Good Bye All!!!

I believe saying goodbye is unjust for this occasion. I think a better phrase would be CONGRATS to everyone for hanging in there. We made it, I look back at week one which seems like such an eternity ago and remember how many introductions I read. I look now and see only a small fraction of those people still around. I find it humorous as to how lazy some people are and at how easily they give up. I want to say thank you to everyone for their support and help through the semester. I believe we truly were a team and I couldn’t have gotten through the semester without each one of your help and advice. Regardless of our final grades we should all be proud of the effort an time we put forth because we stuck it out and did was so many couldnt do.Thank you all so much and with the upcoming holiday looming I wish all of you a very happy holiday! Thank You all…We Made IT!!!!

Research O' Lovely Research

I must say that this semester is taking forever to be done with. I am at that point where I am sooooo done and in such a need of a break it isnt even funny so the thought of this paper hurts my brain. With that being said I think my paper is coming alone well, I plan to really do a lot of it over the Thanksgiving holiday but it seems to be ok. I choose to read and compare The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby is a story I really enjoyed and while it was a tossup between reading it again or reading Lolita I ended up with the Great Gatsby now after my peer reviews come back that might change =) hahaha. I am a bit relieved I must share with you I thought our rough draft was due this Sunday when I just realized it isnt in fact due till the 29th which eases my mind a bit, I have been working furiously over nothing. Anyway it is coming along pretty well I still need to shape it a little more I have my thesis and general idea as to where I want to go and what I want to say but its pretty choppy right now. I plan to really tucker down and work hard on this paper I want it, no scratch that I need this paper to be good. I have really struggling with my lay out I want to take the great Gatsby and use it as my foundation and then compare the two. I want to pick out all the illusions in RLiT and apply them to the Great Gatsby imagination. I want to focus on all the ways the girls used their imagination to shape or change the world around them and how they saw things. I have so many ideas an I just don’t know what to do with them :) O well I am sure it will all turn out ok, it always does. My biggest fear is the formatting of the paper, I am horrible at MLA even with my pocket guide I still just seem to mess it up. GOOD LUCK ALL!!

Challenges

I began this class with much confidence I breezed through English 102 and I figured this class would be the same. Maybe not a breeze because it is 103 but I didn’t figure I would struggle nearly as much as I am. I find this course to me one of the most labor-intensive classes I have ever taken, and considering I only have three classes left before I’m finished with two AA and transfer that’s saying a lot. With this being said the amount of extra help that is offered is a God sent. The peer reviews have helped me so much, it’s just gives me that extra heads up to whether or not I get what the task is. It is really nice to have feedback from your peers, its way less intimidating then submitting it and instructor. I also really like the blog’s I find them to be a nice addition to the class. It’s a place where we get to be ourselves and our thoughts are not critiqued. Sense this is an online class it’s really hard to get to know anyone so reading the weekly blogs really give me a glimpse as to who my classmates really are. As far as the group work goes eh, I have mixed feelings about this. I for one have been a very bad group member the deadlines that are set forth and the communication it takes I am horrible with that. I took an online class so I didn’t have those types of deadlines and restrictions. I see the benefit of them but for me this semester has been hectic, and signing on to communicate with my groups and what not just didn’t work. Now if it were a text or if blackboard worked on my phone it would have been much easier. As far as the discussion boards go, I think they are cool, its pretty standard in an online class I think to have to post discussion threads, I think it would be cool if in addition to posting we had to respond to peoples post. I mean really read and respond to them not just respond to the new question that was posed. Now for the fun topic the essays! I think the first essay was a nice get your feet wet kind of essay. But it did in no way prepare me for essay two; I have never scored so low in my life on any essay. I think for me the directions to the prompt got lost in communication somewhere. It’s hard for me because I don’t “not get” things very often. And I just didn’t understand that assignment at all. Essay three I really enjoyed I don’t know how I did yet but I know I felt good about it I really like Animal Farm a lot and I think the choice in prompts was a very helpful idea. Essay four is a collaboration effort we have to kind of take everything and apply it, I think it seem very daunting and I was terrified upon first glance but I think it will be ok. The prompts seem to be fair and direct which I appreciate and I think it helps. All in all I think this class is really challenging me to step up and be a better writer. The additional help is much welcomed and appreciated as well.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned
I think, no change that I know for a fact we all take so much for granted. We complain at the waitress who messes up our order, we yell at the paper boy for throwing the paper on the lawn, we punish our children for speaking out, yet when do we every stop and realize that it is those things we complain about that set us apart from everyone else. We are so blessed and so lucky to be able to whine about those things, because some people will never have those chances. I came home the other night from work I had just worked fourteen hours I walked in the door and the first thing I hear is my brother in law complaining that the wind moved the dish on the roof and we don’t have cable tonight. Not oh how was your day, but his biggest concern was the television. He was ranting and complaining that the Direct TV guy messed everything up and did it wrong and yadda yadda ya. I just sat there in amazement, how lucky is he to be able to complain about that. I mean people aren’t bombing our home, we do not live in fear what-so-ever, we have a hot dinner every night and electricity. How lucky am I to be able to live in world where our biggest fear is not even a forethought in other places. I mean yes we worry occasionally about national security, terrorist attacks when we see a news blurb about it, but really if it isnt happen or didn’t just happen we hardly think about it. We take so much for granted, that it is crazy, I can at any time of day or night walk outside without fear. I can wear what I please without fear of danger, now ridicule maybe. My point is while I might not have learned per say anything new from this text everything was reiterated in a way that it stuck. It takes different things for different people, and for me this book really changed my perception on how we live, both individually and as a society. Not a day goes by sense I have read this book that I do not think at least once how lucky I am to be doing what I am. I think it is such a shame that we all do not take a better look at the lives that we live, and if nothing else just appreciate the fact that we are allowed to live this way. That yes we might have our moments, we might complain an be unhappy at times, but we have that right. We live in a very different world than most, and while I do not think people will stop complaining about these basic insignificant things I do hope that people will appreciate the fact that that’s all they have to complain about.

What Has Our World Come Too?

Dirty language has filled our film industry. Not only are adult movies jam packed full of fowl language but children’s movies are too. It is really ridiculous, not only is fowl language found in nearly every movie but now many sexual innuendos are also being found in movies as well. For example on Tuesday the movie Transformers Two came out. My god son is six and very much into transformers, knowing that I was going to have him this weekend I purchased the movie. I figured it would be nice, and he would enjoy it. When I got home with the movie my boy friend excitedly insisted we watch it, so I agreed. BOY AM I GLAD I DID!! That movie that is clearly geared toward children had more swear words then some adult movies I have seem. Not to mention the sexual jokes and comments made throughout the movie. I would not let my six year old god son watch that movie! It is really sad because movie makers advertise these movies towards children, and then they pack them full of this filth. I mean its indubitable that this movie is advertised for children, walk down the toy isle as your local store I guarantee you will see isles full of transformer everything. I think the standards in which we rate and advertise movies should be totally revamped I mean if a movie is not rated G it should not be made to look appealing to children and if it is a movie to be seen by children in a way that transformers is, watch the language that is being used. I mean transformers are seen as super heroes of sort and to have these figures act in these negative ways it reinforces to children that this behavior is ok. That those words are not only okay but cool to use. This isnt only found in movies it is found everywhere. TV shows are equally bad, maybe even worse at least movies have ratings that parents see before watching the movie. Most the time partents do not catch the rating of the show that their child is watching. While some of this could be neglect, other time is just bad timing. You are washing dishes or tending to something and bam the rating flashes on the screen for a while 3.2 seconds. An not only the shows the advertisements and movie previews that run during these shows is atrocious. Times have sure changes sense the days of Happy Days, and The Wonder Years. I remember when those shows used to be risky, now they don’t even get a second glance its truly sad. While I believe change in society is good and growth is crucial why must that growth be at the expense of our youths innocence.

What's Matters More...

Happiness comes and goes but your self-respect is something that last a life time. It’s usually the most trivial things that make us happy, I mean think of the last thing to make you happy. For me it was getting my niece to sleep so I could do this assignment, in the grand scheme of things that isnt really important. Will I still be happy tomorrow that I got her to sleep today? Probably not, because tomorrow I will have another assignment due, so while it makes me happy now it is just a temporary trivial kind of happy. What made you happy before that? Will that still make you happy tomorrow? What about the day after that, will it still make you just as happy? I would venture to guess the answer is no. My point is the things that make us happy are usually insignificant in the greater picture of one’s life. There are special occasions that are different don’t get me wrong there is an acceptation to every rule, but I would venture to say that the happiness one receives from their self-respect lasts a life time. Self-respect is in my opinion the most important thing a person can have without it we are nothing. Firstly I believe one cannot expect respect from others if they do not first respect themselves. Second I believe it is our self-respect that makes us credible to others. Think for a minute would you want to be friends with someone who had no self-respect? Hmmm what is self-respect you ask, well that is up for debate because I am sure we all have our own opinions as to what constitutes self-respect. For me to have self-respect means that you respect yourself, you do not conduct yourself in inappropriate ways, you make the right decision even if it’s not easy. Self-respect cannot be bought no amount of money can make someone respect themselves. This is different from happiness because happiness can be bought. Permeate happiness may not be able to be bought but temporary happiness does have a price. For example remember when we were little and our parents would bring us home a new toy, it made us happy, maybe it was the toy or the idea that our parents were thinking about us, either way it made us happy. Doing the right thing does not have a price; our self respect is ultimately the only thing we have. Think about what happened when we die, what is left, nothing but the memories the people who have come in contact with us have. So if you die what do you want people to remember, you were so happy, or you were a good person with self-respect. In case it isnt clear in my opinion ones self-respect is far more important than ones happiness, but I argue that if one has self-respect from that comes happiness.

What Our Words Dont Say, Our Bodys Do...

It is often those who remain silent that say the most, my father used to tell me that when I was a small child. I never really understood that, how can I say the most if I am silent? I figured it was just his way of telling me to be quiet, but as I have grown up I have learned that so much can be said when nothing has physically been said at all. How this work you ask, body language is a huge factor. When your talking with someone, best friend, teacher, boy/girl friend, family member ect and they have their arms crossed and are looking around a lot. What message does that send to you? Does that tell you that your entraining them and you should continue on? Or so it make you feel like your boring them and you should just stop talking? More than likely it would make you feel like a bother, like your thoughts, opinions and feelings didn’t matter, and you would stop talking. Well your family member didn’t say anything! They didn’t tell you to be quiet, they didn’t tell you that your story was about as entraining as watching oat meal thicken, but you heard them loud and clear. It is our nonverbal behavior that often times not only reinforces what were saying, but tells people that we are being active listeners and engaged in what they are saying. There are many factor that contribute to ones non verbal language such as culture, gender, and media. Different cultures show respect in a different way. Say your friend is of the Asian culture, you and him/her are having a conversation but they do not make eye contact with you and when you go to shake their hand or embrace they get nervous. Well their non verbal language gives off the impression that your boring them, or that you have upset them in some way when in fact it is just traditional Asian culture not to physically embraces with others and it is a sign of respect not to make eye contact. Each culture has their own set of rules and we should become more a wear of this so not to read their non verbal signs in a negative way. I personally like non verbal forms of communication. My friends think its funny how easy I am to read and while its nice at times, other times it’s a real pain. I am upset by what their saying they see it, which is cool but then sometimes its not because the things that are being said need to be said. Its ironic I read this topic on Monday and was kind of deciding which I was going to choose for the posting this week, and I noticed so many people’s non verbal language. I was at the mall with my god son and I saw this girl working at the sticker cart in the middle of the mall, and a guy walked up and started talking to her. He was leaning in towards her and kept touching her arm and hand, and she was leaning back in her chair, looking around kept moving her arm away. She was texting on her phone, not making eye contact and the guy was just still standing there trying to talk with her. Any outsider could clearly see from her non verbal quos that she was not feeling it. It really is amazing how much we say without actually saying a word. Another thing I really like about non verbal language is the excitement that can be conveyed. I mean when your talking to someone you can see what they think about what you just said, you can tell if their happy or excited, we can see so much if we just pay attention.

English on the Global Market.

Communication is the key to our very existence. Without the ability to communicate with one another we are ultimately useless to society. Can you imagine if Martin Luther King Jr, Newton, Edison, Franklin, all couldn’t communicate? Would we have the freedoms we do now? Would we know what gravity was? Would we have electricity? These are just a few examples of the power of communication. I mean if these men didn’t have the ability to communicate their ideas, theories and thoughts what would this world be? While my example might be a tad farfetched it is accurate. Communication has lead us to become the civilization we are today, without it we would be nothing. My point you ask? It’s simple if you live somewhere and do not speak the language then you are unable to efficiently communicate. Meaning even if you have the best idea, the greatest plan or the most cleaver invention your voice will not be heard. Non English speakers face a world of adversity especially in the global economy which is primarily and English dominated language. While it may seem strange that the GLOBAL economy could be dominated by one language when it is in fact global is a sign of the sheer power the United States has. Everything is translated into English our technology, our books everything we have. The global market and economy has realized what a power house the United States of America is. They also all understand that it is a show of respect when dealing with someone to speak their language. How disrespectful is it to walk up to someone and speak to them in a language they cannot understand. I think English as a whole is doing great for the global economy it is bringing people together it is allowing them to share in the familiarity of one language. I think many cultures are doing well with this adjustment, I notice more and more Asian cultural trying to learn our language. They want to fit in, they want their voices to be hear they want to show that they to have important things to say. Most importantly when those things are said they want them to be understood. The world is accepting that English is a language that must be learned, everyone wants to live here, we are the land of the free. We have equal rights for mostly everyone; we have the freedom to choose, we have the right to vote, we have freedom of speech, we are the country all other aspire to be. We have a very complex language one that doesn’t make sense to even the best of scholarly professionals but none the less it is our language. The global market has realized this, the effects the United States has had on the global market is undeniable. I mean what other language is spoken more than English?

A Million Meanings...

Love its one word with many meanings. Isnt it funny how one word can mean so many different things to so many different people. Love is not the only word like this; most words have many different meanings each unique. This is a very important concept to understand because as intellectuals’, as college students as literate people we are required to write. We write papers, notes, essays, stories and so much more, so we must be a wear of how our words will translate off the parchment. We need to realize that the words we speak, the words we write have meaning, what we mean may not be what others hear. The words we chose in so many ways represent and reflect upon us as individuals. For example earlier this week MTV held the video music awards. A young country star won her first award for best video. Before she could recite the words she so carefully chose for the evening’s events another performer rushed the stage. He was upset that his choice did not win; he thought the young star was miss-awarded. His choice of words reflects upon himself. It was not so much the words he was saying; because everyone is entitled to their own opinions it was the manner in which he chooses to express his words. Rushing the stage and intimidating a young woman is no way to conduct yourself, so regardless of the words he was saying his presentation made all his words bad. Later in the night that young lady was giving the chance to again give her speech this time without any interruptions. Her words were heard by millions, she choose to express them in a respectful manner. My point is our words and how we express our words directly reflect upon us, knowing this wouldn’t you want your words to reflect positively. We are all unique so the words we choose will vary, as will the means in which our words will be conveyed. Some people find it easier to write a letter, while others may prefer to sing, yet some might like to just verbally talk while others rely on instant messaging and texting. It doesn’t matter the medium you use as much as the words you convey. Think about wedding proposals, it doesn’t matter where you ask, it matters how you ask. If your just casually sitting there “oh hey you wanna get married” and you push a ring across the table at her, she might (hopefully) think twice. Where if you take the time and actually hold her hand and ask her “will you marry me” and then you present her with a ring she will have fonder memories of the night. The message is intended to be the same, yet due to its presentation the message can become lost. It is rather complex if you think about it, this communication thing we have going on. Not only must you think about the words your about to say in regards to other people, but you must pay close attention to how you express them.

Dear Mr. Lutz....

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I have just read your essay titled “Doublespeak”. It was a great essay I believe in the sense that it held my interest for the entire length of the article. I do however feel as though you might be a tad bit guilty of the own “doublespeak” you speak of. I felt that you were quick to judge those who use doublespeak and maybe your view was a tad bit sheltered. While I agree it is wrong to lie, or mislead someone with malicious intent. I do not believe it is so bad to lie, or avoid the truth in order to protect ones feelings. Like if for example someone asks you how they look fat today. You can tell they look a tad bit larger than they once did but instead you avoid the topic. I think this is okay. It protects their feelings and focuses on a good aspect of them selves. Another form of doublespeak that you seem to take issue with involves one boasting their own self image by padding their titles or accomplishments. I personally do not understand the harm in saying you are a “waste management specialist” rather than a simple “trash man”. What is the difference you know what you do, but waste management specialist sounds so much nicer. In many ways this is how the world works, for example I do hiring from time to time for my sisters company. When I am hiring I get dozens of resumes, if I have two individuals that I am interested in I will take more notice to the one who claims to be a “sales professional” rather than just a “salesman”. While the title is the same, and the description is the same it just sounds better the other way. It also has to do with money, one would assume a sales professional would make more than that of a average salesman. Lutz also talks about jargon another form of doublespeak which is primarily used by those of us in a professional field such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants. However each of us can be guilty of this, for example those slang we use with our friends by your definition fall under the jargon category. It is not a bad thing, it is just a matter of being a wear of such differences. The last time of doublespeak you speak of no pun intended is called gobbledygook, is that correct? Well I agree that this is wrong, if someone doesn’t know something they should simply be able to say so, without wasting everyone’s time by just saying a bunch of hideously used words. But this is life, doublespeak is a matter of life, it sucks yes but so does global warming, and obesity but hell we still have to live with both those things. My point is I see where you are coming from, and I agree overall doublespeak in the political world is wrong. It is used to mislead the American people, the people responsible for running our country; the people we entrust purposely mislead us. This is wrong and I wish you would have focused your essay more on this, and provided more exampled that pertained to the political realm.

Thanks,
R. Fernandes

To Judge Or Not To Judge

Truth time, how many of us can honestly say we have never pre-judged someone based on their physical appearance? My hand is up, how about you guys? If you say no, then let me be the first to commend you on being one of the very rare gems of our society. Judgments come so easily, we are all raised with certain prejudice or ideas if you will, about others that are often hard to break. It is these ideas that we have, these preconceived notions we conger up that cause us to judge others. I am not saying it is right by any means, what I am saying is it is understandable. I understand why people judge others; I understand how easy it is to let the opinions and experiences of other people influence us. I know what it feels like to be judged and frankly it sucks. To have someone determine your abilities based solely on your appearance is a horrible, annoying feeling. As I have matured over the past few years my judgmental tendencies have decreased greatly. It was not easy; I mean geez thinking for myself is hard work! =) It is however the right thing to do, I do not like when I am judged. I hate when people tell me I can’t do something or expect less from me just because of my appearance. Therefore I try and respect everyone as I would like to be respected. As corny as it sounds it is one of the best mottos, treat others as you wish for them to treat you. No one wants to be judged, its un-fair and often those judgments are very un accurate.
I remember when I first started college I had just turned seventeen, and was starting my senior year in high school. As many instructors do on the first day, my instructor had us each stand up and introduce our selves. After my turn, the instructor felt the need to inform the class that I was the youngest student she had this semester, and how exciting it is that I am still in high school. As you may have guessed this did not seem to impress any of my fellow classmates. A large part of our grade for that class involved group projects, yet I always seemed to be left out during that process. Once I finally found a group to take me in, it was more of a chore to get them to allow me to do something then the actual work itself. I finally had enough when one lady told me that she lead a busy life and the only time she would have to get together and work on our project would be after my bed time, so I should find a different group! I went to the instructor and convinced her to allow me to work alone, she was apprehensive but I was determined. When it came time to present our projects a few weeks later I felt confident in my work. I knew I did my best and that was all I could have done. After I was done I noticed everyone just stared at me, it was a good ten seconds before anyone clapped. I knew at that moment I had shown them that I was in their league, I could keep up and that I deserved to be there. It was a great feeling that night, but I will never forget the way those people made me feel. Their opinions were formed based on my age, none of them took the time to get to know me for the person I am, which is a real shame.

A World Without Words

Communication is key to life. Without communication there is no civilization, and without civilization there is no world. Sense communication is so vital to us as a human race, it is understandable that amount of pressure that is placed upon one’s ability to communicate, or transfer ones thoughts if you will. One common misconception that I must admit I have both been guilty and victim of is thinking that if one is quiet they have nothing good to say. When in fact it is many of the quite folks who have the best thoughts, they just may not have the oral ability or skills to deliver those thoughts in a way that is understood and accepted by others. I know many people including myself are often very self conscious about speaking in front of people, I get all worried and flustered as to how I am going to sound. No one wants to sound dumb, and regardless of what we say we all really do care what others think on some level even if it is trivial.
I remember one time I had a job interview for a teaching position at a prominent pre-school in the Antelope Valley. It was a religious based program and while I have attended church before it has been a very long time for me. I was very worried, nervous and just downright scared. I remember reading the bible and going over verses the night before, I am not sure what I was excepting a test maybe? =) Anyway when I got there I had worked the whole situation up so much in my head that I was sweating and just terrified. Did I mention this was my first interview ever? They called me into a small room, it was me and a panel of five other people. Each person took terns asking me questions about various things, my life style, my beliefs, my family, my education and so on and so forth. I remember sitting there and I couldn’t get the words to come out right for anything. I was fumbling my words, saying um a bunch of times. I knew all the answers, but I just didn’t have the composure to deliver the responses. I lacked the ability to efficiently communicate. Looking back now I don’t know why they offered me a position, I know I looked like a fool. I remember one of the ladies on the panel actually asked me after if English was my first language because my verbal performance was so horrible. It’s easily understandable my last name is Fernandes, so I did not take too much offence to the question. It was just a terrible feeling to not be able to communicate efficiently; it really made me feel bad about myself.
A bit of a side note, but this makes me wonder how the deaf feel, or those who come to our country and do not speak the native language. They have nothing wrong with them; they just can’t communicate with us due to the fact that we speak differently based on geographic locations. I know how I felt during my thirty minute interview, I couldn’t image how non English speakers, and the deaf feel when they cannot express their ideas to us.

Do you think critically enough?

What is critical thinking, is it a thing? I have been pondering for the past few days as to how to answer this question. Is it a mind frame? Is it a skill? How does one know they are thinking critically? I have been making myself crazy with this for days now, when I finally realized critical thinking is just that. It is thinking so intently upon something, examining it, analyzing it, and going over it from different angles. Now by it I of course mean whatever topic you’re thinking about at the time. For example to me critical thinking usually happens most when I am either fighting with someone or about to make a big change. A few weeks ago my sister and I had a fight, if you know me you know that I can’t stand having anyone upset with me. So she and I not being ok really bothered me, but I felt like I had been right. So I spent a lot of time thinking, about what happened, about how she felt, and about the issue at hand, I tried to view things from every angle possible. While this may not be the best explanation it is fitting I believe. To me if one is to think critically they must look at it from many different sides.
I use critical thinking a lot when I read, I go over the text many times before I continue on. I like to get the most out of my readings, so I like to take my time and see things for all they can be, not just what they seem to be. Sometimes if I find a book that I really like, I will read it many times. Each time I get a little more out of it, each time I try and view it in a different way. This can be said with my everyday life as well though. I think a lot, it’s actually a problem I have, I overanalyze and focus too much at times. I think to critically if you will. I find myself doing this most in my personal life, I often analyze things that have happened and try and see them from different peoples perspectives, this gives me a better understanding of the event. I also do this with the media, this kind of goes back to me reading biographies a little bit. It’s kind of like the media is basically a glimpse at people’s lives. We sit back and judge them, yet we take everything at face value. We rarely ask questions and hardly ever think of things from their point of view. I do not like this, I wish those people who viewed and created the media would do a bit more critical thinking, it sure wouldn’t hurt in my opinion.
For this class I hope to gain a better sense of understanding of what it is to think in a critical manner. I hope to be able to better understand and evaluate things from a different point of view. I hope I am able to view the world a lot differently after this class, I want to better understand. That is huge for me, understanding, means everything. The more you can understand a person, a life style, the more you can understand life. Understanding is key to accepting, which I think everyone could use a little more of.