https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li Made with fortitude by Chau en-us 2021-12-07 21:18:35 UTC 2025-10-16 00:25:44 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f3d4.png chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1934571115 I grew up in Vietnam and my family and have traveled to many different places there. But we just travel "normally" to the beaches or cities, and do not really interact with "the wild" much. Then my family and I immigrated to the U.S., we didn't dare to go to unfamiliar places in our first year. After gaining enough confidence and getting along pretty well in this country, we started to explore it. 
We've only gone to some places in California and been to NYC last summer. But each time we go on a trip, we are all shocked by the beauty of nature here. One of the best trips that leave me woa is when we come to lake Tahoe 2 months ago. I very enjoyed that trip because we get to explore everything along the way. On the way home from Lake Tahoe, we stop by Bishop Creek and Lake Sabrina in Inyo National Park. The beautiful creek that is surrounded by all shades of red and orange leaves looks like a winding silk strip with some colorful blobs as highlight parts. As for Lake Sabrina, it has a really different vibe. It is surrounded not by trees like many other lakes. Its sides are tall majestic mountains full of wild breath makes me feel "overwhelmed". I think I can never forget this great experience.
I was getting so excited because I believe that I can have more and more experiences like that in the future. I know there are many places as beautiful or even more beautiful as that in this country that are waiting for me to come and explore it. And I hope my family can still be next to me on those promising trips in the future ]]> 2021-12-07 21:27:39 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1934571115 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1936761403 Summary: A young man from South Dakota named Alex came to Alaska and "live off the lands for a few months". He met Gallien, an experienced hunter (p. 4), in the middle of his way and Gallien offered him a ride. They had a conversation on the road, and Galien noticed that Alex didn't carry enough anything such as food (pg. 4) or gear for this trip (pg. 4). Especially in the extreme conditions of Alaska, Gallien predicted that this young man would be scared (pg. 5) after hearing his honest advice and get out soon like all of the other "tourists". But Alex didn't seem to care and was so determined (pg. 6).
Analysis: I think Alex should have prepared much more for this dangerous trip or at least, after hearing the warning bell of Gallien, he should have listened and come back to prepare more carefully. 
#Alaska#Yolo#dangerous]]> 2021-12-08 20:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1936761403 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1939879150 Summary: The chapter starts by revealing the history of the Stampede Trail and the abandoned bus (pg. 10). In 1916, the Yutan Construction company put 3 junked buses into a road for the workers to stay while building the trail (pg. 10). After the construction ended, the company took back 2 buses and left the third one as a shelter (pg. 10) for the hunters. In September 1992, 3 groups, 6 people, found an S.O.S note from Chris Mccandless on the door of the bus. And Samel came in the bus and found McCandless's body (pg. 13) in the sleeping bag. At 8:30 the next morning, the troopers examined the bus and took all of McCandless's remains. His body was decomposed so badly make it hard to know when McCandless has died but due to all the evidences that they got from the autopsy, starvation (pg. 14) might be his cause of death. They found nothing to determine his identification so no one knows who he is.
Analysis: I feel the helpless and his feeling from the note. He still tried his very best to save himself even though he know that he would died soon. 
#theabandonedbus #S.O.S #starvation]]> 2021-12-10 07:53:10 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1939879150 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1947476888 Summary: 2 months after the body of Chris was found in Alaska, Wayne Westerberg and a grain elevator (pg. 16) owner drink wine and talk about their story with him when he was alive. On September 10, Westerberg picked up a hitchhiker, who said his name is Alex McCandless, and let Alex sleep with him in his trailer for 3 days. Before leaving, Westerberg told Alex to look him up in Carthage whenever he need a job (pg. 17). A couple of weeks later, Alex came into town and was given a job at the  (pg. 16). Alex is a hard-working person who sets a really high standard for himself. One time, when Westerberg see a tax form from Alex, he figured out that Alex's real name (pg. 18) is Chris and he thinks that there's something wrong betwwen this young man and his family (pg. 18). Then Alex left for Westerberg a book called "War and Peace" before he went back to his journey. In fact, Alex came from Annandale, Virginia in a pretty rich family, but he's not really close with his family. in the last 2 years of college, he decided to donate the tuition fee that his parent gave him to a charity organization. In May 1990, his graduation, he told his parents that he's going to be dissappear for a while. Since then, his parents has no clue of where he is.
Analysis: I can see that Chris is very inteligent and has a lot of good characteristics such as determined, hard working, responsible. I also know his actual relationship with his  family and a part of his background. 
#family#background#job]]> 2021-12-14 16:32:53 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1947476888 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1960216727 Summary: In October 1990, an abandoned yellow Datsun (pg. 26) was found in Lake Mead National Park and later was known that it's Chris's loving car (pg.26). On July 6, 1990, Chris drove it to a place called Detrital Wash and encountered a hard flashflood (pg. 26) that make his car become broken. So Chris decided to left the car, and burn all of his money. He continue the journey by hitchhiking to Lake Tahoe, hiking to Sierra Nevada and Pacific Crest Trail. Then he got ripped off by a man after 11 days working for that man. Next, he meet a couple on the road who give him a ride. Even though he tried so hard to avoid his parents from having any clue about his activities and where he is but his parents still receive some of his information through a private investigator. He then arrives in Mexico then buys a canoe (pg. 32) to paddle down the Colorado River. He wrote a postcard to Wayne Westerberg telling his challenges those days and his determination in the journey. Months after, he once almost drowned in the river and decided to abandon (pg. 28) a canoe as well. Finally, he attempted to come back to the U.S. but was stopped by an officer.
Analysis: I'm so impressed and admire his determination on continuing the journey by whatever he has left despite all the difficulties that came to him 
#car#challenge#determination]]> 2021-12-22 09:29:39 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1960216727 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1961021777 Summary: In early October, Chris arrives at Bullhead City, Arizona, and plans to stay there the entire winter. He takes a part-time job at a McDonald's under his real name and SSN. His colleagues (pg. 40)  remember him as a responsible man with weird characteristics: he hates wearing socks (pg. 40) and smells so bad. But one thing they don't know is that Chris is homeless and doesn't have access to a bathroom to take shower. Then he meets an old man who offers him to live in his trailer so Chris lives there in a month. He then writes a letter (pg. 42) to Jan Burres inviting the couple to come to visit him in the town but 4 days later, he comes to their campsite surprisingly saying that he's so sick of that place. In December 1991, he lives with itinerants (pg. 43) and the couples at a place called Slabs, near Niland. He appears to be so friendly (pg. 44) and starts to bond with all the people there. However, when he realizes how close they are, he tries to step back and choose to leave.
Analysis: Chris's personality was revealed a lot more in this chapter. And it seems to me that he's a pretty complicated person who really wants to love and be loved by others but once the relationship starts to get deeper, he would step back immediately.
#personality#bonding#friendly ]]> 2021-12-22 19:16:22 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1961021777 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962886357 Summary: In mid-January 1992, Chris meets an 80 years old man in the camping area in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The old man is a veteran named Ron Franz, who was an alcoholic after the death of both his wife and his son in a car accident when he is overseas in 1957. Chris and Franz become friends pretty quickly after they first met and decide to live together in a few weeks. They share and listen to each other thoughts and perspectives. Franz gives Chris advice about how it's good to settle down and to protest (pg. 55), Chris tells Franz that he should go out more to see how beautiful the world is. Franz treats Chris like his family who really worries (pg 51) about Chris. Chris contacts Franz again when he's in Colton, California. Then Franz comes to pick him up and help him prepare for his next trip to Carthage. Franz asks Chris if he can adopt (pg. 50) Chris before Chris's departing (pg. 54). But Chris step back once again and said they'll talk about it after he return. In April, Chris writes a postcard (pg. 53) to Franz telling him that Franz gotta go traveling and really live his life. Surprisingly, Franz follows the advice and goes living in his van at Chris's old campsite until one day he hears the news that Chris has died in Alaska from 2 hitchhikers.
Analysis: I truly feel the bonding and how sincere Franz is to Chris. I really hope that Chris can also take a bit of Franz's advice and live with Franz as his grandson for a period of time.
#adoptedfather#different#sad ]]> 2021-12-24 06:51:04 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962886357 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962917048 Summary: The narrator comes to Carthage to know more about Chris's last days there before going to the wild. His personality and personal beliefs were revealed a lot in this chapter. Westerberg's girlfriend, Borah says that Chris is a big eater, a kind man, and his relationship with her sister, Carine who is the only one he talks about deep kinds of stuff with. Westerberg says that he knows Chris was having a problem with his dad but he doesn't agree with Chris's action toward his own family (pg. 63). However, Chris appears to be a very different person when he is in Carthage. Chris is charming, outgoing, and a center in parties. Wayne also shares that Chris is the type of person that takes romantic relationships really seriously (pg. 64) and has a very special belief in sex and moral puberty (pg. 65). On the last night before departing, he plays piano for all the people in Carthage. On the next day morning, he says goodbye to his friends and Borah did see him cry (pg. 68). In late April 1992, Chris writes to all of his close friends a letter before going to the wild saying goodbye forever as if he knows he would never come back.
Analysis: I feel like Chris kinds of sense his destiny before going to the wild. But he still goes in there..... it's really his destiny. 
#puberty#beliefs#party 

]]> 2021-12-24 07:42:33 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962917048 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962927790 Summary: This chapter tells stories about 3 examples of people that have tried to challenge Alaska before Chris and the results. They all have some similar characteristics: intelligent, come prepared and have a huge passion to conquer Alaska on their own to fulfill their lives but all fail. The first one is a wealthy (pg. 73) and intelligent man named Gene Rossellini who earned many prestigious degrees and is pretty good at exercise, as well as sports. He prepared a lot for this but miserably accept his failure (pg. 75) by killing himself. The second guy is Waterman, an expert (pg. 75) in climbing who also has problems with his family like Chris and did run for a presidential election. He went missing after deciding to climb Denali, the most difficult peak of Alaska and the world as well. Police said the most likely cause of his death (pg. 80) is felling down a crevasse (pg. 80). The last one is Carl McCunn who is outgoing, fun, charming and has different beliefs from most people. His death was pretty tragic since he decides to do nothing but wait for help like Chris on his last days. He finally sees a plane fly above his head but he was waving a wrong sign which is not a help signal so he didn't get rescued. And he then choose to shoot himself to stop the slowly miserable pain that kills him every day.
Analysis: It proves that conquering Alaska is an impossible mission and Chris was insane when still want to do so after all those people
#impossible#death#failure]]> 2021-12-24 08:00:15 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1962927790 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1974651826 Summary: This chapter talks about a young traveler (pg. 88) named Everett Ruess who shares a lot of characteristics in common with Chris. Ruess was born in a middle-class family in Oakland, California, and has a huge love for nature and challenge. In his opinion, no one can understand how excited he is to live as a wanderer (pg. 90) in the wilderness (pg. 91). So only one semester at UCLA, he decided to drop out of school and go "into the wild". In his journey to Davis Gulch, he doesn't use his real name but uses "Nemo" as his name. Unfortunately, his dream (pg. 96) didn't come true. His unawareness of personal safety lead him to an end that was as tragic as Chris. Like Chris, in the end, he did make people remember his journey not by the diary but by carving his name into the canyon (pg. 89) wall. He just went disappear after a short time even though his parents operate a search party but don't get any clue about him. No one knows if he's still alive or dead. However, many people believe that he was drown or fell while climbing the canyon. 
Analysis: The author gives another example about a person who tried to live freely in the wild, conquer a challenging place, and how his journey ended. But this example is the most special since Ruess shares the most things in common with Chris. 
#anotherwanderer #defeatbythewild #freespirit

]]> 2022-01-04 16:51:04 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1974651826 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1976930670 Summary: 3 days before the news (pg. 99) about Chris's body is published, Jim Gallien who gave Chris the last ride to Alaska reached out to the police to give some clues. The police ask him how does he know if it is Chris, and he describes some equipment that Alex was bringing that is not mentioned in the news so the police finally believe him. Gallien said Alex is from South Dakota making the police immediately shift their search (pg. 99) but find a dead end. But fortunately, Westerberg heard a radio by Paul Harvey about a dead hiker in Alaska that sounds like Chris. He come to the Alaska State Troopers to provide what he knew about Chris right away. But at that time, the police is overwhelmed by more than 150 calls (pg. 100) from people who said they know Alex so he has to reveal Chris's real name and SSN from a W-4 form that Chris filled before. The police once again shift their search to Virginia and found Sam McCandless, Chris's half-brother. Sam comes to the Fairfax County Police Department and was shown a photograph (pg. 101) of Chris. Sam confirms that it's Chris. Then, Sam and his wife drive to Maryland to tell his parents about the tragedy (pg. 101).
Analysis: I feel pretty sad when I read this chapter because I can't imagine how horrible it feels when you know that your friend, your brother was starved to death in the wild.
#noclues #thenews #theradio]]> 2022-01-05 17:11:00 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1976930670 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1979305847 Summary: This chapter dicks in Chris's family, his dad's past, and in what situation did Chris grew up. Chris's family has 4 people, his parents (Walt and Billie), his sister (Carine), and him. His father, Walt, is a gifted (pg. 109) man who works at a NASA satellite launch. Walt married his ex-wife when he was young and successful but it ended up a divorce. Then, he meets and marries Billie, Chris's mom. Hence, Chris actually has 3 half-siblings. After that, they move to Virginia to build their business. At that time, they spend almost all of the time for work (pg. 108) so their kids don't get enough love and care from their parents as they're supposed to. Moreover, they keep fighting with each other so the kids don't just endure the ignoring (pg. 109) from parents but also verbal abuse. However, somehow that situation makes the bonding between Chris and Carine become really strong. Since Chris was a child, he shows himself as really independent, determined, and strong-headed. He's also a very talented kid but doesn't want to follow any order or rule from authority (pg. 104). Unlike his parents, he doesn't think his goal is to get more and more money. And having a lot of money doesn't mean you succeed. He was always thinking of leaving his family one day and beginning his own adventure (pg. 116) since he's still in high school.
Analysis: So all of that explains so much about why Chris be Chris's actions from all of the previous chapters. I also sympathy for Chris's behavior of tend to run away when other get closer since he's afraid of getting hurt. 
#family #moneyorhappiness #poorchildren

]]> 2022-01-06 18:33:35 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1979305847 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1980904815 Summary: After high school graduation (pg. 121), Chris gives his dad an expensive telescope (pg. 118) and then goes on a road trip to the West. He tried to not make any contact with his family and comes back just before his school year begin. He acts more quiet, boring, and weird in school. The reason for all of his changes is because he finds out the biggest secret (pg. 121) of his dad during the trip which is he has an affair with his ex-wife and they have a son right after Chris was born. His dad has been heading back and forth between 2 households (pg. 121) and having 2 lives the whole time. Chris's reaction to this big news is not telling his mom, instead, he avoids his family and his dad by living a lot more independently and not coming home on all the breaks and summers (pg. 119). He runaway completely when he graduated college and go "into the wild". The narrator also mentions a bit about his parent's reactions and feelings after learning about his death but in the end, they still don't know that they're the reason making him run away like that and have this tragic ending.
Analysis: I can't believe that Walt is not just a heartless man, he's literally a jerk who is wrong with all his kids and his 2 wives. But I also don't agree with Chris's reaction to his dad's secret, he's a man, he should face the problem and solve it, not just run away all the time.
#Waltisajerk #2household #runaway]]> 2022-01-07 17:24:30 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1980904815 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1984667786 Summary: The narrator comes to visit Carine McCandless, Chris's sister, who appears to be hurting (pg. 128) the most from Chris's loss. She talks about how close (pg. 129) the relationship between them is and their ideas about materialism. She mentions their family dog (pg. 128), Buckley, who they both love so much. Before going on the trip, Chris asks their mom to take Buckley with him but she doesn't agree. And Carine believes that Chris would not end up like this if he can take Buckley with him. She also describes how shocked she was when hearing that her brother died and her grief over her brother's death. She visits Alaska where her brother died to take his ashes and his belongings such as his film rolls, his rifle,... She breaks down (pg. 129) and grief (pg. 129) so hard till she lost 10lbs since she refuses food and so does her mom. And oppositely, her dad gained considerable weight.
Analysis: I admire Carine and Chris's relationship so much and I kinda feel how painful it is for Carine. The fact that she lost 10lbs in a month can clearly show how much the death of Chris hurt her. 
#belovedsister #lovelyfamilydog #saddd]]> 2022-01-10 19:51:56 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1984667786 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989178655 Summary: This chapter is a bit different since the author chooses to tell his own story. Jon Krakauer comes from Colorado and is a carpenter. He's obsessed with climbing (pg. 134) challenging mountains and like Chris, his dream is also in Alaska. He tries to prepare everything just to summit (pg. 135) the Devils Thumb which is one of the most dangerous and difficult peaks (pg. 134). When he arrives at the 19th state, he sleeps on the floor of a house of a woman he meets there, then gets a drive from strangers to a glacier (pg. 138) named the Stikine Ice Pack. 3 days later, he gets to the edge of the Devils Thumb and begins climbing. But unfortunately, a snowstorm makes him almost fall into a crevasse (pg. 140). So he has to settle a camp and wait for the weather (pg. 146) to get better. When the time has come, he once again starts climbing but only after 700 feet, he becomes panicked since there's nothing for him to hold into and he's forced to climb back down.
Analysis: One more example to prove that Chris isn't the only one choosing this path to be the only big goal in his life. And it's even more special when this story comes from the author of the book. I can see why the author decides to write this book. 
#anotherexample #horribleweather #thescarypeak]]> 2022-01-12 21:41:01 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989178655 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989210380 Summary: After staying in the tent for 3 days because of the horrible weather (pg. 146), he lights up a cigarette to smoke but he accidentally sets the tent on fire (pg. 147) making the temperature inside the tent (pg. 147) drop quickly. But the tent makes him remember his dad who is really strict to him and stubborn. His father (pg. 147) forces him to be meet all of his expectations and study in medical school to become a doctor like him. But Krakauer is also stubborn and persistent with his own beliefs. He doesn't want to be a clone (pg. 148) of his dad so he chooses to go chasing his own dream. His dad later becomes addicted and did commit suicide once so he was consigned to a psychiatric hospital. Back to Krakauer, he attempts (pg. 149) to summit the peak again from the southeast side. And finally, he overcomes all the challenges and summits the peak. He enjoys a few minutes on the top and takes some photos. Then he comes back to town and drinks alone in a bar. In the end, he concludes that Chris does not have to intend to die when coming into the wild, he just tries to make his dream come true.
Analysis: So lucky for Krakauer that he did his dream and be satisfied with the result. Also, he learned a lot from this journey and come back to his ordinary life in a better way. Poor Chris, he has no chance to come back to normal life to really face his problems
#runawayisnotaway #hedidit #anotherfatherandsonproblem]]> 2022-01-12 22:15:28 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989210380 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989434304 Summary: In mid-April, 1992, Chris leaves Carthage to go to Denali National Park. He is offered a drive (pg. 159) to Whitehorse, Alaska by a man, Gaylord Stuckey, who is a deliveryman. Chris shares his stories with him including his family story. This man was so impressed by Chris's beliefs living in the wild and inteligence after 2 days living with him. Stucky decides to drive Chris all the way to Fairbanks. Chris buys a gun (pg. 160) and several supplies there to prepare for the trip. He then is picked up by Jim Gallion and arrive at Denali National Park. Chris follows the Teklanika River and on the first day of May, he finds the abandoned bus (pg. 163). He stays there and starts recording his "Magic Bus Day". He shoots some small animals and also tries to shoot a moose (pg. 166). But he doesn't know how to keep the meat fresh so in fact, he waste most of the moose. Then he reads a book (pg. 162) named "Family Happiness" saying that happiness is sharing with others so he decided to head back to town. But unfornately, the ice on the river has melted making the water is too deep to cross, so Chris choose to continue staying in the bus to way till things get better.
Analysis: Chris was so unlucky. I feel so bad that he finally decides to go back and wouldn't have to die in the wild alone but nature doesn't let him go. I think it's kinda his fate to go to Alaska and die there in the "Magic Bus". 
#unlucky #theriver #tragicbegins]]> 2022-01-13 02:11:52 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1989434304 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1996738805 Summary: A year after Chris passed away, Jon Krakauer decided to visit the "Magic Bus" with 3 companions to know how Chris goes through his final days. According to the map that they bring, they see that Chris could have across the river (pg. 173) easily by a aluminum basket (pg. 173) that was left by a  hydrological group if he just walk a few hours to that point. But the thing is, Chris bring no map (pg. 173) with him so he doesn't know that. Chris doesn't even know that his place is actually pretty close to civilization. Then at night, the group get to the abandoned bus (pg. 174), where Chris died, and affirm that Chris really killed a moose, not a caribou like everyone said, based on the length of a nearby animal bones. Then they go inside the bus and find all the Chris's possessions and stuffs that he uses when living there. After getting outside, they uses Chris's stove to cook moose meat and eat while trying to find the answers for all the questions (pg. 174) about about Chris such as his personalities, causes lead to his death, his journey,...
Analysis: I feel a bit angry to Chris after reading this chapter since if he just prepared better for this trip, he wouldn't end up dying like this. But anyway, I also feel so sorry for him. 
#map #preparation #ironic]]> 2022-01-18 00:03:07 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1996738805 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1997294864 Summary: Since Chris can't cross the river, he goes back to a regular life in the bus: hunting animals, reading books, finding food,... The turning point is when he read the "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak and get impressed by an idea that "Happiness is only real when shared". He kinda has an epiphany and decide to go back to cilvilation life. But on July 30th, in his diary, he describes his weak health condition and jeopardy (pg. 189) because of getting poisoned by either potato seeds or sweet pea. But the most possible reason is the sweet pea. However, no toxin was found in the sweet pea that Krakauer send. Then, Krakauer finds that there's a mold that produces alkaloid, a toxic chemical. So he confirms that Chris's body was so weak (pg. 191) that it gets poisoned (pg. 190) easily by a moldy potato seed. There's another ironic thing that if Chris could have had a map back then, he would be able to find a stocked cabin nearby and wouldn't starve to death (pg. 199). On August 12, 1992, Chris start putting the SOS (pg. 198) note on the bus when he wasn't there. A few weeks after that, he starts to realize that his life would be ended soon so he takes the last picture with a goodbye note writing that "I have had a happy life and thank the lord. Goodbye and may god bless all". And a few days later, Chris passed away in the wild:)))
Analysis: I feel so bad reading this chapter knowing that he wanted to go back but didn't have a chance just because of a tiny mistake that having no map. And his goodbye note almost makes me cry since, at that time, he still keeps a grateful as well as a positive attitude and wishes all the best for everyone else's. 
#pleasebringthemap #poisonedpotato #goodbye]]> 2022-01-18 07:51:52 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1997294864 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1999044589 Summary: Almost a year after Chris passed away, his parents, Walt and Billie, and Krakauer decide to visit the Magic Bus. They take a helicopter (pg. 200) to come to the bus (pg. 201) and wander around the places that Chris used to go to when living there. After a while, the first person who is ready to go inside the bus is Billie, his mom. She takes a look at all of Chris's possessions that are still there, then stops at Chris's pair of jeans (pg. 202) smelling them, and tells her husband that it's definitely her son's smell. They leave a memorial plaque behind and a suitcase (pg. 202) that includes a first aid kit, some supplies (pg. 202) hoping that it could help someone who also needs help in the wild like their son. They both show that they are glad they decide to come there and Billie also admits that she would admire Chris's decision of living in the wild if he didn't die. They then go back to the helicopter and this book ends with their image slowly vanishing away.
Analysis: I feel kinda relieved reading till here. The last chapter leaves me in a blue mood but this one, seeing his parents are getting over the loss of their son making me feel a lot better. I think losing our loved ones is the most hurtful thing.
#gettingover #thesorrowfaded #Chrisparents]]> 2022-01-18 21:34:09 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/1999044589 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2002040506 Summary: Even though everyone believes that the cause of Chris's death is starvation (¶ 1), Krakauer still puts a big question mark about that because based on the lists, Chris is able to kill a good amount of animals every day that can definitely keep him alive up to 113 days. He saw a clue (¶ 2) in Chris's diary and was suspicious of it, which is " Extremely weak. Fault of potato seeds". Thanks to the help of Ronald Hamilton, Krakauer figured out that the seed's name is beta-ODAP (¶ 6),  a compound that weakens and paralyzes (¶ 7) muscle.  He then sends the seed to a lab in Michigan to learn more about it and get the result that the toxin inside the seed is actually called L-canavanine (¶ 9). That plant only contains toxins at a certain time in a year and unfortunately, Chris ate it right at that time. After that, he publishes the result in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. The causes of Chris's death even become more controversial. But Krakauer still believes that Chris would have survived if he doesn't get poisoned by those seeds.
Analysis: I would be more cautious eating strange fruit or seeds when going camping somewhere. And also, I know that Chris has enough skill and ability to live in the wild, it is just so unlucky to him that he accidentally eating those poisoned seeds:)))
#themystery #poisoned #unfortunately]]> 2022-01-20 05:04:35 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2002040506 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2003834017 Since I was a child, my parents took me to so many places in Vietnam and I'm always super excited exploring new places. When I was 13, my father took me to Hong Kong, that was the first time I travel abroad. I was so surprised and fascinated when I can actual feel a different culture right next to me and get to learn more about it. I started to know that I'm not just drawn into traveling, I also love to experience every cultures. Then it comes to the time when I and my family move to this country, I have a chance to get to know this country by living here. I haven't gone to that much states and attractions as I want to, but I definitely will. While experiencing in NYC, I realize that I'm completely a city person, I got hooked by all those buildings, colorful night lights, the hustle and bustle atmosphere there. I learn that traveling not just allows me to explore more cultures and places, it also allows me to explore more about myself and who I really am. 
When I grow up and have enough financial condition, I wish I will be able to come to as many countries and states like you, Ms. Moore. I will try to give my parents the opportunity to travel as much as I do, too. And to achieve that dream, I choose the Navy to be my first launch pad. While in the Navy, I would have a chance to complete myself more and get several percent of my dream. I think I would be more mature and have the possibility to get to my goal quicker after serving 5 years in the Navy. I haven't known yet if my plan is right but I hope so. Wish me luck!!!!

#everycultureismagical #travelislifegoal #thefirststepisNavy]]> 2022-01-20 21:03:44 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2003834017 chquach1001_2 https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2006553531 I can I understand what makes Chris choose to give up everything and runaway, but I don't agree with how he reacts to his dad's secret like that. He literately avoids his mom, and left his sister behind just because he doesn't know  what to do with the new that his dad has always had an affair with his ex wife. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that he can't chase his dream, however, I think he must act like a man, solve and settle all matters complete first. He can't suddenly runaway that way, it's so irresponsible. There's would be a better way to react to his dad's problem. On his journey, Chris is so lucky that he met a lot of great people, who loves him sincerely. But when they get closer to him, he keep choosing to step back and runaway again. I really don't like Chris because of that. He doesn't know how much he hurt all the people around him. His pain can't be an excuse for him to treat people like crap. 
Anyway, Chris and Carine also doesn't deserve to be treated the way their parents treats them. They must have been hurt so much in their childhood time. I absolutely can't accept that Walt was having 2 household for years and even have a kid with his ex-wife after Chris was born. I can't imagine that how much it hurt Chris as a teenager upon receiving such new about his own dad. How could there is such a jerk like Walt. Although he was financially successful, he's completely a irresponsible man and a worst dad ever. 
He has a great dream, and working to achieve your dream is also a great thing. But he also needs to care about other things in his life as well. And if he choose to only focus on his dream, please come prepare. Everyone, including him knows that living in the wild is a very very dangerous thing. But he forgot the most important thing, the mapppp. The most basic mistake ever. He also doesn't give himself a backup plan. If he just leave a note or tell someone before he goes into the wild that if they don't see him getting out after a certain time, please find him. He might wouldn't have to end up dying alone in the wild and can come back living a better life. 

#beaman #terribledad #themapandbackupplan

]]> 2022-01-22 17:41:55 UTC https://padlet.com/chquach1001_2/jbqgmbwrdai995li/wish/2006553531