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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
My Time in 101
Welcome to my English 101 blog. My name is William C. Sanowski. My new bride, Amy, has a seventeen year old son and eight year old daughter to add to my sixteen year old son and fourteen year old son. I think seeing me in school has inspired all of them to do better and set some goal for themselves. I’ve currently served 21 years active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Mechanical Technician Senior Chief. At 38 years old, the Coast Guard has granted me a two year period to attend a college and get an engineering degree. I chose Everett Community College because it was close to my home and it provided a respected program that easily transfers over to a four year University. I was raised on farms and ranches in Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, but I call Ephrata Washington my home town (go tigers!). This background in farming has given me a unique perspective on engineering issues that the Coast Guard has used to their advantage for many years.
I was immediately intrigued with the guidelines of this class. When I joined English 101 I was expecting to learn more about sentence structure and have my writing critiqued for those errors. I will have to admit that the class really had none of that and was more focused on writing about a subject. Analyzing these prompts has brought several realizations to mind that I would have never really thought about before.
Diversity has taken on a whole new definition for me and has become a difficult equation because I have discovered so many more elements to establishing diversity. Diversity is not just having a mix of different people in a place; it is having those people in a place or community and accepting their differences. It derives from people who have spent a lifetime establishing individual identities who join communities to share talent and information to accomplish goals for themselves and the people in the community. Online chat communities are almost perfect examples of diversity depending on the subject. Being online takes many identity issues out of the equation and allows everyone to have a voice because it is a community focused on an issue. In “Spanglish”, I saw a different view of diversity where a Mexican family ended up in conflict with a rich white family because they could not accept or respect each other’s cultural differences.
Communities bring to life a new culture which is a representation of the people. The culture is practiced through rituals that eventually become traditions. As the world changes, these traditions, cultures, and communities evolve through new ideas and influences. For example, the Amish are raised in a strict environment, are given a choice to stay as adults, and if they stay are required to practice their lives through the governing rules. The Amish, however, vote in new technology on a periodic basis which affects their culture over time.
I’ve also learned that communities aren’t always good for the people they serve. In several essays we read, some communities encouraged starving or caused people to lose human contact, yet they keep functional because they serve goals of those individual’s personal identities. In the movie “Off the Map” we saw that the family’s goals were not the goals of the daughter which impacted interaction between the parents and the girl and caused her to do some extreme things to continue with her goals. Being in a leadership role in my profession, it has opened my eyes to why some people are the way they are and how important that must be to them. As a human being, there are a myriad of outside influences that will either push back or guide a person into who they become socially, who they associate with, and what functions they do to preserve their identities.
I have included some of my work from this quarter. “Dinner with the Family” was from our traditions unit and I felt that I had enough information to really prove why family dinner has taken a left turn and what the effects are. Our paper assignment for the communities unit was a flop even in my eyes, so “Community Provides” will project my revision skills to make the paper reflect what I meant to say. “Welcome to America” was an early discussion board entry that generated good response and covered a topic I’m a not so sure I feel the same way about anymore. The final piece is one of my favorites. “What’s in your Wallet” was fun to write and a great assignment to ponder the question of what kind of things a person carries on themselves day to day that identify things about who they are.
I hope you enjoy my work and give me some feedback. I will admit that this class was very challenging for me. I struggled a great deal trying to understand how to answer the prompts given for the papers. I have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the professors both in person and online.
I was immediately intrigued with the guidelines of this class. When I joined English 101 I was expecting to learn more about sentence structure and have my writing critiqued for those errors. I will have to admit that the class really had none of that and was more focused on writing about a subject. Analyzing these prompts has brought several realizations to mind that I would have never really thought about before.
Diversity has taken on a whole new definition for me and has become a difficult equation because I have discovered so many more elements to establishing diversity. Diversity is not just having a mix of different people in a place; it is having those people in a place or community and accepting their differences. It derives from people who have spent a lifetime establishing individual identities who join communities to share talent and information to accomplish goals for themselves and the people in the community. Online chat communities are almost perfect examples of diversity depending on the subject. Being online takes many identity issues out of the equation and allows everyone to have a voice because it is a community focused on an issue. In “Spanglish”, I saw a different view of diversity where a Mexican family ended up in conflict with a rich white family because they could not accept or respect each other’s cultural differences.
Communities bring to life a new culture which is a representation of the people. The culture is practiced through rituals that eventually become traditions. As the world changes, these traditions, cultures, and communities evolve through new ideas and influences. For example, the Amish are raised in a strict environment, are given a choice to stay as adults, and if they stay are required to practice their lives through the governing rules. The Amish, however, vote in new technology on a periodic basis which affects their culture over time.
I’ve also learned that communities aren’t always good for the people they serve. In several essays we read, some communities encouraged starving or caused people to lose human contact, yet they keep functional because they serve goals of those individual’s personal identities. In the movie “Off the Map” we saw that the family’s goals were not the goals of the daughter which impacted interaction between the parents and the girl and caused her to do some extreme things to continue with her goals. Being in a leadership role in my profession, it has opened my eyes to why some people are the way they are and how important that must be to them. As a human being, there are a myriad of outside influences that will either push back or guide a person into who they become socially, who they associate with, and what functions they do to preserve their identities.
I have included some of my work from this quarter. “Dinner with the Family” was from our traditions unit and I felt that I had enough information to really prove why family dinner has taken a left turn and what the effects are. Our paper assignment for the communities unit was a flop even in my eyes, so “Community Provides” will project my revision skills to make the paper reflect what I meant to say. “Welcome to America” was an early discussion board entry that generated good response and covered a topic I’m a not so sure I feel the same way about anymore. The final piece is one of my favorites. “What’s in your Wallet” was fun to write and a great assignment to ponder the question of what kind of things a person carries on themselves day to day that identify things about who they are.
I hope you enjoy my work and give me some feedback. I will admit that this class was very challenging for me. I struggled a great deal trying to understand how to answer the prompts given for the papers. I have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the professors both in person and online.
Where Do You Have Dinner?
Having a tradition may be something you need to reinforce your identity. “Dinner with Family” was written to project an idea that your traditions may affect more than just your identity, it maybe what your children are depending on in order to form their identities. A statement like, “Teenagers who eat with their families at least five times a week on average will get better grades, are 42% less likely to drink alcohol, 59% less likely to smoke, and 66% less likely to use marijuana,” makes you wonder how important it really is. "In a house where most of the objects haven't moved since yesterday, and no new people have apperared on the scene, the puppet show on the television screen is the most surprising thing in the child's enviroment, the stimuli most in need of scutiny and explanation", is a reading passage that follows the facts behind children statistics and sets the foundation for importance of providing stimulative family activity to your children in order to keep their attention. The essay also points out that traditions can change over time due to the world changing all the time. This paper shows that it really isn’t the dinner tradition that is an issue, but the fact that parents are too busy trying to make a living to raise their kids.
I chose this piece because it is a subject that hits home for a lot of people. I know that my family strives for togetherness during mealtime and we benefit from it. I also see the same results when I’m out to sea and sailors sit and eat together. It is a time where there are little distractions to prevent good conversations. I liked writing it because there were many facts to drive the paper and it can be considered a national problem. I consider this a critical thinking piece because I was able to identify two points of time, 1950 compared to present day, to observe the tradition, identify the differences, find the causes of change, and list the effects of change with support from outside sources. I should also point out that my professors thought that I finally met the requirements on this assignment.
I chose this piece because it is a subject that hits home for a lot of people. I know that my family strives for togetherness during mealtime and we benefit from it. I also see the same results when I’m out to sea and sailors sit and eat together. It is a time where there are little distractions to prevent good conversations. I liked writing it because there were many facts to drive the paper and it can be considered a national problem. I consider this a critical thinking piece because I was able to identify two points of time, 1950 compared to present day, to observe the tradition, identify the differences, find the causes of change, and list the effects of change with support from outside sources. I should also point out that my professors thought that I finally met the requirements on this assignment.
Dinner with the Family
In the 1950’s, families were able to survive on a single income where mom traditionally stayed home and tended to the house affairs and dad went to work to earn the paycheck. Dad would come home at the end of the day, pour himself bourbon over ice drink, read the paper, then at dinner time sit down with his family and eat dinner which was prepared by mom in the kitchen. This was the time that the family spent together every day to discuss family business. “What did you learn at school today” or “What happened at work”, were common discussions amongst families during these dinners. Today, a majority of families are forced to operate on double incomes where mom is working, dad is working, and the kids have after-school activities or social obligations into the evening. Mom feeds the kids macaroni and cheese and delivers them to their activities and dad picks up a pizza on his way home from work for the family to eat as they return to the house. Houses are even built now without dining rooms because our culture eats on the go so much they’d rather use the space for something else and it is causing community family conversation time to almost be non-existent. Family dinner used to be a part of the daily functional family routine for Americans but now is becoming rare and causing dysfunctional family behavior due to the modern family’s economic and social demands and the availability of fast food convenience.
The family economy of the 1950’s was vastly different from our modern economy. According to the Census, the median house price in 1950 was $7354 and the median single earner wage for dad was $3319 meaning dad made 45% his house value in wages a year on his own. In 2000, the median house price was $119,600 and the median wage for both mom and dad working was $59,099 which is 49% of their home value earned through wages a year. The figures prove that on average it is necessary to have two wage earners in a modern family to equal that of just dad in the 1950s. Since the opportunities for multiple paychecks in a single family have been much improved since the 1950s with labor laws for women implemented in the 1960s, it seems to be the path that most families sacrifice both parents working for survival in the present economy. This results in less time at home for bonding as a family and more need for convenience meal scheduling.
Food selection had fewer options decades ago. In the beginning of the 1950’s, either you were eating at home or spending more by going to a restaurant to eat, but that changed when the fast food boom finally happened. Although McDonald’s restaurant was opened in 1937, it was 1959 before the franchise really boomed into production and set a precedence that many food chains followed in later years. As fast food became more available and more popular through advertisement, Americans started eating out more often. In modern society, there is a myriad of fast food chains for almost every food imaginable and all fighting for the lowest value deal to get customers through the door. Having convenience, great prices, repetitive advertisements from every media source, and no clean up; society is drawn to fast food like mosquitoes to a light. Convenience food allows families to eat quickly and individually which opens their schedules for more activities rather than spending the time on formal dinner. Unfortunately, the nation’s health statistics are frightfully declining in both older and younger generations.
According to a survey conducted by Columbia University, teenagers who eat with their families at least five times a week on average will get better grades, are 42% less likely to drink alcohol, 59% less likely to smoke, and 66% less likely to use marijuana. Approximately 50% of teenagers in the United States claim to have regular meals with their families. In the essay, “Everything Bad Is Good for You,” author Steven Johnson writes “In a house where most of the objects haven’t moved since yesterday, and no new people have appeared on the scene, the puppet show on the television screen is the most surprising thing in the child’s environment, the stimuli most in need of scrutiny and explanation”(466). Johnson writes on to prove that the idea of not taking a mutual interest in your children through conversations and activities will cause them to explore other avenues of entertainment to support the need to explore new things. This does not prove that dinner is the key element; it proves that if a ritual like family dinner is conducted, family is more likely to spend time in conversation in which the family will benefit. It has been compared to early child development where early child reading abilities were higher in children with more parent involvement. Realizing that convenience food is necessary for modern schedules, fixing more home cooked meals leads to a healthier diet and strays from soda and fried food allowing the family to maintain better physical and mental health.
The modern family needs these conveniences in order to survive the hectic schedules that our economy and our culture press upon us. The convenience of a microwavable dinner or fast food allows us to use our time toward our busy schedules rather than spending it preparing long meals and cleaning up. Eating on the fly is instrumental in scheduling more activities into our daily agenda including things like working more hours, different shifts at work from our significant other, or attending early evening events like college classes. Care must be taken when eliminating dinner with family that some kind of time is allotted for family time or the family risk becoming dysfunctional.
Family dinner is not the save all for dysfunctional families. Dysfunctional families remain dysfunctional because they are dysfunctional and not being able to schedule one time of the day to come together as a family could definitely be an indicator of a dysfunctional family. Strong families will make the time because they realize the importance of togetherness in our society. Understand that the economy in the United States, modern culture, and social expectations of integrating mom into the work force is making time for dinner is a challenge to the modern family and it is eliminating a tool for functional family bonding. The benefits of this long standing tradition increases the family bonds through interaction, opens the lines of communication by giving all the family members a voice at the table, and makes the family healthier as a whole both mentally and physically.
Works Cited
McKenzie, J. (2005, September 13). Family Dinner Linked to Better Grades for Teens. ABC NEWS. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com
U.S. Bureau of the Census. (2008). Housing and wage medians. Retrieved from http://www.census.com.
Johnson, Steven.”Everything Bad Is Good for You: Games.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
The family economy of the 1950’s was vastly different from our modern economy. According to the Census, the median house price in 1950 was $7354 and the median single earner wage for dad was $3319 meaning dad made 45% his house value in wages a year on his own. In 2000, the median house price was $119,600 and the median wage for both mom and dad working was $59,099 which is 49% of their home value earned through wages a year. The figures prove that on average it is necessary to have two wage earners in a modern family to equal that of just dad in the 1950s. Since the opportunities for multiple paychecks in a single family have been much improved since the 1950s with labor laws for women implemented in the 1960s, it seems to be the path that most families sacrifice both parents working for survival in the present economy. This results in less time at home for bonding as a family and more need for convenience meal scheduling.
Food selection had fewer options decades ago. In the beginning of the 1950’s, either you were eating at home or spending more by going to a restaurant to eat, but that changed when the fast food boom finally happened. Although McDonald’s restaurant was opened in 1937, it was 1959 before the franchise really boomed into production and set a precedence that many food chains followed in later years. As fast food became more available and more popular through advertisement, Americans started eating out more often. In modern society, there is a myriad of fast food chains for almost every food imaginable and all fighting for the lowest value deal to get customers through the door. Having convenience, great prices, repetitive advertisements from every media source, and no clean up; society is drawn to fast food like mosquitoes to a light. Convenience food allows families to eat quickly and individually which opens their schedules for more activities rather than spending the time on formal dinner. Unfortunately, the nation’s health statistics are frightfully declining in both older and younger generations.
According to a survey conducted by Columbia University, teenagers who eat with their families at least five times a week on average will get better grades, are 42% less likely to drink alcohol, 59% less likely to smoke, and 66% less likely to use marijuana. Approximately 50% of teenagers in the United States claim to have regular meals with their families. In the essay, “Everything Bad Is Good for You,” author Steven Johnson writes “In a house where most of the objects haven’t moved since yesterday, and no new people have appeared on the scene, the puppet show on the television screen is the most surprising thing in the child’s environment, the stimuli most in need of scrutiny and explanation”(466). Johnson writes on to prove that the idea of not taking a mutual interest in your children through conversations and activities will cause them to explore other avenues of entertainment to support the need to explore new things. This does not prove that dinner is the key element; it proves that if a ritual like family dinner is conducted, family is more likely to spend time in conversation in which the family will benefit. It has been compared to early child development where early child reading abilities were higher in children with more parent involvement. Realizing that convenience food is necessary for modern schedules, fixing more home cooked meals leads to a healthier diet and strays from soda and fried food allowing the family to maintain better physical and mental health.
The modern family needs these conveniences in order to survive the hectic schedules that our economy and our culture press upon us. The convenience of a microwavable dinner or fast food allows us to use our time toward our busy schedules rather than spending it preparing long meals and cleaning up. Eating on the fly is instrumental in scheduling more activities into our daily agenda including things like working more hours, different shifts at work from our significant other, or attending early evening events like college classes. Care must be taken when eliminating dinner with family that some kind of time is allotted for family time or the family risk becoming dysfunctional.
Family dinner is not the save all for dysfunctional families. Dysfunctional families remain dysfunctional because they are dysfunctional and not being able to schedule one time of the day to come together as a family could definitely be an indicator of a dysfunctional family. Strong families will make the time because they realize the importance of togetherness in our society. Understand that the economy in the United States, modern culture, and social expectations of integrating mom into the work force is making time for dinner is a challenge to the modern family and it is eliminating a tool for functional family bonding. The benefits of this long standing tradition increases the family bonds through interaction, opens the lines of communication by giving all the family members a voice at the table, and makes the family healthier as a whole both mentally and physically.
Works Cited
McKenzie, J. (2005, September 13). Family Dinner Linked to Better Grades for Teens. ABC NEWS. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com
U.S. Bureau of the Census. (2008). Housing and wage medians. Retrieved from http://www.census.com.
Johnson, Steven.”Everything Bad Is Good for You: Games.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
My Second Chance
When I wrote the communities unit paper, I was a bit concerned about my writing ability. The first paper on identity was not graded at a level I agreed with. I decided to make a trip to Everett Community College and talk with Professor Smith to reach some level of “AH HA” with negative results (not by her fault). I went home to start on a new adventure in writing with hopefully the right perception of the requirements.
The assignment prompt was "How do communities function in our lives?" We were also to interview someone from a community we were a part of and use the information in the essay. I wrote “Communities Provide” trying to get to the essence of what values we seek that makes us join communities and support my findings through passages in our reading and my example community.
Once I wrote it, I began asking everyone I knew to read it and give me feedback. From the discussion group I had mixed feelings and everyone on the outside wanted me to change something. When I got done, I had a paper of changes and words I would never use to talk to anyone like “The hallmark of a community”. I knew I should have just stayed with what I had because it was in simpler terms and I felt it was much clearer. Also, the paper got so long with all the changes that I was forced to delete information that supported sentences resulting in incomplete thoughts.
Our assignment is to re-write a paper we think could benefit from it. I can tell you that the majority of what I write could benefit from a re-write. This paper, however, I was displeased with even submitting it prior to my grade. I think my original paper makes more sense and is written more to my voice.
The paper itself is striving to prove that communities are created by people trying to achieve goals by helping a group of people trying to achieve goals. These communities take leadership, promotion, and active members. It points out that communities create a living culture that once started will continue without the originating members. Also, diversity in modern communities has increased due to technology. Today’s communities may have people that have never met in person but have full access to one another. Through technology, communities that were limited to the city limits of where they were originated years ago can now be worldwide. I would say that even if this essay is not perfectly organized, it is packed full of great information about communities and worth reading. The first draft in italics is the original.
The assignment prompt was "How do communities function in our lives?" We were also to interview someone from a community we were a part of and use the information in the essay. I wrote “Communities Provide” trying to get to the essence of what values we seek that makes us join communities and support my findings through passages in our reading and my example community.
Once I wrote it, I began asking everyone I knew to read it and give me feedback. From the discussion group I had mixed feelings and everyone on the outside wanted me to change something. When I got done, I had a paper of changes and words I would never use to talk to anyone like “The hallmark of a community”. I knew I should have just stayed with what I had because it was in simpler terms and I felt it was much clearer. Also, the paper got so long with all the changes that I was forced to delete information that supported sentences resulting in incomplete thoughts.
Our assignment is to re-write a paper we think could benefit from it. I can tell you that the majority of what I write could benefit from a re-write. This paper, however, I was displeased with even submitting it prior to my grade. I think my original paper makes more sense and is written more to my voice.
The paper itself is striving to prove that communities are created by people trying to achieve goals by helping a group of people trying to achieve goals. These communities take leadership, promotion, and active members. It points out that communities create a living culture that once started will continue without the originating members. Also, diversity in modern communities has increased due to technology. Today’s communities may have people that have never met in person but have full access to one another. Through technology, communities that were limited to the city limits of where they were originated years ago can now be worldwide. I would say that even if this essay is not perfectly organized, it is packed full of great information about communities and worth reading. The first draft in italics is the original.
Community Provides
Communities are a central hub to obtain, organize and share knowledge, then discuss or possibly act on the results of that information. The hallmark of a community is that it is a “location” where members with a common interest and a communication path come to discuss their ideas, issues, and passions. A modern example of a community within a larger society is the one formed around military professionals and military families. Community interaction, as mutual support for its members, is exemplified by online “meetings” orchestrated by the Military Wife Organization. A special interest community may also be a powerful force for change in the greater society with good leadership, active members, and a common passion or goal. Organizing into communities is essential behavior for humans and each member may be participants in several different communities that relate to where we live, work, recreate and pray. Much of our lives are spent with communities, to serve our personal goals and to improve the communities we participate in for the benefit of our families, neighbors, society at large, and ultimately our nation and beyond.
The United States Coast Guard Naval Engineering Support Unit (NESU) Seattle is a community of naval engineers consisting of one hundred and five (105) weapon specialist, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and structural technicians and administrators who coordinate and complete depot level maintenance for over forty ships in the Coast Guard Fleet. Damage Control Man Third Class Juan Jose Robles Munoz, a five year Coast Guard employee, has been at the NESU for over a year and had worked through three other units to finally be selected for the NESU. Even though Munoz’s family is primarily in Puerto Rico, he chose to come to the NESU community because of the reputation NESU had for giving employees a variety of complex experience, good mentors and strong leadership. Munoz states that he enjoys working with all the people from different trades and backgrounds and hopes to leave NESU in three years with advancement in rank, experience that will give him more confidence, and opportunity to take on more responsibilities. The NESU is continuing to uphold their strong reputation of professional ship repair with employees like Munoz and is in return providing him with the resources of knowledge, experience, and recommendation for advancement.
Communities are powerful entities that surround human existence. These social gatherings have existed since the beginning of time because they have provided humans with a method of mutual protection (security), a way to achieve common goals (like hunting and farming at the same village), and a safer opportunity for human interaction (dealing with acquaintances rather than strangers in the bush). Communities have changed drastically over the years due to technology overcoming limitations like distance, geography, language, and disability, yet they still come in many different sizes, shapes, locations, and styles. This is reflected in the diversity of communities in the 21st Century. Communities all have one thing in common; they create action based on shared expectations, values, beliefs and meanings between individuals.
Once a community’s members move toward a mutual goal, the group action will provide result. The individuals involved share in the sense of empowerment provided by any achieved success. As an example, the college student body community has a goal to effectively share knowledge to achieve a degree that will hopefully provide value to a future employer. In John Stewart’s “Commencement Address” he is awarded an honorary doctorate then goes on to say how it devalues the community by stating “I’m sure my fellow doctoral graduates-who have spent so long toiling in academia, sinking into debt, sacrificing God knows how many years for what, in truth, is a piece of parchment that in truth has been so devalued by our instant gratification culture as to have been rendered meaningless-will join in congratulating me” (126). Stewart is essentially stating that the college, by giving away the symbol of empowerment not earned, is depreciating the community.
Communities are more than the group of individuals that they consist of, community may “morph” into a life form of its own. Many communities, such as towns, have existed before the current members were even alive and will continue to exist long after they are gone. The concept of “community” is a symbol of learned things that grows, responds, and behaves though different principles, forces, and mechanisms that a human being does and so changes by new ideas and behaviors of individuals. With good leadership and active members, the community will continue to grow, change with the times, and stay empowered through collective ideas, values, and expectations. In return the individuals will progress with the community and retain the benefits from the knowledge, experience, resources, and security the community provides.
In an essay by Shari Caudron called “Befriending Barbie”, she writes about a community that started off with collecting Barbie dolls and trading them among the members. The community grew over time to major conventions and becoming involved in public service through several charities like “Toys for Tots”, “Angels Unaware”, and “Parents of Murdered Children.” Caudron also describes a situation with a community member’s son who was murdered and the community provided her with friends when her normal friends dropped out of her circle for reasons of not knowing how to approach her. The same community also managed to donate a blanket and money to memorialize her son. In her case, this community became her whole connection to the world and satisfied her needs for friendship and solace.
Communities form a culture around a shared interest and guide lines that are formed while a community is being created. The cultural guidelines can be the determination for acceptance in the community for an individual. In “Making the Grade”, by author Kumi Hodge, the author writes about being in a black community and not being accepted because he is book smart. Hodge writes about how hard it is to step out of your community culture and still try to be accepted, but concludes “To me, the struggle of fitting in can be like giving up on yourself”(259). Cultural requirements for community can be anything from language, ethnicity, stereotypes like Hodge’s essay, to an infinitive variety of subjects or issues. Culture is definitely an element of acceptance and part of the mechanics that drive human interaction and reaction within a community.
Communities require leadership that will act as a catalyst for mobilizing the whole community, inspiring members to participate, creating places and opportunities for communication, and solidifying the common interests that attract and retain people to the community and ensure their loyalty. In return, communities can provide planning, problem solving, education, networking, and at minimum, a resource of knowledge that is needed to achieve group and individual goals, empower members, and can produce better performance within an organization, such as the NESU does for the Coast Guard. Active members in community optimally gain the opportunity for social engagement on important issues, appreciation of the community culture, and a feeling of acceptance and friendship. Once an individual finds a community he/she relates to, the experience can help them accomplish rewarding goals. The mutually beneficial relationship between NESU and DC3 Munoz illustrated this critical point.
Communities are a central hub to obtain and collect knowledge, share knowledge, and discuss or possibly act on the results of that information. The requirements of a community are members with a common interest and a communication path to discuss their ideas, issues, and passions. A community can be an emotional driven group that meets in secret or through written communications; like our forefathers did to organize an army to overthrow the British rule, or they can be just a support group that meets online to discuss problems like the Military Wife Organization. An empowered community can also be a powerful force for change with good leadership, active members, and a common passion or goal. Communities are an essential part of our lives because communities serve the goals and needs of the people, provide community leadership and guidelines, and can benefit organizations they interact with.
The United States Coast Guard Naval Engineering Support Unit (NESU) Seattle is a community of naval engineers consisting of one hundred and five (105) weapon specialist, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and structural technicians and administrators who coordinate and complete depot level maintenance for over forty ships in the Coast Guard Fleet. Damage Control Man Third Class Juan Jose Robles Munoz, a five year Coast Guard employee, has been at the NESU for over a year and had worked through three other units to finally be selected for the NESU. Even though Munoz’s family is primarily in Puerto Rico, he chose to come to the NESU community because of the reputation NESU had for giving employees a variety of complex experience, good mentors and strong leadership. Munoz states “I enjoys working with all the people from different trades and backgrounds and hope to leave NESU in three years with advancement in rank, experience that will give me more confidence, and opportunity to take on more responsibilities.” The NESU is continuing to uphold their strong reputation of professional ship repair with employees like Munoz and is in return providing him with the resources of knowledge, experience, and recommendation for advancement.
Communities are powerful entities that surround human existence. These social gatherings have existed since the beginning of time because they have provided humans with security, a way to achieve common goals (like hunting and farming at the same village), and a psychological human need for interaction with other humans. Communities have changed drastically over the years due to technology overcoming limitations like distance, geography, language, and disability, yet they still come in many different sizes, shapes, locations, and styles. Communities all have one thing in common; they create action based on shared expectations, values, beliefs and meanings between individuals.
Once community is in movement towards a goal and the action provides results, the individuals share in the empowerment of the community which is a value to each individual. As an example, the college community has a goal to effectively share knowledge to achieve a degree that will hopefully provide value to a future employer. In John Stewart’s “Commencement Address” he is awarded an honorary doctorate then goes on to say how it devalues the community by stating “I’m sure my fellow doctoral graduates-who have spent so long toiling in academia, sinking into debt, sacrificing God knows how many years for what, in truth, is a piece of parchment that in truth has been so devalued by our instant gratification culture as to have been rendered meaningless-will join in congratulating me” (126). Stewart is essentially stating that the college, by giving away the symbol of empowerment not earned, is depreciating the community.
Communities are more than the group of individuals that they consist of, community is a life form of its own. Many communities, such as towns, have existed before the current members were even alive and will continue to exist long after they are gone. Community is a symbol of learned things and grows, responds, and behaves though different principles, forces, and mechanisms that a human being does and so changes by new ideas and behaviors of individuals. With good leadership and active members, the community will continue to grow, change with the times, and stay empowered through collective ideas, values, and expectations. In return the individuals will progress with the community and retain the benefits from the knowledge, experience, resources, and security the community provides.
In an essay by Shari Caudron called “Befriending Barbie”, she writes about a community that started off with collecting Barbie dolls and trading them among the members. The community grew over time to major conventions and becoming involved in public service through several charities like “Toys for Tots”, “Angels Unaware”, and “Parents of Murdered Children”. Caudron also describes a situation with a community member’s son who was murdered and the community provided her with friends when her normal friends dropped out of her circle for reasons of not knowing how to approach her. The same community also managed to donate a blanket and money to memorialize her son. In her case, this community became her whole connection to the world and satisfied her needs for friendship and interaction.
Communities form a culture around a shared interest and guide lines that are formed while creating the community. The cultural guidelines can be the determination for acceptance in the community for an individual. In “Making the Grade”, by author Kumi Hodge, the author writes about being in a black community and not being accepted because he is book smart. Hodge writes about how hard it is to step out of your community culture and still try to be accepted, but concludes “To me, the struggle of fitting in can be like giving up on yourself”(259) Cultural requirements for community can be anything from language, ethnicity, stereotypes like Hodge’s essay, to an infinitive amount of subjects or issues. Culture is definitely an element of acceptance and part of the mechanics in community.
Communities require leadership that will act as a catalyst for promoting participation and mobilize the whole community, active participating members, a place to communicate, and a common goal or interest that can inspire people to share resources like knowledge and experience with each other. In return, communities can provide planning, problem solving, education, networking, and at minimum a resource of knowledge that can achieve goals, empower members, and can produce better performance within an organization such as the NESU does for the Coast Guard. Active members in community will have a sense of belonging, social interaction on passionate subjects, a community culture, and a feeling of acceptance and friendship. Once an individual finds a community he/she relates to, the experience can help them accomplish rewarding goals as the relationship between NESU and DC3 Munoz illustrated.
Works Cited
Stewart, Jon.”Commencement Address.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Caudron, Shari. “Befriending Barbie.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Hodge, Kumi. “Making the Grade.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Munoz, Juan. Personal Interview. 30 Apr. 2010.
The United States Coast Guard Naval Engineering Support Unit (NESU) Seattle is a community of naval engineers consisting of one hundred and five (105) weapon specialist, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and structural technicians and administrators who coordinate and complete depot level maintenance for over forty ships in the Coast Guard Fleet. Damage Control Man Third Class Juan Jose Robles Munoz, a five year Coast Guard employee, has been at the NESU for over a year and had worked through three other units to finally be selected for the NESU. Even though Munoz’s family is primarily in Puerto Rico, he chose to come to the NESU community because of the reputation NESU had for giving employees a variety of complex experience, good mentors and strong leadership. Munoz states that he enjoys working with all the people from different trades and backgrounds and hopes to leave NESU in three years with advancement in rank, experience that will give him more confidence, and opportunity to take on more responsibilities. The NESU is continuing to uphold their strong reputation of professional ship repair with employees like Munoz and is in return providing him with the resources of knowledge, experience, and recommendation for advancement.
Communities are powerful entities that surround human existence. These social gatherings have existed since the beginning of time because they have provided humans with a method of mutual protection (security), a way to achieve common goals (like hunting and farming at the same village), and a safer opportunity for human interaction (dealing with acquaintances rather than strangers in the bush). Communities have changed drastically over the years due to technology overcoming limitations like distance, geography, language, and disability, yet they still come in many different sizes, shapes, locations, and styles. This is reflected in the diversity of communities in the 21st Century. Communities all have one thing in common; they create action based on shared expectations, values, beliefs and meanings between individuals.
Once a community’s members move toward a mutual goal, the group action will provide result. The individuals involved share in the sense of empowerment provided by any achieved success. As an example, the college student body community has a goal to effectively share knowledge to achieve a degree that will hopefully provide value to a future employer. In John Stewart’s “Commencement Address” he is awarded an honorary doctorate then goes on to say how it devalues the community by stating “I’m sure my fellow doctoral graduates-who have spent so long toiling in academia, sinking into debt, sacrificing God knows how many years for what, in truth, is a piece of parchment that in truth has been so devalued by our instant gratification culture as to have been rendered meaningless-will join in congratulating me” (126). Stewart is essentially stating that the college, by giving away the symbol of empowerment not earned, is depreciating the community.
Communities are more than the group of individuals that they consist of, community may “morph” into a life form of its own. Many communities, such as towns, have existed before the current members were even alive and will continue to exist long after they are gone. The concept of “community” is a symbol of learned things that grows, responds, and behaves though different principles, forces, and mechanisms that a human being does and so changes by new ideas and behaviors of individuals. With good leadership and active members, the community will continue to grow, change with the times, and stay empowered through collective ideas, values, and expectations. In return the individuals will progress with the community and retain the benefits from the knowledge, experience, resources, and security the community provides.
In an essay by Shari Caudron called “Befriending Barbie”, she writes about a community that started off with collecting Barbie dolls and trading them among the members. The community grew over time to major conventions and becoming involved in public service through several charities like “Toys for Tots”, “Angels Unaware”, and “Parents of Murdered Children.” Caudron also describes a situation with a community member’s son who was murdered and the community provided her with friends when her normal friends dropped out of her circle for reasons of not knowing how to approach her. The same community also managed to donate a blanket and money to memorialize her son. In her case, this community became her whole connection to the world and satisfied her needs for friendship and solace.
Communities form a culture around a shared interest and guide lines that are formed while a community is being created. The cultural guidelines can be the determination for acceptance in the community for an individual. In “Making the Grade”, by author Kumi Hodge, the author writes about being in a black community and not being accepted because he is book smart. Hodge writes about how hard it is to step out of your community culture and still try to be accepted, but concludes “To me, the struggle of fitting in can be like giving up on yourself”(259). Cultural requirements for community can be anything from language, ethnicity, stereotypes like Hodge’s essay, to an infinitive variety of subjects or issues. Culture is definitely an element of acceptance and part of the mechanics that drive human interaction and reaction within a community.
Communities require leadership that will act as a catalyst for mobilizing the whole community, inspiring members to participate, creating places and opportunities for communication, and solidifying the common interests that attract and retain people to the community and ensure their loyalty. In return, communities can provide planning, problem solving, education, networking, and at minimum, a resource of knowledge that is needed to achieve group and individual goals, empower members, and can produce better performance within an organization, such as the NESU does for the Coast Guard. Active members in community optimally gain the opportunity for social engagement on important issues, appreciation of the community culture, and a feeling of acceptance and friendship. Once an individual finds a community he/she relates to, the experience can help them accomplish rewarding goals. The mutually beneficial relationship between NESU and DC3 Munoz illustrated this critical point.
Works Cited
Stewart, Jon.”Commencement Address.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Caudron, Shari. “Befriending Barbie.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Hodge, Kumi. “Making the Grade.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Munoz, Juan. Personal Interview. 30 Apr. 2010.
Community Provides Revisited
Caudron, Shari. “Befriending Barbie.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Hodge, Kumi. “Making the Grade.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Munoz, Juan. Personal Interview. 30 Apr. 2010.
Community Provides Revisited
Communities are a central hub to obtain and collect knowledge, share knowledge, and discuss or possibly act on the results of that information. The requirements of a community are members with a common interest and a communication path to discuss their ideas, issues, and passions. A community can be an emotional driven group that meets in secret or through written communications; like our forefathers did to organize an army to overthrow the British rule, or they can be just a support group that meets online to discuss problems like the Military Wife Organization. An empowered community can also be a powerful force for change with good leadership, active members, and a common passion or goal. Communities are an essential part of our lives because communities serve the goals and needs of the people, provide community leadership and guidelines, and can benefit organizations they interact with.
The United States Coast Guard Naval Engineering Support Unit (NESU) Seattle is a community of naval engineers consisting of one hundred and five (105) weapon specialist, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and structural technicians and administrators who coordinate and complete depot level maintenance for over forty ships in the Coast Guard Fleet. Damage Control Man Third Class Juan Jose Robles Munoz, a five year Coast Guard employee, has been at the NESU for over a year and had worked through three other units to finally be selected for the NESU. Even though Munoz’s family is primarily in Puerto Rico, he chose to come to the NESU community because of the reputation NESU had for giving employees a variety of complex experience, good mentors and strong leadership. Munoz states “I enjoys working with all the people from different trades and backgrounds and hope to leave NESU in three years with advancement in rank, experience that will give me more confidence, and opportunity to take on more responsibilities.” The NESU is continuing to uphold their strong reputation of professional ship repair with employees like Munoz and is in return providing him with the resources of knowledge, experience, and recommendation for advancement.
Communities are powerful entities that surround human existence. These social gatherings have existed since the beginning of time because they have provided humans with security, a way to achieve common goals (like hunting and farming at the same village), and a psychological human need for interaction with other humans. Communities have changed drastically over the years due to technology overcoming limitations like distance, geography, language, and disability, yet they still come in many different sizes, shapes, locations, and styles. Communities all have one thing in common; they create action based on shared expectations, values, beliefs and meanings between individuals.
Once community is in movement towards a goal and the action provides results, the individuals share in the empowerment of the community which is a value to each individual. As an example, the college community has a goal to effectively share knowledge to achieve a degree that will hopefully provide value to a future employer. In John Stewart’s “Commencement Address” he is awarded an honorary doctorate then goes on to say how it devalues the community by stating “I’m sure my fellow doctoral graduates-who have spent so long toiling in academia, sinking into debt, sacrificing God knows how many years for what, in truth, is a piece of parchment that in truth has been so devalued by our instant gratification culture as to have been rendered meaningless-will join in congratulating me” (126). Stewart is essentially stating that the college, by giving away the symbol of empowerment not earned, is depreciating the community.
Communities are more than the group of individuals that they consist of, community is a life form of its own. Many communities, such as towns, have existed before the current members were even alive and will continue to exist long after they are gone. Community is a symbol of learned things and grows, responds, and behaves though different principles, forces, and mechanisms that a human being does and so changes by new ideas and behaviors of individuals. With good leadership and active members, the community will continue to grow, change with the times, and stay empowered through collective ideas, values, and expectations. In return the individuals will progress with the community and retain the benefits from the knowledge, experience, resources, and security the community provides.
In an essay by Shari Caudron called “Befriending Barbie”, she writes about a community that started off with collecting Barbie dolls and trading them among the members. The community grew over time to major conventions and becoming involved in public service through several charities like “Toys for Tots”, “Angels Unaware”, and “Parents of Murdered Children”. Caudron also describes a situation with a community member’s son who was murdered and the community provided her with friends when her normal friends dropped out of her circle for reasons of not knowing how to approach her. The same community also managed to donate a blanket and money to memorialize her son. In her case, this community became her whole connection to the world and satisfied her needs for friendship and interaction.
Communities form a culture around a shared interest and guide lines that are formed while creating the community. The cultural guidelines can be the determination for acceptance in the community for an individual. In “Making the Grade”, by author Kumi Hodge, the author writes about being in a black community and not being accepted because he is book smart. Hodge writes about how hard it is to step out of your community culture and still try to be accepted, but concludes “To me, the struggle of fitting in can be like giving up on yourself”(259) Cultural requirements for community can be anything from language, ethnicity, stereotypes like Hodge’s essay, to an infinitive amount of subjects or issues. Culture is definitely an element of acceptance and part of the mechanics in community.
Communities require leadership that will act as a catalyst for promoting participation and mobilize the whole community, active participating members, a place to communicate, and a common goal or interest that can inspire people to share resources like knowledge and experience with each other. In return, communities can provide planning, problem solving, education, networking, and at minimum a resource of knowledge that can achieve goals, empower members, and can produce better performance within an organization such as the NESU does for the Coast Guard. Active members in community will have a sense of belonging, social interaction on passionate subjects, a community culture, and a feeling of acceptance and friendship. Once an individual finds a community he/she relates to, the experience can help them accomplish rewarding goals as the relationship between NESU and DC3 Munoz illustrated.
Works Cited
Stewart, Jon.”Commencement Address.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Caudron, Shari. “Befriending Barbie.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Hodge, Kumi. “Making the Grade.” Remix. Boston, MA. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010.
Munoz, Juan. Personal Interview. 30 Apr. 2010.
The Red, White, and Blue (and then some)
I picked one of my discussion boards, “Welcome to America”, as my audience awareness entry. This posting created a lot of discussion because of the essay it was written about. “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, written by Gloria Anzaldu, was a difficult essay to read because a lot of quotes that were in Spanish and not translated and it covered a topic that is sensitive to the immigration process in the United States. The essay supports the three assumptions for identity: identity is what we are born with, identity is shaped by culture, and identity is shaped by personal choices. What the essay didn’t cover was the effect of change and the acceptance of change when a person makes a choice.
Anzaldu made a choice to join a new community, the United States, and felt it was a conspiracy to strip her of identity because there is an expectation to speak English properly. My point here is that she is joining a community and expecting the community to change because she is now a member. I felt it was an unreasonable request and I opened it for discussion with my fellow classmates. Honestly though, I think I had the most discussion over “How many folks have called for computer technical support and received help from someone they could barely understand due to a strong accent? Isn't that so annoying and frustrating?” It seemed that everyone wanted to relate to that and could see my point why speaking English is so important to business.
Although I think I was trying to connect with my audience by generating a perspective and opening it up for discussion, I do feel that my post is persuasive in nature and I don't necessarily agree with the view I posted. On the radio, there is a song, "The House That Built Me", sang by Miranda Lambert in which she affirms that a great part of her identity came from the house she grew up in. Through this, I can see how dependant Anzaldu had become on the heritage behind her language and how her identity would be affected.
Anzaldu made a choice to join a new community, the United States, and felt it was a conspiracy to strip her of identity because there is an expectation to speak English properly. My point here is that she is joining a community and expecting the community to change because she is now a member. I felt it was an unreasonable request and I opened it for discussion with my fellow classmates. Honestly though, I think I had the most discussion over “How many folks have called for computer technical support and received help from someone they could barely understand due to a strong accent? Isn't that so annoying and frustrating?” It seemed that everyone wanted to relate to that and could see my point why speaking English is so important to business.
Although I think I was trying to connect with my audience by generating a perspective and opening it up for discussion, I do feel that my post is persuasive in nature and I don't necessarily agree with the view I posted. On the radio, there is a song, "The House That Built Me", sang by Miranda Lambert in which she affirms that a great part of her identity came from the house she grew up in. Through this, I can see how dependant Anzaldu had become on the heritage behind her language and how her identity would be affected.
Welcome to America
I'm trying to relate to this piece of writing without bias but I think that is impossible with my identity. This author was difficult to read and even more difficult to relate to in my opinion. I find the majority of this passage to be viewed as a debate. My great grandfather came to this country and forbid us to talk our native language. He didn't want us to use any part of it (even the cuss words). He said "We are Americans now, and we will act like it!" I guess it boils down to what you believe an American is and what you believe was the intention of the Constitution and the amendments that followed in the eyes of the people who wrote it, not the legal system that interprets it as they see fit.
"Attacks on one's form of expression with the intent of censor are a violation of the first amendment" is a statement Anzaldua makes in summarizing her requirements at the Pan American University to take two speech classes to "get rid of the accents." I would have to conclude that the university felt that the accents were not good for business or getting a job during the interview process. When you own a business, you want people who represent you professionally that can also get their point across through effective communication. How many folks have called for computer technical support and received help from someone they could barely understand due to a strong accent? Isn't that so annoying and frustrating? What about those amendments? Do you think our founding fathers ever dreamed that we would have people in this country who refused to identify with our culture? Why join the tribe if you don't want to take part in it?
She also says "For people who are neither Spanish nor live in a country in which Spanish is the first language; for people who live in a country in which English is the reigning tongue but who are not Anglo; for a people who cannot entirely identify with either standard (formal, Castillian) Spanish or standard English, what recourse is left to them but to create their own language?" She makes this statement to support her defense more to the Spanish speakers but to the English as well for the fact they both look down on Chicano's for their choice in language. The English don't just do it to them though. When I read this, I think of inner city slang. It is almost its own language anymore but we associate it with lack of education and ignorance. I can see how the Spanish speaking folks could see the same in their language. Is she saying that her people can't learn a different language? Is she saying that they can't accept American culture? I don't think she flatters the Chicanos at all in this statement.
Pride is something you earn in yourself or in the group you are with through accomplishment. With the statement, "Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself", I feel she doesn't have a lot of self esteem to begin with. It is like saying I can't take pride in myself until I can be accepted as an equal after failing high school. It is an accomplishment to a group of drop outs to fail but not to those who put forward the effort to equal or exceed the standard. Creating your own language because you don't want to accept the standard is not an accomplishment. You can show your culture through your work, morals, belief in God, art, etc., but you can't do that if you refuse to communicate. Without effective communication, your ideas will diminish along with your culture.
"Attacks on one's form of expression with the intent of censor are a violation of the first amendment" is a statement Anzaldua makes in summarizing her requirements at the Pan American University to take two speech classes to "get rid of the accents." I would have to conclude that the university felt that the accents were not good for business or getting a job during the interview process. When you own a business, you want people who represent you professionally that can also get their point across through effective communication. How many folks have called for computer technical support and received help from someone they could barely understand due to a strong accent? Isn't that so annoying and frustrating? What about those amendments? Do you think our founding fathers ever dreamed that we would have people in this country who refused to identify with our culture? Why join the tribe if you don't want to take part in it?
She also says "For people who are neither Spanish nor live in a country in which Spanish is the first language; for people who live in a country in which English is the reigning tongue but who are not Anglo; for a people who cannot entirely identify with either standard (formal, Castillian) Spanish or standard English, what recourse is left to them but to create their own language?" She makes this statement to support her defense more to the Spanish speakers but to the English as well for the fact they both look down on Chicano's for their choice in language. The English don't just do it to them though. When I read this, I think of inner city slang. It is almost its own language anymore but we associate it with lack of education and ignorance. I can see how the Spanish speaking folks could see the same in their language. Is she saying that her people can't learn a different language? Is she saying that they can't accept American culture? I don't think she flatters the Chicanos at all in this statement.
Pride is something you earn in yourself or in the group you are with through accomplishment. With the statement, "Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself", I feel she doesn't have a lot of self esteem to begin with. It is like saying I can't take pride in myself until I can be accepted as an equal after failing high school. It is an accomplishment to a group of drop outs to fail but not to those who put forward the effort to equal or exceed the standard. Creating your own language because you don't want to accept the standard is not an accomplishment. You can show your culture through your work, morals, belief in God, art, etc., but you can't do that if you refuse to communicate. Without effective communication, your ideas will diminish along with your culture.
Who Might I Be?
To decide on a writer’s choice piece, it wasn’t too hard. All my favorite assignments were the blog entries we were assigned. I think I feel that way because there was no pressure on these assignments and they were on subjects I knew a lot about, me. I picked our first blog, “What’s in Your Wallet”, because I thought it was an incredibly clever assignment, had a catchy theme, and really made you ponder what would someone determine about you if they just looked in your wallet.
"A detective stands behind the tape of the crime scene" was a way of putting this assignment investigation into professional hands and getting expert feedback on my identification. "Why I had to stop at that spot earlier in the day and go sledding to clear my head before the crime even happened" properly ended the essay and kept my classmates from wondering why I knew so much about this crime. At the end, one can determine a lot about my daily routine outside of the home but can really never determine who I am. Identification really stops at the paper it is written on.
"A detective stands behind the tape of the crime scene" was a way of putting this assignment investigation into professional hands and getting expert feedback on my identification. "Why I had to stop at that spot earlier in the day and go sledding to clear my head before the crime even happened" properly ended the essay and kept my classmates from wondering why I knew so much about this crime. At the end, one can determine a lot about my daily routine outside of the home but can really never determine who I am. Identification really stops at the paper it is written on.
What's In Your Wallet?
A detective stands behind the tape of the crime scene and looks down at item flagged as #10 near the edge of the snowy embankment. He puts out his cigarette and snaps his gloves into place as he bends over to pick up the old black wallet from the ground. He slowly walks toward the squad car for light assistance from the headlights as he opens it up to see what it contains. He lays the contents out on the hood of the car and starts to look at each piece individually.First he looks at my drivers license with the expiration date of MILITARY which coincides with my military ID and the two dependant ID's from two of my sons, my military emergency contact numbers card and my government driver's license. Obviously, I'm in the military with height of 6'3" and 220 lbs, 38 years old, brown eyes and hair. Next he puts my government visa, my VIP Hilton Honor card, World Mark vacation card and my airline cards together and figures I must travel quite often. He glances briefly at my Borders cash card and deducts that I must buy books for all the traveling time. Next he groups my hydraulic formula card, my air conditioning and refrigeration license, and my air conditioning troubleshooting card together seeing I must be some type of engineer. The next grouping gives him some humor and some confusion as he groups four bank cards, five credit cards, a Costco card, a Safeway card, and a community vanpool card making him wonder why a guy that looks like he spends money would waste his time with these little saving incentives. Lastly, he sees a picture of my son Billy, a current student card for Everett Community College, and an ASB card from graduation year 1989 and for the first time, the detective is scared. What kind of sick individual holds on to his ASB card for 21 years!The wallet told him many things, but not any that are too important to me. It did not tell him I am raising five boys and one girl. It did not tell him how I was freshly married to an awesome woman. It did not tell him who I really was to the military, the men that trust me there, or how long I've been there. The wallet could not explain how overloaded I feel sometimes with work, family, and my new school work load and why I just had to stop at that spot earlier in the day and go sledding to clear my head before the crime even happened. Even though the sledding was fun, it did not help that I lost my wallet.
Thank You for the Visit
I do appreciate your time for reading my writing from this quarter. I’ve learned to open my mind and look at subjects deeper and from different angles. This class has challenged me to write at a different level and showed me a lot about college expectations. I hope to become better at writing so I can express myself to my readers and satisfy my own expectations of understanding how to analyze and communicate important issues. I encourage you to read other post from my classmates to see how we grew as a team and challenged each other.
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