My Poem for the Interview - Assignment from Mr. Chesser

My Poem for the Interview


Not That Different

                                 by Sharon Kuo


In Switzerland there was Dr. Frankenstein,

To put the dead body parts altogether to alive.

Unfortunately, it was given no identity.




In ancient China there was Emperor Chin,

To build the Great Wall altogether to survive.

Incredibly, it was a solid boundary.



The Doctor researched to bring the death back to life.

The Emperor pursued the ambition throughout his life.


Apart from thousands of years,

They both had the same thing in mind,

--- the Eternity.

PHILADELPHIA movie - Assignment from Mr. Chesser

PHILADELPHIA

The movie Philadelphia was an American drama film made in 1993. It was directed by Jonathan Demme and stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.

There are two reasons that I picked this film for my culminating activity. First, I had been living in Philadelphia for two years. The scene of the city of Philadelphia and the song “Streets of Philadelphia” really touch my heart. Second, the film was made in 1993, the year I finished the business graduate school at Drexel University in Philadelphia. I watched this film in a movie theatre in Taiwan after obtained my Master's degree. While the beginning scenes along with the theme music were playing, I was wiping my tears in the dark, dreaming that I was walking on the streets of Philadelphia, strolling around the river side, the art museum, the John Wanamaker's department store, and many more ...

Robert Jonathan Demme (born February 22, 1944) is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop Making Sense and a trilogy of Neil Young documentary/concert movies. He has been involved in the film industry since 1971. (source: Wikipedia)

 

The main setting of this film was the law firm in Philadelphia in 1993. The conflict of the main character, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), was that he was somewhat ashamed of and afraid of revealing the fact to his homophobic and aids-phobic partner boss that he was gay and was contracted aids. He did not want to risk his promising career. But after his boss found it out then fired him using an excuse, Beckett fought back against him for his right for work and was not ashamed of being gay and having aids.


Joe Miller (Danzel Washington) was the antagonist. At first, Miller made only a slight difference from others. He was aids-phobic but not homophobic. After he clarified the safe distance and precuations of being around with aids people, he was not that aids-phobic. When he found out that Beckett had been discriminated by others for aids, he defended and justified Beckett's right, which was very brave of Miller back then.
 

This film covered many themes, including discrimination against aids and race. I would say there was an educational meaning in this film in terms of aids because Beckett won the lawsuit, which explained that aids is not a sin. From the view point of racial discrimination, this film demonstrated equal competence of both lawyers, one white and one black, which is against the stereotyped image of lawyers.

  Philadelphia movie trailer

Philadelphia opening shot








Philadelphia closing shot

 

Tuesdays with Morrie - Assignment from Mr. Chesser

This novel is certainly worth reading in this classroom because the students here still have great chances to make life prosperous. Also, viewing life from the point of view of death, inspires me to rethink how to make the best use of time in terms of the relationship with friends and family, personal potential development, my responsibilities, enjoying the rest of my life, giving back to the community, what I can leave for my family tree, etc. The most important thing is what I can do from now on.

Oftentimes I would think it is lucky for Mitch Albom to find Morrie Schwartz again and have him as an old wise mentor. I appreciate Mitch Albom for sharing his luck with us.