ISFP

Before class on Monday January 25, I was not aware of the Myers-Briggs questionnaire. The Myers-Briggs is like a personality test with an outcome of sixteen different personality types. This test is based on four pairs of interactive factors: Extravert/Introvert, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, Judgment/Perception. After the presentation by Brandon and Desiree, and taking the Insight Game, I now am aware that I am an ISFP. ISFP’s are quiet, practical, sensitive, and spontaneous. I feel that the description of an ISFP fits my personality perfectly. I am a very shy and retiring person. In class before taking the Insight Game I noticed myself being drawn to all these sides, and after taking the Insight Game, sure enough I am ISFP. Though the Insight Game is not the same as the full-length Myers-Briggs questionnaire, I believe results are very similar. The game allows you to flip through cards, and for you to pick the best one that represents your styles, and ideas. I feel a lot more aware of how different everyone is. No two people are the same. We are all like puzzle pieces unique in our different ways, yet compatible with each other, and when we all come together, is when we can create a beautiful masterpiece!

UNITY WEEK

With this being a week of Unity here at Ball State University, The Multicultural Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity sponsored a couple organizations. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr, there was a presentation held in Pruis Hall at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Joseph Lowery presents "Civil Rights: Now and Then". Rev. Joseph Lowery is a legendary leader of the American civil rights movement as co-founder, with Martin Luther King Jr., of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

I had chosen this activity to attend because I enjoy listening to talented speakers, I find them very interesting and that you always learn something new.

We were all treated to a small gift, as we walked into Pruis Hall on January 19, they were passing out water bottles at the door that said “Culture Shock. Unity Week 2010”. As I walked into the large lecture hall I was surprises to see all the people that where there. We were welcomed by an opening choir of about 28 members known as the Voices of Triumph, who sang loud and proud. We were informed that tonight occurs on the eve of the one-year anniversary of his rousing benediction to close the inauguration ceremonies for President Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American chief executive.

After a couple opening speakers Joseph Lowery finally took the stage. He was an older man, 88 years of age, and you could tell he was full of love. As he spoke he kept the interest of the crowd, and had us all laughing. Joseph Lowery is a very gifted man, who has many achievements. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) with its lifetime achievement award, which hailed him as the "dean of the civil rights movement." He has been at the heart of the civil rights movement for more than half a century. In addition to his civil rights work, Lowery was a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 45 years. Lowery continues to press for social justice on many fronts. He has made a difference in our world, and it was an honor to listen to him talk.

back into the SWING of things.

After a long, relaxing, much needed break, we are all back at school, and ready for the new spring semester. It is never easy jumping right back on schedule after such a lengthy break. It takes a little time to get back into the swing of things, and back to our routines. Not only is this a new semester, but this is also a start to a brand new year. Starting with a new slate is a perfect time for new years resolutions, and goals.

My goal for last semester was to better my writing skills, which I have seen such a difference from my first blogs, and papers to my more recent ones. This semester I plan to really focus on what comes after I am done writing my papers. Focus on really rethinking and revising my work. To really look into my paper, take it apart and see what needs to be altered to make it better. Looking back on peer feedbacks helps when thinking about how to reconsidering your ideas to make alterations to have a meaningful paper!

Have Come Along Way..

Fifteen weeks of school have flown by, and the end of the semester is approaching. I reflect back on my first blog about my course goals and how my writing has changed this semester. Also, what goals I have achieved and what goals I want to set for the new semester in the Spring.

My writing has changed since coming to college, because of this class. During this class we did a lot of writing. We worked on four major writing projects with revisions, and we have blog every week of school. We have learned different ways and techniques to write papers. Also by reading and using a rubric to grade other peers papers we are helping ourselves become better writers.

Reflecting on my goals from the first semester of English 101 which was to enhance my writing skills, and to become more confident in my writing. I believe as something I worked very hard for, my knowledge in writing has grown and I am more confident in my writing. For the next semester to come, I still plan on strengthening my writing skills. I plan on finding more creative ways of writing, and figuring out what I can do to make my papers better. I will work hard and effectively to attain my goals. I believe nothing is impossible and if your mind is set then the sky is the limit!

UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

Do we really see the world differently than older or younger generations do? On Wednesday November 18, 2009 at 7pm in Student Center, we discussed this question. The Excellence in Leadership Program, The Career Center, and Freshman Connections put together a session on Understanding Generational Differences to explore these very issues. The objectives of the evening were to be introduced to the four generations and to compare and contrast each generation. As an icebreaker we were all given an Intergenerational Dialogue, this was a sheet of paper that had 18 different small pictures on them. These pictures consisted of various famous people and objects throughout time. It was our job to look at them and decipher who and what they are. Some of these pictures were quit difficult because they were from a different generation then what we were familiar with. Some of these pictures included; Pong, World of War crafts, I love Lucy, South Park, and Twilight. After this exercise Mitch explained to us about the four generations which include; The Veterans (1922-1945), The Baby Boomers 91946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), and The Millennials (1981-2000). We then discussed and debated how each is different and how they change throughout the years. With there being a large amount of Boomers and Millennals in the room is was fun, and interesting to watch the debate of how the two different generations view life. One topic debated was how Boomers would prefer to call, and Millennas feel more comfortable texting.
I was very pleased I was able to attend this event. I now better understand the shared and diverging views and values, of each generations.

Critical Reading

During our previous class, we looked at a student example found in BallPoint. This type of work we looked at is considered "critical thinking," which is a skills we are learning and developing in class. When we participate in reading we are actively engaging ourselves with what we are reading. As a critical reader, I enjoyed this paper written by Pamela Gardner. It has great meaning behind her mission trip to Brazil. The paper goes into great detail about what she learns, and how this experience has changed her life. She tells us how she found who she is by traveling outside the United States, and truly making a difference in this world. After reading such a moving paper it makes you want to go and participate, and give back to the world. Besides having good content the paper itself was very good. According to the NWP Holistic Scoring Rubric that we discussed and learned in class, I would have to grade this paper with a six. We have worked with this rubric in class and have peer graded our own classmates using the scoring. This paper from start to finish consistently focuses on the purpose. Grammatically the paper is well written having very minor flaws. The sentences are sophisticated in rhythm and flow.

Sean Lovelace

On November 11 at 7:30pm Sean Lovelace was reading from his new chapbook, How Some People Like Their Eggs.. When I heard about this I thought it would be intreasting to attend because I did not get to attend when Ishmael Beah came to Ball State. But the first question I asked myself is, "who is Sean Lovelace?". After doing a little research I fought out, Sean Lovelace is an English professor at Ball State University. His publications include Tartts: Incisive Fiction from Emerging Writers, Grass: A Fiction Chapbook, and stories and essays in various literary journals, including New Orleans Review, Crazyhorse, Black Warrior Review, and Sycamore Review. His latest book is How Some People Like Their Eggs, and was the winner of the Third Annual Rose Metal Press Short Short Chapbook Contest. Not only is Sean a talented writer but also a great runner, and always seems to be pushing himself to go that extra mile.
Right before entering room 125 on Wednesday evening there was a table of refreshments, which included punch, Starbucks coffee, and cookies. As I walked in I noticed it was a full house but lucky I was able to find a seat near the back. Jill Christman is the director of creative writing, and told us about the upcoming reading/writing competition. Next she tells us how she first met Sean Lovelace, and gives a warm welcome as Sean walks up to the podium. I stopped to look around the room, there was a camera man, and two photographer. As Sean reads from his book he had everyone at the edge of our seat, we all felt as if we were a part of the story. All of his story's were every funny and had us all laughing. He is a very talented person, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to him read parts of his masterpiece.