After All, Life Is a Precious Gift

i found this quote today while going through my high school yearbook - & i feel that it successfully serves as a way of incorporating the feelings associated with the very stressful semester i have had [& thankfully one that is almost over] .. "do not worry about the past, for it is gone - do not worry about the future, for it has not yet come * try to make each & every one of your days as beautiful as they can be"

As My Freshman Year of College Comes To an End - My Journey on Developing As a Writer, Approaches a Brief Intermission...

hello - i feel that the paper that i wrote on the end of this semester: for my english class will successfully serve as a good way to complete my blogs .. until next time, ciao for now *

When I began my English 1000C class entitled “Creative Nonfiction”, I did not know what to expect. I very much hoped that it would be an easy conversion into this new world of learning and writing. As the days and weeks passed, I began to awaken myself to a different side of my writing, one that I had never dealt with before. As classes continued, I realized that my classmates and I were experiencing a genre that was indeed in a category of its own. Keeping in mind that I was primarily an academic writer (due to the fact that of late, I have not had the time to write on my own as I have done in the past), our Blog assignments permitted me to consistently write on a much greater level - one that allowed mass amounts of creativity into the assignments that I was producing. This aspect of my work was now allowing for the true essence of writing - to not only be present, but to easily flow.
This particular class has taught me many valuable lessons. Through this class - I have experienced the benefit of working hard and accomplishing rewarding grades for the time that I have put in. I have also become better-rounded, since I am now more tolerant of positive and negative feedback on my work. I have experienced first hand that just because a paper has some corrections on it - is not an indication that it is not a successful piece of work; but instead like everything in life, to be well aware that there is always room for improvement. I have also learned that not every professor is going to find everything a student (who for the most part - writes well) produces, to be a great piece of work. Although this class was sometimes discouraging; in the end I have become more confident in my writing abilities, since I now know what exactly it is I am capable of. I am very pleased with the fact that I am currently more open to different kinds of artistic writing, as well as how I grew to love the genre of Creative Nonfiction (one that I did not even know existed before this past semester). Learning to incorporate an artistic way into what I have always known writing to be, opened many new doors for me - especially when dealing with our Blogs (which as I have stated in the beginning of the semester, certainly intend to keep and maintain). Our Blogs being part of our grades, as well as all of the other assignments this class has offered - drastically differ from any other class I have been a part of; yet still manage to stand out to me in a very positive way. Simultaneously, as I began my Blog I was unaware that I was also beginning to look past academic writing, and the limitations associated with it. As I read certain works of literature and novels in the past, I was then forced to spit back information regarding what I have read and inferred on the topics assigned.
As I think back to my last semester’s English class - one that regarded “Literature in a Global Context”, it portrays the beauty of the English subject area because of its ability to be diversified. When dealing with the professor that some of my classmates in my Creative Nonfiction course also had, I think back to how the young professor conducted our classes; students reading the works (some of the novels were interesting - however some were horribly boring), having to take notes on what we went over, and then respond with the correct answers in order to show her that we had completed and understood the work. These classes in particular are tolerable; but if given the choice, not ideal for me as a student. I feel as if they are more juvenile, and remind me as if I were back in high school. The English class that I am in now however, truly opened up a new world of writing to us; one in which I do not think I can ever shy away from.
As I have mentioned in a number of personal works I have done this semester (my random Blog incorporated), writing should not entirely be based around academics alone; but aimed more towards being a part of the writer’s soul. This way, each work can and will include the true meaning of what it is to be an educated, inspired, dedicated individual - regardless of what the capabilities or talent one has. Since I had no way of avoiding taking English 1100 so early in my college career (due to the schedules of incoming freshman being made up for us) I now know that it would have been more beneficial to take that class later on. If it were possible and I had an insight on what to expect from each class and why - I definitely would have chose to take English 1000C first, before I took the English class I was enrolled in last semester. Although I received an A- as my final grade for that English course - I feel it would have been much more useful to take it second; since it did not promote creativity, but instead restrictions involved with writing that I was accustomed to.
As I reflect on this past semester more in depth and base my focus on English 1000C; I currently realize the significance of thesis papers that permit freedom of the art, an amazing aspect of writing. To try and categorize myself as a writer, I would have to state that the best of my writing originates from a place deep within me, and as long as I have some slight guidelines - the best pieces of work are produced this way. I believe that successful writing takes time, patience, and courage. In addition, I feel that it is much more significant to write about how one feels regarding a particular topic (one reason is because it promotes individuality), rather than answering questions that do not interest or pertain to that person, just so one can obtain a good grade. On a personal note, my strengths lay in the experiences that I have already overcome and reside deep within my soul. My weaknesses are deeply intertwined with my own procrastination and more importantly, my lack of time management skills. Overall, I believe that this course and even this paper, serve as a great way in seeing how much I have grown as a writer; as well as how much I have learned about myself along the way - strengths and weaknesses included. I strongly believe that every assignment within this class had a lesson within itself; lessons that added up to the success of the students, as well as the course’s content and goals. I am very grateful in having been able to be a part of this class; a class that had a professor that was always so far ahead of the game, without us even knowing the lessons his students would extract from his class alone.

Reflecting On This Past Semester

no more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks - just because i am in college now does not mean that i am not excited for the end of the school year approaching (= .. in my case - the end of this semester could not come fast enough * i can barely sit still anymore when it comes to almost being done with my first year of college .. although it is only one year completed out of many - it is still such an accomplishment .. it is the start of my journey, one that will continue on for the rest of my future years .. since this is the busiest time of the whole semester - i am still very stressed & i seriously have about ten thousand assignments to complete by the end of this week =/ .. i will finish off this term working my butt off, but what else is new? .. even though i am finishing up the right way - i feel relieved in a sense, that school is almost done which means that i can get back on track * without being so tired & stressed out all the time .. i also feel successful, because i know that i did the best that i could - dealing with the situation .. in addition, i feel proud to know that i dealt with all the work & stress that i have had so much of - & i overcame it [by always attending class & being early to my classes] .. what i am trying to say is that: although i had so much to be done & have not had a second to breath or relax - i am proud of myself that i have came this far .. now that i look back on this past semester & all the hours i have put in - i realize that i would not want to go back & do it all over again, but i am glad that i accomplished what i did .. i did not give up - although many times i lost faith in myself * i stayed with my dedication & hard work, & i am quite happy that i did .. for instance, my theology class is close to impossible - all of my friends withdrew from the class * but not me .. i stuck it out - i told myself that i can do it & i did .. & although the professor is such a hard grader & not fair to us, i did it for me * i did it to prove to myself that i can do it .. i came such a long, hard way & like i said, i am very glad that i did .. i am also happy that i am aware of the lessons i have learned so early in my college career - because they will add to my success in the years ahead .. ciao *

Very Much In Need Of A Summer Vacation

hello loves (= - i am more than sure that i am ahead on my blogs, but i miss doing them so i do not care that i will have more than we have to .. it is nice to actually enjoy an aspect of my work, something i am not used to lately lol .. i think on this lovely sunday afternoon - i will make this an update blog .. where should we start? - school has been insane, the busiest & most stressed out i have ever been in my whole life .. to make matters worse - my school laptop blew up on me [nothing i did wrong however, my motherboard crashed so it has been sent out for service resulting in a lot more work for me - redoing things that i have already done .. like i have time for that], i am in a "group project" for my theology class that goes alphabetically - too bad i do not have a group because the whole class withdrew from the class because it is pure torture - therefore, i am in it all by myself [ten minute presentation & all] .. honestly, if i make it out of this semester without having a nervous breakdown - it will be a miracle lol .. on a happier note: my little puppy frankie is now seven months old, & getting cuter & cuter by the day .. problem is, along with this cuteness comes her gaining more & more knowledge of how to be bad - & then how to get away with it, by way of using her cute personality to her advantage .. she really is a handful - i can not wait until it gets nicer out [& actually stays] so i can walk her more outside .. friday was two years ago that my boyfriend & i had our first date - adorable, i know lol * & friday was also eleven months that we have been back together <33 .. this past week was my sister's 22nd birthday, as well as my boyfriend - mike's brothers' 18th birthday - so i have been extra busy shopping, going out to eat, & eating cake lol .. next month is my 19th birthday - & my boyfriend's birthday is ten days before mine .. this will be our 3rd birthdays together - my 17th, 18th, & 19th * & his 18th, 19th, & 20th (= .. right around our birthdays will also be our one year - & then the end of school * which is very exciting .. recently i took my first certification exam for teaching - in order to start my process of getting certified by new york state * the test was very long, but as always - i tried my best .. now i am just keeping my fingers crossed that i passed lol - but as i have said, i can not wait for this semester to be over .. i have been working my butt off & still have so much left to do .. i try so hard & most of the time i feel like i am not getting as far as i want to - i like mostly all of my professors [as people], so i will be sad to not have them anymore: but hopefully in the fall semester my work load will be easier for me to keep up with .. in the midst of everything, i have also been putting in my "service learning hours" of observing classrooms & keeping logs on what i see .. it is hard to run to school early, have long days, & then have to go & be alert enough to observe – but i do the best i can .. if i got paid for every paper i wrote this semester, it seems like i would be a millionaire haha .. but, i want to take one less class than i am in now - because i can not go through another semester like this one anytime soon * so i decided to do a summer course, which will get in the way of my summer but i am sacrificing .. it will be one class for two straight hours - four days a week * i have spoken to many people about this - & so far i am the only freshman i know taking summer courses .. my advisor even said "i admire your dedication" - which was nice to hear .. one bad thing is waking up early - the one time i could sleep in & try to catch up on the sleep i have been missing out on .. since i live far from school - the drive will be annoying * but the good thing is that parking will be a breeze .. although we will move through the material fast [since it is only a five week course] - in the end, i will be gaining three more credits & it is ones that count toward my concentration in early childhood education .. well, i pretty much updated everything that has been happening in my crazy life * & now, it is time to go work on my power point presentation for the group that contains me, myself, & i - joy .. back to school tomorrow - uggh, i hate sunday nights & monday mornings =/ .. ciao *

21 - A Must See Movie

hello (= - this past weekend my boyfriend & i saw the film 21 in the movie theater .. according to some reports: "all George Clooney & Jodie Foster had to do was beat a deck of cards – make that, a surprisingly resilient deck of cards" .. the movie reigned again as the number one movie at the weekend box office * this results in topping Clooney's new film: Leatherheads, & Foster's new one: Nim's Island .. this card counting drama pulled in another $15.1 million – bringing its two week-total to $45.5 million .. talk about a nice amount of money lol - but what was really interesting to me was that 21 is indeed a fact-based story, regarding six M.I.T. students who were trained to become experts in card counting * & subsequently took Vegas casinos for large amounts of money .. the film 21 is about a shy, but brilliant M.I.T. student [Jim Sturgess] who needed to find a way to come up with the money to pay his school tuition - of three hundred thousand dollars in order to be able to go to Harvard Med * a school he always dreamt of attending .. he found the answer through cards - when he recruited to join a group of students that head to Vegas on the weekends, armed with fake identities, & the ability to know how to turn the odds of blackjack in their favor .. along with having a math professor that was a statistics genius leading the way, they cracked many codes .. by counting cards & employing an intricate system of signals – the team mastered the casinos big time * seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, as well as Ben's teammate that he was very much attracted to [Kate Bosworth] – Ben begins to push the limits & take even more chances .. although counting cards is not legal & the stakes are very high – the challenge becomes not only keeping the numbers straight, but staying one step ahead of the casino's menacing enforcer [Laurence Fishburne] whom is very much onto them – especially Jim .. i do not want to give away any endings, but i very much recommend to whoever is reading this: to go see it as soon as possible .. it was a film that kept the audience on the edge of their seats – from the beginning to the very end .. i love movies that catch & keep my attention - & if you do too, then this film is a must see (= .. ciao *

First Comes Crazy In Love - Then Comes Marriage

Beyoncé Knowles & Jay-Z: as many say a match made in musical heaven, tied the knot in New York on friday .. this was three days after people were gossiping about the two taking out a marriage license, as well as hours after what "appeared" to be the signs of lavish [& possibly nuptial] party preparations .. this was said to have compelled dozens of reporters & photographs to gather outside of Jay-Z's Tribeca loft .. a source at the scene told E! News: "yes, it's a wedding" – however, it was unclear whether or not the exchange of vows took place earlier at another location or at the penthouse apartment .. Amy Vongpitaka [owner of Thailand-based Amy's Orchids] confirmed to E! News that she shipped flowers for Beyoncé & Jay-Z's wedding .. she is quoted by saying: "the designer called us a week ago, and we had to move quickly; we used a total of two hundred workers to cut and process one hundred thousand dendrobium white orchids, & then we hand chose the best sixty thousand" .. although there has been no official confirmation from the couple yet, all signs point toward holy secret matrimony * Beyoncé's publicist said he had "no comment" on the matter .. the intimate affair was attended by about two dozen friends & family members; among those present were the parents of the bridge & groom, Knowles' younger sister, former Destiny's Child – Kelly Rowland & Michelle Williams, along with Gwyneth Paltrow .. what i found interesting was that George Clooney happened to be photographed at the scene [in a natty suit], however it turns out that he was taping "Charlie Rose" - his timing was just impeccable haha .. Beyoncé is 26 years old & Jay-Z is 38, whom have been together for six years .. they had a party at his apartment – with hip hop music blasting until well after four in the morning * & even at that time, was said to have no sign of the party slowing down .. earlier in the day: crates of cream-colored orchids & over sized silver candelabras were spotted being delivered to the hip-hop superstar's penthouse * in addition, a white tent was placed on top the building - presumably to keep out raindrops [& perhaps telephoto lenses] .. according to various media reports, the roman numeral IV was also prevalent throughout the party; in honor not only of the wedding month & day [4.4.08] but because the number holds special significance for the couple * each of whom were born on the fourth of the month .. Beyoncé's birthday is the forth of september & the forth of december is Jay-Z's [whose birth name is Shawn Carter] .. In Touch Weekly reports that the duo – whom have matching IV tattoos on their ring fingers, are planning a second ceremony in France on may forth .. unfortunately they can not have a honeymoon yet – due to the fact that the rapper is on the verge of signing a whopping one hundred & fifty million dollar music deal with Live Nation - & thus, has concerts scheduled for the weekend [saturday he has one in North Carolina & sunday one in Washington D.C.] .. well, i was very pleased to hear this news – & besides, they are so cute together lol .. it is nice that we never hear bad things being spoken about the two celebs & that they keep their reputations clean, along with their relationship being classy & quiet .. it is especially nice that they have decided to spend the rest of their lives together * after all, they have been together for quite some time now & they always look very happy together, so good for them (= .. ciao *

A Nice Quote To Live By

"live everyday not thinking 'what if this happens' or 'what if that happens' - because you will start to miss out on what is happening now, & all the good that comes with it .. what is meant to be for sure will find it's way - it is a way of life, so live it with love & happiness .. & for sure, everything will turn out the way you expect it"