Re: December Blog #1

When I think of people who define me as person I cannot simply choose any single person except for my mother, because in actuality groups of people have shaped me into the person I am today. Including my mom, friends, and people who have doubted me or have left me when I needed them the most.

Every since I was young, my mom has woken up at three or four in the morning to get ready for work and to get me prepared to go to my babysitter's home. She has done this for about eight years although I don't have a babysitter anymore she still wakes up early in the morning, so she can provide for me and the rest of my family. My mother's work ethic has wiped off on me so much. She has always worked hard and has let nothing get in her way. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be able to make it in the classes that I have. She has taught me to never give up and to always find a way to do something because something is never too difficult to do.

My friends have shaped in that I'm easy going person. They all want to have a good time, they don't want to cause trouble. This quality in my friends has had effect on me in that I stay out of trouble, and try to stay on track. They keep me on my toes, we have an unspoken rival when it comes to school. We always try to do better than the other in school or sports which causes me to go that extra mile. If I didn't have the friends that I have right now, I don't know if I'd be the same person who loves to go to movies, who always makes sure that they have at least a B in a class.

There have been numerous people who have doubted me or wronged me. I don't hate or dislike these people, I thank them for what they have done. Without them I wouldn't be this strong mentally. They motivate me to stay out of conflicts and to go on.

These three groups all share one characteristic which is that make me strive for excellence, and work hard no matter what presents itself to me.

Re: November Blog # 3

Well, after a week in your class I thought it was going to be very difficult to pass your class. However, now that I've been in your class for 4 months, I still think your class is complex, but I will try my hardest to pass your class. My weakest point is the timed writes because I only manage to write 2-3 paragraphs which I don't think are very well written. With some more time, I'm sure I'll be able to master your timed writes, hopefully. What I seemed to understand well is the vocabulary, the power verbs, and the tone words. Currently, I'm having the hardest time on writing the definition essay you assigned. I understand what we have to do it's just I don't understand how to construct and turn it into a full, lengthy essay. I hope that possibly you'd be willing to go over the essay some more in class.

Re: November Blog # 2

The beliefs of liberalism tend to be more tolerable of different views or standards of behavior that people may have. Liberals in politics favor gradual reform, they believe in distributing wealth evenly amongst the people, and they have the belief that the freedom of an individual should be protected.

A conservative person has no will to accept change, they are in favor in remaining the same, also known as preserving the status quo, and traditional customs. They are usually against sudden change.

In an online article about the Gay Marriage Law repealed in Maine by Voters on fox news.com a combination of liberal and conservative views are illustrated.

Conservative: "The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation," declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side.

Liberal: "For next week, and next month, and next year -- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about about love and family, and that will always be something worth fighting for," said by Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign.

I, myself identify more as a liberal because I believe in equal opportunity for everyone no matter what race, color, or sexual orientation you are. In the issue of the current health system, I think that everyone should have the chance to receive health care because not just one group of people deserve to have health care they are not the only ones who suffer. My position in the gay marriage debate is that I'm in favor of people being able to marry anyone they choose. My definition of marriage is being bind with someone you are in love with whether it being a woman or a man, you have the right to choose who you want to be with.

Re: November Blog #1

Shirley Jackson's argument in "The Lottery" is that everything is not what it seems.

"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe is similar to "The Lottery" because each have unique ways of telling the story through point of views that build suspense for the audience while reading it.

I think the theme of the "The Lottery" relates to the real world because people do not always get what they expect. For example, when someone walks into a store, and a shirt is on sale for $15.00 when the original price was $25.00, but they end up paying the original price.

If Shirley Jackson had decided to write this as an expository piece of rhetoric rather than as a fictional story, it would have caused the audience to be less engaged in the reader. A story draws a person in because it's fictional, an essay too literal.

Re: October Blog #1

My Mom the Subway

My mom is like a New York Subway.

She runs chaotically through the house, making sure everything is in it's place.

She starts her day when the sun is not yet visible and the moon is still shining.

She rushes to wake me up on time, so that I am ready for the day.

She has a schedule that works perfectly, she has timed everything just right so that she has enough time with the family before she heads to a full day of work and even when she is tired, dragging her feet into the house.

Like a New York Subway we all file into her bedroom where she is resting.

Anytime I talk to her, her face lights up into so many colors.

My mom, surprisingly never gets thrown of her track, she's always there for me.

Re: September Blog #2(Blog Review)

I chose to write a review for Virginia Woolf's blog because the blog itself attracted me to actually read their blog posts. I love the image of the Beatles because it shows me that this person cares for real music not like most of the main stream music that is produced. The playlist was a nice touch to the blog because it gives you this vibe of the 60's era. The strengths this person possesses is their way of writing. When I read their blog posts it automatically pulls me in because of their vocabulary, and the style that they write in. One of my favorite posts from this person was the one about abuse towards "Emos". I liked it because they spoke the truth, which people are afraid to do. I wanted to know how they put the playlist on their blog, because I think that was a clever trick to getting people to connect to you? Music has very successful ways of bringing together all types of people. I think they can try to perfect their writing some more, adding more vocabulary that will have people be impressed.

Re: September Blog #1(Final Draft)

It's just like any other night, I get off of work at 9:00 p.m. and I make my usual trek down Time Square, and into Manhattan where I live. I moved to New York about a year ago from Texas. I wanted to be a dancer but as life took its course, I broke my foot and ended up attending Columbia University. I know what you are thinking, was I a good enough student to get into Columbia? Honestly, no. I've always been your average teenager, I usually got C's in my classes, but that was only because I focused all of my attention on dance. I received a scholarship for dance from Columbia, but after my foot they offered to let me attend, there was one catch though; I had to pay for my tuition.

As I'm walking down 56th street, I take notice at all of the lights that illuminate from all types of buildings. It reminds me of the bright white lights my mother would put up around the house with the help of my two older brothers, at Christmas time. My mother has always supported me in my dancing however my father has always been a different a story. His philosophy was to do something that would make you money, that will financially take care of you and your family. So, you probably know what his attitude was anytime I asked him to attend any of my recitals. Just thinking about it reminds me of the day I left for New York. Everyone was there in our driveway my mom, and my brothers Danny and Michael. One important person was not there. My father had told me he was not going to be there, he was opposed to me leaving; he was convinced that I'd fail. I still genuinely thought he would be there to say good bye, I mean I am his only daughter.

I'm nearing the market , that is just 4 blocks from my apartment complex. I decide to go in and buy some things for a late dinner since my job does not offer a lunch break. Twenty minutes later, I finally enter my building and take the elevator up fifteen floors and I stick my key into the door that reads 121. Once I'm inside, I throw the bag of groceries onto my kitchen counter and head to my bedroom to change into more comfortable clothes. All of a sudden, my vanity mirror begins to vibrate and some of my perfume bottles fall to the carpet. I'm not that afraid that it's an earthquake, for one it's New York and second I was lucky enough to grab the last apartment that is right next to the train that loves to pass at inconvenient times of the night.

I begin to prepare one of the easiest meals I can think of and one of my favorites too: Spaghetti. I finish chopping onions, tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro and pour it into my meat mixture. I check the noodles and they are beginning to soften but as I look up, I see something disturbing. A man about my age, 19 years old, is outside of my window on the narrow ledge and what seems to be climbing onto the roof. I divert my attention back to the meat that is starting to brown in the black, steel pan. Somehow I can't forget about the man, so I turn off the stove top, wash my hands and go put a jacket on because it's November. I lock my door and walk to the staircase that is only to be used in case of an emergency.

I open the door to the roof and all of the crisp, cold air rushes to me. I search the place for any sign of the man I had just seen minutes ago, scaling my window ledge. I search the far right, and see him standing at the edge of the building. I slowly walk over to him, trying not to make a sound, scared of him jumping because of my sudden presence. I guess I was not quiet enough because he abruptly turned around just as I approached him. His eyes shot right through mine. We didn't say a word, our facial expressions said it all. While bringing my jacket closer to my body because of the temperature had dropped tremendously, I managed to let out a whisper, "What are you doing out here?" He stared into my eyes, puzzled but then answered, "Isn't it obvious." However, it sounded more like a statement than a question. I thought hard about why he would be out here at 10:30 p.m. at night when it is this cold. After a few minutes, I look up slowly, having figured it out. Why would someone do such a thing? Especially when you are this young, and my observations told me that he was handsome. He was about 6 foot, had brown eyes, and black hair with a grey patch that sat on the right side of his head, and he seemed pretty athletic. I finally replied, "Why?" He rolled his eyes, probably annoyed at my interest in his life, though I don't even know him.

I came closer to him, hoping he wouldn't jump. I came close enough to actually sit down on the ledge next to him. "Can you at least sit down?" I was a bit nauseas thinking of how long the fall would be if he went through with it or if I decided to end it as well, I mean knowing my dad wrote me off when I moved, doesn't make me the happiest person in the world. He sat down with no response. For another 5 minutes, I estimated, we just sat there and stared of into the distance. I recognize the white cathderal that used to remind me of Disneyland. The sky was a combination of pink and purple that caused me to fade into dream state of mind. We were strangers but I somehow wanted to know everything about him and his life. He turned his head to face me, and asked "So why'd you come out here?" I gaped him, thinking that my reason was clear. "Well when you see someone just outside of yor window and you know for a fact you live fifteen floors up from the ground, you become curious." I replied. He smiled, and responded, "I like your sarcasm, a lot of people are too serious here." The corners of my mouth turn up into a slight smile, and still wanting to know what led him to be on the edge of this building, I ask "Are you going to tell me why you are up here?" Quickly answering, he says softly, "It's a long story, you wouldn't understand." I shrug and reply, "Maybe I don't but I can try to."

Some time goes by and I know that morning is fast approaching because the sun is rising gradually. He finally told me what got him here to this point, I was surprised he'd tell a complete stranger his problems. He's been living with his mom who lives two stories below me, because he couldn't afford to live in an apartment near NYU where he studies music. About 6 months ago his mom remarried, his father died when he was younger. The man who is now his step-dad is one of those typical men who think harming women will make them seem more of a man. He told me he's done horrible things to his mother, he's gotten into the middle of one of the squabbles but he ended up being admitted into the emergency room with a concussion. Now, the step-father is moving his mom to Washington, and he's not allowed to come along. He's afraid that'll be the last time he'll see his mother. He's got no one now, so he told me, "What's the point?" I understand but my problems are not at all as terrible as his. He's done talking and we sit there again in complete silence. I decide that I'll call my father was I made it back inside my apartment, because I miss him immensely. He stands up, and I become worried that he wants to deal with his issues the easy way. Instead he offers me his hand, and I take it. He's indeed strong, his hand grips mine and I'm finally safe, away from the itimidating height of the building.

"You changed your mind?" I asked, relieved. He answers, "Yea, I don't know what I was thinking." We walk back to the door, and down the staircase and to my floor. Right before I open my door, he asks one more question, "What's your name?" My stomach begins to growl when I finally remember I haven't eaten at all, and that the meat and pasta must be soggy by now. I mutter, "Melanie." He shakes my hand as if we had just met. Before he leaves, I yell, "Wait! What's your name?" He smiles, "Travis."

The End...

Re: August Blog # 4

What I see on this blog is very simple and complicated but Fannie Lou Hamer has the intelligence to suceed in her junior year as well as in her future. I am very proud to see that she can do anything in life and that there is no words "I can't do it". Any college will be glad to have chosen her to be a part of their Alumni. Fannie Lou Hamer will have a great Junior year in High School because she's outgoing, and smart. All of her peers will look up to her now as well and most important in her Senior year. Fannie Lou Hamer needs to start believing in herself again so that she really knows that she has been doing it right and see her fruits of labor for the past 2 years of high school are not in vain. To take every curve that was thrown at her, any situation, any friends that she thought were her friends was for a reason. Mom is proud of her and her accomplishments.

-Mom

Re: August #3

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

Andrew Sullivan's blog is about the controversy that has been surrounding the South African championship runner, Caster Semenya, since she won the women's 800 meter. The purpose of his blog is to express that it doesn't matter if she is a man, the race is based on strength, intelligence, and social grace. The speaker of course, is Andrew Sullivan, and he does have ethos, the appeal of credibility, because he is one of the most famous bloggers in the United States and many take his opinion serious. The audience of this blog are college or educated individuals. What I like about Andrew Sullivan's blog is that he talks about subjects that are considered controversial and that he's not afraid to put his own opinions out there despite what others think.

Re: August Blog #2

Horative: Means encouraging

Orpharion: Is a large lute.

Kat: Are leaves for chewing.

Re: August Blog #1

In the Mitt Romney Campaign video, the Aristotelian appeal of pathos is used. First, at the beginning of the video his wife, Ann Romney, expresses in a speech that 'Every place that Mitt has gone, he has solved problems that people said were nearly impossible.' This is an example of pathos because it appeals to the desire in people for change that is possible. Another example is when the narrator states that 'He rescued the Olympics.' Finally, the last example of pathos in the Mitt Romney Campaign is when he repeats multiple times that we are spending too much money appealing to our desire to save money in this time.

The way the video shows a picture of Mitt Romney pointing to a chart about reforms, spending of the government's money, and other topics while the narrator is explaining that he turned around the Democratic party shows that Romney knows what he is doing. Anytime that Romney mentions 'the people' the camera zooms out and the people who are in attendance at the speech are in the frame. The music in the background of the video creates the tone that generates feelings inside of the viewer and listener that causes them to become inspired.


The main and most important symbol in this campaign video is the American flag in the background the whole time Romney is speaking. The purpose for the American flag is to show the spectators that he is strongly cares for the American people. It symbolizes his pariotisim which in turn causes people to believe in him.