Maria


 * Book:** //The Guardian// by Nicholas Sparks
 * Pages read:** pg.1-119
 * Title:** Relationships: Stage 1-The Awkward Stage
 * Date:** April 27, 2010
 * Significant Quote:** pg. 107 " Mike barely heard her. Don't stare at her [body], he told himself, whatever you do, don't stare at her [body]. A //gentleman// wouldn't stare, a //friend// wouldn't stare."
 * Explanation of Quote:** In this particular scene, Mike had just arrived at Julie's house. Julie had called him a couple minutes before, asking him to come over and fix her faucet. Sitting at home eating cheetos on the couch, Mike willingly agreed to come over. Mike arrived there in no time at all, not knowing that Julie would be soaked from the water that was leaking, making her shirt see through, clearly showing her body. Mike finds himself fighting to not look at her. I chose this quote because it shows where Mike and Julie are in their relationship. Mike loves Julie, and Julie thinks he is a nice, good guy who is also handsome. They have never been on a date but Julie is starting to consider Mike instead of Richard, the sophisticated engineer who she is currently dating. Mike knows she is dating him, and even though he is tempted to look at her, he knows that he is not in a position too do that, yet.
 * Hot Q:** Would you ever have the courage to ask someone out after they are obviously to scared to do it themselves?
 * Answer:** I would want the man to do that, because that's how it works. In this situation, though, Julie has known Mike for along time, and she knows he loves her. Mike does not want to ask her out because he knows she is dating Richard, even though she just clearly told him that she would rather date him instead of Richard. Julie knows that he isn't asking because she is dating Richard, so, she had to let him know that she was ok with it and that she was going to break up with Richard. If I knew the person REALLY well, and I knew that they were just waiting for my ok, I would probably ask them out too.
 * Connection:** Julie had to do what Mike wouldn't do, if Julie hadn't asked him to go out, they probably would have never went out. Sometimes people pass up on opportunities because they are too scared to speak up. Mike almost lost the person he loves a lot because he was too scared. Julie is the kind of girl who likes to take chances and is not intimidated by men. Lots of people do not have that kind of courage, not only in dating but in many things. Sometimes you have to do the work and take that extra step instead of waiting for someone else to do so, because you might not always get what you want or deseve if you wait too long.