Comparison of Blogs

Nina Komarov: I thought your blog was great from beginning to end. My favorite post was Quotes by Thomas Jefferson. I loved how you incorporated your own thoughts and feelings into the process of explaining what the quote meant in general or to you personally. Also, I like your writing style. It is easy to understand, but also well demonstrated that you understand the material and can discuss it.

Cynthia Custodio: I have always admired your blog. I look at it rather often since we are in the same committee and it is always very helpful. I like how you tie in the reading within your writing. You seem to understand the material, and that is displayed in your writing style. My favorite post of yours is Immigration in America. I thought that you made excellent points in pointing out the problems that America faces, as well as coming up with not just one but two different solutions. Great job!

Kristi Kesler: I really enjoyed looking over your blog and reading your posts. I thought you did a great job with all of them. Your writing style demonstrates your knowledge of the material and incorporates additional information within it. Also, I like your template.

With all of the posts and blogs that I have looked at, I have gotten some good ideas. There are several things that I can incorporate into my blog to make it better for the second half of the semester. For one, I could add designs or a picture. For the writing, I have learned to keep an open mind on all issues. There have been some heated discussions throughout the semester, especially the DB Post on Slavery. It’s good to hear what other people think and always keep an open mind.

Status of Virtues

Obtaining my virtue of Vigilance is working out fairly well. I have really been trying a lot harder than before, as this virtue is one that I have acquired but not fully developed. I have achieved lots of success already when trying to develop this virtue, but still have more to receive. I have not encountered any major obstacles up to this point, but anything worth doing is never easy so we shall see how the rest goes. I have gone ahead and established a plan for overcoming any obstacles that are presented. When I am beginning to lose focus or attention, I remind myself to stay connected. Sometimes if necessary, I will also take a short break which has proven to be very helpful at times. I can say with confidence that I am improving, and my virtue of vigilance is coming along quite nice.   

Portfolio Reflective Essay-Revised Draft

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. They also valued the individual and valued feeling over thinking and reason. People are still like this today, but maybe not quite as strong as the Romantics were. The list of all the things that American Romantics did goes on and on. Thoreau, Poe, and Whitman are all examples of American Romantics. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life. Thoreau believed that it was possible to find the sublime in everyday life, although it was sometimes a constant search. Thoreau was a simple man and did not need many things in order for him to have a full life. Simplified life made Thoreau’s life fuller.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. Maybe being an American Romantic had something to do with it. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them? I think the reasoning behind these specific genres is that ghost, thrillers, and horror were the subjects that Poe thought about the most. It was easy for him to write on these topics and with his imagination flowing, you never knew where the book would take you. Also, it seems that Poe really believes in these things, and can focus in more detail because of his confidence. I also displayed my knowledge of other information in several other areas such as a post to blog called: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really made me embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is. The freedoms that we have as American citizens are fortune. Many other countries do not have a democratic government, which is even worse. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. What a great place to live!

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum. After the reading and Discussion Forum, I can say that I have gained a deeper understanding on the issue of slavery. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. There were several disturbing posts when I first interacted, but after learning and understanding, I see why slavery was ultimately necessary. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical. Damage to our ecosystem and Nature also ties with my blog post titled Social Practices and Problems: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-practices-problems-and.html. I chose the topic of our dependence on foreign oil and global warming for one reason. It is a large issue that is facing America today and the years to follow. In this essay, I displayed how my writing skills have improved and how I am able to discuss things more clearly.  

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that. I also enjoy writing the essay comments for members in my committee. It is always nice for someone else to critique your work and let you know where areas can be improved. This also benefits me as well due to other people critiquing my work. Although there is still half of the semester left, I can confidently say that I am looking forward to it. I enjoy the reading and writing aspect of this class, and also look forward to becoming an even more developed reader and writer than what I already am. When looking back, I have already come so far. This alone is a great accomplishment, and can’t wait for the next chapter.

Personal Virtues

Virtue is a quality of character or ability which promotes your own well-being and that of others. There are many virtues that promote my own well-being and that of others, but I have chosen a short list of 13 virtues which mean something to me.

1. Compassion is an active desire to alleviate another person’s suffering
2. Empathy is the capacity to recognize and share feelings experienced by another person. You cannot feel empathy without compassion.
3. Generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return
4. Forgiveness is the process of concluding resentment or anger
5. Integrity is honesty and truthfulness of one’s actions
6. Morality is the sense of behavioral conduct that differentiates between actions that are right or wrong
7. Vigilance is the ability to maintain attention and alertness over prolonged periods of time
8. Sharing is the process of dividing and distributing with others
9. Respectfulness is a positive feeling of esteem for another person and their actions
10. Loyalty is faithfulness or devotion to a person, group, or cause
11. Gratitude and appreciation is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgement of a benefit that one has received or will receive
12. Find humor in things by laughing a little; Laugher is good for the soul.
13. Self-awareness is awareness that one exists as an individual being

For me, I need the most help to fully develop the virtue of Vigilance. Out of the 13 virtues listed above, I have fully developed all of them. Vigilance is getting there, but I could definitely use some help. This virtue in particular is important for me to fully develop for several reasons. As described above, vigilance is the ability to maintain attention and alertness over prolonged periods of time. I think that lots of us have a problem with this virtue, versus others. For one, attaining vigilance can only benefit myself and others. It is positive, not negative. I chose this virtue to work on and cultivate because of my lack of relationship with it. I usually do pretty well with maintaining my attention span, but some people seem like they never get to the point when talking. I myself am often like that, and am trying to do better. Other times, my virtue of vigilance is outstanding such as when I am at work. I am fully able to maintain my attention, and perform the duties at my job. Whether it is a virtue that needs assistance or a virtue that is not developed at all, we all possess many positive virtues. So the question remains: How do cultivate these virtues? As I have always thought, living a values based life will bring true happiness. When we place our focus on virtues or values that are important to us, we can then become closer to our true self. As with anything worth doing, cultivating virtues comes from within. As elders say, happiness can be a trap just as anything else that is pursued. In my thought, cultivating a virtue is not so much about pursuing it as it is about becoming one with it. Knowing the virtues that are part of your character will only bring you closer to yourself.

Portfolio Reflective Essay-Rough Draft

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature, and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them. I also displayed my knowledge of other information in several other areas such as a post to blog called: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really made me embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is.

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum and through the reading. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical.

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that.