My Life's Mixtape:
1.) Kanye West- Through The Wire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvb-1wjAtk4)
- This song is about how Kanye West was in a near life taking car accident and his struggle back to the top and his struggle making his way back into the rap game. January 2, 2013.. I escaped death in a near life taking car accident. The car flipped over three times, sending me over the steering wheel and through the windshield. After I was forced out of the car, I went 65 feet from the car, in mid air, and traveled through trees and woods, hitting nearly everything in my path. This was the day that I cheated death. After Kanye West's accident, he had his jaw wired shut and was on life support; and while my injuries weren't this bad.. I had to get 12 stitches in my mouth and have a temporary wire placed in my mouth just like Kanye. I wasn't on life support, but I did break 2 ribs. The crash specialist said to me as he stared at the what used to be 2010 Infinity (which was know in a smokey ball), I'll never forget these words... "Son, you've got an angel looking over you and your friends.. You're all supposed to be dead.. especially you Mr. Ellis.. being ejected from a car and traveling that far through the woods, you should have broken every bone in your body... make sure you attend church this coming Sunday or pray to someone, because this was a miracle."
2.) R Kelly- I Wish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8CXUzepL6k)
- This song is the most touching song I have ever heard. It is potentially my favorite song ever, because I can see my father's face and picture him smiling and laughing whenever I hear it.Though it brings me to tears every time I listen to it.. it's worth it.
3.) Notorious BIG- Suicidal Thoughts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs)
- To keep it short, I've tried to commit suicide. Suicide was an everyday thought up until midway through my junior year when I made it a reality. I hated myself. So finally I decided I wanted out..I cut myself.. cut until the point where I passed out, and had to be taken to the hospital. I was placed in a psych ward for a few days, until I sweet talked my way out of it and wasn't seen as a threat to myself anymore.
4.) Transformation- Fabolous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlhO3Wey0Vw)
- I feel as though I've truly made a transformation in my character and in my life in general. I went from literally being diagnosed as a "borderline psychopath and harm to himself" who was prescribed literally every prescription pill, and seeing a therapist 4 times a week.. to a multi-sport college student-athlete. Three years ago, if you would've asked me where I thought I'd be February 3, 2014.. I would've answered it simply.. Dead. So I proudly say that over the years, I've truly transformed who I am as a person.. and turned myself into something that not only my parents are proud of.. but I'm now proud of myself.
5.) Sky is the Limit- Lil Wayne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6a4hvoY0G0)
- The Sky is the Limit. I always try to shoot for greatness, it's always been something I've wanted to achieve. Even through my struggles with being on medication and the struggles with depression and anxiety, I've always tried to be great.. and avoid failure at all costs. Failure is the reason why I was so depressed and literally hated myself. Finally, I came to grips that failure is apart of life and literally inevitable. No matter how hard you try failure is going to happen, but what got me by is always finding a way to not take failure as an option, even though I knew it was going to happen. As much as I hate to say it, failure and my struggle is the reason why I am where I am today.
1. The second entry that Deej posted in his mix tape was the most interesting to me. Deej and I are very close friends I know how much he loves and misses his dad. When he thinks of his dad there is nothing but positive thoughts and I know its something special to him.
ReplyDeleteThe third entry that was posted was about suicide. I found this interesting because my relationship with Deej has come along way. Listening to him now, you would never think that he had these horrible thoughts in his head. He is very confident and has improved so much, for that I am very proud of him. I would never want him to be a low time in his life.
The fourth entry in the mix tape was about the transformation that Deej has made. This is interesting because Deej is a very productive teen. He came to Southern for two sports in which he got a scholarship for and he an amazing student. I think Deej has a very bright future.
The first entry is talking about the tragic accident that Deej was in, and I find this interesting because it is a miracle that we still have him here today. Someone was truly looking over him.
The fifth entry is talking about Deejs future. Deej is a very strong-minded character and anything he sets his mind to he will achieve.
2. -Deej has had to overcome a lot of tragedy in his life. Loosing a parent is something a child should never have to go through. The pain is unbearable, but I know Deej has made the best of it. Today Deej is an amazing older brother to two beautiful little brothers. Everyday he continues to make his dad proud and I know that he is looking down with a big smile at what an awesome son he has. I think that this topic will help you make a strong essay because you can talk about how you’ve grown from this and what you have learned. Knowing that, you can include the other elements in your mix tape because I believe all those things branch off from this one big key factor.
-When something tragic happens, it makes you take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I think the third entry would make a great topic for his essay. Being at a ultimate low where you want to take your life is hard. Looking at Deej today, I can see how far he has come. He has completely changed and he could write about how that experience changed him for the better and he was able to rescue himself.
3. Deej is a very good writer. He can elaborate on any topic, and I think with both of these two topics he should tell how he was feeling. The emotions he had and the thoughts that were going through his head. I also think he should talk about the after math of the subjects and explain how they impacted him.
4. For me personally, there was nothing unclear or confusing to me.
5. The songs that Deej picked seem to be perfect. For each entry he has, the song relates to what he is talking about.
6. The word death brings fear to people. Death is something no one wants to face. As a child, reality came quick and my father passed away. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t think of him. Yes this is sad, but I have learned. Life is something not to take for granted, and opportunities come and go. I chose to take them.
1. Most Interesting- To me, entry number three is most interesting to me and is personal to me. Dj is one of my best friends and we would do anything for each other. We tell each other a lot and I couldn’t be happier that he overcame what he was going through because he is defiantly one of a kind and I will never be able to find another friend like him.
ReplyDelete2. Dj’s car crash I think had a lot to do with who he is today so that’s why it is interesting to me. He was supposed to not make it but he did, he proved the doctors wrong, and we all know he loves to prove people wrong.
3. Going from “borderline psychopath and harm to himself” to who he is today is something most people cannot do, he overcame his struggle.
4. The entry about his dad intrigues me for many reasons, I never met his father but I can see that everything Dj does is for him and he lives to make him proud- which he is doing!
5. This entry is important to me, but I chose it to be the least interesting because if you even have the slightest clue who Dj is, you know that failure is not in his vocabulary. He will argue his point until your ear falls off and I know he won’t stop even after he has reached the highest level of personal success.
Entry number three hits me in a personal spot. Coming to Southern, Deej was one of my first friends and he is now one of my best friends. He may not show it but I know he is the most loveable guy I know, he would do anything for me, as I would for him. He has confined in me about this before and I honestly was so surprised because he is the guy you go to when you want to laugh and have a good time.
Dj’s car crash really gave him a wakeup call I think. He should have died, but he didn’t and I think with him knowing that is why he in college playing two sports and just enjoying his life. This would make a strong topic for a autobiographical essay because it obviously is a very personal, life altering story, the amount of detail and personal touches he could put into it would be great.
If he was to do an extended essay on both these topics I would want to hear a little about his life before the crash and his metal struggles, then how his life is different and how much both of these things made his life turn upside down. I would also like to hear how these things affected the people around him and what he has done to better himself.
I would like to know what caused the crash, and how his family and friends reacted to his suicide attempt.
Both songs that he chose were more than clear, what happened to him is basically in each of songs. He literally went through the same exact thing as the artist is singing about.
“You really do not know how much you love your life until you try to take it away from yourself. Until you see the look on everybody faces you’ve ever loved or cared about after they hear the news. “
I like DJ's third post the most. I think it takes a lot to admit that to himself but also to publish it out in public. I think him finding a new meaning to life is beautiful. Unfortunately he had to get there through an unfortunate way. I can not imagine what it must feel like to lose a parent. I like how he now feels the sky is the limit. I'm glad he can see things this way now instead of how he felt prior. These songs exactly describes how he feels. I think all of these events tie in together to make him become this transformed person he is today. I think these songs describe him very well. I also think he is a very good writer. As you read his posts you can feel what he felt in a way.
ReplyDeleteWow DJ I’m speechless. Each song definitely defined moments that describe you. It’s so hard to rank because all of the reasons why you chose the songs describe intense moments in your life. I’m struggling trying to do this because you caught me by surprise.
ReplyDelete5. Looking at your past I think It’s amazing how you managed to keep a good head on your shoulders. You managed to be in a better place, while I commend you for all you have accomplished. I think we all have come to realize that your past builds you to be who you are today. From hell and back I like this song as a summary of all you have been through.
2. You make me sad just thinking of all the things others do to their parents. I applaud you for being strong through everything and very sorry about your father.
3. Damn kid.. I wish we were friends at some point in the past. I’m just totally blown away to believe you tried to do all this.. I know life is tough but I believe with frineds and positive people in your life you can get through it. Stay positive.. Your brave for sharing this
1. I feel like because of this you are a free spirit kind of person. Your life is so interesting.. well with all that you have been through
4. I love hearing about a positive outcome .
Explain briefly why you chose this ranking.
From all the obstacles in your life I see how all these stages in your life build a tough character. Everyone has a story to share some more intense than others. You got a hell of a life story to where I feel like no one ranking it.
2. Look closely at the two entries you chose as the two most interesting. Explain in more detail about what is interesting to you and why these topics might make strong topics for an autobiographical essay. Remember that the writer will need to not only recall a significant memory but also reflect on the meaning gained from that experience.
The fact that you managed to see where you were going and where you want to be is what made me rank the way I did. I figured stating all the positive and explain as to how you got to be like that. Then listing all the reasons made me list the rest.
3. For those top two entries, what might you want to hear more about in an extended essay? What details might the author include to make this idea more vivid, engaging, meaningful. Be specific.
You have a way with words. all entries would be perfect for your essay. The main ideas can be supported with thoughts and feelings of those times.
4. For those top two entries, is anything unclear or confusing to you as a reader? Explain.
not at all, you had me with the first song loud and clear.