This recipe I created has all you need for a meal or you can use it as a side dish. The beans and rice form a complete protein and the brown rice has great fiber. The flavor of cilantro curry and the red wine shallot vinaigrette is fresh and bright.
1 cup brown rice
2cups water
1 bay leaf
1 t curry
1/2 t coriander
pinch of cayenne
bring to boil and then turn to simmer for 30-35 minutes
cool immediately.
when rice is cool add all ingredients below and toss with vinaigrette.
1 1/2 cup black beans "dried and cooked or canned", if canned please rinse well under water.
1/2 cup each
cucumbers, diced
fresh red bell pepper, diced
celery diced
fresh cilantro, rough chop
1/4 cup dice red onion or shallots
Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 cup olive oil or canola oil, 1 T minced shallots and 1/2 t minced garlic, 1 T water. Shake well and use only enough dressing to moisten salad to your taste.
Bon Appetit
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
How Does Place Shape Toshio and Kyoshi's Identities? Essay 4 Dialogue
Toshio and Kyoshi were born in a time when the world seemed large, other places were far away, communication and the level of education was limited to the few not the many. The 1930’s is the time in which this story is set and Hawaii is the place, a territory of the United States at this time. Asian’s were immigrating and coming to Hawaii for work and a better life, working on the Sugar Plantations. Along with these immigrants came their superstitions, folklore and the tradition of filial piety. These two brothers, Toshio being the oldest and the filial son, Kyoshi the second son, did not realize fate was going to take them on a journey that would shape their lives and Identity with past generations and a future that would open them to a world of choices their parents never had.
Culture, language, place, ethnicity and time help to cast the mold of which they are destined to travel, but, can change if they are open to viewing life objectively and Toshio and Kyoshi were certainly observing their own situation. Claiming a distinct place of their own was difficult at best and really their only release was gathering and talking to others their age which gave them a sense they were not the only ones who felt the injustice. In our time today we take for granted all the ways we have to communicate in the world the education we are generously endowed with and how we have crossed generational differences, but they did not have that. These two brothers wanted out from a life of debt and filial duty and the course of events that take place help them to accomplish this, however their duty to the family is a shadow they feel has to be erased before they can move forward.
For Toshio and Kyoshi place definitely shapes their identities, imagine living on an island then imagine living in the conditions they did and during the time in history. How could you get away from it and develop a different way of thinking if you have this constant reminder you are here to pay a debt for your parents and this is your life. Mr. Snook was the only adult that gave his students an opportunity to alternative means of thinking. He was let go because of his teaching methods and therefore the message was sent, the plantation governs how you think, your filial duty governs how you think and where you live governs how you think. Who we are is definitely shaped by many factors, place being one of them. I am sure we have all traveled out of California and noticed differences, some small, some huge and some leaving us shaking our heads because of what we are use to here. Toshio and Kyoshi's story is much more complex than what can be imagined by most of us, who enjoy the freedom of thinking for ourselves.
Culture, language, place, ethnicity and time help to cast the mold of which they are destined to travel, but, can change if they are open to viewing life objectively and Toshio and Kyoshi were certainly observing their own situation. Claiming a distinct place of their own was difficult at best and really their only release was gathering and talking to others their age which gave them a sense they were not the only ones who felt the injustice. In our time today we take for granted all the ways we have to communicate in the world the education we are generously endowed with and how we have crossed generational differences, but they did not have that. These two brothers wanted out from a life of debt and filial duty and the course of events that take place help them to accomplish this, however their duty to the family is a shadow they feel has to be erased before they can move forward.
For Toshio and Kyoshi place definitely shapes their identities, imagine living on an island then imagine living in the conditions they did and during the time in history. How could you get away from it and develop a different way of thinking if you have this constant reminder you are here to pay a debt for your parents and this is your life. Mr. Snook was the only adult that gave his students an opportunity to alternative means of thinking. He was let go because of his teaching methods and therefore the message was sent, the plantation governs how you think, your filial duty governs how you think and where you live governs how you think. Who we are is definitely shaped by many factors, place being one of them. I am sure we have all traveled out of California and noticed differences, some small, some huge and some leaving us shaking our heads because of what we are use to here. Toshio and Kyoshi's story is much more complex than what can be imagined by most of us, who enjoy the freedom of thinking for ourselves.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
What Do You Think of The Ending? Week 16 Dialogue
I thought th
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was the vehicle which propelled Kyoshi to close his eyes to his mother’s wishes and volunteer for the military. Kyoshi figures no matter what happens to him his parents will get the money for their debt from the military if he dies and if he does not die he will send as much as he made before to them monthly. Kyoshi develops a system of gambling that wins him the money for the family debt and he sends it to Toshio to send to their parents. In the book it seems Kyoshi rejected the duty of filial piety but in the end he did not. He still had a sense of duty to tradition and culture he was brought up with, however he found his freedom his family debt was paid and he took care of his “body”.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was the vehicle which propelled Kyoshi to close his eyes to his mother’s wishes and volunteer for the military. Kyoshi figures no matter what happens to him his parents will get the money for their debt from the military if he dies and if he does not die he will send as much as he made before to them monthly. Kyoshi develops a system of gambling that wins him the money for the family debt and he sends it to Toshio to send to their parents. In the book it seems Kyoshi rejected the duty of filial piety but in the end he did not. He still had a sense of duty to tradition and culture he was brought up with, however he found his freedom his family debt was paid and he took care of his “body”.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Chapter 13; “Rules for Writers”, Eliminate Distracting Shifts
Making the point of view consistent in person and number in which it is written is; first person (I or we), second person (you), third person (he, she, it, or they). “I” is used for point of view of the writer and used for informal letters. The “you” which is the reader is good for giving advice. “He, she, it or they” point of view, is third person and emphasizes the subject and used for formal academic and professional writing. The text says that settling on a point of view, whether 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person may sometimes shift from on to another. The solution is to choose a suitable perspective and stay with it throughout your writing. The other main points of Chapter 13 are, maintaining consistent verb tenses, making verbs consistent in mood and voice, and avoiding sudden shifts from indirect to direct questions or quotations.
On page 106, it says consistent verb tense is important in establishing timing of actions and when the writer shifts from one tense in the beginning and then another at the end the reader becomes distracted. Writing about literature can be more difficult because fictional events happen outside the time frames of real life, meaning past tense and present tense may be equally appropriate. There are three moods in English; indicative (factual, opinion, and questions), imperative, (used for order or advice), and subjunctive, (used to express wishes or conditions contrary to fact). A verb may be in active voice with the subject doing the action or a passive voice where the subject is receiving. It would be easy to confuse the reader and leave them wondering what happened without a warning. Examples of this are on page 107. Avoiding sudden shifts from indirect to direct questions and quotations in the same sentence are impossible to punctuate because indirect questions must end in a period and direct questions must end with a question mark. Indirect questions reports a question without asking it. A direct question asks directly.
Making the point of view consistent in my writing was something I had to learn, I would get confused as to which way I wanted to go and so I went back and forth without realizing their were “rules”. This makes sense to me now and I am confident in how I address my papers. I have worked closely with my thesaurus in this class which has given me knowledge of verbs and the passive or active tense to use them. I can see my writing in this class has consistently gotten better with paying attention to the details we have learned in the “Rules for Writers” book.
On page 106, it says consistent verb tense is important in establishing timing of actions and when the writer shifts from one tense in the beginning and then another at the end the reader becomes distracted. Writing about literature can be more difficult because fictional events happen outside the time frames of real life, meaning past tense and present tense may be equally appropriate. There are three moods in English; indicative (factual, opinion, and questions), imperative, (used for order or advice), and subjunctive, (used to express wishes or conditions contrary to fact). A verb may be in active voice with the subject doing the action or a passive voice where the subject is receiving. It would be easy to confuse the reader and leave them wondering what happened without a warning. Examples of this are on page 107. Avoiding sudden shifts from indirect to direct questions and quotations in the same sentence are impossible to punctuate because indirect questions must end in a period and direct questions must end with a question mark. Indirect questions reports a question without asking it. A direct question asks directly.
Making the point of view consistent in my writing was something I had to learn, I would get confused as to which way I wanted to go and so I went back and forth without realizing their were “rules”. This makes sense to me now and I am confident in how I address my papers. I have worked closely with my thesaurus in this class which has given me knowledge of verbs and the passive or active tense to use them. I can see my writing in this class has consistently gotten better with paying attention to the details we have learned in the “Rules for Writers” book.
What is the significance of the body in "All I Asking for is My Body"
Before the Oyama boys were born their fate had been cast, as had their parents and grandparents before them. The tradition of working and taking care of the previous generations debt kept young people born into this culture prisoners so to speak not able to get an education that would guarantee them a future from a system of filial piety, a duty to parents and ancestors.
The segregation by debt and the intentional system of the plantation and exploitation of a single ruling power keeps the Oyamas ensnared with large debt and extremely low wages make the boys feel hopeless and not empowered over their own fate. Tosh seeks out a rebellious form of expressing this suffocating life, while Kiyoshi goes more inward with his feelings doing what is necessary but has thoughts of what it would be like not to be so bound by the traditions of the past or his immediate circumstances. Soon we will see the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the internment camps the Japanese will have to live. All of these scenarios will see these boys from birth to adulthood governed by fate and circumstances to which they have no control.
“All I Asking For is My Body” is a poignant story of how the characters in this story have no jurisdiction over their own destiny as individuals. They were continuously being defeated and imprisoned by tradition of generational family ties, tradition, duty and respect and a class system of power that was deliberate in their intent to keep the poor, poor. Certainly the Oyama boys would not be empowered over their own bodies in this situation; however they did have power over their minds.
The segregation by debt and the intentional system of the plantation and exploitation of a single ruling power keeps the Oyamas ensnared with large debt and extremely low wages make the boys feel hopeless and not empowered over their own fate. Tosh seeks out a rebellious form of expressing this suffocating life, while Kiyoshi goes more inward with his feelings doing what is necessary but has thoughts of what it would be like not to be so bound by the traditions of the past or his immediate circumstances. Soon we will see the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the internment camps the Japanese will have to live. All of these scenarios will see these boys from birth to adulthood governed by fate and circumstances to which they have no control.
“All I Asking For is My Body” is a poignant story of how the characters in this story have no jurisdiction over their own destiny as individuals. They were continuously being defeated and imprisoned by tradition of generational family ties, tradition, duty and respect and a class system of power that was deliberate in their intent to keep the poor, poor. Certainly the Oyama boys would not be empowered over their own bodies in this situation; however they did have power over their minds.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Principles of Document Design; Rules For Writers Chapter 5
The main points of this chapter in Rules For Writers are, layout, margins, line spacing, font styles, phrasing headings and visuals. These elements all come together to make your paper a pleasing read for your audience. They will be different for the situation you are writing about. The chapter goes on to say that all of these elements form an appearance to your paper which is pleasing to the reader. Advertisements have a specific look about them as do papers college professors have you write, also corporations expect documents such as letters,resumes,memos and email to look cohesive.
Margins and spacing help to control the look of a document, for academaic and business documents Chapter 5 says to leave one to one and a half inches on all sides. This creates a visual frame and leaves room for annotations such as a professor making suggestions. Double spacing is the usual requiremaent as it makes a paper easier to read and not crowded. There are four ways according to "Rules For Writers" to align your document, right, left, centered and justified alignments. Left alignment is usual for academic and business documents. Font is usually 10-12 pt. for easy reading. There are many trendy fonts but they can slow readers down and distract from what you are trying to say. Font syles can be useful to draw attention to an area of your document such as boldface, Italic and underlining. On page 63, the text goes on to say that headings are not very useful in writing short essays but serve a good purpose for websites, business reports, and grant proposals. There are many styles of headings and should be short and to the point of what you are trying to say. Visuals can be a powerful tool to use when charts, graphs and tables are needed. Apropriate visuals should be chosen carefully and supplement your writing and reinforces your purpose. You can use photographs,maps and a diagram also to make your point or to support what you have written.
I have learned that keeping a cohesiveness to the papers I write are important for my reader to get the most out of what has been written and that means keeping the spacing, font, margins looking organized and clean. I use Times New Roman or Georgia, I like the look and it is very easy to read. The font I use is 12 pt. because you never know if the person that is reading it has difficulty and I want to make sure they are getting the most from what I write.
Margins and spacing help to control the look of a document, for academaic and business documents Chapter 5 says to leave one to one and a half inches on all sides. This creates a visual frame and leaves room for annotations such as a professor making suggestions. Double spacing is the usual requiremaent as it makes a paper easier to read and not crowded. There are four ways according to "Rules For Writers" to align your document, right, left, centered and justified alignments. Left alignment is usual for academic and business documents. Font is usually 10-12 pt. for easy reading. There are many trendy fonts but they can slow readers down and distract from what you are trying to say. Font syles can be useful to draw attention to an area of your document such as boldface, Italic and underlining. On page 63, the text goes on to say that headings are not very useful in writing short essays but serve a good purpose for websites, business reports, and grant proposals. There are many styles of headings and should be short and to the point of what you are trying to say. Visuals can be a powerful tool to use when charts, graphs and tables are needed. Apropriate visuals should be chosen carefully and supplement your writing and reinforces your purpose. You can use photographs,maps and a diagram also to make your point or to support what you have written.
I have learned that keeping a cohesiveness to the papers I write are important for my reader to get the most out of what has been written and that means keeping the spacing, font, margins looking organized and clean. I use Times New Roman or Georgia, I like the look and it is very easy to read. The font I use is 12 pt. because you never know if the person that is reading it has difficulty and I want to make sure they are getting the most from what I write.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"All I Asking For Is My Body" Dialogue
“All I Asking For is My body” takes place before WWII on a sugar plantation in Pepelau, Hawaii. Kiyoshi, the narrator of this story, lives with his parents and brother, they are of Japanese descent. His father is a fisherman and his mother is a seamstress and even though they are poor Kiyoshi’s parents are very traditional and proud. Kiyoshi does not agree with his parents all the time, he respects their wishes and tries to please them. His mother does not like it that Kiyoshi spends so much time with Makot, an older boy who she feels is a bad influence on Kiyoshi. Makot’s family is Japanese also but lives in a Philippine camp. His parents are not traditional and live a questionable life according to Kiyoshi’s mother.
Makot plays with the younger kids because the older kids make fun of him and his family. I feel sorry for Makot as he does not seem to have a good role model; the book shows he mimics’ his parents. I am sure Makot treats his parents the way they have treated him. Kiyoshi’s mother knows he has got caught up with the ideas Makot has introduced him to and they are not traditional ways. Kiyoshi being respectful of his parents wants to obey them and so he tells Makot he cannot play with him anymore.
A Plantation is basically a large farm that grows crops in mass with workers that are either slaves or migrant workers which could be called indentured servants, they have a foreman which forces them to long hours and live in poor conditions with low wages and no way to get ahead and better their life. Sugar cane is the crop of choice and the labor force at this time was Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Korean.
Makot plays with the younger kids because the older kids make fun of him and his family. I feel sorry for Makot as he does not seem to have a good role model; the book shows he mimics’ his parents. I am sure Makot treats his parents the way they have treated him. Kiyoshi’s mother knows he has got caught up with the ideas Makot has introduced him to and they are not traditional ways. Kiyoshi being respectful of his parents wants to obey them and so he tells Makot he cannot play with him anymore.
A Plantation is basically a large farm that grows crops in mass with workers that are either slaves or migrant workers which could be called indentured servants, they have a foreman which forces them to long hours and live in poor conditions with low wages and no way to get ahead and better their life. Sugar cane is the crop of choice and the labor force at this time was Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Korean.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Summary; Writing Topic About Film
Dartmouth Writing Program website talks about the challenges of writing about film. Often we are so familiar with movies that we are lulled into passive viewing and as a result we do not see the camera work, composition, editing, lighting and sound. These “invisible” aspects are what professors ask you to write about. Breaking down the film into these components, you are then able to analyze what you see. The website goes on to say there are several kinds of papers to write about film such as; Formal Analysis, which is breaking down the film into its different components and discuss how those parts contribute to the film. Film History, have a historical content and shows the culture and values of that produced it. Ideological papers support a set of beliefs, which can be political or propaganda. Auteur is an assessment of a film as the creation of a single person and his or her vision.
One of the most important elements I found with Dartmouth Writing Program is the writing strategies it presents. Some of these are the elements of composition which says to be selective to write a good, focused essay. When viewing a film concentrate on the history, genre’, who made it and does it reflect any cultural meaning. The Writing Program gives a brief outline at the end of writing a paper about film and they say to focus on the topic, a strong thesis sentence, structure or body, coherent paragraphs and of course grammar and style. Some of the challenges are also some of the same in writing a paper in our class and these are, summarizing, do not recount the film everyone has already seen, but be conscious of the elements of composition of the film and do not treat it the same way you would treat an English writing essay.
One of the most effective methods I learned is viewing a scene over and over again particularly if it has important information about a subject I am writing about. When I view films more than one time there are certain elements I see that I may have not seen before. Paying attention to who made the film, the title and the content objectively and not subjectively has changed the way I view every film I see which has helped me immensely with my writing.
One of the most important elements I found with Dartmouth Writing Program is the writing strategies it presents. Some of these are the elements of composition which says to be selective to write a good, focused essay. When viewing a film concentrate on the history, genre’, who made it and does it reflect any cultural meaning. The Writing Program gives a brief outline at the end of writing a paper about film and they say to focus on the topic, a strong thesis sentence, structure or body, coherent paragraphs and of course grammar and style. Some of the challenges are also some of the same in writing a paper in our class and these are, summarizing, do not recount the film everyone has already seen, but be conscious of the elements of composition of the film and do not treat it the same way you would treat an English writing essay.
One of the most effective methods I learned is viewing a scene over and over again particularly if it has important information about a subject I am writing about. When I view films more than one time there are certain elements I see that I may have not seen before. Paying attention to who made the film, the title and the content objectively and not subjectively has changed the way I view every film I see which has helped me immensely with my writing.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What is the importance of forgiveness in "Smoke Signals"? How does Victor Learn to forgive his father?
A parent leaving, can set a child up for limitations in life. Without forgiving his father Victor is unable to accept himself as he is and who he is so he can get on with living his life.
Adults tend not to give information or be forthright with their children when it comes to a parent leaving because they think it is best for the child, they do not want to frighten them, not realizing that talking to a child is soothing and helps them to understand. Children, having creative imaginations think in their little minds that it might be something they did or did not do and so they become afraid. Victor I’m sure could not understand why his dad left when he was a young boy and many things must have gone through his mind. He remembered the good stuff with his dad and then his dad was gone. Why did he leave, when is he coming back? This is where limitations on Victor’s life start, always waiting for his dad to come home and in doing so he does not move forward in his life to all the good things waiting for him he stays in this box of fear that grows more powerful each year he is growing. As the years go by this fear turns to anger and resentment and still holds Victor back from a productive life and creates a vicious cycle for him.
Victor was not able to reconnect with his father in “Smoke Signals”, because he died, so they could not talk about what happened and why he left so for Victor a reconciliation was not possible. The road trip Victor took to get his fathers ashes was part of this healing process for Victor. He learned many things about his father including the guilt his father felt and carried with him about the fire. Still, victor only has memories both good and bad as we see from the movie “Smoke Signals” but he is able to release his father into the falls and maybe this releases victor from his own "box of fear", so he can let the past go and start to build a future for himself.
Adults tend not to give information or be forthright with their children when it comes to a parent leaving because they think it is best for the child, they do not want to frighten them, not realizing that talking to a child is soothing and helps them to understand. Children, having creative imaginations think in their little minds that it might be something they did or did not do and so they become afraid. Victor I’m sure could not understand why his dad left when he was a young boy and many things must have gone through his mind. He remembered the good stuff with his dad and then his dad was gone. Why did he leave, when is he coming back? This is where limitations on Victor’s life start, always waiting for his dad to come home and in doing so he does not move forward in his life to all the good things waiting for him he stays in this box of fear that grows more powerful each year he is growing. As the years go by this fear turns to anger and resentment and still holds Victor back from a productive life and creates a vicious cycle for him.
Victor was not able to reconnect with his father in “Smoke Signals”, because he died, so they could not talk about what happened and why he left so for Victor a reconciliation was not possible. The road trip Victor took to get his fathers ashes was part of this healing process for Victor. He learned many things about his father including the guilt his father felt and carried with him about the fire. Still, victor only has memories both good and bad as we see from the movie “Smoke Signals” but he is able to release his father into the falls and maybe this releases victor from his own "box of fear", so he can let the past go and start to build a future for himself.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dialogue; Week 12
“This is what it means to say Phoenix Arizona “is written with humor, symbolism and irony that makes you laugh and also want to cry. I liked the movie and viewed it as such; however, the written story gives more insight into these two characters, Victor and Thomas. In the story Sherman Alexie writes about fireworks, storytelling, and alcohol along with his Humor about the government.
“Its strange how us Indians celebrate the 4th of July. It ain’t like it was our independence everybody was fighting for”. The irony of this quote makes you laugh but when you really evaluate that line it makes you sad to think, we have put these people on a reservation , literally taken away any pride they might have and make them outcast in a land they were first to have inhabited! These Nations have turned to alcohol and only have the stories of their past to hand down to generations to come and as we see in this story, alcohol does take its toll on all, even Victor falls prey to its lure when he is talking to himself and says, “The only real thing he shared with anybody was a bottle and broken dreams”. Alcohol can take generations of families on a journey of despair and dread which makes it a way of life to mask the pain of the past and a bleak view of what the future may hold. Living on a reservation must be like living on an island; you get up everyday and see the same thing, same people same geography, why would you have anything but broken dreams. Lifetimes of Native Americans are spent there and if there is no hope or inspiration for you to do anything more why would you, there is always the “Res” to fall back on. This kind of thinking and life is like a nightmare that keeps slapping you down and takes away your dignity and motivation.
Sherman Alexie also throws in a bit of humor and symbolism and also plants an idea that the American government screws everyone, when Thomas-Builds-A-Fire strikes up a conversation on the airplane with a gymnast and she was commenting on the way the government screwed them out of the 1980 Olympics by boycotting. Thomas remarks, “Sounds like you all got a lot in common with Indians”. This I thought was very profound.
“Its strange how us Indians celebrate the 4th of July. It ain’t like it was our independence everybody was fighting for”. The irony of this quote makes you laugh but when you really evaluate that line it makes you sad to think, we have put these people on a reservation , literally taken away any pride they might have and make them outcast in a land they were first to have inhabited! These Nations have turned to alcohol and only have the stories of their past to hand down to generations to come and as we see in this story, alcohol does take its toll on all, even Victor falls prey to its lure when he is talking to himself and says, “The only real thing he shared with anybody was a bottle and broken dreams”. Alcohol can take generations of families on a journey of despair and dread which makes it a way of life to mask the pain of the past and a bleak view of what the future may hold. Living on a reservation must be like living on an island; you get up everyday and see the same thing, same people same geography, why would you have anything but broken dreams. Lifetimes of Native Americans are spent there and if there is no hope or inspiration for you to do anything more why would you, there is always the “Res” to fall back on. This kind of thinking and life is like a nightmare that keeps slapping you down and takes away your dignity and motivation.
Sherman Alexie also throws in a bit of humor and symbolism and also plants an idea that the American government screws everyone, when Thomas-Builds-A-Fire strikes up a conversation on the airplane with a gymnast and she was commenting on the way the government screwed them out of the 1980 Olympics by boycotting. Thomas remarks, “Sounds like you all got a lot in common with Indians”. This I thought was very profound.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Chapter 15 Rules for Writers;; My Choice for Week 11
Chapter 15 “Provide Some Variety” says, when rough drafts are filled with too many sentences that sound alike, putting variety into them can add to clarity and ease of reading. The main points of this chapter are, varying your sentence openings, variety of sentence structure, and inverting sentences occasionally. This chapter also gives information about reading the sentence out loud in order to hear if there is variety rather than depend on grammar checkers only.
Varying your sentence openings in Chapter 15 says that many sentences in English begin with the subject, follow to the verb, and end with the object. Adverb modifiers, such as, single words, phrases, or clauses can be added and gives an example on page 121 of “Rules for Writers”; “A few drops of sap eventually began to trickle into the bucket”. The adverb “eventually” modifies the verb (began) but does not need to be close to it. A variety of sentence structures are better than using only simple sentences or to many compound sentences. Too much of one thing or chopping it up can also be monotonous. The text goes on to explain, a sentence that does not follow subject-verb-object pattern is called inverted and usually is to be avoided, however can sound natural and add variety.
I have used this method of reading out loud to hear my sentence structure to make sure it sounds good. Learning the differences in varying sentences as far as the opening and structure of a sentence is something I will try in upcoming essays. Some of the examples the text gives on page 121 and 122 are great because this could change a paper that is dull to perky. Playing around with sentence structure can be fun; I know it has given me a refresher course in grammar on subject-verb-object and shows me not to be afraid to use it.
Varying your sentence openings in Chapter 15 says that many sentences in English begin with the subject, follow to the verb, and end with the object. Adverb modifiers, such as, single words, phrases, or clauses can be added and gives an example on page 121 of “Rules for Writers”; “A few drops of sap eventually began to trickle into the bucket”. The adverb “eventually” modifies the verb (began) but does not need to be close to it. A variety of sentence structures are better than using only simple sentences or to many compound sentences. Too much of one thing or chopping it up can also be monotonous. The text goes on to explain, a sentence that does not follow subject-verb-object pattern is called inverted and usually is to be avoided, however can sound natural and add variety.
I have used this method of reading out loud to hear my sentence structure to make sure it sounds good. Learning the differences in varying sentences as far as the opening and structure of a sentence is something I will try in upcoming essays. Some of the examples the text gives on page 121 and 122 are great because this could change a paper that is dull to perky. Playing around with sentence structure can be fun; I know it has given me a refresher course in grammar on subject-verb-object and shows me not to be afraid to use it.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
"Smoke Signals", Dialogue, Week 11
"Smoke Signals"is a powerful and moving movie of love, friendship, tradition, anger and humor. The scene of Thomas and Victor in the car with these two girls of the reservation going backwards is a funny scene and powerful metaphor that depicts a "Nation" of people wanting to move forward, yet, stuck going backwards at the same time.
The movie shows Victor with huge anger issues, some of these have to do with Indian tradition, family issues and the modern world. Victor and Thomas take a roadtrip together so Victor can get his fathers ashes. During this journey Victor and Thomas not only find true friendship for each other they also find out the truth of the fateful night that made Thomas an orphan and Victor left with a father full of shame and guilt. This only added to the challenges Native Americans on reservations have, and, for Victor's father, Arnold, was devastating enough he left his family. Victor now knows his father did love him and his father was trying to escape from what he did and not him.
Victor takes his father's ashes to the great falls where the salmon rise out of, a symbol for the indian nation as greatness and strength and throws his ashes in. Victor makes the symbolic jesture for his father, the only way he can say "I love you" and how Victor wants to move forward and not backwards any longer.
The movie shows Victor with huge anger issues, some of these have to do with Indian tradition, family issues and the modern world. Victor and Thomas take a roadtrip together so Victor can get his fathers ashes. During this journey Victor and Thomas not only find true friendship for each other they also find out the truth of the fateful night that made Thomas an orphan and Victor left with a father full of shame and guilt. This only added to the challenges Native Americans on reservations have, and, for Victor's father, Arnold, was devastating enough he left his family. Victor now knows his father did love him and his father was trying to escape from what he did and not him.
Victor takes his father's ashes to the great falls where the salmon rise out of, a symbol for the indian nation as greatness and strength and throws his ashes in. Victor makes the symbolic jesture for his father, the only way he can say "I love you" and how Victor wants to move forward and not backwards any longer.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Rules For writers, My Choice; Chapter 16, Wordy Sentences
The main points of Chapter 16 are redundancy, repetition,concise and inflated words, simple sentence structure and reducing clauses to phrases and phrases into single words. These guidelines help to make sentences clear, concise and meaningful.
A wordy sentence is neither long or short. Sentences are wordy if it can be condensed without losing the meaning. Chapter 16 says these types of sentences are usually redundant, over using modifiers that add meaning to the words used. Repetition can be useful for effect but many times a concise version works better. "Rules For Writers"explains empty or inflated sentences such as, "I think that", or, "It Seems To Me" are unnecessary and can be removed without losing meaning. This chapter gives the reader a list of concise and inflated words to show how using concise words fit the structure of a sentence, tightening it. Strengthening the verb is also another way.
I have been practicing rereading my essays for different purposes and this is one I notice is important. I have a tendency to use phrases such as, "I think that", and find it completely unnecessary and does not add a thing to my sentence structure. I keep that list of concise and inflated words with me to use as I proof read my work. To prevent redundancy I have found the thesaurus very helpful for words that mean the same but are not repeated in my writing. I am more thoughtful when I write and give more information now without taking the reader on a roller coaster ride of words that mean nothing.
A wordy sentence is neither long or short. Sentences are wordy if it can be condensed without losing the meaning. Chapter 16 says these types of sentences are usually redundant, over using modifiers that add meaning to the words used. Repetition can be useful for effect but many times a concise version works better. "Rules For Writers"explains empty or inflated sentences such as, "I think that", or, "It Seems To Me" are unnecessary and can be removed without losing meaning. This chapter gives the reader a list of concise and inflated words to show how using concise words fit the structure of a sentence, tightening it. Strengthening the verb is also another way.
I have been practicing rereading my essays for different purposes and this is one I notice is important. I have a tendency to use phrases such as, "I think that", and find it completely unnecessary and does not add a thing to my sentence structure. I keep that list of concise and inflated words with me to use as I proof read my work. To prevent redundancy I have found the thesaurus very helpful for words that mean the same but are not repeated in my writing. I am more thoughtful when I write and give more information now without taking the reader on a roller coaster ride of words that mean nothing.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dialogue Week 10
“Then the spotlight finds the Merry UnBirthday child. Of Course it’s the cutest one in the studio”.
This creates such a negative self image when you are this young and unfortunately it happens to all children of all races. Kids think they have to look and act like what they are seeing on TV and the movies to get noticed or loved. Lovey is very critical of herself and her family life, even though she loves them very much. She is made to feel that way by some of her peers and her teacher’s. Even today we have this image of blond, blue eyes and thin is the norm. Lovey has more than just a societal image to quash, she has a family life that is genuine and loving but she knows she has to learn other ways in order to live within the socially excepted boundaries that are expected if you want to succeed.
I chose this particular sentence in “Happy Endings” because it reminded me so much of when I was a little girl. I was chubby, had overly frizzy curly hair and wore clothes that my grandmother made us from material that came from clothing at the Goodwill. Even though I did not realize about the goodwill thing until later in life, I still wished I had clothes from the store. Most of all I relate to Lovey because I to watched Shirley Temple movies and felt like if I just looked like her I would be more popular.
This creates such a negative self image when you are this young and unfortunately it happens to all children of all races. Kids think they have to look and act like what they are seeing on TV and the movies to get noticed or loved. Lovey is very critical of herself and her family life, even though she loves them very much. She is made to feel that way by some of her peers and her teacher’s. Even today we have this image of blond, blue eyes and thin is the norm. Lovey has more than just a societal image to quash, she has a family life that is genuine and loving but she knows she has to learn other ways in order to live within the socially excepted boundaries that are expected if you want to succeed.
I chose this particular sentence in “Happy Endings” because it reminded me so much of when I was a little girl. I was chubby, had overly frizzy curly hair and wore clothes that my grandmother made us from material that came from clothing at the Goodwill. Even though I did not realize about the goodwill thing until later in life, I still wished I had clothes from the store. Most of all I relate to Lovey because I to watched Shirley Temple movies and felt like if I just looked like her I would be more popular.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Summary; Rules for Writers Chapter 48, Week 9
Chapter 48 in Rules for Writers says you must evaluate all arguments for logic and reason. Some of these are; fallacies, generalizing, analogies,assumptions, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, emotional appeals, and judging opposing views.
The text gives us examples of how to determine what are reasonable arguments or otherwise known as logical fallacies. Fact gathering and making a decision from these facts are, according to the chapter, generalizing(inductive reasoning) and has to be determined by evidence gathering. Analogies compare the similarities of two things that are different such as arguing facts in court by opposing counsel. If we assume something is true without checking proof of it that is called an assumption and it is sometimes used in writing depending on its merit of importance. Another example in chapter 48 is deductive reasoning, taking facts and put them together to establish a connection. There are 3 stages of deductive reasoning, called a syllogism; Major premise, minor premise and the conclusion. The text goes on to say, emotional appeals may be legitimate or can be unfair. for instance, a legitimate appeal would be politicians appealing to their constituents that the change they are looking for will happen if they vote for them. Unfair attacks as an example would be based on bias, someone who might have an ax to grind on a particular group or may have a different belief on a subject. In the end we see from this chapter that judging fairly on opposing views builds credibility.
Using the steps in chapter 48 will help me to make better critiques of my own papers and others. I will be asking these questions of myself as I write to make sure I am evaluating and making reasonable arguments about the content and never assume what I write is truth without getting different viewpoints and opinions by searching out the evidence. It makes sense when you write that the content of your writing has legitmacy and critical thinking.
The text gives us examples of how to determine what are reasonable arguments or otherwise known as logical fallacies. Fact gathering and making a decision from these facts are, according to the chapter, generalizing(inductive reasoning) and has to be determined by evidence gathering. Analogies compare the similarities of two things that are different such as arguing facts in court by opposing counsel. If we assume something is true without checking proof of it that is called an assumption and it is sometimes used in writing depending on its merit of importance. Another example in chapter 48 is deductive reasoning, taking facts and put them together to establish a connection. There are 3 stages of deductive reasoning, called a syllogism; Major premise, minor premise and the conclusion. The text goes on to say, emotional appeals may be legitimate or can be unfair. for instance, a legitimate appeal would be politicians appealing to their constituents that the change they are looking for will happen if they vote for them. Unfair attacks as an example would be based on bias, someone who might have an ax to grind on a particular group or may have a different belief on a subject. In the end we see from this chapter that judging fairly on opposing views builds credibility.
Using the steps in chapter 48 will help me to make better critiques of my own papers and others. I will be asking these questions of myself as I write to make sure I am evaluating and making reasonable arguments about the content and never assume what I write is truth without getting different viewpoints and opinions by searching out the evidence. It makes sense when you write that the content of your writing has legitmacy and critical thinking.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
"Writing about Fiction and Literature" Purdue's Online Writing Lab; Extra Credit
“Writing about fiction”, a topic of the Purdue online writing lab’s main ideas are; close reading, developing a thesis and pre-writing. The lab states that highlighting key passages and phrases when reading fiction is important, because, fiction usually consists of several points and themes. Make sure that you are not over highlighting only key points and ideas. Using a notebook like you would a journal to evaluate a story’s meaning and commenting on it can be very helpful after close reading, which is also being active in the process of reading. Purdue also says making notes is about asking questions, making comments about key statements in the writing. Developing a thesis comes after close reading and making notes in the margins so you can generate ideas of your own. these ideas could be a character or a particular period of time, and elaborating on them. The lab also talks about pre-writing to review, research, and evaluate a piece of fiction. Focus on the detail to be discussed, make lists, and identify evidence by using outside sources, like major events, people, which will help you to eliminate and narrow your focus. Another sub-heading in the online lab is, quoting which is using a sentence that will help you to analyze a point, writing in your own words what already has been said is paraphrasing, which usually comes in the conclusion.
Purdue’s online writing lab also discusses “writing about Literature” the main ideas are; The introduction, literature topics and formatting. The introduction gathers research that will help you make the argument that your interpretation or evaluation is valid. The lab also shows how to make a debatable thesis by showing the how, why, and what that unifies your points for the thesis. Do not use generalities; be specific in your statements. Narrow down what it is you are asking or clarifying. Purdue also say that finding a topic can be one of many choices, for instance; Characters in a piece of literature, historical events, political issues and analyses, these are just a few topics that can be used. Your own thoughts should be the major part of your essay, using secondary sources in your research such as the internet or library. Avoiding dictionaries and encyclopedias, use scholarly sources to back up your evidence. Formatting your paper; It is important to underline, use quotations which introduce or explain a thought that comes from a key phrase or passage, also your last name and page number. MLA format is the universal citation method according to Purdue.
Purdue’s online writing lab has given me information to use to become more skeptical of my own work of writing. I have started my own journal of note taking on my thoughts during reading. I know that rereading is going to benefit me because this way I will be more analytical of the piece I am reading by asking questions and noting the phrases that pop out at me. Narrowing down my thoughts and making lists of my ideas will also help me to formulate a more organized paper. I have, and will continue to use free write as a means developing my thesis ideas. I like the idea of quoting a sentence because even though I may not use it in the final paper I will use it to critically think about what I see as the meaning behind it. I liked the part of Purdue’s lab that discussed the how, why, and what, for a debatable thesis when writing about literature and just those questions alone can give me a great many points that will be helpful for unifying my thesis ideas. I have taken the library literacy class and now I am so thankful I did. I can go anywhere in the library at the JC and get the information I need, especially helpful on MLA citing. I know this will help me to be a better writer but most of I know that critical thinking, using your own thoughts and ideas are paramount to writing a good paper.
Purdue’s online writing lab also discusses “writing about Literature” the main ideas are; The introduction, literature topics and formatting. The introduction gathers research that will help you make the argument that your interpretation or evaluation is valid. The lab also shows how to make a debatable thesis by showing the how, why, and what that unifies your points for the thesis. Do not use generalities; be specific in your statements. Narrow down what it is you are asking or clarifying. Purdue also say that finding a topic can be one of many choices, for instance; Characters in a piece of literature, historical events, political issues and analyses, these are just a few topics that can be used. Your own thoughts should be the major part of your essay, using secondary sources in your research such as the internet or library. Avoiding dictionaries and encyclopedias, use scholarly sources to back up your evidence. Formatting your paper; It is important to underline, use quotations which introduce or explain a thought that comes from a key phrase or passage, also your last name and page number. MLA format is the universal citation method according to Purdue.
Purdue’s online writing lab has given me information to use to become more skeptical of my own work of writing. I have started my own journal of note taking on my thoughts during reading. I know that rereading is going to benefit me because this way I will be more analytical of the piece I am reading by asking questions and noting the phrases that pop out at me. Narrowing down my thoughts and making lists of my ideas will also help me to formulate a more organized paper. I have, and will continue to use free write as a means developing my thesis ideas. I like the idea of quoting a sentence because even though I may not use it in the final paper I will use it to critically think about what I see as the meaning behind it. I liked the part of Purdue’s lab that discussed the how, why, and what, for a debatable thesis when writing about literature and just those questions alone can give me a great many points that will be helpful for unifying my thesis ideas. I have taken the library literacy class and now I am so thankful I did. I can go anywhere in the library at the JC and get the information I need, especially helpful on MLA citing. I know this will help me to be a better writer but most of I know that critical thinking, using your own thoughts and ideas are paramount to writing a good paper.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Week 8; Essay 2 Dialogue, "Common themes"
“Shooting Dad” and “Coming Home Again” have a common theme; however there are comparisons and contrasts to both essays. Family, culture, parent- child dynamics, adolescence, Identity, independence and love are some of the same themes that run through these essays. Both of these families are living in America, however one family has immigrated here from Korea and the other are born in America. “Coming home Again” is a story about a connection of a son, (Chang-Rae-Lee) and his mother and “Shooting Dad is a story of connection of a daughter, (Sarah Vowell) and her father.
Sarah Vowell gives the reader a vivid account of a typical day in her family life with humor and tells the reader of strong opinions that family members have. Chang-Rae-Lee sets a different scene and the reader can tell very soon that it is going to be an emotional account of his mother’s illness. The comparisons of the family unit, Sarah’s, and Chang’s Identity, bonding, and similarities to parents charge through both essays. The differences of the two are very clear also; how the family unit expresses themselves, their different cultures, and home life. In the end both authors find that they are more like their parents then they realized and look back with fond memories and love.
Both essays reminded me of my own mother and father. They are aging now and I am reminded that they will not be here much longer. My dad and I had a very close relationship growing up and we always talked, my mother, not so much. My dad’s memory is slipping and it pains me to think one day he might not remember me. I take everyday as a gift and I think both of the characters in these writings did the same. To Sarah, it was the memory of going with her dad to shoot the cannon. To Chang, it was cooking with his mother as a young child. These were defining moments in their lives even though at the time they did not know it.
Sarah Vowell gives the reader a vivid account of a typical day in her family life with humor and tells the reader of strong opinions that family members have. Chang-Rae-Lee sets a different scene and the reader can tell very soon that it is going to be an emotional account of his mother’s illness. The comparisons of the family unit, Sarah’s, and Chang’s Identity, bonding, and similarities to parents charge through both essays. The differences of the two are very clear also; how the family unit expresses themselves, their different cultures, and home life. In the end both authors find that they are more like their parents then they realized and look back with fond memories and love.
Both essays reminded me of my own mother and father. They are aging now and I am reminded that they will not be here much longer. My dad and I had a very close relationship growing up and we always talked, my mother, not so much. My dad’s memory is slipping and it pains me to think one day he might not remember me. I take everyday as a gift and I think both of the characters in these writings did the same. To Sarah, it was the memory of going with her dad to shoot the cannon. To Chang, it was cooking with his mother as a young child. These were defining moments in their lives even though at the time they did not know it.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Week 7, Dialogue; "Shooting Dad"
"Luckily, both my parents grew up in exasperationg households where children were considered puppets and/or slaves".
This statement of Sarah's about her dad and mom tells the reader a lot about Sarah's relationship with her parents. When reading this essay, at first, it seemed that her dad and she were at odds with one another. Reading more closely I see where even though her dad was adament about how he felt about guns and his own political views, he gave Sarah and her sister the choice to explore their own set of beliefs and values. Certainly this was how Sarah developed her independence from her parents and becomes her own individual with a strong personality. Sound familiar?
Sarah, while growing up, I'm sure had some frustration as all children do in adolescence, with their parents, but we see in her essay how much she and her dad are alike, even with their differences. She even tells us that when older she decided to try "to figure out the whole gun thing". From her written essay and the audio, the love she has for her dad comes through and she respected his views and beliefs. At the end she wanted to light the canon and blow her dad's ashes into the hillside but this time she would not wear the earplugs because she wanted the noise to hurt her ears. I think Sarah wanted to feel and hear her dad's voice for the last time.
This statement of Sarah's about her dad and mom tells the reader a lot about Sarah's relationship with her parents. When reading this essay, at first, it seemed that her dad and she were at odds with one another. Reading more closely I see where even though her dad was adament about how he felt about guns and his own political views, he gave Sarah and her sister the choice to explore their own set of beliefs and values. Certainly this was how Sarah developed her independence from her parents and becomes her own individual with a strong personality. Sound familiar?
Sarah, while growing up, I'm sure had some frustration as all children do in adolescence, with their parents, but we see in her essay how much she and her dad are alike, even with their differences. She even tells us that when older she decided to try "to figure out the whole gun thing". From her written essay and the audio, the love she has for her dad comes through and she respected his views and beliefs. At the end she wanted to light the canon and blow her dad's ashes into the hillside but this time she would not wear the earplugs because she wanted the noise to hurt her ears. I think Sarah wanted to feel and hear her dad's voice for the last time.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Week 6 Dialogue; Coming Home Again
The importance of food in this essay is the beautiful memory his mother left Chang-Rae-Lee. I read Chang-Rae-Lees's memoir of his mother, the time they spent together in the kitchen preparing food for the family meal, and thought, how respectful and warm this memory of his mother is.
Food was very important, but, more than that was what it represented for Chang. He gives the reader this descriptive narration of watching his mother prepare food and describes her hands and how they move when cutting the meat from the bone and the chit chat that goes on between mother and son. This was revealing of what he felt for her and how he wanted his reader to visualize her in real life as he did. The surprise was the basketball scene where she made shot after shot. Chang's mother amazed him in many ways other than food.
Food is central and cultural for many families, it brings them together at the end of the day so they can center themselves as a unit again after all the days twists and turns. Food conjurs up fond memories of good times and also gives us a history.
Chang's mother gave him more than the ability to create food, she gave him part of her that lives on within him.
Food was very important, but, more than that was what it represented for Chang. He gives the reader this descriptive narration of watching his mother prepare food and describes her hands and how they move when cutting the meat from the bone and the chit chat that goes on between mother and son. This was revealing of what he felt for her and how he wanted his reader to visualize her in real life as he did. The surprise was the basketball scene where she made shot after shot. Chang's mother amazed him in many ways other than food.
Food is central and cultural for many families, it brings them together at the end of the day so they can center themselves as a unit again after all the days twists and turns. Food conjurs up fond memories of good times and also gives us a history.
Chang's mother gave him more than the ability to create food, she gave him part of her that lives on within him.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Chapter 47 Summary
Rules for Writers, Chapter 47 discusses how what is written will be recieved and discussed. It talks about social and intellectual contexts as having many sides. This brings to light the many opinions and also contributors of these texts. Making sure the information gathering process is done well and be ready for challenges. Readers will make up their own minds as to what side of the argument they will be on. Do not take for granted the audience agrees.
As in chapter 47c the introduction is a powerful tool and can set the tone of the paper. gathering facts and credible information from sources that are reliable builds on the idea you are knowledgeable and find your audience to be knowledgeable also. This will help bring them over to your side.
Making an outline of persuavive arguments that give two sides is another way of creating the thesis and any supporting information that backs it up. Facts, statistics, examples and illustrations also are great documentation for your thesis. This helps the reader to follow up on any further information.
This chapter also talk about opposing arguments and readers that do not agree with the same view as the author. Giving the reader a chance to see both sides of the argument tells them that the author is treating them with respect to their views which helps to persuade them to the author's side.
This chapter has building blocks that I can implement in my own writings by concentrating on giving the audience a strong thesis. I also like the idea of showing both sides of an argument and being able to win the reader over by examples and facts. Clearly, writing is a process that does not come together without researching information and making sure that information is factual.
As in chapter 47c the introduction is a powerful tool and can set the tone of the paper. gathering facts and credible information from sources that are reliable builds on the idea you are knowledgeable and find your audience to be knowledgeable also. This will help bring them over to your side.
Making an outline of persuavive arguments that give two sides is another way of creating the thesis and any supporting information that backs it up. Facts, statistics, examples and illustrations also are great documentation for your thesis. This helps the reader to follow up on any further information.
This chapter also talk about opposing arguments and readers that do not agree with the same view as the author. Giving the reader a chance to see both sides of the argument tells them that the author is treating them with respect to their views which helps to persuade them to the author's side.
This chapter has building blocks that I can implement in my own writings by concentrating on giving the audience a strong thesis. I also like the idea of showing both sides of an argument and being able to win the reader over by examples and facts. Clearly, writing is a process that does not come together without researching information and making sure that information is factual.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Week 5 Summary; Rules for Writers, Chapter 46
Rules for Writers, chapter 46, gives information on writing texts and how to actively read keeping in mind the four main points to do this. These four points are texts themselves, the details in the texts, rereading the text, and critical thinking. These are very important because these text structures ask revealing questions, for example, the type of essay that is written, the audience it is written for, and evidence to support the text. Some of this comes in the details of the text and by reading it several times and putting critical thinking to use about the facts, and visual images. Using outlines are also a way to lay out information of key points in a text. This is where reading several times you can ask the questions needed to support the central idea and identify arguments for or against.
I have used outlines on my own essays and have found them very useful in helping me to narrow down the key elements of what I am trying to get across in my paper. Reading and rereading helps eliminate sentences that are just filling in and not really stating any new facts. My goal is to discipline myself to establish a habit of making key lists of major points I am trying get across and write about them separately then bring them together and edit as a whole.
I have used outlines on my own essays and have found them very useful in helping me to narrow down the key elements of what I am trying to get across in my paper. Reading and rereading helps eliminate sentences that are just filling in and not really stating any new facts. My goal is to discipline myself to establish a habit of making key lists of major points I am trying get across and write about them separately then bring them together and edit as a whole.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Week 4 Essay Dialogue
Slow Food International
Torino, Italy 2010
This poster is of the slow food festival in Torino, Italy in 2010 which is held every other year. Slow food began years ago in 1989 when Carlo Petrini heard McDonald’s wanted to open one of its fast food restaurants in Rome. He gathered together a group of like minded people and they drove from Bra, Italy to Rome to protest. McDonald’s won of course and put its fast food restaurant near the famous Spanish Steps and The Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Carlo decided he would start a movement opposite fast food and called it “Slow Food”. Now, this festival is the largest in the world, people from all over the world come and participate as vendors and visitors. The motto of “Slow Food” is good, clean and fair. Slow Food International is committed to protecting the traditional ways of farming and sustainable quality foods. The ideal is agriculture that can offer the poorest area of the world development prospects that are based on wisdom of communities in harmony with the environment around them. Food heritage, that is historic, artistic or of social value is protected.
The philosophy states, “Eating is an agriculture act, and informed, discriminating consumers become co-producers. For them, food should be good, clean, and fair”. Good; as in tasty, flavorful and satisfying. Clean; Food produced in balance with the earth’s resources. Fair; respectful of social justice and concern from commercialism to consumer.
There are many networks around the world that believe in the Slow Food Ideal and have worked to help connect us globally. Italy and America have the largest amount following with France, Germany, Japan and so on. These networks of people are food producers, food communities, cooks and academics. They believe education and biodiversity is the path in which slow food distributes its messages to help stem the tide of junk, fast, and standardized food, so that endangered local cuisines, traditional products, vegetable species and animal breeds may be saved.
Slow food promotes many different projects including the Ark of Taste, which preserves and catalogues and draws public awareness to food products from around the world. Presidia, which engages small projects to help artisan food producers. Slow Food helps to conserve food heritage.
I will be going for the first time, I am excited to be a part of this worldwide event and I hope to bring many ideas home that I may share with the community and implement on my own. I love the idea of a world coming together in such a forum that is so simple and yet complex because of the world we now live in. I am passionate about food and believe we all deserve to know where our food comes from, how it is cultivated, raised, processed, and presented to the consumer. Food, clean environment and fairness are a right for all people and not a few. As you are reading this I would like for you to take away with you, a new view of where your food comes from, who produced it and was there an impact on the environment because of it.
“If we train our senses to understand and appreciate the pleasure of food; we also open our eyes to the world”.
Torino, Italy 2010
This poster is of the slow food festival in Torino, Italy in 2010 which is held every other year. Slow food began years ago in 1989 when Carlo Petrini heard McDonald’s wanted to open one of its fast food restaurants in Rome. He gathered together a group of like minded people and they drove from Bra, Italy to Rome to protest. McDonald’s won of course and put its fast food restaurant near the famous Spanish Steps and The Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Carlo decided he would start a movement opposite fast food and called it “Slow Food”. Now, this festival is the largest in the world, people from all over the world come and participate as vendors and visitors. The motto of “Slow Food” is good, clean and fair. Slow Food International is committed to protecting the traditional ways of farming and sustainable quality foods. The ideal is agriculture that can offer the poorest area of the world development prospects that are based on wisdom of communities in harmony with the environment around them. Food heritage, that is historic, artistic or of social value is protected.
The philosophy states, “Eating is an agriculture act, and informed, discriminating consumers become co-producers. For them, food should be good, clean, and fair”. Good; as in tasty, flavorful and satisfying. Clean; Food produced in balance with the earth’s resources. Fair; respectful of social justice and concern from commercialism to consumer.
There are many networks around the world that believe in the Slow Food Ideal and have worked to help connect us globally. Italy and America have the largest amount following with France, Germany, Japan and so on. These networks of people are food producers, food communities, cooks and academics. They believe education and biodiversity is the path in which slow food distributes its messages to help stem the tide of junk, fast, and standardized food, so that endangered local cuisines, traditional products, vegetable species and animal breeds may be saved.
Slow food promotes many different projects including the Ark of Taste, which preserves and catalogues and draws public awareness to food products from around the world. Presidia, which engages small projects to help artisan food producers. Slow Food helps to conserve food heritage.
I will be going for the first time, I am excited to be a part of this worldwide event and I hope to bring many ideas home that I may share with the community and implement on my own. I love the idea of a world coming together in such a forum that is so simple and yet complex because of the world we now live in. I am passionate about food and believe we all deserve to know where our food comes from, how it is cultivated, raised, processed, and presented to the consumer. Food, clean environment and fairness are a right for all people and not a few. As you are reading this I would like for you to take away with you, a new view of where your food comes from, who produced it and was there an impact on the environment because of it.
“If we train our senses to understand and appreciate the pleasure of food; we also open our eyes to the world”.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Rules for Writers Summary Chapter 4
Chapter four explains how to build paragraphs that are well developed, organized, and not to short or long. Focus of the paragraph is the main point and stating so in a topic sentence which the text says is a "one sentence summary of the paragraph". Topic sentences may come first in the paragraph, later as a transition from one paragraph to another or at the end. In addition chapter four shows how to develop the main point and provide the reader with evidence to convince. Consistencey is key so not to stray from one point of view to another and keeping in mind that your topic should resonate throughout the paper.
Number 4d, page 5o outlines several key points to keep in mind as a writer which will be very helpful to use as a reference. These key points are; linking ideas from paragraph to paragraph, using keywords, making the paragraph coherant and consistant. These points will help in building a foundation for writing essays in our class.
I know these points will work well for me. I seem to have great ideas but fail on delivering them in detail. Even though I seem to have given all the information I need to engage the reader I leave something out. This chapter will help me a great deal in developing my paragraphs and elaborating on information I give.
Number 4d, page 5o outlines several key points to keep in mind as a writer which will be very helpful to use as a reference. These key points are; linking ideas from paragraph to paragraph, using keywords, making the paragraph coherant and consistant. These points will help in building a foundation for writing essays in our class.
I know these points will work well for me. I seem to have great ideas but fail on delivering them in detail. Even though I seem to have given all the information I need to engage the reader I leave something out. This chapter will help me a great deal in developing my paragraphs and elaborating on information I give.
"Superman is breaking down the door"
In his writing, "Superman and Me", Sherman Alexie uses the phrase "Superman is Breaking Down the Door" four times in one paragraph, describing how he came to read so early. He looked at the pictures and what he saw and read through visual senses as to what was being played out in the comic. He saw Superman shatter the door into pieces. In the last paragraph of his writing Alexie tells the reader of the locked doors and throwing his weight against it to try and break through but the door holds.
Sherman Alexie visits the Reservation schools where he meets kids that have read his poems, short stories, and novels and are eager to see him. He also meets kids in the same schools who feel like doors have closed for them and they do not have the same eagerness as the others in their class to pick up a pencil or listen to his stories. As in the comic book Alexie read as a child, he to is trying to shatter the door some of these kids have closed and finds the door does not break. Maybe Alexie sees himself as superman and wants to save their lives with books. He believes books are their way through that door.
Sherman Alexie visits the Reservation schools where he meets kids that have read his poems, short stories, and novels and are eager to see him. He also meets kids in the same schools who feel like doors have closed for them and they do not have the same eagerness as the others in their class to pick up a pencil or listen to his stories. As in the comic book Alexie read as a child, he to is trying to shatter the door some of these kids have closed and finds the door does not break. Maybe Alexie sees himself as superman and wants to save their lives with books. He believes books are their way through that door.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
rules for writers chapter 2- 3 summary
Sometimes making a draft is not as easy as it sounds, although doing so completely takes you in the direction you want to go. For me drafting is a tool I use to gather all the information I need and categorize and organize information. Specifically, freewrites, outlines, ideas, lists and so on. I do not work very hard on the thesis idea at the beginning because I later will usually come across it in my draft of ideas. I start out a little broad and then try to narrow it down and focus on just a few ideas. these ideas usually run together and then I can easily decide on the thesis.
Hooking the reader in the intro is fun because here you can be a little more creative on how you will do that. Even so you may change your mind later and that is where revising your information comes in so you can first decide who are your readers, is your thesis really the focus of your paper or have you gone off on a tangent somewhere else. Presenting ideas in order to keep the reader involved and connected to the content of what the body is saying.
Proof read your paper and let someone else read it also. By doing this you are able to pick out statements that are to broad or offer no real information on your subject.
So engage, hook, main point and clear statements, and revisiting the topic in the summary in a new perspective will help with wrting.
Hooking the reader in the intro is fun because here you can be a little more creative on how you will do that. Even so you may change your mind later and that is where revising your information comes in so you can first decide who are your readers, is your thesis really the focus of your paper or have you gone off on a tangent somewhere else. Presenting ideas in order to keep the reader involved and connected to the content of what the body is saying.
Proof read your paper and let someone else read it also. By doing this you are able to pick out statements that are to broad or offer no real information on your subject.
So engage, hook, main point and clear statements, and revisiting the topic in the summary in a new perspective will help with wrting.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Mary Marincik Week 2
Hello Class,
This is Mary Marincik again. I have already said a few things about myself and now I will again let you in on a few personal joys that I am passionate about.
The first is a little insight about how I came to become a culinary student late in life. I have always been passionate about my family and food and I have gone the opposite direction because of being a single mom. The sole support of my children. Now my children are grown and have families of their own. Now I have grandchildren and saw an opportunity to help raise them to be ecological responsible citizens. This is where my other passion, food, has led me.
We are planting our own food and they are reaping the benefit of not only fresh, local, and sustainable food, but also learning to enjoy new foods they did not know about.
I am looking forward to having my own business with my daughter after I graduate and moving to a town in Missouri where my family now lives. My goal is to go further and learn about sustainable agriculture and having our own produce farm along with making Artisan breads and french pastry. I am a California native as are my children and grandchildren, we are sad to leave California however the opportunities to do what it is we want to do is greater in Missouri (land is relatively inexpensive).
I have never been one to have a journal and I have learned from Ms. Servais in class last year it is important to look back on what you have written and also what you leave on paper for family is insight as to the person you are. I want to be able to write it in a way that my grand kids will cherish and I feel I can do that if I learn to be a better writer. I like to get my work done, it takes me a while to get organized and I like to have my ducks in a row and good grades...:) I do not like to procrastinate and have always thought checking off that to do list is a way to declutter the mind.
Enjoy the class!
This is Mary Marincik again. I have already said a few things about myself and now I will again let you in on a few personal joys that I am passionate about.
The first is a little insight about how I came to become a culinary student late in life. I have always been passionate about my family and food and I have gone the opposite direction because of being a single mom. The sole support of my children. Now my children are grown and have families of their own. Now I have grandchildren and saw an opportunity to help raise them to be ecological responsible citizens. This is where my other passion, food, has led me.
We are planting our own food and they are reaping the benefit of not only fresh, local, and sustainable food, but also learning to enjoy new foods they did not know about.
I am looking forward to having my own business with my daughter after I graduate and moving to a town in Missouri where my family now lives. My goal is to go further and learn about sustainable agriculture and having our own produce farm along with making Artisan breads and french pastry. I am a California native as are my children and grandchildren, we are sad to leave California however the opportunities to do what it is we want to do is greater in Missouri (land is relatively inexpensive).
I have never been one to have a journal and I have learned from Ms. Servais in class last year it is important to look back on what you have written and also what you leave on paper for family is insight as to the person you are. I want to be able to write it in a way that my grand kids will cherish and I feel I can do that if I learn to be a better writer. I like to get my work done, it takes me a while to get organized and I like to have my ducks in a row and good grades...:) I do not like to procrastinate and have always thought checking off that to do list is a way to declutter the mind.
Enjoy the class!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Mary Marincik week 1
Hello,
My name is Mary Marincik. I have been going to the JC for 3 years and I am finally reaching my goal of a A.A. Degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. This is the last class and I will be able to graduate this May.
I have lived in Santa Rosa all my life. I have taken another course from Ms. Servais and I am excited to be back in her class again. I learned so much last class and appreciate English Writing even more. Good luck to all.
Mary Marincik
My name is Mary Marincik. I have been going to the JC for 3 years and I am finally reaching my goal of a A.A. Degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. This is the last class and I will be able to graduate this May.
I have lived in Santa Rosa all my life. I have taken another course from Ms. Servais and I am excited to be back in her class again. I learned so much last class and appreciate English Writing even more. Good luck to all.
Mary Marincik
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