Do I Meet The Grade?

Finals week here I come!

My writing teacher, Sandy is so innovative. I swear she is one of the best teachers I have ever had. She pushes us (the students) to such levels that we never thought we could go, oh and enjoy it as well. :-)  I would like to say in my opinion that is what makes a great teacher!

So beyond that, as a final for her class, she wanted us to write a short argument essay on why we deserve a certain grade.  I struggled with this for a minute, I had hopes of getting it done on Friday, yet here I am on Monday just finishing it.  I really do have a hard time arguing about a grade that I feel is earned not an entitlement.  So with that said I really thought about what I felt was enough to earn an A, since that is the grade that I wanted, and I came up with this...

“Crystal will NEVER make it to college, she just doesn't apply herself.” That is something that I have heard from the majority of my family, and most teachers that ever taught me. Because I heard this so often while growing up, I began to really believe it. I am from a family of 8, not including my mom and dad, and being the youngest is not the easiest task. Only two other siblings graduated High School and one other graduated college. In my heart, I knew that I was destined to be helping people, and the only way I really could think of was to be in the medical field. The only problem that I was facing was the lack of confidence I had in myself to make it to med school. It’s not as if I didn't have feel that I had the brains, I knew that I had been blessed with an extraordinary brain (not trying to sound conceited), the issue I has was I was lazy! I would try in school for small amounts at a time, but would always think to myself “why do this, it’s not like you will graduate from college.” I really didn’t feel that I had any potential.

Hard Work Pays Off!

I never realized the potential I had until I went back to college in the summer of 2012. I learned that it was possible that I could achieve great grades, and thoroughly enjoy learning.  I really cannot explain the amount of excitement and feeling of accomplishment when I received my first college grades.  I had an A in every one of my classes, and couldn't believe it! Due to the fact that I am unable to get any financial aid, I decided that school was too expensive to just not do great in it, so I realized that studying hard, and working hard meant doing great in school.  I feel that I deserve, well earned, an A because, not only do I  apply myself to the fullest, I come to class no matter what is going on in my life, I complete every assignment on time, and I continue to learn and reach for perfection.  

I never realized what a feat it is to just get up and come to class, until this term. There were so many days where the class only had 10 students in it. I realize that there are things going on in life and that coming to class may seem difficult. Well, I too had some things going on this term; still I attended class because as I see it, this is a core issue of respect. “Respect for your own endeavors, respect for your parents, and respect for your professors, who are just trying to do their jobs (Barangan).” I feel that this is really dependent on how seriously a student takes their education.  I may not know other’s personal issues, but I know that mine were not warranting me missing class. There was one day that I missed, due to a doctor appointment, and I felt completely lost. I don’t like knowing that I could have possibly been absent on a day that I could have learned something crucial and that could help my writing ability. Because I pay for my own education I feel that at a certain point, as a student, I need to ask myself why I am paying top dollar to attend an educational institution if I am not going to take advantage of the fellow students and professors in my academic setting. To me it is more of an opportunity, and it would be a damned shame if I don't take advantage of it.

Coming to class is not the only thing a student must do in order to earn an A.  In order for the professors to see a students’ progress, there has to be some sort of scale in which to base it on (Larson). That is where homework, projects, papers, and tests come in.  I understand that one student can work fifty times harder than another and still receive a lesser grade, but that may just mean that they aren't grasping the current concept.  I like to think that if I was having an issue with putting out what I think is quality ‘A’ deserving papers, yet getting ‘B’s,’ I would be able to speak to my teacher and have him/her explain to me what issue I may be having; therefore I can resolve it by the next assignment.  Another thing that I feel should be common knowledge in earning an ‘A’, is the importance of completing these assignments on time.  Every single one of my assignments has been completed on time. I did have some issues with inputting the URL’s into the inbox for my writing class, but thank heavens for communication. I was able to email my professor on every occasion, and I knew that she will take it into consideration. I am not notoriously a person who turns in assignments late, and I know that she knows that.  I work really hard on my work, try to soak in and apply every bit of knowledge that I have learned, and continue to yearn for more knowledge.

There are times that I start to get confident on my writing, feeling that I know all, and THAT is when I learn something new.  I would like to consider myself a humble person for the most part, yet when I start to get overly cocky, I get put back into place by a teacher or a student, not for nothing, but I really do need those once in a while.  It shows me that there is so much more for me to learn and makes me want to continue.  Sandy, my writing teacher is going back to school, I believe for her second or third master, and that in itself is humbling to know. The fact that she continues to learn, even though she seems like she knows all, she shows me that if I continue to be hungry for education I may someday reach perfection. Well not perfection but dang close to it.  

All in all, I have really worked hard this term, I have thrived on the education that I am receiving. With that, I have shown that all of my hard work is worth an upstanding grade. I will never be the type of student that just comes to school, slacks off, turns in mediocre assignments, and expect a decent grade. Grades, in my opinion are earned; I truly feel that I have earned an A!

Well after writing this, I really feel like I need to get back to my other classes, I have 2 more finals to tackle! Wish me luck!

Works Cited

Barangan, Zack. "Should Attendance in Class Affect College Students' Grades?" Unigo. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.unigo.com/articles/should_attendance_in_class_affect_college_students%E2%80%99_grades%5E63/>.

Larson, Melissa. "Dear Professor, Dear Student..." BYU. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://ctl.byu.edu/dp/?cat=8>.

A HUGE Piece of Humble Pie...

Does Gaming Cause Social Issues?

Or is It Just The Users?

                          

By: Crystal Smith

What is my question/ argument?

                All through growing up I was active, not only physically active but mentally as well. I would go all day at school, and then when the school day was done I would either have soccer, dance, mathletes, or gymnastics. When I wasn’t obligated to go to a practice or school, my free time was playing outside, or socializing my Barbie’s with my best friends Barbie’s. Even though I personally would choose playing with friends over staying at home, I still enjoyed a little Mario Go Kart competition on the Super Nintendo. The extent of my “gaming” was just that, playing a little car racing game or Donkey Kong, competition style, for maybe an hour then going outside to play. Isn’t this how everyone plays video games? I thought it was.

                I met my husband when I had just turned 19 and I knew that like every 19 year old, he played video games. What I didn't know was the world of videogames that I knew, was a whole separate world to what he knew. He would tell me stories of him and his friends playing games for upwards to 24 hours straight. I was astonished! I couldn't believe that someone could sit and play a video game for that long. Thankfully, for the first two years of our relationship he was heavily involved in school, work, and of course courting the love of his life, so he was unable, due to time, to be a heavy gamer like he said he was in the past.

                Of course as time went on he finished school, got a job, had much more free time on his hands. He soon got back into his gaming rituals. Shortly after realizing how much gaming he chose to do, I became intrigued to know if that was normal, so I asked. His response to me was that he was a “casual gamer”, someone who played on free time, I thought his 12 to 14 hours a day on the weekend, and 4 hours a night on the weekdays was excessive. I couldn't believe that there are those that do it more, until his best friend moved in with us. I proceeded to do more research on the matter and I found that there are people who would choose to play games rather than go out of the house, go to social gatherings, and even talk to someone about things other than gaming.

                This worried me quite a bit, and even angered me. I am, if any of you know me, a social butterfly, and enjoy going to, and hosting functions. I was realizing that the more intense the gaming got, the less my husband enjoyed the functions, not to mention his best friend not even wanting to go due to his, what he called, shyness. Yet, I realized he was extremely not shy to other fellow gamers. I soon recognized that his choice to game throughout his day had an effect on how he socialized with others not via a computer screen.  Choosing to be not social, or even neglecting human to human interaction brought me to my research, in which gaming makes it easier to become less sociable, or even worse, socially inept.

                What is the Story of My Research?

               When deciding on what my argumentative research paper was going to be on, I found myself constantly defending it.  More than anything I found myself becoming extremely bias and completely stereotyping the gaming community.  This is when I decided I was going to research completely unprejudiced to what I find. I realized was unable to write an argumentative paper that was geared to persuade an audience if I am completely closed minded. So I am writing about the process of my research, I want to show how and if I grew, not only as a researcher but as a person as well.  

               
               Throughout the duration of my research, I found many of the things that I already knew to be considered common knowledge.  As I continued to utilize the database from the Lane Library, I discovered more in detail.  I really sought to find surveys, studies, and more examples of how gaming promotes social isolation, which I did, yet I also found a multitude of surveys, case studies, and examples of how it does not.  

Research Results- Anti Gaming

             
                There are in many ways a stigma on gaming, and the effects that they have on children and teenagers. The social skills development of a child is a critical part of growing up. Social skill deficiency can lead to emotional, intellectual, and behavioral issues with high levels of anxiety or anger. Research has indicated that aggressive and other related behaviors have a negative effect on social skills.  Animosity, which was found to be detrimental to social skills, was also a significant outcome of video gaming (Chiu et al.).  

               
                  Some researchers believe that gaming is a large contributor to the interruption of daily life. As evidenced by John G. Messerly, 90 percent of college students surveyed knew other students or they themselves had their social or academic lives interrupted by video games, by which, were confined to their rooms for long periods of time, and did not respond to human interaction while playing.  The alienation from RL, gamer talk for real life, human contact made social relationships more difficult to maintain, since they spend so much time glued to their computers (30).  The gamer may then choose to interact with their virtual world friends more often than RL friends.  

                
                    Virtual worlds are often called hyperrealities. According to Maria Frostling-Henningsson, “the hyperreal is a universe of simulation...If one transfers these theoretical notions to online gaming, it implies a construction of reality forms that have no referents in an objective reality, but instead are mediated in abstract reality.”   There is an inclination within video gamers, to build, as well as live in the simulation, suggesting a willingness among gamers to live in the virtual worlds rather than the real or actual world (557). This hyperreality can take over someone’s actual reality, which in turn may cause isolation from the real world, an escape.

               
                       Escapism is, clearly, a motivating tool for some of the gamers.  Several gamers that I spoke with mentioned that gaming online provided them with an opportunity to get away, to flee from their everyday problems. The gamers could enter a world that occupied their minds and at the same time give them a break from the anxieties that come with real life. This is in direct view with a recent study that shows escapism as one of the 10 motivating factors of playing online games, saying that some gamers were using the online environment to avoid thinking about real life problems (Graham).  The fear in this is that the “escape” may seem to be much better than real life; that the gamer’s obvious choice is to continue to “live” in the virtual world, rather than the real world, causing them to alienate themselves to a life solely in the virtual world.

Aaron Smith, an avid gamer, also my husband and the purpose of this research, was readily available to answer questions on the subject of gaming and becoming too immersed in the game due to escapism. He used words such as “too absorbed” and “that involved” to express the risk he feels that playing games like World of Warcraft would imply.  Staying in control is something that is very important for gamers (Graham). “I have seen warning signs among my gaming friends, that some of them have been too absorbed by the game. So they play constantly, because I do not have the time, the strength, or the energy to be that involved in a game, I have not decided to go that route.” For Aaron, gaming only gives him a valuable break from the obligations and duties of his everyday life:  “You get some time to yourself, just as you women do going to the salon.” He does express his concerns showing that gaming can escalate from something so casual to an extreme addiction, yet he feels that it is not the game’s fault.

Research Results- Pro Gaming

              
                          Along with evidence showing that games encourage anti-social behaviors, the evidence of video gaming promotes pro-social actions are observed. A conducted survey of 1,100 young adults with ages ranging from 12 to 17, states that 65 percent of teenage gamers utilize their free time playing games with multiple people in the same room.  The survey also observes the link between gaming and possible new game based social networks (Bailey).  This survey shows the social effects of gaming in the teenage world, yet neglects to speak of the times when games are played alone.

              
                       Those that argue that today’s modern “gaming” encourage little to no face to face interaction, unlike games in the past (board games, card games), causing social isolation may not realize that gamers in this day in age, play and hold competitions with each other more than those in the past (Bliven and Abernathy).  The bulk of people playing video games are playing MMOGs, or massively multiplayer online games, that bring an opportunity for social interaction.  In the past, with online gaming, there would often be LAN parties that may have been held at convention centers, or even the convenience of the hometown high school auditorium (Greitemeyer and Osswald).  LAN parties would bring out many different types of people who enjoyed playing games, and have never met; therefore, more social, and possibly creating their own social network.

             
                   Almost one quarter of participants in the study by Harris and Williams said that they play because their friends play, supporting the idea that video game play can be a social activity, or at least socially motivated. It is possible that games do aid social interaction because many require team play, and getting to know other players (Messerly).

              
                  It seems as though that there are many other benefits to playing video games other than possibly improving social skills. Other research proves that positive benefits from playing video games include enhanced problem solving skills, better communication skills, and team building skills (Lucas and Sherry). I know that because my husband plays video games, he has a steadier hand than I do, that helps him with his precise shooting abilities (first person shooter games).

                Video games may provide more benefits than disadvantages. Because video games are so visually entertaining for children, the game developers are coming up with educational games. My niece who is 3 is already reading due to her Leap-Pad games, and her brothers are enjoying problem solving games on the X-Box.  I am still unsure if this is enough to excuse the addictive behavior that it enables.

What is My Search Conclusion?

           
                  This research paper weighed heavily on my heart.  I knew that with whatever I concluded, it will affect me for the rest of my life.  With my husband being a gamer, our future children growing up to most likely enjoy video games, and to future self-proclaimed gamers that I meet, I needed to make sure that I saw what was on both sides of the fence. I started researching and finding out more about this issue due to a perfect example of it from my husband’s best friend, yet I needed to see if every “die hard” gamer was this way.  After researching, reading, and looking through an open point of view, I can clearly see that yes, gaming can cause an issue. I use the word can solely on the fact that it can only cause an issue if YOU the consumer let it.  

             
                 Everything can be addicting and cause social isolation if you let it; from reading, to quilting, if done in excess, can create an issue.  As for the subject of only enjoying ones company if they too play games, well that again can be interpreted in many ways. Is it just common interest, or is it discrimination? I am unsure, but what I do know, is that I will never discriminate against gaming ever again.

How Did I Grow as a Person?

              Seeing how I held some deep down hatred towards games, and yes this is true, I feel that learning more about the gaming world, and the psyche of a gamer, made me much more open minded and somewhat remorseful for some of the things that I have said to my husband.  Once again, Sandy Jensen, my writing teacher, has helped and forced me to grow as well as reach out of my comfort zone.  I don’t quite know what I am going to do differently in regards to promoting my husband’s extracurricular activity, or just letting it be, but what I do know, is that I am going to be much less of a nagging wife! :-)

        **Disclaimer** I would like to really thank my husband for allowing something so personal to be brought out into the www. I love him deeply and thank him for his patience with me!

        

Works Cited

Bailey, Ronald. "Halo Health: Fit, Happy Gamers." Reason 1 Jan. 2009: 14. Print.

Bliven, Brooke, and Marin Abernethy. "Is Gaming Social Isolation?" FYSM-126: Game Changers. N.p., 19 Oct. 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://fysm-126.wp.trincoll.edu/2010/10/19/is-gaming-social-isolation/>.

Chiu, Shao-I, Jie-Zhi Lee, and Der-Hsiang Huang. "Video Game Addiction in Children and Teenagers in Taiwan." CyberPsychology & Behavior 7.5 (2004): 571-81. Print.

Frostling-Henningsson, Maria. "First-Person Shooter Games As A Way Of Connecting To People: “Brothers In Blood”." Cyberpsychology & Behavior 12.5 (2009557): 557-62. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.

Graham, Richard.  "Trends in Anxiety During Asolescence." Healthcare Counselling & Psychotherapy Journal 11.1 (2011): 14-18. Web. 09 Nov. 2012.

Greitemeyer, Tobias, and Silvia Osswald. "Playing Prosocial Video Games Increases the Accessibility of Prosocial Thoughts." The Journal of Social Psychology 151.2 (2011): 121-28. Print.

Harris, Mary B., and Randall Williams. "Video Games And School Performance." Education 105.3 (1985): 306. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2012

Lucas, K. "Sex Differences in Video Game Play:: A Communication-Based Explanation."Communication Research 31.5 (2004): 499-523. Web. 21 Nov. 2012.

Messerly, John G. "How Computer Games Affect CS (and Other) Students' School Performance." Communications of the ACM 47.3 (2004): 29-31. EBSCOhost. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=0f088d8f-b0de-4a2b-809a-8531052fb076%40sessionmgr13&vid=9&hid=20>.

Smith, Aaron. Personal Interview. 2012

Comments, Comments, and More... ya know Comments....

We, as a class, were asked, once again, to comment on our peers' writing. The request was not to critique their writing, but to provide helpful encouraging feedback.

I really do enjoy going through other's blogs, because it clears my mind of what I am thinking of and gives me some great examples of verbiage or style. It also is very informative and interesting to see what the other topics are.

The best comment I recieved was :

Robert SappingtonNovember 25, 2012 11:36 PM

Finding your counter claims took some work, but it was done!

First off, love the topic. I read though all your stuff also. As a gamer I just wanna say, list more pros! Like how games help devlope peoples math skills and response time to thinking!! I want more counter claims!
My questions: What are some more positives about gaming? What sources did you use when you used facts? (works cited not listed) And yeah I know its being edited like mine!

For a resource check out http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC558687/

Might help your claim / counter claim :)

Here are some of the comments I left:

Allison: http://thecriticalcrow.blogspot.com/2012/11/counterclaims-arguments-against-gun.html?showComment=1354064279297#c4447994305472519418

Simone: http://wordwidewriting.blogspot.com/2012/11/counter-arguments-to-my-paper-on.html?showComment=1354064840431#c8841106226256051226

The comment that I liked the most was to Liz:

Crystal SmithNovember 27, 2012 5:17 PM

Liz, like I have said to you before, I absolutely commend you for taking on such a task as this subject. I have to say how much, as you know, it means to me as well. I think that you are coming into this very level heading and as a real representative of the church. The only thing you have to be careful of, which I know you will be, is not to misrepresent the churches beliefs, and understand why others dont agree.. other than that YOU ROCK!!

And What Would You Like To Say To That...? Your Counterclaim Please....

As you know, well hopefully know, I am writing a argument research paper for my WR122 class. The whole purpose of this paper is to learn how to argue intelligently  Well most of you saw the debate this year, and as prepared arguers, they knew what the opposing party counter arguments were going to be. So, as any intelligent arguer (trust me I am far from intelligent) would do, I have researched my "counterclaims" to my initial claim. Those counter claims can be found here -->http://thesmithsonianpodium.blogspot.com/p/oh-work-of-research-paper.html Please look under the dated 11/15/12

Honest Abe

Cartoon used under Creative Commons from  BLAUGH.com

So as I am in the process of writing my research argument paper, I know that I am needing to have enough sources to make my paper credible. Will all of the great information that I am finding, it would be so easy to just copy and paste to make my paper an A. The only problem is.... ITS PLAGIARISM! Sandy, my teacher, already knows my writing style and my writing voice.. Yes, I sound just as I read.  So, the only thing that would make my paper an A without having to STEAL ideas from others, would be to BORROW them. With the use of an Annotated Bibliography, I will be able to use the thoughts of others, and cite where I got that information! That I am sure will be NO problem... I hope!

Take a look at my evolving research paper process and check out my Annotated Bibliography Dated 11/12/12.. COMMENTS AND CRITIQUES ARE APPRECIATED!

http://thesmithsonianpodium.blogspot.com/p/oh-work-of-research-paper.html

The Open Minded Arguer

Take a look at my page for my research paper, dated 11/02/2012

You will see the predicament that I am in, I sure do hope that I am choosing the right decision..


http://thesmithsonianpodium.blogspot.com/p/oh-work-of-research-paper.html

I Present To You All.... The Magnificent 7!!!!

(Title is read in an announcers voice, with an anticipating pause)

So in class we were asked to do some peer review/ blog commenting on some peer's blogs. When I heard this I was nervous, because I didn't want to critique their writing, as if I am any better.  I was only hoping that no one would hold it against me. 

Before you see the Magnificent 7, here is one of many of the comments on my log that I found helpful.  

Crystal,

I liked your unique approach to this assignment. Sharing your personal experiences in your writing helps the reader get to know who you are and brings reality to the situation.

The only thing I noticed in the beginning was I got lost about halfway through the first paragraph. As you stated, "You are probably wondering where I'm going with this". I think if you had a brief introduction leading to the content of the article or sharing your perspective through comparison, would make this piece even more powerful. I really enjoy your writing and would like to hear more about what you think.

Great job.  

I felt this to be most helpful because it showed me how a reader sees my blog, and how to make what I am saying resignate with the reader in a more powerful way.  It also shows that I should continue to write with my heart, and use personal experiences in life as examples, or comparisons. From now on I am going to try to be more organized in my writing, trying to make sure everything is clear for my readers.

I read and commented on almost every blog that I have access to, but here are the lucky 7 that made it to the list. 

Justin -http://jgamboa808.blogspot.com/2012/10/tmitoo-much-information.html?showComment=1350953086986#c6214200780231439212

Matt- http://lifeorsomethinglikeallofus.blogspot.com/2012/10/lies-embed-our-lives-with-fatigue.html?showComment=1350954043140#c4581771760700413569

Simone- http://wordwidewriting.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-rose-colored-shaped-pyramids-of-giza.html?showComment=1350954242232#c568138336704472729

Liz-http://laneadventuresofliz.blogspot.com/2012/10/access-denied.html?showComment=1350963240503#c2710996638362838338

Jasmine- http://jasminejewelhood.blogspot.com/2012/10/do-we-need-it.html?showComment=1350963848496#c8912792725651769022

Colby- http://mccoolb.blogspot.com/2012/10/divergence-we-stand.html?showComment=1350964180691#c8408113688740974917

And last but not least: 

Robert-http://robertswrittingview.blogspot.com/2012/10/me-no-dumb-me-have-computor-technology.html?showComment=1350964518444#c7144033122121562815

This comment was by far my favorite that I posted. 

Oh Roberto! 
I read this post as soon as it was posted and man, you really hit the nail on the head. Your title is catchy, you into is inviting and alluring, and you end it with a great conclusion... now what to change... PICTURES!! HYPERLINKS!! COLOR! Make the blog appealing to the eye not just the brain. Most blog readers (I know cause I am one of them) look for blogs that catch their eye. There are thousands, err millions, of blogs out there, and I am pretty sure someone else has written about this topic. You want the reader to not only get a feel for who you are as a writer, but with some personality as well. I don't need to comment on your writing, we all know we have Sandy to thank (jk), but just make the blog a little more like a page STOPPER, not just a page turner.

Finding Blame: It Must Be The Video Games

Gaming! Even when saying it out loud it gives me such high stress.  This is a very hot topic in my home most of the time.  When I think of technology and gaming there is a multitude of thoughts that run through my mind. First being how expensive it is. From the console, to the actual game, then all of the little extras that you can purchase in the game, being a gamer is NOT a cheap hobby.  Second thing that comes to mind with gaming is how less active and RL (gamer talk for real life) iteration happens to the person behind a screen.  The last and final thing that comes to mind is the amount of hours one wastes (yes I know that saying waste is bias, but it is my blog so.... ) playing a virtual, make believe game instead of accomplishing something in their life.

** Disclaimer- Yes I do know and recognize that my opinions are exactly that, mine, and I do know that there are people who are active, not socially awkward, successful and accomplished that are gamers. But, specifically I am speaking of the intense, "true" gamers.

Pictured borrowed by Comics.gamesfirst.com

Notice that when I listed what came to my mind when gaming is brought up, violence was never something that entered my mind. I may be the only one.. or not?

I recently read an article, written by an unknown author, that was originally posted in The Economist August 4, 2005. "Defending Video Games: Breeding Evil?" was a great insight to the evidence, or lack thereof, that video games are bad for people.



First thing that came to my mind was the morning after the Aurora Colorado shooting. After the shooting, naturally, people everywhere were trying to make sense as to why a person would do such a thing. I remember criminal profiler Pat Brown coming on the screen to talk about the incident.  Brown gave a hypothetical profile of the shooter that suggested that he was "probably spending his time in his apartment playing one video game after the other- shooting, shooting, shooting." As soon as this was said my husband and I looked at each other real quick. We just knew that in such a terrible time video games were going to get the blame.




In the article the author compared the uproar about video games with many historic instances.  First was Rock N' Roll 50 years ago. Rock n' roll was looked at as an evil influence on the youth back then.  It was seen as promoting violence, satanism and promiscuity. (This brought me back to Footloose, and the story behind that great film) Another time in history where skepticism of new media shows is the waltz. I know what your thinking, "THE FREAKING WALTZ !?!" That was my reaction exactly, but as shown in history, the waltz  was thought to be "intoxicating and depraved" with all of the twirling.  The music was even banned in some places.

The author references many accusations of video games encouraging violence, but counters them with statistics and research doing nothing but contradicting that claim.  Along with violence, the author shows that the claim that video games are also fostering adictiveness to be falsified as well.

All in all, the controversy with video games, according to the unknown author, is more than anything else, the consequence of a generational divide. Cant we all just get along? 

Pictured borrowed by http://endlessorigami.blogspot.com

When reading this article I already knew that I would agree with the author, so I had to take some other key points from him/her.  I really wanted to take away how the author writes.  In an argument situation it becomes very easy to get overly passionate and to not think clearly about the other view.  This author does.  They come off neutral near the beginning of the article, but as any good arguer, clearly states his view with facts backing them.

Even though I already felt that gaming didn't cause violent behavior, I can't really use that as an excuse for Aaron (my husband) to do some gardening or baking with me instead of being in that office.

Now all I have to do is figure out a way to convince my husband that video gaming is bad for your health :-)

Naieve Eyes

"I'm a real boy"- Pinnochio
Image: Copyright The Walt Disney Company

"I can see your nose growing." That is exactly what my mom would tell me when she knew I was lying, and of course I believed her.  For the longest time as a little girl, I thought that that statement was true.  Now, as an adult I obviously know that it is not true, but am still a horrible liar to this day.

When I think about lying I often forget to realize that not everyone is as honest as I am or as they should be.  Because of this, I tend to be overly sensitive when I find out that I was lied to.

It is curious to think that any one person could be telling a lie without knowing that they are.  In the essay "The Ways We Lie" by Stephanie Ericsson, she explores the thought of how lies are incorporated into everyday life.  According to this essay, "We lie. We all do. We exaggerate  we minimize, we avoid confrontation, we spare people's feelings, we conveniently forget, we keep secrets, we justify lying to the big-guy institutions."

That statement made me really contemplate how honest I truly am.

Life without lying is a very difficult one, even maybe impossible.  As I said earlier, I try to live my life as honest as can be (I am terrible at lying anyways). The subjective words being 'as I can be'. I am a makeup artist part time, and  I never realized that something as coloring your hair and doing your makeup could be considered a "lie" until now.  Even with this knowledge, I try to think that there is some spectrum of every kind of lying.

It could range from a simple white lie like telling your spouse that the food that they just slaved 4 hours on making, was great, when in all actuality it was a mere okay, or wearing makeup and coloring your hair to appear somewhat presentable.

Me with no Makeup     Me starting my  makeup     Finished product
(SOO MUCH BETTER WITH MAKEUP! )

The other side of the spectrum would be when someone blatantly looks at someone and lie to their face.  An example of this is the oh so funny "my dog ate my homework" excuse.

Image: fashionablygeek.com

All in all I take away the fact that lying occurs around us without even noticing. I do it, you do it, I am pretty sure the Pope even does it.  It is something that unless consciously making an effort to not lie, even the honest of honest people are guilty of it.


 

Freedom of the Internet

Ever since I can remember my father, who is a Mexico native, would tell me how amazing his home country is, and how Mexico is such a great place. Yes, Mexico is beautiful, full of history, and a great place to party, but that is very subjective.  My dad now lives back in Mexico, and I don't know if you all know this but there is a drug war going on in Mexico. I fear everyday for my dad's life and hope that he stays safe.  It saddens me to know that our neighboring country is in such turmoil and we as US citizens may not even realize it.  You are probably wondering where I am going with this. Well, as a person born and raised in the United States (besides when I was 2-3) I feel like I take advantage of the freedom that I am given in this country. I rarely stop and really think about what I have, and how grateful I am for it.  From being able to vote in our leader, to me being a woman able gain an education, to something as small as the freedom to use the Internet.

In my Writing 122 class we read an amazing article, "Communication Key To Egypt's Uprising," written by Hany Rashwan right after the fall of Egypt's pharaoh in 2011.  The article specifically talks about how the World Wide Web played a key role in the protest, and helped the Egyptians summon up the courage to rally against the pharaoh. Specifically, Google, Facebook, and Twitter.  On top of the Internet helping a struggling country, Rashwan speaks of how it is breaking barriers when it comes to labels.  One of the most memorable quotes from the piece comes from Wael Ghonim, the Middle-Eastern Google executive  "If you want to liberate a government, give them the Internet."

Rashwan goes on to explain that the Internet allows anyone regardless of gender age, ethnicity or beliefs full freedom to use and contribute back to the Internet.  The fact that the Internet has brought awareness to so many things throughout the world through social media is the beauty of the Internet.


"It is not America's Internet or Europe's Internet; it's the World Wide Web"- Hany Rashwan

After reading the article, I really had time to think about Hany Rashwan's approach to the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated his technique. Obviously I am not from Egypt, in fact, the life in Egypt feels worlds away, but Rashwan's words started to really hit home when he talked about the social media networks. Being 24 years old, and a college student, it is almost impossible to go a day without hearing the words "facebook," or "tweet," so when Rashwan shared that the country of Egypt used these exact media to get their point across I instantly knew what that meant. Rashwan was very aware of his audience and was clever with his approach to the subject of not only the advantages of the Internet but also to the walls of racism it is tearing down.   I just today "liked" a page on Facebook about anti-bullying. With things like Facebook, and Twitter, we can get awareness to causes in mere minutes.  The Internet is something that I think I take advantage of, because of it's accessibility, but I don't ever forget how lucky I am to be an American.

Let the elephants roam

This weekend I was able to go up to Yakima, WA to visit with my family. My mom flew into Seattle from Kansas City, and I was overwhelmed with excitement to see her. I haven't seen her since March when I flew down to take care of her for her surgery, so this time with family was much needed.

From left to right: My mom holding my nephew, my cute niece Aly, and my nephews Cody and Rowdy jumping on the trampoline with their dad.

The weekend was spent with family dinners, a birthday party for my niece and nephew, and long talks on my sister and brother-in-laws back porch.  While in Yakima, even though my time was filled, I couldn't stop sporadically thinking about an article from The Washington Post, that I had read in class. . 

Picture borrowed from Awf.org

In this  Washington Post article, "Let the Zoo's Elephants Go," Les Schobert, a professional zoo curator, tries to enlighten readers about the situation that the elephants have to endure in America's zoos.  Schobert wrote the article to bring to light the inadequate conditions in which the elephants have been held.  He feels that zoos across the country must change the concept of how the elephants are kept. Since the start of zoos, there has been a growth of knowledge about elephants, and that keeping them in tiny quarters is detrimental to their health. Schobert not only goes into detail about his history as a zoo curator, and what goes on with the elephants, but he also has a resolution to the problem.  

There are many elephant sanctuaries that have the acreage that the elephants need to do the appropriate amount of walking needed for their health, but also the social part of an elephant’s life as well.  Schobert feels that if the zoo cannot accommodate the elephants on their needs to survive a long life, they need to send the elephants to the sanctuaries. 

This made me think....

When reading the article, I not only started having anger toward the zoos, but also sadness toward what the elephants have to go through.  I cannot say with much education what is exactly needed to be done to prevent more elephants getting euthanized at such a young age, but I too feel that maybe it would be best to have the elephants go to a sanctuary.  The sanctuary can still allow people from all around to see the amazing wonder of elephants, and keep them healthy.  Because of this article I now will keep an eye open on what is going on in the world of zoos.  

As you can see I had a lot on my mind this weekend :-)  I had a great time in Yakima with my family, and I was able to reflect on the article that I had read as well. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Ashley and Jered Jones 8/11/12

I now pronounce you husband and wife... That was the beginning of the end to my summer festivities.  For the most part, my summers are filled with lake days, sun, camping, and wine tours; not this summer.

   
 

Ashlee and Tony Andrews 08/12/2012

For the  first time in 6 years I went back to school, and so that started my summer. Once the term was over I was looking forward to 5 weeks of fun in the sun and relaxation. Unbeknownst to my reality it was anything but.  The first wedding that I was apart of started the Saturday after school got out, and it progressed from there.  I successfully went to, and was apart 5 weddings that were equally beautiful and special as the next.  As soon as the wedding season was settling, I blinked and found myself sitting in my writing 122 class listening to the poetic teachings of Sandy Jensen.  While sitting in class we were told that the majority of the class will be done on a blog.

Christina and Brandon Ritchie 9/02/12

So here I am, letting the world of blogging engulf me. First and foremost my name is Crystal, I am happily married and have been for a little over  2 years. My most amazing and handsome (if i do say so myself) husband is my anchor to this crazy boat called life. Aaron Smith is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I live in Eugene Oregon and go to school at lane community college. The goal is ultimately to finish my bachelors in science and apply to medical school to become a Physicians Assistant.Besides being extremely busy with school I enjoy spending my free time with family, I love to cook, sing, camp, and the highlight of my year is always college football season (GO DUCKS!!!)

Me and my man at a Ducks game. Two of my favorite things.

I hope to perfect the art of blogging, and I can't wait to see what the future of this term holds.