Assistance Prompt

12/4/2014

Has anyone ever done you a favor, or assisted you in someway, that has helped to change your life for the better? Who was it? What did they do? When did they do this? Why do you think they did it? How did your life change?

The biggest way I have been assisted in my life is by a certain professor who offered me encouraging words and praised my ability and potential. I was feeling pretty lost in terms of what to do with my future and this teacher told me that he thought I was a very promising student and that of all of his students I am the on he expects to really do something great with my career and life. This gave me confidence that others know I have potential and that I could do anything I set my mind to. For this reason I am pursuing graduate school and might possibly try to gain entry into the London School of Economics. I had previously had no clue how to move forward from Lycoming and make the living I desire, but now I at least know what the next step is.

I don't know for sure whether he sensed that I didn't feel confident, didn't know what to do with my future, or if he actually believed what he said to be true, but either way it put me on a different path then the one I was going to be on. It happened earlier this year and I doubt I will ever forget it. I am going to do everything in my ability to make as much money as I can and avoid a life of manual labor and self hatred.

Analysis of Chelsea v West Brom from 11/22/14

by Dylan Barton

The final result of the match was a 2-0 win for Chelsea FC, helping to keep them at the top of the Barclays Premier League. With just over a fourth of this season already behind them, Chelsea are looking very consistent so far, remaining lossless. With only two draws at the time of this match, Chelsea have only dropped 4 points, making them tough to chase for other teams.

In this match Chelsea started strong in the first half with goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard within the first 25 minutes of play. The result will appear to be a success for the Blues, although they failed to add to the scoreline, even after West Brom’s Claudio Yacob was sent off with a straight red card in the 29th minute for a harsh challenge near his team’s penalty area that denied a clear scoring chance for Chelsea. The game would have potentially been a blowout if not for excellent goalkeeping by Ben Foster outside of the Blues two goals. The only other action in the match was a yellow card doled out to Chelsea’s Brazilian wingman Willian with fifteen minutes left in the match.

Now to breakdown the goals of the match…

Diego Costa chested a cross under control in the middle of the penalty area before volleying it into the back of the net. He then celebrated with his now infamous jazz hands. It was his eleventh goal in ten matches, so we’ve had a lot of chances to admire his little dance.

The second goal of the match came off of a corner kick. A low cross was sent into the box, finding the feet of Eden Hazard on the left side of Ben Foster’s goal. Hazard then calmly slotted the ball under the keeper, a maneuver that took a high amount of skill from such a tight angle.

Both goals were assisted by Chelsea’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar, who is showing he isn’t selfish with the ball at his feet.

Chelsea now look forward to a Champions League group stage match against Schalke on Tuesday. West Brom’s next game is less promising following this defeat as they face another strong London team, Arsenal who are looking nearly as strong as the Blues.

Holiday Prompt

12/2/2014

How do you feel about the holidays? Is this a time of great joy for you? Do you enjoy spending it with friends and family? Or do you often feel alone and sad during the holidays? What would make this the best holiday of your life?

I generally enjoy the holidays but they have increasingly become more of a hassle over the past few years. Getting gifts is always good, clearly. The problem arises when it becomes time to figure out how and when I am going to travel down to Maryland to see that side of my family. My brother and I used to just jump in the car and drive down. Now he is out of college and working so he is often busy around Christmas and Thanksgiving. He uses the car that was supposed to be "ours" so if he can't go, I have no way to get down there. I don't want it to look like I don't want to go if I can't make it so it just becomes a mess of stress and anxiety.

What would make this holiday season one of the best in my life would be if travel was made a lot easier and I didn't have to worry about that aspect of it. I always get what I want, so I don't need some miracle to occur for me to be happy in that way. It is annoying though that I'm being treated the same as my brother when he's got a job and I'm still in college. I need material things because I can't work enough currently to buy everything I need. I don't know why it seems like a problem, but it does.