Reaction Paper : Hachiko , A Dog's Story

Others say that some people enter our lives and leave almost instantly, but upon my experience it tends me not to believe. Yes, there are times that some people leaves us upon entering our lives, but also remember that this episode of our lives is not just for a memory of crying but also a memory of learning and recalling. In this movie: “Hachiko”, it touches the deepest part of my heart to Joy and Sincerity. I don’t know why, but it let me recall and understand the true meaning of kindness, care, true friendship, love and loyalty.

            Kindness. I always hear this word, but can you feel the true kindness? Is it genuine? When I say “It’s Okay” all the time, thus it mean that I’m showing kindness? In the story, Hachiko was a lost dog adopted by Professor Parker Wilson. Parker offered Hachi pure “Kindness”. Parker’s Kindness, is really unconditional, for it’s not just for humans but also for animals. This kindness gives a better bond between Hachi and Parker that melts everyone’s heart including Parker’s Wife and His Daughter. Kindness is like a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. The kindness of Parker let me realize things instantly. Kindness is something you do to appreciate for you to hear and see everything. It is for everyone to feel the real you sharing and living. Appreciating the little things that come, expectedly or unexpectedly, whether good or bad.

Before, I usually said “Who cares?” but now, I’m like “OMG! Why do I don’t care?” Now I recall all the things I’ve been telling, like a person with no heart. But I’m telling you, I have completely changed. Parker’s Wife and daughter at first are not impressed with the sudden appearance of Hachi and want to get rid of it. But because Parker’s Wife sees the relationship between Parker and Hachi, she allows Hachi to stay. Parker’s Wife doesn’t show the care for Hachi at first but suddenly she pictures out another thing to consider, it is the relationship of Parker to Hachi. I can see the total care of his wife to him and later on to Hachi. And the “True Relationship” of Hachi and Parker. For me, their relationship is not just like Friends/Pals, but like Brothers and Sisters, Father and Mother, God to Humans it is really unexplainable. Parker plays with the dog and teaches it how to catch a ball. And Hachi accompanies the professor every day on his way to the train station, and then returns to the station in the afternoons to greet Parker on his way home. Honestly, I never experienced this kind of friendship. At first I thought that their relationship would be like only dog and master but it is totally not. It is something sweet and romantic for lovers isn’t it? Their love for each other is till’ infinity and beyond.

The need of a partner is also a need of the other one. When Parker died, Hachi is been adopted by Parker’s Daughter. Hachi does wonder where his master is. Where is Professor Parker? Hachi then goes to the train station and waits for his master to come. I can see the loyalty and faithfulness of the dog to his master. The loyalty weakens me, I don’t know why? But while I see that event, my body turned to be very weak. I feel very emotional. I feel the tremendous love of Hachi to Professor Parker, the entire feeling of being alone, waiting, and hoping. Maybe because I already experience that situation. The challenge of waiting and facing the difficulty of being alone. Through thick and thin, rain or shine, Hachi waits for Parker. Until Hachi reaches his end and finally see Parker waiting at the train station where he waits for nine years. Hachi puts his remaining life to his master. It is somewhat giving thanks for everything that Professor Parker gave him. Parker’s best friend Ken, who is of Japanese descent, tells Parker some wise words: “It is not you who found the dog, but the dog found you.” He is your friend, your partner, you defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. Destiny leads you to finally see him. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such loyalty

A dog tries to have trust to different owner; until this dog finally found an owner that he can trust on and live with throughout the days of his life. Same thing goes to us, we humans tries to find a friend to hold and trust. In this trust we build friendship, and with this friendship, I could build myself to be a better person. This movie was totally amazing. It makes me very emotional. Hachi may be left by Professor Parker, but this just help Hachi know the people around him. Hachi inspires everyone that in spite of how many years he has waited, he still remains faithful and loyal to his Master – Professor Parker Wilson. Hachi did not just found a master/owner, but he found his life to be with.  It makes me a better person. It helps me cope with my problems right now. It reflects me as a person, that I should bear true values in life so I could achieve the envelope of happiness here on Earth.

Reaction Paper : Coach Carter

Everything in life is somehow connected. It is a matter of taking right decisions before knowing what that everything in life is. Being successful is completing something that you think you can’t do. Yet you can do anything that you set your mind to. This movie: “Coach Carter” speaks out the idea of life, taking chances and choosing what’s important in life. And somehow to learn respect, teamwork, humility, responsibility and change. Life is not indeed unfair; it is just full of circumstances and challenges that we as humans need to face. But with all those obstacles in life, which one is the most important thing that we need to look forward to?

Leaders are those who inspire others to do better. And by taking actions, these leaders are making difference to their people. And one of them is Coach Ken Carter.  Carter was a basketball coach of a hopeless team that no one can tame or teach. Yet Carter still gives it a shot and eventually changes and teaches them to learn the value of discipline, and finds faith to succeed.

Respect is something that is easy to lose but hard to gain. Coach Carter teaches his players that discipline starts with self-respect. If you know how to respect yourself, you can respect others too. Responsibility is another thing that a team needs to take. The responsibility of being good in sports without failing in Academics is a hard task that Carter wants them to succeed. Another is that, Carter wants them to realize that basketball is not their life; it is just a part of their life. Playing basketball can’t get them through life, but having a good education would.

The key of change is to let go of fears. Timo Cruz says: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  It is a matter of facing the fear that we feel inside.” Our deepest fear is being unable to fulfill our potential. The potential that we have inside that God has given us to explore, and to share. Cause as we express it with ourselves we also share the same feeling of being able to express to others.

As the Richmond Oilers continues their road to success, they eventually take a wrong path leading to their destination. Carter implemented his players that in order for them to be real champions, they need to act as champions. Champions are those who are made from deep inside and not from gyms. And as a team, they achieve more than what they expected. A team is not by many but as one. It is not just for the sake of one but for the sake of everybody. They fight for their one goal and desire.

Growing up in the world, you learn many things about people.   You have to learn from decision makings. Yes, living might mean taking chances. Chances that are worth taking. This movie is not just a movie of success but also a movie of knowing what really a team is. A movie that reminds us that we still have goals in life that we need to reach and take full responsibility.

Everything is not about winning. We achieve what everything in life is. It is just a matter of having our up’s and down’s. We are always going to be facing challenges that in time will become more difficult. If we choose to just give up we will never solve anything. We must evaluate the actions that need to take place and solve it step by step. Cause as what Confucius says: “A journey to a thousand miles begins with one step.”