Reflective Final

1. Explain one or two ways my writing has improved (or not). Include a few examples from my posts over time, with analysis and links to the original posts, to illustrate how the improvement(s) happened.
2. Choose one post. (My favorite? My least favorite? The one that surprises me the most when I reread it?) Analyze it in detail. Explain the "behind-the-scenes" of how it was written, what it truly means, where its inspiration came from, etc.
3. Where do I get my ideas for blog post topics? What inspires me to write?

Over this year I can’t say the techniques and methods of writing did not improve over the years. For I found that my writing over the year focus’s more to facts, quotes, and non fictional or more like supported ideas. I’m not complaining this type of writing, for it is the type that most colleges love to see in students. However I feel like all these methods over time have taken out my creativity as I like to call it. For my writing can now be recognized whenever as before it was an on going mystery where my limit to writing styles was endless.

For I find where I right opinionated instead of supportive or agreeing completely dominant over the others. For my point is more interrogated, and I feel myself through out every word. Here is an example of this:

“The main point of my post here is a response/argument against Stan's Re:Facebook Post about how Facebook can (sometimes) be truly addicting. My response post here is to rebuttal against Stan's thoughts and ideas towards what the power and effect of the social network facebook has towards people in general, and people of ASTI.

I will admit, in the begging of the year facebook had been a certain type of study hall for me and several students that formed some homework/study group. Towards the end of the first semester (and mostly now). This is mostly due to the point of were facebook has become more interesting. I tend to have more friends who would go on now, so it wouldn't be an-hour-a-day thing, it would result to being and over 3 hour a day process, where no homework is down. I agree one hundred percent with Mr. Sutherland's idea/theory, where the amount of homework we achieve wouldn't be so high in hours, if we were to do homework if a certain amount of hours straight with no breaks (especially facebook).”

http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/facebook-harmful-or-not.html

In this argument I found my self arguing through out the whole post, for I had felt every single word of it and I was determined to express every point in my mind regarding the topic. The aggression in this post represented what I wanted to point across in this post. For when I right without concern of it being a fact or proven correct, I find myself in the argument not just me supporting. Although I seem to represent quite much in arguments or when it comes to getting defensive against a topic, when I’m writing about my life or experiences I find my self gettin creative with ideas and I begin reliving these moments, so as I’m writing I remember it part for part.

Example of this improved writing:

http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/free-post-my-spiritual-awakening-part-1.html



Another that I have also no clue is about, although it relates in a post once due a while back... Here it is: http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/development-or.html

“I come from an universe unique and never there to be seen. Best part about that is it shows the Earths true colors are among with my favorite colors. They say most of the Earth is made out of water, and I say the way I drink it's water it might as well be made out of me. My hair consists with a trendiness amount of deep color. However, that not being the color of blue,night, and green like the Earth's center and even the mighty “Crust”! The dreams that come out from beneath me seem to conquer most lies when perhaps bluffing. Traveling has always been my theme; however, it never seemed like traveling suit out to be my most major or popular thing. The extra particular material of my body is not a relative term. It's not even a proper adjective. Perhaps it is just the material accumulated in my body from consuming those extra calories. I don't own my own car or maybe you can say I already may have, but not that soon? Although, I somehow have this car I am still not in the age of properly driving this “jeep”. Perhaps up in maybe 2 more years I'll most likely be past my permit and holding onto my drivers license. It may seem to look like I love to wear all these colorful colors, although I am highly seen with blue jeans and black sweaters. Can you guess who am I?”

My peer Review Comments

Here are the comments I left for my tablemates' rough drafts...

For Eric:

Yeah I Agree with Victor about the adding more quotes, not just to complete the word length, but also to support your summarized views. You can also sort out your post a little better, although it's not one whole chunk of words.. it gives off that appearance. And it wouldn't hurt to support your opinions with quotes from the book.

For Justice:

It looks like you got the draft organization parts under control and all. You don't seem to meet the expectation of word length, although this draft does look quite complete and well thought out to me. Your quotes are valid and supported, just be sure to cite your sources; other than that great work.

For Bassam:

I think you need to add more questions to expand not only upon the word length, but also upon the understanding of the book. I can't say i don't agree with whom ever it may be, but you don't even have a well putout introduction atleast include TAGS. It wouldn't hurt to elaborate and explain things either.

BOOK REVIEW: Rough Draft

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

3. How would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

• You must include a passage or two from the text if you choose this question.

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Basic Book Review

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Vignette Project Review

Strolling threw these wonderful Vignettes one that really stood out to me was a Vignette that Fermin Carrera had done, the Vignette that I choose out of the other was Fermin's post about the subject of Gangs, thier colors, actions upon others, and classification between each other, this Vignette is "Pandillas en East Oakland."

East Oakland is where I stay. Home to three Latino gangs, Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). Yea I Know about this. I’ve been around Nortes and Border Brothers before, but I’m not gang affiliated. Yea I know the gangs signs, but won’t throw em up where I stay at. I might get shot and killed.

In this first CD that Fermin accomplishes, I figured that the symbol in his Vignette is Gangs and how they classify them selves to differ than the other gangs which are Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). The following inflected symbol in this Vignette does not connect to anything in the other Vignettes. So I figured this wasn't a symbol for the following vingettes, however I figured that this symbol may only reflect to this Vignette in particular.

Reading more deply and clearly into Fermins Vignette, I Found that thier is indeed a connecting symbol that applys to all of Fermins Following Vignettes, and no these vingetes aren't Guns, or Gangs, it's not even about sketching or even ovens and bass. The following Vignettes are examples or more like clues of the Vignette symbol.

Gunshots at night or even in the plain day. Yes this Is tough living in a city where all this shit happens. Drive bys near my house and all I can say is “DAMN”. Gangs shoot and kill to prove a point. That point is states to not mess with them. This ain't a surprise for me, This is just East Oakland, and I got to deal with it.

When it comes to playing bass, my godfather is a beast. I’ve seen him play before and sometimes, I don’t even know what notes he’s playing because he’s just so fast. But soon, I’ll be just like him, I’ll be the toddler running, skipping, and jumping everywhere.

Animation is my thing. I hope to major in it. I know that I can because I just love to draw. My inspiration was Dragon Ball z, my all time favorite cartoons. Considered to be epic animation. Drawing is my favorite thing to do and someday, I’ll be famous for my work.

His Symbol is staying alive and surviving. However, in other words, his symbol is learning and benefitting from others, so he can build on and become even better. I believe Fermin has strong potential and will become famous for what ever it is he decides to do. Whether thats animation, bass, or even some type of force against gangs and teaching youth that a neighborhood of gangs shouldn't motivate a person to join one, it should teach them that they must become stronger and learn from others mistakes.

Gender differences?

Sally's father isn't just a sexist, strict, and unequal character in the book "The House on Mango Street", however, he's more of a symbol Cineros uses to show the non equivalence between what we know as differences between boys and girls within the novel. Instead, she uses Sally's father as a pro-figure of what she believes should be in her own expectations.

Table of Contents

November................................................................................................................................... 1

Unforgivable.............................................................................................................................. 2

The Room with the Puppets and Dolls.................................................................................. 3

Life within Regrets................................................................................................................... 4

Low Profile................................................................................................................................ 5

November

It's that time of the month where your average serial killer comes out to play. Knifes, guns, or even with unknown killing techniques, your killer walks and watches his pray. November.. November what a slaughter day. We close our banks, and few even close their schools, all for a man who slaughtered day and night claiming what isn't rightfully his. And we cheer him on, living out his legacy for he was a murderer on the month of November. We say live on Columbus, however some say.

November holds the two of the only four seasons. November holds the peaceful and dreadful days in every available month. November brings the blast,then the leaves are whirling fast.

Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, culture, and tradition, but when it is summer in the southern hemisphere it is winter in the northern hemisphere, and vice versa. In areas of the tropics and subtropics, the wet season occurs during the summer. Tropical cyclones develop and roam the tropical and subtropical oceans during the summer. In the interior of continents,thunderstorms can produce hail during the afternoon and evening. Schools and universities typically have a summer break to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.

Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.

"How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow."

- Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

Low Profile

Don't look up, don't even look around. Keep your eyes down and on the ground. Your almost there, don't give up now. You turn around, your identity is for sure found.

"An identity isn't a dam thing at all, if your just a tool awaiting the government." That's what she would say whenever we were alone.

You see, growing up in the projects has never been quite easy. My mother was never home, she had been hardest worker I knew growing up. She worked 3 jobs, and double shifts included in all. Days when my sister had to stay late after school due to her.

Unforgivable

I plead and plead for forgiveness and understanding, but she just simply nods with an it's o.k. Deep down inside it burns knowing the responds are lies, that every word is followed with hidden hate and unforgivable feelings. Deep down inside an unknown emotion seems to be eating me up. Regret, fear, sorrow, and the need of apologies doesn't seem to be the conflict. Although the only solution to this feeling of right and wrong doing seems to be forgiveness which in this case is inaccessible.

The Room with the Puppets and Dolls

Entering the front door, I notice the darkness and cold surroundings of what was once considered my grandmothers “fun house.” Momma always told me stories of how her mother had continuously tried and tried to encourage her to adapt to what I called “the mysteries and wonders” of the fun house. Momma always gave me the same answer once I asked what her reply to her mother was. My moms fear of her mothers hobby maker was far greater than real; I would ask her what frightens her so much about what she describes a room full of plain old dolls.

Regardless of what she told me about the place, she would send me in there anyways. Whenever it came to the point of were the place needed a dusting, I would have to go and face it. The first day I was told to take care of what is suppose to be her dirty work, I encountered the mystic fun house for my self. I walk threw the front door but nothing is in site. Afraid to close the door, I do it anyways for the feeling of Adrenalin rushing threw my veins. As soon as I close the door a single light bulb flickers back on and forth until a final flicker occurs and lets out an intensive but very weak light. All across the room dolls with fancy old dresses lay sitting down with eyes wide open. First thing I noticed was how they were all aliened to face the door, making it seem like the dolls were all face to look at the unexpected someone. Behind the shelves of the spooky dolls hung even creepier ones with ropes around their necks. What made the situation even more intense was the stuffed dolls that had their eyes and mouths sowed looked different then every other doll, indicating in my opinion tortured puppets and voodoo dolls.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter