Pages 222 – 232- Eng 30

This was a good way to wrap up everything we have read thought out these pages. It was almost like a small detailed version of the A Christmas Carol. This book really shows people how to be giving around the holidays and thankful for things they don't have, or for things they have that others may not have. I like how the other authors talk about the same story. Everyone has a different view on it, along with a different memory attached.

Pages 206 – 221- Eng 300

First of all WOW mail was slow back then. No need ever telling people of important things via the mail because they wouldn't get it for another month or so after you wrote it.
But secondly I really like it when in stories they use other forms of writing. Like for example in last week, when then broke it up alittle with there names, and ages, of the quotes. And then this week, we had a lot of good conversation thur letter format. It makes you feel as if you aren't reading as much, because you get done faster. Like shorter chapters. We today are all about getting things done fast, so I'd rather read more chapters even if was the same amount as one. I know sounds weird.

Pages 190 – 205- Eng 300

In this section I really like all the interviews or quotes from the different people. It really brings the story to life, and makes you feel as if you are really talking to the person. Along with feeling what these little kids had to go thur. A 6-year-old...really? really?!

When it started talking about the different leg de-formalities from the things they went thur. It was almost like a branding of the life they had. Like a premature holocaust for some people.

Pages 174 – 189- Eng 300

On page 176 I really liked there use of punctuation when listing things about Christmas. They used some semi-colons and then some commas. I'm not exactly sure how you can just interchange them. Maybe it was because they were changing thoughts or ideas. Near the end of this section they start to talk about how dear Christmas time is. And about how nice it is for the younger folks. I think this is true still even today. I mean I'm sure a lot of people these days would forgo a huge christmas tree, or even putting up Christmas lights when its like 20 below outside, but we do it for the children. Weather it be your own children, grandchildren, or even nieces and nephew. You want there Christmases to be just like ours were as children.

Pages 158 – 173-Eng 300

When starting to read this next section around page 160 it almost sounds like parts of a poem. Each line sounding so different and filled with enriched words. I'm not sure if this is how the author wanted it, or if maybe thats how writing was then. I find it interesting to read about Christmas as it used to be. As in fully based on the christian belief. Because in todays world most people just find it as a time to give and receive presents.

pages 142 – 157- Eng 300

I found it very interesting that this whole section was pretty much someone telling a story. I thought the layout was a little odd. Sometimes I would think we were back to the night with everyone kissing because of the mistletoe, but then it would just go back to quotations. I also didn’t get why when he was reading It would go

“”story story story.

“”more story more story.

How come it never had an end ”” Maybe because he never took a breath! Just kidding, it was just a different type of style I have never seen.

pages 127 – 141- Eng 300

In this section some of my favorite parts from the author is when he talks about going to the family for christmas. He tells about everyone that is there, and you can relate. You know you always have that one crazy uncle who will make jokes with the young girls. And then there is always grandma in the kitchen cooking. I just really liked how he was able to make you feel part of the family.
I’m a little confused though because when I’m reading I feel lost. Like I should have known more before hand, but maybe I’ll learn more by reading more.

"Relief in knowing others are like me" -Eng 300

In the article "Shitty First Drafts" by Anne Lamott, I find relief in knowing that others have the same trouble I do when starting out newspapers articles/columns. Being a photojournalism major, I often have to write detailed story captions to go with photos. In the past I've also had to write articles. In the past I just sit there and look at my notes FULL of captions but have no ideas bursting out of me to start an amazing hook lead, or no witty-catchy ending to wrap things up.
While this article is meant to help us with the thought for our other papers, I'm glad I was able to feel more solid with my other forms of writing as well. I really enjoyed this article because the writer, Lamott, was talking to us on a personal level--letting us in on her most fearful moments in her career.

Teen Heartthrob-Eng 200 snow day

I like all other 12 year-old girls these days are swooning over the new heartthrob, Justin Bieber.

Yes I know being 19, I shouldn't be enjoying music from a 15 year old pop tween. But there is something about Justin Bieber that makes me coming back for more.

But for me, this isn't unusual. I enjoy the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. I wish that I would have had these young role models when I was a preteen.

In my time it was Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, and Nysnc. While sure they were great, they still implied sex more than anything. When I go back and listen and watch videos its pretty crazy to know that i would sing along to those lyrics.

I know that these pop tweens get al ot of grift form people. But I really do thing its something postive in a world, where rap & hip hop rule the radios.

Prom..its all the same. Eng 200

In an article I just read. stated that a school would not allow this teenage girl to take her same-sex girlfriend to prom, or allow her to wear a tux.

Now while first reading this, I'm outraged! What should it matter if she takes her girlfriend to prom, and whats it matter what she wears! It turns out shes been openly gay since the 8th grade. that right there should be something where u know she isn't just doing it for the spot light. it takes courage to be openly gay in a small town as it is.

so because she wasn't allowed she took her school to court. Because of that, her school then cancelled prom! CANCELLED PROM! they called prom, "School officials said in U.S. District Court this week that they decided to cancel it because McMillen's challenge to the rules had caused disruptions."

So I'm still not sure how I feel about the situation.
Because apparently this rule has been stated for a while. This just wansn't something they made up after hearing what she wanted to do.
I almost feel like she should have sucked it up, and been like well this sucks. Oh well. But i can understand how unfar it really is, and how i'm impressed that she took a stand for what she believes in.

Now i dont find it fair what the school did. but canncelleing prom.


I almost just want the school, to let her go. I mean I'm sure her and her girlfriend were'nt gonna makeout..and besides girls dance with girls all the time. I think it was more the fact that she was "stereo-typed" what she is.

"Dancing Mother of 8" Eng 200

Now I understand that a stay at home mom can't have fun. But when you've just had your own reality show for the past oh about 5 years, and you just had a nasty public divorce. Don't you think it's maybe time to slow it down?


I like every other TLC lover, watched the show, "Jon and Kate Plus 8"
Watching those cute little kids say the darnest things every week was just adorable, and watching the chaos happen right before our eyes made us feel like we were part of the family.

I was sad myself when Jon and Kate, for the kids of course, and for them. Because at the start they really did seem happy. I know someone who's cousin is personal friends with the Gosslin Family, and they really were a down to earth family, unlike TV took over.

I still enjoy Kate and her 8 kids, and i do feel sorry for the fact that the marriage went down, and I have supported her on my own, even with her TV appericances, and Talk Show hosting. But now i say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

There is no need for you, Kate, to be on Dancing with The Stars.

You were, and again I saw WERE a star. But sadly enough your time is over.
If you are sick of the nasty things people say about you, and you family, maybe try staying out of the lime light. Take a break longer than about six months. Get your family to understand what its like to not be on TV.

Thanks again for reading yet another Eng. 200 reading rant.

"What's the difference?" Eng 200

What's the difference between going to a public school, a private school, or even being home schooled?

In the article I read this week, a German family took there children out of there public school for the fact that they didn't like what there children where being taught. In Germany it is illegal for your children to not be in school, so before police had to intervene and take the children to school, that family was forced to pay some pretty intense fees.

How I can understand if maybe one day they were talking about evolution instead of the birth of Christ, I know a lot of people get upset over that one in public schools, but I don't know what else could be so wrong for those children to not be in school.

Here in Kentucky I knew one person who was home schooled up until his senior year of high school, and he told me he loved every minute of it. I personally think that students should be in school, for the fact that they get out of the house, learn to talk to adults, and children there own age.
Because to be honest the kid I know, he was weird for a majority of that senior year.

Another thing I wanted to mention before ending yet another English 200 rant.

Is the difference between public schools and private schools.

I went to a public school, I don't feel as if i learned less this way.
I'm glad I didn't have to have my parents spend the extra tuition for me to get taught by teachers who are just the same.

A friend of mine, she, and her younger sister both attended the public school I did, but her younger brother attended Trinity, an all male private school.

Her parents had to spend the extra money for him to attended that school, when he learned the exact same things. Sure maybe the distraction of girls weren't in the mix...but what teenage boy finds that as a positive.

I love the fact I attended a public school, and that I rode the bus.

Without these two american childhood traits I probably wouldn't be the person I am today.

"Adults go pick on someone your own size," Eng 200

The article I read this week is an old one. About a Mom posing as a teenage boy, talking to a 13-year-old girl..then saying been and hurt full things to her to then which led her to commit suicide.

Apparently Megan was already a upset child. Having depression and lost self esteem.
Then this made up boy named Josh started talking to her.
Megan's mother was very in touch with her daughter, and knew about what was going on.

When suddenly out of no where, josh messaged Meagn, and stated that, he didnt want to talk to her anymore. and that she was not a good person, and that the world would be better off without her.

That evening Megan, hung herself, in her bathroom. And passed away the next day.

Six weeks later, the Mom from down the street confessed that she had been josh.

She was not charged with anything.

I LITERALLY cannot believe that!!


It upsets me to think that this grown women, had to go so low as to mess with a 13-year-old girl.

Someone that couldn't have even been a threat to her.

"The woman who created the fake profile has not been charged with a crime. She allegedly told the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department she created Josh's profile because she wanted to gain Megan's confidence to know what Megan was saying about her own child online."

That sounds like pure bologna too me, how can she live with herself?

I know she knows how good she has it with her own daughter...she actually shouldn't even been allowed to be influencing these other poor children's minds.

"And the gold medal goes too...." Eng 200-snow day

I though it would only be fitting to have a blog about the winter Olympics when writing to fulfill my assignment for the snow day.

My yahoo page is just FULL of Olympic stories, and after you read some you feel like you have just read them all.

But this one caught my eye.

"Canadian curler is five months pregnant"

Now my extent of knowing what curling is, is that is like an intense/extreme form of shuffleboard. I'm sure if any curlers saw this blog, i'd get shot..or hit by one of there "rocks"

Apparently, she is just an alternate for the Canadian team, but never the less this job is just as important.
In case someone gets hurt she is there..and by the way the games have been going...they may need her.

I feel like being a women and in the olympics is a feet all in its self, and I am proud to say that I am a women and respect her.

I hope she does get the chance to play in one of the games....dont want someone to get hurt...but having a medal would be so nice.


Weather she plays or not, if her team wins she will still get a medal...but knowing that you helped..would make it so much more rewarding for her and her unborn child.

She was baked alive!-Eng 200 Entry

To be beautiful these days you must be put together, hair just right, make-up all set into place, tall, a "good figure", and mostly TAN.

From the article I read, Scary! The Beauty habit that can give you caner, new research shows that using tanning beds is more dangerous than anyone thought.

Let me just re-cap the first couple of sentences for you.

"A 23-year-old...been hitting a tanning bed four or five times a month for seven years. And she has no plans to give it up, despite hearing about a 2009 report confirming that using the beds before the age of 30 may increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent. "The health warnings don't scare me," she said," I don't overdo it. For me, its just like going to the gym, using make-up or buying a new outfit- it makes me feel and look good."

How sad it is that we have to object ourselves to dangerous and live shorting UV rays to be able to "feel and look good" in our own eyes.

I am far from a tall, "good figured", tan women. I'm average height, curvy, and pale. Sure in the summer time I'll wear tank tops to get some sun on my arms. Or while at the beach I'll lay out. But sunscreen is on my skin as well.

In the article a false statement was made my a salon owner, stating that tanning beds were safer than being in the actual sun, because they had "safe" UVA rays.

"In fact, your risk for burning may be higher at a salon than outdoors, The rays are the same, but UV beds emit more intense radiation than sunlight. That's why tanning beds sessions are short--because they can damage your skin faster than being in natural light."

With this statement right here, why would I ever want to be in a tanning bed!!!

I honestly do not understand some peoples obsession with tanning. I will admit that I once went to a tanning bed for a "base tan" before a trip. But now reading the article, that did nothing for me, but heighten my risk for cancer.

I know someone who has had at least two spots removed for the chance they may have been cancerous. And yet she still goes to the tanning bed to this day. I saw the stitches on her stomach...she went to the tanning bed with the stitches still.

Or another girl, who's Grandmother has had 3 different spots removed, and the Grandmother tells her the risks, and how she shouldn't and how this is what she has to go thought. The girl still continues to go.

Sure, I understand that tanning may feel good, during the winter, and yeah, coffee colored skin would probably look great against some of my clothes. But its just not worth it.

One of the most common statements from girls and women about why they still go to the bed, after all the danger.

"It Can't Happen to Me"

I don't think I could say it any better than the way this article ended with,

"If you're still using tanning beds, you have to ask yourself: Is it worth the risk?"