Walking into my first college english class I felt nervous and unsure about my writing skills. I knew that I could not write a fluent essay if my life depended on it. Feeling uneasy about writing I feared that I would end up with an extremely low grade in your class. I had a very negative mindset because after all these years you would think I would have learned a little something about developing a good essaay no matter what the topic. Even though I was very negative about taking an english class, in the back of my mind I really hoped to learn a lot of technique in order to be able to comfortably write an essay without hesitation. Ending the semester I can honestly say I have learned a lot about using proper techniques and style. I feel like I am a much stronger writer then I was at the beginning of the semester.
For so many years I had teacher after teacher criticizing my essay, but not really teaching me. Believe it or not in higschool I had an AP english class, but I felt like i never learned anything. I would dread presenting my essays because everytime i would do so she would tell me my essay was weak. As a teacher you criticized my essays,but at the same time you told me how i can improve it. All my previous teachers would just tell me everything that was done with my writing. You were able to provide me with new insight and confidence on the structure of a well-written essay. The difference between you and my other teachers is that you would not only tell me that my statement was biased, but you went the extra mile to tell me what exactly made my statement biased. My experiences in your class were for the most part positive.
At times i felt that our assignment like you said were completely pointless. Many of the things we did at home and in class were tedious and time consuming, but in the end it was all done for a reason. I realized that all these "pointless" assignments were what helped me get a better grade on all my essays. I really liked that by the time we had to write our final draft every part of the essay was already planned out. I knew what i wanted to write and what topics I wanted to cover. Would I would like you to do differently in the future is take away those homework assignment relating to stories that in all honesty no one actually read. There were not very many of these, but I remember that in the beginning we had to do a few assignments like that. Other then this I think that you are a great teacher and you make great connections with your students.
Overall I can say that my expectation for the class were met. I became more confident in my writing and I learned many new things. Thank You!
p.s. sorry for all the uses of the "I". That is what happens when you free write. lol :)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Children's Safety > Penn State Football
Okay, so the big issue people seem to be having in this case is that Joe Paterno was fired unexpectedly. People are saying he was a legend and that it was just wrong. It seems to me like these people are putting the reputation of the university before the safety of the poor children who got raped. How much sense can this possibly make in their minds? At least to me, Penn State football is of least important right now. The university along with the authorities need to get working on getting certain people fired and in trouble with the government.
It is evident that Joe Paterno was not the only one at fault, but seems to be a participant in the mistake he made by not telling authorities about what was happening with Sandusky and these children. This is all a domino affect gone wrong. One person saw a child being raped told someone else, who told someone else and so on. It is great that people were being notified of the situation, but the truth is that the wrong people were being notified. The authorities should of been notified of the situation right away. Can you just imagine how many children would of been protected from Jerry Sandusky if Mike McQueary would have put some thought into the situation and just told the police. Sandusky would of been in jail and those 40 counts he is being charged with would of been way less.
I don't seem to understand how all these people from this university thought ignoring the whole situation is the right thing to do just because they wanted to "protect" the reputation of the university. In my opinion the reputation of the university has been ruined way worst then if someone would of just called the police when they first found out about the rapes. Having done the right thing only Sandusky would of been at fault for his heinous crime, but after so many years not only is Sandusky at fault but so are all the people who knew about what was going on and did not say anything. The university has just lost so much trust from so many people because of this issue. It is clear that things should of been done years ago.
A law "forcing" individuals to report any wrong doing may be effective. Creating a law such as this one will make people think twice about keeping things to themselves instead of notifying the right people. With this law consequences will be enforced against any individuals who do not report these types of crimes. I believe that with the proper consequences this law has the ability to be very affective.
What do you think is more important, the protection of these children being raped or the job of Joe Paterno, who could be replaced?
It is evident that Joe Paterno was not the only one at fault, but seems to be a participant in the mistake he made by not telling authorities about what was happening with Sandusky and these children. This is all a domino affect gone wrong. One person saw a child being raped told someone else, who told someone else and so on. It is great that people were being notified of the situation, but the truth is that the wrong people were being notified. The authorities should of been notified of the situation right away. Can you just imagine how many children would of been protected from Jerry Sandusky if Mike McQueary would have put some thought into the situation and just told the police. Sandusky would of been in jail and those 40 counts he is being charged with would of been way less.
I don't seem to understand how all these people from this university thought ignoring the whole situation is the right thing to do just because they wanted to "protect" the reputation of the university. In my opinion the reputation of the university has been ruined way worst then if someone would of just called the police when they first found out about the rapes. Having done the right thing only Sandusky would of been at fault for his heinous crime, but after so many years not only is Sandusky at fault but so are all the people who knew about what was going on and did not say anything. The university has just lost so much trust from so many people because of this issue. It is clear that things should of been done years ago.
A law "forcing" individuals to report any wrong doing may be effective. Creating a law such as this one will make people think twice about keeping things to themselves instead of notifying the right people. With this law consequences will be enforced against any individuals who do not report these types of crimes. I believe that with the proper consequences this law has the ability to be very affective.
What do you think is more important, the protection of these children being raped or the job of Joe Paterno, who could be replaced?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The issue with sexting
Sexting is a fairly new concept. It was brought up a few years ago when the government found out about kids sending naked pictures of themselves to each other. After a few incidents the government decided to punish those kids who were doing this. In Florida specifically they have made this illegal. So what do I about this situation and the law?
I believe that it is no ones fault for the actions of these kids. Parents are always telling their kids whats right and what's wrong, but sometimes kids do thing knowing that is wrong. In my opinion many of these kids that are involved in sexting is because they have been tempted by their significant other or they simply have no shame. I do not seem to understand why kids do this, but my best guess is that they would never think this picture or message would be sent to other people. The problem starts when the picture or message is sent, but continue and becomes more serious when the message is sent to friends of friends.
Distribution of naked or vulgar messages to a group of people is considered porn. This itself is already bad, but when the distribution involves a minor the conseuences are much worst. Adults who decide to distribute child pornography are labeled sexual offenders. This seems to me like a fair charge. My real thought revolves around the idea that kids who are involved in the distribution of sext messages should be charged.
I am not completely comfortable with the idea that these kids are being charged as sexual offenders, in states like Florida where this is illegal. After all the teenagers are openly choosing to send these pictures or messages knowing that they are risking being seen by other people. If they feel they can send these pictures or messages I would think they are old enough to think of the consequences of their acrtions. I definitely believe they should be charges with a crime, but not as a sexual offenders. Eventually as these teenagers become adults being labeled as sexual offenders is the right thing to do. Florida is doing the right thing giving these kids chances before it becomes a crime. If all the states implement this law I am sure some kids might think twice about what they decide to send to another person.
Implementing such a law is great, but it will not be effective unless kids no about it. The government must find a way to let the kids know about this law, so that some of this sexting could stop. Besides making a law another solution to this problem can be involving the parents. If parents make it their point to be more aware about what their kids are doing and be willing to look through their childrens phone if they suspect foul play. In some cases this might work, but in many it will not.
Bottom line is that sexting is going to keep occurring no matter what the government and the parents do, but the best thing to do is at least give it a try.
I believe that it is no ones fault for the actions of these kids. Parents are always telling their kids whats right and what's wrong, but sometimes kids do thing knowing that is wrong. In my opinion many of these kids that are involved in sexting is because they have been tempted by their significant other or they simply have no shame. I do not seem to understand why kids do this, but my best guess is that they would never think this picture or message would be sent to other people. The problem starts when the picture or message is sent, but continue and becomes more serious when the message is sent to friends of friends.
Distribution of naked or vulgar messages to a group of people is considered porn. This itself is already bad, but when the distribution involves a minor the conseuences are much worst. Adults who decide to distribute child pornography are labeled sexual offenders. This seems to me like a fair charge. My real thought revolves around the idea that kids who are involved in the distribution of sext messages should be charged.
I am not completely comfortable with the idea that these kids are being charged as sexual offenders, in states like Florida where this is illegal. After all the teenagers are openly choosing to send these pictures or messages knowing that they are risking being seen by other people. If they feel they can send these pictures or messages I would think they are old enough to think of the consequences of their acrtions. I definitely believe they should be charges with a crime, but not as a sexual offenders. Eventually as these teenagers become adults being labeled as sexual offenders is the right thing to do. Florida is doing the right thing giving these kids chances before it becomes a crime. If all the states implement this law I am sure some kids might think twice about what they decide to send to another person.
Implementing such a law is great, but it will not be effective unless kids no about it. The government must find a way to let the kids know about this law, so that some of this sexting could stop. Besides making a law another solution to this problem can be involving the parents. If parents make it their point to be more aware about what their kids are doing and be willing to look through their childrens phone if they suspect foul play. In some cases this might work, but in many it will not.
Bottom line is that sexting is going to keep occurring no matter what the government and the parents do, but the best thing to do is at least give it a try.
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Safe Haven Law: Good for some and Bad for others
The Safe Haven Law is a law of great controversy. It allows adults to abandon their infants in a safe enviroment instead of harming them. Sounds good right? Well, the law also allows adults to abandon their children, leaving the child with no knowledge of who their parents really are. Doesn't really sound so good now right? So putting everything into perspective, what are the real pros and cons of this law.
This law offers an alternative to killing or harming the child once the child has been born. As the adult you are allowing the child to live a good life with people who will care and nurture the child all throughout his/her life. Leaving the child in a safe environment can save many of these unwanted children's lives, but from that day forward there is a huge possibility that the child will suffer from identity issues. Can you imagine one day finding out that you were just left outside of a firestation by your mother?
For years, many of the children that have beeen raised via this law will suffer from family abandonment issues and many other issues. Always wondering who their real parents are and why they were abandoned and unloved by their birth parents. All these unanswered thoughts can lead them into a life of depression and a life of attention seeking. Feeling unwanted is something that no one wants to feel. Acceptance is what everyone strives for especially these children who were unwanted from day one. To me it seems that this law does not only affect these children negatively in their futures, but also promotes irresponsibility among adults and teenagers all over the US.
In today's society the rate of pregnant teenagers is increasing. 2010 statistics show that "teen pregnancy is once again on the rise after decreasing substantially since the early 1990s" (http://www.pregnantteenhelp.org/statistics/teenage-pregnancy-statistics-2010/). Having the safe haven law will only encourage teens to have unprotected sex more often if they are aware that there is a solution to their problem in the event that they do unintentionally become pregnant. I believe that having this law allows parents to abandon their children instead of taking responsibility for their irresponsible behavior.
So what do you really think the law promotes, better lives for unwanted children or irrespinsibility in teenagers and adults?
This law offers an alternative to killing or harming the child once the child has been born. As the adult you are allowing the child to live a good life with people who will care and nurture the child all throughout his/her life. Leaving the child in a safe environment can save many of these unwanted children's lives, but from that day forward there is a huge possibility that the child will suffer from identity issues. Can you imagine one day finding out that you were just left outside of a firestation by your mother?
For years, many of the children that have beeen raised via this law will suffer from family abandonment issues and many other issues. Always wondering who their real parents are and why they were abandoned and unloved by their birth parents. All these unanswered thoughts can lead them into a life of depression and a life of attention seeking. Feeling unwanted is something that no one wants to feel. Acceptance is what everyone strives for especially these children who were unwanted from day one. To me it seems that this law does not only affect these children negatively in their futures, but also promotes irresponsibility among adults and teenagers all over the US.
In today's society the rate of pregnant teenagers is increasing. 2010 statistics show that "teen pregnancy is once again on the rise after decreasing substantially since the early 1990s" (http://www.pregnantteenhelp.org/statistics/teenage-pregnancy-statistics-2010/). Having the safe haven law will only encourage teens to have unprotected sex more often if they are aware that there is a solution to their problem in the event that they do unintentionally become pregnant. I believe that having this law allows parents to abandon their children instead of taking responsibility for their irresponsible behavior.
So what do you really think the law promotes, better lives for unwanted children or irrespinsibility in teenagers and adults?
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thinking, Thinking, Thinking.......................
So, the truth is that everyone at one point or another starts to think about everything going on in their lives whether it be school or their friendships and relationship with others. What you think about is under your control. Personally, i think that thinking has a huge impact on a person's life. Whether you believe that or not I have seen the effects it has had on me. So as im writing this blog I ask you "do you ever think that thinking is just too much stress?".
As an incoming college student i feel as if everyday i sit for hours and hours thinking about what im going to do next. You might think that this is a good thing. At first i thought to myself "hey if i think about what i have to do it might help me with time managemnt." Well i was wrong. At this point and time in my life i feel stress that i have never felt before. Everything right now is just too much for me. It is only a week into the semester and i already had a breakdown. The reason for the breakdown? I saw how many thing i had to do by the upcoming week that i began to cry because i felt i just could not handle it. I spent almost two hours "relaxing" and away from my studies because i just couldn't concentrate. In that time i could have been reading and stidying. The thoughts in my head were running faster then i could process. IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH!!!!
Since that day i have tried to calm myself down and stop thinking so much and just take everything one day at a time, but i find that extremely difficult. I have talked to most of my friends about the way i feel and they try to help and tell me that i am stressing too early in the school year. Can you believe that even as i am composing this blog i am actually thinking about what i will do next? I just find myself wanting to relax a little and just do what i have to do but i cant. And then i think that if i was more carefree i might not get things done on time and as quickly as i should. So maybe thinking a little is good?
There are people who go through life without stressing or thinking about anything. Is this necessarily a good thing? They might be the type that go through school with average grades or the type of student that knows how to pace herself and get things done so she finishes at the top of his/her class. You will never really know the impact that stress and thinking has on someone until its you going through it. Thinking is a process that can break you or make you. SO HOW DO YOUR THOUGHS AND YOUR STRESS AFFECT YOU?
As an incoming college student i feel as if everyday i sit for hours and hours thinking about what im going to do next. You might think that this is a good thing. At first i thought to myself "hey if i think about what i have to do it might help me with time managemnt." Well i was wrong. At this point and time in my life i feel stress that i have never felt before. Everything right now is just too much for me. It is only a week into the semester and i already had a breakdown. The reason for the breakdown? I saw how many thing i had to do by the upcoming week that i began to cry because i felt i just could not handle it. I spent almost two hours "relaxing" and away from my studies because i just couldn't concentrate. In that time i could have been reading and stidying. The thoughts in my head were running faster then i could process. IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH!!!!
Since that day i have tried to calm myself down and stop thinking so much and just take everything one day at a time, but i find that extremely difficult. I have talked to most of my friends about the way i feel and they try to help and tell me that i am stressing too early in the school year. Can you believe that even as i am composing this blog i am actually thinking about what i will do next? I just find myself wanting to relax a little and just do what i have to do but i cant. And then i think that if i was more carefree i might not get things done on time and as quickly as i should. So maybe thinking a little is good?
There are people who go through life without stressing or thinking about anything. Is this necessarily a good thing? They might be the type that go through school with average grades or the type of student that knows how to pace herself and get things done so she finishes at the top of his/her class. You will never really know the impact that stress and thinking has on someone until its you going through it. Thinking is a process that can break you or make you. SO HOW DO YOUR THOUGHS AND YOUR STRESS AFFECT YOU?
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