Thursday, November 29, 2007
class reading revison
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
exploratory question sources
From your culture, from your family values. I see miracles in the world, and that's I find faith in god, and religion.
Chandan Bansal
Belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially: a system of religious beliefs
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6
What source gives religious individuals the faith to completely believe in their God and trust in their religion?
What source gives me the faith to completely believe in my God and trust in my religion?
For instance, your idea about asking "what source" leads people to faith in
God gives you room to interview people, quote movies and books, etc. in a
way that just discussing your own faith doesn't. Does that make sense? So
you might talk about why other people believe in God and then locate
yourself in that--do you agree with any of them? What do you think about
their answers? Raise the question for yourself and then let others speak to
you in the essay. But don't be afraid to talk about yourself, your
experiences, etc. That's what this essay is about.
Also, you'll probably need to define pretty clearly what you mean by
"believe" and "trust." What does it mean to believe and trust in someone or
something? What does it look like?
Lee Strobel
Are the Gospels trustworthy, and have they been reliably preserved?
Does archaeological and independent literary evidence corroborate the
Gospels?
Did Jesus believe he was the Son of God? If so, was he insane?
Does Jesus match the description of the Jewish Messiah? If so, does he do so
uniquely?
Is it possible that Jesus survived his crucifixion?
Was Jesus' tomb found empty, and was Jesus actually seen alive afterward? And
then proceeds to answer them.
He has also written The Case for a Creator in which this is a direct quote
found online:
... My approach would be to cross-examine authorities in various scientific
disciplines about the most current findings in their fields. In selecting
these experts, I sought doctorate-level professors who have unquestioned
expertise, are able to communicate in accessible language, and who refuse to
limit themselves only to the politically correct world of naturalism or
materialism. After all, it wouldn't make sense to rule out any hypothesis at
the onset. I wanted the freedom to pursue all possibilities.
I would stand in the shoes of the skeptic, reading all sides of each topic,
and posing the toughest objections that have been raised (p. 28).
Amazing what the internet is capable of.
As for mere Christianity:
Lewis, C.S. *Mere Christianity*. New York: Harper Collins, 1980.
Sounds like he's talking not preaching: "In my talks I had therefore used
all the contractions and colloquialisms I ordinarily sue in conversation. In
the printed version I reproduced this, using *don't* and *we've *for *do not
* and *we have*. "p. vii
Remains humble never acts like he knows everything: "I hope you will not
misunderstand what I am going to say. I am not preaching, and Heaven knows
I do not pretend to be better than anyone else. I am only trying to call
attention to a fact; the fact that this year, or this month, or more likely,
this very day, we have failed to practice ourselves the kind of behavior
we expect from other people." p. 7
builds up logically, akin the Foot in the door phenomenon which is a term
that means that if you get people to accept small things they’re more likely to
accept bigger things. I.e. stealing candy from a grocery store to stealing a
Rolex. but also works with thoughts. "We have not yet got as far as the God
of any actual religion, still les the God of that particular religion called
Christianity. WE have only got as far as a somebody or something behind the
Moral Law." p. 29
explains intentions also known as ethos if you want to use the correct term:
"When I chose to get to my real subject in this roundabout way, I was not
trying to play any kind of trick on you. I had a different reason. My reason
was that Christianity simply does not make sense until you have faced the
sort of facts I have been describing." p. 31
, keeps it real! So reader doesn’t think he’s hearing a bunch of B.S. "Of
course, I quite agree that the Christian religion is, in the long run, a
thing of unspeakable comfort. But it does not begin in comfort; it begins in
the dismay I have been describing, and it is no use at all trying to go on
to that comfort without first going through that dismay." p. 32
bc its Christianity it offers comfort/hope which people want to accept, also
known as pathos: appealing to the emotions of the reader "Each of them, if
he seriously turns to God, can have that wtwist in the central man
straightened out again: each is , in the long run, doomed if he will not. The
bigness or smallness of the thing, seen from the outside, is not what really
matters." p. 93
unconditional love! Also a plus "Perhaps it makes it easier if we remember
that that is how He loves us. Not for any nice, at6tractive qualities we
think we have, but just because we are the things called selves. “p. 120
presents both sides of each issue: "Now, Theology is like the map. Merely
learning and thinking about the Christian doctrines, if you stop there, is
less real and less exciting than the sort of thing my friend got in the
desert. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. "p. 154
shows doubts/concerns of the readers: "If we cannot take the elementary
lessons, is it likely we are going to take the most advanced one/ if
Christianity only means one more bit of good advice, then Christianity is of
no importance. "..."But as soon as you look at any real Christian writings,
you find that they are talking about something quite different." p. 156
uses simple metaphors to explain deep ideas: "This world is a great
sculptor’s schop. we are the statues and there is a rumor going round the
shop that some of us are some day going to come to life." p. 159
"In God's dimension, so to speak, you find a Being who is three persons
while remaining one Being, just as a cube is six squares while remaining one
cube." p. 162
constant clarification: "What I mean is this." p. 163
devil's advocate like truths: "If Christianity was something we were making
up, of course we could make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete, in
simplify, with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are
dealing with Fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to
bother about." p. 165
addresses peoples confusions/ critiques: "I should like to deal with a
difficulty that some people find about the whole idea of prayer." p. 166
keeps big picture of loving God more important than the tiny details of all
the little stuff you shouldn’t /should do "You can be a perfectly good
Christian without accepting it, or indeed without thinking of the matter at
all." p. 171
pathos: appealing to the emotions of the reader "In Christianity God is not
a static thing---not even a person--but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life,
almost a kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind
of dance." p. 175 "each time you fall He will pick you up again. and he
knows perfectly well that your own efforts are never going to bring you
anywhere near perfection." p. 203
answers doubts; "If Christianity is true why are not all Christians
obviously nicer than all non-Christians?" p. 207
Kellogg, John. *The Goal and the Prize*. Burlington: John Kellogg, 1998.
Mentions flaws in his book, Keeps it real! "Books and tapes and teachings
are often helpful in opening the word to us but only Jesus can reveal to us
the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. "p. 22
Relates everything back to the reader "And because of their grumbling and
complaining they never knew the wondrous peace and joy of aily serving him
while they were still in the wilderness." p. 32
gives us hope: "When you truly believe that God is in control of everything
and you choose to thank him in the midst of every circumstance, you will
find that you are living in a totally different realm than most people. You
will be experiencing the peace of God that passes all understanding. " p.
38
keeps it simple by summarizing at the end of chapters so you don’t get lost in
what he’s trying to say "This brief review is enough to discover that Jesus'
purpose (and therefore our purpose) is to have a kingdom prepared to deliver
to the Father." p. 41
He too is still learning, therefore is humble, reader can better relate "As
a began to look into these topics I discovered that many of my thoughts and
ideas in these areas were simply "hand-me-downs" from commentaries and
books that I had read and teachings I had heard. " p. 43
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
reflection prewriting
Getting rid of the extra words
Injustice
· “which would be spent on one child alone”
· “which would be spent on a single child”
Shorting of paragraphs
Shaping experiences to exploratory question and injustice
More prewriting
More writing for what I want to let loose
More human aspect deeper in general
Whenever it came to writing I tried to do as little as possible so I skipped all the prewriting steps and just threw myself into writing the paper or essay straight to paper as a rough draft and maybe if I cared enough for the paper I would go back and try and edit the paper.
As I’ve gone through twelve weeks of college English my writing style has hardly changed. Though I have realized prewriting does help with getting ones ideas down on paper and make it easier to collect the ideas necessary to from the paper. Now though I still hardly do anything that can be categorized as prewriting I now tend to write out a few choppy sentences about specific points I want to make or ideas that I have that I then further develop into paragraphs and assemble together to make my paper. As I continue to write I think I will start to use the approach of getting the ideas down and then expanding on them to better develop particular ideas and points.
Monday, November 26, 2007
the bro and sis
Within the short time I've already spent with my brother and sister the past few days I have had a blast. The shenanigans started the moment we were all together again. From passing water bottles to one another under the diner to making our usual comments to one another which often include a heavy load of sarcasm I've experienced nothing but fun so far. When I was still I high school and my older brother was the only one in college my sister and I were still constantly messing with each other and just having the regular old fun we always have. Being away from both my brother and sister I've missed the interaction we shared though I have developed great friendship at college my siblings are still so important to me.
As I think about the future I know that my siblings will be a part of it and we will certainly remain in contact but I wonder if we will all be able to get together on a semi regular basis to be us with one another as only we can when we are with each other. It’s something I would hope for but realize can’t be expected to happen to such an extent as I might hope for now.
Well as sure as I am of fun we would have together I also now I will have friends in my life that will be just as important and I will have my fun with them.
home
Now being home for four full days I’m already having a great time I just wish I had no work to do so I could just relax with my family and enjoy the time I am having with them. Most the work I have to do I don’t really have a problem with its just something I have to sit down and do but that’s not the easiest when you want to hang out with the family and friends and get some shopping done. I am looking for some diesel winter boots, a task that proves rather difficult when you live at the beach, to have for when the real winter comes to Virginia Tech. For the first couple days I was busy shopping and going to the orthodontist and the dentist and Monday I went in to the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) to see my teacher again and talk to his senior students about Virginia Tech and college in general. Now with four days left here before I come back I realize how much stuff I still need to complete and it doesn’t make me excited especially since I’ve been sleeping in the last few days like I haven’t since weekends during high school. Plans to study for Calculus and linear algebra may become limited to complete some other assignments namely my English portfolio which simply deters because evaluating my own writing by using my own writing seems so strange for me not to mention difficult in some odd sense at least for me.
I am eager to get the semester over and enjoy my full 31 days of winter break, but I’m also nervous as my first ever round of college exams come up. Even though I only have three exams I know the engineering and calculus exams will be no joke and my exam in my humanities course will be completely different to what I'm used to. As I try to complete everything before I go back I find myself feeling as I am feeling the same as if I was on campus and it was a regular class week.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
quotes
“I don’t have a problem with making money I just have a problem with working”
-Bob Collins
Yeah don’t we all.
“He may be mad, but there's method in his madness. There nearly always is method in madness. It's what drives men mad, being methodical.”
- GK Chesterton
This is amusing to think about if applied to any situation where someone can be accused of being mad or insane.
Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.
-Jean-Paul Sartre
A statement that some would avidly agree with, while others would certainly disagree with it. For me I would in most circumstances agree but there are those times when 3:00 whether am or pm is the opportune moment to do something.
expl ? response
I definitely believe I could have done much more with this paper had I had enough time and a much better resource to implement my research. I would really have liked to have gotten multiple views from people of various back rounds and cultures. Had I had a more general consensus from a broader audiences than a single person I believe my paper could have been far more in depth.
In the case of Lee Strobel he was in search of the proof to lead him into the belief of Jesus as the Christian savior and the Holy Bible as truth. Through his interviews he came to that conclusion. Faith is certainly not something that has been lost, though it can be, but it is something that needs to be founded in an individual for them to be able to truthfully say I have faith and this is why.
The different methods of finding faith and sustaining faith have no hierarchy but all matter on the individual. The method that is best is the one that gives a particular person all the proof and reason they need to be convinced that what they believe is true and solidifies their faith.
In response to your comment about “Can I say I have faith in my dog and that be as legitimate as someone else who has faith in the Bible?” I am assuming dog was not a mistake since if someone had faith in the Bible it should follow that they have faith in God. Comparing faith someone has in the bible to the faith they could have in their dog is something separate. A dog is known to be there it can be seen, felt, smelled, and heard. Through human senses a person can affirm that the dog exists and is there. Someone can still have faith in their dog though just as they can have faith that a chair will hold them up when they sit down on it, but it is on a different level than faith of a religion. Religious faith asks us to believe something that can’t be proven or disproven something that cannot be felt through the five senses. So in this view having faith in a dog is not comparative to having faith in the Bible.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Haikus
Dust rises through the stale air
Ambitions to win
A chilled can rests
Bubbles fizzle within there
All for the first sip
As fall disappears
The colors of old depart
So pure can restore
crush view
“As I see it a crush is an idealized view of love with someone you don't know and washes away as you get to know someone and your feelings turn away from that fantasy and to a reality where everything isn't perfect but you like then enough to give them the chance to still work them self into your fantasy in enough of a way that a truly unique relationship develops which in time turns into real love.”
Something I wrote as I discussed some of my views on how a relationship is and what it becomes with my girlfriend.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
before break
As this semester starts to come to a close I find myself being overwhelmed by a multitude of small assignment and chores. The largest event coming up is the second engineering test which will cover all the material we’ve covered so far this semester and I know it will certainly be a tough test. Along with this test hanging over me I have several assignments I need to complete for my other courses. Though it doesn’t al seem like that much to do when I look at it for some reason it seems to be taking its effect on me in a usual way. I was trying to complete my online linear algebra course before the vacation so that way when I came back I won’t have to worry about it but this weekend I realized that was probably not going to happen since the last couple sections are extremely more difficult the rest of the class material ever was. Also with the vacation coming up I need to plan a way to get home, I am trying to get a ride with some old high school friends even though my father has already offered to bring me back home. Since my brother is getting a ride home from his college there should be no reason for me not to except my father’s car ride, but for some reason I feel like I should be putting in the effort to get a ride with someone else. It is relieving though to have completed the engineering project and know that my group got at least a 95 on the presentation which was a major portion of the assignment. Also the relaxed course work in English has been appreciated because for some reason I still feel as if I still have so much work to complete. I am really looking forward to the thanksgiving vacation and even though I know I will have to do a lot of work and studying for the upcoming finals it will definitely be relieving to be with my family for a week. Then coming back will feel terrible with only a week and a half till exams I will be so relieved once December 13th is over. A break from school will never have felt so good.
responses matching
Most of the answers from my own responses match up with the responses that my partner wrote. The only places where the answers differ slightly are in the area of “what is the purpose of this paper”. Since I start off talking about how the minimum wage is insufficient and then go into a discussion of a plan that could be implemented to try and help those that work for the minimum wage it seems that the point of my paper may be divided and makes it more difficult to follow the main point am trying to make with the piece.
I think to fix this problem I need to make the bulk of may paper more concerned with the possible solution then spending so much time discussing the injustice, so to get my point of the paper across to the audience in a clearer manner. To do this I will need to cut out some of the paper and change the introduction because I think is the most deceiving since it starts off the paper.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
quotes
"Growing up is a lot more fun than being grown up"
How true. As kids we can’t wait to grow up and reach those certain mile-stones 16, 18, 21. As we get to the point where we need to start making our own decisions we remember the simplicity of childhood.
“Politics: “Poli” a Latin word meaning “many”; and "tics" meaning “bloodsucking creatures”.”
-Robin Williams
Heard this once during English class in high school thought it a humorous way to examine the word.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Lego construction
Due to my participation in the Galileo theme housing program I am required to committee to six hours of community service as an assignment. I decided to register and complete my service hours for the First Lego League competition. This competition is set up to encourage young students to become engineers by letting them experience some basic computer and robotic programming. The object of the competition I s to complete a series of tasks with a programmed mind-storm Lego robot using simple software that comes with the robot set. I volunteered to work for the competition set up and to help build some of the Lego obstacles that had to be maneuvered around to or moved around. I was primarily interested with working with this project because when I was younger I loved playing with Legos, for nearly five years I requested a Lego set for either my birthday or Christmas when I was still a small kid. To be able to get my hands on some Legos again was so stress reliving. I spent nearly four hours working with about eight other students to construct a single Lego set. Each set include about 10 individual Lego sets that had to be constructed that together made up the obstacle course and assignment that the robot has to complete for the competition.
From the time I got to the room where the assembly was taking place till nearly several hours after I left I couldn’t help but keep a smile on my face. Even though I was doing something as simple as following directions from a colored block diagram I was so excited to have some Legos in my hand again. It was the best possible way to relieve some stress while enjoying myself in being a kid again. For the four hours that I spent that Sunday afternoon I got so much more out of it for myself than I would have sitting in my room getting my work finished for various classes. In the end I nearly got to put together one of each different set and at least worked on one of all the sets that I really wanted to make. Even with all the people that were there and the time we all spent there we still didn’t complete all the assembling so I might have another opportunity to work with some Legos again and even though I already worked all the parts I wanted it just feels good to act like a kid again while in college.
Monday, October 29, 2007
morw quotes
“Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.”
- Bill Vaughan
Saw this on a webpage and thought it was slightly unsettling in a true way.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
- Walt Disney
Isn’t it true even to think of trying to do the difficult or challenging is so much more exciting than think of the mundane we do every day.
"Poets are always taking the weather so personally"
-J.D. Salinger
A quote I saw on a friend’s facebook thought it was funny.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Response to Genre Feedback
Responses to various comments given on genre writing assignment
Comment 1: It is a good question to raise this issue when thinking about the audience. For professional scientist their reports will be read by other professionals in their field who will likely already know enough about the question trying to be answered or the experiment being conducted to not need a deep discussion of what is being done. Few people just pick up a lab report to see what conclusion was recorded by scientist concerning the affect of magnetism on electric current in computer circuitry. Throughout school lab reports are read and graded by people that are familiar with lab reports and therefore are also familiar with the assignment. For the expected audience of a lab report a lengthy review of the purpose.
Comment 2: Wasn’t sure if you could completely evaluate if my report for accuracy since you are an English teacher, but though you could still conclude if the writing was clear enough to go with the information being presented. Enjoyed writing something that I believe will actually benefit me in the future opposed to the rest of the writing we have done in class.
Comment 3: Used an experiment conducted in the Chemistry 1036 lab course. Received data from my roommate and discussed what they were to do. Looked through the lab manual and examples to determine how to set up report
Comment 4: The area of “discussion of experimental Uncertainty” is set in place for the experimenter to into a discussion of where he or she might have had error in the experiment and how it could have affected the results; whether there was random uncertainty or systematic uncertainty and if it would have produced results that might be to large or too small. If the experimenter is performing an experiment to reconfirmed a know result this section would include the percent error calculated from the experiment compared to the accepted value and where the experimenter might have gone wrong to get this difference.
Monday, October 22, 2007
self recognition school trends
Reading the piece by Christina Hoff Sommers I realized to an extent how true the data she used as a source seemed. Through high school in my advanced math and science courses the girls often seemed to generally perform better than most of the guys. While the guys general were less attentive in class the girls came prepared and ready to engage with the instructor. In my senior year I took AP courses and looking back this realization becomes even clearer. There were more female students in both my AP calculus and chemistry class than male and in both cases then included mostly junior level students opposed to seniors. Some of these girls were two years ahead with their math courses. Though there were some guys in the same league as these girls they were a small portion of the ratio. Also thinking back to all the school organizations and clubs they were all nearly headed by girls if not completely. It’s interesting to think that now in the government men hold most positions but if the trend with girls’ increased action in academics and extracurricular activities continues it is easy to speculate that females may soon hold a major portion or even a majority of government positions. Though in the upper level courses the two genders are equally competitive with grades if it were up to numbers the girls would nearly always win. It’s interesting to think of why this trend is occurring. What has driven so many female students to start to perform at such high levels and way are so few male students matching the girls’ achievements. As the future comes it will be exciting to see if male students catch back up with the female students or if the girls move on even further ahead of their male peers.
Where do boys fit in
Christina Hoff Sommers uses plenty of statistical data in her paper to approach the issue that boys are recently falling behind girls in the areas of academics. She looks at various studies performed that show that girls are outperforming most guys in most school courses and that girls are becoming increasingly more active and engaged in school. The writer is using information to bring attention to an issue that some people easily disregard because of common beliefs. Christina Hoff Sommers even mentions that some teachers that witness this continuing trend don’t take the proof that girls are surpassing boys in a serious manner, but as the trend persists more people are coming to the realization that girls are indeed rising above boys. The writer quotes the president of the Board of Education of Atlanta as saying that girls are doing better than boys in nearly all areas of school. Through her writing the author clearly develops this idea that the concern for girls being “shortchanged” needs to come to a stop as it is now the boys that are falling behind of the girls. The writer’s objection to this idea that women are still in need of “indemnifying consideration” represents her courage to speak out against an issue that many still consider to be true.
As much as facts and figures can help to answer a question, it becomes nearly impossible to apply some to such an area as religious beliefs. There is no data on how to gain faith or where to find and strengthen it. Personal experiences are the defining aspect in religious education or growth. Though I cannot use statistical data as Christina Hoff Sommers did, but I can use quotes from individuals to describe what they have seen and experienced in the same way that Christina Hoff Sommers used quotes to show how certain individuals agreed with her concern. Though after each section of data that Christina Hoff Sommers represents she goes into the condition these facts represent and that is a well structured method of representing her view on each part of the issue that would be good to follow.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Haiku set 1
As I continue to try to put in more of the recommended in my writing journal I’m going to try my hand at some of the simplest poetry styles I can think of, the Haiku.
Along the street sides
Leaves dance within the gusts
As winter comes near
Brand new music plays
A surge of bass and beats
Gives reasons to rock
Sleeping in warm sheets
With no ambition to rise
But classes do call
Friday, October 19, 2007
Song Verse
“We are all here for a reason on a particular path
You don't need a curriculum to know that you are part of the math
Cats think I'm delirious, but I'm so damn serious
That's why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I'm trying to make it better for these little boys and girls
I'm not just another individual, my spirit is a part of this
That's why I get spiritual, but I get my hymns from Him
So it's not me, it's He that's lyrical
I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven-sent instrument
My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental
That's why I'm instrumental
Vibrations is what I'm into
Yeah, I need my loot by rent day
But that is not what gives me the heart of Kunte Kinte
I'm tryina give us "us free" like Cinque
I can't stop, that's why I'm hot
Determination, dedication, motivation
I'm talking to you, my many inspirations
When I say I can't, let you or self down
If I were of the highest cliff, on the highest riff
And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life in my grip
I would never, ever let you down
And when these words are found
Let it been known that God's penmanship has been signed with a language called love
That's why my breath is felt by the deaf
And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I, too, dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth
A touch of God reigns out”
Verse from a CD by Kanye West.
This verse seems to incorporate so much that is no expected to be in song from a rap artist. The idea of the artist praising God about his gift to be able to perform sends out such a strong message that more can come out or rap than violence and sex. From the first time I heard this song through I was caught off guard by the potency of its lyrics. Though I wasn’t paying full attention to the song I could discern the voice and the tone of the song. I briefly stopped what I was doing at the time to listen more closely to the lyrics and knew I would have to listen to it again later in a clearer mind set. When I listened to the verse through in its entirety it instant became something I felt proud to like. Even through reading the verse I appreciate what is being said and can almost hear it as it is recited in song in my head. Whenever I listen to the song containing this verse I make sure I listen closely because even though I’ve heard it so many times now it still instills sense of virtue in me.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Quotes 1
“By replacing the missing we’re missing the replacement”
A quote I myself develop believing it to be rather clever in its meaning.
“A good chef makes good food but good company makes a great meal”
A comment I heard once at lunch with a friend of my mom. I couldn’t agree more with his statement.
Ravi Zacharias
Last Thursday after my bible study meeting my Bible study group had decided to attend the speech that was being given by Ravi Zacharias. From what various people had told me about him, he was a rather well-known and acclaimed Christian philosopher. When I had first seen the flyer for his appearance at Virginia Tech I wanted to attend because I had heard of how great a speaker he was, but didn’t expect to go because I just won’t have the time or the ambition to make it over there at the time. I was first invited to go by my girlfriend to whom I of course said I would go. Knowing that I would be there with someone gave me the motivation to make sure I attended the event. The night that my Bible study met they informed me that they planned on attending the event with Ravi Zacharias that night. At the time I didn’t realize it but had I not been pre-invited by my girlfriend I would still have attended the event with my Bible study group. During Ravi Zacharias’s speech I was compelled to listen. What I had heard about him was true but certainly understated his effects and presence. I sat and listen with great attention as he talked about the evil in life and the ways we can come to accept them in our lives and move forward.
A particular moment that stuck out to me was his expansion on Matthew 22:15-22 the story where the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asks whose image is on the coin and the Pharisees reply “Caesar” to which Jesus replies “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's”. Ravi Zacharias went on to say there was another question to be asked after this “What belongs to God?” to which Jesus who have said “Whose image lies on you.” This hit me in particularly deep way realizing that humans were created in the image of god that his image lies on us and within us, it is right to offer ourselves to God and do as he teaches. After I left the event this thought was remained in my mind and was for me a powerful message of Christian responsibility.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Its Time To Grow Up - Later
In the piece “It’s Time to grow Up-Later” the writer is writing about how the trend of young adults to achieve what is considered to be adulthood is now taking longer than it did for this generation’s parents. Using data from 1960 and 2000 the writer clearly demonstrates the decline that has occurred in the amount of thirty year odds reaching a level of independent maturity by the age of thirty. The writer seeks to prove that a new part of life is emerging between teenage youth and adulthood termed “youthhood.” This time is becoming an increasing period in the lives of the current generation. The major factor observed in the extra length necessary for people to reach adulthood involves their learning stage. In the article the writer says, “In 1970, a bachelor’s degree could launch a career and support a family” but then goes on to say this isn’t sufficient enough for today’s world. Graduate school has become almost mandatory for most technical fields and many others which add considerable more time till an individual can enter into the work force. Once they leave school they must compete in an aggressive job market while trying to negotiate the tight financial situation graduate school on top of a previous four years of college has put them in. This situation motivates many students to return to their parent’s home to scrap up some money before they try to move out and become their independent selves.
Another factor that reduces the trend in the new generations in reaching adulthood is that many couples are waiting longer to get married and have children. The writer suggests that this current generation has witnessed its parents make mistakes in getting married to young and they don’t wish to follow in those footsteps. This generation wants to take their time and perform their goals right.
It seems reasonable now days for an individual to want to take their time before they become an adult. Since youth, adulthood never seems as attractive a life as the one a child or teenager lives in and most people are not too excited to get into it when they learn what it entails. College is certainly a great part of one’s life and by going through graduate school it is a chance for some to continue with that experience while receiving a higher level of education so that they will seem more competitive when they go job seeking. Also now that many students are pushed to obtain internships and co-ops during college it takes some student over four years to obtain their bachelor’s degree but the benefits of the work experience far out way the extended period of a year. The period of time that this current generation is using to shift in to adulthood may prove as a benefit if people are use as time to consider what they want to do with the adult period of their life. One member of the older generation in the piece is quotes as saying “We were in a hurry to graduate, get out, get a job, get married. I didn’t know there was anything else you could do.” This behavior of rushing into something you may not know is not the best approach especially if in the end you realize you don’t like it and decide you want to change. It may be better if the younger generations approach adulthood with a plan and execute it through time in a way that it provides them with a suitable adult life.
visual rhetoric
Designed the title to include the information of who was involved in the experiment and when it was completed. Used bold writing to indicate where the various sections were that together composed the structure of the lab report. Used common style and size font to answer questions and to for general writing purpose in the report. Use of tables neatly organizes and displays the data. I aligned the data tables to be in the same marginal sets so to have a clean transition down the page. In the sample calculation section I gave the quantity that was being determined and gave its full mathematical expression. Then I substituted in the values and showed how the answer was calculated. Wrote out all the equations so that a reader could easily follow along with my thought process for the calculations and easily be able to reference to an example to see how a value was determined. For the discussion I put in indentions to separate where answers were being given to the lab report problems.
To make my writing clearer instead of using only indentions to specify where questions are being answered for a part in the result and conclusions sections I plan to bullet the each answer as part A. B. or C. for question 1.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
spring semester
As I sit in front of my laptop staring down the six tabs I have open trying to construct the perfect schedule for next semester while cross examining the professors and TA’s with their ratings on koofers.com I hope that some amazing opportunity will jump out at me. The one think I know is that I will get Chang as my Physics professor. Since the step program I have repeatedly heard his name mention as the physics teacher to have if you wish to understand the subject. As an intended engineering major I know I need a thorough understanding of physics so I will get the professor that will give me that teaching. Setting up two different starting schedules using the various times of Chang’s physics lectures as the class the adjust my courses around I try to fill in my schedule packing in my mornings so to have my afternoons off. Listening to some other recommendations for some teachers that are really easy or know for the expertise in the material I soon find myself in a predicament with a flood of potential schedule conflicts. I realize I will have to give in some areas and accept the fact that I could never negotiate the schedule I desire. The idea also looms that the schedule I set up may not even become a reality so all the time I spend trying to set up something I would actually like could be completely trashed by the time I get a schedule after I put in my request. Even though this thought remains evident while I search for courses I can’t help but be excited by setting a schedule that I believe would work well for me. Along with trying to form a schedule I like, I want to try and schedule some courses with some friends but that again brings in some more scheduling challenges.
Once I got all my classes set for my engineering pathway I realized I needed to add in an elective course which threw everything I had worked for into a mess again. I would never have expected such a simple task to take so many twists and turns, especially for something that isn’t even definite. Well all I can hope for now is that my time paid off and I am lucky enough to get the classes I want or I can get them through the drop/add period that comes in November.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Colin and his tea
Everyone’s lives consist of stories and some of the best occur during college. Through experiences with friends we gather some of the most usual and unexpected stories but often they are funny to think back to and tell.
From my view some of the most interesting stories are just what happens around the dorms and hanging around my friends.
Ice-Tea + Colin
“I only just drank a half gallon in the last hour and a half. I’m serious,” said Colin Lorenz as Bob jokes him for his excessive intake of ice-tea.
“O man you’re gonna get some of the worst kidney stones of your life with all that tea your drinking,” Bob continues by telling a story where his high school CAD teacher, who drank ice-tea at a consumption rate almost equal to that of Colin’s, called his doctor during class to say a kidney stone had just passed. Colin simple shrugs it off saying, “I like my ice-tea.” As I sat in the room thinking of all the remarks and conversations this topic has gone through I can’t help but assume they will all be repeated in the next couple of days as Colin blows through another week’s worth of ice-tea that might last a small family a couple of weeks
“You know there always something someone really likes that someone could get on you for. Like you Bob and your cinnamon bread,” I said.
“OMG cinnamon bread is amazing,” Bob exclaims.
“See, Colin could think it’s ridiculous you went through your whole loft in three days.”
“Yeah but it’s not a constant for me I had it once since I’ve been here at Tech Colin’s has tea every day.”
“Hey, when I have tea is my business,” Colin interjects as he pulls out a plastic container full of what appears to be ice-tea.
“Where did you get that?” Bob asks.
“I made it I just found the mixture in my closet yesterday,” Colin replies.
“See what I mean he even makes his own stuff,” Bob said.
“Come on there is no reason to start acting like this is some drug it’s just tea,” I reply.
“The way he goes through it you’d think he has an addiction. Colin what would you do if I took your tea from you?” Bob asks.
“Hunt you down and take it back with all the force necessary,” Colin says with a hint of sarcasm.
“See that Sebastian he’s clearly addicted,” Bob continues into a small rant acting concerned about Colin’s safety and future welfare.
“Gheez, Colin wasn’t that thing full when you pulled it out you know Bob might be on to something alright.” I commented as I saw that Colin had nearly depleted his self made container of ice-tea.
“Dude! It’s just been like fifteen minutes how does your body handle that?” Bob is impressed and shocked by Colin’s behavior.
“What,” Colin starts, “I mean I started at 2 quarts and know I only at a third of a quart”
“Colin that’s nearly a half gallon you just consumed in less than twenty minutes you need to relax,” Bob said.
“You know what we can’t stop him Bob he’s going to continue on this path till something goes horrible wrong or he realizes he has problem and agrees to admit he has an addiction and asks for help.” As I entertain the idea of Colin going to a ice-tea anonymous meeting Colin simply shrugs his shoulders and continues to finish off his ice-tea.
“You know there are much worse things I could be addicted to, ice-tea doesn’t take away from who I am and certainly does screw me over,” Colin said.
“I think that is yet to be seen,” Bob replies.
“That’s a true point Colin and Bob serves as a witness. World of Warcraft can become highly addictive he used to play a lot,” I alleged.
“O yeah. Those were bad times and there were people worse than me. Thank goodness I got out of that before I really started to get serious,” Bob seems almost relived to say it.
“Well seeing how it’s getting dark ya’ll want to go get dinner?” I asked.
“Yeah I think it will give chance for Colin to be deprived of his ice tea for a while,” Bob said.
“Hey do you think we can stop by 7-11after dinner so I can grab a can of the Arizona,” Colin asks as Bob and I start up again with our fake concerns.
“Alright if you insist,” we both give in to his desire.
As I sat here writing this just a few moments ago Colin walked in holding a full gallon container of Turkey Hill Ice tea. Already a quarter of it had gone missing and he took several chugs straight from the container while still in the room needless to say Bob and I were quick to exclaim our astonishment and sarcastic concern. Colin is truly a character that has to be met with a source of ice-tea in hand to appreciate.
nature
Nature the truest and most simple beauty earth has to offer mankind. Often nature is only marveled at in the most scenic of landscapes, where snowcapped mountains peaks meets purple skies and perfect evergreens line the landscape. These types of scenery are extremely impressive but sometimes the simple fields and common forests can hold me as captivated as what can only appear on a postcard. Often during my high school cross-country days my team would practice at a local park running through the trails. Though it was hardly anything to be impressed by, it certainly lifted my sprits to being running through the park trails than around a concrete track surround by metal bleachers. The race course though even more plain than the park trials was beautiful to me because a forest of trees lined the edge of the path and as I ran towards it seeing the forest rise from seemingly nothing to becoming a fully develop forest seemed impressive in its own light. Living by the ocean I think has done much to spur my interest in nature. Being at the ocean and witnessing nature shift the sands and move the ocean waves is a calming sight especially when no one else is there.
Another sight that appears amazing to me is to view a small piece of the modern world placed among nature and seeing its integration work flawlessly. Such a simple street sign such as a deer crossing sign creates such a remarkable contrast to an uncommon road lined with trees on both sides. This breaking up of the natural colors of the foliage and tree bark by the high gloss yellow of the warning sign is done in such a balance it would seem awkward if there wasn’t anything there.
Nature is a remarkable part of earth and its beauty can be seen nearly every where we look even the Virginia Tech campus is a beautiful home with an amazing set of stone builds that seem to match perfectly with the campus environment and I simply can’t wait to see it covered with a sheet of fresh white snow. Nature is always there and when viewed without expectations can always lead to wonderment and excitement.
Friday, October 5, 2007
injustice letter reponse
Rereading my injustice letter it does seem that I spit out the facts and figures of the minimum wage to the audience. This is certainly not a good method to use especially if I am trying to introduce change to the injustice. A more respective and polite manner ought to be used to bring up the information in a way that serves as a reminder of the laws to the audience.
In my audience analysis paper I introduced the idea of using some emotion appeal to try to soften up the rigid minds of the government officials to whom I am writing. Using some emotion appeal couldn’t hurt and it would provide a good break from all the facts presented throughout my letter. More time in the letter should be spent speaking to the audience about the issue opposed to telling them about the issue.
I’m not sure whether our letter was supposed to be in actual business letter format including the heading address and all those parts of the letter. I thought I was to focus on what would be the body of the letter and not worry about the other parts of the letter. If I was to contain all the other factors that make up business format I would understand how to format the letter correctly but if not I am sure what conventions I am to follow.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Red Sky in the Morning
Everyone has stories that they could tell in their lives, ranging from the boring schedule we completed at work or school to the exciting adventure we went on during vacation. It doesn’t take much to tell the story to someone else but to truly relate to an audience all the events and timings of a story are beyond words and it is this point that Patricia Hampl is getting at in Red Sky in the Morning. The woman who gets on the bus and sits next to the author tells her “Oh, I could tell you stories.” This statement is the authors point. The woman could easily tell the author stories and facts about her relationship with her husband but to tell the story in a way that it matches the original happening is impossible. Often when someone tries to tell the story of a humorous situation to someone who missed a party or event it can be seen how difficult it is get the message across as best as possible. For those that witnessed the event the happening would have been hilarious because of the events that lead up to the climax and the environment in which they were. When you try to explain what was so funny to someone who wasn’t there all the minuscule details that were so essential to the overall situation they can’t be described specifically enough to expose an outsider to the humor of the missed incident. As Patricia Hampl later realizes in the story that this is what the woman meant when said “Oh, I could tell you stories.” Patricia Hampl sees this phrase as meaning “It betrays not loneliness for someone who will listen but hopelessness about language itself and a sad recognition of its limitations.” The woman did not believe what she could be communicated in a way she saw would be acceptable with. The story the woman wants to tell would be more of a memoir focusing on a specific time and event and trying to describe it in its entirety to get the listener to feel what she felt when she personally experienced it. A memoir focuses on using the first person but unlike an autobiography which looks at an individual’s whole life a memoir can have a much more focused and specific time period. Even with such literature genres it is still past the extent of any language to fully bring someone into a past event and have them recognize it as it happened through literature.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
midterm self assesment
I think I have completed what has been fundamentally asked for in my writer’s notebook. I have completed all the assigned reading responses and done the two weekly reflections. My personal reflections have often been about how I view particular aspects of college life. As I mature and move through college I think am really learning a lot about myself and it seems to help reinforce my ideals when I write them down and explain then to the reader.
Looking at the syllabus I grade I would have to give myself if strictly following the requirements for grades I would have to give myself a C. I haven’t done any of the things listed under “Recommended for a grade of B or A” except for responding to feedback but that was an assignment. A grade of a C is even debatable since all I have in there are my reading responses and my reflections. I don’t have prewriting and other class responses in my notebook, granted I do have an online notebook and that makes it more difficult to integrate my prewriting exercises not that I do many anyway.
I realize there is a lot more that I can do and put into by writer’s notebook. I have planned to visit the writing center on several occasions but have never really gotten around to it. I know the writing center would be a great place to get help on improving my papers and my writing, but my technical classes are a bigger priority to me so I often try to get that work out of the way before English or my elective course. I should try to incorporate more of these recommended ideas into my journal and I plan on trying to do some of that as the semester continues and make it to the writing center at least once while I am at Virginia Tech this semester.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Sandwich love
Since I can remember I have always been a huge fan of sandwiches. Whether I go out to get one or make my own at home nothing seems quick as appealing to me when I am hungry as a sandwich. I’m open to all sorts of sandwiches from as plain as ham on white bread to parmesan chicken with marinara sauce on fresh baked bread. I especially like to make my own sandwiches. All I need to entertain myself for a good hour while I prepare and make my sandwich is some deli meat, cheese, condiments, and bread or bagels. Though I usually get just ham and turkey sometimes I like to change it up a bit and get some roast beef or other meats. I prefer my sandwiches hot so I often used the oven at home to meet my needs in that case.
Whenever I wanted to make myself a sandwich I went to the refrigerator got out everything I was going to need which often involved a lot more than most would expect. I would preheat the oven and start to cut the cheese I was going to use and get out the amount of meat I desired. Placing the meat on the bread I let it sit in the oven for a while as the meat started to turn a little more crispy and the bread started to brown a touch. Then I would place the cheese over the bread and add some seasoning and wait till the cheese just started to warm and melt and goo over the sandwich. Once it was out of the oven and on my plate I added the last touches the condiments. Mayonnaise and mustard were a must and often I added some horse radish for that additional level of taste. Once I sat down and ate I remembered how much pleasure I receive from making such a simple meal for myself. I always believed to truly satisfy one’s hunger it is best to create your own meal no matter how easy or plain.
I just recently went out to Kroger and bought some ham and potato bread plus mustard and mayo and made myself a simple ham sandwich and it was incredible. Since I’ve been here in college I don’t think I have felt as satisfied with food till after I ate that sandwich in fact I think I’m going to make myself another one right now.
Wow that was delicious I could eat like another two or three but I can’t go through all my supplies right now I got a least another week I have to make it through before I can go out and resupply my reserves.
Monday, September 24, 2007
HEROES!
When the new TV series “HEROES” started last year it instantly became a world sensation and I was one who was drawn in from the beginning of the season. The TV series produced by NBC centered on the idea of “ordinary people with extraordinary powers.” Before the season was being broadcast I had witnessed the various trailers for the series and was already preparing for the season premier. I started the countdown the week before it started and constantly remained my sister because I planned to have her join me as my counterpart in my late night viewings of the show. The show started at 9:00pm on Monday nights, but starting at about 7:00pm I was already too excited to do much else so I generally sat in my living room just relaxing or jump on the computer for an hour or two. At about 8:40pm I would call my sister down and we would turn on the TV and turn to channel 10 and watch the end of “Deal or no Deal” and discuss how intense the show seemed while we waited for the show to end and for “HEROES” to start. Once the show began I was immediately addicted, the show was filled with excitement and suspense at the end of the season premier I knew I had to watch this show. Throughout high school I would look forward to Monday nights because my show came on and it was a time fun time for my sister and me to be together. As I got more into the show I also followed along with the weekly comics on for the show through the NBC website. These comics provided a bit of further insight into upcoming or past situations that occurred in the show though they weren’t necessary to understand the show, but during the off season the comics are still updated weekly so I could keep up with and maintain my suspense for the next season.
Now with the second season set to start this afternoon I am ecstatic for the end of the day to come. As everyone else is getting psyched up for the release of Halo 3 I can’t wait for the beginning of what I know will be another amazing season. One of my bible study leaders is also really into HEROES as well and I can’t wait to talk to him about the first episode.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
family through college
For many kids as they leave for college they experience there first time begin away from their family for such an extended period. For some this idea is a blessing for others it’s something they really struggle with. For some parent the separation is almost more unbearable than it is for the students. Often during the beginning of college students get calls every night from their parents interrogating them about their classes that day and all the trivial things they did that day. As time goes on these calls usually becomes less frequent as the student doesn’t have that much new to say each day and both the student and the parent get over the calls.
It’s important for the college students to learn to be independence from their parents, but they also still need to be ready to talk to their parents because they are still a large part in their lives. Family and friends have the ability to remind us of who we are and make our day more enjoyable.
Whenever my mom calls me I am excited to talk to her about what is going on with me and what is going on back home. I love talking to my brother and sister too. Since my brother is in his third year of college I often ask him questions concerning college life and receive plenty of information in return. It is also fun to talk to my sister since she is the only child left at home now. Talking to my siblings always brings be back to a happier state of mind. We have plenty of inside jokes and it good to hear them again whenever we talk to each other. Through facebook we leave each other quirky messages that remind each other why we are so lucky and fortunate to have each other.
As life continues people will make new friends and acquaintances, but it’s important to keep your family close especially your siblings because they will always be there for you and they understand you best.
cell phone addiction
“Cell phones are becoming the cigarettes of our day”
The moment an individual is present with his first cell phone they are consumed by the product they now hold. Give any new cell phone a few weeks and then suggest to go somewhere with them and they don’t take their phone they will give you a look like you’re crazy. During any time spent away from a phone the most drastic things could occur, heaven forbid they should miss a text message or a call. Even when people aren’t expecting any calls they still have their cell phone out ready to pick up a call or receive that infamous text message. Once the cell phone is out they find something to do with it messing with the camera taking random pictures or going through the phone settings and doing nothing of importance but it’s better than doing nothing.
In public those addicted to their cell phone continuously stay connected to the rest of their world while they may be doing something with someone else at the time. It’s sad to see people stop mid sentence look at their phone type in a reply to a text and then return their attention to the actual person they are with at the time. The carelessness with which people approach the use of cell phones in public is disturbing. People can’t seem to help their behavior, when the phone rings they feel compelled to pick it up. Without excusing themselves from a conversation or removing themselves from a public setting they instant start into a conversation without a care to how those around them may feel.
As far as a cell phone addiction is comparable to cigarettes there isn’t too much in common in the way the addiction is practiced. Sure both can be obnoxious when done in the wrong setting, but the similarities stop there. Cell phone calls aren’t done as a group and don’t have a bad effect on an individual physical body. Though cell phone are becoming as destructive to a friendly environment as unwanted smoke it’s only a matter of time before restaurants start to ban cell phone use while in there facility.
The cell phone is great tool but people are becoming increasingly resentful towards the use of these devices in settings where it causes a disturbance.
STS 1504
When I first chose STS 1504 Intro to Hum, Science, and Tech to be my elective course for my freshman fall semester I figured I the class would provide me with a new and varied view on engineering. Within the first class period I realized this course would be nothing like what I had expected. The professor began speaking about the humanities, the topic on which this course would cover. As he continued to speak I became more worried that the class would not be to my liking and I would dread coming to the course. The topic of humanities was new for me and didn’t seem to spark much interest in my mind. The fact that I was in a lecture hall with another 150 students wasn’t a great source on excitement either.
After the recitation where I met with a smaller portion of the class with one of the TAs I realized this class might actually benefit me. The class was set to present us with views of how science and technology affect our society and how our society reflects upon our science and technology. When this was explained in the lecture it all flew over my head but during the recitation the TA brought it down into a more simple and compressible meaning. My TA is a great gut and seems extremely enthusiastic about the course and almost any other subject at all. He seems too often to have too many thoughts going through his head at once because he speaks in fragmented sentences and moves around in a jerky motion that makes him seem out of breath.
One thing I have like liked about the class is that it has made me read Frankenstein. It was really interesting to read the actual novel and see how its story compares to all the movies and myths that have been created over time. Now as class continues it has become of a little more interest to me, but still receives a lot of groans and complaints whenever I have to go or complete an assignment.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
confessions facebook-aim
I think everyone specifically those in colleges can relate to this piece. I remember when I first set up my account for facebook I told myself it would just be something simple and I wouldn’t get addicted to the system. Within the first couple days I was already at the state I planned to avoid. Even when you have no wall posts or new notifications you find yourself going through your friends profiles and checking your various facebook groups for new information. Even though you have nothing to be doing on faceboook and you know you ought to be doing other things for your college courses you can’t help but believe there is something you missed that has happened on facebook. Generally whenever I am on my computer especially in my room I always have my web browser open and have checked my webmail and directly after have gone to check my facebook. I have never had a problem with aim. My friends convinced me to get it one day and so I did but so after I realized how much of a direct distraction it could be and therefore removed it from my computer.
I agree that some people spend way too much time on such websites or on aim but I also think it’s a powerful means of communication. Facebook and aim provide a great way for family and friends to remain in contact with one another. Some people might think this form of communication is less personal then email or a phone conversation, but I think it can be even more direct. Facebook allows people to get a glimpse into our friends’ lives; pictures and movies make this easy because we get to see where they were and the kind of stuff they have done. This form of communication can be a lot more effective in showing what you have done and who you are. People do need to interact physically with those around them but such applications as facebook and aim allow us to sustain a friendship with those that aren’t around us. These same tools also give us a need distraction from our work sometimes.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
week 5 monday
The issue between the two papers is the idea of whether the state should set up a policy to monitor the set up of personal roadside memorials. For those who have lost a loved one the memorial serves to recognize the one they lost and can provide a warning to drivers of what fate may have in store for them. The monument stands as a symbol to a family or individual that functions to respect the life that was lost and so that they are not forgotten. For most people who haven’t been effected by the loss of an individual to a car crash or road accident a road side memorial is simple a remembrance put up by the family and isn’t seen as a distraction. Even some states see the issue in this light. The state transportation department of several states only takes action if the memorial is causing a traffic hazard but otherwise they just let people set them up. Those that complain that a memorial is causing a problem often have a legitimate claim. The biggest problem with personal memorials is that some people see them as infringing on their freedom of religion and think a cross conveys to much religious meaning in a public area. Some states have arranged to put up a memorial marker at the request of a family. These state markers have been chosen because they are unreligious and therefore shouldn’t pose a conflict with anyone, but these markers are impersonal and don’t pay as personal a reverence to the deceased.
Looking at the problem from the view of those whom wish to be able to set up their own memorial it is easy to see how it does them good. The family feels that they accomplish something of high value if they create and place their own memorial at the sight of the accident. Sometimes the body can be lost in the accident and the scene serves as the real burial place of the victim. Though regulations should be set to control the establishing of private memorials, the use of religious items shouldn’t be restricted. A small cross at the scene of an accident doesn’t force the idea of God on anyone. The memorial mostly serves for the family to help them through their grieving process and it seems improper to try and stop a group of people from getting through this process.
Friday, September 14, 2007
calculus
Calculus a standard course for most freshmen students that appear to be difficult for so many. For most students calculus was a course they took while still in high school. Even though they took the class in high school they all still have questions and complain when they must compute even the easiest of calculations. It has been a whole year since most of these students have gone over this information so when it is taught to them they don’t want to pay attention even though they are rusty on the course information. When it comes time to go over practice problems or homework they have a continuing list of how to perform the calculations. Since the teacher doesn’t have the time to go over all their questions she encourages them to go to her office hours but since they already had the course they believe that they can figure out the information on their own, but they never put up the effort to completely study the material. Once in class after learning that they don’t remember how to complete the problems they sit there and complain instead of paying attention to the new material. When the class finally gets to a point where they remember how to perform the steps and the procedures to do so they want to use all the short cuts to get to the answer, but when they are told they must do it using the definition and cannot use the shorten version yet they revert to their child behavior, they complain and become stubborn. The task they are asked to complete is nothing difficult but because it takes more time and writing they feel it is a waste of their time.
The fact that these students can’t control themselves in a college calculus course demonstrates the reason so many do so horrible in course that for them should have been a breeze. Its college and these students need to act like they are adults. Completing a math problem using the rules Virginia tech sets out is just something they have to deal with. They have covered this information before but they simply don’t put in the effort to deserve something better than they attempt they put in. You can’t afford to college and expect to be able to relax and not pay attention and still pass a class.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
college runs
Throughout high school I participated on the cross-country and track teams. I was never one of the best runners, but I enjoyed being on team. I joined the winter and spring track teams during my ninth grade year and joined the cross-country team when I became a sophomore. When I first started going to the practices I felt ready to put up the effort that would make me one of our schools elite runners. I told myself that I would run on my own between seasons and during school breaks, but of course I never did and so I started each new season in the same shape as when I first joined the team. Though I was hardly recognized for my accomplishments I made new friends and we made the best of the grueling practices.
Now starting college I have just recently started running with a friend of mine that is preparing to join a summer drum core. The first night was terrible I was disgusted by how out of shape I had become. It had barely been a lap around the drill field and I was already getting cramps. By the time we had gone half round the field again I had to stop the pain in my side was incredible. For Justine this was the first time he had been doing such an exercise so he was in much the same condition as me after our run. Afterwards when we had decided to call it a night I realized how good it felt good to be out running again to be doing something physical. The next time we went out to run, I felt even more excited and felt the desire to continue running. Now Justine and I have set up a schedule to try and run at least three times a week and to also go with another friend weight training maybe two times a week. When I was still in high school I had planned to try and be active while in college but when I first started classes I didn’t think I had the time to do any of it. Now that I have friends that are getting me to do these activities I feel more energetic and accomplished for completing one of my goals.
Friday, September 7, 2007
SE response
I can see that looking at a single paragraph covering a spam of over a page or more can seem daunting but I don’t see really how I could break one paragraph on the same topic into smaller parts without it seeming disjointed in some way. I thought my main point was clear when I wrote my paper but having that point brought up let me see that it wasn’t directed specifically enough. I thought the main point was to be described throughout the essay using the whole event but I guess I should have addressed it more directly instead of telling stories of how it affected me. My grammar concerns me because I know it’s not a strong point of mine. I should think that after twelve years of English I would have learned how to use proper grammar in writing but it was something I never practice so I never became good with it. I just think it’s bad that I am in college and I am turning in papers and essays that have incorrect punctuation or other grammar mistakes. I think I will try to revise my paper again before the end of the semester but I think I need to take some time again from it before I look at it again.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Math Empo
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
drinks in college
Everybody knows that a lot of underage drinking occurs in college. For many students it is something they look forward to. For some it may be their first chance to really go out drinking for some it is simply a continuation of their choices and habits. I like many students knew parties would take place often in college and that it would not be too difficult to find one if I felt like going. I am not the person to go out and deliberately look for parties and alcohol. I did expect to get drunk sometimes not because I wanted to but because I expected friends to invite me to such things as frat parties or other parties around in the town. Not wanting to seem unsocial I would of course have tagged along accepting it as a part of college. The idea that I would just go with such a group of friends seems disturbing if thought through. I would most likely not know these people very well and I would knowingly be breaking the law but also some of my own ethics. Now at Virginia Tech I fell proud to say I haven’t been to a party with alcohol yet or been drunk. My entire friends are straight edge students, they don’t believe in getting drunk or going out to parties. Not having to worry about having to go out with a group of people I barely know feels so relieving. It incredible to have a group of friends who are so confident about being themselves that they feel they don’t need to drink. Being around this group of people feels so empowering and is really allowing me to feel more like positive person. The environment I am in with my friends gives me a constructive and safe place have fun while imposing positive moral values on me. I couldn’t be happier with my choice of friends.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
week 3 monday
The woman begins talking about her new baby as all mothers do. She describes her as beautiful and portrays a moment that to most would seem only ordinary but for a mother is brilliant and exciting. When the father left the mother had to get a job and leave the baby with a neighbor an act she didn’t like and was only too happy to end as she returned home. The woman did her best to be able to spend time with her daughter; she got a night time job and then worked at the same nursery school she put her daughter in. As Emily grew up there came a rift between her and her mother because her mother had taken on more responsibility. A new baby left Emily with less attention and left her feeling sick. When Emily returned to the family feeling better her relationship with her mother grew more disconnected. As Emily had grown older she had become more involved in helping out the family and she grew more connected with her mother again.
The relationship between the mother and Emily changed a lot over the time listening to the woman who stands behind the ironing board. When she is done speaking to the reader the woman assumes they can lead themselves out the door as she continues observing her past just as she continues to iron. She only hopes her daughter will see all that lies in front of her opposed to the iron that only sees a single job to be done.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
VT Cru
The large general Cru meeting I attended on Thursday was a get together for the Cru community to come together and worship. A band played Christian rock music and the atmosphere was charged with faith. This first meeting served as an introduction to let people know what Cru was about. The group of students who put on the service were extremely nice and showed a positive attitude throughout the service. These groups of people spoke a bit about what Cru did before the campus director took the stage. The director read the story of the prodigal son and then gave a short homily. Though I didn’t agree with all the connections and ideas he said it still felt good to be in a place surrounded by so many that held a similar interest at heart.
The Bible study was much smaller group than the Cru meeting. Their where only seven students there including the two group leaders. Daniel and Seth asked the people there what they wanted to get out of these weekly meetings so they could better tailor the discussion and lessons to what we wanted to learn. The two guys in charge also told us some of the other stuff we would be doing as a group besides the meetings. All the people there were nice and appeared approachable. Daniel and Seth really showed an attitude that promoted Christ.
I plan to attend the Bible study groups on the weekly basis and will try to attend all the Cru meetings I can. I think I will benefit a lot more from the Bible studies than the general meetings. Being in a small group of guys that I will have a better relationship will let me put out my beliefs with feeling concerned. I have already started to get to know more people and experience new ideas. Through both of these services I know I will grow in a major way.
week 2 f
The story gives a compelling narration of a single meeting between the two individuals involved. From the time we see how Kiswana reacts to seeing her mother coming to her apartment we are thrust into seeing her perspective of her mother. Kiswana views her mother as an aggressive force in her life that continues to break in and bring up bad feelings and cause turmoil. Even after she has left her home and stated her own independent life Kiswana still can’t escape from her mother. In our lives there are many forces that people believe we have escaped once we leave a certain part of our past behind, but often these forces return and most often travel with us our entire lives. In the case of Kiswana her mother will still be around for some time and she will want to be involved in her daughter’s life. For Kiswana it is up to her to except that her mother will persist to be caught up in her life and has to come to terms and be able to live with that fact. In the end it is not about conquering and ending that which disturbs us but to realize we have the ability to live along side these issues and make then into a positive into our lives.