How I have Grown as a Writer

I think my grammar, spelling, and overall writing have improved throughout the semester. The practice and critique of my writing has definitely helped. I doubt I'll continue to blog, because I'm simply too busy, and I've run out of prompts. I probably won't start a new one either, because I'm honestly not that fond of writing. Blogging is good because it is an informal outlet to share your thoughts, views, and opinions with others online. Like i said, however, I don't like to write, so I don't enjoy blogging. I just don't find it fun.

Blog #9

I read John Ashbery's sestina: Farm Implements and Rutabagas in a Landscape. I didnt really uderstand most of it. My favorite line, however, was:
"Popeye chuckled and scratched his balls..."
It was so unexpected and random it made me laugh.

I love to write

I hate to write, I honestly do.
A math major shouldn't need to know how.
I'd much rather be doing some kung fu.
I didn't learn to spell until just now.
I pray at night that I might pass this class
It takes me forever, and I get it
much less than the conservation of mass.
Writing can make me want to throw a fit.
This sonnet may seem a little silly,
I know all kinds of other stuff, I mean
do you know the capitol of Chile,
or how to grow an asparagus bean?
This is obviously my first sonnet,
so please dont make fun of me gosh darnit.

Blog #7

I associate the Viet Cong, China, the Soviet Union, and the cold war with the Vietnam War. I know it had a similar outcome of that of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We didn't 'win' any of the wars. The best thing that could be said is that we drawed. We have had many soldiers fight and die for our country in these wars, and for what?

Blog #6

I think many people break away from their culture. It is not necessarily a bad thing. Some people, upon moving out, change their behaviors, beliefs, and practices drastically. There is a show on The Learning Channel called Breaking Amish. It is about how a group of Amish Teens break away and go to New York City. Their families and friends hate them for it, but they no longer want to be a part of their culture. It can be very hard for people to give up something like that, but sometimes it can be worth the risk.

China/Jeremy

I cannot forgive China or Jeremy for what they did. It is wrong, and I believe that they should both die in prison. I cannot believe that this could even happen in today's world, with adoption being so accepted. There is absolutely no explanation for that kind of behavior. There is no question as to what they did was wrong. I can not even fathom how desperate someone could be to kill their newborn baby. I find it completely disgusting.

Did reading your peers' essays unravel or reinforce your own essay'sarguments?

Reading other essays really helped me in the writing process. It not only reinforced what I already had to say, but it exposed me to other viewpoints and issues. Reading and collaborating our ideas within a group not only strengthened our writing, but it also helped us find and fix mistakes we made.

Can serious drinking be part of one's cultural heritage?

I think that one's drinking habits can be influenced by their peers and role models. If all of your friends drink, you will probably drink too. If you have older family members who you look up to, you will think it's cool to drink and want to drink too. Peer pressure has a huge effect on teenagers, and that's why so many do drink. Serious drinking has been shown to be detrimental to one's health, so I would definitely not advise it, especially at a young age.

Post #2

Out of the two pieces "Two Kinds," by Amy Tan, and "Everyday Use," by Alice Walker, I'd choose "Two Kinds" as my favorite. I felt that it was easier for me to relate to and understand. Jing-mei was a dynamic character. Her tough mother and rebellious attitude was much closer to home than the name changing and quilt hanging of Dee (Wangero) and "Hakim-a-barber." Jing-mei felt like her mother was pushing her much too hard, toward unrealistic goals. While I think her mother was doing good in pushing her daughter, I believe she should have set less lofty goals for her, or even urge her to choose her own. 
Dee, however, I felt was somewhat disrespectful in changing her name. If it was actually for the religious reasons, fine, but there is a better way than coming home and asking to be called something other than your given name, one that has been passed down for generations. I also didn't like how she wanted to keep her family's quilts and do the exact opposite of what her mom wanted done with them, that they be put to everyday use, the title of the piece. I commend her mom for being so understanding about the situation, and even attempting (and failing) several times at her significant other's name.

My biggest challenge this upcoming semester will be doing these blogs on time