Blog #1: Topic Discussion

First Topic: Self-Image.  One of the three topics that captured my attention was Self-Image.  Some of the causes of people feeling down on their selves or having a low self-esteem is that when looking in the mirror they pick out a negative aspect to them rather than a positive.  Having a poor self-image will lower your confidence.  I feel like it is important to have a great self-image of yourself, because I feel like life is easier to live if you enjoy yourself because then you can enjoy others more.  It's important to combat this problem because everyone has something positive about them, whether it's a non-physical appearance, like personality, or something like a good smile.  This issue has impacted my community plenty of ways, whether it's a sad tweet or even by even talking to someone face to face, someone with a low self-image may bring up something negative about themselves.  Ways to raise awareness could be done in various ways. Compliment someone, let others know about that specific person's good qualities, or even just show appreciation.

Second Topic: Anti-Bullying.  I know that this topic gets old to hear about, but I feel like it is kind of hidden behind daily things being said.  Some of the causes of bullying is the one getting bullied is an easy target.  They may dress different or have a low popularity status.  Bullying also may be caused because it is easy to do especially if it isn't face to face.  Cyber-bullying is on the increase and we see it right before our eyes every day and we are so accustomed to it.  It's important to combat this issue because there is always something that promotes anti-bullying, but then two days after it is introduced people seem to shy away from the idea.  I hope that I can somehow get something going that will make a long-term effect and people will carry on with this idea.  People sometimes get bullied and don't know where to go, so why not try to help?  It has impacted our community, school, quad-city area, or anywhere honestly.  We may see more indirect bullying than anything else.  We can raise awareness of anti-bullying by being someone's friend honestly.  If they are bullied, just be their friend.  Not one time, but make it an everyday thing.  It will make them feel good and yourself as well for helping out.

Third Topic: Making Better Interactions.  As this was the topic that I discussed during class, I feel like it is pretty important.  There is a wide variety of things that you could do to make better interactions.  Some of the problems in our modern day is that people tend to be self-centered way too much.  When sitting at the lunch table for example, someone may pass by the table to take their tray up and someone says, "Why does he/she wear those shoes?  I had those in 5th grade." or something like that.  People are always caught up in what they have, like the coolest new laptop, a new car, their clothes, or their cell phone.  Will having all of those things help anyone else besides yourself? It is important to combat this issue because it will overall just help the social environment.  This issue has affected the community in plenty of ways, maybe by people being too hostile towards one another.  I feel like if you were to hold the door for someone it is a surprise because it is almost like a rare scene.  Some things that can be done is donating blood, maybe give your old clothes to Goodwill as well, or giving a meaningful compliment.

All three of these topics may seem like they can go hand-in-hand with one another.  But I feel like they could be fun to do a project on and it is a broad spectrum of options.

Blog #6

Three topics that I have knowledge upon when trying to persuade another individual would be pro-life vs. pro-choice, whether or not to have year round school, and why social networking sites are better to have than not to have.

One of the most controversial debates out there is pro-life vs. pro-choice.  As people see both sides, I could persuade to one why adoption and pro-life is a better choice.  Pro-life grants the opportunity for adoption, it is biblically-sound, and it is saving a life from death.

Year-round school is a great idea, as it allows students to stay in the "learning-mode".  Over a 3-month summer-long break, students are not gaining any knowledge over that long gap, and getting back into the school mode when school starts can be a task for teachers.  Another reason why it is good is because it is beneficial for socializing.  "I didn't see you at all this summer, how have you been?" is a typical question asked when returning back to school.  School is a place where people are constantly interacting with people you may just be friends or acquaintances with, and interacting is beneficial to one's future.

Social networking sites tend to get a bad wrap out there in society, but there are plenty of good things that it actually offers.  It allows for people to interact with another individual from a far distance easily.  There also are social networking sites, such as Schoology, that allows people to interact easily and post an assignment at the click of a button. Also, it is actually beneficial to one's quality of life if not used too much.

Blog #5

For my possible informative essay topics, I was thinking about discussing the origin of the two shoes, Adidas and Puma.  Two brothers both were planning to make shoes together, as they split up from one brother supporting the Nazi party less than the other brother.  After the two brothers split, each made their own shoe company; Adidas and Puma.  A very big rivalry was between the two, with even ending their lives buried in the same cemeteries, resting on opposite sides.

My other possible idea for what to write about would be, coincidentally enough, how Nike originated.  The first Nike running shoe was made on a waffle maker, and was worn by Steve Prefontaine, who was an Olympic runner.  Before Prefontaine ran for the Olympics, he ran for Oregon, where he got his first pair of Nikes, and originated the Nike Swoosh in 1972.  Those who are football fans know that Oregon has over 80 jerseys approximately, all because Nike was started there.

I find both of the topics to be interesting, as I look forward to researching and finding more and more about it.  I know a pretty good amount about each one of these topics, but as a writer I will be learning more about the information myself as well!

Blog #4

The game of soccer has much more to it than just shooting a ball into a net.  Two opposing teams, 11 players on each team, first set up a formation.  Out of the 11 players on the field, there is guaranteed to be a goalie, leaving 10 other players.  How do they set up?  A very newly popular formation is 4-2-3-1: a goalie, which isn't mentioned because it is a given, four defenders, 2 defensive mids, 3 attacking mids, and 1 target player. The goalie typically is a taller person, giving them a bigger wingspan to stretch their arms out for more reach on the goal.  The defenders are typically the faster people, that might not have as much skill, but are more strong and ambitious.  The midfielders are the track runners of soccer.  They have to go back and forth from offense to defense, and have good ball skills as well.  And the forwards, or target players are the skilled players that typically score the goals for the team.

When playing soccer, unless the teams are highly unbalanced, an average soccer score is about 3-1, or 3-2.  A game is 90 minutes long, consisting of two 45 minute long halves, so soccer teams must take any opportunity they get to score, as you don't score every other minute like you do in basketball.  Coaches study which formations would lead to the most success, and what will shred apart defenses.

The rules that are in soccer would be hand balls, off sides, penalty kicks, out of bounds, fouls, red cards and yellow cards, and a few others.  Soccer is a game used with your feet, and a hand ball is not permitted.  Off sides comes into consideration when an offensive player is behind the last defender on the opposing team and the ball is played to he or she while they're still off sides.  Penalty kicks occur when a foul or hand ball is committed in the box.  Out of bounds is self-explanatory: the ball cannot go out of bounds.  However, the person possessing the ball can go out of bounds, and half of the ball itself has to be in bounds.  Red cards are committed when players get a second yellow card, or a very dangerous play that is judged by the refs.

There is a lot more to the game of soccer, as it is just more than kicking the ball into the net.  It is the most internationally played game in the world.  It is known as "the beautiful game," but also when the whistle by the refs is blown, it is called chaos. Quite a paradox, right?

Blog #3: Pre-Writing for Personal Narrative

My first option that I could write about for a personal experience would be my mission trip this past summer to Toronto.  I could discuss the city and the people there, what we saw, what we did, and what affected me, and what emotionally grabbed me.  I met a man there that took us on a tour and showed us around the city and talked about the homeless people there.  His name was Anthony, and he actually was a homeless man and a crack addict.  I could write a lot about Toronto, especially with the ethos, pathos, and logos aspects included.

My other option would be my experience in Mexico this past February for my eldest brother Jonathan's wedding.  Things of discussion would consist of my speech for being one of his two best men, the other best man being my other brother, Jordan.  I could discuss going to the Mayan Ruins, going in the biosphere, the culture and weather, what it was like being the youngest person on the resort and interacting with people that were my brother's age all week.  Another very abroad topic.  It will be hard to pick which one to choose!

Questions:  I think they're all covered!  If I need anything, I can ask in class.

Summer

        This past summer I spent three days in Chicago and I got to spend it with family. The first day I  went there it was on the Fourth of July.  We started the day out by going to Chicago's China Town, seeing the culture change immediately after we walked in, getting a taste of a different atmosphere. One thing that I got from China Town was their signature bubble tea; a drink or slushie that contains Tapioca. We walked around and took a water taxi to voyage our way there and back that took about 15 minutes each. Passing under a very beautiful old bridge, getting water lightly splashed on our skin, and getting a gorgeous view of the city from the water taxi were some of the benefits of taking it.  Later on in the day, we grabbed some dinner along the Chicago river at Dick's Last Resort, where we had a very comedic dinner.  At Dick's, the waiters/ waitresses role is to be vain towards you.  Although the jokes were a little harsh sometimes, the food on the other hand was spectacular as I ordered some fish and chips.  The fish were wonderful, being topped off with some tartar sauce and even smelling spectacular.  Following that, Jonathan, my brother who lives there in Chicago, took us down closer to the river.  As I stand and look around for a second while we are crossing a bridge over the Chicago river, I look around in awe, seeing the skyscrapers up in the clouds, the people rushing from place to place trying to get a good spot for the fireworks, and just the liveliness of the city seemed to amaze me.  We followed Jonathan down into the dock, where we were originally planning on sitting by the lake side, we were surprised with the presence of a boat that we got to rent!  We got to rendezvous down the river in the boat, where we got a front row seat of the Chicago fireworks.  Playing summer music in the boat, seeing the fireworks explode in the distance with different sights and sounds, it was quite a way to spend my holiday. What a great start to the weekend, huh?

       The next day, our family just shopped and hung out in the city, doing some random things throughout the day.  Around dinner time, my parents made their trip back to Orion after getting a nice bowl of ice cream; I got to stay in Chicago with my brother for a soccer game for the following day.  This wasn't just any soccer game, it was a game where Lionel Messi got to play in. I have seen Messi play on tv, I have seen him score 5 goals in a game before, and I have seen him make the sportscenter top10 plays multiple times, but I never thought I would get the opportunity to see him in person. Before I went to the game though, I played some pick-up basketball and went to Lake Michigan. I biked from place to place with my brother using the new innovation that the Chicago transportation offers: Divvy Bikes. You rent a bike for 24 hours and you drive from station to station in 30 minute intervals. At Lake Michigan, I was greeted by the sound of a nearby club playing party music.  The bass while passing by it was so deep and loud that it was hard to distinguish between that or your own heart pumping.  Putting our Divvy bikes in a nearby bike station, Jonathan and I played some catch on the beach, eventually moving into the water. After some biking and lakeshore action, we went back and got ready for the game.

      We arrived at the game on a beautiful sunlit day, where we saw plenty of soccer fans wearing several different jerseys, but of course the one jersey that was seen most frequently was Messi's. People were literally chanting his name as they were to walk in, building up the excitement even more. Lionel Messi is considered the best soccer player in the world, winning the Fifa Player Of The Year four times, and who I got to see in person.  The game was a charity game, and all of the ticket sales went to pay for a charity for children. It consisted of some other superstars rather than Messi, and some Northwestern players who were called up to play hours before the game because some of the originally planned people had some trouble making it, apparently due to promotions, which ticked off a lot of people.  Anyways, watching a player like him play is just something else, with his vision that allows for the best passes, dribbling it close to his body and at a very quick speed.  It was pretty neat seeing Messi score a hat trick (3 goals) and then a bicycle-kicked goal by a Northwestern player, which really got the croud to stand up and cheer.  This play ended up being the top play on sportscenter the next day.  After the game, we saved some time and avoided driving in traffic by taking the Divvy bikes back to Jonathan's, going through Lincoln park and crossing from road to road, going at a speed that pushed my hair back as it flowed. After arrival at Jonathan's, I got some sleep and left for Orion the next day on a train.

Blog #1

When handling major essays, I first like to come up with a map or outline.  Organizing is key when writing, and outlining is very helpful.  I also like to come up with a good opening sentence, three great supporting details, and a reassuring closing statement. 

When it comes to my confidence in my writing, I have gained more confidence as I have written more and more.  At the start of my junior year, I probably was not nearly as confident in my writing as I am now.  My strengths as a writer would be that I come up with great topics.  It is very easy to find a topic that is very narrowed down, that potentially could not have a lot of support for it.  However, I am good at finding a topic that is much more abroad.  Another strength would be that I have gotten better at my vocabulary usage.  Also I tend to write more than I need to, which can be a good problem; I always can take unnecessary stuff out!  Something that I could definitely improve on as a writer would be my citation abilities and my run on sentences.  I don’t know why, but I just seem to struggle when it comes to my citing and I look forward to fixing that.  When it comes to running on a sentence, I tend to just type what my mind is thinking, whether it’s grammatically incorrect or correct.

As I am take English 101 and 102, I am planning on overall becoming more knowledgeable as a writer.  With writing more and more essays, I hope that I can fix more of my problems with essay writing.  I hope that writing different types of essays, such as personal experience, informative topic, Non-Fiction, etc., I can broaden my writing horizons and become a more genuine and more readable writer.  I also plan on not only learning how to write and things such as that, but I also hope that I can get more prepared for college in general by taking this class.