Book Talk discussion

I love Van Gough is one of my favorite artists. Tell me who your favorite artist and why?

Van Gogh is really good. I'm more a fan of landscapes so I prefer Monet. But Van Gogh does have really nice paintings.

Yardéna wrote: "Van Gogh is really good. I'm more a fan of landscapes so I prefer Monet. But Van Gogh does have really nice paintings."

Yeah, I like landscapes a lot. I also like abstract. Sorry I didn't spell Van Gogh right, I was way too tired to care about spelling when I made these folders.

Haha that's okay. I can imagine that it's not always easy remembering those foreign names. Especially Dutch ones.

Yardéna wrote: "Haha that's okay. I can imagine that it's not always easy remembering those foreign names. Especially Dutch ones."

Absolutely. I was reminded how much I love Van Gogh because of the Doctor Who episode :) I think that it's heartbreaking that Van Gogh was such a talented artist, but was hated in his life because he was different. I think that it was terrible that he committed suicide because he felt so hated in his life.

I know. However it seems to be the case that most artists aren't appreciated for what they do until they are gone.

Yardéna wrote: "I know. However it seems to be the case that most artists aren't appreciated for what they do until they are gone."

It's unfair the way they are treated. It's the same with scientists and astronomers. They are all hated for what they say and do and they are never appreciated until they're dead.

Canread4eva wrote: "Yardéna wrote: "I know. However it seems to be the case that most artists aren't appreciated for what they do until they are gone."

It's unfair the way they are treated. It's the same with scienti..."

I think that actually goes for a lot of things. We don't appreciate it until it's gone. We take things for granted and just seem to have the impression that it's always going to be there. Until one day it isn't.

Yardéna wrote: "Canread4eva wrote: "Yardéna wrote: "I know. However it seems to be the case that most artists aren't appreciated for what they do until they are gone."

It's unfair the way they are treated. It's t..."

That is very true in a lot of ways. I'm apart of this too, though I'm sorry to say it. I wish that I could be more grateful and not complain as much as I do.

I think we can all say that. I've tried not to take things for granted so much but unfortunately I too have my days were I complain and not look beyond that.

Yardéna wrote: "I think we can all say that. I've tried not to take things for granted so much but unfortunately I too have my days were I complain and not look beyond that."

I especially find myself complaining about my school. I have gone to the same school for 9 years and I can't help but complain about it. Now that I'm about to graduate, I keep saying how much I WON'T miss it, but that's not true. I won't miss the building, that's for sure, but I'll miss the people. My classmates, friends, and teachers really shaped me and taught me so much. I have to try not to take these last few months for granted.

Canread4eva wrote: "Yardéna wrote: "I think we can all say that. I've tried not to take things for granted so much but unfortunately I too have my days were I complain and not look beyond that."

I especially find mys..."

The fact that you are admitting that means you're already headed in the right direction. I complain about my college a lot too but in the end I am very grateful for the opportunity and the people in it. Every situation shapes us, good and bad. And girl, we all complain about school. That's just what school is for. (even though deep down we don't really mean it) ;)

Yeah, I hope I'm headed in the right direction. Can I ask some advice? Since your out of college this might seem silly, but is high school as bad as everyone makes it out to be?

Honestly, I think that depends on the person. I was pretty much a loner in High School (in holland that is junior high and hish school combined) but I was though enough to deal with things on my own. I had friends in different clicks but basically did what I wanted to do. For me high school wasn't a special experience. I know it can be for some people. I don't know what kind of person you are. All I can say to you is be yourself. One or two friends are worth so much more than being popular and or trying to be. Find the place where you belong or where you feel at home. If you think you can do something or want to do something, do it! Don't let anybody stop you. And whatever decisions you make, make sure they're yours. As long as you feel that what you do it right, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.

You're off to high school?

Yep, I'm off to high school. I'm waiting to here back if I go the scholarship I wanted so fingers crossed!

Oh wow! I hope you get it. I actually wonder what an american high school is like. I only know what I have seen on tv or heard from friends. Like here in Holland we don´t have school sports and stuff. Not like in the States where you have a school football team and cheerleaders. Here if you do a sport you go to ´private clubs´ I guess.

Wow, here sports are a bigger deal than education. We should take a leaf out of Hollands book. Jeez.

Yes here education is very different. WE don´t have homescholing. In Holland we believe someone needs to be certified to teach. Furthermore, High school is divided into different Levels. A four year, five year and six year programme. And within those levels you have some general subjects and after two years you can choose a direction and have chosen subjects next to it. Kind a like pre-med, pre-law, etc. type thing.

Wow, I guess that really helps thinking of what you want to do when your grow up.

It does. Although I must say I changed majors a few times with college. I did 6 months of law school, did a bible college in the US for two years and now I´m studying to become an English Teacher

That's awesome! I really want to be a book editor. Or reviewer. Or physiologist. Or I don't know!!!

You´ll have plenty of time to figure it out. You´re fifteen, if I guess right ?

13, but close enough :)

okay so how long is junior high for then and how long is high school for?

Elementary stops at 5th grade for my school. Middle school, or junior or whatever, starts at 6th and ends at 8th. Then high school is 4 years. It just drags it all put to the bitter end.

*out

Okay. Yeah that is different than here. Here elementary school is from 6-12 adn high school from 12-16, 17 or 18

Yardéna wrote: "Okay. Yeah that is different than here. Here elementary school is from 6-12 adn high school from 12-16, 17 or 18"

Wow, that's really cool!