Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Ways We Say Goodbye
Not going to lie, although this class accounted for some sleep deprivation, I am definitely going to miss it. I have learned incredible things about myself and my abilities through the coursework in AP Language and Composition. I have learned that personal initiative is key in learning anything. I have learned that grades really are not that important and teachers do not expect you to be perfect. I have learned to love myself a lot more than I ever have, and I have learned that I do have a talent, writing. I used to think I was just another "average" person who will lead an "average" life. And this is just not true. I have full capability to do great things and I know I will. I am taking a break from studying for finals of great magnitudes that I will have to take tomorrow, and this reflection on an 18 week course is more eye opening and important than anything that happened in American History. This class has introduced me into the complex world of the English language and has inspired me to explore it further to develop my uncovered talent and revitalized love for writing. I used to write manuscripts, poems, songs, essays, everything. Then Freshman year happened. I dismissed my old love and fell into a 2 year web of self pity and borderline depression. Not anymore. I can express how I feel in words and write out anything I want instead of letting feelings eat me up inside. I am so grateful for AP comp and for all the lessons it has taught me, not really even about the course, but about who I am. It has helped me reclaim who I want to be, the person who was lost for quite awhile but is now found and ready, pen in hand, to express every detail and fight off the bad feelings with words and stories.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Morningssss
My mornings can be sorted into three main components, the eating part, the driving away part, and the actual getting ready part. Both are equally important, and both deserve the same allocation of time. For the getting ready part, I typically drag myself out of bed at the sound of my alarm, put on some music and begin the routine. Brushing my teeth, washing my face, putting on clothes and applying make up all fall under this beginning part of the morning. The eating component is a bit more complicated. It consists of ice water at first to get my metabolism going and re-hydrate me after a night of sleep. I make my coffee and chug the first cup, while pouring raisin bran cereal, putting my bread in the toaster and getting the peanut butter, and getting out my pan to make an egg. After all of this food is consumed, I typically grab an apple to munch on while in the car. This leads me into the leaving portion of my morning. I usually have to struggle to find my car keys and get my brother in the car. Once that is accomplished I open the garage door, start my car, and slowly back out, avoiding hitting my dads car that sits behind mine. I cruise to Mariah’s house, blasting our CD for pump up. Once I get her, we kick it to school and arrive just on time, 7:20.
Every Morning. No Big.
Getting myself, Valerie, up and ready to go in the morning is quite the task. First, Lady Gaga goes off on my alarm at precisely 5:43, prompting me to jump out of bed. I turn it off and usually fall back asleep until 6:15. I get up and waddle to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face, then I race downstairs to get my morning glass of ice water - this jumpstarts the metabolism, and then grind my coffee beans and put on hot water. While the water is working its way up to a boil, I go get my clothes on, put on some make up and make a valiant attempt to style my hair, but in the morning it is often just too difficult. The next step is making my way back downstairs for the eating part of my morning. I love big breakfasts so I typically have my coffee, a bowl of raisin bran, fruit, and an egg or peanut butter toast if I have time. Finally, I locate my car keys, open the garage door, roundup my brother and drive out of my house and over to Mariah’s, blasting our car CD the whole way for pump – up. And finally, I arrive at school around 7:20 and scoot to psychology so I am not late and don’t get thrown in the hall way for my “tardiness terrorism” according to Mr. Johnson.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Modes of Discourse!
Modes of Discourse – Justice
A slam of the judges’ gavel and an adjournment of the courtroom allowed the stirring crowd to exit the magnanimous arena. The bouncer-sized bailiff ushered the now-convicted man to be incarcerated at the formidable sing-sing prison. The feelings among the anxious and apprehensive family sitting on the mahogany prosecution bench have now been alleviated. Tears glisten as they stream down in the form of relief, finally, Justice. The feeling of security and safety from a man that had preyed on them for two agonizing years overwhelmed the air.
Many people don’t understand the function of our judicial system, and have absolutely no clue what justice is. As the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota, I can rightfully tell you that justice is bringing forth the truth. It is punishing the guilty and granting freedom to the innocent. It is the feeling of relief when a victim or the victim’s family knows that the criminal is serving their time to repay their debt to society
Justice is a difficult thing for anyone who has not had wrong done to them to understand. If you don’t understand the concept of justice, it will be hard to attain, and full of confusion, anger and hurt. Justice involves seeking and finding the truth as well as reaching closure with the problems that have created the need to seek justice in the first place.
There was nothing I wanted more than to hear one word fly out of the juror’s mouth. Guilty. This could finally bring some closure and justice to my family, for the man on trial was an atrocious monster who brought more adversity to my family than I could ever even comprehend. He does not deserve the very paper that I am currently describing him.
– Justice and honesty go hand in hand, but they are far from the same thing. Honesty is something that everyone has, but some choose to practice it, others choose to ignore it. To bring about justice, one must arouse honesty, but honesty can be expressed with justice being disregarded. Justice encompasses finding the truth through honesty, but it also has a system of consequences. The consequences are apparent with honesty
– Justice is a broad term that many do not understand. For those who have an idea of what justice is, when they hear the word itself, they may think of gavels, judges’ robes, TV dramas and prison. Justice, the actual idea, is so much more than that. Justice is something that is accomplished through desire for the truth as well as working to uncover it. Righteousness must be the goal, and no obstacle is big enough to stand in the way of attaining it.
How does a judge arrive at Justice in the judicial system of the United States? It is a complex process of gathering evidence, taking testimony, examining rights, laws, precedents and the Constitution. Although tedious, it is essential to uphold the values of our country and to maintain the mantra “innocent until proven guilty”
The need for justice is sparked by a wrongdoing or ill committed to an innocent person who deserves compensation for their suffering. A crime must first be committed, which leads to the justice system stepping in and going through the legal process to incarcerate or somehow punish the wicked.
Justice is an issue of morality, and it must have roots in what is deemed rational, good, fair and applicable to the method of running or structuring an effective and equal society.
Fight for justice no matter what. What happens when a family member, someone you feel unconditional love and loyalty to, commits a crime or an act of injustice? You can put aside family values in order to attain justice, and in order to be a just person you must. It is hard to turn on those we love and hurt them, but if it is in the name of justice, it is without a doubt the right thing to do, because without justice, any wrong act that goes unpunished is legitimate.
A slam of the judges’ gavel and an adjournment of the courtroom allowed the stirring crowd to exit the magnanimous arena. The bouncer-sized bailiff ushered the now-convicted man to be incarcerated at the formidable sing-sing prison. The feelings among the anxious and apprehensive family sitting on the mahogany prosecution bench have now been alleviated. Tears glisten as they stream down in the form of relief, finally, Justice. The feeling of security and safety from a man that had preyed on them for two agonizing years overwhelmed the air.
Many people don’t understand the function of our judicial system, and have absolutely no clue what justice is. As the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota, I can rightfully tell you that justice is bringing forth the truth. It is punishing the guilty and granting freedom to the innocent. It is the feeling of relief when a victim or the victim’s family knows that the criminal is serving their time to repay their debt to society
Justice is a difficult thing for anyone who has not had wrong done to them to understand. If you don’t understand the concept of justice, it will be hard to attain, and full of confusion, anger and hurt. Justice involves seeking and finding the truth as well as reaching closure with the problems that have created the need to seek justice in the first place.
There was nothing I wanted more than to hear one word fly out of the juror’s mouth. Guilty. This could finally bring some closure and justice to my family, for the man on trial was an atrocious monster who brought more adversity to my family than I could ever even comprehend. He does not deserve the very paper that I am currently describing him.
– Justice and honesty go hand in hand, but they are far from the same thing. Honesty is something that everyone has, but some choose to practice it, others choose to ignore it. To bring about justice, one must arouse honesty, but honesty can be expressed with justice being disregarded. Justice encompasses finding the truth through honesty, but it also has a system of consequences. The consequences are apparent with honesty
– Justice is a broad term that many do not understand. For those who have an idea of what justice is, when they hear the word itself, they may think of gavels, judges’ robes, TV dramas and prison. Justice, the actual idea, is so much more than that. Justice is something that is accomplished through desire for the truth as well as working to uncover it. Righteousness must be the goal, and no obstacle is big enough to stand in the way of attaining it.
How does a judge arrive at Justice in the judicial system of the United States? It is a complex process of gathering evidence, taking testimony, examining rights, laws, precedents and the Constitution. Although tedious, it is essential to uphold the values of our country and to maintain the mantra “innocent until proven guilty”
The need for justice is sparked by a wrongdoing or ill committed to an innocent person who deserves compensation for their suffering. A crime must first be committed, which leads to the justice system stepping in and going through the legal process to incarcerate or somehow punish the wicked.
Justice is an issue of morality, and it must have roots in what is deemed rational, good, fair and applicable to the method of running or structuring an effective and equal society.
Fight for justice no matter what. What happens when a family member, someone you feel unconditional love and loyalty to, commits a crime or an act of injustice? You can put aside family values in order to attain justice, and in order to be a just person you must. It is hard to turn on those we love and hurt them, but if it is in the name of justice, it is without a doubt the right thing to do, because without justice, any wrong act that goes unpunished is legitimate.
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