https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk Made with eyes on the prize by Andrew Nguyen en-us 2021-12-07 21:18:26 UTC 2025-10-16 00:09:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f334.png dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1934580884 When I was a kid, my parents would take me to the beach on the weekend. I love spending time at the beach, my dad would teach me how to swim, ride a jet ski, and occasionally he would let me drive the boat.
This picture was me 4 years back in Vietnam. My family went to Nha Trang Beach. I got to go diving for the first time. The place was beautiful, filled with colorful corals and fishes. ]]> 2021-12-07 21:35:40 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1934580884 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1937311134 Summary: Into the Wild is a true story about a young man named Christopher Johnson McCandless embark on journey across the states. The chapter began with Jim Gallien met Christopher looking to hitch a ride to Denali National Park. Gallien let him in after he examined McCandless, his rifle (p. 3) along with his poor gear (p. 4) that will not be enough to survive through the weather. They exchanged conversations and Gallien tried to dissuade (p. 5) McCandless from keep on traveling further. But McCandless was excited (p. 6) regardless of what Gallien told him. Gallien dropped him off at the park and almost told the park trooper to check on MccCandless but figured that he would return eventually for food like any normal (p. 7)person would.

Analysis: I love McCandless's enthusiasm for traveling, and not being afraid of the unknown. As someone who, at time, is  tired of their surrounding, I can see why McCandless chose to embark on this journey of his, to perhaps to experience a new life. I'm curios to see what happen if Gallien never pick him up from the Fairbank.

#IntotheUnknown #Befree #newexperience ]]> 2021-12-09 03:16:22 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1937311134 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1939728754 Summary: The chapter started with brief history about the Stampede Trail, then followed up the introduction of the group of hunters who would later find Chris' lifeless (p. 9). Thompson, Samel, and Swanson were driving (p. 11) around the trail on their vehicles and spot a couple that was scared to approach the bus (p. 10) due to pungent stench. The hunters went inside and discovered Chris's decomposed body, along with note of him pleading for help  because he was injured (p.12). Later, the police and park troopers arrived at the scene and collected Chris' remains (p. 13). They sent his body for a autopsy and narrowed his cause of death down to starvation (p. 14).

Analysis: The beginning of the chapter foreshadowed Chris' tragic ending to his journey. I was a bit terrified over the fact how the couple stumble across his decomposed body in the bus. When hunters found his last note which said that he was injured, but the later the chapter stated starvation was the most probable cause death. This got me thinking if Chris' really DIED from starvation. The chapter mentioned the park had a fair share of wild animals, could it be that he was attacked by one of the them? Or maybe starvation weakened  his body which led to him not being able to out run the animal.

#Lost&Found #TheEnd #TooLateforHalloweenDecor]]> 2021-12-10 05:08:05 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1939728754 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1941416194 Summary: Carthage was a small town where Chris' visited along his journey. Here he met Wayne Westerberg who would gave him employment (p. 17). Through this, it would strike Wayne that Chris was the hardest worker (p. 18), ethical (p. 18), and intelligent (p. 18). Wayne later discovered (p. 18) that Alex was only his fake name. When Westerberg got arrested (p. 19), there was no work for Chris, so he left shortly after and revealed that South Dakota was his home. Chris was from a wealthy family and a college graduate. One of his habit (p. 21) was to take his car on solo road trips. Before he left for his final journey, he gave away all of his possession and never goodbye to his family. 

Analysis: Chris seems like the person who dislike living by the rules. He got along well with Wayne, who got arrested for selling black boxes. I think his death he happened wasn't because Chris was inexperienced. The chapter stated he had been taking a his car on extended solo road trips ever since he was a high school senior, which meant Chris had experienced and knew to deal with natural.

#SmallTown #HardatWork #MasterofMyDestiny]]> 2021-12-11 04:40:22 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1941416194 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1946268587 Summary: The chapter started out with the rangers found(p. 26) Chris' abandoned (p. 26) Datsun on Detrital Wash. They later brought it in for maintenance (p. 26). It turned out Chris left his car behind due to a flash flood. He saw this as an "opportunity (p. 29) to shed unnecessary baggage. Chris reduce (p. 29) his money to ash and smoke then embark on his journey. Along the way he faced many adversities such as he almost die from a heatstroke on a hike. He accepted a job from some who didn't pay him, so he stole the bike to get away from the place. Chris got a ticket for hitchhiking which triggered a national search for him. Chris decided to canoeing nearly 400 miles across the ocean. He got through the border of Mexico but quickly got lost. The duck hunters offered to drop him off at the ocean where he continued his journey. Chris once again almost died, this time was from the ocean waves which caused him to left boat after. He tried to get an ID and a job again in society but felt very out of place, so he decided to left for good on his journey.

Analysis: Though I wish that Chris thinks more thoroughly before he burned all of his money. But to me, his action symbolized that Chris was now truly disconnected from his previous life to embark on this journey as Alex. He may faced many adversities along the way, from hunger to almost near death experiences, but he still kept going with his soaring spirit. I wonder why does Chris still want to continue his journey after he almost died twice doing it.

#CloseCalls #ScrewedtheAuthority #OutHereThriving]]> 2021-12-14 06:27:00 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1946268587 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1948705545 Summary: Bullhead City is town that is (p. 39) encircles by the desert. Other than Atlanta, this is the second longest (p. 39) Chris stays during his journey. In the city, he got a full-time job (p. 39) flipping burgers at McDonald. At the time, his coworkers commented about his odor, and they got in an argument which led to Chris walk out(p. 41) on his job. Charlie, who gave him a place, describe Chris as if he was looking (p. 42) for something. When he wrote a post card to Jan Burres that he was  staying in Niland, they went and visited. They met up for awhile until Jan decided to act motherly towards Chris, which was when he chose to leave the town.

Analysis: Through out this chapter, we can see that walking away is one of Chris response to conflict. Back when he was at home, he didn't want to deal with his family circumstances, so he left without say goodbye. Now when he and coworkers got into a clash, he also left the establish without a word. Further more, when Jan tried to mother him, he left the town soon after.  To Chris, it was easier to walk away from his problems than face them. This can be seen a defensive mechanism which might have developed over a childhood trauma. I wonder what would happened if Chris choose to confront his problems and solve them, would we still be able to witness this journey happening or would Chris still be alive and well.

#DesertCity #KeepingItAlive #Running]]> 2021-12-15 06:05:06 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1948705545 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1950563507 Summary: The chapter started with a heartbreaking letter(p. 47) from Ron Franz, where he asked for detail behind why Chris was injured(p.48). Found out his death affected(p. 48) no one more deeply than Jon. Jon was serving in the(p. 50) army when he lost his wife and only child(p.50) which left his devastated and turned to drinking(p. 50). He eventually quit and mentored some children to salve his loneliness. He wanted to do the same for Chris by offering meals and a place to stay, Ron even taught him leather work. When Chris announced his departure for San Diego, Jon gave a ride. Chris ultimately returned after his unsuccessful attempts at finding a job. This time he accepted the ride offer to Carthage. Near the end of their trip, Ron asked if he could adopt Chris, but Chris  dodged the question. A month later, He wrote a letter to Jon telling he should give up everything and live a life like him, and Jon took the advice to heart. After he heard the news about Chris' death, he became and atheist.

Analysis: This was a heartbreaking chapter many could relate to. The relationship between Jon and Chris is father-son like. Jon offered Chris money, foods, rides, and a place to stay along with schooling, but he decided to refuse. Chris walked away just like how he did to everyone that tried to get close to him. Jon is like the father that Chris never accepted, who gave him unconditional love but Chris gave nothing in return, and he only thought of himself just like a toddler. I wonder if Chris didn't die at Alaska, would he return to Jon and travel with him and further deepen their relationship.

#Heartbroken #FatherandSon #GiveandKeeponGiving]]> 2021-12-15 23:02:14 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1950563507 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1952706043 Summary: During his 4 weeks stay, Chris worked for Westerberg and took on different jobs. Westerberg realized that Chris wasn't very mechanically minded (p. 62). The residents at Carthage also saw how Chris often never noticed (p. 63) that little things around him. During one dinner with Borah and Westerberg, Chris revealed never got along with his family other than his sister (p. 63) Carine. Before he left the family, he told Carine all the things that would do before he walked out of their life (p. 64), and he did all of them. The book later revealed that Chris chose to celibate because he was fixed (p. 66) on his goal. On the day of his departure, everyone gathered at the elevator to see him off, Chris gave away his possession and cried when he hugged Borah. He wrote two more post cards to Carthage and those were the last they hear from him.

Analysis: I think that Chris chooses to go on this trip to commit suicide. He never had a got along with his family, or emotional attachment to them, let alone the people he met on his journey. He even said that his parents' behaviors pushed him pass his breaking point. Furthermore, Chris displayed a few signs as a suicidal person. He gave away his prize possessions, the belt and journal. He also cried before he left Carthage. On the last two postcards, Chris stated it might a long time until his return and this was the last they going to heard from him.

#BeAware #FinalPostcards #VirgintityRocks]]> 2021-12-16 22:38:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1952706043 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1954344954 Summary: There were a lot of mail (p. 71) criticized Chris and his actions. Among them was a response from Nick Jans, a former school teacher, talking about how there were many people similar to Chris. Gene Rosellini embarked on a journey prove it was possible (p. 74) for human to live without modern technology. He ultimately failed and set out his next goals (p. 75), but never got it because people found out Gene took his life (p. 75) in his shack. John Waterman, the third youngest (p. 76) person to climb to the top of Mt. Mckinley, had a dysfunctional family, ran for politics but failed. He tried to publicize his campaign by ascend thorugh a glacier but gave up 14 days in. He later lost his life on his ascent at Denali. Carl McCunn, a photographer (p. 81), went into Alaska Range to take pictures of wildlife. When the pilot spotted his camp, he unintentionally used the wrong hand signal which left his stranded him the forest. He later took his life with a shotgun. 

Analysis: Chris and three men had some similarities to each other. They were hurt by relationships, or look for something beyond what they could reach. They seek answers in Alaska, but never realized they were marching towards their demise. On the other hand, Chris was also quite normal compared to the men. He didn't embark himself a crazy exercise journey, or decided to ascent through multiple mountains after learning that he might die. 

#CrayCray #ExerciseFanatic #FewLooseScrews]]> 2021-12-17 22:35:48 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1954344954 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1973200769 Summary: Downstream below David Gulch Canyon, this was where Everett Ruess carved(p. 89) his final signature. Ruess was born in California and graduated (p.89) from Harvard Divinity School. He is what others may consider as parallels(p. 91) to Chris. In one of Ruess' letters, he stated that he had always been unsatisfied(p.91) with his life, and felt more at ease when he's in the wild. Ruess, like Chris, charmed(p. 89) people where he met. He embarked on his journey at live off of his backpack. Ruess enjoyed hiking but he did it in a reckless way, which nearly caused him his life twice. He went through multiple name change, and disappeared on his journey with the alias Nemo or Nobody. Some theorized that Ruess fell to his death, or was murdered, or even drowned.

Analysis: This chapter mentions how Chris and Ruess even though they keep people at arm length distance, they still like people way too much to complete disconnect themselves from human interactions. A concept I learned in psychology talked about how there are two types of people, Individualist and Collectivist. Individualists are more self reliant, while Collectivists thrive in group. But no matter how much of a self reliant person one may be, they still need human interactions. In the end of day, humans are social creatures, and this can be seen from birth to adulthood. As children, we need attention and care from those around us to grow. As adults, we need to socialize to keep up and maintain our sanity.

#TheSame #MysteriousDisappearance #Interactionsarecrucial]]> 2022-01-04 00:56:25 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1973200769 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1975181031 Summary: After the news about Chris came up on The New York Times, Alaska State Troopers had been trying to figure (p.99) out who Chris was. When the news got to Anchorage, Jim Gallien immediately recognized him by the boots (p. 99) and notified the troopers. He told them Chris  was from South Dakota, which led their search (p.99) towards Westerberg. Coincidentally, while he listened to the radio, Westerberg overheard the descriptions that matched Chris. Hecalls (p. 100) the troopers and gave them Chris' Social Security Number and real name. They used a phone book and managed to get in contact with Sam McCandless, Chris' half brother(p. 101), then told him everything. Sam later had to break the news to the rest of his family about his brother's tragedy.

Analysis: It's difficult to believe a life without the internet. We use our phone, search through the web to find all the answers to questions we don't know everyday. What the troopers and polices had to do in this chapter to search for Chris' identity involved nothing we have today. At least by the end of the chapter, his family knew that Chris' journey came to end. This, in my opinion, though hurts them greatly but also puts the McCandless at ease knowing that their son is now resting.

#OldSchool #GooseChase #Breakthenews]]> 2022-01-04 21:37:39 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1975181031 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1977511476 Summary: Samuel Walter McCandless, Jr., Chris' father, is a brilliant(p. 105) man with a temper(p. 105). Upon entering their home(p.104), the author can see the family is quite successful. Walt graduated from college and found him eventually wind up in a job as test director for the Surveyor 1 mission. After him his wife separate, Walt started dating Billie and got together then they had Chris and Carine. When Walt quit his job at NASA to start his own business firm, money (p.107) became tight. This led to a lot of fights between him and Billie, but seeing these brought Chris and Carine closer as siblings. Chris inherited his wanderlust (p.108) from his family through multiple trips to camping and hiking. He also very musical which was just like his grandfather, Billie's father. On top of that he also thrived in academic setting along with sport, he was quite competitive in running. Chris' virtuous personality can be seen through his compassion to care for a homeless man. He also had talent for business, he utilized his look to sell the backyard vegetables and make copies using his parents printer. He made decent profit through them.

Analysis: Chris was genius with many talents, from school to music and even sport. This makes me wonder, could this be one of many reasons to him leaving the house? Geniuses are different, which can drive other people away because they don't fit in. In Chris' case, everyone loved him, but did anyone understand him? Perhaps he left and turned to the wild to sooth his loneliness.

#Talented #LikeFatherLikeSon #Itrunsinthefamily]]> 2022-01-05 22:38:45 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1977511476 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1979460222 Summary: After Chris graduated from high school, his parents thew a party for him then he left for his trip (p.118). When he got back, Walt and Billie found out that he almost died to dehydration, which scared them. Walt told the author that since Chris was so talented, he often being very overconfident. Chris was thrilled (p.119) about studying at Emory. He got good grades and even thought of attending law (p.119) school after he graduate. On his freshman summer, Chris returned home and help his parents wrote a computer software. Billie asked Chris how did he do it but he refused to answer. After his sophomore year, he became very introverted (p. 120) and took no attempt to create a social life. As time passed, Chris spent more time by himself(p.121). He was on a short fuse around his parents all the time. The reason for his anger was he found out about his father kept contact with his first wife. On top of that, Walt also had another son 2 years after Chris' birth. Chris then became more irrational and very political. At the end of his college graduation, Chris donated all of his money to OXFAM and vanished from his family's life. 

Analysis: I feel like Chris' anger is justified on this chapter. Not only his father didn't completely left his old marriage, Walt had another son not soon after Chris was born. On top of that, he lied to his both of his families. If I was in Chris' position, I would feel the same he did. I would've been devastated knowing that my family is what I thought it was and it was only a facade to cover the lies of someone close to me.

#Lies #2differentlives #angerandturmoil ]]> 2022-01-06 20:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1979460222 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1981126481 Summary: The chapter started with Carine observing the photos (p.128) of Chris and describing his expressions in those images. Next to her was Buckley, the sheepdog (p.128) that Chris was so attached to. Before he left on his journey, Chris asked his parents if he could take Buckley with him, they said no but now second guessing that decision. They thought to themselves if Buckley went with Chris, would the situation still turn out like this. Carine, much like (p.129) Chris, a high achiever, energetic and often clashed with her parents. What set her apart was that she made up with Walt and Bille shortly, Carine also didn't object wealth. Some time after Chris' death, she still grieves (p.129) deeply for him. When Fish, her husband, told the news to her, Carine broke down and went to see her parents. The couple then flew to Fairbanks and retrieved Chris' remains. Both Carine and Billie became anorectic (p.131), while Walt ate compulsively to cope. 

Analysis: It broke my heart to see how hurt the family was after they found out about Chris' death. His death by starvation triggered eating disorders within his family. Carine and Billie lost their appetite and weights before they recovered. While Walt turn to food as a way to cope with the lost of his son. 

#Anorectic #Grieves #CopingMechanism]]> 2022-01-07 20:01:21 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1981126481 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1984841736 Summary: Many thought Chris' cause of death was suicide (p.134) but Krakauer believed that it was unplanned(p.134). Krakauer then related his personal journey about climbing(p.134). Came from Colorado, he was passionate about climbing and was mesmerized by the Devil's Thumb. He planned to get through the adventure alone(p.135). Krakauer quit work as soon as he got enough money and left for Alaska. There he met Kai Sandburn, who housed him over a day before he embark on his climb. Krakauer skied from snowline to the bottom of the Thumb. Along the way, he almost fell to his death in one of the crevasses, starved to death thinking that the supplies (p.140) would be delay due to the weather. Eventually Krakauer got to his destination and began his climb, which gained nearly 700 feet before he had to descend because there were no longer a way up.

Analysis: Krakauer, in many ways, is similar to Chris. They are both passionate about nature and always look for the next adventure. Since they are driven by their goals, both pushed away intimacy relationship because it might hinder them from achieve what they want. But Krakauer, unlike Chris, knew his limits when he experienced near death events during his climb and I don't think he will attempted another one with further precautions.

#Climbing #Thrillseeker #notactuallythedevilsthumb]]> 2022-01-10 22:01:41 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1984841736 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1987033467 Summary: After he failed the climb, Krakauer stayed inside his tent (p.145) for the next couple days due to the weather. He smoked (p.146) all his joints which made him more hungry(p.146). In an attempt to make some oatmeal, Krakauer burned the tent that he borrowed from his father(p.147). Lewis Krakauer was quite competitive and harsh on his children. He held Krakauer to a high standard and wanted him to get into Harvard. Lewis also show him climbing. Krakauer defied his father's wishes and became a carpenter and climber. Later on, his father suffering from post polio syndrome and became a drug addict. Lewis attempted suicide while making Krakauer watch but ultimately failed, and got send to a psychiatric hospital. Our author decided to try again to reach the peek of the Thumb but failed. On his third try, he chose to climb with no supplies or hardware so that he could travel as fast as possible. The climb was grueling but eventually, Krakauer made it to the top (p.153) of the Devils Thumb. After completing his journey,   he came to a conclusion that Chris' death wasn't a suicide. His demise was unplanned and he was driven to keep going by something that Krakauer couldn't tell.

Analysis: Chris' and Krakauer's father are very similar. Even though they love their children, both held all of them to a very high standard. Both did some very shady things which cause them the trust of their children. Because of their expectations and actions, Krakauer and Chris were driven away their family. It's sad to see how they can choose their own future and had someone else's vision being instill into them. I wonder how much more different both Krakauer's and Chris' life would be if none of these applied to them.

#Fatherandson #madeit #thirdtimethecharm]]> 2022-01-11 21:35:33 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1987033467 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1989263259 Summary: On April 15, 1992, Chris left Carthage and ended up at the start of the Alaska Highway. Hitchhiking (158) isn't easy in this area so Chris managed to met Stuckey, who gave him ride (p.159) till Fairbanks. He bought Chris a bag of rice and dropped him off at Alaska campus. Chris purchased a purchased a book about edible plants and 2 postcards where he wrote his final (p.160) messages to Jan and Wayne.  On the 28th of April, Jim Gallien gave Chris a ride to Stampede Trail. His heaviest (p.162) possessions were all the books he bought at the library. He passed the Teklanika River, but fell into it at some point. On May 1st,  Chris found an old bus(p.163) and made it his camp. He became proficient at hunting and sustained off of the meat he hunt and the plants he found. Chris' greatest prize was a moose but he felt wasteful due to his lack of knowledge to preserve the meat. Satisfied after 2 months staying in the wild, Chris decided to return to civilization. He tried to cross the Teklanika River again but was scared and returned to the bus.

Analysis: Chris achieved many notable things in this chapter. He managed to sustained off of a bag of rice and gathered plants he found. Chris also learned how to hunt and became quite proficient with his rifle, he managed to kill a moose. Though he came this far, Chris could have done some things better. He could have got a book on how to preserve meat since he purchased a rifle and was ready to hunt. His overconfidence is his downfall. Chris didn't want to bring a map with him and ended up have to return to the bus where he spent the remaining of his days.

#Overconfidence #Hunter #2monthsonmyown]]> 2022-01-12 23:22:09 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1989263259 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1991272966 Summary: To look further into Chris' journey in Alaska, Krakauer and his three companions (p.173) traveled back to the Stampede Trail. Because they brought a map (p.173) with them, the party found cable (p.173) cart just 20 minutes down where Chris decided to turn back. When Krakauer and his friends arrived at the bus (p.177), they saw bones of the animals that Chris hunted (p.177) scattered around it. Samel and Thompson criticized Chris for being an in competent, and the animal that shot down was a caribou (p.177). Later on, with closer examination, the animal was confirmed to be a moose. Everyone entered the bus and found the remaining of Chris' possessions. Felt like they had trespass his property, the men spent the rest of the night camping outside the bus. Here, they talked about Chris' achievement along with the mistakes he made on the journey and things that driven to embark on it. 

Analysis: First off, it's so gross to see Chris' teeth inside the bus. Second, I don't think I would have the gut to stay near the bus after knowing that the place was where he passes away. Chris could have live if he decided to have some humility. A map, if he brought the map with him, Chris would've never met his end. His overconfidence was his downfall.

#MaptoSafety #CaribouorMoose #Cablecartweeeeeeeee  ]]> 2022-01-13 21:36:14 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1991272966 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1992838026 Summary: After Chris failed to cross river, eh returned to the bus (p.188) and continued his routine (p.188) of hunting and gathering. The last book he finished, Doctor Zhivago, brought him to a realization that happiness (p.189) is only real when shared. Krakauer remembered that Chris purchased some potato seeds (p.190) from Westerberg. He might have became hungry enough to eat them and poisoned himself. Later on Krakauer was convinced that Chris was probably killed by the mold (p.194) growing on the seeds. Only if he had brought a map, Chris could have been save by Service cabin just six miles up the river. But the cabins were already vandalized earlier during spring. Atkinson and Fosberg believed that Chris was the suspect due to his beliefs. He spent the remaining of his days in the bus after he wrote his final notes. Chris then finally slipped into unconsciousness.

Analysis: If i was in Chris' spot, i would have started a wildfire to save myself, even if it was just a slim chance of getting rescued. I'm glad that Chris was finally came to realize that true happiness comes from being to be with people. When he used his real name in the last notes, Chris also learned to let go of his ego to seek help, though he did it a little too late. 

#isitpoisonous #100days #finalwords ]]> 2022-01-14 18:29:59 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1992838026 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1999035109 Summary: It was about 10 months (p.201) after Chris' death, Billie and Walt decided to take helicopter (p.200) with Krakauer to visit Alaska. When they reached the bus (p.201), the McCandless admired the scenery around came to understand why it was appealing to Chris. As Billie entered the bus, she found the silverware (p.202) from her home and Chris' jeans. Walt installed a memorial plaque(p.202) to the door of the bus and Billie left a suitcase (p.202) with supplies and Chris' bible. After that, they all went back into the chopper and flew off into distant.

Analysis: Wow, even though Walt did a number of unforgivable things, when he worked to develop a search radar, it was extremely touching for me. Chris' family cares deeply for him and they all expressed in their own way. I feel like they both gain some peace after visited the bus and were able to left behind some grief. No parents should experience what Walt and Billie had to go through but I'm glad that they managed to move on from this.

#Thinkingaboutthefuture #InmemoriesofCJM #TheEndoftheJourney]]> 2022-01-18 21:27:10 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/1999035109 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2001423568 After 23 years, Krakauer still ponder the question on how Chris died, he decided to trace back to his diary (¶. 3). Krakauer was correct on that Chris was poisoned by the seeds (¶. 4) of the Eskimo Potato Plant, but at the same time he was wrong.  A fellow writer, Ronald Hamilton,showed him a paper on Nazi Concentration Camp feeding Jews seed, which led Krakauer to team up with a chemist (¶. 6) to dig further. After two sample analysis, he found out that the chemical compound that killed Chris was beta-ODAP, it was L-canavanine (¶. 9). Apparently, the Alaskan rely on the potato plant as a staple (¶. 11) and they avoid it when the cold season arrive. Chris ate the seeds when the season just turned cold, but real question now is how did he consume before he was poisoned?

Analysis: I agree with what Krakauer said in the end of the article. It's not easy to survive in wild with limited supplies, let alone staying there for 113 days. Not to mention, you also have to learn how to hunt and differentiate which plants are edible. What Chris accomplished was very impressed and I admired him for that, though I wish he was a little less prideful. But then again, would we be able to read this tale if Chris was still alive?

#Chemistryjustaintit #23years #Themysterycontinues]]> 2022-01-19 20:31:19 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2001423568 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2003878201 When a child grows gets ask the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?", some will say doctor, astronaut, teacher, etc. but for me, it was never that easy. I used to want to be an engineer but as I grew older, I found by myself don't really gravitate towards it anymore. It's not like I don't like  to work, it's more like I don't know what I would like to do in the future. When found out about volleyball through a show, I was instantly hooked to the sport. It was quite rough at first since I started the sport during sophomore year, but I managed to get onto the team. Not even two games in, my first season was cancelled due to Covid, and on top top of that I had to move to a new school. I couldn't play ever since then.

My dream is to play volleyball in Division 1, and maybe even compete around the world someday. So far with the level I'm currently at, my dream is far fetched. I know the basic of volleyball, but I want to sharpen my skills and bring them to the next level. After I graduate, I plan to solidify my fundamentals and sign up for club where I can work with a coach. Since I'm only 5'7, I need to work even harder to jump  as high I can in order to compete against taller opponents. My workout split consists of 5 days a week, and 2 days are dedicated to legs and jumping exercises/drills. College wise, I'm waiting for admission responses from UCI, UCLA, UCD, and CSU LB. Though my dream seems far, I am determined to achieve no matter how difficult the journey may be. Even if i fail in the future, at least I know I tried.

#D1Dream #VolleyballLife #OneDay]]> 2022-01-20 21:38:39 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2003878201 dqnguyen1181_2 https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2005824545 This is the second book that I read where the author shows the ending of the story. This helps me tremendously to read and understand what was going in each chapter. It also help me realized how much of a prick Chris really was. The more story the more I dislike Chris as person.

Props on Chris for being laser focused on his odyssey but that didn't justified how he treated the people around. First off, Ron Franz was such a sweet individual. He befriended Chris, offered and gave him rides to his desired destinations, fed and gave him shelter, and even wanted to adopt Chris. But Chris didn't give him an answer to Ron's request and left without even thinking about how much pain it would cost the old man, who looked forward everyday to his return. Secondly, Chris' sister, Carine, was the person he cared so much for growing up, went through thick and thin with, and Chris decided to fled home without a second thought. He left  her home with their parents,who were both dislike. Lastly, Walt and Billie had done many questionable things such as lying to family about divorce, but they shouldn't experienced the pain that Chris inflicted after his departure. He could have gave them a notice that he was leaving but Chris was being too self-absorbed and bothered by Walt's lie.

I am a very family person, so how Chris treated the people along his journey and family irritated me greatly. In the end, Chris to me is hypocrite, he held himself to such high standards and yet he pushed everyone that are close to him or try to get close him away and treated them like crap. Do better!

#Hypocrite #Familycomesfirst #DoBetter]]> 2022-01-21 21:26:39 UTC https://padlet.com/dqnguyen1181_2/zyvxnc9ye2wn1bmk/wish/2005824545