Blog 70: Letter

Dear English 110 student,

You don’t have to be Mark Twain to get a good grade in your first year writing course. What you do need to be is a hard worker. I’m guessing that very few of you are English majors, but that doesn’t mean you won’t do well in this class. Before this class I thought I was a great student and a pretty good writer, I won an essay contest once and got good grades on all my papers. However, after I got back the first few assignments I got a reality check. You will learn a lot in this class; like when you make a claim you better have the evidence to back it up. I think I am a better writer because of this class and because of the Writing Center. Timeliness, relevancy, and compellingness mean something to me now (you’ll see what I mean once you read Commonplace). I feel like after this class my future papers will have a better argument, better structure, and better writing in general.

First and foremost I want to let you know that this class is a lot of writing! Blogging everyday can sometime be a pain, but if you put time into your blog especially when it’s about a paper you’re writing it pays off. Be sure to do all your blogs and make all your comments (and don’t wait until the last minute). They are the easiest points to get and you’re going to need them! Another way to boost your grade if you don’t do as well as you had hoped on an assignment, which will happen, go to the Writing Center. It’s just a little bit of time out of your day and the bonus and advice you get in return is well worth your time.

Don’t get discouraged when you’re faced with your analytical research paper. It’s a lot of work, but if you do a little at a time it’s manageable. Another thing about your ARP is to make sure you get as close to the page requirement as possible in your rough draft. If you put the time and hard work into your rough draft you will get a better grade, better feedback, and have something solid to take to the Writing Center for help. When it comes time for your final draft, due exam week, you will be thankful you put in the hard work on your rough draft. Also, doing a good job on your rough draft will help with your Commonplace paper.

One last bit of advice, don’t get hung up on the course theme; whether you enjoy SciFi or hate it, give it a chance, it might just surprise you.

Blog 69: ¡Fiesta!

Latin culture is so fascinating to me. From what I can tell they seem to have it all figured out. They are religious, they value family, and they take naps during the day! I love all the bright colors and delicious food in the culture as well as well as their music, dance, and art. I also think that Latin architecture is some of the most beautiful there is, whether it is ancient architecture or modern day architecture.

Spanish was one of my favorite classes in high school. I learned a decent amount of the language, but we learned a lot about the history and culture. We listened to music, went to concerts, watched movies like Man of La Mancha and El Cid, participated in the Foreign Language Olympics where I was in the food and art categories, went to restaurants, had a food day, etc. I have cooked Three Kings Bread, Bread of the Dead, fajitas, and a classic Puerto Rican meal of roasted pork shoulder with rice and black beans and fried sweet plantains. The recipe for the Puerto Rican meal was from Food Network and the link is at the end of my blog if you like to cook and want to try something delicious. I also painted a picture of the Panamanian Golden Frog and learned how important it is to their culture. The frog is thought to be good luck, and when it dies it is said to turn to gold. The frog can also be found on their lottery tickets and is celebrated on August 14^th which is National Golden Frog Day. I loved learning about Simon Bolivar, who freed many Latin counties, including Bolivia, from Spanish rule. We learned about the Spanish and the Moors and the Spanish conquering the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs. We learned about the Day of the Dead and many other holidays and traditions. It was a great class and I learned a lot!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/puerto-rican-style-roasted-pork-shoulder-with-rice-and-black-beans-and-fried-sweet-plantains-recipe/index.html

Blog 68: Losing My Phone

Losing my phone scares me; I know that sounds silly. I guess I could blog about how I’m scared of things that will probably never even happen to me, but losing my phone is much more realistic. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my phone; I have my life in that thing. I have so many numbers in my phone that I should really get backed up. Also, there are so many memories in there. On my memory card there are so many pictures and videos that I would hate to lose. I have notes to remind myself of things and birthdays and events stored in my calendar. I would be lost without my phone. I’m always using it for something: texting, talking, taking pictures, etc.

There have been a few times when I have misplaced it and it’s so scary! I get such a sick feeling in my stomach and my heart starts pounding.  Once I was at the mall shopping for prom and I was in Claire’s getting jewels to put in my hair. When I went up to pay and got the money out of my wallet I set my phone down on the counter. After I got my change and the cashier handed me the bag, I just walked out and left it there on the counter. When we were in line at Auntie Anne’s I realized my phone was gone. I literally ran back to Claire’s and there it was, just where I left it. Thank God!

Blog 67: God Help the U.S.A.!

What’s happening in America concerns me. I love the U.S.A. but I have no idea what’s going on with us right now. They say all good things come to an end; the fall of the Roman Empire is the classic example. It’s like no one really knows what’s going on and no one cares; we just let the big wigs in D.C. run the show. They are supposed to be representing the people that elected them, but instead they all have their own agenda.

American government is supposed to be “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Instead, it’s of the politicians, by the politicians, for the politicians. Being a politician was never meant to be your full time job; politics were supposed to be handled by real people. If Abraham Lincoln was still alive today he would have to eat the words of his famous Gettysburg Address, “…these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The truth is men and women die in vain for the ungrateful people of this country all the time. People want to take God out of everything; off of our currency, out of our pledge, etc. Our freedoms are being slowly and discretely taken away from us. And the people have no say in what’s happening in this country. Well, that’s all I have to rant about at the moment. God help the United States of America!

Blog 66: Who I Am

I am a daughter. My parents gave me life, love, everything I ever needed, and almost everything I have ever wanted. I do my best to be a good daughter, to make them proud. I think I’ve done a pretty good job thus far; I graduated high school as the salutatorian of my class, I’m going to college (my mom’s Alma Mater), and I stay out of trouble.

I am an aunt. My nephew Cayden is the cutest little guy ever! I love him so much; he is so full of joy and so well behaved. I don’t get to see him as much as I would like because of distance and busy schedules. Every moment I spend with him is so precious, just like him. I can’t wait until the day he can call me Aunty Alex.

I am a girlfriend. My boyfriend Blaine and I have been together for over a year now. He makes me so happy. He loves me so much and I love him too! He loves me whether I’m in PJ’s with no makeup and my hair up or all done up. We live an about an hour away since I left for college, but we are making it work.

I am a best friend. Macy and I have been best friends since the fifth grade. We always have a blast together! We laugh at the same things, finish each other’s sentences, and I think we share a brain. We say we have morphed because over the years it’s like we’ve become one person.

Blog 65: The Roaring 20’s

If I were born in a different time, I know I wouldn’t be the same person I am now. The time you’re in shapes who you are in so many ways.  I like to imagine myself back in the 1920’s. The roaring 20’s were my favorite time to learn about in American history. I know the 20’s were just after World War 1 and that would’ve sucked. Also it was right before the Great Depression, which also would have sucked. But the 20’s themselves seem pretty great!

I was a flapper for Halloween this past year and I loved it! The dress was so fun to wear. I would love to wear that kind of clothing everyday instead of as a costume. Also I would want to live in New York, so I could watch the Babe and the rest of the Yankees in all their glory. Another great thing about the 20’s is Art Deco! I love Art Deco; in my opinion it was the coolest style there has ever been. I would love to visit Miami Beach and stay in the Colony Hotel. I would drive up and down the streets at night in my convertible to see Art Deco at its finest.

I think if I would’ve lived in this time I would’ve been care free. I would’ve dressed up every day, gone to Yankees games, taken trips to Miami, and gone to clubs to hear jazz at night. I probably would’ve had a lot of fun. I would have driven one of the really cool cars, like a 1928 Lincoln Coupe Roadster. Basically, I wouldn’t be in college stressing about everything like I am now.

Blog 64: Speeding

The biggest mistake I have ever made was speeding. Let me explain, it was senior year and I was at my best friend Macy’s house, getting all decked out in purple and gold for the football game that night. Our school’s football team rocks and we were out there every game cheering them on. Some of our best guy friends were on the team and we were always there when they came out of that locker room ready for battle. However, that night Macy and I were running a little late. It was an away game, about an hour away from Mechanicsburg.

After we were all ready we rushed out of the house and into my car. Once we were on our way we felt like we were going to make it just in time! Then the worst thing ever happened; a slow person pulled out in front of us. The road we were on was curvy and hilly and I wasn’t even going to try to pass them; especially since we would be turning of the road soon. Then our luck got worse; they turned down the same road. Once we got to our next turn and finally broke free, we were definitely late. I thought I would make up for the lost time, so I sped. That was such a mistake! There was a cop sitting there just waiting on me, and I think about five other people from Mechanicsburg. We all got speeding tickets that night. It was the first time I had ever been pulled over, but I didn’t get a warning. I got a ticket, a court date, court fees, my license taken away for one month, and six months of probation. Oh, and we were late to the game.