One thing I did this summer was take a smalls girls trip to Atlanta, GA. This was something that i needed. Being stuck at home for months and seeing and feeling the despair of the country and the uncertainty of our present weighed heavy on me. This trip stood out because I got time to myself away from regular life. I got to reset and map out a new plan for myself. I learned about starting my own small business and even brained storm ideas for raising donations for a non profit fund to support the needs of women shelters across the city. This summer opened my eyes to the need of my community, and challenged me to push my self to want better for myself. So that i can be successful and so that i could put myself in a position to help others.

The story that has interested me the most so far is the “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. This story really intrigued me because it really made me think about how some groups people view traditions and customs, even today. Some hold their ideals so near that no matter the advancement of technology or the change in times, they still maintain the teachings and practices of their ancestors that have been passed down from generations before.

The story is ironic in the sense that they make a sacrifice every year in order to ensure prosperity and abundance. Though the people made minor changes throughout the years they dare not change and evolve from the worst part of the tradition. The intentional stoning of an unwilling participant once their luck run out and they’re chosen. I thought that was a strange tradition because in order to gain the people had to murder a real person they knew in a brutal painful manner.