December 8, 2014: Finals & Home

I am excited for finals and the closing in on the finish line of my first college semester. Are there things that I wish I could have done better and in a more timely fashion? Most definitely. I have learned that the work effort comes with your personal motivation to get it done and correctly as well. My second semester will be better because I am aware of the time management needed to be put in place in order for my academic success to come out on top. I have always wanted to be the best organizer I can be and it starts with me. Going home is very exciting as well. I aim to take care of some scholarships and honing in on my craft for my career. It will decide whether or not I want to finish my time here in Kalamazoo or take my talents to New York City (one of the five fashion capitals). This class overall was a blast and I learned a lot about myself too. Merry Christmas & have a Happy New Year :)

December 5, 2014 : "Temporary Love" poem by Me

Months passed,
As I arise in the day,
Praying and waiting for it to come my way.
There's no other season quite like it you see,
Not Fall, Not Summer, Nor' Spring.
I can't stand it when it gives me frost bites,
Yet enlightens me with warm and fuzzy feelings.
HERE IT COMES...
The way Winter holds me in her arms of icy white snow,
and so gently kisses my breath for the world to see and all to know.
To be in its presence,
My attire must be up to part,
Avoiding a visit that's very unpleasant,
Winter tells me "Hat,Shoes,Coat,Scarf!".
I didn't listen..
The coldness surrounding me made me sick,
Winter tells me "Hot chocolate and a blistering fire will do the trick"

O'field, your harvest has been reaped and spent,
Replaced with fluffy pressured water heaven sent.
O' tree, your leaves are no longer and you've frozen in a dream,
Replaced with icicles and colorful christmas lights twirling around in theme.
But no worries,
For it is only temporary.
I thank you for the sacrifice to bring others joy and merry.
AND SO IT GOES..
No more snowballs,sleds,candy canes,toys,
jolly songs for girls and boys,
The time has come that for you to leave me now...
It was lovely while it lasted..Don't cry..
Winter tells me "I'll try"
We both know that you'll thaw beneath Spring in a twinkling of an eye.
Just promise me one thing,
That you will find me once again,
And hold me in your hands.

Months passed,
As I arise in the day,
Praying and waiting for it to come my way.

December 1, 2014 (In-class)

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to class this past Friday because of an family emergency back home. A close cousin of mine was killed by a serial killer in Gary, Indiana and her funeral service was recent. Speaking of it doesn't bring her back and it really saddens me to think about. Knowing that the man who is responsible for this is in custody makes the closure better, but we know it'll never be the same. I just hope all who know will continue to keep me and my family in their prayers as we go through this tough time.. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Family-Holds-Vigil-For-Victim-of-Suspected-Serial-Killer-280005452.html

November 27: Thanksgiving Special

It was beyond great to be able to go home for Thanksgiving Break. I got to spend time with all my loved ones and enjoy so much delicious food my family made. As tradition in my household, everyone talks and tells stories of the good past times while the food is cooking in the kitchen. The kids run around and the older kids play cards. We all pray and bless the food before it is consumed. Honestly speaking, I ate ate at least 3 plates this time around on Thanksgiving lol. The gym was my bestfriend the next two days after. Later on in the day, me and some of my family go downtown Chicago and participate in the holiday festivities around Millennium Park. although I am not the best ice skater, I tried my best! The soup kitchen I use to volunteer for was no longer open so my family and I went to another local shelter to help serve food to others. There is always something to be thankful for. This day reminds me of that all the time and for years to come. To always be humble because one person's "floor" is another person's "ceiling". HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

November 24, 2014: (In class)

Friday's class period offered me some clarification on what is due and expected to be received via email. Also, the opportunity for extra credit was offered according to the English class blog posting. Although I haven't received feedback yet on my final draft, I am able to go over my work with a partner/friend outside of school and use tips and references referred to me for the help I am seeking. For my final drafted argument paper, I supported my reasoning with facts from studies and articles. Also, the way of making sure that possible reasons that could disregard my supportive statements were talked about and given a perspective to not listen to it either. Overall, it meant a lot and I look forward to hearing feedback on it.

November 20, 2014: Unity...There goes the neighborhood

Unity has strength when different people come together.Even if it involves coming together in a family and getting along because staying separated only made them weaker. There is an old story where there were 5 brothers and each of them wanted to have share of the property from their father who was very sick and was expected to die any moment. The children were not very clever and the father wanted to share his property among these children equally and wanted them to be united.

In a word, unity means oneness, or togetherness. When there is oneness there is likely to be more strength in opinion, more strength in action, and more strength in character.In order to prove this he asked each of his children to bring a stick and asked them to break it. Everybody broke it at a time. Then he took 5 sticks together and asked them to break it. Nobody could break it as there were 5 sticks. Then the father told his children that they are also like the sticks. If they are single, anybody can break them, if they are united like the 5 sticks, nobody can break them.

Let me first discuss the smallest unit of our society. A family indicates oneness, they live together, they work together, they enjoy together, they share their woes together, and this is the basis strength of the unit. Parents encourage their children to mix freely with their peers of other races and
The moral of the story is how togetherness is like a peaceful harmony.

November 17, 2014 (In-class)

During this week of class, we talked a lot about different play writes that would help lead us to developing our own for an homework assignment. Firstly, coming up with an interesting topic that isn't cliche or has been written about a lot was the first step. My ultimate topic in which I chose to write about included the subject of the modeling industry and photo-shopping. Not only does it relate to me, but it is a topic in which a lot of people have problems with yet no one actually talks about it enough for anyone in real authority to do something about it. Also, we had the fun activity of writing to each other about ways we could convince someone through letter that we can't help them with something they just need. This exercise made me think a lot and was definitely a productive challenge. The plays we developed should be very interesting.