| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 11:51:01 AM
Okay, here we go! I read the first two chapters of Three Cups of Tea, and I'm already interested in where this story is going to go. Here a few topics of discussion:
1) The opening quote: When it is dark enough, you see the stars. What are your thoughts on the quote and what does it mean to you?
2) What is your definition of failure?
3) Do you think that as a society, we let our circumstances dictate if we "fail" or succeed?
4) Hope-what kind of small things that could be signs of hope are taken for granted
5) Nature became a big part in the second chapter. We can discuss the different ways we feel connected to nature in everyday life.
Okay, here I go. One thing that I really have strong feelings about is the third question. Greg let the fact that he had missed the peak make the whole expedition a failure, when in fact he had accomplished something that people would only dream about doing. I think that as a society, we let other people or circumstances bring us down. "Oh, it's Monday, it's going to be a terrible day." I hear that so much from my peers, and sometimes I get sucked into it as well, but I think sometimes people go way overboard with it.
Well, I would love to hear your thoughts on the first two chapters!
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 12:13:35 PM
I agree Judy. On the news we always hear about the bad things that happen, when there are just as many good things going on the world. That always used to bother me, and it still does, but I don't talk about it as much as I used to.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| patchworkpeace |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 02:34:03 AM
Yesterday while my DH and I were traveling down to Indiana we were listening to someone talk about the whole LeBron James publicity thing. Its too bad our culture embraces athletes, entertainers and politicians over simple people like Greg who really have a heart for their fellow man. Having said that, I'm not saying there aren't entertainers, athletes or politicians that aren't worth emulating, it just seems the people like Greg get overshadowed by those in the limelight, probably because its not in their nature to seek the limelight.
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 09 2010 : 8:21:41 PM
I do think that other countries have completely different priorities than America. In America, we are a have it now society. Our food is imported, and everyday there are new types of technology coming out to replace things that came out only months ago. I love that in Africa, Greg learned that the people you are with are more important than the things you have.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| patchworkpeace |
Posted - Jul 08 2010 : 7:37:01 PM
I think Greg's upbringing in Africa gave him different priorities. People and relationships trump ney and self-centeredness. This book really brings out the difference in our cultures and priorities. Family and community is so important to them. I love the compassion Greg has.
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jul 08 2010 : 2:35:13 PM
I agree with you! How could he not become some sort of a missionary? I consistently found myself amazed with how calm of a person he was/is.
I love the quote at the beginning of chapter three. I find myself amazed when speaking with most of our society. I think a general consensus is that Americans feel the world needs to be industrialized to be "smart". I understand how lucky we are to have all of luxuries and helpful tools, but these people live in situations I can't even imagine. They seem to be content with their lifestyle; they want more education for themselves and their children.
I also keep thinking while reading, how generous these people are to this strange large man. It makes me smile to believe that people are still kind and generous to strangers whom need(ed) help. I have been lucky enough as a person to feel generosity and love on a daily basis, but some people are not nearly as fortunate.
Also, I believe that how we bring our children up has a great impact later in life. However I do not believe that people can’t change from the family norm. It seems like he always knew deep down that he wanted to help people, so when he saw that children really needed his help, he jumped right in head first!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 4:54:41 PM
So sorry it's taken a little to get back to the thread! But I am here and am ready to chat about Chapters 3 and 4!
So, in Chapter 3 we see a little more about this strange town that Greg is stranded in, and how bad the school is there.
My thoughts during Chapter 3 came to how much here in America we take education for granted. Though right now it seems our educational system is failing, we do have a pretty good one considering what the town Greg was in was facing.
Chapter 4 was a lot of Greg's personal history about his father and mother's missionary work in his early life.
My thoughts during this chapter were really just, wow, no wonder Greg would end up doing so much missionary work in later life. I think that that proves to me that your early life and upbringing really do have an effect on your later life.
So, go ahead and share your thoughts!
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 4:47:37 PM
Thanks Megan. I might just do that. :)
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 4:43:00 PM
Channah, feel free to comment on the forum whenever you want! I'm enjoying it so much so far.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 1:43:27 PM
This is so funny because we are listening to this book on tape and I didn't even see this. lol
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 1:01:58 PM
My pleasure Ashley! I'm really excited to read the book. I've wanted to for a while, and so now I have a reason to do it!
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 12:29:13 PM
Thats great. Thank you:)
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 11:19:43 AM
I was thinking that we could read two chapters at a time, so I would have Chapters 3 and 4 read by next Monday, the 5th.
Ashley, I do think that I've never been that cold. To think that people acutally live in those conditions.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 4:01:17 PM
What section are we reading to now?
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 12:38:14 PM
Think about how driven Greg was/is to get back after being lost two times on K2. The descriptions of how cold he was really made me think. I do not think I have ever been that cold.
Have any of you ever tried/heard of the tea they drink, Paiyu cha? I had not until I read about it.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 12:23:46 PM
I like the responses for question 3. Especially because I have had experiences with people letting circumstances dictate their choices. Our middle school music teacher was not well liked. So, some of the kids thought that instead of trying to make the grade, they just weren't going to try because they already thought that they would hate the class. They let the circumstance of having a bad teacher make the whole 50 minutes we were there terrible.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 06:13:04 AM
Hey ladies! Sorry I’m late. Crazy days here…lol.
1. I think that the first quote means: It takes a really dark time for people to see the stars. I feel that I do not look up enough to see them. Not just look, but to actually see them.
2. My definition of failure is: Not meeting a goal for lack of trying. I feel if I’ve done my best, put forth 100%, asked for help, done everything in my power to make it happen and it is just not meant to be. The problem is most of the time one can always do more.
3. YES! The reason I am so enthusiastic about my answer is because what I consider success is usually not what others do. I feel that society measures success by bank accounts and material things. Needless to say I disagree with society, but find myself thinking how nice so things would be to have. Odd huh? The reason I say that in someways society has control is because oldest my children see "things" and assume that if I say no they can not have it is because we do not have any money. I've told them several times that just because you have money does not mean you need to spend it. I feel like they already feel the pressure to have and do what all the other children are doing and they are only 4 and 2! The baby (6 mo) will learn from his brothers....how can one stop the cycle?
4. I agree with Melody. The only way is through selflessness.
5. I feel connected to nature in almost everyway. I love the way it makes me feel small. Which I guess means I like to be put in my place and to see things from a true prospective. Just a note every time I see a butterfly I smile
I am so happy to be reading this book. It really makes me want to see K2 in person. I am having a hard time putting the book down.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| melody |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 5:15:37 PM
1.The quote means that even in the darkest of times the stars shine the brightest with the stars signifying hope.
2. Wow...my definition of failure-when you have tried your best and still was unsuccessful.
3. I don't feel that society has that kind of control-We were given the right of free will. We can make choices regardless of the standards that society has set.
4. I think that when we help others by going beyond our comfort zone sometimes that can be taken for granted, but that's not why we do it. It shouldn't be done for our own gratification but it should be done in an unselfish way-selflessness should be our aim.
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
http://www.farmgirlhistory.blogspot.com/
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
www.longtallsallys.etsy.com
|
| knittinchick |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 4:55:46 PM
Judy, I really like that quote you have under your posts. Sometimes people have more obstacles than others, but the people with less obstacles are not as successful because they have it easy and they just expect success to fall into their laps.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| patchworkpeace |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 3:37:44 PM
1) That quote caught my eye, too. It made me feel like some times we're so caught up in our lives that we don't see the trees for the forest. Often a crisis has to occur to bring us back into focus.
2) How I define failure is best stated by the Booker T Washington quote below my name.
3) Unfortunately, yes.
4) I think this goes back to question 1. We go zooming through life so fast that we don't take the necessary time to smell the roses. Like you said, its easy to assume the worst when there is good to be taken from almost any situation.
Megan, I'm glad you suggested reading this book. I'm on chapter 5 because I couldn't put it down! I finally told myself "Stop!"
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
