist. “It is I who dared to do so,” said the boy...It didn’t even occur to the boy to flee. In his heart, he felt a strange sense of joy: he was about to die in pursuit for his destiny.” In the end, the alchemist does not kill Santiago even though he had the ability to do so. The alchemist was testing Santiago’s courage and he passed the test by confronting the Alchemist and not showing fear. Santiago is in control of his actions when decided to stand up to someone that had the ability to kill him. He knew that the world had his future planned and if it decided to end his life, the Soul of the World would be waiting for him. Yet again, he encounters another powerful character, the chief of a tribe. He believes Santiago can turn himself into the wind and Santiago can only be free from the chief and death if he fulfills the chief’s belief. Instead of Santiago backing off and leaving the request behind, Santiago tries to become the wind and with all his might believes in himself and the universe to help him become the wind. I noticed that Santiago always believes in himself when faced with conflict. He stands strong and proud and keeps focused on his journey, not letting anything get in his way, which leads us in Santiago staying resilient and committed to his quest.

Santiago always had obstacles given to him by the universe to test his resilience. The first time Santiago shows his resilience is when his money is stolen and he was losing all hope; he pushes himself to keep moving forward determined to carry on with his journey. Santiago realizes that he can’t lament all his life because he will then never succeed and stay unfulfilled. “He realized that he had to choose between thinking of himself as a poor victim of a thief and as an adventurer in quest of his treasure. “I’m an adventurer, looking for my treasure.”(p.40) With this realization, Santiago goes back to the real world as a more confident person. He recovers quickly and continues on his journey. Santiago then meets a crystal merchant that sees his potential to increase the business in his shop. He asks Santiago to stay with him to work in his shop. As Santiago has no money to get to the Egyptian Pyramids, he willingly accepts the crystal merchant’s offer. Santiago learns that the merchant also had a need to fulfill his own destiny to visit Mecca but was afraid that if he achieved this, his life would already be complete and he would no longer have any reason to live. This fact doesn’t decrease Santiago’s will to find his treasure even after working with the crystal merchant for two years. What the crystal merchant teaches Santiago is that dreams bring meaning to each of us and are perceived in different ways to every individual. Although Santiago did set off to find his destiny, unlike the crystal merchant, Santiago learns from the merchant how to have a better perspective on his dreams and he reinforces his need to trust and believe in himself, which gives him the will to go on.

Reading through the Alchemist, I noticed that Santiago trusts peoples’ word even though he does not know them well. For instance, when Santiago was speaking with King Melchizedak, he trusts him enough to believe what he tells him about the omens, pyramids and destinies. Santiago met Melchizedak alone in the desert and still listened to him and trusted the king enough to leave his sheep to go fulfill his destiny. Another example of Santiago’s trust in new friends is when he meets the alchemist. Santiago listens to his heart where he gains self confidence which allows him to trust his instincts. When Santiago meets the goddess, Fatima, he truly thinks that he should stay with Fatima in the Oasis because he believes she is far more important than his own destiny. Thankfully Santiago accepts that Fatima wants him to find his destiny and come back for her once he has completed his journey. Their love can wait because it is so special that nothing can keep them apart. Fatima and the alchemist both believe that he must go towards his future or else he will never be fully content. The alchemist makes Santiago understand what will happen to him in the future, “You’ll spend the rest of your days knowing that you didn’t pursue your destiny, and that now it’s too late.” (p.115) Santiago never considers that either of them could be lying to him, he listens even though it is not what he wants. This, I believe required great skill and determination.

Santiago does go the distance to fulfill his destiny by leaving his hometown Andalusia, crossing the treacherous deserts of Africa all the way to the Great Egyptian Pyramids to realize his true treasure was in front of him all along. Santiago never gave up and transformed from a simple shepherd to a courageous hero. If he had never gone on the journey, he wouldn’t have gained his bravery without confronting risks or fears, learned that you can trust others if you listen with your heart and wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without being resilient. To find your destiny, you must take that extra leap and release that inner willpower to go the distance.