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.

Blog 63: BFF

My best friend is Macy Wallen. I met her when I moved from Mt. Gilead to Mechanicsburg in the fifth grade. She was one of the first friends I made at my new school and the best friend I have ever had! I love this girl so much. We always joke about how we have morphed into the same person over the years; it’s like we share a brain! We agree on everything, finish each other’s sentences, laugh at the same things, you get the point. Even when our teachers would refer to us they would say “the girls” and that meant us; everyone knew that. In junior high and high school we were pretty much inseparable. We were basically president and vice president of everything; the dynamic duo, if you will. We did most of the same activities and had almost the same schedule. Macy (along with my other friends) made school worth getting up for every morning.

Since we go to different colleges it’s hard to see each other, but we make time. Every time we are together you can bet it will be a good time! I’m so grateful to have a best friend like Macy. She has always been there for me; through thick and thin. Before I signed the lease for my apartment Macy had to see it, before I decided on a car Macy needed to see it, and before I date a guy Macy knows all about him. I really don’t know what I would do without her; she’s my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, and my best friend of all time.

Blog 62: Our Spot

I’m not sure I can pick a favorite place; favorites have never been my strong suit. I don’t have a favorite song, movie, or food. But for the sake of this blog, I will chose a favorite place. In North Lewisburg, Ohio there is a trail next to the North Lewisburg Park. It’s about ten minutes from my mom’s house. You can go during any season and it’s always a beautiful place for a stroll. The path is paved so it’s good for walking, jogging, or bike riding. The trail runs alongside a creek and is surrounded by trees, flowers, raspberry bushes, and wheat, corn, and bean fields.

My boyfriend and I have been there multiple times. The first time we went was on December 14^th, his birthday. We actually weren’t dating at the time, but he asked me to be his girlfriend the next day. Even though it was December, it was a beautiful day and we went on a walk before having lunch at Crabill’s Hamburgers, in Urbana, Ohio. While we were walking along we saw an off-road path and decided to see where it went. It led us to the creek beside the trail. There was a large tree that had fallen, and we sat there and watched the water flow over the rocks. It’s such a beautiful and romantic place. That was one of my most memorable experiences, I guess that’s why that is my favorite place. You could probably even say that’s mine and Blaine’s “spot.”

Blog 61: Story time!

Beware of What’s Lurking in the Shallow Waters

Many years ago my family took a trip to San Diego, California. It was during summer vacation, in the month of June. Our first day there we went to the beach and there was an odd chill in the air. Since it wasn’t very warm when my stepsister and I waded out into the Pacific Ocean we didn’t let the water go any higher than mid-thigh. While wading around in the shallow water we were trying our best to avoid the multitude of seaweed floating in the water. Little did I know I should’ve been trying to avoid a greater evil, jellyfish! All of a sudden, my calf began to burn and I thought it was a cut from the saw-like edges of the seaweed. I ran quickly onto the beach to inspect my leg and saw what looked like rug burn, but was really a jellyfish sting. My leg burned for hours; stupid jellyfish!

Attacked by a Killer Parrot

About a decade ago, my mother and I took our cat to the vet’s office for some routine shots. While we were waiting to be taken back to the exam room, we were being entertained by a lively parrot. The parrot was kept in a cage in the waiting room. The receptionist saw how amused we were by the parrot, and told us that we could get him out of his cage if we wanted. She came around from her desk and showed me how to put my arm out for him to walk up to my shoulder. Once he was up there, I looked over at my mom and said, “Hey mom look, I’m a pirate.” Next thing I knew, I was being attacked! The parrot had sunk its beak into my neck muscle and his talons into my shoulder. The receptionist threw a towel over him and removed him. Who would’ve thought that a trip to the animal doctor for my cat’s shots would lead to a trip to the doctor for my tetanus shot?

Ants in My Pants Really Made Me Dance

One day I was out in the yard, thinking about what a beautiful day it was. I decided to go inside and get my camera to take a few pictures. I looked up at the sky and saw how puffy the clouds were. I proceeded to lie down in the grass, stare up at the sky, and take a few snap shots. Out of nowhere I felt a sting on my lower back. I jumped up and brushed an ant off my back. Thank God that was over, right? Wrong. I then felt stinging sensations on my butt and legs. I ran in the house, threw my pants to the ground, and found multiple ants crawling all over me! I slapped at them trying to kill them all and then saw that they had crawled out of my pants and were all over the hardwood floor. I stomped on them until they were all dead. Next, I threw my pants in the bathtub and filled it with water, to hopefully drown any that had survived. After I had massacred the ants, I collapsed on the floor while my ant bites swelled to perfection. I guess they showed me for lying in the grass and watching the clouds go by!

Blog 60: DUDE!

The word “dude” has got to be one of the most popular words in American culture. You may say that this is something that started with California surfers back in the 70’s. However, I found that the word dude can be dated back to 1883, in New York City. The word dude can be found on album covers, in song titles, in musical artist’s stage names, in musical’s titles, on the cover of books, as the name of magazines, in film titles, in commercials, and so on. I know people that actually start off the majority of their sentences with the word dude. So, you may ask yourself, what does this word that can be spoken, heard, or seen from coast to coast mean?

The word dude can be defined as slang for any man, a man who is overly concerned with his appearance, or a man from an urban environment. However, we all know the word dude has so many meanings in day to day life. A great example of the versatility of the word dude can be found in the last link. The link will take you to a montage of Bud Light commercials on YouTube.com. For example, dude can mean: you’re in my personal space, stop, check that out, help, what are you doing, ew, are you kidding me, shit, over here, get lost, are you there, hey, wait, whoa,  uh oh, that’s awesome, etc! Trust me, this video is very funny and illustrates my point better than I could have ever hoped for. Enjoy dude!

http://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy&hl=en&q=define%3A+dude&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xBQHA7ZKU4

Blog 59: My Major

I actually haven’t actually declared my major yet, so I’m in University Exploration. However, I am close to a decision. I always thought I might end up being a teacher, but I never knew for sure, or what age range. I know that I don’t want to teach high school, but I’m torn between early and middle childhood education. Early childhood education ranges from age 3 to grade 3 and middle childhood education ranges from grade 4 to grade 9. Both are under the Human Development and Family Science major in the College of Education and Human Ecology.

As of right now I am leaning towards early childhood education because I think I would enjoy a career that dealt with that age group. I think kids are great and I would love to be a positive role model in their lives and teach them things they will need to know to move forward in their education and in their lives. Right now everything I have taken has applied to the course work for both majors, since I haven’t truly decided. I hope to make a decision by autumn quarter. In order to declare the pre-major there is an application to fill out and an information session to attend; I plan to do this spring quarter. I also plan to apply to participate in the First Education Experience Program (FEEP) during spring quarter. I hope that after the application process I will be able to participate in the program autumn quarter. I also hope that FEEP will help me make my final decision to declare my major.

Blog 58: Conference

Blog 57: Dreams

This blog is a tough one for me. I can’t remember any of my dreams. I usually remember them when I wake up, but later that day it’s hopeless. I’m sure a lot of people probably have certain dreams that they remember, but not me. I guess the only dreams I have to talk about is the one from last night and the night before. Since I saw this blog was coming up, I wrote down what I could remember of my dreams when I woke up.

The night before last I had a dream about the Writing Center. That morning I had an appointment at the Writing Center, so I think that must have something to do with the dream. In my dream, I was late to my appointment and tried to make it in before my time was up. I walked in just as my appointment would have ended; I felt so badly for taking up the appointment time. Also, I was worried that it would have an effect on me scheduling future appointments with the Writing Center. Although I can’t remember my dreams, I do remember that they usually have to do with something that I have to do that I’m anxious about.

When I woke up this morning I was all ready to jot down my dream, like I had the morning before. The only problem was, I couldn’t remember anything. Sorry to disappoint! I wish I had some epic dream that could be mistaken for a blockbuster movie, but unfortunately that is just not the case.

Blog 56: Practice Memo

Blog 55: Glaciers

There are so many fascinating things in nature; from thunderstorms to volcanoes to butterflies. It’s amazing how nature just “knows” what to do. Humans have always been obsessed with figuring out why something happens and how it all works. Something that fascinates me in nature is glaciers. They are such huge chunks of ice! They have shaped our world and hold so much of our fresh water. Did you know there is such a thing as Glaciology?

 What amazes me the most about glaciers are some of their locations. They can be found on every continent besides Australia! When I think about glaciers I think of the polar ice caps; I think no way is there a glacier in South America or Africa; it has got to be way too hot! However, it doesn’t have much to do with the continent’s proximity to the equator, but rather with the altitude—as many glaciers can be found high in mountain ranges.

These are two great sites to take a look at if you’re interested in learning more. The first is just general information, but the second is all about a specific glacier in Argentina. This glacier is actually one of the Seven Natural Wonders of South America. According to the website, there are three Patagonian glaciers not retreating and this is one of them. The glacier is three miles wide and about 197 feet tall on average. Its greatest depth is 2,297 feet, it covers 97 square miles, and is 19 miles in length. The glacier can be found in Los Glaciares National Park.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier

http://sevennaturalwonders.org/south-america/perito-moreno-glacier