THE FINAL BLOG! COURSE EVALUATION!

ENGL101S has been a blast! When I first started this class, I was not to sure if I will like it. I liked writing, but not the long and complicated essays. But after taking this class, I believe I learned a lot from it. Throughout the course, we learned about many aspects of the English language and how to incorporate rhetoric into our work.
We discussed exigence and the different types there are, the rhetorical appeals: pathos, logos, and ethos, we wrote summaries about other writers, watched a few movies, and wrote a few essays on a health topic that we chose. I already knew the rhetorical appeals before this class, but I did not truly understand what it meant to use it into our work and that it is everywhere. I particularly liked how we realized that rhetoric does not have to be in just writing, but that it can be in movies as well. For our essays, I liked how we were able to choose a topic that we were interested in, and not just a random topic. If we were assigned a topic, I definitely wouldn't have liked to write a 10 page paper on it. For my essay, I chose ADHD because I had a personal experience with it by volunteering to help those who have it at my church. This led me to do more research on this health condition and eventually develop arguments on what treatments should be given to it.
Through this course, I was also able to improve on my peer-editing skills. Honestly before this class in high school, I did not really take peer-editing very seriously. I did not really understand how important it was for others to provide constructive criticisms. I was very independent in my writing and did not take others' comments seriously. But through this course, my eyes were opened to see how others can make great comments and help improve my paper.
Overall, this course was pretty amazing! I liked the classmates I had and the teacher was awesome! There have been long nights of procrastinating on papers, but it was a great challenge! Thanks ENGL101S!

Up Is Down

Do you know the Pixar movie "Down"? Well of course you don't, because it's actually called "Up"!

There is a theory that states that Up is down. But what does this really mean? Does this mean that there is no real set direction? Let us take a look at some examples.

If you think about the number system that we use today, negative numbers exemplify this case. When you have low negative numbers, you are actually going "up" the number scale. Likewise, with the pH scale, when you go "up" the scale, the concentration of hydrogen ions is decreasing (Ask Jeeves).

Okay, what about actual directions of up and down? What shape is the world we are living in? What happens when one keeps walking north, or in other words, "up"? According to Wikipedia, "the world is round". To put in other words, if one keeps walking north, eventually he or she will be heading south ("down"). Same goes for if one keeps walking south, they will eventually be heading north!

All comes to prove that Up is indeed down!

The Pura Principle

This short story was quite a surprise for me when I first started reading it. When I saw the directions before I read the story to discuss about the illness and how it helps hinder/help to get the message across, I thought that the story would be more of a motivational type of story. However, as I started reading, shocking statements of cursing were revealed. I believe that this beginning sets the tone for the short story. In this short story, it illustrates the life of the narrator, Yunior and his mother and how they have to tend to his older brother Rafa and his situation with cancer. Throughout the story, Rafa portrays a rebellious personality. No matter how much love his mother seems to give to him, there seems to be no breaking through. I would think that a cancer patient would have a completely different outlook on life, but I was shocked at how Rafa dealt with his life. He attempted to keep a job, go partying, married a woman that he barely knew, and even stole from his own family.
I actually had mixed feelings for the meaning of this story. One thought that I have is of how loving Rafa's mother was even to the end of the short story toward Rafa. I understand that he is her son, but I don't understand why Rafa just doesn't get it. I also thought about how Rafa just never seemed to change at all during the story. He didn't even change or have any sign of changing at the end. I had a feeling that Rafa would try to do something to Yunior, and I was right at the end when Rafa threw a lock at his face. Having this as a short story kept me interested and helped me keep reading. I was able to understand it better because it had a plot and story to it.

Waltz with Bashir

When I learned that the movie was animated, I thought that the movie would not be very good because I don't really watch those types of films. I believe the goal for the film is to portray what happened in the invasion of Lebanon through the use of animation. War and traumatic events are two very horrifying matters to talk about or even imagine. I think that the film maker used animation so that the movie could seem less serious and allow the audience to visualize and see what happened.
At first, I was really confused about what was happening in the movie. As the movie went on, I began to realize what the purpose of the movie is. One scene that stood out to me was with the soldier who was in the tank, and his commander was shot in the neck. After the commander got shot, there was just a moment of nothing but fear. I tried to imagine myself in the soldier who was supposed to be second in command's shoes. I would have probably responded exactly the same as he did. I would have been just as petrified. After the tank got hit and all the soldiers tried to get away dodging bullets, I realized how much the animation helped with the scene. Imagining that scene with real people is terrifying. Having a less intense animation scene helped bring down the seriousness of that scene.

Research Log (5 Additional Annotations)

Greenspan, Stanley I., and Jacob Greenspan. Overcoming ADHD: Helping Your Child Become Calm, Engaged, and Focused-- without a Pill. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo/Lifelong, 2009. Print.

This book offers advice to help overcome challenges for children who have ADHD without medication. It outlines an approach that explains sensory, motor, and self-regulation problems while avoiding labels and recognizing the individual potential of each child.

Kristina S. Boye, et al. "A Modeled Economic Evaluation Comparing Atomoxetine with Stimulant Therapy in the Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the United Kingdom." Value in Health 11.3 (2008): 376-388. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2 Apr. 2011.


This article is an evaluation to see the cost-effectiveness of atomoxetine with stimulant therapy for children with ADHD in the United Kingdom compared with current alternatives. It also explains what ADHD is and the difficulties associated with ADHD. 

Lavin, Paul. Clinical Depression: the Overlooked and Insidious Nemesis Plaguing ADHD Children. Lanham, MD: University of America, 2008. Print.


This book explains how ADHD relates to depression. It also provides steps to take to help depressed ADHD children. 

Mayes, Rick, Catherine Bagwell, and Jennifer L. Erkulwater. Medicating Children: ADHD and Pediatric Mental Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2009. Print.


This book introduces what ADHD is and includes a survey of the evolution of ADHD and pediatric stimulant use. It also includes questions about stimulant treatment for ADHD.

Weiss, Margaret D., and Jay Salpekar. "Sleep Problems in the Child with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." CNS Drugs 24.10 (2010): 811-828. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2 Apr. 2011.

This article explains the relationship between ADHD and problems with sleep for children. It describes how medication may in some cases, contribute to sleep disturbances. 

random post (extra)

I can't believe that this is the last week before spring break! Today I had a midterm for a class about the Chesapeake Bay, AREC200. I think it went pretty well, considering the fact that there was a lot of information. I have a few more papers to write this week and a presentation tomorrow for English! Man, if spring break is almost here, that means that summer's coming! And that means that we're already almost done with our freshman year of college! wow... this year is going by so quickly.

what are everyone's plans for spring break?

Research Log

Knowles, Trudy. "THE KIDS BEHIND THE LABEL Understanding ADHD." Education Digest 76.3 (2010): 59-61. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 Mar. 2011.


- This article explains what ADHD is, explains students with ADHD in the classroom, and methods to help individuals with ADHD.


Wehmeier, PM, A Schacht, and RA Barkley. "Social and emotional impairment in children and adolescents with ADHD and the impact on quality of life." Journal of Adolescent Health 46.3 (2010): 209-217.CINAHL. EBSCO. Web. 6 Mar. 2011.


- This article also explains what ADHD is, statistics/data on individuals with ADHD, the impact of ADHD on individuals in society, the emotional impairments and quality of life for those with ADHD, and the transitions from adolescence to adulthood for those with ADHD. 

John Q Scene

A scene that stood out to me from the film John Q is when John and his wife came into the room with the doctors to learn about their son's health status. When the doctors were explaining about Michael's status, they were explaining it to the Archibald parents using very intellectual terms. This scene portrayed a ethos appeal because the doctors seemed to know what they were talking about. They seemed to be professionals who were very experienced. Additionally, the scene portrayed a logos appeal because when the parents asked Dr. Raymond Turner to explain in easier terms, the doctor described Michael's status clearly. He illustrated how Michael's heart was 3 times as large as a normal heart. As more information was poured out and that the parents realized that their son may not live for much longer, a pathos appeal was revealed. They were in quite a shock and reacted with sad emotions. This scene is significant because this is when the parents first find out about Michael's condition and the outcomes that may come.

Philadelphia (extra assignment)

Another moment that stood out to me from the film, Philadelphia is when Andrew Beckett and Joe Miller are  in Beckett's home trying to go over the questionnaires for the court case. However, Beckett starts to listen to the opera music that is playing and starts to move around the room. When this scene started to play out, I felt a little bit awkward. If I was in Joe Miller's place, I would have been in awe.
The rhetorical appeal that I think is being portrayed is definitely pathos, illustrating many emotions of Beckett's mind. Like in class, I do not remember who it was that mentioned the "5 phases of grief", but I agree with that this scene is where Beckett is going through the depression stage. He is beginning to realize that he will not live for much longer and is very down. By the end of this scene, I was so drawn to Beckett's emotions and I sympathized for him.

Philadelphia

A moment that stands out for me is the scene when Andrew Beckett comes into Joe Miller's office to bring his case about him being fired from the law firm he was recently hired to. When Andrew Beckett enters the office and shakes hands with Joe Miller, and states that he has AIDS to Miller, Miller immediately backs off. While they are sitting down, Miller is constantly looking at Beckett's actions, watching him put his cap on the desk, touching the cigars, etc. Miller listens to Beckett's case and says that he does not think that he has a case. During this scene, Miller portrays fear of contracting the disease; he believes that he may contract the disease through physical contact.
An interesting point is that the man who was in Miller's office before Beckett had a ridiculous case. However, Miller says that he has a case and that he would help him. The juxtaposition of these two cases are absurd. The reason why Miller says Beckett does not have a case is not because he doesn't, but it is because of the fear of the disease AIDS.
I am not totally sure of what the rhetorical appeal is here in this scene, but I believe that there is a little bit of logos. Miller uses his instincts (logical thinking) after he learns that Beckett has AIDS. He immediately reacts to this with fear by trying to avoid physical contact.

Blogging Prompt #4: Experience and Other Evidence Final Topic Choices

For my final topic, I have chosen to write about autism and ADD. I have never really paid attention to those with autism or ADD until my junior year of high school. Previous to my junior year, I simply had sympathy towards those who had these conditions and thought that it was unfortunate for them. However, after volunteering at my church's organization, Klema, I have learned a lot about the social behaviors that those individuals experience. As I helped them go through the few hours each week doing activities with them, creating crafts, singing and playing music, and simply taking care of them, I have grown empathy towards them. I realized that they are just like people without those conditions and that they simply need more guidance. They all have minds and hearts that keep them going.
In my paper, I will discuss what exactly autism and ADD are. I will further explain about the different types of symptoms individuals have and the causes of these conditions. In my paper, I will illustrate the experiences I have gone through with the organization and how much I have learned. Because I have only closely seen how people react to those with these conditions in the organization, which is with respect and kindness, I will research the stigmas people have outside in society. One question I have is "why are people treated differently or unfairly if they have certain conditions?"

Illness as Metaphor/AIDS and its Metaphors

In Illness as Metaphor, I personally like how Susan Sontag first compares the idea of illnesses to people being born with a dual citizenship, "in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick" (3). As Sontag describes what illnesses are, I found it interesting when she said how "the very names of such diseases are felt to have a magic power" (6). I strongly agree with this statement; when you hear the word "cancer" or "AIDS", what is usually the first thing you think about? Is it "death? Is it "getting healed"? What ever idea that comes into your mind, that's what the names of such diseases makes you think.
I also agree with how she explains that the "solution is hardly to stop telling cancer patients the truth, but to rectify the conception of the disease, to de-mythicize it" (7). A main point Sontag brings up is how getting cancer has real effects. It can jeopardize one's love life, one's chance of a job, or in other words, completely turn their life around. Doctors need to be optimistic towards their patients.
In AIDS and its Metaphors, I agree with the military metaphors comparing illnesses to the body. The body is a factory, portraying an image of the body's functioning under the sign of health. I think Sontag effectively described disease as invading the society, a fight, a struggle, a war.
One statement I do not completely agree with Sontag is when she talks about how the word "cancer is uttered more freely, and people are not often described anymore in obituaries as dying of a "very long illness"" (103). I agree with the fact that the word is spoken more freely, but I do not think that it should give people the right to say it at will. There are still many patients who pass away because of this disease. Although doctors have pretty much abandoned the policy of secrecy to patients, they shouldn't take light of the disease.

"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell." - Lance Armstrong

Blogging Prompt #3: 3 Potential Topics

1) Taekwondo
From 5th grade till around 8th grade, I attended classes for taekwondo, a korean martial arts class at a studio that was about 20-30 minutes away because of highway traffic on I-270. I would go to classes about 3 or 4 times a week each being about 1-2 hours long, learning the basics of the martial arts, sparring with other students, and simply getting in shape. At the time, I sometimes did not like going to Taekwondo because of how time consuming and how tiring it was. I took it for granted that I was in shape and I was able to have the opportunity to even learn martial arts. However, after getting my black belt, I stopped attending classes. Soon, I started to see the results of not attending classes and I started to get a little out of shape. After a few years, realized how I should have either been thankful for the opportunity to be able to participate in a martial arts class or continued the class. Starting my freshman year of college, I have devoted myself to get in shape by going to the gym often. I have also joined Air Force ROTC to help me get in shape.
I guess some questions could be "What motivates people to stay in shape/be healthy?" and "What are some other ways to stay in shape?"
My intended audience would be people interested in health and social behaviors as well as health advisors such as doctors, gym teachers, and counselors.

2) Injuries due to physical activities
In 7th grade during Physical Education class, we were playing soccer outside on the field. I don't remember exactly what happened but I remember tripping while running into a small ditch. When I fell, I injured my ankle and I wasn't able to put any weight on it when I stood. My parents were called and I was taken to the hospital to go check it out. Thankfully, after the tests were done, it was only a sprain. I would only have to wear an ankle brace for a few weeks. However, thinking about this event, it could have been much worse; what if I fell in a different position and broke my bone instead? There are so many possibilities that could have happened. What ways could have prevented from causing the injury to occur in the first place?
My intended audience would be athletes and doctors.

3) Autism, ADD
During my junior and senior years of high school, I had volunteered within an organization in my church called Klema to help take care of individuals who had autism, ADD, or other conditions. As I helped them go through the few hours each week doing activities with them, creating crafts, singing and playing music, and simply taking care of them, I realized that they are same as people without those conditions. They all have minds and hearts that keep them going. I wondered sometimes how people treated them outside of our organization. Whether it may be that they were treated badly or well, I made sure that at Klema they were treated fairly. One question could be that "why are people treated differently or unfairly if they have certain conditions?" My intended audience would be anyone who is interested in volunteering to help others, doctors, and those interested in conditions like Autism and ADD.

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." - Mark Twain

Blogging Prompt #2: On Confessions

After reading the prompt for this blog entry, I had to ask myself again, what exactly is the difference between confessions and apologies? I simply thought that they were pretty much one and the same concepts. But I decided that I would go to one of my favorite websites, www.dictionary.com to check it out. According to the website, a confession is an "acknowledgment; avowal; admission" while an apology is "a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another".

Thinking about this for awhile, I thought about how confession seemed like as if it is like a "first step" into the concept of forgiveness. By acknowledging the wrong doing, we can assume that the opposite party does not know about the situation. However, the connotation of the word apology portrays one of being one of the "middle-steps" into the concept of forgiveness, or in other words, it could be the next step after confessing.

Rereading the definition of apology, I thought about how it also seemed as if it only pertained to when someone did something wrong to another party. But is this really the case? I understand the fact that confessing and apologies go hand-in-hand when a person did something wrong to another; but what about situations like in the ER or in general, hospitals? For example, say that there was a patient in the ER, while the family was waiting in the lobby to receive the results. After the procedure though, the doctors were not able to save the patient's life because the injuries were too severe. In this case, like all confessions, the family members do not know the results until the doctor informs them of the results. However, the question is, "did the doctors do anything wrong?" I think not. By apologizing, this portrays sympathy towards the family and shows that the doctors did all they could to save the patient's life.

In pertaining to writing, I think that writing about confessions is an interesting way to portray one's thoughts and experiences. Because of such a personal writing approach, it would draw many readers because they may also have the same or similar experiences. One can also bring out many emotions while writing about his or her confessions. Writing in a diary or blog may be a method for relieving stress for many people.
Confessions, apologies, confessions, apologies. We all do them at certain points in our lives. What's your take on them?

"To me it was never about what I accomplished on the football field, it was about the way I played the game." - Jerry Rice


Works Cited:
"Confession | Define Confession at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 06 Feb. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confession>.
"Apology | Define Apology at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 06 Feb. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/apology>.

Blogging Prompt #1: The Writing Autobiography

Hey everyone!

My name is Jason, and I was born in Seoul, South Korea. I moved to the States when I was about, I'd say about 6 months old. I was raised here in Maryland and I graduated from Richard Montgomery High School. When I was applying for colleges, I had wanted to go to a school where it had an excellent journalism program. After being accepted to College Park, not only because it was a school that was near my home, I knew that I wanted to come to this school because I thought that I would have the best opportunity to learn what it takes to become a journalist. However, after a semester of my freshman year, I thought about my future more and decided that I wanted to switch majors and look towards the business path. I realized that journalism was simply a hobby for me. I have chosen to go into Operations Management (Business) as well as Air Force ROTC this semester.

I've done many types of writing throughout my life, including blogging (I remember when Xanga used to be popular). Throughout my school years, I have done papers for argumentative essays, literary analysis, narrative essays, research papers, and also film analysis. For the most part, I like writing, but not particularly the extensive and complex essays. However, I give my best effort in each essay I face. I may not be the best at writing, but I hope that through this class, I can learn the many techniques to write an amazing paper.

Because I usually do this at the end of most of my blogs, I'll continue to do this here as well. I'll leave a little quote for everyone that sums up my day.


"The best of times is now." - Oprah Winfrey