Struggles in Writing

I can remember all the way back to second grade in elementary school when we began piecing together short stories to start the life long venture into creative writing. During writing time in class I would sit and stare at a blank white page until the bell rang to be let out of school, because I could never figure out how to go about starting my paper.

Teachers in high school always advised me to begin the writing process with brainstorming. Brainstorming can be a very affective tool when starting a paper, but even after making many lists and diagrams I still found myself trying extremely hard to find the right words to introduce the topic I am discussing.

My favorite English teacher in high school Mrs. Schulz gave me the best advice on how to get past my struggle in writing the introduction. She simply said, “Skip it.” At first I looked at her like she was crazy, but that ended up being the best writing advice any teacher had ever given me. Now when I write a paper, I typically leave the introduction for last. By doing this I have saved a lot of time that I would have wasted sitting and staring at the blank paper or computer screen.

I never would of thought something so simple could drastically change the outcome of my writing. The technique Mrs. Schulze suggested not only saved me time, but it also improved the final results of my paper. When writing an appropriate and effective introductory paragraph I tend to reflect on the context included in the body paragraphs to give the readers a broad view of the topic I’m writing about. 

Although writing does not come first nature to me I really enjoy the limitless diverse qualities it obtains. 

"Picky eaters" taken to another level

“Eat you veggies”, is the phrase typically persisted by parents to children at dinnertime. While, “Eat your chicken nuggets”, is a statement that ceases to exist at the common American family’s dinner table. Except in families with children with “food neophobia”, which literally means fear of trying new foods. For Parents with a child obtaining this disorder, finding nutrient-dense foods to compensate for their child’s restricting phobia is a complete struggle.

According to the Graham’s, cooking meals at home for their young daughter Erin is described as a “daily nightmare”. Erin is an extremely picky eater with the food neophobia disorder, so trying unfamiliar foods for her is like having to pull teeth. Mr. and Mrs. Graham struggle daily to satisfy both Erin’s taste buds and nutritional requirements, which unfortunately results in a failure most days.

Little Erin’s diet consists mainly of “waffles, pancakes, some fruit, grilled cheese sandwiches -- with only American cheese, of course -- chips, French fries, crackers and lots and lots of peanut butter, but only a specific kind.” You can see how obtaining a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is utterly impossible with Erin’s unique phobia.

Imagine having a child with such an extreme fear of trying new foods that even bribing the child with a delicious desert wont make them budge. Classic child- favorite foods including pizza, spaghetti, hot dogs, and hamburgers make these select adolescents cringe at the thought of eating them.

Unaware people may jump to conclusions thinking that Erin’s parents “give in” too easily, but Dr.’s have actually diagnosed her with food neophobia. The Graham cope with their daughters disorder to the best of their ability.

For instance a scenario at dinner included Erin’s father performing a tactic that proposed a deal with her. He would give her a piece of bread if she would eat half a cherry tomato in exchange.

"Erin, just do it and be done…after you can have a piece of bread, okay?"

Her dad pleaded. Erin struggled to keep the bite-size tomato down.

Erin Graham’s takes the meaning of “picky-eater” to whole other level, which has her parents constantly intervening. All parents alike the Graham family with a child obtaining a “different relationship with food” has been required to adapt to their child’s food needs, which in turn can lead to a permanent lifestyle change. 

What might you suggest to these families throughout the world to help manage their food-intolerant children mange a nutritious diet? Are you a picky eater? If so what foods can you not bear eat?

College Students, What will You Accomplish this Spring Break?

With spring break just around the corner, thousands of college students await eagerly for that weeklong break from their studies. Students start marking their calendars with detailed plans of all the things they wish to accomplish during spring break. When I was searching the web for ideas of what id like to do during the break, I came across the Top 10 Things to Do During Spring Break. 

1. Head Outdoors 

2. Stay Indoors

3. Experience the World

4. Plan an Arts-and-Crafts Day

5. See a Matinee Movie

6. Game Tournament 

7. Go Sopping

8. Clean 

9. Exercise

10. Plan your summer vacation

The Beach

The advantage this list draws over other “to-do” lists is the wide variety of productive activities included. Whatever your cultural background consists of, you are likely to find an activity that you’d enjoy on the “Top 10 Things to Do During spring break.

The three activities that really stuck out to me includes, heading outdoors, experiencing the world, and exercising.

Heading outdoors:

“After months cooped up indoors because of cold weather, spring break is the perfect time to enjoy some time outdoors."

Taking a stroll outside, or sunbathing is always a nice change if pace from being cramped up in the library.

Experiencing the world:

"Plan a trip to one one the top 10 spring break destinations and enjoy your spring break away from home."
Taking a lovely relaxing vacation for spring break may be just what you need to get through this spring semester. 

Exercising:

 "Begin a fitness regimen to prepare for the summer season."

Exercise is a great stress reliever, and a wonderful way to improve your health. This spring break; begin the journey to a healthy lifestyle.

Go ahead and pursue an interest of yours! You deserve it after hitting the books all semester long! What will you accomplish Spring break 2013? 

Lance Armstrong's Doping Incident

Lance Armstrong’s doping incident has been a hot topic shared throughout the world. The two blogs I analyzed focused on the concept of doping based on the USADA's view. The blogs I analyzed depicted Armstong's doping in a positive manner including, Details of Doping Scheme Paint Armstrong as Leader, which used terms such as "successful", and in Lance Armstrong was the Very Best (at doping) Says USADA viewed doping as "improved stamina". 

The first blog by Juliet Macur, included the pathos appeal in her blog by stating,

"The reinfused blood would boost the riders' oxygen-carrying capacity and improve stamina during the second of a Armstrongs seven Tour wins."  

 The second blog by Josh Voorhees demonstrated the use of pathos in the same manner as the first blog.The USADA states, 

“The evidence shows beyond any doubt that the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen". 

The pathos technique was applied in each blog to create an emotional tie when addressing the doping situation. By attaching positive characteristics to the doping incident, readers are able to view doping in positive way.

What is your view about Lance Armstrong's doping incident? Are you persuaded that there is a positive aspect about doping? 

Culture as a Melody!

The Art of Music

Music is a worldwide experience that is included in almost every culture. Despite music's universality, people view and interpret music based on their cultural background. Music has several defining elements, which include rhythm, pitch, melody, dynamics, tempo, vibrations, notation, and instruments. Music includes many symbolic aspects unrelated to that of sound. For instance, music can be linked to the feelings we express. Emotions can be expressed through the different genres of music we listen to. If you and your boyfriend/girlfriend had just broken up you might listen to gloomy music, or find comfort in listening to songs that remind you of them.

Music plays a very important role in the rituals and traditions of cultures all around the globe. The feature that makes music so beautiful, is the unity it brings throughout many diverse cultures.

In Iran, music is integrated into the Ashurayi religion through a series of specific rituals. The style of music incorporated into their practices is described as Lamentation.

“Lamentation music is either polyrhythmic melodies followed by symbolic rituals such as chain beating, breast beating, and hand clapping. In the Iranian ritual and religious music wind and drum instruments are continued to be used.”

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum we can view music’s involvement in the lives of deaf individuals. Believe it of not, but just like you and I, deaf individuals are able to enjoy music as well! From the famous composer Beethoven, composing his ninth symphony with impaired hearing, to your average deaf teenager you see at the supermarket.

The article titled "Beyond Vibrations: The Deaf Experience In Music", discusses the impact music has on the deaf community. Powerful emotions are generated through the experience of music in their culture.

“With in the deaf and hard of hearing world, there are people not only creating music, but people who love and make music a part of their lives.”

“A hearing person tends to process music differently than someone who is deaf. We can rely only on our sense of sound to give us a large part of what a particular song has to offer, but the one aspect of music that doesn't need to be heard is the part that can trigger emotions and feelings.”

Now take a moment to reflect music’s impact in your life. What aspects of your life would change if music cease to exist? Have you ever experienced an emotional connection to music in a culture other than your own?

Cultural insight

Culture, Culture, Culture!

When I think about the word culture I associate it with the term knowledge. Culture is the sea of subjective thoughts, feelings, and beliefsthat unfold to create a unifying way of life. Culture helps us understand whycertain groups of people live a certain way. Culture includes anywhere from howwe dress, the language spoken, types of foods eaten, and even ourreligious beliefs. The bond between beliefs, behavior, and knowledge is thefoundation of what culture is all about. I most identify with Mathew Arnold in "Culture and Anarchy". 

"culture...natural and prosper in an intelligent being, appears to be theground of it."

To be cultured today means, to be open minded, and aware ofyour surroundings. By allowing yourself to become cultured, you are acceptingthe unfamiliar. I believe culture and knowledge are directly related;therefore more you expose yourself to different cultures, the more knowledgeyou gain.

So why not put yourself out there and gain a little knowledgeabout culture? Learning about other societies than your own can deeplybenefit you. For instance, expanding your knowledge will allow you togain multiple perspectives on life, which in turn will teach you to value theway others live.