English Composition has help me in so many ways. I have become a much better writter, even though I still have a lot to learn. I enjoyed this class because it wasnt so serious and I didnt feel preasured. I felt as though I could relax and feel comfortable with learning. I enjoyed getting to know some of my classmates and interacting with eachother. I also liked taking time to learn and edit our papers, revising what was wrong.

SNOW

I decided to write about snow, since it has come to visit us today. I don’t particularly like snow. I will say that it is pretty. The beautiful crisp white color and soft touch as it hits your face is a joy that one can only experience in certain areas of the world. It’s a gift from nature that helps our environment and helps the world go round. I can also argue the opposing side of snow it makes everything wet and more difficult to be outside. Snow also makes driving conditions worse and can impair many traveling conditions. The worst is when the snow starts to melt. It all become mush mixed with dirt and makes a messy environment. In the winter I try to focus on the beauty of snow and not the negatives of it. Hopefully I can keep the same mind set as this winter approaches.

In the Most Dangerous Game I saw some objects recur. The gun reappears all throughout the story from the beginning to the end, also the dog recur a lot throughout the story. I also think Ivan has a significant part, as he obviously means something to Zaroff, so I do believe there is a meaning behind him. As we discussed in class darkness play a major role in the story. It is everywhere, in the beginning on the boat, in the description of Zaroff and many events happened in the dark.

I enjoyed reading Goodman Brown. It was a more difficult read for me and I had to really analyze what was happening. I found the ending very interesting, leaving it with a question of did it happen or was it just a dream. I also liked how the writer incorporates His wife Faith with his actual Faith. I found it very deep and interesting. I think it focused on actual temptations people find themselves in today with their faith. It is something that is easy to abandon and I think many others can relate to this.

I enjoyed reading Goodman Brown. It was a more difficult read for me and I had to really analyze what was happening. I found the ending very interesting, leaving it with a question of did it happen or was it just a dream. I also liked how the writer incorporates His wife Faith with his actual Faith. I found it very deep and interesting. I think it focused on actual temptations people find themselves in today with their faith. It is something that is easy to abandon and I think many others can relate to this.

I enjoyed reading A Rose for Emily. There were many aspects of the story I found very interesting as we discussed them in class. I would have never thought of the “negro man” in having a part of the murder until I further analyzed the story. He also could have played a part in Ms. Emily’s death too. I enjoyed that the story was told from the town’s point of view. It was as though you were looking across the street into her window as they did, and you felt the side of the story through their eyes. Overall it was an enjoyable read. The creepiness of the story kept my interest and I wanted to know what would happen next.

The Most Dangerous Game

I found this story very interesting. It captured my attention right when I read the title because I knew I had read it before. Reading it a second time I saw that I understood it better and enjoyed the story. I liked comparing the two characters. The similarities and differences were interesting to put into focus. Rainsford and Zaroff were both smart, intelligent hunters but did not agree on the topic of killing humans, but in the end Rainsford ends up killing Zaroff. This could also be argued as a similarity between the two characters.

Ichabod Crane was an unusual man. I couldn’t help but notice the way he looked at me in class. I thought it was odd at first but grew to accept it. The way he looked and read those books he seemed so fascinated in somewhat intrigued me, but I could not ignore my love for Brom Bones. He was the one person I had my eye on and I did not want anything to get in the way of that. I guess since Ichabod disappeared, I do not have to worry about this matter anymore and can move on with my life.

Always,

Katrina Van Tassle

Watching Buffy in class on Thursday I found myself more intrigued than I thought I would. The different characters were funny to watch as they portrayed different stereotypes such as the wimpy guy, mean girl, and bully. I enjoyed watching them develop into the opposite of who they were through their costumes. I also found it interesting that this show was viewed in the 90’s and vampire was the theme, as for today it is one of the biggest themes in television and movies.

favorite book

I don’t know if this is supposed to be an academic related book, but I would have to say my favorite book has been the twilight series, such a shocker I know. In high school it was the first book that I found myself CHOOSING to read over doing school work and other activities. I could not put it down! I read all four throughout my junior year. I wanted to pace myself because I knew I wouldn’t want to read any other book once I was done with the series. It captured me because it was a romantic book but with a twist. Growing up I always loved mysteries and twilight kept me guessing and in constant suspense.

I have decided to write how college has changed me. When I first came to college I was not expecting to miss home or my parents and family; but coming to vermillion, South Dakota from Omaha, Nebraska was a big change. In the beginning I always wanted to go home or just anywhere that was a city for that matter so I could shop. I missed my family and my clean bathroom and my comfortable bed I slept in for the past seven years. When I go home I feel as though I am entering a palace. College made me realize what I had and what I was ungrateful for. I grew up wanting to leave Omaha and move on to bigger better things, I now find myself yearning to return to that wonderful city I call home. I have always been mature for my age because I had three much older siblings, but I can tell I have grown up even more after entering college. I now love living on my own and being responsible for own life and not having my parents take care of me.  College has impacted my life in a very positive way.

Aspartame has made its way into most American foods. It is labeled as a positive healthy sugar supplement but has more to it than what meets the eye. After many research studies it has been found to have many negative effects on the human body. These negative effects are anywhere from effecting the human brain, to causing disease and health conditions, to promoting weight gain.  One way I could establish credibility in my paper is presenting the results of research studies having to do with aspartame. I could gain emotional appeal by presenting information about health issues, and logic by presenting steps to prevent this type of harm.

Topics

 My first topic is NutraSweet. It is found in many foods and drinks in today’s society and has been the blame for some new arising health issues. Three research questions that I would choose to ask would be how does it harm your health? Does it cause disease, and if so, how? And can it result in weight loss or gain?

My second topic is crooked politics. It always interests me when I hear speculations of crooked politics, and even if it is not stated in the media I believe they exist. Some questions are how much do they impact our society? How often do they go unnoticed? And how do American citizens feed to this problem?

Lastly I would like to research psychological methods. How psychologist deal with their patients and the methods they use. Does the methods psychologists use actually help their patients or harm them in the end? And do most psychologist prefer writing prescriptions or actually siting down and trying to overcome their patients issues?

Tuesday Class

I enjoyed our class on Tuesday! I liked how the activity made me write down exactly what came to my mind. It made me look at topics that I felt most passionate about and could find interest in. I still do not know what my topic is going to be but hopefully I won’t have to hard of a time deciding. I also enjoyed the lesson on semi colons and colons, even though I still have some learning to do. My quiz I took on comp lab was not what it looks like; I misread the instructions so I did learn something from the lesson even though it looks otherwise.

English composition has been a good class for me, as a student who struggles with writing and English it has taught me many different things within the subject. I have learned about grammar, sentence structure, and most of all writing. Like anything else, better writing comes along with practice.  I appreciate this class because it gives me the practice I need to improve my writing.

            This class has also helped me feel more comfortable with my writing; it is structured in a very positive way which helps me learn more easily. It is also more comfortable to ask questions, and they are always answered to where I understand the information better.  I thoroughly enjoy this class and am excited to improve my writing skills and knowledge.

Literacy Narrative

      The peer editing and conference really helped me to understand and correct my paper better. Having others read your paper is a good way to catch errors you yourself do not. There were little changes such as capitalization and spelling that I had to fix. My biggest errors were in commas and semi colons. After changing these I felt as though the paper was easier to read and had a better flow.

      Another part of my essay I changed was I expanded on some of my meanings and sentences. When writing I tend to forget that others do not know everything I do or that they are viewing it from a different perspective. Adding more meaning and understanding to certain sentences will help the reader comprehend and relate to the topic better.

I think I am going to write about illegal immigration in my next paper. I feel that I will be able to find information and support my opinion well. I also believe that it is an important topic in the United States and would be interesting to address. Illegal immigration effects all citizens of America and the problem should be addressed when needed.

The Daily Show

Jon Stewart is a funny and well known guy. During his news cast he covered the topic of republicans and their "changes". Jon grabbed his viewers’ attention by backing up his points with research and facts. He showed the viewer’s actual film of the point he was trying to make. As Jon pointed out how republicans state the changes they are going to make but is really the same exact objectives they have always stated, he showed direct footage of republican parties from both former years and present years. During these film comparisons the representatives from the Republican Party stated the exact same things, sometimes word for word. The footage was from the year 1998 to the present year 2010. Jon showed the point of republicans saying they are going to do something and never actually changing.

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Immigration - Times Topics - The New York Times.mht

Immigration is a sensitive subject for most people in the United States, whether it’s about taxes, jobs, or equality. I believe our government needs to be more serious about this matter. Illegal immigrants have come into this country taking over our job and increasing our taxes. Illegal immigrants live in our country and don’t pay taxes, in result it leaves the citizens of the U.S. to pay their taxes for them. Also respect is a key issue. There has been many who have respected the country, but many who have not. Such as the burning of the American flag that happened in California by Latinos on the holiday cinco de mayo. I believe if you are an illegal immigrant to the United States or any other country you should respect it.

Working as a certified nursing assistant has changed my life in many ways. It has sculpted me into a better person and taught me the patients to succeed in the health field. I have worked in the Alzheimer’s unit for two years and have encountered many interesting situations. I have chased down residents who have become physical, escaped or were just walking down the hall without their walkers. The residents I work with will forget the year, who they are, or even where they are from. Working with people who have lost their memory has made me extremely grateful for mine. People take for granted the control they have over their bodies and it’s not until they witness it, that they truly understand how valuable it is.

In the first grade I met my first true friend. It was the first time i could call someone my best friend, the person I could spend all of my time with. When I made this new friend I would have never thought I would be making a lifelong friendship. Claire taught me a lot of things and still does. I learned how to be a good friend and be there for someone when they need you. Claire lost her dad in a fire the first year I met her. It made me have a different perspective on life. I was only seven years old trying to grasp the concept of why another girl had to live without her father. That’s when I learned life was not fair and bad things can happen in life.




Entering high school I knew I needed to find the one thing I wanted to be involved in. I was not a big sports player and living in a town that focused on sports I needed to find my niche. I tried out for the cheerleading squad at the end of my eighth grade year and made the varsity cheer squad as a freshman. I instantly connected with the squad and they became my best friends. Spending every Friday and Saturday night together made us close on a level others could not understand. I still look back on cheerleading and see all the lessons I learned and how it sculpted me into the girl I am today.



At the end of my sophomore year I decided I wanted to have a career in the health field. Since I thought I was mature and all I signed up to take a certified nursing class through Methodist hospital in Omaha. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and within eight weeks was officially a Certified Nursing assistant. I then received my first job as a CNA in an assisted living called Silver Ridge. I was placed to work in the memory unit, with patients who were diagnosed Alzheimer’s and dementia. Working there I found myself learning every day from the residents around me. I learned to understand different personalities and discovered patients I didn’t know I had.

what makes me, me

My family defines me. They are the inspiration and drive behind everything that I have become today. Growing up in a family of six I was taught family was the most important thing and they should always come first. I now value this because they have become the most important and influential people in my life.


My parents pushed me to do my best in every aspect of my life. They taught me to never give up and to try my hardest to get where I want to go. I learned to care and love everyone for who they are and to never judge them. Looking up to the wonderful role models my parents are has helped me see who I want to be as I continue to grow and mature.

My siblings are my laughter, my strength, and my role models. As the youngest of four I learn from them every day. Whether it’s learning a life lesson they had to learn or a fact one of them has read in the newspaper. I look at how successful each sibling has become and know, that one day that will be me. I love my family members each in their own way and know that they are the result of who I am today.