What the book I chose for the final book project is all about.

The book I chose for the final book project is called Neither Here nor There by Bill Bryson.
In the book, the author is the narrator as he travels throughout Europe. He leaves his home in England to travel all the way to Brussels down to Istanbul. As he tries to relive the trip he took 20 years before he discovers lots of fun exciting things all around Europe. Despite getting lost constantly and coming back home with no money to spend, he makes it clear that it was all worth it.

 He starts his trip in Hammerfest where he spends more than 2 weeks with the hopes of seeing The Northern Lights. After getting that out of his system he moved down to other countries including Italy, France, and The Netherlands. He along with his annoying friend, Katz had plenty to tell after that trip. They saw interesting works of art in museums, stumbled upon sex shops, and gave a lot of waiters a hard time. At arriving in Istanbul, Bryson points out how he could keep going, having Asian right there in front of him.

Instead, he goes back home to his pregnant wife to restart his everyday life once more. The only difference is that he left Europe a different person, an evolved person. Traveling in general is a wonderful thing, but traveling in Europe is more than that. In Europe, one become a kid who knows absolutely nothing by stepping again and again into a different country. Being lost in the foreign language and culture is something Bill Bryson was looking forward to doing. Thanks to reading his book, I now want to go to Europe as a traveler instead of a tourist.

What I Can Say About This Entire Experience (Blog Reflection)

I had never gotten the opportunity to create a blog a regularly write in it. I did not know how it worked but I definitely had the interest. I love to write. I love to feel as if with a simple thought process I can create something people can relate to and want to revisit later on. Early on during this semester I learned that I really do like the idea of having a blog. I feels sort of liberating and connecting at the same time. I cannot help but think that those who do not write are not as in touch with themselves as they could be. How do people keep tract of their self-growth and their feelings day to day if they do not write? How does one make sure to get a point across and come out clearer than before if it is not through the process of writing for themselves?

 One of the misconceptions about writing is that its sole purpose is to impress or provoke something in another. I believe that that is the greatest things a writer can aspire to but it is also just as important to feel something within. So, I was able to consistently feel something within throughout the entire process of writing for this blog. As time went by, I started seeing writing a blog post as less of a task and more of a little pleasure because I rarely get a chance to write something that does not look more like a scientific paper. I realized that I need to write regularly and carry a notepad with me everywhere I go. More than anything I grew as a writer by creating this blog.

My experience in the group "Tourist Through Time"

I have to admit, when I found out that we would be doing plenty of group assignments I was not too excited. I did not welcome the idea of working towards my grade with a group because I had a bad experience with a very important group project last semester. We came up with our name and got acquainted which at first did not give me much to go on.   Despite this, I tried to look past it and told myself not to judge people based on things that have nothing to do with them. Thankfully, I had the great pleasure of working with three intelligent and responsible women. Working as a team is something I enjoy when it is under the circumstances that I were present this semester. I cherish my group members’ opinions because I’ve learned that often it leads to me seeing things from a different perspective.

 On a more personal note, I was able to bond with them and share a little bit about who I am as a person. They were a very welcoming bunch despite not having known them before August. The one thing I think I treasure moat from this experience is being able to get feedback on my work from people who actually took the time to understand me. I am more than happy to say that I have absolutely no negative comment to contribute because there simply is none to make. All in all, I am glad that we got put into groups and that mine was “Tourists through Time”.

My Adventure As A Tourist

When I first heard about our latest assignment, I was intrigued. To be a tourist in my own backyard has been the most fun but difficult tasks given to me by my professors this semester.  I mean, think about it for a minute. How do you pretend as if home isn’t home? And in my case, how do you act as if alcapurrias aren’t a delicious food you’ve had many times before? I am not a good actress to begin with.

So, I decided to take on a role similar to the one of Bill Bryson one of the times he visited Europe by himself. Just like he narrates in his book Neither Here Nor There I went about Old San Juan, on my own to discover and explore what the town had to offer. I thought this could be a great practice run for when I get the opportunity to go to Europe and get lost there. I started off my little adventure at El Morro, of course. I later went for ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s since I’ve given tourists guidance there myself.  One of the most funny parts of my day was constantly asking for directions and getting looked at like “girl, I know you’re Puerto Rican”. I’m not quite sure if I blew my cover or not. It proved to be a little challenging when I’d talk to people in English and they’d struggle with it when they certainly didn’t have to. Having this experience made me feel a little bit like the ugly tourist that Jamaica Kincaid describes in her book A Small Place. Perhaps one could say that the incident when I was greeted in spanish but I responded in eglish where I got looked at funny points to the whole identity issue.  Despite this, people were very helpful and kind. I would say being a tourist for a day made me appreciate the wonders of this little island even more. I think everyone should try to be a tourist for a day in their country. It’s definitely an eye opening experience, it chaged by perspective on things.

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/el-morro/

A girl reflecting on "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

There are a few things one can say right off the bat after reading Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl”. She is narrating in her mother’s voice what her childhood was like. She uses her mother to depict what it was like for her as a young girl and what was expected of her. Jamaica Kincaid does a beautiful job at captivating the reader and getting them involved in her perspective of things. She is very good at making you become emotionally involved in what she writes, especially when it comes to feelings of anger and resentment. Kincaid experiences these emotions and portrays them very well throughout many of her stories but in my opinion this one is special.

The young girl cannot question her mother or what she tells her to do. She is doomed to remaining, in her mother’s eyes, whatever her mother’s opinion of her is. To her mother, becoming a slut is inevitable but she still drills order after order into her head. If you ask me, she will never be good enough for her mother. All of the things she is told to do revolve around one thing: being a “proper lady”. There is a specific way to do all the domestic chores she is allowed to do, nothing past that. There is a right way to wash clothes, which must be washed every day. There is a right way to talk to men so that they don’t see immediately that she is a slut. There is a right way to be what she is expected to be but she will never be it, not really at least.

In my opinion, Jamaica Kinkaid wrote Girl in an attempt to stand up to her mother and her past. To finally speak up and use her own voice. I am opposed to the idea that women are only meant to do housework, not to mention, be prim and proper. I love it when people stand up for themselves of for something that they believe in so I admire Jamaica Kinkaid and I am a big fan of this particular piece of literature.

One of the many times I feel like writing after watching a movie

Based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson, The Rum Diary is a fun but worrisome way to get to know Puerto Rico. Congruently, this is especially evident in the movie where it all comes alive. The way The Rum Diary is portrayed on the screen causes the audience comes in contact with lots of the aspects of Puerto Rico most people do not get to experience. The plot of the story takes place during the 1970’s which in my opinion makes it all the more interesting. One can easily see important factors like othering and in-group out-group throughout the entire movie.

 The movie is narrated by the main character, Paul Kemp played by Johnny Depp, who arrives in Puerto Rico after applying for a job as a writer for the local newspaper. He starts off with the position of the horoscope section and is reluctant to work on it. Afterwards, he is given a position where is supposed to write about silly topics like where to go as a tourist on the island. This job is given to him by Sanderson who constantly takes part in the othering concepts and in-group out-group concepts. He often emphasizes on the difference between himself and the natives of the island. Sanderson is the one character who exposes the ideals of many Americans living there, especially referring to looking at the island as an object to make money off. He ignores this and decides to write about the real issues like poverty and the crime rate. I think that this has a lot to do with his background in a professional sense.  Kemp is an alcoholic, who tends to wear sunglasses to hide it, or at least that’s how he coped with things in the beginning. I think none of the characters who aren’t natives try to make themselves feel better by intimidating those who surround them. Puerto Ricans are the one who experience this treatment most. On the other hand, there’s Chenault who is Sander’s mistress. She provides on of the few female perspective in the movie, which in my opinion is vital. She also depicts the idea of othering, something that she endures because of her fellow Americans.

 Any person can see the move and learn more about Puerto Rico’s roots and culture. I truly enjoy being able to take movies and stories to better understand the society I live in. Literature is one of the best ways to get to know virtually anything. I love seeing things from a more personal point of view because it feels more real versus history books for example.

My perspective on Down on the Island

Having read “Down on the Island” by Jim Cooper I started thinking about some of the aspects of my education I often take for granted. I tend to chuckle when people ask me whether I’m American or lived in the United States for some time in my life. I sometimes need to remind myself how fortunate I am. Being part of the small amount of people on the island who speak fluent English I mostly find myself using the language more often than most of those who surround me. There have been a couple of situations in which I have given friends help on improving their English. A guy who is currently taking conversational English in my university asked me recently if he could practice with me his English. I was flattered but despite the dire help he needed I said yes and didn’t think much it.

Jim Cooper reacts to many of the issues about language and other things as well. For example, he mentions politics and economic issues which were present when he was teaching in Mayaguez and have only gotten worse since then. He speaks as an outsider but submerges himself in Puerto Rico’s lifestyle and shows a genuine interest in helping with the language issue, the only one he could assist with according to his skills. I really enjoyed reading part of his book because I see what he describes every day. Although I am not American and have lived here all my life I can relate to what he says very well. He works with the concept of in group, out group which can be looked at differently depending on the angle you decide to use. The outsider could very well be himself being the American in Puerto Rico but you can also say that Puerto Ricans are the outsiders when it comes to the language used in class (seeing English itself as the in group). On the other hand he only works with his own perspective of this, questioning the incidents where the family members came to his doorstep asking why it was that their family member (his student) received an F in his class if he supposedly liked them.

He’s the one who is gazing at those who compose his community where he is sort of an alien. Jim Cooper exposes very well the challenges and hurdles that both the teacher and the student have to face within the educational system that is imposed on them. He does not blame or resent the student for the skills that he/she lacks but instead he seeks to understand them and help them.

Looking back on my Journey Journal

Finding out that we would be writing on a Journey Journal which we would be using to reflect in an internal way and external way got me excited. I’ve been aware of the empowerment one feels when holding a pen but I learned how to use that power in a different way. I realized how powerful it feels to know yourself and be aware of where you stand and who you are.

I noticed various things as the days went by and I wrote. I saw the difference in my attitude because before I started the journal I didn’t have the opportunity or the method to sort of let go of the bad and happily express the good out of my day. Writing the journal was beneficial in that sense. On the other hand, writing in the journal also helped me be more honest with myself and understand more clearly what it is that I’m going through.  I have been going through a series of unfortunate events lately in my life and writing in the journal has helped to cope with it. The one thing that I think about that makes me feel better which I also wrote about a lot in my journal was the amazing people I met in camp, they inspire me to want to keep fighting and stay strongly motivated. They are more than just people I volunteered to helped they are some of my greatest friends.

I wrote about issues going on with my family’s health and struggling with classes. I also wrote about the little occasions in which I spoke and spent time with the guy that I’m interested in, among other more fun things, I found the journal journey to be a very good experience because I got more familiarized with myself by focusing on my internal and external journeys. Reflecting on those and my life in general and to later be able to re-read what was going through my mind on a specific day helped me grow. To be able  to look within in a concrete way has been a very revealing experience.

Reaction on the First Two Chapters of A Small Place (Part II)

The author of A Small Place depicts a hardship that she faced along with her fellow Antiguans. She recounts her point of view first on the tourist who come to visit and Antigua and then about her own journey as a kid. One may say, well she is Antiguan but she only lived there until she was 16 years-old and ask can she really act like and expert on Antigua? To those people, I say yes indeed.

 She starts off calling out every one of those tourists who is not really welcome in Antigua because of what the mean to the Antiguans, tourists. They are not welcome because too the Antiguans they represent exactly what they want to be. The want to be able to travel and run away from where they came from at least for a week or so. Tourists are the mere reminder of how stuck an Antiguan could be. Those tourists can see the sad differences between where the come from and where they have just arrived but only care for their vacation.

Following that she gives the reader some insight on what it was like to live under the English rule and grow up in those specific circumstances. She talks about the presence of racism in different aspects of her life, like the teacher and the doctor. She confronts the fact that the English came and took everything as if it was theirs to take without even asking. She also emphasizes on how the Antiguans were expected to act and live like the English but were never to become anything close to an English person. Kincaid highlights how the English murdered, robbed, all around hurt the Antiguans. This will never be made right because the wrong that was done was so wrong.

At first glance a reader may think that she is not at all clear on her identity but, she is a lot clearer on it that many are. She is Antiguan despite having left at 16 and she is fighting for her voice to be hear.

Reaction on the First Two Chapters of A Small Place (Part I)

I ran into someone I admire and she had a little moment of sheer happiness when she saw me holding A Small Place I my hand. I had heard my professor talk about the book briefly and tell the class that it was a very enjoyable piece of literature, but it wasn’t until I witnessed that reaction that I was intrigued. I read the first two chapters of A Small Place and loved them I have a great love for authors who truly challenge you as a reader and Jamaica Kincaid is one other those authors.

She works with various aspects of Antigua and the issues that surrounded it during the time they were under the control of the English. On the other hand, she also works with those things that still haunt the people of Antigua. I was very happy to find such a similar outlook on being dominated by another country from someone who lived in an island not far from Puerto Rico. It is not the same to read these things out of a history book (that was controlled in terms of what you are being told history was like) than to read it as a personal story of someone who lived through it. We are constantly watched and being told what “the truth” about important past events. I know now a lot of things about my country that I did not learn out of a history book simply because specific people don’t want you to know what really happen. Many important figures in history are cut out of it and the books that depict it.

Jamaica Kincaid uses captures you from the very first sentence and makes you want to keep reading. You end up feeling the way she did and imagining yourself in her shoes. She makes the outsider either join her for what she stands for or feel guilty about things that probably, in a way aren’t related to them a lot. That is the power of a writer, to actually make you feel something and stir that up inside so that when you are finished you gain a new perspective and are not the same.

I stand by Jamaica Kincaid in her anger and frustration. I think she is right to feel the way she does. She had every reason to write A Small Place and for her voice to finally be heard. How are we supposed to understand history if we aren’t open to what those who lived through it have to say? I for one really loved how beautifully Jamaica Kincaid told her story.

My take on Identity

I am not your average Puerto Rican; I do not fit the expected mold. So it does not come as a surprise when people constantly ask me whether I'm from the United States or am an American. My identity as a Puerto Rican is distorted. "Home is where the heart is" I've heard this saying over and over. It was not until I truly began to reflect on my life and ideals that I realized what this meant.  To me home is my loved ones and good quality time with them. There’s nothing more important to me than my family. And we are all virtually Puerto Ricans.

Peter Roberts discussed the idea of home but I feel that home is whenever I am with my family. I do not have the strongest ties to a specific place in Puerto Rico having moved around so much since I was a little girl. Because of this, I do not feel so attached to the island like some people are. I am very sure that I will leave Puerto Rico to finish my degrees. I want to be a psychiatrist. I want to help people. I'm sure I can do that here and I want to but sometimes I'm not sure I can reach my full potential as a professional.

The author of Identity also says “Language is in part a universal human factor and in part a factor of place: human language manifests itself primarily in speech as distinct languages, each of which is geographically determined.” I agree with him and feel that unlike many Puerto Ricans, I feel more open and relatable with the rest of the world because I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English. In addition to this, I started learning French in high school and have a new found interesting in learning Dutch. I could get along with many other cultures knowing a few languages and being open-minded. Roberts also works with the idea of sameness, I found what he had to say about that very interesting. It is true that sense of sight is what we use to separate some from others and that people determine sameness based on where they are born. Despite this, we are much more alike in terms of identity than sameness. We can relate to others very well regardless of where they come from, etc. This can be linked to the question to Diversity-Universality which psychology tries to answer.

At the end of the day, I am Puerto Rican and always will be, that will not change. But at times I feel as if I'm not as Puerto Rican as I should be. I do not feel connected to the country as others do. I must say though, Puerto Rico offers plenty of things to be proud of. Identity is curious thing to me due to this. I cannot pin myself down to a specific place. 

Puertorricans According to Me versus According to Outsiders

I had conducted some research on what perception of outsiders could be in relation to the place I call home. To my surprise, there were a lot of positive things to say. To be honest, I often feel as if what people mostly do when it comes to Puerto Rico is whine. They talk about everything and anything that is wrong with the island, whether they are outsiders or not. I recalled the time we appeared on the national news in the U.S. mainland because of our economy problems, specifically about our debt. But apparently outsiders tend to appreciate the place I call home, sometimes with having even visiting Puerto Rico.

I was able to read the article that was provided to me and it really opened my eyes. For a second, I forgot the author was referring to Puerto Rico the entire time This person really took the time o get to know the island not just spend time at her resort. Emphasizing of course on the natural beauties that the island has to offer like the beach and the “coquis”, but also learning about the history of Puerto Rico. She was able to gain knowledge that most people, even the residents aren’t aware of. One of the things that awakened her thirst for wanting to know about my home was Pablo, her cab driver. He spoke to her about the problems Puerto Ricans face living here every day. In my opinion, Pablo was a very good representation of what most people who live here feel. He spoke about issues like young people being lazy and Puerto Rico being a state rather than a territory. One of the misconceptions explained by Pablo was that Puerto Ricans are ungrateful according to someone from Spain. I do not agree with this at all. Puerto Ricans hold on to a lot of things that keep them from progressing. I will give someone who does not agree with me that.

When I reflect a little about the impression the author of the article took with her about Puerto Rico I think it was quite complete and accurate. Some of the misconceptions about Puerto Rico include it only being a good enough place to be in for a visit but not to live in. It’s hard to judge and be correct being an outsider but I think it is harder to judge Puerto Rico with an unbiased opinion being so attached to it.

Thoughts on Mr.Keating from The Dead Poets' Society Movie

Mr. Keating's external journey took place at the school where he taught English and it ended once he was accused of Neil's death. Mr. Keating was a very effective teacher, he encouraged his students to think for themselves and not conform in life. His professional ethical standards were not equal to those of the school; they did not meet Welton's four pillars, “tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence". But come to think of it, I think that was best. He was unorthodox in the best way. He wanted to awaken curiosity I'm his students and teach them what poetry really was.

His teaching methods were very different to those of the other teachers. Unlike most teachers he did not believe that all he had to do was prepare them for college, he was focused on preparing them for life. He was devoted to his students like no other teacher in the school was.  Mr. Keating was also a sort of parental figure that the boys needed; their parents in most cases did not pay enough attention to them. Mr. Keating, in contrast of their parents was there for them and supported them. He helped the boys develop ties similar to those of between a parent and a son among each other. For example, Neil was there for Todd while he dealt with his shyness and nervousness.

Their teacher influenced them especially when he exposed them to the idea of "Carpe Diem". He urged them to seize the day. Knox was one of those boys who were impacted greatly by this, taking a chance and pursuing the girl of his dreams. Despite having such a wonderful teacher, the students were not in the best environment. The only case in which they were truly stimulated was when they were in the classroom.

The students were affected by their teacher just as much as the teacher was. Mr. Keating went through a lot of things with these boys. The school blamed Mr. Keating for Neil's death but that was not the case. There was a certain loyalty that held them together, despite having to sign a paper saying otherwise. Mr. Keating opened the door to a whole new world for Neil, which he realized he loved, and that was acting.

This all started when Mr. Keating told them about The Dead Poets' Society and boys began going to go to the woods at night with the purpose of reading poetry and bonding. The entire journey that Mr. Keating had, both internal and external was completely intertwined to that of the boys. His internal journey had many twists and turns. Mr. Keating suffered along with these boys.  

The Tip of the Iceberg on What makes Me Who I am

I was raised in an environment where I was encouraged to create and wonder. When I was little I discovered a love for painting, Mozart, and reading. I was one of those happy, permanently smiling kids and still am.  Then at 8 years old, I went from living in San Juan with my parents and little brother to living in Guayama with my mother and brother because my parents got divorced. No, I don’t let that define me or who I am. I cannot say that it didn’t affect me but I can say that it made me strong and independent. Once I graduated from high school I moved into my father’s apartment where I currently live while I complete my bachelor’s degree.

 Last May I had one of the best experiences of my life. I volunteered at a 4 day camp called “Campamento Sin Paredes”. This camp is a little different because the volunteer is paired up with a person who is handicapped and becomes their hands and feet. I love helping people, it’s something that I am extremely passionate about but being at that camp helped me just as much as it helped the girl that I was paired up with, Alexandra. I left that camp with a whole new perspective on life. I left realizing that a lot of the things I’d tend to  stress over aren’t worth it and that  I must  be  grateful for everything  I have, like legs and feet that work. I grew as a person during those 4 days more than I could in 6 months. I now have new found heroes in my life that I proudly call my extended family. That is one of the greatest things that make me who I am today.

Unfortunately, when I look around I sometimes see that society wants me to be something I’m not. People put too much energy into the wrong issues. Thankfully it’s not always nor is it by most of the people close to me but I’m at times encouraged to be sexist, homophobic, and just downright judgmental. So, I often find it sort of shocking when realize how blind people are and want to be about these topics. I want to make a difference when it comes to that and break the mold. I cannot just sit quiet and look pretty. I like to speak up.

I like to think that my story is colorful and beautiful because its mine. I am an artist, a bookworm, a risk taker, a feminist, a pacifist, an optimist, and an old soul. I’m 18 years old and I can say I love who I am.

My personal reaction to Billy Mill's actions

Billy Mills goes through a very important growing experience in his life. He questions various aspects of it, including where it is that he belong in the world as well as, what he wanted to do. He has an internal conflict going on within his mind because he is not clear on what his purpose in life is.

When I examined the movie in a more in depth matter, I realized that I could relate to Billy Mill's internal journey more than I thought. He goes through a series of events that led to his questioning whether or not he belonged to his family, to his team, and to his university. Aside from having gone to a fraternity house and being told that they would not accept Indians in the fraternity.

 In addition to, the “misunderstanding” with the security guard on campus, which was a clear example of racism and discrimination. The one event that triggers it all is when he has Frank and a few more friends come visit him. They arrived at Pat's family's house and were immediately taken aback by everything. Pat herself and her home as a whole were the things that surprised them the most. Once in the house Billy's loved ones from the reservation looked around and criticized it. After only 10 minutes inside the house they were leaving. Billy Mills wanting to know what was going on kept questioning their actions. The other Indians kept urging Frank to come with them, while he told Billy Mills "maybe they're right, maybe we don't belong here". Mills was very taken aback by Frank's response and their behavior in general.

From that moment on, Mills had lost whatever it was that made him run, that spirit that he had inside just seemed to die out. He had 3 races following the event with the people from the reservation. Unfortunately, he lost all three and was confronted by his coach and the man who worked for the insurance company that sponsored his scholarship. These people told him that he had to win the next big race because his future might just depend on it. He had lost that freedom that he felt from running and as a result, he had lost running itself.

It is after these events that we can see what Billy Mills is working out in his mind. He feels lost and without purpose in a way, having lost races and apparently not being a good runner anymore. Billy Mills struggles with his identity and who others want him to be. The people around him seem to simply not understand him and what he is going through. He contemplates his options and decides that he wants to me in charge of his future and whatever that may bring.

Furthermore, Mills goes back to the reservation and spends time with Frank mostly who tells him "it’s not too late for you", referring to leaving the reservation and making something out of his life. Billy Mills takes his homecoming as a chance to reflect on his life and what he wants out of it. During this time he thinks about going to the Olympics, especially. On the day he receives a letter from Pat asking him to come back, he finds Frank dead after he shot himself.  He eventually realizes that he belongs to himself.

A Reflection on Billy Mill’s Thoughts and Actions

Billy Mills is without a doubt a very relatable character. He portrays and depicts various aspects of life that virtually everyone encounters at some point. Many of the challenges he faces are familiar to all college students who strive to better themselves in one way or another. Bullying and discrimination are only a few of the hardships Billy Mills faces. These factors play a significant role in both his external and his internal journey.

Once he leaves his home to go study at the University of Kansas, on a track and field scholarship, his external journey begins. After taking the bus ride to his destination and having a little trouble figuring out the exact location of where needed to be, he was finally there. The first thing he did upon his arrival was run on the track and train for future races. When he finished, there was an unpleasant surprise waiting for him in his dorm room. It is there that he learns that he will be sharing a room with the guy he had already had a problem with in the locker room. Later on, he goes to a formal dinner activity where he meets a few people who matter in his being there. His first race also took place and despite the fact that he won, his coach wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance. He made the decision of slowing down at the very end of the race because he did not want to embarrass the one person who could understand his situation the most, another Indian. He thought it was enough to win but he was supposed to give it his all, not take his opponent into consideration.

During his internal journey, Mills questions the way white people think and notices the difference between the ideals and values he holds dear, versus those of the people he is now surrounded with. He has a flashback about his father, who said “It’s a white world and Indian things don’t matter so much…” The viewer can share his frustration on the racism he experiences. He also reflects on why he runs and how it makes him feel, “Ever since I was a kid, running was my freedom, my happiness…” But eventually he learns that the people around him see running or track and field as a means to an end. Winning above all is what’s important, in other words being better than the one beside you. Mills considers what he is told by his coach, applies it to himself and starts to adapt to the new world he is thrust into.

 It is evident that both his external and internal journey are intermingled because he reflects on his actions and thinks about the things that take place in his life. On the other hand, Mills reflects on the events that are about to happen and this in turn affects his external journey. For example, before the end of his race, Mills thought about what he wanted the outcome to be, which affected his external journey. Moreover, the talk he later had with his coach affected how his internal journey would unravel from that point forth.