Once upon a freshman...

Final Blog for Composition Two

2009-04-20T16:49:00.001-07:00

In the beginning of this class, Composition Two, I had not fully developed a writing style that I was satisfied with. I was excited to get to learn more techniques for writing but was surprised when I learned that Comp Two is all about arguing. I did not know how to do that in essay form. What was I supposed to do? I had never really written an essay in which I had to perform certain criteria while arguing about something I was told about. I am very good at arguing in person but to put it on paper and in an academic essay was something new. So in the first project, I was definitely nervous. But when I learned we had to do an opening assignment I was partially relieved. I know that it was a way eases my transition into the actual essay. The first draft was for me, how it always is, messy, unfocused and pretty much all over the place. But as time went on I developed a unique style that fit how I like to write. As a writer is was the weakness of being all over the place that allowed me to break things up and rework them into a better flowing essay that I was more satisfied with. Another one of my weaknesses is that I can not input my voice as much as I should. For example in project two I decided to branch off the topic of globalization and write about women in advertising and how companies do not only sell the product. I had a lot of examples and evidence but not as much personal voice as I should of. So that is something that I am working on. One of my strengths as a writer, I think, the ability to be able to take constructive criticism and re-structure my essay into one that fits my style and the criteria I need to meet. In project three I was nervous to see all the details entailed. The amount of work and time that was needed to make it complete was more than any other project. I knew this was a time to really test my strengths and weaknesses and to see if I could really do all the work that I knew was to come in my future classes. I have worked long and hard to produce a final essay while battling my weakness’ that are ever present when I still write. Overall I think that I have come a long way since beginning Composition Two in knowing the proper way to present an argument so that I will win and convince my audience to believe what I have written. One last thing, the one on one conferences with my teacher were a major help. Often times in my other classes it is very impersonal, so the conferences allowed me to get a teachers view on what he wanted my essay to look like. I got to see what he was looking for which helped me re-structure my essay into a better more acceptable one that showed my writing style and one that I was ultimately happy with.

Teenage Pregnacy (P3)

2009-04-20T10:37:00.001-07:00

For my project 3 I decided to write my social injustice on teenage pregnancy. I also wrote about how some type of sex education has to be implemented into a long lasting school curriculum. Whether it be abstinence only education where they talk about completely waiting till marriage to engage in sexual activity; or contraceptive education where they discuss safe ways to have sex and prevent pregnancy. In either type of education the consequences of becoming pregnant should be involved so that the teens know what they are getting themselves into the long lasting effects of having to raise a baby. In my essay I talked about each side, its pros and cons, as well as those outside sources who agree and disagree with my viewpoints. One social action I took was to hand out and post flyers across campus with websites on them that help those who have having sex/are pregnant, get more information as well as general information for those who just want to learn more. Another social action I took was to contact Advocates for Youth, an organization dedicated to lowering or preventing social injustices such as teenage pregnancy. I talked to the manager and got a bunch of information. I also asked her if there were an events already existing that I could be a part of to get the awareness out there. She said that they have some upcoming event and would be more than happy to let me be a part of it so I can talk to a wide variety of people about the need to a more extensive sex education program in the school systems.

My Social Action

2009-04-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

When I decided to write on teenage pregnancy I knew that it would be difficult to pick a social action that had any kind of impact on the community. In the end I did two things, first I handed out and posted flyers across campus. The flyer had websites on it for people who wanted more information as well as some websites that had information for people who are already pregnant or are having sex and need some guidence. I also surveyed people across campus asking them basic statistics to see how much people did or di not know. The final social action I took was to contact Advocates for Youth, an organization dedicated to social injustices such as teen pregnancy. I asked their manager of any upcoming events that I start and organize, or if there was any event/area already existing that i could be a part of. She let me know that there are a few events coming up soon that I could help organize and spread the word about, so I feel this was the right social action. I get to see first hand how many people I can influence.

Women in the Media (P2)

2009-03-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

In the beginning of this essay I was all over the place. I talked about women in the TV, magazines, and basically every where else. I enjoy the topic of women in advertising so much that I just babbled on and on. I did not have a real direction and focus which is key in writing a well articulated essay. I learned that you need to focus your argument from the beginning and make sure you do not go off topic or in a million different directions. I learned out to fix this by writing out your ideas in a web or chart. That way you have your ideas down and what you want to write about instead of writing about all kinds of things with no focus. I sat down with my teacher and really focused on what I wanted my main argument to be. Sitting down with your teacher can be a big help, one because you get another opinion and two, if they help you then you know what they are looking for when they grade. By the time my final draft rolled around I felt like I had more focus. Instead of talking about all aspects of the media and their representation of women I chose to concentrate on advertising and the corporations control on the women they use to sell a product. I was happy with my final product although I know there were some more things I could tweak, by focusing my paper and talking to my teacher I was able to re-structure my essay into something I was much more happy with.

Gay Marriage (P1)

2009-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

My first project was on same sex marriage in which I compared two articles and their efficiency of arguing the topic. One thing that interested me that did not make in into my essay was that gay couple’s value and participate in family life, are committed to making their neighborhoods and communities safer and better places to live, and honor and abide by the law. I did not know that they led such a similar life as straight couples do. Another thing I did not get to put into my essay is the research studies that have been conducted to show that children raised in gay couple situations grow up just the same as in a straight couple family. I am by no means going to judge someone for the way they chose to live, but I did not think that the children grown up in that family would fair just the same. I read in an article that it is about the love and commitment shown not gender, but you have to think about the psychological aspects as the child grows up. I can not see that child growing up with the same mindset as one with a normal family. There are so many important aspects that can only be given by a mother and father. One thing I do agree with that I did not have a chance to put in my essay is that I believe if they chose to be in a gay relationship they should be able to see that person if one went into the hospital. It them becomes a matter of feelings and the law should not separate people in times of need.

The Last Few Weeks of my First College Semester

2008-12-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

So to be honest I have no idea what I plan on saying in this blog. I am going to ramble about things that you probably do not care to much about. Now I know that my Thanksgiving is not on everybodys "Must Know" list but I am going to tell you anyway. I went home wednesday afternoon and just relaxed until my mom got home. Nothing exciting happened that night. But thursday I was watching football, surfing the net, doing the whole facebook thing and I happened upon my friend who had posted a status saying he was in Tampa all alone, with nowhere to go for thanksgiving. For me this is unacceptable, nobody should be alone on any holiday. So I called him up and convinced him to come to my house and eat with my family. When he arrived I failed to mention that it was just my mom, my grandma, and myself, so he would be the only guy. He did not seem to mind though and I had a great time hanging out with him. Then some more friends came over for desert and we played Candy Land and Apples to Apples. Enough about thanksgivng. These last few weeks of the semester have flown by. I can not believe that my first semester of college is basically over. Except for exams I have just finished an important step in my college career.

Week from Hell

2008-11-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

I do not even know where to begin. Prior to this week I had been happy and was having a great week. I knew I had certain things to accomplish by certain days but I knew I could get them done. What I did not account for was the problems that would pop up and screw everything around. First I had an anthropology paper due Monday…no problem, had it done. I was looking at possible classes before I had to sign up on Tuesday. Then Tuesday rolls around I had to sign up for classes. So there I was at 11:50 signing in to my Oasis account. I couldn’t. What? They had placed an MJ hold on me. I found out that at USF after you have 36 credit hours you have to declare a major before you can sign up for future classes. I am a freshman! I technically don’t have any credits because this semester is not over. Even then I would only have 15. So we called to have them take it off and my advisor had just left and wouldn’t be back for a few hours. My luck could not get any worse. I waited about an hour then called back and told them I needed to speak to an advisor, I didn’t care who it was, anyone! They finally withdrew my hold and I signed up for classes. Some of the classes I had been told to take were closed so I was pissed about that. I was done with classes, couldn’t think about it anymore so I forgot about it or the time being. Then I had a Math exam to worry about. I took it and didn’t think I did that bad, maybe missing a few. I go today to find out my grade and I didn’t do so hot. So now I have to deal with my math class. I also have a sociology paper due Friday. All this happened and it’s only Wednesday. What next??

Blog for 11/10-11/14 Semester's Almost Over

2008-11-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in my dorm the other day and it hit me, we only have 3 weeks of actual classes left. Of course you have to account for the few days off for thanksgiving. So not including exams, this semester is almost over. It is weird to think that almost 4 months have gone by so quickly. I feel like I just got here and classes have just started. I am excited to think that my first semester of college is nearing the end. I never thought it would go as smooth as it did. With the exception of a few events this semester was rather easy and has flown by. Coming to USF I had mixed emotions that the first semester was going to be hard and that I would have tons of homework. Overall, this semester was not that bad and I enjoyed getting accustomed to the campus and general class work. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that classes are winding down and drawing a close. The reality is that exams are fast approaching and papers are becoming due in most of my classes. I can not wait for next semester and am excited to see what awaits.

Gainesville = Horrible Costumer Service

2008-11-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

So this weekend I went to Gainesville with the USF Equestrian team. A rule in the team is that we have to attend an intercollegiate (college level) horse show to see what it is like. So up to Gainesville we went to watch a western show. We got their Friday night and decided to go to Hooters for dinner. The service was horrible. Three other ladies ordered an Oyster Roast and it took 45 minutes for them to bring it out. Everyone was already done with their meal, so we had to wait while they finished their oysters. Oh, to make it better they didn’t shuck them for you; you had to shuck them yourself. There was a bunch of girls, how the hell are we supposed to know how to shuck oysters. So after being there for 2 hours we left, went back to the hotel, and got ready for a night on the town. The next day we went to the horseshow and watched the ins and outs of a typical show. Many girls left after lunch that day leaving only six of us. Dinnertime rolled around and we ended up at this pizza place called the Mellow Mushroom. Again service was bad. It took them over an hour to bring out 2 pizzas. Really? That’s ridiculous. This morning as we checked out of the hotel we stopped by an IHOP on the same road for breakfast. Guess what? The service was bad there too. By the end of the weekend we came to the conclusion that Gainesville, while beautiful, has horrible costumer service.

Google Generation Draft #1

2008-11-04T11:35:00.001-08:00

People have their own definition of what the “Google generation” is or has become. There however is no hard evidence to back most of these claims up. Yes there have been studies done, but they seem to come up without concrete evidence. Where is the proof? The claims many have tried to argue are not being backed up with competent evidence and therefore lead to the statement that people born after 1993 are not the so called “Google generation” that society has placed them under.

One of the first widely spoken claims is that the Google generation lacks analytical skills necessary to asses the information they find. This claim is false due to the fact that obviously they are able to analyze the information or there would be a drop in success rate of that generation. If the researchers and other people in society want to make such a claim they should back with up with hard evidence. One claim made by Antone Gonsalves of Information Week says that the Google generation can not develop a successful search strategy. Yet in another article by The Sunday Times the claim that the generation is expert searchers is said to be false. “This is a dangerous myth. Digital literacies and information literacies do not go hand in hand. A careful look at the literature over the past 25 years finds no improvement (or deterioration) in young people’s information skills” (Sunday Times, July 20, 2008). How can they not be able to have effective search strategies and yet there is not proof to say this is true. In fact, there is no deterioration in the skills they have developed to analyze the information found.

The Google generation is not that different from adults in other generations as some people think they are. One myth presented by the Christian Science Monitor reads that the Google generation finding their peers more credible as information sources than authority figures. How can you prove this? It is virtually impossible to ask every single person who they value most. “While in a social context youngsters may value the opinions of their peers more than of adults that apparently are not true regarding their academic lives."[W]e think this is a myth," the study says. "[T]eachers, relatives, and textbooks are consistently valued above the internet. (Times Online, July 9, 2008). If every student was asked their opinion there would then be conformation of the lack of validity of that myth. An allegation that has stepped up as a front runner is that people of the Google generation is impatient when it comes to dealing with search engines and navigation tools. Again, prove it. According to Jim Ashling ““We feel that this is a truism of our time and there is no hard evidence to suggest that young people are more impatient in this regard.” In keeping with this myth, researcher who wrote the report Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future, assert that impatience is now becoming the norm for all age-groups, from younger pupils and undergraduates through to professors.

The declaration that libraries need to step it up in their databases so that they have a “digital mindset” I argue to be flawed and just crazy. It is not up to the library to outshine and outdo the new digital technology. If the Google generation can delve deep into the information they find they why would it matter if the library had better deeper articles. It is in the hands of society to use the information as they see fit. Now this does not mean that the libraries should not keep up with modern technology, I am arguing that even if they did become more digital, according to the myth, the Google generation would still be as impatient and non-analytical as before.

All things considered, when researchers or society makes a claim about a generation, hard, factual evidence is what will turn that myth into a reality. Once there is proof that people born after 1993 are lazy, impatient and non analytical, only then can they be labeled as the “Google generation.

What a Weekend

2008-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

What a weekend. Friday night one of my best friends came up and we hung out with a bunch of people playing random games and just having fun. Then Saturday morning I went home, boyfriend in toe. This was going to be an interesting weekend. The first time my boyfriend was to meet the family. Not to mention my brother and his wife were coming down from Georgia. Well Saturday my brother had to take an engineering exam on campus so my mom, brother’s wife, boyfriend, and I went out on a friend’s boat. That was so much fun. We even saw a few dolphins riding our waves. My mom right off the bat, I could tell, really like my boyfriend, whose name is Eric in case I mention it. That night my brother came home from his test and met Eric. Ironically my brother’s name is Eric too. My brother did not seem to be the over protective one I had imagined he would. We went out to dinner that night where Eric met my father. Now I had imagined that to be where it got interesting as my father is not always the nicest person. Not to mention I had only told him I had a boyfriend a few days prior. All went well and I was very surprised. Then came Sunday, we got to sleep in which was amazing and felt wonderful haha We woke up to my mom, who had cooked us a full course breakfast that consisted of eggs, bacon, pancakes and hash browns. Oh it was so good. So overall, it was a great weekend and ended with my family loving my boyfriend.

Last Weeks - Baseball and the Rays

2008-10-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

I am not at all a baseball fan. But I have to say this year with the Rays in the Worls Seies, it has become semi interesting. I do not mean to affend anyone by this so please don’t take it that way. Well I think baseball is one of the most boring sports period. I do not get how watching someone throw a ball while another person tries to hit it is entertaining. Not to mention that it seems to go on forever!! Americas greatest pastime is it? I do not see that. Americas most boring pastime seems more fitting. If it was shorter maybe it would hold my attention better. I am the type of person too, who would rather be playing the sport than watching it. So to add the fact that I cant play into the picture make baseball extremely boring to me. I guess it does not help that it is one of my boyfriends favorite sports. So I end up watching it with him, when I would rather be watching football or almost any other sport. The Rays have made it tolerable this year. With all the hype and extreme love Tampa has for them I cannot help but watch the games. Although the Rays are not doing so hot I find myself interested in the overall plays of the game. Lets just pray that we can come up win the World Series win so Tampa can become united with the love of the sport.

Another Majestic Horse out of the Business

2008-10-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

Big Brown the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness is out of the Breeders Cup Classic. His career is over after sustaining an injury during a workout on Monday. His trainer Rick Dutrow said the 3-year-old colt, who was preparing for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25, appeared to kick himself while working on the turf course at Aqueduct with stable mate Kip Deville. Blood appeared to be flowing from his foot after the 6 furlong workout. It is sad that this magnificent horses career is done when he was about to compete in one of the most prestigious races in history. Big Brown was supposed to have a showdown with Curlin, another well respected horse. I love horses with all my heart and could not picture a sport I would rather be doing, however, I do not completely agree with racing due to that fact that three year old horses’ bones are not fully developed. So when you race them and they exert such energy sometimes their bones cannot handle it. For example, Eight Belle had to be out to sleep after the Kentucky Derby when she collapsed with two broken front ankles. Her bones could not handle the stressing pace and they broke. Another reason I do not like racing is that there are so many ex-racing horses that do not find homes and are consequently sent to the meat grinder to be made into dog food. At least Big Brown will be okay and live to produce beautiful babies, rather than be dog food. There are some people who genuinely care for the well being of the horses and I admire those people. Dutrow expressed disappointment but said the horse's health is the highest priority. This tells me that there are decent people in the horse racing business.

Halloween in College

2008-10-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

Oh man I can’t wait for Halloween to come. It had always been one of my favorite times of year growing up. But then as I got older I faded away from it. I still loved the candy but going house to house just did not seem the same. Instead I would pass out the candy at my house or go to a friend’s house and hang out there for the night. Now that may not sound too exciting but with my friends it was never dull.
But this year since I am in college it’s a whole new ball game. For once I am excited to dress up in a costume that doesn’t involve a sheet or pointy hat. College is known for their interesting and outrageous Halloween parties. I am not saying that I am going to drink, get drunk, or get into any of that stuff; I'm just saying that it should be tons of fun. My boyfriend is in a frat and they are having a party so obviously I will have to go to that one, if not for a little while anyway.
I have not yet figured out what I’m going to be. I never knew that the costumes for older college age people could look so good. I mean when I was little there was a ghost, witch, princess, or some superhero. Now there are referees, nurses, girl football players, and police officers to name a few. Not to mention how revealing they are. Playboy even has their own line of costumes. So this year….my first college Halloween party is set up to be one I will never forget.

Song Draft #1

2008-10-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

The song Take a Bow by Rihanna is a critique of how men used to be in power but women are taking their rights back. It is an empowerment to women all over. In earlier times men society used to be a patriarchy but as society evolves women are beginning to fight for power and rights within the hierarchy. Rihanna’s childhood was deeply affected by her father's addiction to crack cocaine, while not treating her right, and parent's rocky marriage. So in this song Rihanna overcomes that struggle of male dominance.
There is an underlying place that Rihanna uses to develop imagery and irony, a theatre. From the very beginning she wrote about a round of applause. This is ironic because a round of applause is normally meant to be a good thing but in this song she is using it to call out the fact that he was being fake and not sincere. He cheated on her and then tried to take it back and win her heart again.
The base of the song takes place outside her house while she tells her former guy to get lost. In the song Rihanna wrote that the guy was not genuinely sorry. “An' don't tell me you're sorry 'cause you're not.” The writer is telling him that she does not want to hear sorry because she knows he is not, that he would go and do it again. When Rihanna says “But you put on quite a show, you really had me going…” she allows the subject of patriarchy into the picture. Society used to be strictly male dominated with females playing the role of house wife with no power or voice in how things work. Norman Rockwell, a well versed author on Patriarchy, wrote “Men hold the majority of positions not only politically but in the business and home. Also, men are normally portrayed in positions of power and authority. Even the one thing women had, the house, the male felt he had to provide for and take care of.

Rihanna is trying to build awareness that women can be strong not subjected to ale dominance. She is showing that even now men try to control or manipulate women but that women do not have to out up with it as they did back then. Women are constantly having to show men that they are capable and fight for their rights to have some power in society Women are certainly just as capable of holding such jobs but back then it was unheard of for a women to have any power. In 1893, the United States beginning with Colorado began to pass an amendment that granted women he right to vote. Betty Friedan, in 1963 published her highly influential book The Feminine Mystique, which describes the dissatisfaction felt by middle-class American housewives with the narrow role imposed on them by society. The book becomes a basis for the modern women's rights movement. Also in 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, which made it illegal for employers to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same job.
In the song Rihanna shows that the guy was a liar when he said that she was the one and that he loved her. Obviously if this was true he would not have cheated on her. This is demeaning to women because Rihanna and the women he cheated on her with were only used for one thing. The author then wrote “Curtain's finally closing, that was quite a show very entertaining, but it's over now, go on and take a bow.” This brings back the theater reference and also means that she is done with him, that his attempts to get her back were very entertaining but that it’s over. She even goes as far as to give him an “award,” which again should be a good thing and draws on the theater metaphor. The irony is that the award is for being the best liar. It was given because he tried to male her believe he could be faithful. The speech part of the song is where it really hits that in a theater setting this is where the person would normally thank those who have helped them while being congratulated on something well done. Rihanna is using it to mean that he did such a good job of lying that he deserves some recognition.

Rockband Addict

2008-10-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

I never realized how addicting a video game can be, and yes I’m talking about Rockband. Before I came to college I had played the occasional Guitar Hero but nothing like Rockband. Then for graduation my brother gave me his Guitar Hero and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I had mastered medium and thought I was amazing haha. Little did I know that when I went to college a new game would take my love. My roommate and I were talking one day and she asked if I had ever played Rockband. I had not and her jaw dropped. Immediately she got it out and we hooked it up to our TV. No joke, we played for a good three hours. It was awesome and from that moment on I was addicted. Not hardcore like some people get but enough that I have my roommate and friends over and we play for hours on end. The sweet thing about it is that you never get tired. If you are tired of playing the guitar, you can play the drums, or even sing. What could be better than having a whole band rock out to classic hits like Sabotage or Say it Ain’t So. To make things even cooler is that you get to play with your friends or family. The laughter and fun that comes form playing Rockband is the best. So I guess it’s better to be semi-addicted to Rockband than things like pot or other drugs. Rockband is the way to go if you just want to have a good time with your friends.

Tattoo or no??

2008-09-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

So I’ve been debating this week on whether or not to get a tattoo. I am thinking of getting the Chinese symbol of Faith on my foot. Another possibility is the Jesus fish on my ankle or on my back (near the shoulder blade area). There are pros and cons to getting it done. A pro is that I think it would look good. I have been looking online at the different ways it could be done. Another plus is that if I do get it done, the place I plan on going has been somewhere that my family has gone before. I watched how they threw away everything and sterilized it as my mom got two there. Another good thing is that it would constantly remind me to have faith in God. Also the struggle I went through to gain what faith I have now. A con of getting a tattoo is that it is of course, permanent. Two years from now I can’t decided I don’t want it anymore and remove it like a stick on tattoo. If I were going in for a job interview I would have to hide my tattoo. Not that it would be hard if it was on my foot or back but having to cover it up is something I would not want to do. Oh! I forgot the fact that I hate needles, so this would take a lot in me to even go through with. Also, people get bad raps for having tattoos. People might label me into some group that is looked down upon. I have a meaning behind it so it is not like I am getting a random tattoo for the heck if it.

If you Give an Alcoholic a Shot

2008-09-16T14:24:00.001-07:00

If You Give an Alcoholic a Shot

If you give an alcoholic a shot,
They are probably going to ask for the bottle,
If you give them the bottle,
They'll probably as for a bigger glass,
When they're all finished they'll ask for the keys,
Then they will get up and make their way to grab them,
When they grab for the keys,
They might notice the keys are gone,
So they'll probably ask where they went,
When they are finished trying to remember where their keys went,
They will start pacing,
They might even get carried away and punch something,
Once they have calmed down a bit,
They'll probably want a snack,
So you'll have to fix something up for them,
They will eat it all and begin to look around
In an effort ot quench their thirst,
So.........
They will ask for another bottle,
And chances are if they ask for another bottle,
They are going to want a shot to go with it.

Everything Broke!!

2008-09-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

So this week, more specifically Sunday just about everything I own broke. It started Sunday morning at about 3am. I got home from a Toga party to plug my phone into the charger. But when I looked down my charger tip was basically bent in half. My phone was about to die and I had no charger. Great I thought, just what I need at three in the morning. So I turned my phone off, went to sleep and tried to forget about it. Later that day I went to my car because I was going to go get a new charger. What do I see but my driver side back seat window wide open. It was completely gone into the door of the car. Fabulous just another thing I need to deal with. So I drove around trying to find a Verizon store but everything was closed because it was Sunday. So I decided to tackle the window debacle. First I went to Sears Auto parts but they said the guy was not in today. That led me to Firestone and luckily they were at least able to put it up and in stationary mode so it would not fall back down before they got the part it. By the way, just for them looking at my car, it wasn’t cheap, about $100. Okay with that fixed for the time being I hit the mall with one of my friends to find a Verizon store in there. Found it and got the charger. Alright I thought today’s looking up; I got everything fixed as much as I could for the time being. Well later that night I was online trying to send my mom an E-card for her birthday (which was that day) and my computer started freaking out. I tried to get back onto the internet only to have the USF Quarantine site pop up saying that my computer has a virus. AWESOME! That was sarcastic if you couldn’t see that. So what does any girl do who doesn’t know a thing about fixing computer, I freaked out. Luckily my friend was there and she helped me call places to get the virus removed. Yesterday I took it into the computer store above the bookstore where it currently resides until further notice. In the end I got my phone problem resolved but still have to deal with my car and laptop. There was too much going on this weekend. I’m glad it’s over.

Labor Day Wedding

2008-09-09T07:17:00.001-07:00

So Labor Day weekend came along at ciaos surrounded my family. My mom was going a hundred different ways yelling at me to get something or going to pick another thing up. My brother was getting married. What a scary thought for me. Growing up with my brother being such a boy I could not imagine him tying the knot. The girl, Megan, is more than anyone could have asked for. From the first time I met her she felt like part of the family. So it was only fitting they make it permanent, just a little shocking is all. So back to the day of, I had no clue what was going on because I had been here at USF for a week and a half, so when the running around began I was a little freaked out. I was supposed to stay the previous night at the hotel with the bride but due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to go home and come back the next day. So when I arrived back at the hotel where the wedding was taking place I immediately went straight to get ready. Megan was getting ready as well, her hair first of course. She was so beautiful, and did not have the nerves you would expect. After we were done getting ready, bride and bridesmaids alike we started walking to the room where people were being ushered out to their seats. Once there I started getting butterflies in my stomach, me? I wasn’t the bride, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Haha The wedding was amazing and more beautiful then I could have ever thought. The reception was hilarious as the men in the bridal party were called to the dance floor to be the village me in the YMCA. Man was that a sight. Then to top things off they called my brother out and began playing that risky song “I’m too sexy for my shirt…” Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see my brother, in essence disrobe before my eyes. After the reception we went to Jimmy Guanas and relaxed while some had a few drinks. Overall my brothers wedding was a night to remember and I’m grateful I got to be a part of it.

Memoir First Draft

2008-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Im just warning you I have no idea what I'm doing. haha

SOS or Service over Self is an organization in Memphis TN that wants to spread the word of God through urban home repairs. So when my church youth group decided to attend this in the summer of 2004 I was ecstatic. That was 4 years ago and every year since we have gone back. When you drive up to the building I can’t help but notice the area it is in. The city is called Binghampton, and the crime rate is high. My friends are I never had a doubt that we were in harms way because we knew God was with us and would protect us so we could do good deeds through him. Perfect I thought. The SOS building is surrounded by a metal fence to obviously keep everyone safe, as much as we could be at least. Once I got out of the car I could help but shout with happiness. This was my element; I loved helping people in dyer need. Most of the time I got my spiritual growth through working on roofs or rebuilding kitchens. The satisfacton I get from the look on the homeowners face when we are done is more than anything. I feel connected to God throughout this while helping the homeowner receive a sounder structured home. Sometimes I even got to talk to the homeowners (they were not always willing) I could see the beauty of God working in them.
One such summer I was hanging off the edge of a house replacing a wooden structure. This year I just happened to have my youth pastor in my group along with a multitude of other fellow youth, who were, of now help in this situation. Anyway my youth pastor was up on the roof as well which probably was not a good thing due to the fact that she is afraid of heights. While up there I was hanging over the edge and my youth pastor staring at her legs as to not freak out. Little did I know the event that was about to partake. All of a sudden I hear a shriek and cry from behind me. I was lucky that I had a grasp onto the house because I almost made a crash landing. I turn around to find my youth pastor flailing her arms and cry like nothing else. What the hell was wrong with her kept running through my mind. There was no way to get down and nobody else up there to help me try and calm her down. Shit. What was I going to do? I had never been stuck on a roof with a 50 year old woman having a panic attack. So what else to do but pray with her. For thirty minutes I felt God work through me and I sat there and talked to her about how God has worked through my life and the times when I needed him to get me through a rough patch like what she was going through at the time. It ended up working out, and she got down from the roof without a scratch. I knew right them that God was amazing and would never leave me without something to express with his glory.
That was 2 years ago and I will never forger it. But the main point of this piece is to express how I came to gain that fire and drive to grow again in my faith with the Lord. I had always been raised in a church and had a relationship with God but it wasn’t until recently that I realized I had never been trying to strengthen and develop the bond with God. So this past summer when my youth group returned to SOS for the fourth time I felt something was going to be different. The house my group received needed a wheelchair ramp to be built alongside her whole house and her front yard. There was not much for everyone to do so this summer I did not get much of anything out of working on the home. Instead I got my spiritual growth through Chapel. Chapel is worship time SOS has every night where we sing and listen to a speaker spread the word of God. It hit me this year. This is really personal but God is telling me that I need to share it. So, one night when we were singing, they began a song called Mighty to Save. I had never heard it before and was excited to sing something new. I started singing the song and something overcame me. It was like I was not in control of what did. Never before had I felt this feeling, I closed my eyes, and raised my hands. Raising my hands is something I have never really done. It was the most amazing feeling to have God be in control of my life. From that moment on I realized that I needed to work on strengthening my relationship with God. I had that fire, desire, and drive to live my life for God and do everything for his glory. Ever since then I have continued to try and glorify God through everything I do and say, which is not easy being a college student. Coming to college I was worried that I would lose my “Spiritual high” of being close to the Lord, but so far is hasn’t and I don’t plan on letting it.

Audio of This is Emo

2008-09-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

Listening to the audio of This is Emo made me not like the memoir. When I read it I could grasp some aspects of the story but when I listened to it I was not into it at all. His voice was so annoying, like someone with a stuffed nose. I could not concentrate on what he was saying because I was to busy listening to his voice and its ability to make me almost pull out my hair. I kept looking to see ho far along it was. “Was it almost done?” Nope. The diction when reading the memoir was much funnier than when he read it. Along with the voice, his diction just did not seem to fit. A person with that voice just can not fit his choice of foul words. The fact that his voice would rise and fall and the end of each sentence or even word got on my nerves as well. I lost track of what he was talking about because I was to busy trying to figure out how someone could talk like that.

The one good thing about listening to it was that some sentences I did not understand when reading it made sense when he said them out loud. When he talked about being thin, or rich, or the lead singer of a band it was better in audio. The breaths or breaks in his voice also helped to realize how he intended that sentence or word to be.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by Sedaris Memoir

2008-09-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

David Sedaris right from the get go establishes that the TV is an important part of American living. That without a TV in your home you were considered weird and abnormal by your community. He illustrates that even in school teachers and children alike use voices, phrases, or movements that are from popular TV shows of that time and if you had not had a TV to view them than your understanding of what happen would be greatly distorted. I got a good laugh when Sedaris mad the comment about them going away for the weekend and “I felt as if my favorite show had been cancelled.”

When the Tomkeys appeared at their door the day after Halloween no feelings were spared in terms of the children. I thought it was cleaver that the author said he shoved the miniature candy into his mouth before giving anything to the Tomkeys. Any child would do that so it was very realistic. So, Sedaris was trying to say that although you may not like people, being greedy and keeping things for yourself would only result in disaster. You should share with those who do not have, in this instance a TV or candy. In the end it will come back to bite you and regret might set in while you take a look at yourself.

Sex, Drug, and Cocoa Puffs by Klosterman Memoir

2008-09-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

In the beginning he is automatically realistic. When he says a woman will never satisfy him he balances it with the fact that he will never satisfy a woman. I enjoyed the sequence of events. Klosterman states that he will come back in fifteen years and look back on this piece, not changing how he felt. Although others who might interview him would question his feelings fifteen years later he will hold true to what he said. He even goes as far as to say that he will lie to them saying he loves woman, but in reality his views haven’t changed. I think it is brilliant to make such a comment in this piece because the reader gets a chuckle and can laugh at him, which only made me want to continue reading more. The way he said he wanted fake love was interesting to me because it is not how most people view love, and least the way i view it.

Klostermans diction for me was what really kept me going. The way he situated it and the exact diction he used I could relate to, because as a college student you probably not only hear those words but say them occasionally if not often. Furthermore when he depicts scenarios that the girl was in (the Coldplay concert, and the relations between different TV characters) it made me think back to similar times when I had a friend, family, or even myself amongst such a time. Something of irony was when he said he was being bitter, yet the whole memoir was one bitter sentence after another. So this memoir was written to show up that you dont have to be perfect for that woman or man and if they do not like it then you do not need them in your life. In the end it was a brilliant memoir that really caught my attention.

Horseback Riding.

2008-08-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

Its in my blood. The adrenaline rush you get from jumping a 3 foot 6 fence is indescribable. I've been riding for over 8 years now and it never gets old. From the moment i saw a horse i knew that's the sport i wanted to be in. I first started by visiting a farm with my Girl Scout troop to complete one of our badge requirements. I then migrated to taking lessons at a local barn called Fire Ant Farm (appropriately named). I was so excited all decked out in my riding outfit that consisted of tight pants called Jodhpurs, a t-shirt, boots, and a helmet. The horses name was Dillon, a huge white Thoroughbred. Boy was i nervous, but he took care of me as we walked and trotted around the ring. Gradually i got better and moved up to more advanced horses and advanced techniques (jumping).

After being there for about 5 years, it was time to move on. I gladly did so too because my trainer had stopped taking her bipolar meds and was saying and doing things that were uncalled for. So now i had to look for a new trainer and new barn. Its not as easy as it seems. Finding a trainer is like finding that perfect pair of shoes, they are hard to find but once you do, you cant let them go. Finally i found one who has been my hero for a little over 3 years now. I'm riding at a place called Rocking W Ranch with my trainer Karen Sykes. She had to teach me to ride all over again because i had been taught wrong by my other trainer. I love jumping high and getting that rush as you fly over a jump.

The best part is my trainer is going to be the head coach for the USF Equestrian Team so i wont need to find another trainer. :]]]]