Reed's post

QUESTION-Have you ever felt like you were too far away from home--> what are your feelings about home? Connect to what you are reading:

I have never really felt I have been too far from home. I started to travel by myself when I was seven and I started going to stay away camp when I was eight. I would be away from home for weeks at a time and it never really bothered me. I don’t know what it was that made me feel “comfortable” being away from home. Every time I am away from home I feel like I am exploring and discovering new things. I love learning about new things and taking on challenges. I lived in Spain for two months when I was thirteen and that was a very eye opening experience. Since I was half way around the world on a completely different continent I was immersed into the culture and ways of the people who live there.

For the character in my book I feel like he hasn’t gotten out of the house much. It seems the only time he is out is when he is with his dad looking at the stars, going to the drive in movie, or when he is going to school, but even so he doesn’t talk about it much. Also when he goes to the martial arts center he goes strait there and then back to his house. I think that since he is so focused on his practices in Kung fu and becoming a Zen monk he doesn’t feel the need to get out. When he is at home he feels very comfortable and secure where as when he is at school all he wants to do is get home as soon as possible. His basement is the place where he really expresses himself and is able to do whatever he pleases without criticism. His parents understand this but don’t completely agree with his attachment to staying in the basement. His parents don’t completely understand how doing kung fu and practicing meditation makes him feel which is serene and relaxed, and that is another reason why he is attached to his house.