What i have learned this semester week 16

I had been out of school for about 7 years before I decided to continue my education.  When I started this semester I was trying to get back into the studing mode.  I feel that I have allowed myself to open up and experience things which I knew I would not do before.

In this class this semester I tried my hardest on all my assignments.  I felt even when I gave it my all it just was not enough at times.  I became very frustrated at times and very discouraged.  It would have been more benificial for me if we had discussion from the book instead of the many outside readings we had.  The outsides readings and discussions helped me as well but I feel we were not learning much from the book. 

In this class we have learned to dig deeper and look beyond the obvious.  By learning this it has helped me open up and express myself.  I find myself questioning things which I have learned and wanting to research it.  This class has helped me grow as a writer.

I feel that I have grown a lot in my writing.  I compared paper 1 to paper 5 and I can really see a difference not only in my writing but in my understanding as well.  I feel I may have done better if I didn’t constantly feel I wasn’t giving it my all.  When this would happen I would get very upset and think for get it I am through.  I know others are at a different level then me and sometimes it discourages me when I am compared to them.  I think the only one I should be compared to is myself and how I am improving.  Overall I believe I have grown and I am proud of what I accomplished. 

Add a comment December 7, 2006

Things I have discovered in my research week 13

Usually when you hear the word research you think that you need to find an answer to something.  I thought that it was strange that were to do research on a question we had about our topic.  I found that it is not only easier but more interesting if you do your research this way.

When I first started paper four I thought that it was going to be hard because It seemed I was trying to search for something that was to broad for my question.  Once I found out what my main idea was it seemed easier for me to research my topic. 

For an example my paper was about how dance attire effected dancers self-perceptions.  When I was doing my research I was only looking for things to do with dance attire.  I found out that these search words were way to broad.  I dug deeper and thought what types of consequences come from self image issues.  I found so many articles that I could use.

I really enjoyed doing this paper because it didn’t only help me with my writing it also helped me learn a great deal about my major that I may have not known other wise.  Who knew that belly dancing can help women feel more comfortable with their body.  This was very interesting and I think I will still continue to further my research.

Add a comment November 16, 2006

Week 12

While taking this class there are many things that I have found out, It is very interesting how one topic can branch off to many other sub topics.  What I mean by this is, I found an article a while back and I decided to use that article in paper four.  I have found so many other topics that have come up that I have been interested in.

I never thought that assignment like paper four and five would be so interesting.  I don’t know if it was interesting to me because we could research something to do with our major or if was the process we did that made me really think what other things can I find out about this.  How much further can I research this topic without completely changing my main idea.  In a way it’s like a game, it’s there we just need to find it.

I am not sure what chapter is was but I remember reading in our book to be a good writer you need to take a problem and run with it.  Try and see every side to the issue.  I think each assignment makes me a better writer.  There are steps we have to take and It can be frustrating at time but we just need to remember there is so much we can do if we only let ourselves open up.

Add a comment November 10, 2006

My experience while researching

Today was the first day I started my research for paper 4.  While I was searching on the UVSC library website, I found that It wasn’t all that easy.  I guess I got lucky the first time we had to find a scholarly article and write about it.  This time when I typed my keywords several times it came back saying something about no items found.  This was very discouraging for a while.

I found a few articles, but they were only 1-2 page articles.  I want to find articles that are longer so I can get more information.  I don’t only want to get these articles for this assignment, I want to have them so I can expand my knowledge in the career I have choose.  I am hoping that when I go to the library at school that they may be able to help me with some of the question and concerns that I have. 

While I was searching for the articles I was trying to remember the things that we were taught in the library instruction room.  I think by using some of the things I learned It made some things a lot easier.  It took me quite a while to get the first article, and this time it pulled up several times. 

I think each time I look for the articles it gets easier for me to find what I am looking for quicker.  I really like how it helps you with other keywords that can help you while searching.  This really helps me so I don’t just focus only on one topic.  I want to get as much information as I can so then I can find some of the similarities and then narrow down my options for my question.  It wasn’t so bad today I think it will be better tomorrow.

Add a comment October 26, 2006

Reading With the Grain and Against the Grain

We were asked to read chapter six in Allyn & Bacon, when I was reading this chapter it helped to prepare my summary and strong response for our third paper.  A few things really stood out to me, On page 125-126 it was about reading with and against the grain.  I found that when I am reading and article or essay I read with the grain.  I wanted to challenge myself to try and read against the grain more.  When we wrote our journal for week 7 I read against the grain.  I felt that the had helped me have a stronger response to what I was reading.  This will help me when I write my response to paper three.

I wrote paper on Earl Shorris essay on How the use of a Liberal Education can change people in Poverty.  I noticed that I read with the grain, so it was easy for me to write the summary.  When I started to write my response I found that it was difficult for me to have the kind of strong response that the paper required.

I was getting frustrated because I knew I need more but I wasn’t sure on where to start.  Then I remembered that in chapter six they talked about reading with and against the grain.  I decided that to make my response better and longer I would read the essay one more time while reading against the grain.

I think reading with and gainst the grain will make it easier for me to determine what to write in certain parts of a paper.  It can also help me be a better reader.  I don’t read very much anymore because I don’t have very much time with being busy with school.  When I find the time to read more I think these tips will help me understand what the writer is saying.

Also in chapter six they had a few pages that had questions that would help you to analyzing and critiquing.  This is very helpful to think of way to comment to what the writer is saying.  In chapter six it had many great things that has helped me in writing paper three.  I feel that each time the papers are a little easier for me to write. 

Add a comment October 20, 2006

What’s the dam problem

In “The Damnnation of a Canyon” Author Edward Abbey writes about touring Glen Canyon on the Colorado River when he was younger, and watching it grow from “a free river” to “a powerplant reservoir.”

Abbey, a self-admitted conservationist talks about how beautiful Glen Canyon was when it was ”a free flowing river.”  He argues that before the dam was constructed, Glen Canyon had more to offer the tourist then Lake Powell does today.  Edward Abbey, goes on to say when the dam was built it completely wiped out “Indian ruins, historical sites, wildlife and wilderness adventure.” 

Abbey, concludes by saying we find a different means for power generation and drain Lake Powell back to its original state, and give mother nature the opportunity cleans her canyon. 

After reading “The Damnnation of a Canyon” by Edward Abbey, I feel like he is a crazy tree hugger who need to look at Lake Powell for all the good that it has brought.  I feel like his essay was a one sides rant that I will pay no attention to.  Perhaps if he was more open minded I would have respected his views more than I do.  That type of writing was probably for a very select audience.

Add a comment October 6, 2006

Why are we here?

In our class discussion about the two scholarly articles it made me wonder why am I here?  I had the attitude of I just need a grade, this class doesn’t have anything to do with my career.  I just wanted a passing grade, and then I thought why is it that I am willing to just pay for something to get by?  I really need to be grateful for the situation I am in, and be grateful for the education.  There are alot of other individulas that wish the could be in my position.  The more I think about it the more my attitude starts to change.

In one of my other dance classes, we are required to read a chapter each time we go to class.  We have a class discussion on the chapter we have read.  I feel that when we have class discussions in English and we really talk about what the writer wants the reader to get from the article or chapter etc… I really helps me analize what the writer is say and fully understand what the point is.

 I have been out of school for about six years, I know some may say that this isn’t long.  I think it is.I am amazed at how much I have forgotten.  It is really hard to get back in the school mode.  I feel this class can be overwhelming at times, but the information we receive while in class has really helped me.  I can see how much things have changed since I decided to go to school.

The reason why I am here is to better myself, with knowledge and education.  I do believe that by being told something will never be as good and knowing why you are doing what you are told to do.  I just hope I can continue with my attitude and take in what is taught and be able to do the best I can with what I am given.

Add a comment September 29, 2006

Body and self-perceptions

The article I chose to do my journal topic was on The effect of Ballet dance attire on body and self-perceptions of female dancers.  This article was written by a student at Mercyhurst college in PA. 

While reading this article, It really opened up my eyes to the kinds issues dancers have to deal with.  In the article they were trying to prove that the kinds of attire dancers wear can have and effect on the dancer themselves.  I think the main question was, what kind of effect would it have on the dancers?  I have heard most of my teachers talk about the pressure and technique that comes with Ballet.  I think the teacher teaching Ballet only wants you to get the concept of the technique and what they are looking for in that particular style.  In the article is says that when the dancers were in “skin tight” dance clothes it effected the way they performed.  I found that very interesting because, on only are you trying to understand what the teacher is wanting from you, but if you are uncomfortable with the way you look in the mirror in those close it will make it harder for you to focus on what you should be doing.

I thought that their idea of having half the class wear the “skin tight” clothes and still dance in front of the mirror vs. the other half of the class who wore the so called “junk” clothes (referring to lose fitted clothes) and danced without  mirrors was a great way to see what an effect the different dance attire will have on the individual dancers. They had the dancers in the “skin tight” clothes that stared at themselves in the mirror for extended periods of time didn’t perfrom as well as the dancers in the “junk” dance attire.  They also stated that the dancers in the tights and leotards started to develop a higher self-surveillance and eating disorders.  Now by wearing tight clothes it helps the teacher see the dancers form and their alignment. There was an last question that was left open for the reader to think about is, how will tight-fitting attire effect young dancers. 

After reading this article I had many questions.  I never took and Ballet while I was growing up.  I didn’t know that this style of dance was so strict in their technique and style.  If I have a little girl I always wanted her to be a ballerina, but if that would mean her possibly developing a view on her body image I’m not so sure if that something I want.  I also makes me nervous because I really don’t like to look at my body in the mirror at all, so I hope I can over look that issue and perform to the best of my ability.

Add a comment September 22, 2006

About my major

My degree I am going to get is an Associate in Science with an emphasis in dance. The majority of my classes are dance classes.  I really like the degree I chose because, my major is not just focused on one type of dance.  I feel as though I have already learned so much about the different style of dance and what is expected in those styles. 

I think everyone has their own style of movement that they feel comfortable doing.  For some it seems so natural, and others it is hard to let go and be able to express yourself infront of others.  In one of my dance classes we had a discussion about being able to express ourselves through improvasation.  Some comments people said were: how can you get past the brick wall (little self) and let go and truely express yourself, (big self) with out thinking what others would judge about your movements.  This is something just about everyone in the class was struggleing with.  I was really surprised to hear that because, you usually think that your the only one that has that problem.  It makes it a little easier knowing that others have the same doubt.  Another question that was brought up was, how do we know what style of dance best fits our style of movement?  Since there are so many different styles of dance it’s really hard to tell where you best fit in.  In our class our teacher really tries to help you understand what is expected out of the syles of dance we are doing.  This makes it easier to understand the style of dance, and it may help us find out what type of dance we feel the most comfortable doing.

There are so many things that I want to learn and experience while being in this program.  I really wonder by the end of my degree will I beable to take in what was taught by my teachers and have a greater understanding of dance?  This is something I really want to work on, because I feel if you fully understand what is asked of you then you can succeed.  I only have a little dance experience, so when I see some of the people in my class that have alot more dance experience I get discouraged. It seems like to me they are already ahead and I am so behind.  This leads to my next question. Will I ever beable to become a great dancer even though I don’t have the experience that some of the others have?  In thinking about this question I have decided that I shouldn’t compare myself to others, instead I want to take in what I have been taught and to the best I can with what I have been given.

Add a comment September 13, 2006

Why is land and real-estate such a concern?

Due to the rapid increase of real-estate, how will the average first time home buyer be able to purchase a home?  Should it our responsibility, as the home buyer to find a solution to this problem?  Who’s responsibility is it to keep the price of homes in an affodable price range?  I think this topic may concern may individuals, mostly the young married couples.  If we want to be able to afford our own home we need to start and prepare now. 

 In recent conversation with my husband, the topic of purchasing a house was brought up.  With the increasing price of real-estate this makes me very concern.  I tend to lye awake some nights, trying to figure out things we can do to be able to purchase a house. I also wonder in two to four years after I graduate will my husband and I be able to afford a house?  Unless our economy increases I think it will be difficult to afford a house.  What kind of sacrifices would we have to forfeit to make ends meet?  If we will be able to get a home loan, would we be forced to get an interest only loan? 

Should we face the fact that land and reale-state will continue to only increase in value?  Is it possible that it could decrease?  I think it would be smart to prepare by starting a savings, and research the best possible places to invest your money as soon as possible. 

Why is issue something that effects most of society?  Could it be due to increase in the population?  Is this a topic that everyone should be concern about?  Some may think, why should I worry about this now? There will be Someone who will come up with something to make the price of homes affordable for everyone.  How can we know for sure? I’m not sure we can, that’s why I think what’s the harm in preparing now for the future?     

Add a comment September 8, 2006