We always have fun in Prof. Westry's Class!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
MY OWN NARRATIVE
My return to Colombia was such an emotional trip. I haven't seen any one for twelve years since I last went. Once i arrived to the airport of Medellin, I was taken to a room by a flight attendant. Then I had to wait for fifteen minutes. It was a horrible feeling: anxious and impatience. Then the same flight attendant told me to follow her.
As I followed her, I was getting more eager to see my favorite aunt, Gladys, to pick me up. We entered a room and there she was, with her son David. I ran up to her and hugged her as if I never hugged her before. She then held my hand and we started to walk to the baggage claim. Her son took care of my luggage.
When we got into the car, we started heading south. First we passed a bunch of trees and bushes. The road was smooth. The we started to see huge summer houses. As we continued on the road, we started to see more suburbs. Restuarants and normal living conditions were starting to appear as we got closer to home.
We had to pass a toll. Once we passed the toll, we started to go down hill. Then there was a fork and my cousin decided to go to the right. Then there was a steeper hill, something you wouldn't see in any of the 5 bouroughs. There was still trees but later on we started malls and shopping centers. We then went straight for about 20 minutes. After that, we made a right turn and after two blocks we made another right turn. Last, we arrived to my grandmother's house.
I couldn't recognize it but I knew that it was going to be a nice, warm, loving home. My grandmother always treated me like a princess and I knew this time wasn't any different.
As I followed her, I was getting more eager to see my favorite aunt, Gladys, to pick me up. We entered a room and there she was, with her son David. I ran up to her and hugged her as if I never hugged her before. She then held my hand and we started to walk to the baggage claim. Her son took care of my luggage.
When we got into the car, we started heading south. First we passed a bunch of trees and bushes. The road was smooth. The we started to see huge summer houses. As we continued on the road, we started to see more suburbs. Restuarants and normal living conditions were starting to appear as we got closer to home.
We had to pass a toll. Once we passed the toll, we started to go down hill. Then there was a fork and my cousin decided to go to the right. Then there was a steeper hill, something you wouldn't see in any of the 5 bouroughs. There was still trees but later on we started malls and shopping centers. We then went straight for about 20 minutes. After that, we made a right turn and after two blocks we made another right turn. Last, we arrived to my grandmother's house.
I couldn't recognize it but I knew that it was going to be a nice, warm, loving home. My grandmother always treated me like a princess and I knew this time wasn't any different.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Comparing and contrasting essays
1. What happened when Sakamoto first began participating in Japanese conversations? Why?
She would get wierd looks from people because it was considered rude to join conversations you were not included in.
2. What does she compare a Western style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of tennis.
3. How is a Western style conversation like a game of tennis?
You hit the ball and you expect the person to hit the same ball back.
4. What does she compare a Eastern style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of bowling.
5. Explain the differences:
A. Taking turns: In Japan you don't take turns. You just wait till you get a chance to talk.
B. Approach the topic: It is rude in Japan.
C. Pausing: Everyone in Japan pauses after a comment and then start a new topic.
D. Reactions to participants: In Japan, if you aren't included in a conversation then they will look at the person as a rude person.
E. Determining the scores:
6. What is the author's thesis? Where in the essay is it stated?
The author's thesis is when she would include herself into the conversations of her husband. It is in the first paragraph.
7. In what ways does Sakamoto establish her authority to speak on this topic?
She has lived a real experience.
8. Why are "just listen" and "just relax" in quotation marks?
That is what she has to do even though she was raised another way.
9. Have you ever experienced conversing with Asians, especially Japanese? Do you agree with Sakamoto's experience? Is her analysis of Eastern style conversations accurate?
I never had this experience. It is true that our style of communication is playing a game of tennis.
10. Have you ever been in different "conversational ballgames"? What rules were you following? What rules was the person following? What happened in the conversation?
When I was younger and wanted to speak to an adult when they were speaking to another adult, I had to say excuse and ask persmission if I can speak to that adult.
11. Are the conversational rules more similar to the Western style or the Eastern style described here?
They are more similar to the Western style. When two adults are talking, they are talking back and forth. People can join the conversation if wanted to.
She would get wierd looks from people because it was considered rude to join conversations you were not included in.
2. What does she compare a Western style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of tennis.
3. How is a Western style conversation like a game of tennis?
You hit the ball and you expect the person to hit the same ball back.
4. What does she compare a Eastern style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of bowling.
5. Explain the differences:
A. Taking turns: In Japan you don't take turns. You just wait till you get a chance to talk.
B. Approach the topic: It is rude in Japan.
C. Pausing: Everyone in Japan pauses after a comment and then start a new topic.
D. Reactions to participants: In Japan, if you aren't included in a conversation then they will look at the person as a rude person.
E. Determining the scores:
6. What is the author's thesis? Where in the essay is it stated?
The author's thesis is when she would include herself into the conversations of her husband. It is in the first paragraph.
7. In what ways does Sakamoto establish her authority to speak on this topic?
She has lived a real experience.
8. Why are "just listen" and "just relax" in quotation marks?
That is what she has to do even though she was raised another way.
9. Have you ever experienced conversing with Asians, especially Japanese? Do you agree with Sakamoto's experience? Is her analysis of Eastern style conversations accurate?
I never had this experience. It is true that our style of communication is playing a game of tennis.
10. Have you ever been in different "conversational ballgames"? What rules were you following? What rules was the person following? What happened in the conversation?
When I was younger and wanted to speak to an adult when they were speaking to another adult, I had to say excuse and ask persmission if I can speak to that adult.
11. Are the conversational rules more similar to the Western style or the Eastern style described here?
They are more similar to the Western style. When two adults are talking, they are talking back and forth. People can join the conversation if wanted to.
WEEK THREE-Comparing/Contrasting
High School and College
Even though high school and college are similar when it comes to continuing studies for a diploma, they are also different. In high school everyone had school for eight hours straight as of for college, people have classes all over the day and at different times of the day. It doesn't matter if you are a freshman or a senior. The professors in college really do not care if you are in class or not. It is basically if you want to do you work or not. In high school, they mark you cutting and get in trouble. Another thing they have in common is that there is a different person teaching different subjects.
Even though high school and college are similar when it comes to continuing studies for a diploma, they are also different. In high school everyone had school for eight hours straight as of for college, people have classes all over the day and at different times of the day. It doesn't matter if you are a freshman or a senior. The professors in college really do not care if you are in class or not. It is basically if you want to do you work or not. In high school, they mark you cutting and get in trouble. Another thing they have in common is that there is a different person teaching different subjects.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
WEEK TWO assignment
1. Write a topic sentence for the article
It is always good to take advice from people who know better, especially if it is a life or death situation.
2. What reading strategies are you doing to understand the hurricane article?
The reading strategy I used to read this article was to discuss it with my brother. I know that if i can explain it to my brother then I understood the story.
3. What details support the story?
"All neighborhoods... and possibly entire coastal communities... will be inundated during the period of peak sotrm tide," the advisory said. "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one or two sotry homes will face certain death."
Who: Residents of Houston, Morgan City and Baffin Bay
What: Hurricane Ike
When: Last Thursday
Where: Texas and Louisiana
Why: It happened because of the weather
How: Because of nature
4. State and give your reflections on the article
I believe that these people who refuse to move are being ignorant. They don't have any reson to stay and they still refuse. Al they are doing is putting thier lives in danger. It seems to me that they are just staying there to protect their houses but since the storm is big and powerful it is still going to ruin the houses.
It is always good to take advice from people who know better, especially if it is a life or death situation.
2. What reading strategies are you doing to understand the hurricane article?
The reading strategy I used to read this article was to discuss it with my brother. I know that if i can explain it to my brother then I understood the story.
3. What details support the story?
"All neighborhoods... and possibly entire coastal communities... will be inundated during the period of peak sotrm tide," the advisory said. "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one or two sotry homes will face certain death."
Who: Residents of Houston, Morgan City and Baffin Bay
What: Hurricane Ike
When: Last Thursday
Where: Texas and Louisiana
Why: It happened because of the weather
How: Because of nature
4. State and give your reflections on the article
I believe that these people who refuse to move are being ignorant. They don't have any reson to stay and they still refuse. Al they are doing is putting thier lives in danger. It seems to me that they are just staying there to protect their houses but since the storm is big and powerful it is still going to ruin the houses.
WEEK TWO reading assignment
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/15/galveston.home.irpt/index.html
Write your reflections on your article
This article talked aboout how the people's homes and neighborhood has been destroyed because of Hurricane Ike. These people lived by the beachfront and all their homes were torn apart and everything they had was all over the place.
I can't say I feel their pain, because I was never in their shoes. I can feel that they have lost everything they loved because when I was younger my house was robbed. My family and I have lost things we valued and cherished. Most of it was jewelry that was passed down from generations to generations. Not only did these people lose their values but also their houses, not necessarily their homes. Their physical homes was destroyed and there was nothing that anyone can do to stop nature. They still have their family members and I believe that is the most important thing ever. They should be happy for that atleast and show strength to continue on with life. What doesn't kill them makes you stronger.
Write your reflections on your article
This article talked aboout how the people's homes and neighborhood has been destroyed because of Hurricane Ike. These people lived by the beachfront and all their homes were torn apart and everything they had was all over the place.
I can't say I feel their pain, because I was never in their shoes. I can feel that they have lost everything they loved because when I was younger my house was robbed. My family and I have lost things we valued and cherished. Most of it was jewelry that was passed down from generations to generations. Not only did these people lose their values but also their houses, not necessarily their homes. Their physical homes was destroyed and there was nothing that anyone can do to stop nature. They still have their family members and I believe that is the most important thing ever. They should be happy for that atleast and show strength to continue on with life. What doesn't kill them makes you stronger.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Learning Style, What interferes with my reading, and how do I prefer to read?
My learning style is visual. I like to see the topic written or drawn in order for me to see it. Another style I have is social. Many teachers just lecture and lecture and don't write nothing on the board. That is not my style. I love when teachers move around the classroom and write notes on the board and teach the lesson with their own personal experience. When the teacher is not monotone, it makes it exciting and more interesting.
The thing that mostly interferes with my reading is when the book is not appealing to me. I don't really have problems reading but when I have to read something that I do not like, I start to lose concentration. There might not be anything around me that catches my eyes but I just start to daydream about where I am going later on that afternoon or what is cooking downstairs in my kitchen.
I prefer to read in a chair with wheels. As wierd as it sounds, it is true. Whenever I read in my bed, I get sleepy. When I read in my sofa, I also get sleepy. With my computer chair I can slouch but not get sleepy. Also I like to read when there is little to no kind of noise. Lucky no one is ever home when I do homework so the house is quiet but if someone is home, I take my book and read upstairs in my room and sit on the floor. I also prefer to read when I am munching on chips or eating candy. It helps me to read more.
I believe that when I take 5 minute breaks for every hour I read, it helps me concentrate more than just cramming or pulling an all nighter to finish a book in one day. With seperating chapters and setting the amount of chapter per day also helps me to finish the book. Reading a few chapters every day is better for me than reading the whole book in one day.
The thing that mostly interferes with my reading is when the book is not appealing to me. I don't really have problems reading but when I have to read something that I do not like, I start to lose concentration. There might not be anything around me that catches my eyes but I just start to daydream about where I am going later on that afternoon or what is cooking downstairs in my kitchen.
I prefer to read in a chair with wheels. As wierd as it sounds, it is true. Whenever I read in my bed, I get sleepy. When I read in my sofa, I also get sleepy. With my computer chair I can slouch but not get sleepy. Also I like to read when there is little to no kind of noise. Lucky no one is ever home when I do homework so the house is quiet but if someone is home, I take my book and read upstairs in my room and sit on the floor. I also prefer to read when I am munching on chips or eating candy. It helps me to read more.
I believe that when I take 5 minute breaks for every hour I read, it helps me concentrate more than just cramming or pulling an all nighter to finish a book in one day. With seperating chapters and setting the amount of chapter per day also helps me to finish the book. Reading a few chapters every day is better for me than reading the whole book in one day.
Girl in Queens
Hello, my name is Stephanie. I currently live in Queens and go to school in Manhattan. It is a long commute on the train but when I sacrafice for my studies, I will see the fruits later on.
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