Final Blog Post

                My experience in English Composition 111 has been nothing but pleasurable. I had a lot of anxiety entering into this class due to the fact that I had not taken a college class since 2000. Part of my anxiety started to fade away after I received my first graded assignment, and I got 25 out of 25. I saw that I was capable and grew some confidence.

                The way we did all the group assignments really helped to learn to open up and work with others without being so nervous, and that is where the rest of my anxiety started to fade away. I thoroughly enjoyed these groups as well as the partner assignment and the peer reviews. I hope that in some of the next classes I take that these same types of learning styles will be applied because I found them so helpful! I have no problem socializing when I know someone but that getting to know them piece was tough for me until this class. During the profile assignment I was made to get a phone number of my partner. I needed help after I missed a class and had I not gotten that number  I wouldn’t have found my way into the library learning about their resources.

                I did find that I tend to procrastinate until the last possible moment. I imagine since the work I do in a hurry has been graded decently that if I was to do it in advance and slower it would probably be even better. This is one tip I will continue to remind myself during the rest of my college career! Thank goodness I learned this early on with a great class and an awesome teacher who helped even when I put it off until the last minute! I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better first class experience honestly.

Reflection of my Modest Proposal

On this essay I basically did an expansion of my pitch presentation. I took my outlined slides and all my notes and turned the information into paragraphs. I decided to stick with the same topic due to my passion and knowledge of the issue of adolescent drug addiction. Through all of our assignments I have found it so much easier to come up with a better final copy if it is something pertaining to myself or information I am very confident that I’m fluent with.  Since being in this class everyone is aware of how close to my heart this topic is, so I assume you guys almost expected it!

I was extremely grateful to have some sources already from my pitch, making my research time lessened. Although I found more information to add to the essay as well as my slides I had a huge head start. I know from hearing others talk, that coming up with the topic was the hardest part for them, so I guess I saved myself a lot of stress!

I will say I really was excited initially about writing this as a satire. I did not end up doing that because I allowed my lack of confidence to hold me back. My grades should show me that my insecurities are irrational, but for whatever reason I listened to them still. I am very excited to hear others’ presentations that were done satirically so if ever presented with this option again maybe I will have a clearer understanding and go for it.

I feel especially comfortable with my paper and presentation now that I’ve received my feedback from the pitch presentation. Although no one said it in their comments I know my two biggest fallbacks in the pitch were the amount of text per slide and no images. I am going to utilize that knowledge to better this one, mostly by taking the statistics and specific schools mentioned and showing them in images in my new presentation. I hope I receive a decent grade from the class again and that they are not too disappointed it’s the same topic since I’m switching it up a bit.

Reflection of my Pitch Presentation

I chose the topic of adolescent drug use/addiction because it is very near to my heart.  With myself being a woman in long term recovery from a substance use disorder I can empathize with these young peoples’ struggles. My dabbling in drugs started in middle school, but by my senior year in high school, I was being sent to my first few treatment programs because I had progressed from dabbling to full-on addiction. The statistics show how very common that is and I felt the class should see that. Ultimately, if we have something that can play such a monumental part in curbing these statistics or at least catering to them to get in the solution, I just can’t find any logic as to why we aren't all jumping and asking the question, “How can I help?”. I know that I am more inclined to feel this way due to my personal experience but I also know that the majority of people in our country have been affected in some way or at least know someone who has been touched by this god awful disease of addiction. Bottom line - there is a solution and I wanted everyone to know. I feel so often that ignorance is the reason for our avoidance of dealing with things.

I basically just broke down my pitch into topics of the problem, the solution, what you can do, and the benefits. I gave shocking statistics to show the reality of the problem and the statistics for the solution. I honestly could have gone on all day to “show” the extent of the problem at hand, but didn't want to overwhelm and confuse people with too many numbers, so I just picked the ones that seemed to catch my attention more so than the others.

I normally struggle with speaking in front of a crowd, and I had myself in panic mode initially for this assignment. Once I got up there and was speaking on a topic that I felt comfortably educated on, it really wasn't bad at all. I truly think the small groups we do and the partner assignment for the profile played a huge part in my confidence once I started speaking. I was quite impressed by how much I actually enjoyed it, to be honest!!

Why I chose Blended for my movie review

This assignment for me has been a bit challenging, due to my recent surgery. I have found it hard to focus on my schoolwork while dealing with the pain and minor complications I’ve endured. That being said, at the last minute today I posted on Facebook asking for movie ideas on what to utilize for my review, and I got numerous different options. I had already seen a lot of them so right away that narrowed it down for me. I finally decided on the movie that’s titled Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Upon viewing the previews, this movie really just seemed like an all American love comedy. With my unmotivated and very fatigued physical being at the moment I just felt like this light-hearted type of movie was a good choice for me, and it just so happens that Adam Sandler is one of my favorite actors! There is never a doubt in my mind that if he is in the movie it is going to be a great flick, usually full of comedy!

I am also a single parent and I can totally relate to the story they are telling in this movie. It is so common in our society today to have these blended families, and more often than not that means lots of yelling, fighting, tears, laughter, and love being shared between the individuals of each family before they blend into a smooth single familial unit. I feel like that was captured just in the few moments on the previews and I’m looking forward to getting to see more.

Movie Rave

My choice for my favorite movie comes from a very fond memory I have during my childhood. Initially, it was my father’s favorite movie, but after years of forming such memorable evenings solely based on this movie, it had become my favorite as well.

My father was a highly intelligent man who worked full days as an engineer and after long, grueling days at his manufacturing plant he needed some comic relief to relax and unwind. I can still recall the sounds of our hysterical laughter arising from the living room on the evenings we would watch it together (sharing special daddy/daughter time). I must point out to you that my father passed away several years ago, but this movie sealed the vision into my heart and mind. Sometimes it’s only just for a fleeting moment, but it’s amazing to just feel like I am there again – sitting on the old brown plaid sofa and my dad in his blue leather chair - both of us uncontrollably belly laughing.

My favorite movie is a family friendly feature that is extremely entertaining to any audience – young, old, male, or female.  This movie will provide whatever it is you are looking for.  Its versatility is appealing because it provides comedy, is action packed, has a stellar cast including three adorable children, and it even has a twist of romance.  I mean come on – everyone finds satisfaction in one of those categories.

I would suggest that anyone who is reading this publication right now, go home and get out your On-Demand  or Netflix and watch the Walt Disney movie “The Apple Dumpling Gang”, written by Don Tait.  Take an evening to enjoy good, clean fun that carries you through to the good ole’ days out west.  It paints a picture of the past that actually left me feeling as though I was standing at the swinging doors of the saloon watching the action take place.

So, give yourself a break, kick up your feet, and prepare to laugh. Hopefully, you will create an unforgettable evening.

Reflection of my Profile assignment

I really enjoyed this profile assignment. I do not struggle at all talking openly about my life when I know someone, but I have always struggled to make the initial contact and start conversation. This assignment really helped to start the communication and teach me to see past that "driver license" description that meets the eye. I think because I had a partner with such great personality it helped make it that much easier.

It is always more difficult for me to write about others since I can't look up facts, or it's not about myself where I know the facts. This definitely showed me that it really isn't as hard as it seems. I got all the information I needed from my partner through relaxed conversation; it wasn't like I had expected it be, like an uncomfortable news interview. I wouldn't mind doing an assignment like this again with another partner!

I had never used Google Slides or power point before. This was a learning experience for me in that aspect, as well. I quickly picked up how to navigate around the webpage and how to add design and pictures to my text. I feel comfortable now that I can utilize Google Slides for another presentation in the future.

Profile on Josh Polezhaev

The subject of my profile assignment is 19 year old Josh Polezhaev. Upon being assigned as partners I found him to be quite entertaining.  He was very open and easy to talk to though, on top of his humor. Josh is a very bright and animated young man. I don’t believe in the weeks I’ve known him that I have seen him with anything other than a smile upon his face. I can see that his happiness is contagious to the people around him.

 I didn’t want to take my focus of him completely, so I only added minimal bullets about his family, but he actually has a very interesting familial history. He comes from a very large family with A LOT of aunts and uncles, as well as the fact that he has 5 siblings. There were details about his parents’ transition from Russia to America that I found interesting, but again those weren’t as relevant to getting to know him. He chose a portrait of his siblings and himself for me to use on his profile, and in that picture he is the littlest, chubby guy in the front.
 

The link to view my presentation of his profile is:
Josh Polezhaev's Profile By:Michelle Rook