Thursday, December 8, 2011
Process Memo
First and foremost Id like to say that this class was my most enjoyable of the semester! thank you for that Ms, Novak. I really enjoyed the freedom to write whatever we felt like writing about majority of the time. For me, when I am given a prompt that I dont really want to write about, it becomes extremely difficult and redundant. With the option to take my papers and blogs wherever really helped me improve the subject of my writing, and how to making it more appealing to the audience. The other important thing that I have learned throughout the semester is MLA more in depth. with the jeopardy style MLA games, and the multiple activities we did throughout the semester, it really helped me brush up my knowledge pertaining to in text citations, and citing your sources. I really enjoyed the fact that you were lienant and understanding, especially when It came time for papers to be due and you were gracious with extensions. (MUCH appreciated!!!). I actually enjoyed coming to class unlike some others I was enrolled in. the fact that you and the class were so easy going made it comfortable and easy to work in a groups and such.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Packer and Forney
In response to Packer's short story:
Although the short story seemed to jump around, I like how the main character Cynthia came to many realizations about herself throughout her journey; such as only "pretending" and the fact that she is a lesbian, whether she wanted to admit it or not. I think from the point where the girls get naked in the dishwashing room, it is obvious that she might have been crushing on Heidi. It is kind of sad that instead of opening up to Heidi about her sexuality, her mothers death, or any of the other things prevented her from having a relationship. heidi was "open" with the things she wanted. I think it was almost a kind of sad story, with the underlying theme of things lost. such as her mother, heidis mother, heidi, the groceries, her father. etc.
In response to Forneys comic strips:
The comic strips about health care were kind of neat, because it shows the character really wanting to do her part even if she is discouraged by being the only one trying. that comic depicts a lot of the struggles that many people may encounter through their journey into their jobs, or goals in life. what i liked most was the last comic strip with the sunglasses, saying is it cool now?
the second comic strip seemed to be the same kind of thing. pressure to fit in, or the theme of the characters being embarassed of who they really are, and what they enjoy. If the character would have lied and said something besides "fighting nuclear power" then maybe she would have had a chance. but thats not the real her.
Although the short story seemed to jump around, I like how the main character Cynthia came to many realizations about herself throughout her journey; such as only "pretending" and the fact that she is a lesbian, whether she wanted to admit it or not. I think from the point where the girls get naked in the dishwashing room, it is obvious that she might have been crushing on Heidi. It is kind of sad that instead of opening up to Heidi about her sexuality, her mothers death, or any of the other things prevented her from having a relationship. heidi was "open" with the things she wanted. I think it was almost a kind of sad story, with the underlying theme of things lost. such as her mother, heidis mother, heidi, the groceries, her father. etc.
In response to Forneys comic strips:
The comic strips about health care were kind of neat, because it shows the character really wanting to do her part even if she is discouraged by being the only one trying. that comic depicts a lot of the struggles that many people may encounter through their journey into their jobs, or goals in life. what i liked most was the last comic strip with the sunglasses, saying is it cool now?
the second comic strip seemed to be the same kind of thing. pressure to fit in, or the theme of the characters being embarassed of who they really are, and what they enjoy. If the character would have lied and said something besides "fighting nuclear power" then maybe she would have had a chance. but thats not the real her.
Proust Questionaire
From my characters POV:
1. What quality do you like most in a women?
I really like the motherly, nuturing side of a women. I think females should acquire this trait, especially since it is something that we are born with.
2. What quality do you like most in a man?
On the contrary, men should be manly and chilvarious. They should hold doors, and protect women, whether it be their daughters, sisters, mothers or girlfriends.
3. On what ocassions do you lie?
I lie if i am running late! For instance: someone asks me where im at, and i will say on my way! even though I am not done getting ready. Then i will blame being late on traffic or something along those lines.. oops
4. What talent would you most like to have?
I wish that I was a good dancer or singer.
5. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To be financially stable, with a large circle of friends, to be close with family
1. What quality do you like most in a women?
I really like the motherly, nuturing side of a women. I think females should acquire this trait, especially since it is something that we are born with.
2. What quality do you like most in a man?
On the contrary, men should be manly and chilvarious. They should hold doors, and protect women, whether it be their daughters, sisters, mothers or girlfriends.
3. On what ocassions do you lie?
I lie if i am running late! For instance: someone asks me where im at, and i will say on my way! even though I am not done getting ready. Then i will blame being late on traffic or something along those lines.. oops
4. What talent would you most like to have?
I wish that I was a good dancer or singer.
5. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To be financially stable, with a large circle of friends, to be close with family
A little late!
In response to Surrounded by Sleep, By: Ahki Sharma
Although I personally do not have any siblings, I could imagine the immensity of closeness that you would feel with them. While reading this short story, it struck a nerve even in me (siblingless). I cant imagine the grief that Ajay and his family would feel. I can empathize with him in one aspect of this story, and that is the fact that sometimes situations occur in our life, and they effect each person in the family differently. Ajay's mother was in denail, seemingly ignoring the fact that the chances of her eldest son getting better were slim to none. Ajay on the other hand was young enough to where it didnt effect everything about his life. Part of him wanted to just move past this whole situation, even if it were almost impossible. He wanted to feel as if he had a normal life that didnt revolve around his brothers accident.
In response to Mrs. Turners Lawn Jockeys, by Emily Robateua
In my opinion, this short story had a pretty good way to indirectly bringing controversial issues to the light. Although the story never once said it was dealing with the issue of race, it did so quite well. Giving humanistic characteristics to these Lawn jockeys, i found quite humurous. It adds a sense of lightness to the story, instead of keeping it serious and formal. The young son cant please his father by doing anything normally. At the end of the story though, after he and his sister had painted the lawn ornaments,and his father noticed there color had changed, he laughed. The fact that the author used the jockey's as the pawn addressed racism in a different way than using a person. The lawn jockeys wanted to be painted white so that they "werent looked at so differently"
Although I personally do not have any siblings, I could imagine the immensity of closeness that you would feel with them. While reading this short story, it struck a nerve even in me (siblingless). I cant imagine the grief that Ajay and his family would feel. I can empathize with him in one aspect of this story, and that is the fact that sometimes situations occur in our life, and they effect each person in the family differently. Ajay's mother was in denail, seemingly ignoring the fact that the chances of her eldest son getting better were slim to none. Ajay on the other hand was young enough to where it didnt effect everything about his life. Part of him wanted to just move past this whole situation, even if it were almost impossible. He wanted to feel as if he had a normal life that didnt revolve around his brothers accident.
In response to Mrs. Turners Lawn Jockeys, by Emily Robateua
In my opinion, this short story had a pretty good way to indirectly bringing controversial issues to the light. Although the story never once said it was dealing with the issue of race, it did so quite well. Giving humanistic characteristics to these Lawn jockeys, i found quite humurous. It adds a sense of lightness to the story, instead of keeping it serious and formal. The young son cant please his father by doing anything normally. At the end of the story though, after he and his sister had painted the lawn ornaments,and his father noticed there color had changed, he laughed. The fact that the author used the jockey's as the pawn addressed racism in a different way than using a person. The lawn jockeys wanted to be painted white so that they "werent looked at so differently"
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The diagnosis
It was much like any other winter day. My sister and I were only thirteen years old at the time, and it was a school day. The temperature outside was below freezing, which made it extra hard to get moving that morning. Both Lindsey (my twin sister) and I were sluggish in the cold winter mornings, but lately I had been noticing she was more lazy than ever. Regardless, we got ready. Our morning routines consisted of showering, brushing our teeth, brushing our hair, and attempting to put on mascara. Make-up was a fairly new concept to us, but we loved experimenting with it. It was a tuesday, which meant Pizza was being served in the lunch line, and I had a math test. I really hated algebra. My sister was going to get checked out early that day because she had a doctors appointment. Lucky her. I barely ever got checked out early, and especially not as much as Lindsey did. At 11:30, Lindsey left our English class, to meet our mother and then go to the doctors. It was just a checkup so I basically forgot about it, especially as I filled my head with algebraic equations for the last fifteen minutes of study time I had. I had two more class periods, and the last class of the day was my math class. After the test, I packed up with belongings and waited for the dismissal bell. What felt like ten hours later, I exited the classroom, grabbed the books I needed from my locker and headed towards the parking lot where my mom and sister would be waiting for me. As I approached the parking lot, I couldnt spot my moms car. After a few minutes of intense searching, I stumbled upon my Fathers car. I got inside. My father never picks us up from school. This was odd.
"Where's Lindsey and why didnt mom pick us up?" I asked, as I turned my fathers's direction.
"Well Jamie.....The doctors are running some tests on her still." He replied, as he avoided my eye contact.
"I thought she was just going in for a check up. Is she sick? I said.
"They are trying there best to figure out what is going on. We are meeting your mother and sister at Bayside Hospital right now."
I knew. I knew right then and there that something was going horribly wrong.
"Where's Lindsey and why didnt mom pick us up?" I asked, as I turned my fathers's direction.
"Well Jamie.....The doctors are running some tests on her still." He replied, as he avoided my eye contact.
"I thought she was just going in for a check up. Is she sick? I said.
"They are trying there best to figure out what is going on. We are meeting your mother and sister at Bayside Hospital right now."
I knew. I knew right then and there that something was going horribly wrong.
Thanksgiving
I remember one particular Thanksgiving, shortly after my parents divorced. Switching back and forth every other weekend and every other holiday was still something was seemingly new to my twin sister and I. Although we lived with our mother, we still we're extremely close with our father and enjoyed going over there. Especially for holidays. That was, until, we arrived at his doorstep Thanksgiving morning in 2004. My mother had driven us the fifteen mile distance between our parents houses since it was my fathers year to have "us girls" for thanksgiving. As normal, my mother said her goodbyes, waited until we got to the door, and drove off. What had all of us confused though was the shiny red car in the drive way. Had daddy gotten a new car? I hadnt recalled that. My sister and I both walked slowly to the front door, pondering who's car that was! I went to turn the doorknob and the door was locked. We rang the doorbell and shortly after, a middle-aged blonde lady answered the door.
"Who are you?" My sister asked, immediately.
"I am Shelby. Your fathers...friend" The blonde lady replied. She had glanced around furtively for a moment while she tried to pick out the right word to describe their "friendship".
My sister and I said no more. The blonde lady, my sister and I all turned around and walked inside. My sister called for my dad. A few seconds later he came around the corner. He must have been able to tell we were confused, and frustrated that another lady was there. When my father has a women around, he tends to not pay as much attention to us girls. My sister and I ditched the awkwardness and went in the backyard to jump on the trampoline. We spent two hours outside, gossiping about Shelby. It was like an episode out of the parent trap while the twins are spent bashing 'Meredith' their dads evil new girlfriend. When the food was finally ready, our father called us inside to have us wash up.
We all assumed our positions at the dining room table. As our dad made all of our plates, we decided we should go around the table and say what we were thankful for. Shelby went first.
"I am thankful for the oppurtunity to meet you girls, and spend Thanksgiving with your dad and you girls." She said with a fake grin on her face.
My sister went next. "I am thankful that my sister and I are the only two girls in my dads life that will never go any where."
As my sister said this, Shelbys face dropped, along with my fathers fork. Apparently this was an inappropriate statement, but I think Shelby got the hint. We never had Shelby as a dinner guest again.
"Who are you?" My sister asked, immediately.
"I am Shelby. Your fathers...friend" The blonde lady replied. She had glanced around furtively for a moment while she tried to pick out the right word to describe their "friendship".
My sister and I said no more. The blonde lady, my sister and I all turned around and walked inside. My sister called for my dad. A few seconds later he came around the corner. He must have been able to tell we were confused, and frustrated that another lady was there. When my father has a women around, he tends to not pay as much attention to us girls. My sister and I ditched the awkwardness and went in the backyard to jump on the trampoline. We spent two hours outside, gossiping about Shelby. It was like an episode out of the parent trap while the twins are spent bashing 'Meredith' their dads evil new girlfriend. When the food was finally ready, our father called us inside to have us wash up.
We all assumed our positions at the dining room table. As our dad made all of our plates, we decided we should go around the table and say what we were thankful for. Shelby went first.
"I am thankful for the oppurtunity to meet you girls, and spend Thanksgiving with your dad and you girls." She said with a fake grin on her face.
My sister went next. "I am thankful that my sister and I are the only two girls in my dads life that will never go any where."
As my sister said this, Shelbys face dropped, along with my fathers fork. Apparently this was an inappropriate statement, but I think Shelby got the hint. We never had Shelby as a dinner guest again.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Last weekends Football game
Saturday of last weekend was on of course that was memorable. I was with a big group of my friends. I had my twin, and my bestfriend with me and a group of about 10 other friends. We were all decked out in our garnet and gold, tailgating all around the stadium. Gametime started at 3:30. Me and my sister made it all the way to half time without having to go to the bathroom. We told our group that we would be right back and then we made our way through the crowd to the bathrooms. My sister was in front of me as we were walking and out of no-where I witnessed a guy come from nowhere and push her. Obviously I ran up to them and asked what in the world was going on. This fellow seminole, about 28 years old then begins screaming and pointing his finger in my sisters face. He then screamed "Youre a fat ugly bitch". This was NOT OKAY by me!!!!! The guys girlfriend (im assuming) popped up from nowhere also and began to taunt the both of us. Me and my sister are both yelling, and thats when he pushed her again. I went to get the cop that was standing only a few hundred feet away and pulled him over. This behavior under NO CIRCUMSTANCE is okay by me. How pathethic is that grown man for randomly picking a fight with a young girl. And yet again, makes himself look even more like an asshole when he shoved my sister three different times. We had never even seen these guys in our life before, and now all the sudden this guy wants to fight her?! After getting the cops, and telling them what had happened, my sister and I just decided to leave it be and go back to our seats. People that ignorant and violent would not realize they were in the wrong if we tried to rationalize. People like that are the reason that Men get a bad rap. When we got back to our seats, and we told the group of people we were with what happened, they were just as appauled as we were.
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