Blog #10

I feel this class helped me grow as a writer because it made me realize I am a better writer than I thought I was.  My grades in this class surprised me and I am proud of myself for that.  I learned how to shorten my sentences and take out unnecessary information to strengthen my writing.  I don’t think I will continue to post on this blog, but I may consider creating another blog sometime in the future.  In my opinion the pros of blogging are that you can see how you have grown as a writer over time.  If you have a personal blog it can be a way to release emotions in writing and always be able to go back and read it again.  I didn’t really find any cons in having a blog.

Blog #9

To be honest I really don’t understand this poem at all.  I read this a few times and I still don’t really know what is going on, but I think that Ashbery mixes a technical form with cartoon characters to lighten up a more serious situation and to add humor.  Popeye is supposed to be a funny cartoon, so I assume that’s why he chose characters from that cartoon.  My favorite line in the poem is, “Rays of the sun refresh your sense of growing old.”  This was the only line from the poem that I kind of understood.  I think it means that the sun can make anyone happy and a beautiful day is much appreciated by anyone of any age.

In my freshman seminar class, perspectivies on women, we created a tumblr page to promote being comfortable with yourself, if you get the chance you should check it out! thanks :)

loveyourbodystockton.tumblr.com

Blog #8

They will be there for me when I am wrong,

And I can trust them with my greatest fears.

Being with you all, I know I belong.

We have all shared years of laughter and tears,

And are there through all of the ups and downs.

I can always know they will have my back,

And they can make me smile if I frown.

They are there to put be back if I crack.

When we are together, we seem to glow,

And even though we are so far apart,

And the time may seem to pass very slow,

Just know I will have you close to my heart.

If we go down, we go down together,

When we say best friends we mean forever.

Blog #7

When I think of the Vietnam war I think of a war for control.  America went to Vietnam to try and help the people so they wouldn’t be hurt under their countries harsh rulers.  This reminds me of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan because that is mainly the reason we invaded those countries.  Americans always feel the need to step in and help take control, even if it may not be our place to do so.  It’s hard to decide if we should help these countries because in trying to protect thousands of lives of those people living in the foreign countries we are jeopardizing our American soldiers’ lives.

Cultural Heritage

As Americans we are able to break free of our cultural heritage.  We have the rights and freedoms to change almost every aspect of our lives, including traditions and beliefs that at one time we may have been raised to live by.  Although we do have the personal freedom to make decisions about how we want to live our lives, society does tend to try and keep us in line in some ways.  The strong belief that you should take pride and support where you came from is definitely an idea that is taught at a young age. 

I don’t think that there is danger in disregarding societal norms.  The idea that you can be and act in whatever way you want as an individual is becoming much more accepting than it has been in the past.  Creativity and being unique is rewarded and encouraged by most in America.   

 

Blog #5

"The Love of my Life"

China and Jeremy are condemned by their peers, as they should be, in the story “The Love of My Life”.  Together they committed the heartless crime of murdering their newborn daughter by throwing her away in a dumpster.  Boyle showed me how this event is possible, but the story did not make me understand why this could ever happen.  I could never imagine giving birth to my baby and have the slightest bit of interest in the child’s life.  Even if I didn’t want to keep the baby, there are places to anonymously take unwanted babies so that a loving family can have the opportunity to adopt the child.  This is what shocked me most about China and Jeremy, they were both very smart young adults and I can’t understand how they would handle the situation in the manner that they chose.  China knew she was pregnant and did nothing about it.  She could have had an abortion or gave the baby up for adoption and nobody would have had to know but Jeremy.  There is absolutely no explanation for their behavior, and should take responsibility for their horrible actions.