Into the Wild Blog by Thao Phan https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49 Made with a little mischief by Thao Phan en-us 2021-12-07 17:32:16 UTC 2025-10-16 00:42:25 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/26c5.png My Experience in the Wild... ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1935252793 Before immigrating to the United States, I was born and raised in Saigon, a crowded and busy city of Vietnam where people come from different places of Vietnam come to live, work and pursuit their dream. Growing up in a urban city, I sometimes feel lost, tired, and stress of how hustle and busy the city is. In 2019, I went on a trip to Vietnam with my brother, and I got a chance to visit Đà Lạt, a city that is popular with local food, and special nature. 

Đà Lạt is the capital of Lâm Đồng Province in Vietnam's Central Highlands. I was staying there for 3 days and was in love with the nature of this city. One of them I want to talk about is Hồ Vô Cực (the place above). Because Đà Lạt is also known as "The Land of Love", and the lake has two people looking at each other represents everlasting love. Hồ means lake, Vô Cực means the "infinity" of love. Overall, the feeling of peace this place gave me was incredible, there was a lot of trees around, the birds were chirping, the statues are beautiful, and these feeling change my mindset a lot about nature. ]]> 2021-12-08 06:57:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1935252793 Chapter 1: The Alaska Interior ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1937613911 Summary: Into the Wild is a book written about the experience of a guy named Alex that is based on the true story of Christopher Johnson McCandless. The book begins with Alex giving up everything he built in the past years and deciding to travel to the wilderness. Jim Gallia saw a hitchhiker (pg.4), introduced as Alex on the road, and decided to pick him up. According to the conversation between them on the way to the edge, we know that Alex's plan is to "live of the land for a few months". As Gallien described, Alex's backpack (pg. 7) weighed about 25 to 30 pounds, packed a 10-pound bag of rice, a rifle, and cheap leather hiking boots that's neither waterproof (pg. 5) nor well insulated. It was April 1992. After dropping Alex, Gallien gave Alex his number and call him to give him the boots back after getting out of the bush. Gallien drove toward Anchorage concerning Alex but later on thinking that Alex would just come back out of the bush whenever he gets hungry (pg. 7) because that's what a normal (pg. 7) person would do.

Analysis: After reading chapter 1, I still don't understand that the man that has everything that other people desire like Alex decided to leave everything in the back to live off in the wild. Is there any reason for this or is Alex just randomly thinking about this kind of life and decided to make it happen? I think this really makes sense because as Gallien described Alex, we can tell that Alex wasn't really prepared for this trip. Overall, the opening of the book is good, let's see how the other chapter will tell us the experience of Alex in the bush. 

#enjoyyourlife #loveyourself #thewilderness]]> 2021-12-09 07:42:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1937613911 Chapter 2: The Stampede Trail ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1939879047 Summary: In the second chapter of Into The Wild, I learned that Christopher Johnson McCandless was found dead by a couple. They found a note on the outside and didn't want to go in because it smell like decay. An S.O.S note (13) with the call for help. As Christopher said at the end of the S.O.S note "August?" (12) with the question mark telling us that Christopher was totally disconnecting to the real world and didn't know how much time has passed. People found a lot of his belongings, like jeans, a rifle, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, etc. Later on, I found out that Christopher had been dead (13) for two and a half weeks (13). Evacuating Christopher's body became a struggle to the hunters because none of their vehicles seem to fit Chris's body, so they contact the authorities to do that. The autopsy couldn't figure out how Chris died because his body had decayed so much. According to them, by the time he died, he only weighed sixty-seven pounds (14).

Analysis: Bruh this is crazy, this chapter was darker than my expectation. I feel like after reading chapter 2, I have him even more. Look what he got himself into!!! It is so ironic that a guy that comes from a wealthy family ends up dying because of starvation. I wish I could be there before Chris started his plan to live in the wilderness, that the plan is stupid!!! uhhh. However, I looking forward to reading and learning more about his journey!!

#stupiddecision #consequences #fatality]]> 2021-12-10 07:53:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1939879047 Chapter 3: Carthage ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1941028561 Summary: In chapter 3, I am introduced to Carthage, a small town with a population (15) nearly 274 people. I learned that Alex met a new person called Wayne Westerberg, a person that Chris hitchhiked. Both of them stopped at Westerberg's friend's house and had a big dinner (17). After the dinner, Westerberg's plan was to drop Chris down the road as he wish, but later on, decided to let Chris spend the night in the trailer because it was raining (17) so hard. As time goes by, Chris viewed Westerberg as his new family. Westerberg even offered him a job and turned out that Chris was the harder worker (18) that Westerberg ever met. Westerberg is really curious about Chris's life, but in the end, didn't ask anything because it wasn't his business (18). As chapter 3 goes on, I learned that Chris came from the upper-middle class and is really close with one of his siblings called Carine. After graduation. Chris decided to donate the remaining money in his bank account to charity (20). The last time his family members see him is unexpected and Chris just randomly disappears into the wilderness on a random day. All the letters that were sent to Chris were returned in a bundle. Chris left everything behind and started a new epic journey (22). After Westerberg got arrested for owning black boxes (19), Chris continues with his journey but still keeps in touch with Westerberg.

Analysis: After reading this chapter, I started to admire him a little bit. In this chapter, I learned a lot more about Chris's background that the other chapters never mentioned. But throughout 3 chapters, I still don't know what's the reason for Chris that give up everything in his life and start off a new life having a new identity. I lowkey look up to him when I know that even though he was in an upper-middle-class family, but really hardworking and committed to the job that Westerberg offered. However, I'm excited to know what will happen after he leaves Carthage.

#hardworking #epicjourney #chasethedream]]> 2021-12-10 20:00:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1941028561 Chapter 4: Detrital Wash ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1946192267 Summary: Chapter 4 is the chapter that we see the most active Chris. In chapter 4, I learned that Chris abandoned (26) his yellow Datsun (26) without the license plate and he left a note basically saying that whoever found this car can have it. Even with the cars, the authorities still couldn't trace Chris. Later on, I found out that Chris's car was used by the park service for undercover drugs (27) busts. Chris continues the adventure without his car to a desert (25). While camping there, he experiences his first major obstacle, a thunderstorm. Because of this, Chris couldn't start the car because parts of the car were damaged (28) by the flood. He then buried his license plate and some other belongings, including his rifle, and burned all his money (29). For the next two months, Chris traveled to many places in the West. He got another job at a ranch (30) but soon quit because he realized that the owner of the ranch didn't have the intention to pay him. After leaving the ranch and continuing with his adventure, he met a couple called Jan and Bob. They gave him a ride, gave him food, give him a place to live for a week. In the conversation between Chris and the couple, I learned that Chris has relied on edible plants (30) to survive. Before meeting Jan and Bob, Chris got a ticket (31) for hitchhiking and was putting in his parents' address and his parents used this ticket to investigate information about him but could find anything after all. Chris decided to cross the border to Mexico. There, he experienced many more obstacles like language barriers, ways lost. But luckily, he still survives after all of those!.

Analysis: bruh! I think this chapter is the most intense chapter from the beginning of the book, there are so many things that happened in a chapter, and until now, I still couldn't process all of these events. However, after reading this chapter, I started to admire him more. If I had experienced this many obstacles, I would have had a mental breakdown, cried, and returned to the loving home that had my parents take care of my friends and always there to support me. I even look up to him more because even though he came from an upper-middle-class, I see that he handles difficulties so well throughout his adventure. I wonder what so unsatisfied him in his life that encourages him to make this adventure happen. However, I am excited to read more about his journey in the next chapters 

#overcometheobstacle #survival #theexperience]]> 2021-12-14 05:05:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1946192267 Chapter 5: Bullhead City ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1948696226 Summary: After leaving Las Vegas, Chris continued his journey to Alaska without his camera (38) and stop writing journals (38). Even though traveling to new places, Chris still keeps in touch with Jan and Bob by writing them letters (41). With the love for the desert, Chris stayed there for a good two months (39) and actually got a job at McDonald's (40). However, Chris used his real identification when he applied for the job. In this chapter, I got a chance to listen to his assistant manager, and other co-workers tell the experience with him when they work at McDonald's. According to what they said, Chris was a hard worker and dependable (40). But besides that, there were a lot of complains like how he would wear shoes without socks, his body odor, slow worker, and try to hide the fact that he was a homeless (41). After three week work at McDonald's, Chris quit the job after the confrontal of the co-workers. Later on when he meet Charlie,  a nice guy that let Chris live in a trailer (41) as long as he keep himself out of sight and quite. When leaving, Chris left Charlie fifty bucks (42) and a pack of cigarette (42). After all the letters were sent and received, Jan and Bob decide to give Chris a visit and Chris stayed with them four days. During that time, Chris helped a lot in watching out their books store. Chris was so sick associting with "plastic people" (43) in this city, so he decided to to leave this Bullhead City and head to Alaska as planned. Jan worried about Chris but later on figured out that Chris is smart enough that he can take care himself and know exactly what he wants.

Analysis: I think after reading this chapter, I hate Chris again!! I'm glad that he finally got a real job and can't take care of himself but I feel Chris is so selfish that he would hate on his co-workers and get peeved when all they want is Chris to be better and Chris calling them "plastic people", if it was me on of his co-worker, I would be so mad about Chris's attitude at work. I don't know why with Jan and Bob, he was so nice, but isolate himself to other people around him, I wonder doesn't he stress living a life like this?

#hustling #plasticpeople #McDonaldsnoowningme]]> 2021-12-15 05:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1948696226 Chapter 6: Anza - Borrego ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1950695215 Summary: the author of this book, Jon Krakauer received a letter from Ronald Franz basically wanting to know more information about Chris. It all started when Ron gave him a ride (49). Chris camped (50) under a hanging tarp (49) near Salton City. In the conversation between Chris and Ron, Chris told Ron that he camped neat the Oh My God Hot Springs, and Ron said that he lived here for six years (49), and never heard of it. According to the book, I know that Ron spent most of his life in the army, his wife (50) and only son were killed by a drunk driver on New Year's eve in 1957. Ron was so sad and started hitting a lot of whiskeys (50) hard but soon quit and he was still really sad over the loss. After the event, Ron started adopting (50) Okinawans and raising them until they attended colleges. Even though Ron really cares about Chris, Chris still keeps him distant and gets peeved whenever Ron asked him about his personal life. In this chapter, I also learned that Chris got a chance to learn how to work with leather and be able to make a belt (59) for himself with the name Alex and his journey on it. Even though Ron loved Chris from the bottom of his heart, but Chris still leave him to go on his journey. One year after the death of Chris, Ron was no longer happy and view the world with his blue eyes (59). After Chris die, Ron became an atheist (60) because God didn't save Chris's life so he no longer have any trust in god.

Analysis: Bruhhhhh! Compare to the previous chapters, this chapter hit so differently, it is insanely sad. From this chapter, I started to like the book more. However, I feel really bad after hearing about Ron's experience with Chris. If I was Chris, I would quit my journey and have a peaceful life as a son beside Ron. There were some parts in this chapter that was so sad like all Ron wanted was Chris to be his son, he tried his best to convince Chris to stay but with the love for nature, Chris just can't have somebody that so attached to him. Overall, this was a sad chapter. This book is really up and down:((

#emotional #fatherandson #thefeelingofattachment]]> 2021-12-16 01:00:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1950695215 Chapter 7: Carthage ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1952692507 Summary: In chapter 7, Chris came back to visit Westerberg and worked every job (62) thrown at him. By the time he stayed at Westerberg's place, Chris got introduced to Westerberg's girlfriend, Gail Borah. They had dinner and talked about a lot of things. Even though they talk about many things but Chris didn't really mention anything about his family (64) except his sister Carine. This left Westerberg a question in his heart that how bad the relationship between him and his parents made him hate to talk about (64). Throughout the book, I know that Chris divorce (64) his parents and because his parents try to make him live in a life that they set for him already. Chris seems to have been celibate throughout his life as well as doesn't sexually active (66) too. After that, Chris got ready to continue his trip to Alaska and Westerberg tried to make him stay for another ten days but couldn't. Before Chris leaves, he has dinner with Westerberg's mom, and they talk to each other for five hours about books. Also, in this chapter, it also revealed that Chris knows how to play piano (68). On April 27, 1992, Westerberg receive a letter believed that it might be the last letter he will receive from Chris because on the trip to Alaska, it might prove fatal (69) and Westerberg won't ever hear from him again, " I now walk into the wild".

Analysis: This book really has ups and downs tho. If the previous chapter is the sad sad one, this chapter is a really calm one but I have a really bad feeling about the next chapter because "The calm before the storm" right?. I wonder what specifically really happened between Chris and his parents that made him hate them so much though, cause I think his parents really love him though like when they found out that Chris was missing, they even hire someone from the CIA to do an investigation about him. However, I lowkey find it interesting when I found out that Chris was never really involved in any romantic relationship though, and he died as a virgin omg:)) Overall, this chapter is kind of chill though, excited to read the next one. 

#virgin4life #alaskahereicome #nogirlfriendnoproblem


]]> 2021-12-16 22:19:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1952692507 Chapter 8: Alaska ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1962919630 Summary: In this chapter, besides telling the story about Chris, we also know about the adventure stories of three other men that also go on adventures like Chris but are even crazier. They are Rossellini, Waterman, and McCunn. Rossellini, a foolish (71) man, was a tough guy and had been through many struggles like Chris too to see if a modern man can live as a life of a caveman back in the days just, later on, to figure out that modern human cannot go back and live that life again, and end his life by a know through his heart for the failure (75) Followed is the story of Waterman, he attempted to climb the toughest mountain that leads to fatality and no one ever heard from him again. The last one is McCunn, he is a guy that thinks whenever he got into trouble, there will be a miracle happens and end up saving him. But he is really similar to Chris in that he also enjoys the wilderness, but later on, ended up starving to death according to his diary (81).

Analysis: Bruh!! I thought Chris is so crazy already but after reading this chapter, I, even more, opened my eyes because there are three other guys that even crazier than Chris. I feel like this dream is too much because I would never chase the dream that leads to fatality. I feel like this chapter is too much for me because of the craziness of it. I wonder do they really happy when they do this to themselves? I wonder at their last breath, do they regret their decision of attempting to live in the wilderness

#crazypeople #R.I.P3men #fatality]]> 2021-12-24 07:47:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1962919630 Chapter 9: Davis Gulch ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1972770706 Summary: Chapter 9 begins with a brief description of Davis Gulch, a canyon located in the Southwestern state of Utah. Instead of reading the story about a man, not Chris, but Everette Ruess, in this chapter. In the same situation with Chris McCandless, Everette also abandoned his life and disappeared (89) into the wild. Like Chris, Everette came from an upper-middle-class and well-educated family. He started his first trip (89) when he was sixteen. After abandoning his life, he adopted the name "Nemo" to remove himself from society completely, just like Chris adopted the name Alex. Everette was a Harvard dropout student, and he spent the rest of his meteoric life being a vagabond and living out of a backpack (90). Everette churned out so many letters (91) that we can know where are the places he went through. In the letters of Everette, we can see how beautiful the wilderness is in his eyes. Also, like Chris, Ruess was undeterred (92) by physical discomfort; at times, he seemed to welcome it. Later in the chapter, we found out that Everette believed he fell into his death while scrambling on one or another canyon wall (94).

Analysis: Why are there so many people like Chris???? I wonder what's on their mind makes them want to live in the wilderness instead of having an easy life? I wonder do they are really happy when they live a life like that? Agree that many a life like that will be less stressful, but don't you find it difficult when you have to find ways to survive everyday? If "Into The Wild" is about Christopher McCandless's adventure, where are the books of other people like Chris? Chris's adventure was published as a book, but other people like Chris didn't have books that talked about their adventure even though they do crazier things than Chris. 

#crazypeople #havarddropout #lifeisadventures ]]> 2022-01-03 18:51:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1972770706 Chapter 10: Fairbanks ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1974732903 Summary: If the other chapter tells us about the adventure of Chris and other people about their experience in the wilderness, then chapter 9 is more about reveal about the investigation about the death of starvation(98) of Chris. Chris's death was all in newspapers (99) and radio. At the time Chris died, the authorities had trouble finding his true identity. Because of the news, Jim Gallien and Wayne Westerberg soon knew about the guy who died is their friend, Alex, which is Chris. Gallien and Westerberg contact the authorities to give out information about Chris to help them find Chris's identity. At first, the police were a little bit skeptical when they here Gallien and Westerberg know Chris, but after hearing their experience with Chris, they started to believe and use that information to continue the investigation. Using the social security number (100) and W-4 form (100), they were able to find information about like address, real name, and more about his background. Sam used to live in his mother's house once read the article and find it ironic (101) about Chris's death and had a difficult time letting his parents know about his situation.

Analysis: This chapter is kind of sad to me though, I once heard that the person who stays always has a hard time than the person who leaves. In this case, Chris is the person that died, but the person that really sad is his parents and sibling. If I was one of Chris's parents, I will be devastated when I find out that my son is dead. However, I really like this chapter because it is ... short! and we got to know more about Chris since we don't really know anything about him in the previous chapters.

#R.I.PChris #thephonebook #teendiedinthewild]]> 2022-01-04 17:28:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1974732903 Chapter 11: Chesappeake Beach ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1980273300 Summary: In this chapter, we got to know more about Chris's background as well as his family (103). Chris's parents owned a house in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and other properties like a sailboat (104) and a nice car. Billie, Chris's mother, is really sad about the death of Chris. When Chris was 6, Walt got a job at NASA and they moved to Virginia. 4 years later he quit and started his own company(106) with Billie. Money (107) was tight back then, Walt and Billie would argue all the time and can bring up divorce (107) at any time. Walt took Chris on his first backpacking (104) trip at 8, summated Old Rag, and did that climb every year thereafter. Chris was also really good academically. He usually scored A’s. He once got an F and Walt really made Chris go to tutoring but Chris wasn't going well with the format of teacher of the teacher.  With sports, he had a lot of talent but didn’t focus on the finer things. On Friday, he picked up his friend Hathaway to go into town together. What Hathaway didn’t know was that Chris wanted to talk to prostitutes and the homeless again. He then pooled their money and drove around giving out hamburgers.
In his senior year, he told his parents he didn’t want to go to college. But his parents convinced him that if he really wanted to make a difference in the world, he would need a degree for leverage. It worked and he went to Emory.

Analysis: I would say that this chapter is one of my most favorite chapters because I got to know a lot of Chris's background, as well as his family. After reading the chapter, I know that it is true that Chris's family was rich because it was paid off after hard workings days. As the chapter went on, I got to know a lot more about Chris from the perspective of his parents. I can tell that his parents are really sad about his death. I still have that exact one question since the beginning of the book. What makes Chris so unsatisfied that he has to come to the decision that leaves everything including his career and family just to live as a homeless man?

#poorchris'sparents #childhoodstories #familyproblems


]]> 2022-01-07 09:35:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1980273300 Chapter 12: Annandale ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1981054871 Summary: Reading this book, I can tell that Henry David Thoreau inspires Chris by the book's highlighted (117) paragraphs. In chapter 12, we learned more about Chris's events in the past. After Chris graduated (117) high school, Walt and Billie threw parties for him. At the party, Chris gave Billie a telescope (118). At the part, Chris was really grateful and appreciate everything that Billie and Walt sacrificed for him. Chris once left and went to Pacific and didn't comeback days before the school started with thirty pounds (118) lost. Chris was a like really stubborn kid, he is the type of person that can listen to other people advises and do the opposite things. After getting back to school, he started to taking care of himself more like the outside looking as well as his grades (119) and do a lot of activities at school. The summer after his freshman year of college, Chris returned to Annadale and worked for his parents's company (119). He once got a job at at Dominoes and delivering (120) pizza. The facts of his father's serious marriage and subsequent divorce- facts to which he hadn't been privy (121). Walt was cheating and he tried to balance his time for both of the family. Lies were told and exposed. After his graduation, he didn’t contact anyone in his family, including his sister. McCandless knew that if his parents got word from him they’d be able to find him and try and get him home. As time passed, his parents became more and more worried. Billie never left the house without putting a note on their door.

Analysis: Now I understand the problems here. Chris, a guys seems to have everything people dream, didn't really happy in his own family. Due to the fact that Walt have multiple marriage soon broke his heart. However, even though he doesn't have a perfect family, he still have a lot of people love him and willing to help him whenever he struggle. Every single one of us have problems with their family, and why Chris is really acts like he has the worst one. After all, Walt and Billi really love him, not that they abuse him a something. Why did he treat them like that when he express that he really grateful and appreciate them at the graduation party. uhhhh.

#stubbonChris #dirvorce #cheating #unhappyfamily ]]> 2022-01-07 19:07:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1981054871 Chapter 13: Virginia Beach ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1982695008 Summary: If the last chapter is about Chris's family, then this chapter is more focused on specific his sister, Carine. The chapter starts off with the scene that Carine takes a look at Chris's photos (128). Chris and Carine both own a sheepdog (128), Buckley that Chris really likes to the point that Chris wants to take on the trip with him in the summer. However, Buck got hit by a car and could never be able to walk again after the accident (128). Like Chris, Carine is energetic and self-assured, a high achiever (129), quick to state an opinion and she couldn't imagine how life will be if you live in the wilderness. Ten months after Chris's death, Carine still grieves deeply for her brother. When she is first to know that Chris is dead, she was so shocked and screams (130) really loud. A while later, Carine started to calm down. After that, she rushed to Walt and Billie's house and stopped at a church (130) on the way there. The next day, Carine and Sam flew to Fairbanks to bring home Chris's remains (131). Sam was mad because people spell his middle name wrong. Sam and Carine had a hard time telling Walt and Billie about the death of their son.

Analysis: I guess that from the beginning of the book, chapters 12 and chapter 13 are my most favorite chapters because, in these two chapters, I got to know so much more about Chris' background. It seems like everyone really loves him and is sad about his death. even Carine couldn't imagine how life in the wilderness looks like. I feel bad for the whole family. If I was Chris, I will be so guilty that leaving people that love me and disappear. 

#sheepdogBuckley #heartbrokennews #shocked ]]> 2022-01-09 22:09:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1982695008 Chapter 13: Virginia Beach ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1984601522 Summary: In chapter 12 was talking about Walt and Billie, which are Chris's parents, this chapter is focused on Carine, Chris's sisters. The chapter started with Carine taking a look at Chris's photos (128) back in the day and smiling. Lying under her feet is a sheepdog (128) name Buckley and he used to attach to Chris a lot to the point that Chris took him on the trip with Chris but couldn't because Buck got hit by a car and couldn't be able to walk again after that accident. Like Chris, Carine is energetic and self-assured, a high achiever (129), quick to state an opinion. Carine made peace with her parents shortly after Chris disappeared, and now, at the age of twenty-two, she called their relationship "extremely good" (129). Chris and Carine were uncommonly close. He confessed in a letter that Carine was the closest one to him and he believes that only Carine is the only one that understands him. Ten months after Chris's death, Carine still grieves deeply for her brother. Carine know about Chris's death when Fish told her, she was so shocked and screamed (130) a lot, couldn't believe that Chris has died. After all, Carine calmed down a little bit. Both Carine and Fish get on their way to go to Walt and Billie places to tell them about the death of their son, but just find it difficult to do so.

Analysis: I feel so bad for Carine. I think that if Chris's parents were heartbroken 1 time, Carine must be heartbroken 10 times since she was the closest one to Chris. Imagine I was Carine and find out that my loved one is dead, I will have a mental breakdown so bad. However, it is kinda sad that even though Chris doesn't really happy in his own family, but he has Carine as a sister and as a friend as well. He also loves his dog a lot, why would he give those up and try to best to go to Alaska in the most dangerous way? I just can't understand

#childhood #heartbroken #mentalbrokedown ]]> 2022-01-10 19:17:27 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1984601522 Chapter 14: The Stikine Ice Cap ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1985713087 Summary: Chris McCandless one day decided to walk into the bush and had no intention (134) of ever walking out again. In the previous chapter, we have been reading about Chris, Chris's family including his beloved sister, Carine, and so the adventures of the men who are similar to Chris. In this chapter, we will be reading about the experience in the wild of the writer of this book, Jon Krakauer. Krakauer spends most of his youth climbing various mountains (134) in Alaska and Canada. He was a carpenter, and one day told his boss he was quitting (136) and hat same day he left for Alaska. Krakauer couldn't afford a plane ticket so he hitched on a boat (136) in order to get to Alaska. One day, he stopped at a small town (137) called Petersburg a met Sandburns, they started to talk to each other and she allowed him to stay for the night. This conversation made Krakauer miss being around people. The way to the Stikine Ice Cap wasn't easy, he experience many struggles on the way there and also risked his own life. Krakauer decided to stay for several days a paid $150 for a bush pilot (140) to drop off the supplies. Even though this trip is his dream, but he started to feel alone and cried at the moment. The weather started to get better after several days and he continued with his climbing adventure. After climbing so high to the point that he couldn't find another way up, so he had to climb back down.

Analysis: Cannot believe that there are people out there risking their lives to go on adventures like this. But anyway, to be honest, I love the story of Krakauer than Chris's story. I feel like in Chris's adventure, I feel like he is so careless, inconsiderate, and he does things so unsafely. I feel like in Krakauer's adventure, he actually plans out his journey. Overall, I feel like some people are so crazy, like crazy to the point that you quit your own job just to climb a mountain and get yourself into dangerousness. I wonder why Krakauer didn't write a book about his own experience, but about the adventure of Chris McCandless?

#ClimbingMattered #deepsnow #QuittingJobForAlaska]]> 2022-01-11 10:06:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1985713087 Chapter 15: The Stikine Ice Cap ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1987788682 Summary: In this chapter, we got to read more about the story of this book, Jon Krakauer, as well as his journey of reaching the top of Devi Thumb. In the last chapter, after climbing up so high to the point that he couldn't find any way up and he climb back down. In this chapter, Krakauer was considered to make another attempt (146) to climb again. Krakauer was trying to make some oatmeal (146) but accidentally burned his tent and burned his hand when he tried to put out the fire. Krakauer borrowed the tent from his dad and from this tent, started the relationship story between Krakauer and his dad. Krakauer's dd had a really high expectation (147) in him. His dad had been preparing for his future career since he was in kindergarten. Krakauer's dad had polio (149) and 30 years after he first got it symptoms started showing up. After some family and friends conflict, the dad tried to commit suicide but luckily he is still alive.  Krakauer attempted to climb again after seeing the improvement of the weather but the weather just got worst as he climbs higher. After that, he has to come back and wrap himself in a bivvy bag (151). Krakauer had been finding ways to climb up to the mountain (153). He imagined everyone at home having fun right now and never felt more alone in his life. After reaching the top of the mountains, he took some pictures (154) and climb back down. In his adventure, he met a fisherman, Krakauer told him about the adventure. After that, he offered to get Krakauer a cheeseburger (154) and a van to stay in the night.

Analysis: For some reason, I feel like I am interested more in reading about the adventures of Krakauer than the adventure of Chris, even though this book has Chris as the main character. I think the most interesting part of this chapter is about the expectation of Krakauer's father. Growing up in an Asian community, I have been familiar with parents expecting their kids to be like a doctor, lawyer, and engineer,... because those jobs can make you a lot of money without caring about what their kids actually like and wants to become. Luckily, my parents aren't like that, my parents always support me and even encourage me to pursue my dream career, but I don't really know what I want to become yet lol!!!:))

#familysecret #parentsexpectation #futurecareer  ]]> 2022-01-12 08:46:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1987788682 Chapter 16: The Alaska Interior ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1996819888 Summary: In chapter 16, we continue reading about the adventure of Chris McCandless. On April 15, 1992, Chris departed (157) Carthage to Alaska. Hitchhiking (158) was difficult for him but he finally got to Fairbanks after three days drive. Stuckey, the guy drove Chris, soon became his friend. As the conversation going on, Chris started to talk about his family, as well as the family issue he has with his family. Stuckey bought Chris a bag of rice (159). After arriving at Fairbank, Chris got himself a book that talked about edible plants (160). Three hours later, he was dropped off at the trail head. His trip in the Gulf of California living off of rice and fish convinced him that he could live with little food. The heaviest thing in his backpack was his 9 books (162). On the second day, he made the Teklanika River. On the 30th, he was able to see Denali. After days, he found an abandoned bus and decided to camp there. Over his first week he had a lot of trouble hunting, and only be able to catch squirrel (164) days later. As time goes by, Chris started to adapt to the life in the wild and he got better at hunting. However, where he was, he spent 4 months without meeting anyone else; the site was just out of the way enough to cost him his life. He made a list for himself, short term and long term. Short term items were to clean the stove and collect ice for refrigeration. Long term goals were about burning trails and collecting skins. Throughout June he ate really well a variety of animals and even on June 9th he managed to kill what he thought was a moose. There’s even a photo of it in his self portraits. Over the next couple of days, he worked hard trying to slaughter the animal before the meat rotted. He tried to smoke (167) the meat, what he was told to do by hunters in South Dakota. However, because of the north, it’s better to dry the meat out first. By June 14, the carcass was infected with maggots and he had to leave most of it for the wolves.

Analysis: After reading this chapter, I started to admired Chris more, I cannot imagine how am I gong to survive living in the wild when Chris here started to adapt to the life so fast. If I was Chris, I would cry my butt off and finding helps. Even though Chris is a vagabond, he still looking forward to reading book to improve his survival skill. However, I find this chapter really interesting because it talks about what did Chris do as well as things he did to survive and I really admire him about that. 

#RespectChris #huntingforlife #survival_in_the_wilderness

 
]]> 2022-01-18 01:27:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1996819888 Chapter 17: The Stampede Trail ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1996826214 Summary: In this chapter, we got to read more about Chris and the author of the book, Krakauer at the same time. In this chapter, Krakauer was really wanted to discover the mystery death of Chris McCandless and also want to understand (173) why.  Krakauer is with three others and they make their way through the forest to the station. Instead of being on adventure regardless, Krakauer actually prepares and has his own plans for this journey and has a topographic map (173) with him, companion with three other people. Crossing soon became a struggle when it is required a cable on both sides of the river and basket (174) to cross over. However, the basket is kept on the other side of the river so the hunter (174) couldn't go to the other sides of the river to hunt. At the time, Chris attempt to cross the river, he didn't know there is one more basket downstream that he can take across the river safely. Chris at the time didn't have a proper map (175). Krakauer was glad because he has people companions with him and get through struggles with him. Around 9 PM (176). They were able to reach the place that Chris died. Around the areas, they found some bones (177) later on found out it is a caribou (177) but Chris thought that he shot a moose. In reality, it was absolutely a moose. Krakauer and his team started to walk in and take a look at the bus. On the bus, they can still the interior inside and other Chris's belongings. They also found a pair of boots (178) with the name "Gallien" on them. At night, the team builds a fire (180) outside the bus a discusses Chris's death. A lot of people discriminate against Chris at the time for dying in the wilderness like he literally choose fatality because he went on an adventure without preparing any survival tools. Chris was compared to Franklin not just for starving but also because they both didn’t have respect for the land. Franklin never took the time to learn from Eskimos or the other natives. Krakauer thinks that McCandless’ arrogance was different, however. Franklin thought nature could be conquered. He brought equipment and gear for the military, but not survival. McCandless was the other way; he tried to live completely off the land.

Analysis: I am interested in the adventure of Krakauer's team than the adventure of Chris. As the book stated, Chris was a young, intelligent man but kind of lack of common sense. It made me mad when I read to the part that Chris didn't really prepare for his adventure that he didn't have a proper map, a compass, or any essential tools that help his adventure more safety and more enjoyable. However,  still really sad about his death. I wonder at his last breath, did he regret his decision, did regret that he give up everything people dream for in his life just to end up starved to die like this. If I was Chris, then I would be dying in sadness and regret because I chose to end up like this!

#topographicmap #river_crossing #explore_bus_142]]> 2022-01-18 01:33:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1996826214 Epilogue ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1998586141 Summary: In this epilogue, we got to know about what happened when Chris McCandless found death, as well as Walt and Billie's thoughts on his son's death. It was ten months (201) since Sam told Walt and Billie about the death of Chris. Walt and Billie decided to visit the place where their son met his end, to see it with their own eyes. Taking a helicopter (201) was the last-minute change of plans. Billie wanted badly to travel overland (201), to follow the Stampede Trail as Chris has done. Billie got a chance to step into the bus and take a looks at the objects that Chris use, but there are no tears (202) anymore. Billie picked up a pair of jeans from Chris and smelled it and said it still smell like Chris. Under the bed in the bus, they found a suitcase (202) that was included some first-aid kits, and a Bible (202) that belonged to Chris. As the conversation goes on, we know that a lot of people admire (203) Chris for how brave he is to go on an adventure like this. However, Chris didn't have a chance to hear about these things.

Analysis: Is it just me or did Chris's parents didn't really genuinely sad about the death of their son? I mean even though they really try to discover about their son's death but uhh......!. And I don't know why a lot of people admire Chris when he literally chooses to fatality, and he chose the most dangerous way to go on an adventure, he misses a lot of chances to survive, like if he chose to burn all the money, maybe he could have an amazing adventure at the end of his life. Overall, this book is an okay 6/10. 

#bus142 #intothewild #epilogue ]]> 2022-01-18 17:42:16 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/1998586141 Afterward ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2001035545 Summary: Even though the book "Into The Wild" has been released so long time ago the actual truth about Chris's death of starvation (p1) is still a mystery. Krakauer decided to circle back to the case base of Chris's diary (p2). Later on, Krakauer leads to the theory that Chris could die from eating potato seeds (p4) that he carried from Carthage. In the potato seeds, they found a compound called beta-ODAP (p6) that can cause weakening and paralysis. Research after research, they found out that the compound that lead to Chris's death of starvation wasn't beta-ODAP but an amino acid, called L-canavanine. This compounds screws up your ability to metabolize (p7). The debate about how Chris died will likely continue. There's no way to know exactly how many of the seeds Chris McCandless are in that two-week period leading up to his death. There are many, many species where you can eat one part and will die if you eat another part.

Analysis: I can tell that the author of the book, Jon Krakauer is really committed to his book, as well as the story about Chris's adventure and his death. This article is just published recently and this tells me that Krakauer is still interested in discovering about Chris. I'm not really good about biology and chemistry stuff but I do aware that a lot of plants are not meant to be eaten, like one bite and you die. If I was Chris, I would eat the plants, I will choose to die in starvation rather than die in pain because of the toxin in the plants 

#toxinplants #potatoseeds #theories_of_Chris_death ]]> 2022-01-19 17:32:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2001035545 My Future Odyssey ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2003432251 My dream is to travel to Korea at least once in my life. I and my brother has been planning to travel to Korea but it is never happening due to the busy schedule of me and my brother. When I was a kid, I got a chance to listen to K-pop, watch k-drama, and eat Korean, I soon love things about this country. For the past 3 years, Korean culture has been spread wildly over the world because of the popularity of BTS. Besides entertainment, Korea is also popular with its skincare routine and fashion. One special reason I want to visit Korea is to see how the lifestyle differs from the U.S and Vietnam, I love trying out street foods and walking in town. The last time, when I go to Vietnam, I stopped by Korea because when you go to Vietnam from the U.S, you have to take 2 flights, so I stopped by Korea for 3 hours. Just from the airport, it is so different from the U.S and Vietnam already, like really pretty and has a lot of food stores. Overall, I think I should make a plan to travel to Korea soon and after that, I will plan to travel to other countries that I am interested in!

Unlike Chris Mccandless, I prefer to travel by airplane which is the safest way and fastest way instead of walking, hitchhiking, and living in the wilderness, which is really dangerous. To make this dream happen, I have to earn money first, money is the key. A lot of people said it doesn't require a lot of money when you want to travel, but I think it does. I just had my first job and what I need to do is to save money for the trip because think on the trip to Korea, I will use a lot of money since there are a lot of things I want to buy from Korea. The second factor is just time like I need to find a perfect time that there is not a lot of work that needs to be done, and a time that Korea has the best weather.

#Koreatrip #hustlingmakingmoney #dreamcountry]]> 2022-01-20 17:30:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2003432251 Chris McCandless's Reflection ttphan1171_2 https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2005489239 This is my first time reading a book that the ending was revealed just right in chapter 2. I didn't really admire him at any moment throughout the book. I never think that leaving your own family and giving up everything you have just to live in the wilderness was a good idea,  I hate Chris since I read the introduction about the book. However, my feeling toward Chris hasn't changed really much as I read through the book, but the book gets better and more interesting chapters after chapters. 

THE GOOD: I think one thing I really like about Chris is the donation part. I couldn't believe that he really donated all the money he has in his bank account to charity. I always think that this is so thoughtful because Chris may use that amount of money to support his adventure life like buying apparel and food, instead he donated to charity. He has my big respect for that. 

THE BAD: a big one is he made the decision to live in the wilderness. Another one is he treated the people that took care of him really mean. What I mean is Chris doesn't really feel empathy and really appreciated how nice people are to him. He is so easily getting rid of people that are really close to him, whenever he feels a little bit of attachment, he cuts it off right away like his dog, his sister, Carine, his car that he really attached to, and other friends he made when he is on an adventure. 

Overall, in the end, I still couldn't feel relate to Chris's situation. I support the idea that it is great to travel because travel gives you experience, a better mindset but not in that dangerous way like Chris's situation. In my opinion, If Chris used his $25,000 on his adventure, he would be alive by that time already. ]]> 2022-01-21 17:34:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ttphan1171_2/qorf16sy5eeyrn49/wish/2005489239