Reflection

1. Which in class writing was your favorite? Why?
2. Which in class writing was your least favorite? Why?
3. Review all your writing chronologically (earliest to latest). List three interesting observations or changes in your writing. Which are the most profound (obvious and important)? Why?
4. If you could change anything about your writing this semester what would it be? Why?
5. What did you like best about this course?
6. What did you like least about this course?
7. What would you have done differently this semester if you could have a do-over?
8. What did learn about yourself as a student, a thinker, a writer this semester?
9. What could I, Ms. A., have done differently to improve the course?
10. You begin this course with an engagement and participation score of an A.  Attendance, participation in activities and group work help you to maintain this grade.  Evaluate yourself and assign yourself a grade for the in class portion of this course.  Don’t forget the reasoning behind your self assigned grade.

• Honestly, my favorite in class writing assignment would probably have to be the I believe essay. That's really the only writing assignment we did that wasn't a group project or a free write, which is exactly why it's my favorite. My least favorite assignment was the 25 word dictionary. Mostly because I am the kind of person where if there is an option to work alone, I'll do it. I don't like group projects and that's not because I don't know how to work in them, it's because half the time it's awkward for everyone to start if they don't already know each other and also because I end up having my own ideas, and I always think they're the best (because they are), so I'm always unhappy with the results of group projects. 

• As far as my writing goes, I haven't noticed much change. I seem to get better at spelling things correctly for free writes, but other than that I don't think my writing has improved at all. It's stayed the same. Nothing is different to me, at least I'm not seeing the difference. If I could change anything about my writing, I would like to improve overall, but specifically in grammar.

• The best things about this course were the philosophical discussions, and open discussions about current events and ideals. I love philosophy so I really enjoyed this part of the class; I don't get these anywhere else. I just wish I would have had the courage to speak up more in class.

• The thing I liked the least about this course were that there were really no assignments. It's hard to track my grade when there really isn't one. About the writing specifically, anything that was a group project was the worst. All of them were the same to me. As previously stated : group projects and I just do not get along.

• If I could do anything differently, I would speak up more, and probably put more effort into the free writes. 

• I haven't really learned anything new, but I have had a refresher course on a lot of topics. As a student, not so much. But as a thinker/writer, I've relearned that there is always an audience, whether it be yourself or others, and it's best to remember what your audience has been through/who your audience is before you speak/write.

• To improve the course, I would suggest less free writing (but that's my own personal preference), less group projects, and more written assignments with grades, and better feedback. I didn't get much feedback on the writings we did submit, and I feel that it hinders the opportunity to become a better writer. I think what I submitted was perfect, but there were probably a lot of errors, and I wish there would have been a reflection time to see where I was not doing so well, and work on that.

• I absolutely hate giving myself a grade. I always grade low (I wouldn't be a very good teacher), especially when it comes to myself because I know that I could've done better. But overall I would say a very low A, or high B. Mostly because I participated in all of the assignments I was here for and the like, but I never really participated in group discussions.

25 Word Dictionary

My wonky manpanion started in on me, “Wabbit, you are uber blue today. It’s very disquieting. The sun is shining, and you’re usually so chipper. What’s wrong?” I felt cautious. He scared me like he used to the other day. That warm glorious feeling I once felt around him was gone.

“You’re super adorbs and pulchritudinous. I know I’m silly to you sometimes, but I’m indubitably in love with you. Please don’t hear my words as being fallacious, I’d bet my life on you.”

“Hodor! You’re always so freakin’ precious aren’t you? You know what you remind me of? A grumpy puppy! Just get in your tank and leave me here to widdle away! I just want to sell my walking sticks alone!” His face scrunched up, and the man I spent most of my life with climbed into his maroon stationwagon, and left forever. My walking stick business picked up, and I spent the rest of my days in peace.

Extra Credit on the Baha'i Faith

Brittany Temple

Mr. Ackerman

PHL-110-104

8 April 2015

Baha'i Education

The video that was shown in a short synopsis was about the followers of the Baha'i faith and the injustice they are exposed to throughout Iran. It told the specific stories of a few people who have lost people to this injustice. People have been captured, arrested, tortured, and murdered because it is thought that the Baha’i people are a threat to the ideals of Iran. The main focus of the film was the Baha'i’ Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Part of the problems that the Baha’i people had was being cut off from higher education. They were expelled from universities and banned from their libraries. Then the BIHE was formed. Students met together in homes and had classes taught there, as well as online. They were sent materials to study from as well. The authorities in Iran have been known to enter homes and take and destroy these materials, as well as kidnap teachers and students, torture and murder them. Despite this, the BIHE has flourished. There are many Baha’i people still in Iran who continue to work with and learn from BIHE, but there are also Baha’i people in the United States who are safe from persecution. People who are not Baha’is and still value education are a part of the BIHE as well.

When I was watching this video I felt angry. I was appalled to see that there were still places out there that were attacking others with different beliefs to this extent. I realized we see forms of this in the United States as well and I was able to connect on some level with these people. It amazes me that we as a race have come so far in acceptance and tolerance, yet it still seems as if we haven’t progressed at all. To some extent, the video made me feel grateful as well. Grateful that because of my race, gender, belief system, geographical location, I have not been discriminated against. Well, not to this extent. I also felt grateful that I get the opportunity to choose if I want to go to a place of higher learning or not, and I’m not just simply denied. I do see both sides of the situation. I understand how the Iranian officials can see the Baha’i people as a threat to their countries ideals, how they can justify in their minds this kind of ruling, and how this seems like the right thing to do. I just wish that there was something I could do about it right now, and that I could have the ability to talk to these people, to try and change their minds about this. Unfortunately, there are those who are not willing to change themselves. Overall, I feel angry and sad that this is still happening in the world. I hope that once I’ve went through my education, and become wiser, that I can change the world, see that change, and witness tyranny like this end for good.

Dream

at some point in time in the dream my grandmother and I were about to go down the cave. it was a little hill with a large rock protruding giving way for a path and then entrance to the cave. I had a small handheld candle holder with a small candle in it. I asked why I needed it, and my grandmother said to help with the fear, and that it will go out, but that that’s what she was there for. supposedly this cave went down to the seven gates of hell. suddenly we were not able to go down and then we were in my grandfather’s car that supposedly he had let my mother use. there was a cigarette butt in the back door thing holder and in the front seat where the dash was there was a secret compartment full of ashes and cigarette butts (by the speedometer). my grandmother and i were cleaning out the car for grandpa. i don't remember what we were talking about, there was a trash bag in the back seat between us. then my mom came by and sat in the car’s seat in the back where i had once been and was all, “how are you?” and looked very different and young. the dream flash forwarded to the deck of my grandparent’s house and we were all sitting around. the glass table was not there but we were sitting in lounging chairs. My mother started to grit her teeth and lick the topside of her mouth. she was moaning and rolling her eyes. Not like those with mental disabilities, but like someone under the influence. I remember thinking in my dream that it was probably meth. While everyone was yelling and fussing at my mother, I decided to go down into the cave. Max our dog was following me. I had the candle in my hand and we embarked down the dark path. The candle stayed lit for a while and then a large gust of wind (which I did not feel or see anywhere else) blew the candle out in almost an instant, and then I woke up.

The Heart and The Fist Writing

I think the purpose of the text for the author was to get things down on paper. To say to himself, “This did happen, and I’m still okay.” Even if he did so without even realizing it. I think the purpose the author intended the book to be for other people was to show them what it’s like, and connect with others who are like him, or have been through some of the same experiences. To show them that it really is as terrible as they say it is out there. To try and make them understand why there are so many veterans who have health problems and can’t keep afloat. I think the intended audience is really everyone. Those who have served in a war so as to say, “We can get through this.” And I think it’s for those who haven’t to say,” Do you understand now?” I think that the audience was very broad and  couldn’t be brought down to one specific group of people.

Stress and Conflict Freewrite

Let Stress Be Your Friend

I believe it, sure. DO I want to do it, no? I don’t know. it’s too much work, and I’m too lazy. Laziness is actually what causes like half of my stress.I’m so glad this prompt is only five minutes long. I just want to get out of here and go home and  take out my contacts, and then take a nap. I plan on playing sims again. sims stresses me out. Because they’re unpredictable. Troy forgot his headset and I definitely did not tell him. I wouldn’t have had time to turn around for it. my hands hurt a little bit. this positioning for my hands is not good. I hate how thesecomputers are set-up/ can’t tjey just put them on the top? what is this protecting them from? we can’t bring food or drink in here anyway.

conflict

i have conflictws of time, all the time. i need to be twenty place at once and then when i get home because of all of the adrenaline thats still pumping through me, i cant fall asleep until like two in the morning which creates a conflict for me in getting to class on time/ Ive been late to my chemistry class by at least 10 minutes the past four classes. im never late to work. i never miss work. and im on time to everything else. my classes are what get pushed aside. most of the time. except in today’s case, where i didn’t tell troy i knew his headset was still home because i needed to be here today. we’re not doing anything of much importantce. not to me anway the backspace/delete keys are my favorite keys. i got the window to be smaller so i can actually see what im doing now which is nice. i dont know why i didn’t think of that. i feel like i go off on tangents that she doesnt want me to. i feel like she wants to me just write about the writing prompt. which i did, its just everything i think of makes me think of like ten different things that to me are associated with the subject, but to anyone else may not be. like mac and cheese makes me think of football makes me thing of video games, makes me think about how my xbox doesnt work makes me think of how my computer doesnt work either and that i need to get it fixed, which makes me think of tasha’s dad, which makes me think of tasha, which makes me thing of how she ate all my cookies when i used to have them stored up, think of the before time when it was just me and things werent so bad. so iin essence mac and cheese makes me think of when i first moved into my apartment. and you may be able to see the connections now, but if i just said mac and cheese makes me think of my apartment. it wouldnt. and that one is easy.

conflict’s point of view.

time would say, it’s fine, i go pretty slow when you want me too. its only when you dont pay attention or lay down for too long, that i seem to go by fast. only when you dont whant me to i do. and i go the same speed in both situations. freewritings would say, im pretty important for some reason. io can help you get beettter at writing. sleep would say, youre right you dont need me until its tomorrow and you didnt get enough of me last night and now time isnt allowing you to have any more of me because you were too lazy and now you have to be somewhere. I just translated this document intor German.

third point of view

time beats brittany up because she is insolent, brittany fights sleep because she cant beat up time so she might as well pick on someone her own size. sleep just has to take it. he is fed up of course because she’s blaming him for something he didn’t do, but he doesn’t have anyone to beat up.Time>Brittany>Sleep>Nothing=0 so we can condlude that if we remove brittany, timeis greater than sleep is greater than nothing and 0 is less than brittany

Happiness Freewrite

Happiness

Happiness is soemthing that comes in a sandwhich tin from the gas station . happiness is a bell on your keychain. HAPPINESS is something you can have, and lose within minutes. Happiness is subjective. I don’t believe that anyone truly ever has felt happy. Sure you get periods of time where everything is right, you smile easier,you laugh harder. But things add up. They get blocked, they get moved, they get destroyed. Soemthing happens. It could take five years or five seconds, and then your world is upsde down again. The happiness that everyone wants to achieve is ultimate bliss, but that happiness that we can achieve because we are a limited creature/construction, is coping. Being able to find the light even when you’re in the dark. That’s the happiness everyone is talking about, because to be truly happy is impossible. If someone is truly happy, they never feel sad, anxious, emotional tired, angry, anything but happy. Again, happiness is something that comes in the mail from a shady merchant, is a cellphone in the rain, is a bird landing on your finger. You never know when it will come and when it will leave. You know when it gets there and WHEN it leaves, which is at the very least nice. But you can never catch up with it and keep it. Keeping happiness is like keeping a wild animal in your house, and living with it for the rest of your life. If anything, you have to take carre of happiness, but even then, you still get those other emotions taht ruin it. They ruin it for you and youre so angry that they do. it truly is unfair, the thing that everyone is working so hard to have, can never be bought and kept. you work and you work and you work, and then you’re 30 with a spouse and one child with another on the way. You’ve just paid off your house mortgage, and all of your debt has dissappeared slowly the past two years. and the day finally comes because you’re happy. It’s a saturday, no one has any obligations to do anything, all of the debt has finally been paid off. everything is nice. and then sunday happens. A fire breaks loose in your house, your belongings are destoryed, and to make matters worse, you are havimng complications with the pregnancy from the thick fire smoke. and there it goes. only a memory of what that felt like taht remains.