Hello, my name is JOE.

In the new generation, which would one choose: CRAZY fame, with an early death, or the life of an average joe, but you live for a very long time? I for one would choose an average Joe. So many good things come with old age. Wisdom, change, love and knowing who you really are in the world. Life is not meant to be short, if one can help it of course. Life is meant to be experienced. To grow old and be able to tell your story of the world. Living a long life shows that you made it through everything. The sadness and laughter, the ups and downs, the good times and the bad. Not only that, you will live life being around people that you love, and they also love you in return. You can't enjoy money or fame when your dead. Since it seems that an average joe can be rich in so many other ways, living a long life is worth more than all the money in the world.

"A little magic goes a long way."

Harry Wormwood: Any packages come today?
Matilda: Mm-mm.
Harry Wormwood: [noticing her books] Where'd all this come from?
Matilda: The library.
Harry Wormwood: The library? You've never set foot in a library. You're only four years old.
Matilda: Six-and-a-half.
Harry Wormwood: You're four!
Matilda: Six-and-a-half!
Harry Wormwood: If you were six-and-a-half, you'd be in school already.
Matilda: I want to be in school. I told you I was supposed to start school in September. You wouldn't listen.
Harry Wormwood: Dearest pie, how old is Matilda?
Zinnia Wormwood: Four.
Matilda: I'm six-and-a-half, mommy!
Zinnia Wormwood: Five, then!
Matilda: I was six in August.
Harry Wormwood: You're a liar. School? It's out of the question. Who would be here to sign for the packages? We can't leave valuable packages sitting out on the doorstep. Now go watch TV like a good kid. [Matilda leaves]
Zinnia Wormwood: You know, sometimes I think there's something wrong with that girl.
Harry Wormwood: Hmph, tell me about it.
In 1996, a movie aired that had everything I loved. Magic, girl genius, drama, tricks, humor, and touching moments. This movie was Matilda. This movie had everything and still followed a real life story line. I could watch this movie any time growing up. Even til this day, I can recite the words, and sing all the songs. I think the main reason I liked this movie because it was like me in so many ways. She was a young girl who loved to read. She escaped her world through books. She switched schools, and had to meet new friends all over again. She was smart and witty. The only difference between me and her was she had discovered her magic powers. I was,and still am,looking for mine.

Western vs. Eastern Mentality

From the quote on p. 77 Siddhartha, we as Westerners, spend to much time apologizing for our actions when we always seem to learn from them. For example, in the western culture, once you make a mistake in life it could change your life forever. Your life is no longer seen as being "perfect" to you. However, in eastern culture, your life is different and unique therefore, it IS perfect. Mistakes are supposed to happen. Also, we again as westerners,spend to much time worrying about death,trying to avoid death, and sometimes even fear death, when every single life bears it, or so we believe. But as for eastern cultures, death is not feared so much if at all. To them life is a continuous cycle. One will be born again.