Jessie+Chang+RP+Post+1


 * 1. Presentation of Findings**
 * I'm probably leaning toward, either the extended definition or the informative research paper.
 * I wanted to write either the extended def. or the informative paper because i wish to be able to report my findings. I don't have a position on my topic, though i have a basic idea of what it is. For me, the purpose of this paper is to help be increase my knowledge on my topic and apply it to my everyday life, if possible. Plus, i prefer to ask many questions and have them answered straight-forwardly, instead of in a round-about way.
 * Such an approach allows me to ask endless amounts of questions and in turn, shoot out the answers. I don't like adding in meaningless information or taking positions.
 * 2. The Pursuit of Knowledge**
 * What is happiness? (Definition?)
 * __How do the people who have so little, still manage to be optimistic and smile wholeheartedly?__
 * Can money buy happiness?
 * How does one become genuinely happy?
 * What is the meaning of happiness?
 * 3. Background & Early Knowledge**
 * Well, obviously happiness comes and goes. It depends on your day, the person you just talked to and how your life is. Happiness is not something that is tangible. You just know that it's there or when it's lacking. It's one of the most important emotions a person can have in them, yet can also be hard to obtain for many. Happiness determines your choices, what you do, and how you treat others.
 * What I've learned so far... i don't have it. At least not happiness in it's most pure and realistic form. My happiness depends on materialistic objects. My happiness depends on tangible things. I don't want this. To be truly happy because of what you have already, to be happy because you are the way you are. I have also learned that happiness is the same for everybody. That it eventually levels over.
 * 4. The Rationale**
 * Why //this// question? Well, because i don't understand how some people can be so happy and optimistic. There are so many wrong and terrible things that this world holds and yet, they're always smiling. Why? How? For what? Is it only a front? Or is it genuine? To me, happiness is something that i have, but, at the same time, don't. As i mentioned before, my happiness is determined by my possessions. Friends? Well, i mean of course but, happiness extends to so many other factors. This an emotion that i don't understand, and probably never will, but i wish to learn more about it so i can apply it to my life, if even in the most minuscule way possible.
 * Yes, my motivation is based on personal interest. I want to know what makes people happy. The different reasons. How they are happy. Through what. I wish to understand because i truly don't.
 * This topic, and the questions i intend on asking are very able in stemming out into multiple subtopics. I wish to be able to gather as much information about this emotion as possible.
 * I'm worried that i may not get the answer i want. I fear i may be disappointed in the results of my findings. I also fear that i may not be able to find the answers to my questions. Sometimes, there are just things you can't answer, because you simply don't have an answer for it.