Final Exam

Responsibility is vital in the success of obtaining a college degree. To be responsible for something means you will do what is expected to accomplish the task at hand. It is a must to take responsibility for your learning, especially in university or college atmospheres.  Equally important, in a higher level setting, such as a college or university, professors are much more professional and take education to a different level.  Furthermore, teachers and instructors in high school settings were much more lenient.  Reminders of due dates for assignments were constantly given, where as in college one is not constantly reminded of an upcoming deadline.  Also, in terms of high school, much time is spent in the classroom for assignments to be completed.  In college, a lot of time for studying and completion of assignments is done outside of class.  It is not uncommon for a student to go to class and then come home and study or work on assignments for another 3-4 hours a day.  The success of students at the college level comes truly from the student. The amount of effort a student puts forth will determine the success he/she will have.  If a student does not take responsibility for their own assignments, then they will not be successful. A new student can accomplish this sense of responsibility by recognizing what their aspirations in life are.  If they significantly want to accomplish something great in their life, responsibility will help them on their way to the right track.  Time management is key in grasping the responsibilities of college.  Balancing the priorities in your life will help you in your responsibilities.

Dedication to my parents

My parents are definitely my role models in my life. I admire so many things about them.  They are both very hardworking people.  I feel like they never stop working whether its their day job, working out in the yard, or to doing dishes and laundry at the end of the day.  Although they are both hardworking, they also know how to have fun and live life to the fullest. I appreciate all things they have done for me and the support they have given to me, especially through my journey of nursing school currently.  I want to say thank you  to them, and that I love them and appreciate them very much!

"The Case for Torture"

"The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin is a short essay that represents an argument throughout the writing.  The argument displayed in this essay is concluded as is it probable to torture a terrorist or other being if they are putting innocent people in harm?  Levin develops this argument by displaying scenarios that in turn describe situations in which terrorists are putting innocent people in means of harm.  He concludes with each scenario asking if torture is barbaric or unconstitutional.  As many people would argue "yes" in this situation, think about it as your own child being kidnapped by a terrorist group. This exact example is used in the story "The Case for Torture."  Levin provides results of a poll done by mothers who were asked if they would accept torturing kidnappers if they took their newborns. Four specific mothers answered "yes."

The main points of this essay are categorized in the ideas of death and idealism.  Listed under the death explanation is what Levin stated, "Torturing the terrorist is unconstitutional? Probably. But millions of lives surely outweigh constitutionality. Torture is barbaric? mass murder is far more barbaric" (Levin 575).  In simpler terms, Levin is stating that although torture does seem uncivilized and brutal, that is the only way to potentially help save hundreds-millions of lives.  Under the idealism explanation is the broader aspect of even though you torture a terrorist, is one sure that it is justifiable and that the person in torture is the right one. I believe that the author does not use any other logical fallacies within the writing.

A potential counterargument of the argument stated in the essay would be what if the officials who are holding the perpetrator at torture have the wrong subject in hand.  This would be an embarrassing yet unethical situation.  It would be morally wrong in society to hold someone innocent at captive, especially when the real terrorist or harmful individual is still on the streets waiting to kill hundreds of people.  "Governments have used systematic torture in conflicts with rebel, insurgent or resistance groups in long running conflicts since the 1980s. It is questionable whether these should always be called terrorism conflicts. Governments are likely to call their non-state violent opponents terrorists, but only sometimes are they clearly engaged in terrorist activity" (Zalman).

Levin, Michael. "The Case for Torture."  The Millenium Reader. Hirschberg, Stuart and Terry Hirschberg.
      5th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2009. 574-577. Print

Zalman, Ph.D., Amy. "History of Torture and Terrorism." New York Times Company, 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://terrorism.about.com/od/humanrights/p/Torture.htm>.

Olive Garden

I went to Olive Garden for dinner tonight. I absolutely love this restaurant. Everything from their bread sticks and salad to the entree, and then finishing with the mints they give you before leaving is amazing.  I enjoy going out to dinner with family and friends.  Having a good conversation over a delicious dinner is what I love most about going out to eat.

Video Game Interview

My boyfriend plays video games everyday.  He gets so drawn in to playing video games that you can barely have a conversation with him while he is playing.  I personally am not a fan of video games, but if video games is what makes him happy than I will let him be.

Question 1: What is your favorite video game to play and why?
 Street Fighter. It is a fun game that I played as a kid, and I like playing the newest version of it.

Question 2:Why do you enjoy playing video games?
 They are fun and gives me something to do when I am bored.

Question 3: In your opinion do you think you play video games too much?
No

Question 4: If you had an opportunity to make a video game, what kind of game would you make?
I would make a game that dealt with fighting, one that is similar to Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. I like the adrenaline rush while playing it.

Question 5: Is there any upcoming video games you plan on buying?
Mortal Kombat. It comes out April 19th, and I am very excited!

"Workday" and "Did I Miss Anything?"

The poem "Workday" by Linda Hogan is centralized around a universal theme. This theme is no matter what culture one is, embrace it and keep the connection between you and your fellow members of that particular culture.  This theme can be seen throughout the poem as the author seems to have a sense of detachment from her native culture.  She even remarks on how her professors know more about the Native American culture than she does.  A literary element that can be seen used throughout the poem is allegory. The author writes in the form of a narrative to describe her usual day.  She writes in a sequence from the beginning of the day until the end of the day.  Another element that is seen throughout the poem is imagery.  Hogan uses visual imagery as she describes at the end of the poem about the men coming home from a day's work.  The stanza that stuck out was, "The perfect legs even with their spider veins...the thighs with their cravings, the pelvis an small back with its soft down..." (224-225). Using this element creates a picture in my head of how the men appeared after work.  The third literary element that is depicted throughout the poem is the structure of the poem.  Toward the end of the poem, when the author is describing the men walking down the street, she uses a unique way of how the structure is laid out. For example, on one line is only a few words versus the other lines having more.  Hogan separates this so the poem is more drastic and the readers can understand the intensity shining through from the author.

The poem "Did I Miss Anything" by Tom Wayman has a theme that can be described as if one will be late or unable to make it to an event, be proactive and ask what did you miss.  A literary element that was used by Wayman is the speakers tone and voice.  Throughout the whole poem, the author conveys a tone that is sarcastic to make the poem humorous and entertaining.  For instance, the author states, "A few minutes after we began last time a shaft of light descended and an angel or other heavenly being appeared" (226).  Another element used would be figurative language, specifically hyperbole.  A hyperbole means exaggeration. This was definitely seen in the poem.  On page 226, the author writes, "I gave an exam worth 40% of the grade for this term and assigned some reading due today on which I'm about to hand out a quiz worth 50%." Finally,  the author diction. Wayman interchangeably used the words "nothing" and "everything" in the poem.  This was used to emphasize the author's feeling toward the theme of the poem.

spring weather

I love when the month of March and April come around each year because then I know the weather will begin to be much better.  I absolutly hate winter due to the snow and ice.  Therefore, on nice, beautiful days like today, my mood changes.  It is almost like I become such a happier individual.  The glooms of winter I know will soon be in the past, and the sunshine of Spring and Summer are in the near future.  Sunny, clear skies and the smell of spring flowers are what I look forward to.

Literary Element- sound

The literary element sound, more specifically rhyme, can be heard throughout Johnny Cash's song, "A Boy Named Sue."  From the beginning to the end of the song, rhyme is seen in the lyrics.  More specifically, Cash states  in one of the lyrics, "At an old saloon on a street of mud, there at a table, dealing stud..."  Mud and stud are the rhyming words in these two lines.  This method that Cash uses can be seen in the lyrics until the song is complete.  Using this literary element entertains the readers and organizes the song better.

My Recent Walmart Experience

This afternoon I went to Walmart to get some things, and what I thought was going to be a quick 10 minute trip in and out, turned out to be about a 30 minute expeience.  After getting the things I needed, I then attempted to find an open register.  There were only 3 registers open, along with the self-checkout registers. I would have used the self-checkout registers, but I had too many items and wanted to do a regular register. I waited about 15 minutes in line before finally getting up to the cashier.  At 3:00 p.m., I would expect as a shopper that more than 3 lanes would be open, especially since late afternoon is when people get off work.  Now, I can understand that maybe a few employees were ill or called off, leaving less workers.  Whatever the case may be, I hope that my next experience will be better.

Boys and their Video Games

Video games seem to becoming more and more popular as the years go on.  I personally am not a video game fan, but my boyfriend is.  He plays them at least everyday for 2 hours, if not more.  His favorite game is Call of Duty.  I can remember the day that CoD came out.  He was ecstatic! Although he was not one of those die hard fans that wait at the stores 'till midnight, he still got his very own copy of the game later that afternoon.  I can only imagine what the next new game that he obsesses over will be.

Illustration writing- "You don't know what you've got til its gone"

The statement "You don't know what you've got til its gone" by Joni Mitchell is a great statement to live by.  I actually live by this statement in my own life today.  In 2001, my grandma passed away.  I was 9-years-old when she passed, and this was the first death that I really had to deal with.  With being only nine years of age, I had not experienced many people that were close to me dying.  With her passing, it really opened my eyes, and I realized that you shouldn't take every moment for granted. The nine years that I did spend with my grandma were some great years.  Many memories were made that I will always remember and cherish.  Although we had numerous memories that were made, I wish more were created. If I would've known that my grandmother was going to die that March, I would have spent more time with her and captured more memories with her.  Looking back on my past I realize that you don't know what you've got or how great you may have something until it's gone. 

Interaction with Technology and the Web

Technology has changed drastically in the 19 years that I have been alive.  I remember when I had to do a few school papers on my moms typewriter because our family didn't have the hottest item yet, the computer.  With the computer came the internet.  The internet has made the lives of many people worldwide much easier.  Through means of the internet, we can be as current  as we possibly can be in relation to social networking, weather, and keeping up with the news/sports.  The popular websites, such as Facebook, Myspace, and twitter give users a better  way of communicating with loved ones, classmates, and friends.  These websites are for the intention of people communicating and staying current with the people they are close with.  Email is another popular way that through the advancement of technology and the web, many people are benefiting.  Email is used often between people with more serious intentions, and also for people wanting to stay close with the people whom they want to stay in touch with.  For example, teachers and students can communicate via Email, as well as business men doing work with another business.  Also, technology and the web have made it easier for people to stay on the leading edge of whats going on in the world.  The most up-to-date news, weather, sports events, and Hollywood entertainment can be found all on the internet.  Finally, many people are finding it easier to shop for just about anything on the web, rather than going out to the stores.  This is especially popular during Christmas time.

Giving Blood

One of the major issues that the American Red Cross speaks out about and supports is giving blood.  The need for people to give blood is higher right now than it has been in a while.  With the weather and flu-bugs going around this season, many blood drives have been cancelled. This in turn decreases the amount of blood being donated by many willing people out there.  I myself am a donor.  I just donated about a month ago.  I encourage all people who can and are willing to donate their blood and time to participate in this great gift. After donating blood, I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude, and I feel as if I did something extremely beneficial for the ones in need.  I tend to ponder on the fact of what if I someday need a blood transfusion due to a dangerous motor vehicle accident, I would want blood to be there for me to help me save my life.

Facebook Addiction

If someone were to ask me one day what I was addicted to, I would have to say facebook.  Facebook today is known as the new myspace and is still far more popular than twitter.  My addiction to facebook is so bad that I check my account at least 5 times a day.  After clicking on the Internet Explorer icon or Mozilla Firefox icon I feel drawn to log in to facebook before any other website.  Facebook can be the blame as to much of my procrastination in my assignments for class or any other task that needs to be accomplished.  However, as much as I know that Facebook is a distraction for me, I don't really do anything about the addiction.

"The Dead Grandmother/Exam Syndrome" Response

The article "The Dead Grandmother/Exam Syndrome" by Mike Adams is a witty article on the weird correlation between college student's taking an exam and the death of one's grandmother.  I thought this article was well-written.  I liked how the author used specific data to describe this theory in more depth.  For instance,  in paragraph four of the essay, the author writes, "the mean FDR (family death rate) jumps from 0.054 with no exam, to 0.574 with a mid-term, and to 1.042 with a final" (178).  This gives the reader a good insight into how this theory is affected. Adams then goes on to correlate this data with tables and graphs.  The tables and graphs creates an interesting relationship between stating what the mean number of family deaths (data) is and then showing this with the visual aspect of the provided graphs.  The author does a decent job at trying to keep the audience in focus with what he is trying to say.  I feel that he is writing to a mature and whimsical audience. The author is very specific, and Adams uses a humorous approach to this article.  For example, I found it clever as he states in the last paragraph,  "In the interim, the problem is clearly far too important to be ignored.  Following the government's lead on so many similar, potentially catastrophic problems (global warming, the ozone layer, and ocean pollution), I propose that a commission be established to study the problem in more depth" (180).  Overall, I felt the article created an interesting depiction of this creative theory.

High Gas Prices

I find it hard to imagine why gasoline is so expensive. The average gas price for the Midwest region in the U.S. is $3.01/gallon currently. I find this price to be ridiculous, and it doesn't seem that gas is going to get cheaper anytime soon.  I realize that the events in the Middle East, the unsteady U.S. economy, and the high demand for gasoline are the reasons as to why gas prices are rising, but this is starting to get frustrating. Hopefully, in the near future the U.S. can catch a break from this troubling topic that we face today.

First blog assignment: Albert Einstein's essay

Albert Einstein's essay, An Ideal of Service to Our Fellow Man, is an essay that shows Einstein's view on  how people in society should view their own morals and beliefs.  Einstein states: "the individual feels more than ever dependent on society, but he feels this dependence not in the positive sense."  This would mean that individuals in society should not rely on each other, rather grow and learn from one's own experiences in life.  Setting "social goals" will help an individual grow and learn.  Einstein had this thought of "social goals," and by these goals I believe that he is pertaining to goals an individual sets himself or herself through their own experiences.  I think Einstein was correct in his ways of thinking.  Learning from good and bad experiences in life builds a persons character.  This way of learning can somewhat be a mystery as one will never know what will happen next, you have to learn who you are as you go.