New Years Resolutions. Everyone makes them, but no one keeps them, right? It's always the same thing: this year I'll exercise, this year I'll eat healthy, this year I'll save more money...
They're always admirable goals, but the problem is they are also very lofty. 10 pounds is a lot to lose by February and it's crazy to think all your bad habits could disappear in just a year.
Last year I realized that the resolutions I was making weren't really getting me anywhere. So I decided instead of making "serious" resolutions I would make fun ones!
My first major goal was to be learning how to wink. All my life I've had a problem with this elusive skill. Not being able to do it really frustrated me, because I thought it was such a useful thing to be able to do! Plus everyone else could do it. I've really never met anyone who can't.
So starting in January I practiced. Every day as I got ready I would look in the mirror and try to wink. For the first few months it was just blinking, but by the summer I could kind of do it and by August I was a pro. Mission accomplished.
This year I have a new goal. Whistling. (I know, I can't do anything). So far I can't do it, but I'm okay with that since it's not that serious of a resolution. I know if I don't ever learn I'll be ok and that makes New Year's Resolutions much less pressure-filled. When January rolls around I"m excited, and not wary, to make all kinds of goals. And I have such a good time crossing those things off my list as the year goes by. Of course, I think it's brilliant. But you guys can decide for yourselves.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
T.A.
I thought I'd write quickly about my audience for my next paper. My WATCO is going to be:
WATCO getting married at a young age on survival of marriage?
Before I talk about my audience, though, I'm trying to decide if I should pick a specific age as my deadline. A "young age" seems very broad, but I'm having a hard time deciding what I would choose for a specific age. 22? 25? It'd be hard to find specific studies about a random age I just pick. Then I was thinking I could specify a young age as before graduating college, but I'm still kind of iffy about that too. My point is basically that there's no reason to rush into marriage when you're 19, but I'm not sure how to word that in my WATCO.
Anyway, about my audience. I want to write to young people wanting to get married. But should I narrow it down to engaged young people? Or even specifically to young Mormons? I think that would be really difficult, because in our culture, getting married really fast at a really young age is commonplace. And I definitely think it's good to get married when you find the right person. Maybe the point I'm trying to make is that dating for awhile before you get married can only help. I've heard way too many stories lately about people who got married young and didn't date for a long time who are now getting divorced. It's probably a combination of the two.
Right now I think I'm leaning toward writing toward engaged young people. I think I'll specify young as being under 25, because they seem the most likely to make a rash decision. I just want to emphasize the point that it's a very important decision and there's no need for it to be rushed. In that case, maybe I do want to narrow it down to Mormons, because then I can talk about how marriage is forever, so it's an even bigger deal.
WATCO getting married at a young age on survival of marriage?
Before I talk about my audience, though, I'm trying to decide if I should pick a specific age as my deadline. A "young age" seems very broad, but I'm having a hard time deciding what I would choose for a specific age. 22? 25? It'd be hard to find specific studies about a random age I just pick. Then I was thinking I could specify a young age as before graduating college, but I'm still kind of iffy about that too. My point is basically that there's no reason to rush into marriage when you're 19, but I'm not sure how to word that in my WATCO.
Anyway, about my audience. I want to write to young people wanting to get married. But should I narrow it down to engaged young people? Or even specifically to young Mormons? I think that would be really difficult, because in our culture, getting married really fast at a really young age is commonplace. And I definitely think it's good to get married when you find the right person. Maybe the point I'm trying to make is that dating for awhile before you get married can only help. I've heard way too many stories lately about people who got married young and didn't date for a long time who are now getting divorced. It's probably a combination of the two.
Right now I think I'm leaning toward writing toward engaged young people. I think I'll specify young as being under 25, because they seem the most likely to make a rash decision. I just want to emphasize the point that it's a very important decision and there's no need for it to be rushed. In that case, maybe I do want to narrow it down to Mormons, because then I can talk about how marriage is forever, so it's an even bigger deal.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
R.A.
I'm just going to quickly analyze a government study done about marriage and statistics based on age and race. It's not so much taking one side as it is presenting just a lot of numbers about marriage.
1. There are a lot of arguments presented, but the one I think is most interesting that I'd like to focus on is the issue of age. The argument is that women 25 or older when they get married are less likely to have marriage problems than women who are younger than 25 when they get married.
2. The audience is not really specificed. I guess it would be educated people who are likely to read a government study in the first place.
3. The logos is definitely there. A lot of people were studied over an extensive period of time. In addition to age they also looked at race and other factors that could possibly play a role. Their conclusions are very methodical and they don't draw conclusions where they shouldn't. Ethos is important, because the government is obviously a very credible source. They don't publish things that are too wacky. Pathos isn't really a big deal here, because above anything else they just have a lot of statistics. It's hard to tie in emotion with numbers. I think their argument is sufficient, because they definitely have the data to back it up. If their audience is well-educated people numbers are a good way to make an argument. And they have a lot. As such, their argument is quite typical as well. It's completely accepted to present data in the form of graphs and tables. It's actually very convenient. Their argument is accurate, because you can tell a lot of effort was put into making sure the data was as accurate as possible. They studied this for years before they published anything, so we know they didn't draw any hasty conclusions. And their argument was definitely relevant. They wanted to prove something and they did just that by using diferent studies.
4. I think they made a very good argument and I will probably use their data in my paper. It is very straightforward and completely believable.
1. There are a lot of arguments presented, but the one I think is most interesting that I'd like to focus on is the issue of age. The argument is that women 25 or older when they get married are less likely to have marriage problems than women who are younger than 25 when they get married.
2. The audience is not really specificed. I guess it would be educated people who are likely to read a government study in the first place.
3. The logos is definitely there. A lot of people were studied over an extensive period of time. In addition to age they also looked at race and other factors that could possibly play a role. Their conclusions are very methodical and they don't draw conclusions where they shouldn't. Ethos is important, because the government is obviously a very credible source. They don't publish things that are too wacky. Pathos isn't really a big deal here, because above anything else they just have a lot of statistics. It's hard to tie in emotion with numbers. I think their argument is sufficient, because they definitely have the data to back it up. If their audience is well-educated people numbers are a good way to make an argument. And they have a lot. As such, their argument is quite typical as well. It's completely accepted to present data in the form of graphs and tables. It's actually very convenient. Their argument is accurate, because you can tell a lot of effort was put into making sure the data was as accurate as possible. They studied this for years before they published anything, so we know they didn't draw any hasty conclusions. And their argument was definitely relevant. They wanted to prove something and they did just that by using diferent studies.
4. I think they made a very good argument and I will probably use their data in my paper. It is very straightforward and completely believable.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
F.W.
So I'm really tired and not feeling like I can come up with anything super witty, so I thought I would just write about how amazing this week is going to be. First of all, as of Monday, when we turned in our papers and I finished my presentation, I am done with major school things for the next week and a half. All of my midterms are over, all of my papers are turned in, all of my group projects have been done...school-wise I can just relax and catch up on all the reading I putt off while I was stressing out about school. I am definitely really excited about that. Plus I have the whole week off of work. I coach gymnastics and our session ended last week, so we have a week off, which is really nice. Then...Thursday is a special day. It's February 28 and my birthday is August 28, so Thursday is my half birthday! People always look at me like I'm insane when I say this, but in my family we celebrate half birthdays. It's not anything too big; just a present or two and you get to pick what you want for dinner. My parents say it was a good way to break up the year when you have little kids, because time goes so much slower when you're little then and your birthday always seems so far away. A half birthday is nice, because it's another day celebrating you! So even though I'm all grown up, I still celebrate my half birthday. My mom is sending me a present, my brother is taking me out to lunch, and my best friend is making me a cake. And on top of all of those good things, I'm going to Maryland this weekend. My older sister had a baby, my first niece! We get to go for the baby blessing and I am so excited. All of the pictures I've seen of her are adorable and I just love babies anyway. Plus I'll get to see my sister, my brother in law, and my parents and little sister. Best week ever!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
R.A. Music
I'm going to evaluate the argument put forth in Cheap Trick's "I want you to want me"
1. The argument is basically that they want the person they are singing to to want to be with them.
2. The audience is someone that the singer really wants to be with.
3. The argument is very straightforward. In terms of logos, they first talk about what it would be like if they could be together. The singer would be willing to shine his shoes, put on a brand-new shirt, and come home early from work if this girl would love him. The he points out that she's already lonely. He saw her crying because she was without a friend, so she might as well be with him. Ethos is pretty easy too. He just keeps repeating it. We are definitely sure halfway through the song that he loves her and then he even keeps going. "I need you to need me" is a pretty strong statement. He can't go on without her in his life. I would be touched if someone said that to me. Ethos is kind of lacking, because we don't know the background of the singer. How reliable is he? Does he say these kinds of things to a lot of girls or is it a rare occurence for him? Is he someone who keeps his emotions inside or someone who says whatever he feels, whenever he feels it? I think his argument isn't sufficient, because he doesn't say much. He just keeps repeating himself. But I actually think that the repetition works in his favor. Sometimes it works to just say things over and over and over again, which is exactly what he does. I think his argument is typical, because he doesn't say anything too out of the ordinary. He is a typical guy, in the fact that he makes promises of what he'll do if she'll just agree. He also is typical because saying how much you like someone isn't a crazy occurence. I think his argument is accurate, because he does really like her. What else is more accurate than just saying what you feel? The argument is relevant, because he talks about loving her, which is exactly the point he's trying to make.
4. I think this argument is pretty effective (I may be a little biased because I love the song, though!). Repetition is a very valuable tool to use and his upfront honestly is also very appealing.
1. The argument is basically that they want the person they are singing to to want to be with them.
2. The audience is someone that the singer really wants to be with.
3. The argument is very straightforward. In terms of logos, they first talk about what it would be like if they could be together. The singer would be willing to shine his shoes, put on a brand-new shirt, and come home early from work if this girl would love him. The he points out that she's already lonely. He saw her crying because she was without a friend, so she might as well be with him. Ethos is pretty easy too. He just keeps repeating it. We are definitely sure halfway through the song that he loves her and then he even keeps going. "I need you to need me" is a pretty strong statement. He can't go on without her in his life. I would be touched if someone said that to me. Ethos is kind of lacking, because we don't know the background of the singer. How reliable is he? Does he say these kinds of things to a lot of girls or is it a rare occurence for him? Is he someone who keeps his emotions inside or someone who says whatever he feels, whenever he feels it? I think his argument isn't sufficient, because he doesn't say much. He just keeps repeating himself. But I actually think that the repetition works in his favor. Sometimes it works to just say things over and over and over again, which is exactly what he does. I think his argument is typical, because he doesn't say anything too out of the ordinary. He is a typical guy, in the fact that he makes promises of what he'll do if she'll just agree. He also is typical because saying how much you like someone isn't a crazy occurence. I think his argument is accurate, because he does really like her. What else is more accurate than just saying what you feel? The argument is relevant, because he talks about loving her, which is exactly the point he's trying to make.
4. I think this argument is pretty effective (I may be a little biased because I love the song, though!). Repetition is a very valuable tool to use and his upfront honestly is also very appealing.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
T.A.
Here's some ideas for my paper:
Virginia Tech. The University of Texas. Columbine High School. Red Lake High School. Far beyond a random listing of schools, these top a list compiled by US News and World Report last April. Unfortunately, unlike many lists, earning a position at the top of this one is not a prize any school desires to win. Of the ten deadliest U.S. school shootings included in this list, six occurred during the last ten years and five took place in elementary, middle, and high schools. Violence in American public schools is an epidemic, with fights, gangs, and weapons at school becoming much more commonplace. School administrators are left with the responsibility of keeping students safe, but no foolproof way to curb school violence has been found. However, this does not mean that numerous solutions have not been suggested, including the idea of requiring school uniforms in public schools. What are the consequences of requiring students to wear uniforms on levels of school violence?
Let’s first try to understand what causes violence in schools or even violence in general. People committing violent acts are angry at someone or something. So what do kids in public schools have to be angry about? As much as students complain about mean or unfair teachers, school violence usually involves students hurting other students. Why would a kid be angry at a fellow classmate? A lot of it seems to stem from jealousy. Never is the desperate desire to fit in with peers as evident as it is with young students, especially during their middle and high school years. For many kids, being accepted and having lots of friends is as important, if not more important, than learning things in school. It makes sense that feeling alienated may make a student angry. And who do they direct that anger towards? Inevitably it is often the students whom they hold responsible for leaving them out.
Virginia Tech. The University of Texas. Columbine High School. Red Lake High School. Far beyond a random listing of schools, these top a list compiled by US News and World Report last April. Unfortunately, unlike many lists, earning a position at the top of this one is not a prize any school desires to win. Of the ten deadliest U.S. school shootings included in this list, six occurred during the last ten years and five took place in elementary, middle, and high schools. Violence in American public schools is an epidemic, with fights, gangs, and weapons at school becoming much more commonplace. School administrators are left with the responsibility of keeping students safe, but no foolproof way to curb school violence has been found. However, this does not mean that numerous solutions have not been suggested, including the idea of requiring school uniforms in public schools. What are the consequences of requiring students to wear uniforms on levels of school violence?
Let’s first try to understand what causes violence in schools or even violence in general. People committing violent acts are angry at someone or something. So what do kids in public schools have to be angry about? As much as students complain about mean or unfair teachers, school violence usually involves students hurting other students. Why would a kid be angry at a fellow classmate? A lot of it seems to stem from jealousy. Never is the desperate desire to fit in with peers as evident as it is with young students, especially during their middle and high school years. For many kids, being accepted and having lots of friends is as important, if not more important, than learning things in school. It makes sense that feeling alienated may make a student angry. And who do they direct that anger towards? Inevitably it is often the students whom they hold responsible for leaving them out.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
F.W.
I like to think I know myself pretty well. And I know that despite my many other redeeming qualities, I unfortunately do not have a lot of common sense. I have "blond moments" all the time and I usually do not make the smartest on-the-spot decisions. I was surprised to find out this weekend that people actually exist who have less common sense than I do! I really did not think such a thing was possible.
On Friday night I went to Salt Lake with my best friend Lindsey, her roommate Megan, and her Megan's sister Nicole for a concert. Nicole, who just recently got married, drove us there. About a block from where we were to park we got hit by a young girl. She blatantly ran a red light and smashed right into the hood of Nicole's car. We pulled over and so did the other driver and the police were called. Megan and Nicole told Lindsey and I to go on ahead to the concert, because there was nothing we could really do, and that they would meet us there later.
Not needing to be told twice, we left and after about an hour they met us there, carrying the entire contents of Nicole's car with them. They had decided to have the car towed, so they emptied everything out just in case they never saw the car again. Nicole had called her husband Ty and he was going to meet us after the concert was over and take us home.
The concert was amazing and around 9:45 the band finished their last song. We started to meander our way outside and along the way we walked right past the amazing opening act. Lindsey was dying to get a picture and was about to get one when Nicole grabbed her purse and started pulling her toward the door. I had no choice but to follow, but I figured that this meant that Ty was here and she did not want to keep him waiting. When we got outside Megan took out her phone and texted Ty, only to find that he was still in Provo. No one had notified him of when the concert was to be over and he had not even left yet. What's more, he didn't think his car would make it to Salt Lake with the way the road conditions were (clean and dry, by the way), so he was going to stop at his parents' house in Lindon to exchange cars.
Lindsey and I followed Nicole and Megan , still walking as fast as they could, and we were completely confused. What were we in such a hurry for if he had not even left yet? After walking a few blocks we made it to the Gateway Mall, where we proceeded to sit in the hallway outside the bathroom (the only building still open at 10:00). Around 10:45 Ty called to say that he was about to get off the exit. Nicold said that was cue for us to go out in the Arctic again (even though he was still a good five minutes away still) and we hurried outside after her. Twenty minutes later Ty found us.
Cold and tired and really confused as to why we had to make a mad dash out of the concert for no reason, I finally got to go home.
On Friday night I went to Salt Lake with my best friend Lindsey, her roommate Megan, and her Megan's sister Nicole for a concert. Nicole, who just recently got married, drove us there. About a block from where we were to park we got hit by a young girl. She blatantly ran a red light and smashed right into the hood of Nicole's car. We pulled over and so did the other driver and the police were called. Megan and Nicole told Lindsey and I to go on ahead to the concert, because there was nothing we could really do, and that they would meet us there later.
Not needing to be told twice, we left and after about an hour they met us there, carrying the entire contents of Nicole's car with them. They had decided to have the car towed, so they emptied everything out just in case they never saw the car again. Nicole had called her husband Ty and he was going to meet us after the concert was over and take us home.
The concert was amazing and around 9:45 the band finished their last song. We started to meander our way outside and along the way we walked right past the amazing opening act. Lindsey was dying to get a picture and was about to get one when Nicole grabbed her purse and started pulling her toward the door. I had no choice but to follow, but I figured that this meant that Ty was here and she did not want to keep him waiting. When we got outside Megan took out her phone and texted Ty, only to find that he was still in Provo. No one had notified him of when the concert was to be over and he had not even left yet. What's more, he didn't think his car would make it to Salt Lake with the way the road conditions were (clean and dry, by the way), so he was going to stop at his parents' house in Lindon to exchange cars.
Lindsey and I followed Nicole and Megan , still walking as fast as they could, and we were completely confused. What were we in such a hurry for if he had not even left yet? After walking a few blocks we made it to the Gateway Mall, where we proceeded to sit in the hallway outside the bathroom (the only building still open at 10:00). Around 10:45 Ty called to say that he was about to get off the exit. Nicold said that was cue for us to go out in the Arctic again (even though he was still a good five minutes away still) and we hurried outside after her. Twenty minutes later Ty found us.
Cold and tired and really confused as to why we had to make a mad dash out of the concert for no reason, I finally got to go home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)