Final Blog

Coming into my first semester was intimidating and coming into English. Knowing English was not my strong point I was worried I would get an extremely grouchy old lady. In the end I didn’t and I am happy with my teacher. Blogging has definitely helped my speaking in normal situation and not just writing in an essay. It helps with everyday language and how to approach topics. At the end of the semester I am able to look back and say that my writing has improved and that I worked hard throughout the semester. The year as been fun and I enjoyed taking English 101!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time my family takes to catch up from year. All of the family usually doesn’t make it back all at once. This year everyone was able to make it back for Thanksgiving Day. Watching football during holidays is usually what consists of holidays. We sat around and watched many games on television and also played many card and board games. It is always fun having family home and being able to catch up with everyone.

The Most Dangerous Game

In The Most Dangerous Game  symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony are all involved. Starting with the title; he refers to hunting humans as a game. Is it not plainly murder? He makes it sound like a game of tennis or something that should have no real thought before doing. The title is also ironic because the General because the “game” at the end of the story, by being hunted by Rainsford. A couple of spots in the story darkness is used for scary or ire moments in the story. Blackness shows for instance when he is about to fall off of the boat at the beginning of the story. It is ironic that in the beginning of the story Rainsford cannot believe that the General would be hunting humans for the game of it. Ironically at the end of the story Rainsford hunts the General. The General tried to act sophisticated on the inside while on the outside his actions were barbaric. He acted like an animal while hunting humans like they have no feeling at all, while he tried to act proper with his fine wine.

Young Goodman Brown

In the story there was a tremendous amount of symbolism throughout the story. Faith wears pink ribbons in her hair which represents innocence and purity. From Goodman’s wife, Faith; at the beginning of the story Faith wanted him to stay, so when he walked away from Faith, his wife, he also walked away from his religious faith. Evil is shown through the staff, which has a snake resembled on it. The forest also represents the evil because in the era which the story was written, it was believed to be an evil place. It interesting how even if the story was a dream that it still opened Goodman’s eyes to see what people in the community were actually doing and not just what he wanted them to do.

A Rose for Emily

A Rose for Emily is story about a lady that many would call crazy. A major question when you are done reading the story is whose fault it is that she went crazy. The story leaves a lot of questions unanswered.  There are a lot of people that let Emily down through out her life, by not helping her when she needed them the most. After her father’s death is when I believe she fell in a deep depression and never wanted contact with people; yet when she had contact she did not want to get rid of them. The townspeople fed into her living because they did not make her face reality and make her pay her taxes. They are various elements that could be to blame in Emily’s story. Yet, she was a troubled lady that need friends and her family to help her

The Most Dangerous Game

I really enjoy this story it keeps my attention throughout the whole story. It is an easy read story, which is very helpful. I also read it in high school. There are many interesting aspects of the story. One that I found the most interesting was the title “The Most Dangerous Game” I found it interesting in a couple of ways. The word that draws my attention the most is the word game, it shows that the General thinks of hunting humans as a game. It is ironic that both the General and Rainsford both become the game throughout the story. They are both hunters and both become the prey. The General begins by hunting Rainsford and then Rainsford kills the General at the end of the story. Humans are said to be the most dangerous game which is where the meaning of the title comes from. This is a very intriguing story that I enjoyed reading. 

Katrina in Sleepy Hollow

Every day I went to school I would see Ichabod, because he was my teacher. He would look at me in a peculiar way. It seemed like he would notice me over the other students. It was very strange beings I was his student and a teacher should look and treat everyone the same. Ichabod seemed to always try to impress me. Once he started dancing just to get my attention. Brom is someone that I would love to be with and always wanted to be with. And once Ichabod left we could live peacefully with each other!

Katrina Van Tassle

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Watching Buffy was quiet the show to watch. I had never watched a full episode until today. I would say if I would have started watching the show when I was younger I would have enjoyed the series. The movie was filled with different aspects of foreshadowing and role reversal in a way.

The way that Buffy was such a strong woman before the spell and then when the spell began she became sort of a mindless and a person that could not think for her self. This shows how many people try to acquire and image that not them but an image to please other people. In doing so she almost died because of the other vampires. Buffy’s friend also found herself throughout the show. She decided she wanted to be a ghost that was covered and not seen; yet, by the end she realized that she would be herself and not be afraid of what the other people thought of the real her.

These two examples in the show illustrate how many girls feel today. Many young girls feel the need to be somebody they are not and dress and certain way even though it is not what they truly enjoy. I enjoyed watching the show even though it was a little old, I did not mind watching it at all. Maybe if one come on TV I will watch it next time!

Kite Runner

My favorite book is the Kite Runner; I love this book. I am not a huge fan of reading books just because they can never engage my interest throughout the whole book. This book engaged my interest from the very beginning and kept it to the very end.

The Kite Runner showed aspects of their culture that I was not aware of. It made the war and the lifestyle more realistic and made me realize it is actually happening. It was a class reading assignment of my senior year. Every book before that I never read during the class because it never took my interest. This was one of the first books I read in class, and I loved it!

It shows trials between friendships and families. It will probably always be one of my favorite books just because it taught me a lot about what to think of other people. Realizing their lifestyle and culture.

Long Essays

It is Friday morning and I am thinking about this ten page paper that I have due on Tuesday. All I keep thinking is how in the world I am going to be able to write ten pages on only on subject. I started my essay a couple of days ago.

It is hard to find different topics about certain subject to write ten pages. I find it difficult not to find myself repeating the same topic just in different words several times. I have chosen immigration and how America should have harsher rules for illegal immigrants trying to come across the border. I was surprised to find that it is difficult to find document about illegal immigrant.

All in all I know I will have my essay done by Tuesday because I have too. It will hopefully be the best paper I have written this year, because I have put a lot of time into it and will put much more in it throughout the weekend.

Immigration

My topic is immigration and how immigration is affecting the United States economy. I will show how I would use pathos, logos ad ethos and my position paper.

Logos would go with the logic that is behind illegal immigration and how it affects the economy. The logic is quiet simple illegal immigrants are coming to America and living a low lifestyle and use government funded programs. The government programs are made and exist for legal citizens of the United States. The biggest problem with illegal immigrants using government funded programs is that they do not pay the taxes that go towards furnishing those government programs in which they are taking advantage of.

Pathos is connecting an emotional aspect to your paper. I found several stories about children of immigrants that are against immigration. They tell their stories and how their parents came here and it was acceptable then but the United States grows it becomes more unacceptable. They show that even they have that emotional connection with their parents they are able to put that aside, and think about what is best for their country.

Establishing creditability is called ethos and is very important when one is trying to write a position paper. It is important to make your reader believe and show that you are creditable to the information in my paper. I have found several different creditable topic and stories that share stories of immigrants coming to the United States. These stories will help show the readers how not all immigrants believe immigration is right.

Immigration

I choose immigration for my proposal essay. I am going to show three different questions that would help me show my side of immigration. My stand point is that immigration laws should be stricter and stopped.

How immigration affects the United States? Immigration is hurting America and American citizens. Immigrants are stealing jobs from citizens because they can do the job for cheaper. A large percentage of immigrants use government funded programs. Government programs are paid by American citizens that pay taxes; which no illegal immigrants pay those taxes.

How are the people that immigrate affected? Many immigrants live their lives in America in fear of being sent back. They work for low level jobs that pay very little. How can lives in America be better than back home?

How is American culture affected? America is the, “melting pot” yet they should come here legally. People from many countries come to America; that is what makes America many different types of people and cultures. English is not as dominant of a language as it used to be because of the high percentage of Mexican citizens coming across the border illegally and never knowing how to speak English.

Class 10/12/2010

We did a couple of different things in class today. Our peers taught us and we will have the chance to teach everyone else. I personally do not like being taught by classmates or teaching my classmates. It is hard to get all of the information on the topic because we aren’t good teachers and just skim the surface of a subject. It also can be nerve racking when teaching classmates but it’s hard to get all the information taught that is needed to know about a subject when people themselves do not know much about the subject.

I liked the activity we did today while throwing the Gieco. I thought it may help a little more in generating a topic if there were some different questions. I am still having a hard time thinking of a topic that I would be interested enough in to write seven or eight pages on. Sitting in the circle was fun.

English 101

This course is by far my most interacting class. We are able to talk, have discussion, and get to know people. I am glad that we are able to have a small class environment. Being a smaller class makes it easier to ask questions and learn better in the class room. Having a smaller class also makes you feel more comfortable in your environment.

English is by far not my strongest subject. In English 101 we do not have too much homework that it is overwhelming and therefore not do the best job. We are able to have enough homework where I can pace myself and know when to get things done. I am able to do better on my assignments because I am allowed more time than being crammed for time between every assignment.

Reviewing Literacy Narrative

Once I looked back on my literacy narrative essay, I realized several different mistakes. Reading my essay out loud helped me hear the flow of the essay and how it sounded to the reader. The essay had the basics but it was lacking flow and had many unclear details about the incident. One of the biggest problems was the unclear and blurry parts of the essay.

Quoting and dialogue would make the essay flow better. After including dialogue in the essay, it will make the flow better. More importantly it will make the essay seem like it actually happened.

Reading and reviewing my essay before completing it is a skill that I need to acquire. By reviewing my essay before turning it in again will help with many grammar and flow problems within the essay.

Boycotting Beyond Petroleum

Should Americans Shun Beyond Petroleum (BP)?

After the latest disasters in the Gulf Americans are faced with a dilemma: Should we as Americans give business to a company that has infested the Gulf with oil? Americans should support BP in their business and efforts to clean up the coast. Beyond Petroleum is a large corporation that employs around 80,000 Americans. By helping BP thrive and stay in business with them will help keep 80,000 Americans from becoming unemployed. Beyond Petroleum are trying to make best effort possible with the oil spill. Being a billion dollar company boycotting one station would not make a difference but slowly if all Americans quit buying from BP that many more Americans would not have a job. Is one event by a company large enough to make people lose their jobs?

The Lighter Side of the News

News comes in a variety of ways and I watch “HLN News” almost every day. I chose to watch “The Colbert Report” for my blog this weekend. These two shows have a very different style of telling the news.

“The Colbert Report” is a newscast that is generated generally more towards young adults or someone that likes to hear the lighter side of the news. I enjoyed watching the Report for entertainment but it would not be my first choice when choosing a show to hear the news and details on stories.

Stephen Colbert who is on “The Colbert Report” has a very wide range of topics. I watched an episode that dealt with the poor in America and then it went to Google and what has done. He talked about the poor and joked around about how they would someday turn on the rich. I think that he has a fun and enthusiastic show but it does not have very many details in the reports. The show is successful in keeping people interested because of his remarks and high energy. The program may gain younger generations of interest therefore they will learn more about the country and world. Even if the show is not in great detail it is in enough detail to get the general idea.

The more straight forward type of news is the type I would rather watch when I want information. Yet “The Colbert Report” is something many can watch for enjoyment and to get a couple topics to think about.

Gay Service Members

In America we are very excepting as people besides to certain groups of people. A majority of Americans have no problems against homosexuals while many still do. The army as a whole implements a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The policy was put into affect over sixteen years ago. The policy is very outdated with the changed that have come. The policy should not be in affect any longer. This policy tells homosexuals that are service members to not speak of or act on their sexual feelings when they are homosexual.

            If someone is risking their own life and future for our country I believe that their sexual orientation should have no effect on the matter. Going into the military being homosexual is tough enough with everyone talking and sometimes rejecting you just because of who they want to be with. I personally believe that it is wrong to make a decision and treat people differently because of their sexual orientation. They are sacrificing their lives.

The website is:

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/gay-service-members-discuss-don't-ask-dont-tell/?ref=world

Essay Topic

As of now I have two possible topics for my essay:

Sports and how being involved with them since I was in the fourth grade has made me better understanding of people. Quiting basketball my senior year because of the coach and what that made me realize as a person.

My other topic would be about my grandmother that was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and how it has made me more aware of the time we have with loved ones and to cherish it.

Memories

These events in my life tell a story about me but also gave me a better understanding of aspects of my life.


It was my freshman year and my best friend came over to stay with me. We would always think up excuses so we could go drive around town, so we decided we were going to go get a pop from up town. I drove our Ford Expedition which was not the best vehicle to be driving in the snow and sleet. The roads were iced down and it was the middle of winter. We tried to make a U-turn on Main Street and as we whipped around a pole got in our way. My friend was horrified so we tried to play it cool like we weren’t going fast or that it was our fault. I asked “What are we going to tell me parents?” she said just tell them we hit a cow. We drove home mortified of what was going to happen when we got back. Deciding we would face my parents together we headed in the house, needless to say my friend went in the house but decided to run straight for my room and hide. My parents were not happy but they were not too mad about the whole situation. It leads me to believe that honesty upfront is the best way to go even if you are scared to tell.

Basketball is a major sport where I grew up. Growing up in a small town we began playing basketball in the fourth grade. I played all throughout middle school and high school until my senior year in high school. Transferring schools in the seventh grade was an easy transition besides when it came to basketball. Playing all sports I thought my coach would be no different than any other coach I had before, turns out I was wrong. Coaches all have their own types of coaching and personalities, yet most coaches have a sense of what is right and wrong. My coach and I ended up not getting along because of various reasons. I ended up not going out for basketball my senior year, yet my principle and superintendent came and tried to convince me that I was making the wrong decision and that I would regret it. My parents loved watching all their kids in sports but they understood what I went through and told me do what you want and do not think of anyone else when it comes to making your decision. Even though the principle and superintendent tried to lure me into going out I stood up for what I know was right and stand by my decision. It makes me believe that you need to stand up for what you believe in no matter how many people do not believe in you or your decision.

Small towns come with traditions that do not change easily and they die hard. One of the traditions I was involved in was Homecoming Royalty, I was voted on to the Homecoming Queen. I was the well liked, quiet one in high school but I thought winning would be a longshot. The girls that were maybe the more outgoing and mean to the under classmates did not make it. Many people believe that homecoming queen is a superficial title and that you have to be high maintenance and “fake” to win it. What I learned is that being who you are is the most important thing you can do even growing up in a small town where people talk a lot.

Defining Me

What defines you?

Defining yourself is a hard task to do. It is hard to think of various events that make me who I am today. Yet in each chapter of my life there are several moments that make me, me.

One of the most challenging and beneficial times in my life was during middle school. My grandmother had been diagnosed with a disease that was not preventable or treatable. During this time I learned that no matter how big or small someone is in your life never take them for granted or what they do for granted. For some day they may not be there when you need them the most.  It is hard to believe that this time would be beneficial to me and my family yet it brought us closer together and helped us appreciate the time we had together, as family.

I define myself by what I am trying to make of my life. Coming to college was hard both financially and emotionally. It is hard to leave behind what you grew up with. Showing the drive to go to college and make yourself a smarter and better person shows that you want to improve yourself and the environment you live in. Being able to make something of your life and who you are is an aspect of my life that I believe defines me the most.

Defining myself is not an easy task and these are only a couple of the many events that have shaped me to who I am. It is important to know where you have been and where you want to be going in your life to be able to get their successfully.