Grammar

Today, Friday 5, 2013, my English class had two grammar shmammar groups present their topics. The first group up to bat was teaching the class about the differences between the proper use of “lay” and “lie.” I personally have always had difficulty with this topic; unfortunately their lesson did little to clarify my confusion. The closest I come to understanding is that when the direct object is preforming the action “lay” is used and when the subject is affected, “lie” is used. However, I still have trouble differentiating between the direct objects being affected versus the subject. This renders the definition we were given in class useless, until I am able to understand the differences this lesson will be wasted on me. 

The following lesson was more helpful to me; the quick and concise video clip my classmates presented made distinguishing when to use “who” and “whom” easy to understand and to put to use in the future. In simplest terms: who= he and whom= his.

At the end of class, my classmates and I began plotting out world domination. Megan offered up the best idea of releasing a plague that we had the antidotes for to kill off half of the population; therefore, there would be fewer people to control. I found the plan to be well thought out and more humane than the idea of nuking everyone. Our plotting was interrupted when Professor Sweeney pointed out that some famous guy ( I cannot remember his name or find him on Google) stated that there are only two types of people in the world, decent and indecent. Then he asked if we were plotting to take over the world, didn’t that make us indecent? The truth is that this would, in fact, make us indecent people to gain control of the planet through mass murder. Even if our intentions were to recreate a perfect society, it would be corrupt from the beginning because it came about through the deaths of many innocent people.

Free writing in our solar system

In Mr. Sweeney’s English 101 class, we are beginning to do more in-class writing assignments; on Wednesday 3, 2013, he assigned the class a ten minute free-writing practice. After the ten minutes of writing about whatever was on our minds, Mr. Sweeney offered the chance to share our writings with the class. The assignment was enjoyable not only because I got to put my thoughts on paper, but I also got to hear what was on my classmates’ minds. On Monday 1, 2013, I was assigned an informational speech; all day Tuesday I researched outer space, so my mind was focused on our planets.

                Our solar system is now composed of eight planets; when I was growing up, there were nine planets. Pluto, the last planet in orbit around the sun, was declared to not be a real planet by NASA in 2006. The astronomers based there dentition off of the discovery of several small planet-like forms beyond Pluto. After carefully analyzing the situation, the astronomers realized Pluto and the objects behind it had more in common with each other than Pluto did with the eight other planets. As a result of this discovery, NASA formed a new classification known as Dwarf Planets; these smaller planets, Pluto now included, have little gravity and are solid rock forms. Although Pluto is no longer a part of our solar system, NASA still observes it and the other Dwarf Planets.

Spring Break, Out with the Old and IN with the New

On November 26, 2012 I lost the love of my life. Towards the end of my sophomore year, my parents bought me a brand new Hyundai Tiburon. Tina (my car) was the most beautiful little sports car on the road. After four short years of driving with my beautiful Tina, disaster struck.

I had just merged onto Hull Street and stopped at the red light, headed home from Richard Bland. When the light turned green, I noticed the car to my left swerving into my lane. As I looked over to see how close she was, my head slammed into the airbag. A car running a red light had cut the car in front of me off and I was unable to stop in time. The damage to my car was catastrophic, and my Tina was declared totaled 2 days later.

In the beginning of March 2013, after spending four long months borrowing different vehicles from family and friends I decided it was time to move on. After researching on the internet for cars that fit my needs, I narrowed my search down to two - the Jetta TDI and the Elantra. After seeing them in person and test driving the two possible candidates, my heart was set on the Jetta TDI. On Wednesday 20, 2013 I bought my first car. Both vehicles were a first in different ways and have emblazoned themselves forever on my heart.

Not Good Weather for All

With the weather event that took place on Wednesday 6, 2013, I feel Richard Bland College should take into consideration their commuter students and what the weather is like from where they are coming. Although it was only raining on the Richard Bland campus, other areas were being pounded with snow and sleet.  In Chesterfield County there was an inch of snow on the ground by 7:00 am and showed no signs of slowing down. The news was reporting accidents along Hull Street, 288 North/ South, and 95 North/ South.

My carpool companion and I had a stressful morning weighing the odds of how to get to Richard Bland safely and if we should even try. Knowing that campus was not closed and the work we would miss could not be made up put enormous pressure on us. We decided to try, but when our vehicle started to slide we were forced to turn around. I know for a fact that we were not the only conflicted students on Wednesday; I received several emails from students expressing their concern for the situation. By the time Richard Bland closed, at 10:00 am, I had missed two classes and risked my safety. 

The Meeting

On Friday night March 1, 2013 my mother and I attended our first Richard Bland play, “The Meeting”. The play was a small glimpse of two very important African Americans meeting to discuss their views and beliefs. Both Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were powerful men who left their mark on history by helping to shape America.  The two men saw the same problem; America was divided by race and African Americans were being discriminated upon. However, they sought completely different ways of resolving the problem. Whereas Malcolm X saw and felt the rage of his fellow African Americans and wanted to redirect the rage; Martin Luther King felt the same rage and pain and thought to transform it into peace and love. While both men were educated, they were though in different ways; one from the streets and the other through books. Much greatness could have been achieved if Malcolm X and Martin Luther King had joined forces and worked together to dispose of discrimination; unfortunately for history the two inspirational men would never link arms do to their opposing point of view. The play illustrates their true opposing strengths best through an arm-wrestling seen where there was no winner because both men had their message heard in the end.

Grammar Schmammar

 

This week was the week of my group’s grammar schmammar lesson. My group spent the weekend and the week working on our presentation. Instead of copying the previous groups by making a power point, we decided to be more creative. We made a power point presentation, “the old fashioned way,” out of poster boards to explain the difference between active voice and passive voice. After the lesson we divided the class into two teams and played a game of active and passive voice jeopardy to ensure the class fully grasped the concept. After each correct answer the participating classmate received a piece of candy and the winning team was rewarded with more candy.

I really enjoyed working with my grammar schmammar group; not only did I learn the difference between active voice and passive voice, but I also had fun being creative with my new friends. My drawing skills were put to the test and I feel as though I passed with flying colors. In the past, I have had trouble working in large groups because I prefer my ideas, however I found I was impressed by some of the ideas that my group members put forward.   

 

Designer Babies

I found the article “Designer Babies” to be not only interesting, but also intensely thought provoking. I find the concept of genetically engineering babies remarkable; the fact that humans have this capability is astounding. I am sure that this advancement has its place among the medical world; however I don’t feel regularly designing babies is morally right. Not only would it create a new standard on levels of intelligence, skills, and ability, but genetically engineering children with specific traits would both eliminate true talent and sever the bond between parents and their kids. Babies would no longer be gifts. In some cases if the parent, that paid for certain traits, felt their child was not preforming at the level they should be potential law suits could arise; along with a strained relationship between the parent and the child, due to disappointment and dissatisfaction. Adults learn humility through raising their children because they love and accept both their good and bad traits; that humility would be lost if parents could create what they considered to be the perfect child. Another issue that would possibly occur as a result of genetically engineering babies regularly is price; should it be made fiscally available to the public or should it be kept so expensive that it remains uncommon.   

Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine was a roman priest who defied Claudius and performed marriages for young lovers in secret. Once Valentine was caught he was sentenced to death, but while in jail he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Before his execution he wrote her a love letter and signed it “From your Valentine”  

 This past Thursday was February 14, Valentine’s Day. All week long I listened to people talk about how Valentine’s Day is not a really holiday and how it was invented by the card and candy companies to make more money. How people should not have one day to tell others that they love them and give them gifts, it should be a daily thing. And finally, how it’s a waste of money.

                I cannot say I agree with these people. Valentine’s Day is simply a fun holiday that gives everyone a chance to celebrate love. Even though over the years Valentine’s Day has become centered on couples, it’s really about telling everyone who is a part of your life that you love and appreciate them; such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and close friends. The gifts given on Valentine’s Day don’t have to be extravagant or pricey. Homemade gifts and cards are a great way to show love and express creativity. I have a hard time understanding why some people hate Valentine’s Day so much, it’s fun!

my frist eglish paper

I worked on my English paper this week. I had the hardest time picking a topic and sticking with it. First I was going to write about how America’s prisons were less harsh then China’s prisons, but I had a hard time finding information. Then I decided to share my opinions on the new gun laws. Unfortunately my opinions on the topic differed from both my parents and my boyfriend and caused a big fight, so I dropped the topic. My third topic idea came from a classmate during a class discussion about crime and punishment topics.  I was going to write about how it’s wrong for celebrities to get special treatment when it comes to the law and lesser sentences from breaking the law. My main force was Lindsay Lohan, however finding a creditable website was so difficult I decided yet again to find a new topic. I called my sister in law for some advice, because she is in college too. Having been born and raised in Colorado she suggested looking into the legalization of marijuana in her home state. I was able to find several creditable websites and great facts on fourth topic choice. All that is left is to add more of my opinion into the paper.       

Monday: During the first English class of week three my professor handed out a list of eleven topics. From the list my classmates and I had to unanimity selected three of the topics, in which we would be using to write our research papers for this semester. It took the whole fifty minutes of class time for my peers to agree on “pop culture” over “sexuality.” In my opinion sexuality fits into the category of pop culture. 

Wednesday: I was given the chance to get to know some of my classmates better, burning our first quiz. We were randomly broken up into groups and asked to talk about the questions given. I got to hear the different opinions of the five students in my group and to overall opinion of the other three groups. The best part was receiving a 100%

Friday: Class was held in the liberty at the end of the week. One of the Liberians taught my class how to properly use the data bases. The information she provided answered all my questions regarding the research paper my professor assigned.  At the risk of sounding like a nerd, I am looking forward to the paper. The topic is, Crime and Punishment, and I have decided to compare the USA and Chinese prison system.   

First Week of Class

Last semester I took English 100 B with Professor Mitten; I fell I love with her teaching style. Professor Mitten had a way of making English easy and enjoyable to learn. When the time came to register for spring 2013 classes I had hoped to enroll in English 101 with Professor Mitten as the instructor. To my disappointment she was not teaching English 101 and I was forced to pick a new professor. I haphazardly selected Professor Sweeny class, and even though the semester has just begun, I am quite taken with his original teaching methods. This class is shaping up to be just as enjoyable as my past semester.

On the first day we started by playing two ice breaker games. The first was a name game where someone would say their name then the next person had to say their name and everyone’s name that was said before them. The first person to say their name has it the easiest and the last person has it the hardest, I was last! :/ I have never been the best at remembering names. The next game was answering silly questions about yourself.

We were assigned to read “The Question of Originality” for homework that night. In the following class Professor Sweeney told everyone to write two questions based off the reading; once everyone had their questions he put them in a pencil cup and had everyone form a circle with their desks. Then the pencil cup was passed around for the students to take a set of questions, not their own, to read aloud and discuss.  I think that Professor Sweeney’s idea to form a circle during the class discussion was smart and productive; I felt more involved when facing everyone and it was I nice break from the usual.