As usual, I'm behind.
I'm behind in my housework, I'm behind in my bills and I'm behind in school work. You know what they say about the best-laid plans...errr, right? Well, honestly, I don't know what they say, but I know it's something about how having the best plans does not always guarantee the results you expect.
But, it is what it is, so onward and upward!
John Wooden is known as being one of the greatest coaches of all time; he is one of my personal heroes, and you know I don't have many.
One of the things he is known for in his coaching and in his life, is the 7-Point Creed. See quote below:
John Wooden's Seven Point Creed,[1] given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
* Be true to yourself.
* Make each day your masterpiece.
* Help others.
* Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
* Make friendship a fine art.
* Build a shelter against a rainy day.
* Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
If you don't know who John Wooden is, look him up--his story is quite remarkable. As I said, I deeply admire him and the things he has accomplished as a coach and as a human being. As you know, I don't say that about very many people.
In any case, your task for this week is to come up with your own 7-Point Creed and share it here. I know that I am asking a lot of you. I know that this is not something you can do in two days. And this is why I am extending the deadline until Friday night. You will really need to put a lot of thought into this. And because you are, you can be sure that this is not as assignment that will stand on its own; you will see this, in some way, again in the future.
If coming up with your creed proves difficult,ask yourself these questions to help you along:
What do I value?
What are my morals?
How do I want to be perceived by others?
What do I want my legacy to be?
What have I learned in my life?
What else do I want to learn?
Now, I certainly don't want you to answer those questions and consider that to be your creed. Remember, a creed is a sort of guideline for living, but it is also completely subjective. Look at Wooden's creed again. The statements there are kind of ambiguous and can be open to interpretation, don't you think? So, when you are doing this, try to keep that in mind. However, it is precisely BECAUSE the statements are ambiguous that you will have to explain what you mean by them, what they mean to you and why you chose them. Always the why.
What you are basically doing is creating a blueprint by which you can live your life. YOUR life. Nobody else's.
After all, who is more important than you?
substantive response/50pts
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
"I Am Whatever You Say I Am..."
Ahhh...the unwitting brilliance of Eminem. He's no Lupe or Jay-Z, but although, not my favorite rapper, I do honor him as a poet. His ideas are always worthwhile, and although many find his...verbiage, distasteful, offensive or unintelligent, I sort of welcome his viewpoints and his unique expressive take on the world at large. And the song the title references is pretty cool, so...
How many times have you said to yourself, and for that matter, to anyone who would listen--"I don't care what anyone else thinks...". I know I've said it at least once in the past month! In our heart of hearts, though, do we really believe that?
It seems an age-old question, but it is one that may not have just one answer: to what extent do other people's perceptions of you have an impact on the decisions you make?
Peer pressure, parental pressure, self-imposed pressure, all these outside, or inside, forces have the potential to make you act, or react, in ways that you normally might not if never exposed to those influences. My question is: Why? Why do we care? Why is it important? Why do other people's perceptions or expectations of who we are have so much of an influence on us? Or do they? Be honest with yourself when you answer. After all, it's just us.
(400 words/55pts)
How many times have you said to yourself, and for that matter, to anyone who would listen--"I don't care what anyone else thinks...". I know I've said it at least once in the past month! In our heart of hearts, though, do we really believe that?
It seems an age-old question, but it is one that may not have just one answer: to what extent do other people's perceptions of you have an impact on the decisions you make?
Peer pressure, parental pressure, self-imposed pressure, all these outside, or inside, forces have the potential to make you act, or react, in ways that you normally might not if never exposed to those influences. My question is: Why? Why do we care? Why is it important? Why do other people's perceptions or expectations of who we are have so much of an influence on us? Or do they? Be honest with yourself when you answer. After all, it's just us.
(400 words/55pts)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
ThanksTELLING
Yesterday, a brisk day indeed, found me walking through the woods with 2 of my 4 dogs faithfully traipsing beside me. Now, if it sounds mean that I only took 2 instead of all 4, well, that is simply because YOU never tried walking 4 dogs through the woods while maintaining sanity. No small feat, I assure you. Anyway, I took the other 2 later on that day, I swear.
So, in any case, there I am, walking with Josie and Jack when I see an opening in the woods that opens up to a trail, so immediately I want to explore it.
Which started me thinking and drawing parallels. For instance, the same thing happens when I open a notebook to a blank piece of paper--I immediately want to fill it with words, ideas, thoughts (some half-baked, some not) etc. Or when I stare out into the ocean and immediately feel the urge to sail to the ends of it to see where it stops. I am fascinated by the unknown and it is because of that fascination I became a teacher in the first place. Why? Because the unknown triggers a desire in me to KNOW, to learn. And I am so thankful for that because without it, I wouldn't be here, in room 204, typing out this blog.
And that, my pumpkin-sunshines, is what I want to focus on this week, especially in the spirit of my favorite holiday--Thanksgiving. Which, by the way was E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!! I am still half in a food coma.
So, tell me, what is it that you're thankful for? Now, please don't limit yourselves to the trite old cliches like "I'm thankful for my family" blah blah blah...Not that it isn't good to be thankful for your fam--of course it is. But what I want you to do here is go a little deeper. I am thankful for my desire to KNOW-for wanting to explore unknown trails, to add to the store of things I learn on a day-to-day basis. I explained why already--and I want you to do the same. It won't be enough to tell us what you are thankful for--you also need to include the WHY. Try to consider yourself--who you are, what you value and where you imagine yourself to be in the future.
Use the force.
(450-500 words/60pts)
So, in any case, there I am, walking with Josie and Jack when I see an opening in the woods that opens up to a trail, so immediately I want to explore it.
Which started me thinking and drawing parallels. For instance, the same thing happens when I open a notebook to a blank piece of paper--I immediately want to fill it with words, ideas, thoughts (some half-baked, some not) etc. Or when I stare out into the ocean and immediately feel the urge to sail to the ends of it to see where it stops. I am fascinated by the unknown and it is because of that fascination I became a teacher in the first place. Why? Because the unknown triggers a desire in me to KNOW, to learn. And I am so thankful for that because without it, I wouldn't be here, in room 204, typing out this blog.
And that, my pumpkin-sunshines, is what I want to focus on this week, especially in the spirit of my favorite holiday--Thanksgiving. Which, by the way was E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!! I am still half in a food coma.
So, tell me, what is it that you're thankful for? Now, please don't limit yourselves to the trite old cliches like "I'm thankful for my family" blah blah blah...Not that it isn't good to be thankful for your fam--of course it is. But what I want you to do here is go a little deeper. I am thankful for my desire to KNOW-for wanting to explore unknown trails, to add to the store of things I learn on a day-to-day basis. I explained why already--and I want you to do the same. It won't be enough to tell us what you are thankful for--you also need to include the WHY. Try to consider yourself--who you are, what you value and where you imagine yourself to be in the future.
Use the force.
(450-500 words/60pts)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
F.alse E.vidence A.ppearing R.eal
Over the past few months, we have begun the process of trying to make sense of who we are, what we believe and what morals, values and ideas we are trying to develop. Doing this, while sometimes extremely stressful and a royal pain in the behind, is also a key part of determining our place in the world. For those of you sitting at your computers week after week, cursing me to the fiery pits of the Hell for coming up with questions that make your brains bleed, please know my intentions are good!
Now, with that said, onto this week's brain blaster!
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith."
First, in your own words, interpret that quote from Mary Manin Morrissey.
Now that your interpretation is finished, and again, in your own words, ones that make the most sense to you, define for me the idea of "fear." It means different things to different people; what does it mean to you?
What is your biggest fear? What keeps you awake at night?
Is whatever your fear now the same as it was when you were a sophomore, a freshmen, an eighth-grader? How has the idea of fear evolved for you? What do you notice about the evolution? From where do you think this fear comes?
How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of fear? Do you ever regret not doing what you wanted to do?
When, if ever, is fear a good thing to feel? Why?
How do you deal with it?
A lot of scary questions, I know. Do your best.
(450-500 words/60pts)
Now, with that said, onto this week's brain blaster!
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith."
First, in your own words, interpret that quote from Mary Manin Morrissey.
Now that your interpretation is finished, and again, in your own words, ones that make the most sense to you, define for me the idea of "fear." It means different things to different people; what does it mean to you?
What is your biggest fear? What keeps you awake at night?
Is whatever your fear now the same as it was when you were a sophomore, a freshmen, an eighth-grader? How has the idea of fear evolved for you? What do you notice about the evolution? From where do you think this fear comes?
How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of fear? Do you ever regret not doing what you wanted to do?
When, if ever, is fear a good thing to feel? Why?
How do you deal with it?
A lot of scary questions, I know. Do your best.
(450-500 words/60pts)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Merriam-Webster Says...
Warning: You cannot respond to this blog in less than 15 minutes. Manage your time wisely, poppets.
We've been together for...what? Approximately 12 weeks or so, right? So, I think we have reached that point where we can really start to do some introspective reflection. So, although I cannot make you do this, I would like you to minimize all distractions while you think about this blog. Exercise your right to have "You" time, put away your iPods, cell phones and Wii remotes and for the sake of all that's holy--close Facebook!
Every day, you wake up, go through your morning rituals, come to school, do your thing(s), go home, go through your evening rituals and then go to bed. There are obviously some variations to this routine from time to time, and I am not trying to downplay your life in any way by making it sound mundane; that is not the idea here. What I am saying is, that through all of this, these daily activities, rituals and routines people interact with you. They talk to you, refer to you, question you, yell at you, soothe you, talk about you, defer to you or, in some cases, though hopefully not many, ignore you completely.
The point is, they KNOW who you are, at least enough to do one or more of the previous things.
But, when you stop to think about it, do they really know? And, more importantly, do YOU?
Beyond names, job titles or academic accomplishments, beyond labels given by yourself or by others, beyond traits and hobbies and virtues... who are you? Who are you inside?
If you had to write your name, and then your definition, what would it say?(substantive response/50pts)
We've been together for...what? Approximately 12 weeks or so, right? So, I think we have reached that point where we can really start to do some introspective reflection. So, although I cannot make you do this, I would like you to minimize all distractions while you think about this blog. Exercise your right to have "You" time, put away your iPods, cell phones and Wii remotes and for the sake of all that's holy--close Facebook!
Every day, you wake up, go through your morning rituals, come to school, do your thing(s), go home, go through your evening rituals and then go to bed. There are obviously some variations to this routine from time to time, and I am not trying to downplay your life in any way by making it sound mundane; that is not the idea here. What I am saying is, that through all of this, these daily activities, rituals and routines people interact with you. They talk to you, refer to you, question you, yell at you, soothe you, talk about you, defer to you or, in some cases, though hopefully not many, ignore you completely.
The point is, they KNOW who you are, at least enough to do one or more of the previous things.
But, when you stop to think about it, do they really know? And, more importantly, do YOU?
Beyond names, job titles or academic accomplishments, beyond labels given by yourself or by others, beyond traits and hobbies and virtues... who are you? Who are you inside?
If you had to write your name, and then your definition, what would it say?(substantive response/50pts)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
GET READY FOR SPEECHES TOMORROW!!!
Hi D&Ders,
Tomorrow starts the big day! Nick is first and then it is straight down the list, so once again, I caution against being absent unless it is ABSOLUTELY UNAVOIDABLE, and if so, we will make arrangements somehow.
Remember though, if one person is absent, I am just going down the list, so don't procrastinate even if you think that you have a while until I get to your name--if 5 people are out tomorrow, you will be going sooner than you think!
4-5 minutes, keep it clean and make it funny! No pressure! :)
Tomorrow starts the big day! Nick is first and then it is straight down the list, so once again, I caution against being absent unless it is ABSOLUTELY UNAVOIDABLE, and if so, we will make arrangements somehow.
Remember though, if one person is absent, I am just going down the list, so don't procrastinate even if you think that you have a while until I get to your name--if 5 people are out tomorrow, you will be going sooner than you think!
4-5 minutes, keep it clean and make it funny! No pressure! :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Last Guys Don't Finish Nice
I am feeling a bit cynical this evening, pumpkins, and for that, I apologize; I think that my internal struggle with cynicism may have influenced this week's blog question. I shall let you be the judge, however, as to whether or not this was a good or a bad thing.
As many of you know, and if you didn't you do now, I am not that into people. There are a select few I would ever willingly share time with, and more often than not, it shows. Now, before I go any further, I feel it pertinent to actually define what I mean when I say "people."
So, here it goes, for lack of a more...academic definition:
PEOPLE: Individuals who are not kids or animals, mostly over the age of 25 and under the age of 80.
And there you have it--the definition of people in the world of Cassie Bunje.
This rather pessimistic and certainly asocial view of the human race is not something with which I was born, however, I feel that it began cultivating itself at a rather young age. My childhood was not one to be looked back upon wistfully, and it didn't really get much better as I grew into young adulthood. This was due, almost entirely, to my interactions with and observations of, you guessed it--people. In fact, until I became a teacher, I held out very little hope that I would ever be able to gaze upon the face of another human being without a hint of scorn, mistrust or distaste. True story. Truth be told, and this is not me being dramatic at all--you could probably accurately say that teaching saved my soul. More on that later.
So, in my reading today, I happened upon an interesting quote. I would like you to read and reflect on this quote and tell me what you come up with in terms of whether or not you agree with what it says, and what it even means. As always, qualify your answer with an anecdote of personal experience to help illustrate the point you are making.
Here it is:
"Niceness is a decision. It is a strategy of social interaction; it is not a character trait."
Have fun, sunshines...
As many of you know, and if you didn't you do now, I am not that into people. There are a select few I would ever willingly share time with, and more often than not, it shows. Now, before I go any further, I feel it pertinent to actually define what I mean when I say "people."
So, here it goes, for lack of a more...academic definition:
PEOPLE: Individuals who are not kids or animals, mostly over the age of 25 and under the age of 80.
And there you have it--the definition of people in the world of Cassie Bunje.
This rather pessimistic and certainly asocial view of the human race is not something with which I was born, however, I feel that it began cultivating itself at a rather young age. My childhood was not one to be looked back upon wistfully, and it didn't really get much better as I grew into young adulthood. This was due, almost entirely, to my interactions with and observations of, you guessed it--people. In fact, until I became a teacher, I held out very little hope that I would ever be able to gaze upon the face of another human being without a hint of scorn, mistrust or distaste. True story. Truth be told, and this is not me being dramatic at all--you could probably accurately say that teaching saved my soul. More on that later.
So, in my reading today, I happened upon an interesting quote. I would like you to read and reflect on this quote and tell me what you come up with in terms of whether or not you agree with what it says, and what it even means. As always, qualify your answer with an anecdote of personal experience to help illustrate the point you are making.
Here it is:
"Niceness is a decision. It is a strategy of social interaction; it is not a character trait."
Have fun, sunshines...
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Continuation...
Last week, there was an interesting writing topic on the board, and many of you seemed to have some very definite thoughts on the subject. The question was fairly simple: Do you think you're racist?
During the course of the discussion, you learned (hopefully) the difference between being a racist and being a bigot. The difference is huge--racism is the hatred of people because of their race ONLY and bigotry is the hatred of people for...well, just about anything. It could be because of their sexual orienatation, their religion, their socio-economic status, their intelligence, etc. So, based off those definitions, do those of you who think you're racist want to change your answer?
If so, why?
Either way, racism and bigotry are both rooted in the same thing: HATRED. Where do you think that part of it comes from? Are people born haters or is something they learn? If it something they learn, where do they learn it from? Can the cycle ever be broken? If you are either of those things (racist or bigot) do you want your kids to be raised the same? Why or why not.
450 words/75pts
During the course of the discussion, you learned (hopefully) the difference between being a racist and being a bigot. The difference is huge--racism is the hatred of people because of their race ONLY and bigotry is the hatred of people for...well, just about anything. It could be because of their sexual orienatation, their religion, their socio-economic status, their intelligence, etc. So, based off those definitions, do those of you who think you're racist want to change your answer?
If so, why?
Either way, racism and bigotry are both rooted in the same thing: HATRED. Where do you think that part of it comes from? Are people born haters or is something they learn? If it something they learn, where do they learn it from? Can the cycle ever be broken? If you are either of those things (racist or bigot) do you want your kids to be raised the same? Why or why not.
450 words/75pts
Monday, October 4, 2010
"All Creatures Great and Small"
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Mohandas Ghandi said that, and I, animal-lover to the core, believe it whole-heartedly. I do, after all, have four dogs, and I truly believe my life is better for having them in it. Except when they poop in areas not designated as pooping areas. Like, in my closet for example. Ugh.
Mohandas Ghandi said that, and I, animal-lover to the core, believe it whole-heartedly. I do, after all, have four dogs, and I truly believe my life is better for having them in it. Except when they poop in areas not designated as pooping areas. Like, in my closet for example. Ugh.
If I could, I would have goats, horses, a chicken or two and maybe a peacock to round it all out. Cats--well, they need love too and I have owned many in my lifetime, but I could probably go the rest of my life and not own another one. But, I find them exquisite to watch.
Now, in some cases, makes me a hypocrite because despite my aforementioned affinity for creatures of the four-legged variety, I am NOT a vegetarian. Barbecued chicken or steaks on the grill are way too good for me to pass up, and I NEVER met a burger I didn't like. However, I have been known to start fights with strangers at the dog park because of what I believed to be unnecessarily harsh treatment of their dogs, and I also think the punishments for animal cruelty should be higher than what they are currently. By a lot. Don't even get me started on Michael Vick. I lock my dogs in a safe place the second #7 jumps onscreen. Eww.
There are many people in the world who the feel the way I do about animals; that is, that they have feelings, emotions, and intellect far beyond whatever we give them credit for having. What is your opnion and why do you feel that way?
.Do you have a pet?
What kind? What is his/her name?
How did you choose that name?
Do you believe that you can communicate with your pet or with animals in general?
Can they communicate with you? How do you know?
What is your take on the activists that spend hours campaigning for the rights of animals? Are they wasting their time frivolously when they could be helping human beings out there in the world?
Do animals even HAVE rights? Should they? Should there be a limit to what people do for them? If so, what is it? If not, where do you draw a line?
.Do you have a pet?
What kind? What is his/her name?
How did you choose that name?
Do you believe that you can communicate with your pet or with animals in general?
Can they communicate with you? How do you know?
What is your take on the activists that spend hours campaigning for the rights of animals? Are they wasting their time frivolously when they could be helping human beings out there in the world?
Do animals even HAVE rights? Should they? Should there be a limit to what people do for them? If so, what is it? If not, where do you draw a line?
(400 words/50pts)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Confucious Says: Words are the Voices of the Heart
Man, I love words.
Good thing I suppose, given my chosen and hard-fought-for occupation. Every time I sit down at a keyboard or have a pen poised over a blank sheet of paper, I feel overwhelmed with excitement, with possibility, with anticipation. With a few key strokes or swipes of a pen, you can find the right combination of words that can make someone LOVE you.
Conversely, you can break a heart, manipulate a mind or sever an allegiance…all with those same strokes or swipes. Think about that. Legends are immortalized because of words. Nations go to war over words. Couples are united in matrimony with words. Hearts and lives are shattered due to words. The power they wield is, in a word, awesome.
“Every time I come around the corner and see your car in the driveway I get sick to my stomach.”
I sat on the couch during yet another face-off with my mother when she let fly with that condemnation, effectively shattering any sense of comfort and belonging I may have been clinging to at the time. I was 17. I’m 40 now, and I can hear those words in my ear as clear as if they were uttered 10 minutes ago. I can’t say that it was those exact words that led to the eventual, unsurprising demise of my relationship with my mother, but I know it was certainly a huge chunk out of the already crumbling foundation. It stands, to this day, as one of the worst things anyone has ever said to me.
But, as I said, words are powerful. They can also have healing properties. Let me give you a scenario. I was visiting a friend at what is now, TCNJ (then it was Trenton State College). My boyfriend of about a year had just broken up with me, quite unceremoniously, at a party the night before. I was feeling kind of blue, just sort of moping around the campus waiting for my friend’s class to end. While aimlessly wandering through the bookstore, I saw an old friend from high school, a guy who graduated a year ahead of me. We got to talking about life after high school and what my plans were and all of that idle small talk, when he looked me right in the eye and said, “Well Cas, the thing is, I hear you’re an excellent writer.”
What followed is not a Cinderella-like ending of fairytale romance (this is me we’re talking about) between Matt Opacity (that was his name) and me,your D &D teacher. We didn’t fall into each other’s arms and swear undying love—it wasn’t even a romantic moment. He wasn’t trying out a brand-new pick-up line or even trying to soothe my bruised, dumped ego. It was a simple declaration that I am quite sure he would never even remember saying all these years later. But it’s impact on me was and is undeniable. Because of him, when I went back home, the first place I looked for a summer job was at a local newspaper called The Sandpaper. I landed a job as a stringer and at the tender age of 18, got my first ever piece of writing published. I even got paid for it! (It was an article on Tonkinese cats—don’t laugh!) Such is the power and the beauty of words.
So, that is the focus of this week’s blog question. I would like you to think about conversations you have had, arguments in which you’ve been embroiled, moments of bliss you have experienced. They all have one thing in common—WORDS.
The Yin: What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? Why do you think it was the worst thing? How did it make you feel?
And for the Yang (because there always is one): What was the best compliment you have ever received?
Who said it? Why do you think was it was the best compliment?
And finally, perhaps even MOST IMPORTANTLY, reflect on the fact that you highlighted these two particular comments. What do you think your choices of what was the best and worst thing anyone could say about/to you reveal about your you and your personality? Much to think about, I know. Don’t delay!!
(500 words/80pts)
Good thing I suppose, given my chosen and hard-fought-for occupation. Every time I sit down at a keyboard or have a pen poised over a blank sheet of paper, I feel overwhelmed with excitement, with possibility, with anticipation. With a few key strokes or swipes of a pen, you can find the right combination of words that can make someone LOVE you.
Conversely, you can break a heart, manipulate a mind or sever an allegiance…all with those same strokes or swipes. Think about that. Legends are immortalized because of words. Nations go to war over words. Couples are united in matrimony with words. Hearts and lives are shattered due to words. The power they wield is, in a word, awesome.
“Every time I come around the corner and see your car in the driveway I get sick to my stomach.”
I sat on the couch during yet another face-off with my mother when she let fly with that condemnation, effectively shattering any sense of comfort and belonging I may have been clinging to at the time. I was 17. I’m 40 now, and I can hear those words in my ear as clear as if they were uttered 10 minutes ago. I can’t say that it was those exact words that led to the eventual, unsurprising demise of my relationship with my mother, but I know it was certainly a huge chunk out of the already crumbling foundation. It stands, to this day, as one of the worst things anyone has ever said to me.
But, as I said, words are powerful. They can also have healing properties. Let me give you a scenario. I was visiting a friend at what is now, TCNJ (then it was Trenton State College). My boyfriend of about a year had just broken up with me, quite unceremoniously, at a party the night before. I was feeling kind of blue, just sort of moping around the campus waiting for my friend’s class to end. While aimlessly wandering through the bookstore, I saw an old friend from high school, a guy who graduated a year ahead of me. We got to talking about life after high school and what my plans were and all of that idle small talk, when he looked me right in the eye and said, “Well Cas, the thing is, I hear you’re an excellent writer.”
What followed is not a Cinderella-like ending of fairytale romance (this is me we’re talking about) between Matt Opacity (that was his name) and me,your D &D teacher. We didn’t fall into each other’s arms and swear undying love—it wasn’t even a romantic moment. He wasn’t trying out a brand-new pick-up line or even trying to soothe my bruised, dumped ego. It was a simple declaration that I am quite sure he would never even remember saying all these years later. But it’s impact on me was and is undeniable. Because of him, when I went back home, the first place I looked for a summer job was at a local newspaper called The Sandpaper. I landed a job as a stringer and at the tender age of 18, got my first ever piece of writing published. I even got paid for it! (It was an article on Tonkinese cats—don’t laugh!) Such is the power and the beauty of words.
So, that is the focus of this week’s blog question. I would like you to think about conversations you have had, arguments in which you’ve been embroiled, moments of bliss you have experienced. They all have one thing in common—WORDS.
The Yin: What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? Why do you think it was the worst thing? How did it make you feel?
And for the Yang (because there always is one): What was the best compliment you have ever received?
Who said it? Why do you think was it was the best compliment?
And finally, perhaps even MOST IMPORTANTLY, reflect on the fact that you highlighted these two particular comments. What do you think your choices of what was the best and worst thing anyone could say about/to you reveal about your you and your personality? Much to think about, I know. Don’t delay!!
(500 words/80pts)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Girls Rule, Boys Drool!!! Errrr...right??
Since the beginning of time, men and women have had their own separate place in societal structure. Sure, over the course of time, certain lines have been blurred--women have become construction workers, electricians, CEOs of huge corporations (is this true? Research time), war "heros," and even made a run for the Presidency. Stay-at-home moms and housewives are few and far between, due in large part to our economic system in America. But even at that, in any suburban house on any given night, you can listen in on a conversation between a parental figure and a would-be daughter:
"You are NOT wearing that to school young lady!"
"Go into the kitchen and help your mother with dinner, Sally, Annie, (Insert girl's name here)"
"Oh sweetie, if you want to fit into your prom dress, you probably shouldn't eat that."
"Dating is a privilege not a right and you don't have any rights!"
Now, these are all made up of course, but they tend to follow a certain pattern of remarks that are made to girls over the course of their lives. I am sure there are ones that pertain to boys too, however, I am somewhat limited due to my own gender and the lack of experience in growing up with any boys in my home. So, input from my guys in class would be much appreciated, and YES, that means boys, you do need to do a little extra work this week. Sorry. Now, stop whining.
The question this week, D&Ders, is a simple one, but one that has plagued civilization since the dawn of time (well, maybe not THAT long) and that is this: Who has it easier in life, men or women? Now the rules are as they always are here--always the WHY? But, beyond that, I would like you to give me at least 3 examples that support your answer and ones that you can speak intelligently about because you have experience.
Think about your life on all levels, home, school, social. Consider all the interactions between men and women that you have seen or been a part of and if at all possible, try to view it from a variety of perspectives. It will be hard, but try not to let emotions play into your answer--if you have a positive/negative energy or memory or experience with one sex or the other, don't let that color the way you respond here.
400 words/50pts
"You are NOT wearing that to school young lady!"
"Go into the kitchen and help your mother with dinner, Sally, Annie, (Insert girl's name here)"
"Oh sweetie, if you want to fit into your prom dress, you probably shouldn't eat that."
"Dating is a privilege not a right and you don't have any rights!"
Now, these are all made up of course, but they tend to follow a certain pattern of remarks that are made to girls over the course of their lives. I am sure there are ones that pertain to boys too, however, I am somewhat limited due to my own gender and the lack of experience in growing up with any boys in my home. So, input from my guys in class would be much appreciated, and YES, that means boys, you do need to do a little extra work this week. Sorry. Now, stop whining.
The question this week, D&Ders, is a simple one, but one that has plagued civilization since the dawn of time (well, maybe not THAT long) and that is this: Who has it easier in life, men or women? Now the rules are as they always are here--always the WHY? But, beyond that, I would like you to give me at least 3 examples that support your answer and ones that you can speak intelligently about because you have experience.
Think about your life on all levels, home, school, social. Consider all the interactions between men and women that you have seen or been a part of and if at all possible, try to view it from a variety of perspectives. It will be hard, but try not to let emotions play into your answer--if you have a positive/negative energy or memory or experience with one sex or the other, don't let that color the way you respond here.
400 words/50pts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Who Are You?
Throughout the next 179 days, 1st period Debate and Discussion will get to know each other pretty well. Our likes, dislikes, beliefs, values and morals will all come into play during the course of our discussions. We will be talking about many things related to our internal moral code, as well as listening to other people's ideas and observations.
To that end, please answer the following questions as completely and concisely as you can. You must be honest and forthright, and at no time should you ever be scared, embarassed or worried about your answers here.
1. Were you raised with religion? How prominently did it figure in your life?
2. If you have kids, will you raise them to be whatever religion you are? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that there is a divisive line between right and wrong? Is there ever a grey area? If so, when? If not, why?
4. Does the Constitution and the legal system work in America? Why or why not?
5. How do you "learn" to be good or bad? Are you born one way or another?
Answer all 5 questions completely, making sure to answer each part of the question. Your answers should be written in complete sentences, punctuated correctly and supported with details.
25pts
To that end, please answer the following questions as completely and concisely as you can. You must be honest and forthright, and at no time should you ever be scared, embarassed or worried about your answers here.
1. Were you raised with religion? How prominently did it figure in your life?
2. If you have kids, will you raise them to be whatever religion you are? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that there is a divisive line between right and wrong? Is there ever a grey area? If so, when? If not, why?
4. Does the Constitution and the legal system work in America? Why or why not?
5. How do you "learn" to be good or bad? Are you born one way or another?
Answer all 5 questions completely, making sure to answer each part of the question. Your answers should be written in complete sentences, punctuated correctly and supported with details.
25pts
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