Final Blog Post

Why I deserve an A

            I have always been in higher English classes, even though I do not consider myself a very good writer. I can answer a question in 2000 words if need be. In this class, I have done more than was necessary to achieve a proficient grade. I have been to all except one class, because of personal problems. I have turned in every assignment on or before the due date. I have also done those assignments to the best of my ability. I have participated in class projects, and helped out others in the class when they needed to be helped. I also have been an active participator in class discussion. During debates, I have provided my opinion and backed it up with evidence. When you have asked questions after a reading or a video, I have answered and contributed to the conversation. I have especially done this when people were too shy to talk. Sure, I am not the best writer or thinker. But, in this class I have performed to the best of my ability to not only help myself learn more, but also in order to help others in the class learn.

 It has been fun. 

Week 12 Blog

Food Inc. Is about how much food has turned into being able to get the most food in the cheapest way. Because of all of these people and companies are inhumanely breeding chickens and other animals, we get the food we eat, but at a horrible expense. There is almost literally nothing that is not controversial about this movie. It hits a very hard part of the food industry. It shows how horrible these animals are treated, and how bad it really is. In some chicken farms, they have genetically enhanced the chicken so that it grows to full size in a ridiculously fast amount of time. I think it is something like 2 weeks, but I can't exactly remember. They actually grow so fast that they can't support their own weight when they are full grown. It does not matter too much though, because they will be eaten anyways. That is the part I can't decide on. Yes, we are treating them poorly, but we are also going to end up killing them and eating them anyways. The worst part, I think, is how we use corn in almost everything we eat these days. Because corn is so easy to grow and have lots of, it is put into everything. I don't know too much about this topic though, so I won't go too into it. This is my response, though.

One more after this and I am done. Woot!

Week 11 Blog

My favorite word isn't a real word. It is scrumtrulescent. The comedian Will Ferrell made up the word in a skit he was in on the show Saturday Night Live. Ferrell was doing a skit for "Inside the Actors Studio" and was pretending to be James Lipton. The definition on the website Urban Dictionary is as follows: "adj: so great that any other word employed would be woefully insufficient, and would serve only to limit the sheer magnitude of the greatness intended as a descriptor."

This description is very comicly written and is even funnier when it comes out of the mouth of Will Ferrell. Will Ferrell is a mastermind when it comes to comedy, especially when he was on Saturday Night Live in the late 90's and early 2000's. Another one of his very famous impersonations was when he played Alex Trebek on a mock episode of Jeopardy. Scrumtrulescent is a perfect example of his comic genius and how he can think of these crazy off the wall things that no one else could ever think of. I will often use it as a joke when I am trying to describe something, but I can't. This leads to laughs and reminiscing about the times when he was still on Saturday Night Live. It is a perfect way to break the tension in a conversation.

Research Blog Week 5

So this is the final research paper blog. Our papers were originally supposed to be done today, but because of some complications, they were moved back to next Tuesday. We turned in our rough drafts Tuesday, and should get them back today. This means that I will be able to see what my peers as well as my teacher Ms. Chen have said that I need to change. Hopefully we will also get our annotated bibliographies back today. I'm curious to see what score I received on it. I finished up my rough draft on Sunday night. I ended up having just a little bit under 2.500 words. I think that is okay though, because my arguments were pretty well formed. I know that I forgot to include a picture in my paper. That will be added into my final draft along with all of my revisions.
This will probably be the last paper I have to do for an english class. That is good and bad. I'm not forced to take but one more english class, so I don't have to deal with too much more writing. But I know that if I had more writing classes, I would get better. I just don't have the drive to do any more. Who knows.

Research Paper Week 4

I finally started my rough draft for my research paper on NASA. Unfortunately it is proving to be harder than I thought it would be. This is pretty much the first research paper of this kind that I have ever done. It is hard for me to incorporate quotes from my sources. Because of this, I have to really stop and think when I'm writing my paper. I have to actually grab quotes and form them to what I'm talking about. But once I get used to using the quotes, I feel like it will get easier to write, because it will give me more things to talk about. Since my sources involve everything from the history of NASA, to what will be happening in the future, I will probably end up going in a linear path, so that I can show the progression of the program, and how it has evolved since its start up.

Research Blog Week 3

This is the third weekly update on my research paper. As of now, I have finished my annotated bibliography. With this, I found six sources, and summarized them as well as telling how they would be good for my research paper. I have not started my research paper yet, but I am certainly thinking about how I will go about it. Because I have finished my annotated bibliography, I have all of the sources I need in order to write my paper. My sources are all academic sources with long articles that I can pull many ideas and quotes from. My sources range from giving a historical background of the space program, to why it has declined in the past twenty years, to what the future is looking like. I believe that by explaining all of these things, I can give the argument that the shuttle program was retired at the right time. With a recession and lack of interest in the United States, it just was not desirable to continue. Also, there are a number of private companies that are very close to sending up commercial space ships which will provide astronauts with the ability to get into space and the international space station if needed. The company SpaceX is actually planning on launching a ship in December, and they were going to dock on the International Space Station, but Russia decided that it would not be appropriate. This is because the ship has never been into space, and they do not trust that it will be one hundred percent safe.

Research Paper Week 2

This is another weekly update about our research paper. Our annotated bibliography is actually due tomorrow, so I figured I would just write about that since it is on the same topic. For our annotated bibliography we had to find six sources and summarize them and tell how they would solidify our argument. My topic is about whether it was right for the government to make NASA retire the space shuttle program. At first, I whole heartedly thought that it was not right for them to retire the shuttle program. Their reasoning was that the costs were way too high, the technology was outdated, and there was a lack of interest in the program. I found myself being stubborn and not wanting them to stop the missions. Especially after I went down to Cape Cod for STS-135, the last space shuttle launch, that was in July. No matter how many launches I watched on YouTube, there was no feeling like seeing it with my own eyes. But once I saw the facts and read articles, I reluctantly find myself feeling that it was the right time to retire the program, but not necessarily for the money. Yes, it costs way too much money to do keep doing, but not enough to make a big dent in the budget deficit. I agree that the shuttles were starting to get somewhat outdated and risky. Plus, there are many private companies that are going to start sending commercial spacecraft into space within the next few years. That is all.

Research Blog

I have decided to write about the governments decision to shut down the largest part of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), the manned shuttle missions. Though I haven't done a large amount of research, I already know that it will be harder than I thought to do an annotated bibliography. The hardest part is actually finding scholarly resources. Sometimes I will think they are scholarly and they turn out not to be. Once I find a good scholarly source, though, it is pretty simple. You have to read the article and summarize it. Also, you have to write about how it relates to your research paper.
Also, I have figured out that just finding sources on the internet will be kind of hard. Though most books are digital these days, there are still a good amount that are only print and that you have to find in the library. Though it probably seems old fashioned, it is definitely something to consider. Another source is talking to or interviewing  a person. Considering we are in college, it would make sense to find a professor that it in the field you are talking about. They can provide you with original information that no one else has access to, making your paper even more original.
I think the biggest struggle for me is procrastination. I have trouble starting on things super early. In the next few days I will have to lock myself in a room in the library and not leave until I have finished this paper, because if not, I'll put it off until Wednesday night and it will be absolutely horrible.

Research paper topics

For this weeks blog assignment we are supposed to pick three research topics and use a screening process with four questions to try and help us decide which is the best choice. 

My first topic will be whether to get a playoff system in NCAA football. 

1. Am I interested in the topic? 

I have definitely become more of a college football fan since coming to Clemson. It's hard not to when such a large population of this town is so into football, and since I live a quarter of a mile from the stadium. While I am not crazy passionate about NCAA football, I feel that I am interested enough to be able to do well with this assignment. 

2. Can I argue a position on this topic?

I think that I can. From where I see it right now, I feel that there should be a playoff system implemented. There was one time a few years back that three teams were tied with each other and there was a very controversial decision made as to who would be the top out of those three. With a playoff system there would be no controversy. The top 32 teams would be in a bracket and end up with the winner.

3. Will I be able to find enough research material on this topic?

I think that this is where I might find some trouble. This is still a relatively small topic, so there might not be too many articles on it.

4. Does this sort of research appeal to me?

I am not the biggest sports fan out there, but I feel that I enjoy it enough to be able to stay interested.

My second topic is whether NASA should have had to close the manned shuttle missions. 

1. Am I interested in the topic? 

I am very interested in the topic. I have always been fascinated with space travel and everything surrounding it. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I am very interested in learning more.

2. Can I argue a position on this topic?

I think that I can. Right now I feel that the manned shuttle missions should not have been botched. Yes, it costs billions, but I feel like overall, every time there is a mission to space, something new was found. Maybe it would have been better just to have cut back on the number of missions. 

3. Will I be able to find enough material on this topic?

I feel that there will be plenty of material on this topic. The space agency getting cutbacks is very much related to the recession in our country. Since it was such a large program, there are many people on both sides of the topic that could provide credible information.

4. Does this sort of research appeal to me?

Yes, I am definitely interested in this sort of research.

My third topic is whether texting while driving should be illegal.

1. Am I interested in the topic?

I am somewhat interested in the topic. I am a teenager, which is definitely the focus group when talking about this topic, so it very much involves me.

2, Can I argue a position on this topic?

I believe that I can. At the moment, I am for texting while driving to be illegal. Studies have shown that it is as bad a drunk driving. It requires the driver to not only take his eyes off the road, but to also use at least one hand to use the phone.

3. Will I be able to find enough material on this topic?

I think that I will, since it is a pretty talked about topic. Teenagers are outraged, adults are outraged, and both on different sides of the fence.

4. Does this sort of research appeal to me?

Since I am in the age group that is most involved I am naturally interested. Also, many of my friends are at risk because of their texting while driving, so that is an appeal as well.

Batman vs. Spiderman

In our debate groups, we were asked whether Spiderman or Batman is a better superhero. Since my favorite superhero is Batman, I was hoping we would get to defend him. Unofrtunately our group had to defend Spiderman. We failed miserably. That is because in no way is Spiderman a better superhero besides the fact that he has real superpowers. It takes much more than just super powers to be a hero.

Batman had a dramatic childhood, just like most other superheros. He witnessed his parents' death and swore to avenge them by taking care of the quickly rising crime in a struggling Gothom City. He went around the world finding people to teach him different forms of fighting and so that he could better learn about the world he lived in. Being a billionaire and the heir to one of the most profitable corporations in the fictional DC Comics world, Wayne Enterprises, he had virtually unlimited access to whatever he wanted. This made it easy for him to have all of the latest and move technologically advanced equipment to date. Intelligence, strength, and unlimited access can get you so much further than any super powers if you know how to use them. 

One big thing that separates Batman and Spiderman in my book is that Batman has a sidekick, Robin. Though there have been 4 different Robin characters in all of Batman's series, the saying "two heads are better than one" definitely goes into effect here. The last reason I like Batman more than Spiderman is because of the Villains. The Joker is arguably the most known villain of all time. Other notable villains in Batman's life are Catwoman, Bane, The Riddler, and Two-Face.

All of these facts come together to continually make me think that Batman is definitely a better superhero than Superman.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is important at Clemson as much as at any institution. It is vital to uphold the pillars that Clemson was founded on, truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, in order to keep the respect of the school as seen by others, as well as the respect of yourself as seen by others. Academic Integrity is about being true to yourself as well as being true to others. This obviously means that cheating is bad, but also that you need to be responsible enough not to let anybody cheat off of your own things.  As well as cheating, it is also important to refrain from stealing from other people and/or sources, or plagiarizing. Plagiarism does nothing but hurt you when you think about it. You stop yourself from having original ideas, so you stop yourself from the thinking you deserve. Lastly, lying is something you should refrain from doing. Lying not only hurts you, but it hurts the people you lie to. It is much better to be truthful to yourself and do worse than to lie and do better. If any of these things happen, it is really easy for someone to lose trust and respect in you. If those things are lost, it will be very hard to succeed in life and get a job, let alone a college degree. Be honest with yourself so that you will be trusted and respected in life by others as well as yourself.

Week 2 blog--my pictures

I have to admit, I had a great time going back through memory lane trying to find two pictures for this blog. I was very fortunate to have a very tight group of friends throughout my high school experience, so it wasn't exactly hard to find pictures of me with my friends, that is until about a year ago. It was about last summer that I started getting into photography and was seen less and less in front of the camera, and more behind it. But I digress. The two photographs I chose are from the first half of 2010.

The first photograph was taken at my house during my 17th birthday party. All of us were wearing pretty casual clothes, it wasn't a classy affair. We were definitely "cheesing" (smiling) for the camera because this is the one group picture my mother insisted on taking with all of us together. Though we are all smiling for the camera, it was still a very happy event, so smiles weren't missing during the evening celebration. 

This second photograph was taken three months later in Orlando, FL during spring break. My friend's parents decided they would take us to Disney World. Two adults wanted to take NINE teenagers to Disney World for a week. I consider that pretty dangerous. But alas, we had an amazing time, although we don't exactly have excited expressions on our face. That is because we are utterly exhausted! After a long day in the almost summer heat of Florida, we are riding back to our hotel on a Disney bus. Unlike the previous photograph, this one is candid and no one really cares that there is a picture being taken. We're all too tired to care, but I feel that it is the perfect picture. It captures our emotions and is completely real.

I definitely would not choose either of these pictures to put alongside a newspaper article telling of me winning a scholarship. That calls for something like a class picture, something more formal than these. I also wouldn't submit these pictures in to a dorm newsletter. Since I am the only one in these pictures that goes to Clemson, it wouldn't seem right. I would consider these for a facebook profile picture. These pictures are of my friends and me during important experiences in our lives. Since facebook is a social network, these would be completely appropriate. 

Rhetoric

For our first blog we are supposed to comment on the rhetoric seen all around us in our everyday lives. I never realized exactly how much rhetoric there is around us. It’s everywhere we look, especially on a college campus. The people in charge of this school really like to make us feel like a family. That's why they give away all of these cool free things (shirts, coozies, pens, etc.) and put us in welcome groups and such. They want to make us feel as comfortable as possible. They also do things to make us feel like the best school in the country. The football shirts highlight that we won the national championship in 1981, and because of that it is our time again 30 years later, which we all know is a long shot. I’m not trying to be cruel, just realistic. Other rhetoric can be seen in the words on our Clemson shirts. “Go Tigers” or “Clemson Pride” are common phrases. These inspire school and team pride. I feel that a lesser form of rhetoric is how the cafeterias have the phrase “Real Food on Campus” on the walls and napkin holders. It’s there to make us feel more at home and think of the cafeteria like more of a home kitchen and less of a school cafeteria. We all know how much of a bad reputation the stereotypical school cafeteria gets. Rhetoric is literally everywhere in our lives. In a college town like this it is especially evident because of the immense dedication we have towards our school and it’s academic and athletic success.