"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."- Joshua J. Marine

               There are so many words that I could use to describe this past semester (including stressful), but none of them would do it quite the justice it deserves. As previously mentioned in another post, I always loved the subject of English (in an educational institution) my entire school career up until high school. To put it bluntly, high school ruined my admiration for English and quickly became my most hated subject (sorry Professor Brady) and I dreaded each class; it easily became my worst final grade average each year that I had to suffer through it. I even hated English when I started college, but then I met Professor Brady. I chose her as my English teacher due to many good reviews on rate my professor and did not mind the comments about the amount of work because each anonymous student had also mentioned how much they learned and if you try your hardest and you take her class seriously, you will no undoubtedly get an A. I immediately picked her class with excitement and on the very first day, I realized I had no idea what I was in for. As Prof. Brady screamed in our ears and used her hands while talking more than a deaf person (don't worry I'm allowed to make that joke), I realized a strong, robust, and projecting Italian woman stood before me and only then did I realize what I got myself into. The thing is, I don't mean any of this in bad taste. It was because of the realization that I actually took into consideration what those anonymous students has said on the website, and I now understood why they said "this class is not an easy A" (anonymous). 
               While at times I found it frustrating and, to be honest, a bit overwhelming, this class and the work we have done in the class gave me an "end of the year" outcome that I never planned to have. I did not only regain an appreciation for the English subject in an educational institution, but I regained my ability for deep comprehension of literature and connecting that to myself and my own emotions, thoughts, and perceptions; something I had ditched trying long ago. Furthermore, I developed an ability to critically think and to push myself to be as open minded and insightful as possible in ways that I haven't before. I began entering into intellectual debates with others in the outside world and was able to prevent myself from being seemingly ignorant in many fashions through my use of making clear and concise points with detail and also an extended use of vocabulary.
               Professor Brady taught me that literature is for more than just in a classroom and to get graded on trivial quizzes or typed up essays; it is for the outside world we all currently live in and will continue to thrive in. This class has taught me that everything intertwines in life, and literature and a deep understanding of it will help us to develop ourselves sufficiently mentally to help us understand and deal, for lack of a better word, with life and all the beautiful things and all the horrific things that come with it. This world is more than just you and I, or those sitting in a classroom; and those who are ignorant to the omnitude (in other words, the whole enchilada) of the world that surrounds them  will inevitably fade into oblivion.
               To conclude my very last and final words ever to be typed for this class, I want to thank Professor Brady for introducing me into an entire new perspective and reminding me that it does not do to live in one's own bubble; although easier, it is never wise. Humanity is complex and sometimes we get bruised and scarred when we're forced to hurdle through obstacles, but if you realize that we are all in this game together and all facing the same inevitability, it makes the journey a whole lot easier. To live inharmonious with one another means to live inharmonious with one's self; solidarity really is key. We should not turn on one another but instead help each other; life is not easy for anybody no matter what they are struggling with and as the saying goes, "we're all in the same game just different levels; dealing with the same hell just different devils"(Big D). So with that said, it is up to every individual to help pick them up and continue on this never ending marathon. And besides, you never know if it is you that needs to be helped up.

Thanks for a great semester, Brady!