Well its almost the end of the semester and I have a lot of work to do. I'm just doing my best trying to catch up on school work, and trying to manage with my living situation. I want nothing more than to pass all of my classes this semester, since last semester I had failed one, and I definitely don't want to have to take that class again, making it a third time. That would be awful! I wish I had better stress managing skills than smoking cigarettes like a chimney.

I think I may finally be getting a job babysitting soon, which would be excellent for me since my major is early childhood education, and plus I love children. Hopefully that will go alright, I'm supposed to meet with the family Sunday.

*fingers crossed*

"Thank You For Smoking" Response

I really enjoyed watching Thank You For Smoking. I thought this movie made good points, and was quite funny while doing so. My favorite character in this movie was "Nick Naylor" because he was sarcastic and witty.
When I saw we were going to be watching this movie on the syllabus I was excited because although I had not seen it before this, I had heard that it was great.

Good Times

Last night (Saturday night), was really fun. My friend Josh and I went out to a late dinner at Westgate, then we went to the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show, and that was awesome. I like feeling the energy of the people, although it was kind of obnoxious at times when I just wanted to relax. I had a good time though, it wasn't too expensive and it was just fun.

Right now I'm just hoping my printer has enough ink to finish this poster.

Weather

This weather is leaving me feeling like crap. My body just feels all messed up. Its been raining for I don't even know how many days straight. All I know is that its depressing and I don't feel well. I hate it when it seems like it just goes from summer straight to winter. I like autumn sometimes, but not when its this gloomy out.
The light from my computer screen is turning my headache into a migrane. >.<

Burning Bright

I was kinda disappointed with the end of the book. I was really hoping that Bradbury would have brought Clarisse back into the story, but sadly, he didn't and now I'll never really know. Overall, I enjoyed reading this, but I always get almost...upset when I finish a good book because I know its over.

Chaos

The other day I experienced pure chaos in red lion. On the way just to get a pack of cigarettes and a bite to eat, my friends and I had a pretty crazy experience. There was an over sized load going down Main St, surrounded by six cops, blocking the road for an ambulance to go around. At the same time, there were about 4 fire trucks with their sirens blaring. Then, as we turned onto 24, more fire trucks appeared outside of a building, and we ran right into the traffic.

It was really crazy and I was terrified that something horrible was going to happen to me since there was already so many things going on. But luckily, I was safe, and I hope that everyone else involved is also.

I never would have thought it would've taken over an hour to get a pack of cigarettes.

Thursday's discussion

I really enjoyed the discussion we had on Thursday--(Wednesday, sorry Lily. ha), it's nice to hear other peoples interpretations of the book section by section. When you hear another person's perspective then it can help you understand, or even change your interpretation. With the whole class involved, everyone can learn from each other, while several peoples interpretations may differ, they could come together as a whole to help create full understanding.

The Sieve and the Sand

Wow, at first this section of Fahrenheit wasn't really catching my attention, until closer to the end when they pulled up in front of Montag's home.

Other things that stuck out to me in this chapter are how the women are talking about how they don't want kids at all, or they do not really care about the children they already have. Like the one lady saying she refused to give birth to her children naturally, and had a c-section, which is already kind of strange, but the fact that she sends her children away, and when she does see them she only puts them in front of the TV, is even stranger.

The end of this chapter has really grabbed my attention and I can't wait to read more. :)

Fahrenheit 451- The Hearth and the Salamader

I have not quite yet finished reading this portion of Fahrenheit, but as far as I can tell, it is similar to 1984 and many other dystopian novels.

Guy Montog is a fireman with the number 451 on his helmet, 451 being the temperature at which book paper burns at. Montog enjoys burning books and fire in general.
"...he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the dark. It never went away, that smile, it never ever went away, as long as he remembered." (pg 4)

The first chapter sets a futuristic tone based on Bradburys imagination and examples from the current day and past. This is not simply physical, but also socio-interactive painting a bleak, undereducated society where it is uncommon to even speak to one another and destroys knowledge based on fear.

Stress

So, I'm currently attending four classes at HACC this semester, compared to the measly two I took during the Spring semester. I've always been a good student throughout my journey through education, but now I'm falling behind and losing focus. It scares me that I'm having such a difficult time this semester. I usually like challenges, but can I defeat this one?

On another stressful note, my parents are pressuring me to get a job again, but this is how I see it, if I'm already having so much trouble with my classes without being employed, I can't imagine how its going to be when I have a job taking up all my time.

I just need to get my act together and do my best I guess...I just hope my best gets me a passing grade. :/

Insomnia

So, its almost 7 o'clock in the morning and I haven't been able to sleep yet; I guess its good its labor day weekend and I have another day to recuperate from my lack of rest. My body is exhausted but my mind is always racing.
Lately I've been thinking about how you can make things happen. For instance, if you're negative, and negative thoughts and energy are present, those thoughts are usually going to be reality. On the other hand, with a positive attitude and positive energy, things are more likely to go how you wish them too. Even in a group of people, when one person has negative energy, they can effect the outcome for everyone else. Just something I've been trying to be aware of.
Anyway, it's late (to me, early to everyone else probably) and I don't know what to write.
Maybe I'll be better at this after some sleep.

A Response To Stanley Fish-What Should Colleges Teach?

While reading "What Should Colleges Teach?" I found points of agreement and also disagreement with Stanley Fish's views on the curriculum at academic institutions.

One point I agreed with is that core classes such as English, mathematics, and science are important. I agree that the principals in these classes help shape our understanding of the world around us and how we interact with it. I also agree that knowing how to write is important, and you shouldn't be able to take any classes that go beyond writing without a basic English composition course beforehand.

On the other hand, I believe that elective classes such as philosophy, mythology, art, or possibly even yoga can help you understand the world around you, while even possibly helping you understand yourself. Classes like these make your mind work harder, and be more creative. There's not always a right or wrong answer in these classes like there is in math or science.
Classes like yoga can help you focus your mind in a stressful world full of English comp and math. :)

Good Writing/ Bad Writing

Good writing reaches the audience. The audience can be reached by writing that conveys detailed imagery. Detailed imagery is important so when the audience is reading they can picture whats going on in their mind. Provocative writing also helps grab the readers attention. Staying focused and being creative helps to keep the readers attention once you've already grabbed it.
Bad writing is writing that goes off topic and is unorganized or hard to understand. Also if your audience can not relate or imagine it in any way they will lose interest. If you are trying to do creative writing and its dull then it's not creative or good at all.