Dear Incoming Freshman,
Congratulations on making it this far in your education career. Now be prepared for your life to be over. For the next four years your life will be hell unless you follow these life altering lessons, something that no one ever told me.
Lesson #1 Understanding its up to you
Welcome to college where every decisions rests upon your shoulders. Everything you decide can have a ripple affect. Choose to study and you will succeed but have no outside life. Choose to party and you will have a life but fail in school. Choose to be somewhere in the middle and you will do just fine. This is the key to having a successful year.
Lesson #2 Learn it the first time.
The first time you hear something in class could be your last. If you have a teacher who is able to read 53 powerpoint slides in 50 minuets you know your class is behind. Therefore you will only go over this for one day. Ask questions. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
Lesson #3 Beg your teacher
Beg for homework to get pushed off for an extra day or two. Eventually teachers give in because they are tired of listening to you, and because they feel bad for pushing 53 power point slides in 1 day. If you have a one in a million guy who's always causing trouble, John Smith, and he always begs for the homework to be push off use it to your advantage when he is not in class. Say "this will make John jealous that we got the homework pushed off," or "if we get out of class early John will be so upset because he didn't convince you first". Having that one person that the teacher can barely stand is a great advantage. This is because you both have something annoying in common.
Lesson #4 Read the book
When a teacher tells you "it might be a good idea to read the book" actually do it. They aren't kidding when they say that. College material is so much harder than high school. Taking an hour of your day to read a chapter is not to bad once you get through it. Plus you will be more prepared for the class.
Lesson #5 Play Pranks
When the stress of a teacher finally gets on your nerves play a prank. Fishing string usually works until they turn the lights on. These little pranks will relive some of the stress and anger you have toward a teacher because of all the homework, note taking, paper writing, and test taking. Make sure you do nothing harmful or destructive. The funny little ones will do just fine.
Lesson #6 Prioritize
Teachers tell you that you should study 3x the amount that you are in the class room. Seriously? There are only so many hours in the day so make sure you spend your time wisely. During the weekdays it is often hard because of sports, clubs, and work for those who have jobs. Weekends are often easier to get work done if you aren't going out partying all the time. What time you have left should be spent in the library. I learned this the first semester. I spent a good 3 hours a night in the library doing homework. My grades boosted up just from spending 3 hours in a quiet area with no distractions.
Lesson #7 Group work
Strategy is important here. If you are allowed to pick your own groups here a few grade saving tips. First, pick someone who is genius. That way you won't have to work that hard because this person is just good at being smart. Second, pick a good guesser or bull shiter (excuse my french). Often group work involves guessing or making things up. A good guesser or bull shitter (pardon) comes in handy. Third, pick someone who is good a googling. Looking things up online is tedious work, but a good googler knows the short cuts. Fourth, that person who doesn't do anything. Key here is being funny. That way they make the work fun, and you're not sitting there bored to tears. (If you are in Adair's Chemistry Class DO THIS!)
If you follow these 7 lessons you will do fine in school. I wish someone would have told me these first semester because I was horribly stressed. Knowing these ways around the system and finding ways to make class enjoyable would have helped my stress levels and I would have had an easier time adjusting to the college life. Taking your education into your own hands is vital importance. In high school everyone was "spoon fed", but now you are on your own. Good luck to you and your future endeavors.
Chris
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
C.S. Lewis
Screwtape Letters Chapter 1 Summary
The first letter in the Screwtape Letters is about how society believes in different things. They are many philosophies in the world. Some of these include contemporary and conventional. C.S. Lewis mentions a person named Jargon. Lewis tells Wormwood to convince Jargon not to look at the material side of things but rather the immaterial side of things. Lewis then explains that people should be above arguing. Basically to just accept the reasons for life and not question anything. Later, Lewis explains how people are “enslaved” to the “pressure of the ordinary”. Lewis means that people are forced to believe things rather than letting their mind wander out of the ordinary. Following this summary is the last paragraph of Letter One paraphrased;
Do you see the point? People find it hard to believe things that are unfamiliar to the while the familiar things in life are right in front of them. Do not use science as a way to defend Christianity. Encourage Jargon to think about nonmaterial parts of life. If Jargon needs to be involved in science keep him with the economic and sociology side of since. Do not let him read science but let him think he gets it all from talk and reading is just investigating his ideas. Remember you are there to “fuddle him”. It is our job to teach, remember that.
Lewis believes that humans hold two mistaken beliefs about devils which are not believing and believing in devils. There are countless dangers in believing in devils and without believing in a devil may lead people down a wrong path to making bad choices. I believe that there is a Devil. I believe that he is in hell waiting for the bad souls to come down to him where he can torture them for eternity. It does follow what I believe when it comes to God. I believe that God is an all powerful being who forgives us when we are truly sorry. When we are not truly sorry he sends us to hell. I believe about a Devil and a God because there are both good and bad people in the world. Also, because I am a Roman Catholic and that is what I have been taught through thirteen years of Catholic grade school.
Screwtape sees an argument as problematic because the Devil is more tempting then doing good. For example, you happen to be walking down the street with a friend when you pass an old lady struggling to carry her bags. Logic would say, help the old lady and be saved for the rest of your life or screw today and maybe tomorrow you can do good. Where as the Devil would say you could help the old lady but we will be late for the football game so what you want to do.
Virtues are less impressive to devils when patients know them because when patients begin to think of others. When patients think of others they think less about them selves. The devils twist humility by telling his nephew to be proud for being humble. By doing this he will eventually become not humble. The true nature of humility is being humble and coy. Virtue relates to the meaning of life because moral people do not try to hurt others and live a truth filled life.
He can twist the patient’s faith by making him believe that his faith is just among a group of people. He can make the person question their own beliefs. Peer pressure has both a positive and negative growth in finding one’s own meaning of life. A positive growth because one can find their own meaning of life through their own spiritual adventure. A negative growth because people can pressure you into believing something just to fit in. The influence of my parents has helped me to let myself find my meaning of life by letting me be who I want to be. They guide me on the right path, but when it comes to making life altering decisions they allowed me to make the decision. The influence of others of a negative force in discovering life’s meaning comes from the fact that people want to fit in. When a group of people shuns you for believing something most people will cave to the group even if it means doing something they do not believe in.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Thoreau's Walden
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For: Summary
Thoreau described the places he looked at to live before choosing Walden Pond. He figured out that he wanted to live away from socialization and the woods was the best place to do this. When he moves into the house way Walden Pond he describes it as a place fit for a god or goddess. Thoreau ends Where I Lived, and What I Lived For by basically saying people need to continue on in their existence until they hit they hit rock bottom to really understand what reality is in our world.
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For: Paraphrase [3]
Thoreau has watched a poet back, having delighted in the best area of the farm, while a farmer reckoned he only received a few apples. A poet is the farmer while the rhyme is the farm it must be worked at until it is perfect and finished.
Conclusion: Summary
Thoreau talks about how a doctors tell people to change their scenery when they are sick. He disagrees and instead believes a change of personality instead of landscape would benefit the person more. He tells people that by striving for their dreams they will meet unknown successes. Thoreau tries to inspire people to sell their nice clothing and leave what they know behind in order to find out who they really are.
Conclusion: Paraphrase [9]
Some say that Americans are not as smart as men from ancient times. But what does that have to do with anything? A living animal is better than a dead one. Man should kill himself because he dwells in a race of non intelligent people instead of being the smartest person he can. Everyone should mind their own business and strive to be what they want to be.
1 - In my opinion Thoreau is a Subjectivist. There are two examples that make Thoreau a subjectivist. In the first example, from Where I Lived, and What I Lived For, Thoreau explains how doctors tell people who are sick they should change their scenery. Thoreau disagrees and instead believes people should change who they are on the inside. The doctor is saying that if people changed the objects around them they will get better while Thoreau says if people change who they are mentally they will get better. In the second example, from Conclusion, Thoreau urges people to sell their material possessions. If people were to get rid of their possessions they could focus on their personality and who they really are.
2 - "The universe is wider than our views of it." Thoreau says this in the chapter Conclusion. I believe Thoreau means that there is more to the world then what we know. I agree with this statement. There is more to the world then what we know and what we see. There are things going on in other countries that are not going on here in America that we do not know of.
3 - I agree with Thoreau's statement of "I found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty". I agree with this because people can be "rich" without being economically rich. People need basic needs in life to survive. These basic needs include foot, clothing, shelter, and water. With these basic needs satisfied people can focus on other things in life like Thoreau did.
Thoreau described the places he looked at to live before choosing Walden Pond. He figured out that he wanted to live away from socialization and the woods was the best place to do this. When he moves into the house way Walden Pond he describes it as a place fit for a god or goddess. Thoreau ends Where I Lived, and What I Lived For by basically saying people need to continue on in their existence until they hit they hit rock bottom to really understand what reality is in our world.
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For: Paraphrase [3]
Thoreau has watched a poet back, having delighted in the best area of the farm, while a farmer reckoned he only received a few apples. A poet is the farmer while the rhyme is the farm it must be worked at until it is perfect and finished.
Conclusion: Summary
Thoreau talks about how a doctors tell people to change their scenery when they are sick. He disagrees and instead believes a change of personality instead of landscape would benefit the person more. He tells people that by striving for their dreams they will meet unknown successes. Thoreau tries to inspire people to sell their nice clothing and leave what they know behind in order to find out who they really are.
Conclusion: Paraphrase [9]
Some say that Americans are not as smart as men from ancient times. But what does that have to do with anything? A living animal is better than a dead one. Man should kill himself because he dwells in a race of non intelligent people instead of being the smartest person he can. Everyone should mind their own business and strive to be what they want to be.
1 - In my opinion Thoreau is a Subjectivist. There are two examples that make Thoreau a subjectivist. In the first example, from Where I Lived, and What I Lived For, Thoreau explains how doctors tell people who are sick they should change their scenery. Thoreau disagrees and instead believes people should change who they are on the inside. The doctor is saying that if people changed the objects around them they will get better while Thoreau says if people change who they are mentally they will get better. In the second example, from Conclusion, Thoreau urges people to sell their material possessions. If people were to get rid of their possessions they could focus on their personality and who they really are.
2 - "The universe is wider than our views of it." Thoreau says this in the chapter Conclusion. I believe Thoreau means that there is more to the world then what we know. I agree with this statement. There is more to the world then what we know and what we see. There are things going on in other countries that are not going on here in America that we do not know of.
3 - I agree with Thoreau's statement of "I found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty". I agree with this because people can be "rich" without being economically rich. People need basic needs in life to survive. These basic needs include foot, clothing, shelter, and water. With these basic needs satisfied people can focus on other things in life like Thoreau did.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Franz Kafka: The Trial
Summary of Chapter 1
The first chapter of the novella The Trial we are introduced to the main character Josef K. He woke up on his thirtieth birthday to a few different men who inform him that he is under arrest. These men offer K. no explanation to why he has been arrested. After a few hours K. is sent to the Inspector who informs him that he can go about his business. K. went to his weekly places; the bank, a beer hall, and to visit a waitress named Elsa. K. returns to his lodge and meets up with a lover named Fraulein Burstner.
Paraphrase in Chapter 2 (Page 21)
On a Sunday K. was told about his hearing for his case. He was told that that the cross examinations would happen one after another. Most of the proceedings were quickly ended, but sometimes they take longer. Since this is how the trials are run they decide to hold a bunch of few short hearings. They chose Sunday so K.'s work was not bothered. K. actually wanted another date. Instead of the morning the examinations could have been held at night. Since K. said nothing about the hearings they were left to be on Sunday. K. was told to show up "without fail" and was given the number of the building where he was supposed to show up.
Questions.
Josef is the main character of the novella and is under arrest on his thirthieth birthday (Kafka 3). The novellea never specifically tells the reader what he is arrested for. My theory is that K. is under arrest for guilt and judgement. My reasoning for this is because I belive the legal system has no idea what they are doing because they have arrested him for no particular reason. The legal system seems to have no idea what they are doing because they make K. come to multiple hearings (Kafka 21). This seems to be that Kafka is reflecting his life with his father. His dad use to come home and yell at him for no reason. The legal system is "yelling" at K. for no apparent resason. An example of this was when K. was first arrested. The men who arrest him never gave him a reason or any indication to why he was being arrested (Kafka 3).
Nihilism
The rejection of morals, relgion, and the belief that life is basically meaningless is Nihilism. Kafka describes this through K.'s lack of intrest in his trials. For example, K. does not care much about the trial and does not feel the need to dress his best. K. does not take a bath because it will "speed up the process" (Kafka 8).
The first chapter of the novella The Trial we are introduced to the main character Josef K. He woke up on his thirtieth birthday to a few different men who inform him that he is under arrest. These men offer K. no explanation to why he has been arrested. After a few hours K. is sent to the Inspector who informs him that he can go about his business. K. went to his weekly places; the bank, a beer hall, and to visit a waitress named Elsa. K. returns to his lodge and meets up with a lover named Fraulein Burstner.
Paraphrase in Chapter 2 (Page 21)
On a Sunday K. was told about his hearing for his case. He was told that that the cross examinations would happen one after another. Most of the proceedings were quickly ended, but sometimes they take longer. Since this is how the trials are run they decide to hold a bunch of few short hearings. They chose Sunday so K.'s work was not bothered. K. actually wanted another date. Instead of the morning the examinations could have been held at night. Since K. said nothing about the hearings they were left to be on Sunday. K. was told to show up "without fail" and was given the number of the building where he was supposed to show up.
Questions.
Josef is the main character of the novella and is under arrest on his thirthieth birthday (Kafka 3). The novellea never specifically tells the reader what he is arrested for. My theory is that K. is under arrest for guilt and judgement. My reasoning for this is because I belive the legal system has no idea what they are doing because they have arrested him for no particular reason. The legal system seems to have no idea what they are doing because they make K. come to multiple hearings (Kafka 21). This seems to be that Kafka is reflecting his life with his father. His dad use to come home and yell at him for no reason. The legal system is "yelling" at K. for no apparent resason. An example of this was when K. was first arrested. The men who arrest him never gave him a reason or any indication to why he was being arrested (Kafka 3).
Nihilism
The rejection of morals, relgion, and the belief that life is basically meaningless is Nihilism. Kafka describes this through K.'s lack of intrest in his trials. For example, K. does not care much about the trial and does not feel the need to dress his best. K. does not take a bath because it will "speed up the process" (Kafka 8).
Friday, March 30, 2012
Run
I get so confused,
I can't keep running in circles.
We keep ending up at the same place,
You still say the same things.
We can't be alone together,
All that happens is trouble.
People spread rumors all the time,
Can we just run away?
We joked around about running,
Each day I want to more and more.
You said we could go anywhere,
You said we could stay as long as we wanted.
Let's leave this town tonight,
When the cover of darkness falls.
Let's leave this town tonight,
Leave all our fears and troubles behind.
I can't keep running in circles.
We keep ending up at the same place,
You still say the same things.
We can't be alone together,
All that happens is trouble.
People spread rumors all the time,
Can we just run away?
We joked around about running,
Each day I want to more and more.
You said we could go anywhere,
You said we could stay as long as we wanted.
Let's leave this town tonight,
When the cover of darkness falls.
Let's leave this town tonight,
Leave all our fears and troubles behind.
McMaster
Thursday I attended Alice Brinkman's speech about Reach Studio Art Center. Brinkman delivered a fascinating speech about how the children in the greater Lancing area of Michigan were given a chance to learn about art. Most of the children come from families that are poor. The children come here to stay off the streets and enjoy doing something they love.
I believe we are both determined and free individuals. We are determined because we cannot control what family or part of society we are born into. We are free because we can take control of our life to change it and make it what we want it to be. Unfortunately, no one really knows what reality is or when it is happening. All we know is what we know which is our knowledge. In my opinion we truly know something by being taught it. Even if we are dreaming right now we were taught things in the "dream".
The meaning of life, what a tough subject to talk about. It is hard to say exactly what the meaning of life is. From a Catholic stand point is mostly to go out and serve God and others. In my opinion the meaning of life is to live. Live your life to the fullest potential you can. Never look back and regret things you have done only learn from them.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Desperate Housewives Thought
"I love you once,
I love you twice,
I love you more than beans and rice."
- Mike Delfino and Susan Delfino
This poem was said on an episode of Desperate Housewives on Sunday. The show has never brought me to tears until this weekend. Mike was killed two weeks ago in a drive by shooting and this weekend was his burial. This poem was something Mike said to Susan on their wedding night after Susan asked him how much he loved her. Since Mike wasn't a "word guy" this is what he said. Susan then said it in return before he was to be buried.
This poem got me thinking. Even though love is a very strong word it can make relationships more complicated if they are to young or at can make them even stronger when they have been around awhile. We often forget to tell those around us how much we love them. We often take people for granted because they seem to be there on every tomorrow.
Technology
The internet has become such a great technology that it constructs our individual and collective realities in three ways. First, the internet is simple. Anyone that knows how to use a computer knows the basics about the internet. Anyone can click a mouse and begin to read article after article which brings me to my second reason, educating. By reading articles, journal entries, and so much more online we begin to educate ourselves about the world. With educating ourselves we now can educate others which is called sharing, the third reason the internet is a great technology. By sharing our knowledge about the world we share what we know and can create a reality for ourselves as well as one for everyone to belong to.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Prisoner
The water rushes up,
Splashing the sides of the ship.
The sky is covered in a gray mist,
The sun fades into the distance.
I stand at the edge of the bow,
The wind tugs at my hair.
The floor of the ship creaks,
The wood has many splinters.
I hear foot steps,
I turn to meet the captains shoulder.
The captain stares straight ahead,
He shouts behind to his crew.
They follow his orders,
While they eye me.
There is sweat on their backs,
And dirt between their fingers.
Everything about them,
Makes my skin crawl.
I look back out,
The captain takes my hand.
He spins me in his arms,
I am facing him.
His eyes are icy blue,
Teeth blackened from tobacco.
His smile is crooked,
His skin dotted and tanned.
His breath reeked of fish,
His voice was deep and raspy.
I wanted to scream,
I wanted him to stop.
My heart began to pound,
He moved closer to my face.
I pushed him away,
He gripped tighter.
I could feel everything,
I could hear everything.
When he was done,
He threw me to the ground.
I tried to hold back the tears,
He cackled and sauntered away.
They are all the same,
On this ship.
Used and abused,
Every night they leave me.
They have no love in their hearts,
No kindness in their eyes.
I have no escape,
I have no where to run.
Splashing the sides of the ship.
The sky is covered in a gray mist,
The sun fades into the distance.
I stand at the edge of the bow,
The wind tugs at my hair.
The floor of the ship creaks,
The wood has many splinters.
I hear foot steps,
I turn to meet the captains shoulder.
The captain stares straight ahead,
He shouts behind to his crew.
They follow his orders,
While they eye me.
There is sweat on their backs,
And dirt between their fingers.
Everything about them,
Makes my skin crawl.
I look back out,
The captain takes my hand.
He spins me in his arms,
I am facing him.
His eyes are icy blue,
Teeth blackened from tobacco.
His smile is crooked,
His skin dotted and tanned.
His breath reeked of fish,
His voice was deep and raspy.
I wanted to scream,
I wanted him to stop.
My heart began to pound,
He moved closer to my face.
I pushed him away,
He gripped tighter.
I could feel everything,
I could hear everything.
When he was done,
He threw me to the ground.
I tried to hold back the tears,
He cackled and sauntered away.
They are all the same,
On this ship.
Used and abused,
Every night they leave me.
They have no love in their hearts,
No kindness in their eyes.
I have no escape,
I have no where to run.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Elevator Music
I believe the purpose of this video was to show how people do not care if other's hear their music or not on their phones. People think they can do what ever they want. When the man carrying the boom box comes in he looks around and plugs in head phones. Once he does that everyone shuts off their music. He showed them that it is rude to blare their music when they could still listen to it by head phones.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Realized
I’m sitting here wide awake,
The sunlight peaks through the drapes.
You are curled up,
Sleeping and snoring loud.
I want to wake you,
Just to squeeze you tight.
I want to tell you everything,
But I know I’ll never say it right.
I put on a smile to hide my fears,
I blink a lot to fight back tears.
You say there’s nothing to hide,
I believe you like I should.
Yet there’s apart of me,
That thinks I’m being fooled.
I feel like we are changing,
But maybe it’s just me.
Maybe I’ve realized,
I want different things.
Maybe I’ve realized,
I don’t want to be us.
Maybe I’ve realized,
We went to fast.
Maybe I’ve realized...
A Long Way Gone
The audience for A Long Way Gone is basically anyone who reads it. The purpose of the novel is to raise awareness of genocide and child soldiers. Ishmael does a great job in addressing his audience by giving them examples of what happened to him when he was a child.
Ishmael gave in great detail how he became a boy soldier. After being captured into the "army" Ishmael and his companions met at the training ground where they were given new clothes and AK-47s (Beah 110-111). Ishmeal went on to explain how he became addicted to smoking marijuana, sniffing cocaine, and taking white tablets (Beah 121). The corporal challenged the boys to who could slit a rebels throat the fastest. Ishmeal won and became junior lieutenant (Beah 124-125).
Ishmael gave in great detail how he became a boy soldier. After being captured into the "army" Ishmael and his companions met at the training ground where they were given new clothes and AK-47s (Beah 110-111). Ishmeal went on to explain how he became addicted to smoking marijuana, sniffing cocaine, and taking white tablets (Beah 121). The corporal challenged the boys to who could slit a rebels throat the fastest. Ishmeal won and became junior lieutenant (Beah 124-125).
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Echo
I am lost,
In my own little world.
Maybe it’s because the sun has gone,
Maybe it’s because the earth is cold.
I cannot tell,
Though I am not scared.
I cannot feel your touch,
I cannot grasp your hand.
I reach out and shout,
I only hear the echo of my own voice.
It comforts me,
Making me feel less alone.
The fog surrounds me,
The dirt kicks up.
My hands spread,
Searching for the closes object.
My world is pitch black,
No sign of life at any turn.
I am lost and it might just be quite possible,
That I do not want to be found.
Music
Music does not give my life meaning, but it does inspire me to do things. Sad slow music inspires me to write poetry. Heavy rap music motivates me to work out. Country music helps me to stay calm when I am anxious or stressed.
My top 5 songs
- God Gave Me You- by Blake Shelton
2. Storm Warning - Hunter Hayes
3. Just a Dream - Nelly
3. Just a Dream - Nelly
- Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean
- Whisper something fragile - The Cab
All these songs mean something to me. Each of them have helped me through a rough time in life and even inspired me to write a poem.
I believe if you listened to a different type of music you would have a different view of the world. My view on the world would change because of the things the artists sing about in their songs.
Monday, February 6, 2012
A Stranger
Her eyes flutter open,
To reveal bright morning light.
A breeze flows through her window,
The crisp morning air splashes her face.
Her eyes are heavy,
Her heart is broken.
Not even the birds,
Nor the daisies outside her window cheer her up.
Her hair fanned out over her pillow,
Blankets thrown all over the place.
His stuffed animals dispersed across the room,
Stuffing covers the carpet like snow covers the ground.
The sweet words he took them all back,
He left her last night.
He spit on her,
He tore their love apart
She was beaten,
Bruises still fresh.
She stands up and looks to the mirror,
He never told her she was pretty and now she sees.
Her jaw protrudes,
While her cheeks are sunken into her skin.
Her neck is thin,
Her collar bone pokes out of her flesh.
Her arms are dainty,
Allowing her elbow bones to stick out.
Her ribs can be seen through a shear layer,
Her hips project on her sides.
Her thighs are the same size as her ankles,
Her knees are knobby.
A stranger,
Now stared back at her.
To reveal bright morning light.
A breeze flows through her window,
The crisp morning air splashes her face.
Her eyes are heavy,
Her heart is broken.
Not even the birds,
Nor the daisies outside her window cheer her up.
Her hair fanned out over her pillow,
Blankets thrown all over the place.
His stuffed animals dispersed across the room,
Stuffing covers the carpet like snow covers the ground.
The sweet words he took them all back,
He left her last night.
He spit on her,
He tore their love apart
She was beaten,
Bruises still fresh.
She stands up and looks to the mirror,
He never told her she was pretty and now she sees.
Her jaw protrudes,
While her cheeks are sunken into her skin.
Her neck is thin,
Her collar bone pokes out of her flesh.
Her arms are dainty,
Allowing her elbow bones to stick out.
Her ribs can be seen through a shear layer,
Her hips project on her sides.
Her thighs are the same size as her ankles,
Her knees are knobby.
A stranger,
Now stared back at her.
Community
The community shapes the meaning of our individual lives. It shapes our lives into the cars we want, clothes we wear, and the personalities of those living in the community. Our society today is based on what the media tells us is "in" and "out".
We are all one when it comes to community. For example, here at Defiance College. As a whole community we are one group of Yellow Jackets. Also, we identify with everyone on this campus as a student here on campus.
The answer to "Who am I?" conflicts with the answers to "Who are we?" because as a whole a group can be similar. When you single out a specific person they can be very different form the group. There will be some similarities, but over all they will be very different from the group.
We are all one when it comes to community. For example, here at Defiance College. As a whole community we are one group of Yellow Jackets. Also, we identify with everyone on this campus as a student here on campus.
The answer to "Who am I?" conflicts with the answers to "Who are we?" because as a whole a group can be similar. When you single out a specific person they can be very different form the group. There will be some similarities, but over all they will be very different from the group.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Days
The skies are cold and grey,
The leaves, in the wind, they sway.
The air is cold and frosty,
The earth is bone dry.
No rain for weeks,
Sirens blare down the streets.
The sun has not shown it’s face,
My heart is just an empty space.
There’s not much left to say,
I guess it’s just one of those days.
Sold: Opinion Questions
The most disturbing part of the novel Sold for me was the chapter called Lucky to be with Habib. I could picture a man with disgusting features. I could see Lakshmi laying on the bed eyes half open unable to move or fight this man off. I could hear his voice in my head as I read, "Habib is good with the ladies". I could hear the bed begin to hit the wall and the sobs coming from Lakshmi as he raped her. I was and still am disgusted by this chapter.
Nicholas Kristof bought the freedom of two girls in Cambodia. He is right that buying sex slaves is not a long-term solution. There really is no perfect solution to saving every woman in these brothels. Threatening outrageous jail time to brothel owners might make them reconsider having brothels, but this will only work if the governments stick to their laws. The best thing we can do are create groups to raise money and help to raid these brothel places and take the women out. Set them up in schools and other jobs that women can work rather than the sex slave trade.
Nicholas Kristof bought the freedom of two girls in Cambodia. He is right that buying sex slaves is not a long-term solution. There really is no perfect solution to saving every woman in these brothels. Threatening outrageous jail time to brothel owners might make them reconsider having brothels, but this will only work if the governments stick to their laws. The best thing we can do are create groups to raise money and help to raid these brothel places and take the women out. Set them up in schools and other jobs that women can work rather than the sex slave trade.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Fairy Tale
I stare out my window,
The sky is cold and gray.
The sun is hiding,
The flowers are wilted.
Trees are bare,
The snow is lightly falling.
I crack open a tiny slit,
A gush of wintery air blasts in.
The breeze clashes into my face,
Stinging tears cling to my eyelashes.
Blinking repeatedly,
I push them back.
I will not cry,
I will not shed a drop.
How can I stop myself,
How can I tell myself I can’t?
I miss you,
Everything about you.
From your sweet deep voice,
To your chocolate brown eyes.
The way your arms wrap around me,
Keeping me safe from harm.
I can just feel your hand in mine,
Fingers interlocked holding on tight.
But I’m so lost tonight,
Staring out my window.
I wonder if you are looking out one too,
Are our eyes meeting somewhere?
I can’t fight these feelings,
The tears pour like showers in April.
Promise me there isn’t someone else you’re in love with,
Promise me there isn’t anybody waiting on you.
I’m praying the story doesn’t end here,
This is a fairy tale I’m not ready to give up on.
Nepal and India
Patricia McCormick wrote the novel Sold about a little girl who is sold into the sex slave trade. The novel takes place in Nepal and India. To understand what Nepal and India are like here are some facts about each.
Nepal is located in Asia, south of China and north of India. According to the 2001 census there are 23,200,000 people living there. The Chief of State is King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The main issue in Nepal is the trafficking of women.
India is 1/3 the size of the Untied States. The most amount of abortions happen here. India's dancing is known for it's hand gestures. Marigold flowers are used in Hindu weddings as a sign of happiness and good fortune.
http://the-voyagers.tripod.com/factsabout.htm
http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/07/21_india.html
Nepal is located in Asia, south of China and north of India. According to the 2001 census there are 23,200,000 people living there. The Chief of State is King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The main issue in Nepal is the trafficking of women.
India is 1/3 the size of the Untied States. The most amount of abortions happen here. India's dancing is known for it's hand gestures. Marigold flowers are used in Hindu weddings as a sign of happiness and good fortune.
http://the-voyagers.tripod.com/factsabout.htm
http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/07/21_india.html
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Confusion
Walking through the sand,
It sticks between her toes.
The sun glistens on the water,
Its light reflects the colors of the sky.
The wind tugs at her hair,
The water clashes upon the rocks.
This is her favorite place,
A place where she is safe.
She stands on a rock,
Its rough and hard surface scratches her feet.
Looking out to the ocean,
Her blue green eyes glisten with tears.
Silently she weeps,
Drops run down her cheeks.
With mascara smearing down her face,
She sat down feet dangling into the water.
Her heart tells her one thing,
While her conscious tells her another.
It comes down to confusion,
He says one thing and she another.
Give up on him she thinks,
"I adore you" he tells her.
Her heart is tired of the tug of war,
If only he'd prove she's worth fighting for.
It sticks between her toes.
The sun glistens on the water,
Its light reflects the colors of the sky.
The wind tugs at her hair,
The water clashes upon the rocks.
This is her favorite place,
A place where she is safe.
She stands on a rock,
Its rough and hard surface scratches her feet.
Looking out to the ocean,
Her blue green eyes glisten with tears.
Silently she weeps,
Drops run down her cheeks.
With mascara smearing down her face,
She sat down feet dangling into the water.
Her heart tells her one thing,
While her conscious tells her another.
It comes down to confusion,
He says one thing and she another.
Give up on him she thinks,
"I adore you" he tells her.
Her heart is tired of the tug of war,
If only he'd prove she's worth fighting for.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Response to I Believe Project
The theme of our class, AH120, is to answer the philosophical questions of "What do I know", "Why am I here", and "Are we really free". The I Believe Project allows people all over the world to answer these questions for the rest of the world to see. Arthur Garfield Hays' speech was posted on this website to explain his feelings about freedom. Hays' belief is that our freedom is described in the Bill of Rights and that our freedom is something we all have needed through each generation.
I believe that freedom is a necessary item to have in society. Hays' says we should have the right to untamed speech where we can say whatever we want. I disagree with this statement to the extent of we should be cautious with what we say to others because we do not know what their reaction will be. Without freedom of speech opinions could not be shared and famous figures would never have made the impact on the world. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against racial discrimination. His speeches affected the entire United States. Many people agreed with him and many people disagreed. In the end, his speeches impacted the way the United States looks at racial discrimination.
I believe that freedom is a necessary item to have in society. Hays' says we should have the right to untamed speech where we can say whatever we want. I disagree with this statement to the extent of we should be cautious with what we say to others because we do not know what their reaction will be. Without freedom of speech opinions could not be shared and famous figures would never have made the impact on the world. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against racial discrimination. His speeches affected the entire United States. Many people agreed with him and many people disagreed. In the end, his speeches impacted the way the United States looks at racial discrimination.
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