College LIfe

As an older student, I have entered to the world of college late in life. This opportunity is one that I chose not to take when I was 18, yet have gotten a second chance. I guess that is why I see things a bit differently. In every class that I attend I see many who chose not to come to class. Attending classes is one of the benefits most new students often blow off. However, by attending class,you; the student not only can learn many things the books doesn't tell you, but also make new friends and study partners. Not to mention the valuable attendance points. I like to think that not going just isn't an option.
After attending your classes, now the real work must begin. Keeping a planner and writing assignments down is essential to good grades. You will encounter different classes daily, and a lot of them. If you don't write down homework, tests, projects, and assignments you will either fall behind, or forget something.
I have also given myself an "office" to which is just my room to study in. No distractions, no phone, no TV. My family knows its study time when I enter my room and unless it  can't wait I am NOT to be disturbed. Usually when I get home from classes I take a little break, get a snack and then I hit the material I learned for the day. For me, this works best. The material is fresh in my mind and I seem to get through my notes and homework much faster. Speaking of notes, they are a must. Whether highlighting your book,or taking written notes, find what works for you and stick with it. Often professors put things in test that aren't in the books. I always type my notes up, this helps me get my notes in order and also gives me a review. Whatever method you choose, then next step is to study for your tests. Even a quick once over will help your test results.
My final piece of advice is to enjoy college. It is a lot of hard work, but very worthwhile. Not only are you learning new things, you are meeting new people, trying new things and most of all establishing who you are and what kind of employee you will be.
Enjoy college life, reach out for help when you need it, make new friends, and put all your effort into each and every class. Even those classes you must take are going to benefit you, don't just get by. Strive for A's, true you may not always get them, but think of the pride you will have when you do!

April Fools Day

There are 3 of us in my family, my husband, my son and me. We are a huge sports family and for the most part usually root for the same teams. We love the Buckeyes and the Reds, however when it comes to football and hockey we have a split. My "boys" love the cowboys (I know right?) and I love, love, love my BEARS. I have loved them since I was a little girl and thought I would someday marry Walter Peyton. (hey a girl can dream) Then we get to hockey and all 3 of us like a different team. I love the Ducks. My husband is a die hard Wings fan and my son, bless his heart loves the Bluejackets. I hardly ever get to see my Ducks play, as they are a California team and usually the Wings and Bluejackets are on TV in this area. There are a few times though I do get to see them, like when my Ducks swept the Wings in the play offs. Yes, I did have a broom waiting for my husband when he got home. It is all in fun though. I love to watch the Wings play, they have an awesome team and I enjoy hockey. I just can't bring myself to like a Michigan team. A few years back I came up with the BEST April Fools prank ever. I left my husband a note telling him that I had decided to switch teams and my new team was the Wings. I stated that I never get to see my team play, I know his players better than mine and so on. He was SO happy he went to work and told another Wings fan (one of his good friends) that I finally came to my senses and was a Wings fan now. The next dayI said what is the date yesterday anyway? He said it was the 1st why? I said, Oh April Fools day right? Then it hit him, he knew I had pranked him. I really got him good. I never can fool him or pull one over on him, so for me this was a major victory. One that we still laugh about each April 1st.
Enjoy all the pranksters out there!

Blog #8 The Case of Torture

In Michael Levin's The Case for Torture he asks the question, is it right to torture someone to gain information that would save lives? Levin is pro torture, he feels that the means justify the end. Torturing one person to save the lives of thousands seems like a no brainer. However, what about our civil rights? What about due process? When is it acceptable to throw these rights out the window and torture someone? Should there be a set number of victims before we allow torture? In Levin's writings he makes several valid points. He points out that if a newborn was taken, all of the mothers would want that person tortured to find their child. This would throw that number theory out the window. It is also known throughout history that assassinations and pre-emptive strikes have saved millions of lives. Another valid argument is the death penalty. It may not bring back a victim, but the criminal will not be killing anyone else either. The terrorist seem to have no regard for human life, their victims are innocent, unknowing everyday people.
While torture may be morally wrong to most, the logic behind using it makes sense. If we can torture one person to save the lives of thousands isn't that worth it? The Western culture is different from the Eastern cultures, perhaps they don't even know about due process and civil rights. Either way, they are coming to our country and killing our people. For me, once they decide to step on American soil, plant a bomb, run a car into a building or whatever; their rights end.
The opposing views would like you to believe that torture will only gain misguided information that is usually not reliable. Which does pose a good question. The other argument is why do they care, they are giving their lives to do this, so what have they got to loose? They also contend that by trying to kill a target ( a leader ex: Bin Laden) they will kill or hurt many innocent people, and not even get who they are targeting.
http://www.debate.org/debates/Torture-is-sometimes-morally-permissible./5/

Although there are arguments for both sides, to me the rights of one person who is causing harm to innocent people is not as important as saving a life or lives. As a terrorist they chose to lead this life. Who are we to enable them and make it easier for them?

My Interview

I decided to interview my husband Dean. He is very artistic and handy. He loves to paint, remodel our house and he also works with wood. Ever since I have known Dean he has worked with wood. Not only is he creative and talented, but with his art background he has made some beautiful things.
Question 1
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
Answer: Walnut. The wood grain pattern ,the slight variation of the colors, and the "burl". (the burl would be the patterns and circles that the wood has in it)
Question 2
Is this a hobby that anyone can pick up?
Answer: Yes
Question 3
Why are you so good at woodworking?
Answer: My father, he taught me but better than that, he let me use all of his tools and let me make mistakes. This brought out a competitive side in me and I wanted to be just as good or even better than he was.
Question 4
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try their hand at woodworking?
Answer: Learn safety rules and don't be afraid of failure.
Question 5
What is the one piece you have made that you are most proud of?
Answer: A walnut jewelery box.

The jewelery box was made for me as a Christmas present. I still use it and treasure it as one of my most precious gifts. There are many gifts given over the years, but really most of my favorite gifts from Dean have been ones that he has made with his hands. There is something about knowing that he put the time, love and hard work into something so plain as a piece of wood and turned it into a beautiful treasure for me. A one of a kind masterpiece.

Am I wrong?

Am I wrong to think that our country needs to help our people first?
 Am I wrong to want the homeless to have a warm, comfortable place to live?
Am I wrong to want children to have great educations, food in their bellies, a roof over head and parents that love them and don't have too much stress in their lives?
Am I wrong to feel for the countries out there in the wake of their disasters, yet wonder why it is that our country can't take care of its own, but still continues to send aid everywhere else?
Am I wrong for wanting America to be that great land it used to be?
Am I wrong for feeling bitter about loosing my job to a third world country?
Am I wrong for buying a foreign made car?
Am I wrong for hating Walmart and all that it stands for?
Am I wrong or am I just a proud American who has had enough?
Am I wrong, or could it be I am right?
Wrong or right, good or bad. I am who I am.
Life has a funny way of molding us into the people we are through the actions, trials, tragedies, and love brought to us.
It is what we do with those major tramas in our lives that decides if we lived our lives, or if life lived for us.

6th Blog Assignment

In the poems "Workday" and " Did I Miss Anything?" we are to figure out what the theme of each poem is and then three elements/ poetic devices used in the poems.
"Workday": I think that the theme is how she doesn't really fit into either world. She is a worker, yet she also goes to school. An American Indian, yet an educated one.  The 3 elements are Imagery: 'the broken knees with pins in them' Analogy: plays out throughout the whole poem. By comparing the work life to the student life. Objective Description: "walking on the avenue the beuatiful feet, the perfect legs."

In "Did I Miss Anything" the theme is how one choice that you make can lead to a really wrong path or a great outcome. By choosing to miss/skip a class you may not miss anything, but it also might just be that class that holds the key to all the answers. It's your choice, do you want to risk it?
Irony: "Nothing-When we realized you weren't here we sat withour hands folded on our desks in silence, for the full two hours.
Symbolism- "Nothing- When you are not present how could something significant occur?"
Structure- The Nothing paragraph's are to the left margin no indentations. The While paragraphs are indented . This seems to highlight both of the different paragraphs and makes you notice there is a difference.

My Week

Wed. morning I got up and headed to the airport to pick up  my son. He is home on leave for the next week. This visit is bittersweet, as soon as he gets back to Alaska he will be headed to Afghanistan for a year. This means limited communication and not seeing him for at least 6 months and possibly longer. The good news is that after his flight got in, we headed to the jewelry store and he bought a beautiful diamond ring for his girlfriend. While she was in class, he surprised her and proposed. Although I didn't get to see it, I hear it was quite an event. Although there isn't an official date yet, the planning has begun. This next year hopefully will go by quickly. As both her and I will be graduating in May, my boy will be coming home and then there is all that wedding planning. Dresses to try on, invitations to make, what flowers.........oh the list goes on and on. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the best days of my life. Now I not only have a wonderful son, but a beautiful daughter too! Congrats Holly & Zac! I hope that all your dreams come true, that you fall deeper in love with each other every day and most of all you have lots of kids for me to spoil. I love you guys :o)