Blog post 6: Character profile

Ruben Wolfe

Physical description: Has thick, curly, furry hair that is too attractive for its own good. Wears a jersey, sawn-off track pants and gymmies. He is athletic but not big or bulky. Wears a singlet and jeans when hitting the punching bag. 

Personality traits: Very tough, rarely shows much emotion, very confident in himself, outgoing, loyal to his brothers, kind to Cam at the end, shallow thinker, makes up his mind quite quickly on what he thinks about someone judging them from their looks. 

Strengths and weaknesses: Strengths include his fighting skills and that he has no fear of anyone or anything. Good at getting girls. But one of his weakness is probably treating girls right, he can also be a shallow thinker and doesn't look past the outside of someone.

His defining moment in the story: The scene when he opened up to Cameron at the end of the book and he told Cam he thought Cameron always looked up to him, but that he knew then that he looked up to Cameron. That moment will always be cherished by Cameron, and also Rube. 

How he changed throughout the book: In the beginning of the book Rube was always quite tough on Cameron, and calling him a lonely bastard. But throughout the story Rube starts taking it easier on him, especially after Cameron carried him all the way home.I think Rube felt bad for everything he had said in the past, since he now knows Cam isn't any of those things. They definitely have a very strong bond now. 

One quote that sums him up: "And tonight, I think I might hit the bag in the basement. I'll take the radio down, turn it up loud, and I'll hit it until I can't stand up anymore." - Rube page 163 of "When dogs cry".

I believe this image of the boxing bag with the hand represents Rube very well because Rube spends a lot of his time down in the basement practicing until his knuckles bleed to get things of his mind or to prepare for a fight. 

Blog post 5: The soundtrack of my life

If my life were to be made into a video with soundtracks, the following 5 songs would be on the video.

1. "Disco inferno" - The Trammps

This song would be part of my soundtrack because a few years ago when we would take the drive back home from Amed on Sunday nights, we would always turn on the radio. Those few hours weren't so bad as long as we had some music on. Disco inferno would always play and all four of us would sing it as loudly as we could, especially the part where it goes “Burn, baby, burn. Disco inferno!!”

Click here for the video of this song

2. "Blub ik ben een vis" - K3
K3 is a Flemish girls group whose songs are directed at kids. The band is called K3 because each of the 3 members names start with K: Karen, Kathleen and Kristel. I listened to K3 very often when I was about 5 or 6 years old. This was one of my favourite songs by them and the song was also in one of my favourite movies. Listening to it now I get this feeling where I feel like I'm a little kid again. Definitely brings back some memories.

Click here for the video of this song

3. "Alle kleuren" - K3

This is another song by K3 called "Alle kleuren" which translates to “all colours”. I loved to dance to this song very often in Holland. I looked up to them and loved their songs. This song was about how it didn't matter what skin colour you are, and that everyone is the same. I didn't really know what it meant at the time but I seemed to enjoy the song.

Click here for the video of this song

4. Dutch National Anthem "The Wilhelmus"

Obviously this song is on my list. The Dutch national anthem came across my life a lot. It is the song of my home country and I get chills listening to it. I don't understand the meaning of it but when it plays I feel overwhelmed with a feeling of happiness. Watching Holland play in world cups this song always played and it makes me feel proud. Proud to be Dutch.

Click here for the video of this song

5. "We are who we are" - Little Mix

This song has only just recently come into my life as I only just discovered it. Its sung by the British girl pop band “Little mix”. The reason I picked this song is because the lyrics are very meaningful to me. It about how you were created to be yourself, not perfect. Its about not hating on what you look like but instead feeling like your special, and working with what you got. Because there is only one of you in this world. This song helps me because nowadays current stereotyping is setting standards where standards shouldn't be set. This song helps give me more self confidence.

Click here for the video of this song

Blog post 4: Because of you

From when I was born until now this person has encouraged and motivated me.  This person is in my daily life and is constantly helping me to become a better person. He is by my side all the time. One of the reasons I picked this person is because of sports. I am a person who loves sports and I started at a young age so this person was always encouraging me. That has made me better sports person but that also gave me more self confidence. Every day when there was a new challenge this person would be by my side helping me to complete it. It has driven and pushed me to work harder and become a better person. 

Even arguments resulted in finding a solution to our problem. He always forgave me eventually knowing I wouldn't do it again. Motivation was another thing that I receive very often from him. When I did something good, but I could have done better, this person helped me to find a way so that next time I would give 100%. Because of all that loving support I have become who I am. Because of you, I am who I am today. That person is my dad. 

Blog post 3: Lists

My top 5 animals I want to see while scuba diving (excluding dangerous animals)

Whale shark

Mola-Mola (Sunfish)

Dolphin

Seal

Mandarin fish

1. Whale Shark

The Whale Shark is definitely at the top of my list. People have dived with Whale Sharks and I want to be one of them. These plankton sucking creatures are very rare to come upon whilst diving, so seeing one would be once-in-a-lifetime.

2. Mola-Mola

I’ve heard many stories about people who have been lucky enough to come across a Mola-Mola, but I have never seen one myself. They are quite rare and eccentric animals. They have a round but flat body with 2 fins.

3. Dolphin

Even though everyone has seen a dolphin in their life including myself, I still want to see one underwater. They have been my favorite animal for a long time and I think they are beautiful creatures. They are such great swimmers and can also love towards humans. 

4. Seal

Believe it or not, my number 4 is a seal. I think it would be fun to see a seal. If you're lucky enough they will even come close enough to touch them. Seals can be cute and I would love to see them.

5. Mandarin fish

It may only reach 6 centimeters but it is still on my list. The Mandarin fish has many amazing colors on its body which is the main reason why it's on my bucket list. I would love to see this.