Spring Semester.

While blogging has been something I've always done, it's almost harder to do when it's assigned. Even though it's in my own words I felt like they were forced and inorganic because they were topics that weren't coming to me naturally, but something of a force to be beckoned with. This semester has been challenging but rewarding. My first year of college has been successful and so fun. I've not only survived my classes but have had so many life changes along with it.

I had purchased a new car, began runway modeling, and moved into a Town Home. These are huge changes that all require you to sign your life away with contracts and fill out countless forms.  I have decided my signature now has less loops and takes me a second-two tops to write. It's crazy to think two years ago I moved into my own one bedroom apartment that was lacking furniture and by the end of the two years it had turned into a little cramped home that I had grown out of. In that time I accumulated enough furniture, clothes, toys, kitchen assortments etc for a 3 bedroom home. It's funny how things change, especially budgets. How I ever lived off of $400/month I will never understand.

One thing is for certain that I don't particularly like landlords and will never rent out any of my own property if I had to deal and talk with all of the residents.

I have now decided on a major, and hopefully will not be changing it. I'm set on what I want to do, and need to accomplish in order to make it happen. I have so many dreams and goals to keep me busy that everything can only go up from here.

Overall I'm happy with the English class. It really helped me re-learn a lot of things I had forgotten about and helped me with my paper writing. I will never be an English teacher but writing properly has it's perks for the real world.

For this week's blog, your focus is going to be connected to what you read for the weekly discussion.  Why did you come to college?  Was it just expected of you?  Did you just expect to do so?  Did you consider other, noncollege options?  Why or why not? For this week's blog, write about any memories, thoughts, and experiences connected with the decision to attend college.

Coming to college was a two year wait after high school. Initially when I graduated I decided I was going to attend Aveda Institute for hair and makeup. I went up to Minneapolis with my best friend, we scoped out apartments and found one. She was going to attend the U of M. A month before we were supposed to go I decided I was not ready, broke the news to my parents and friend, Shelby. They all understood but I soon moved out and worked three jobs in order to pay my rent and bills. This was not something I was happy with and new I needed to make a change for myself. I decided to go to college and get a degree so I am able to have a career in something I enjoy. It's expected in our family to go into college, no questions asked. This has been a huge investment and something people should not take lightly or waste a lot of money on. people should go with a plan and truly decide what they want to do and who they want to be as a person, and college really helps people find their way.

Research paper process..

For this week's blog, reflect on your writing process or research process.  Do you have experience writing research papers?  Is the topic you have selected something about which you are passionate?  What can you tell us about it?

Research papers have always been a struggle for me. I always seem to forget a step or rule to properly recognize someone's work. After a few practice drafts I believe I'm getting the hang of it though..
My topic which is Anti Tanning Beds is something I have recently become passionate about. I can honestly say I have had bad and good experiences from tanning and decided for my overall health it's better to not tan. But I can recognize that there are pros, and it can be very debatable. Not to mention I tanned consistently for about 5 years. my main focuses on the paper are: Fungus' from bacteria in "Cleaned" beds. Higher risk for skin cancer. And Cornea damage to the eyes. It's funny that every tanning salon has to have limits on minutes, and also has clear directions for being at risk.. It's almost like a carton of cigarettes with the surgeon general warning slapped right on the package. It's strange that we subject ourselves to such terrible things, and don't think of the consequences until it actually happens to someone personally. I'm just glad I stopped before I had developed something worse than what I have.

Fallacies

Blog posting for this week is on logical fallacies, too.  This of a time when you've argued using fallacies and what the outcome was.  OR, think of times when you have seen this work.  Or...you could even focus on logos, ethos, and/or pathos in writing.  When do you see this or not see this?  Why is it/ isn't it effective?

When I see advertisement on tanning, and telling people they will be sexier with a tan.  So they will sign up for the membership and spends hundreds if not thousands of dollars towards a skin tone they wish to desire. I was one of these girls throughout high school and my first year of college. But after my parents nagging me for the longest time concerning my health, I decided to look into tanning more. I am naturally a blonde and fair skinned so tanning for me was always right before summer so I wouldn't burn and look like a strawberry. But the obsession of how dark I could get got worse and I ended up looking like a completely different race. I was spending hundreds of dollars on lotions, and my membership just to maintain my "Summer Glow".. In the middle of December. I noticed a skin discoloration and was told it was a fungus from the beds because they contain so much bacteria, even if they are cleaned. I was also developing lots of moles. I already have blonde freckles and moles but they seemed to be popping up more often now that I was tanning. After a couple scares I decided that the glow of my skin was not a concern, but the health of my skin. This is also going to be my argument for my paper because I am aware of the dangers of tanning beds now. I do not want wrinkly, orange, leathery skin. And I don't want to be scared about new moles on my body. After finding out my friend had skin cancer a year ago and has had 9 biopsies, just in one doctors visit.. She has had large chunks of skin removed and is still battling with it to this day, and gets regular checkups. If you tan, please don't. save your skin and look young, healthy, and happy for as long as you possibly can!

Review for, The Glass Castle

While reading the glass castle I instantly had a connection with Jeannette Walls and her story. It is a book that is easy to relate to on many levels. Jeannette herself has pointed out in her talks that a popular cheerleader felt a connection with her story. The truth is everyone has a story, but not all are willing to share. after graduating high school I came to realize I was not the only person with family problems or overcoming issues at home. To some degree, every person struggles.
But even though Jeannette had overcome and survived the first 17 years of her life with struggle, she persevered and wrote an amazing novel that is something to be extremely proud of. She mentions being embarrassed and doesn't quite know how to tell people about her family but it comes down to honesty. It's hard to be open to such a sad and desperate life that she was not proud of. But through writing her novel realized it was nothing to be ashamed of and telling her story has inspired many.
I'm not saying that everyone who has a rough life should write a novel, because let's be frank: there would be more than people really want to read. But Jeannette had a very special unique story that was told in a way that could educate and create hope.