Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
To Whom It May Concern
Dear Reader,
My name is Ashley Messina. This is my first quarter here at EvCC. I come from a little town called Granite Falls. I am the first person in my family who has attended college. I don't know what I want to be yet. But I know that I want to help children someday. As a writer I hope to be able to continue to develop my talent. Maybe even one day not be as shy about my poetry. This quater I have learned many different things. Many of them to many to list.
My favorite exercise was learning to eliminate 2nd person. Although I complained about studing it I liked the challenge. Because I learned how much I talk in second person as I write. My least favortie exercise was learning about thesises and learning how to write a thesis statement. I most struggled with not wanting to explain my thoughts to the reader. Because naturally the writer thinks that the reader is supposed to know what they are talking about.
I am so glad that I am able to be able to be in college and the people I have met. I have to keep thinking that I will be meeting more great people and learning more great things when I get dicouraged.
Enjoy reading my pieces of writing!!
Sincerely,
Ashley Messina
My name is Ashley Messina. This is my first quarter here at EvCC. I come from a little town called Granite Falls. I am the first person in my family who has attended college. I don't know what I want to be yet. But I know that I want to help children someday. As a writer I hope to be able to continue to develop my talent. Maybe even one day not be as shy about my poetry. This quater I have learned many different things. Many of them to many to list.
My favorite exercise was learning to eliminate 2nd person. Although I complained about studing it I liked the challenge. Because I learned how much I talk in second person as I write. My least favortie exercise was learning about thesises and learning how to write a thesis statement. I most struggled with not wanting to explain my thoughts to the reader. Because naturally the writer thinks that the reader is supposed to know what they are talking about.
I am so glad that I am able to be able to be in college and the people I have met. I have to keep thinking that I will be meeting more great people and learning more great things when I get dicouraged.
Enjoy reading my pieces of writing!!
Sincerely,
Ashley Messina
Introduction to MWA Piece
The piece I chose is called Mixed Nuts. It was the 2nd major writing assignment of this quarter. I chose the piece Mixed Nuts because the piece grew to it's excellence because of drafting I had to do. I have never been one to draft and revise my writings. But I had a real passion for this piece and I wanted it to be the best that it could be. Mixed Nut came from and idea for the love of my "extanded" family, the Kahlers. We are lixe a bowl of mixed nuts when we are together. This piece is dedicated to them!
Mixed Nuts: MWA Piece
The word family means different things to different people. What is the being defined as the defined as family has changed as time has moved on. At times people question what is family. The meaning of family from one person to another is a debatable subject. Because there may never be a right or true meaning as to what is the "right" or "true" meaning.
The word family is like the word nuts, such as Almonds, Cashews, and Macadamia Nuts and so on. If we were almonds would we only call other almonds family. But in a way can't we call cashews and macadamia nuts our family too? Because families change from day to day. We all change and that changes our family too... Typically in the past family has meant those who is related to one's self by blood or by marriage. The definition was limited to people such as mother, father, brother, sister, and so on, thus making them the almonds. Sometimes this form of the word family whom cared for some one who was not necessarily related them, like the cashews and macadamia nuts.
Now in present times most anyone can constitute as family. There are some people who do not refer to their "real" relatives as family. The new meaning covers anyone that person could care about and vice versa. Such as a teacher, friend, coach,youth group and so on, the list is endless.
A family member that could fall under the category of Almond would be a person who a person shares DNA. Such as mom, dad, sister, brother, etc. Sometimes this person may not be as close as one might hope. These circumstances will arise because they may have relatives that live out of state or even out of country. But they can be there for someone as times permits.
Tina Messina, a mother of one is considered to be one of the best mom's ever. Her daughter loves that she is always there even though she doesn't always appreciate it lie she should. She is there to encourage her daughter to be all that she could ever dream of. Even though her daughter is now nineteen she is still looking out for her as if she was only nine without being overbearing. She consoles her daughter when she is sad or makes mistakes. She almost never says "Well, I told you so", but says "Well you can try again next time. The perfect example of an Almond family member.
A "family member" that could fall under the the category of Cashew is some one that one person cannot live without speaking or seeing them at least three times a week. Or maybe some one who is there for another person no matter what. Other people may call this a "best friend." But just the same they are somewhat family.
Tina Kahler, a friend once said, "Friends are the family that you pick. Friends are family that are there for you no matter what. Because there are circumstances where you can't see your "real" family and you have to make do with the good friends that you have." The reason why she said this is because she is from North Carolina and she can't always pick up and go see the relatives she wants too. So when she gets home sick she calls one of her closest friends that is in the same boat. This really helps her with the separation anxiety. This is the perfect example of a Cashew family member.
A " family member" that could fall under the category of Macadamia Nut is someone who is just a good friend that is there for a person but not necessarily your best friend. Such as a person who sits by you in class or some one that you work with or a fellow youth group member. These people are there for you but not like an Almond or Cashew might be. Thus introducing the Macadamia Nut.
Jackson Bennett, a former youth pastor at the Father's House Foursquare Church taught his youth group students that we are all children of God. So from then on the youth group referred to each other as "brother" or "sister" not as friends. This is a way that he called, "Getting rid of your "COOL" card." This eliminated the the politics of having cliques as we did in school. We put our differences aside and we were all friends. Also to show us that we all shared the same love for God and we looked different on the outside but our hearts were the same one the outside. This is the perfect example of a Macadamia Nut family member.
Mixed Nuts is a way to describe the way that the word has evolved from that of the past. Because the "real" family member is not always close and a person will have to make do without them. So whether or not a person considers the philosophy that "Family is like mixed nuts" is up to them.
The word family is like the word nuts, such as Almonds, Cashews, and Macadamia Nuts and so on. If we were almonds would we only call other almonds family. But in a way can't we call cashews and macadamia nuts our family too? Because families change from day to day. We all change and that changes our family too... Typically in the past family has meant those who is related to one's self by blood or by marriage. The definition was limited to people such as mother, father, brother, sister, and so on, thus making them the almonds. Sometimes this form of the word family whom cared for some one who was not necessarily related them, like the cashews and macadamia nuts.
Now in present times most anyone can constitute as family. There are some people who do not refer to their "real" relatives as family. The new meaning covers anyone that person could care about and vice versa. Such as a teacher, friend, coach,youth group and so on, the list is endless.
A family member that could fall under the category of Almond would be a person who a person shares DNA. Such as mom, dad, sister, brother, etc. Sometimes this person may not be as close as one might hope. These circumstances will arise because they may have relatives that live out of state or even out of country. But they can be there for someone as times permits.
Tina Messina, a mother of one is considered to be one of the best mom's ever. Her daughter loves that she is always there even though she doesn't always appreciate it lie she should. She is there to encourage her daughter to be all that she could ever dream of. Even though her daughter is now nineteen she is still looking out for her as if she was only nine without being overbearing. She consoles her daughter when she is sad or makes mistakes. She almost never says "Well, I told you so", but says "Well you can try again next time. The perfect example of an Almond family member.
A "family member" that could fall under the the category of Cashew is some one that one person cannot live without speaking or seeing them at least three times a week. Or maybe some one who is there for another person no matter what. Other people may call this a "best friend." But just the same they are somewhat family.
Tina Kahler, a friend once said, "Friends are the family that you pick. Friends are family that are there for you no matter what. Because there are circumstances where you can't see your "real" family and you have to make do with the good friends that you have." The reason why she said this is because she is from North Carolina and she can't always pick up and go see the relatives she wants too. So when she gets home sick she calls one of her closest friends that is in the same boat. This really helps her with the separation anxiety. This is the perfect example of a Cashew family member.
A " family member" that could fall under the category of Macadamia Nut is someone who is just a good friend that is there for a person but not necessarily your best friend. Such as a person who sits by you in class or some one that you work with or a fellow youth group member. These people are there for you but not like an Almond or Cashew might be. Thus introducing the Macadamia Nut.
Jackson Bennett, a former youth pastor at the Father's House Foursquare Church taught his youth group students that we are all children of God. So from then on the youth group referred to each other as "brother" or "sister" not as friends. This is a way that he called, "Getting rid of your "COOL" card." This eliminated the the politics of having cliques as we did in school. We put our differences aside and we were all friends. Also to show us that we all shared the same love for God and we looked different on the outside but our hearts were the same one the outside. This is the perfect example of a Macadamia Nut family member.
Mixed Nuts is a way to describe the way that the word has evolved from that of the past. Because the "real" family member is not always close and a person will have to make do without them. So whether or not a person considers the philosophy that "Family is like mixed nuts" is up to them.
Introduction To The Effective Sentence Piece
The next piece I chose is called Reading Between The Lines. It was Blog #5. I chose this piece because I really had a lot to say about this subject. It was kind of a venting entry for me. I lossed my friend Darryl to Stage 4 Brain Cancer. He was a very extraordinary man. He inspired everyone he ever met. I improved on self expression and not be afraid of it. I often think that I write to much or I write to little. Please read this piece with care and see if you can get any inspiration out of it. Because sometimes you just have to read between the lines.
Reading Between The Lines: An Effective Sentence Piece
I recently attended the furneral of a friend that had passed away due to Stage 4 brain cancer. I had only known this friend for about six months. He left behind his daughter of about the age of seven. I've always wondered why bad things happen to good people. It was at the funeral that everything that I had learend in my faith was starting to make sence. We are sent on this earth to do a special job and once we do that job God will take us back to heaven the spend the rest of our soul's life in harmony. Even if it means taking your life at the most inconveient time for others. This friend was only 42 years old and he had a daughter that was his life. He had also just asked the love of his life to marry him months before his diagnosis. God wants you to keep the faith in him and understand that things happen for a reason and it is not meant to hurt us but make us stronger. Darryl was an extraordinary man that gave more of himself than anyone can repay. He used to laugh for no reason. He cared for his daughter, Sami. He received Sami at just the right time to give him something to live for. He was the most truthful man anyon could ever know. His last wish was that all of his family and friends had faith in God or we needed to go find it. I don't mean to make is seem that all I thought about is myself but at Darryl's funeral I was spoken to that I myself needed to renew my faith in the Lord and love him with all of my being. We shouldn't even think that or life will never get better because it will. The minister at the funeral said "Life is like a a relay race and you are here to do the plan that God has set out for you and when you dying it is your chance to pass the baton to another person and once you pass it securely you pass away." I think that that is the most blunt way you can put life. So in the end we should live each and everyday like we were dying tomorrow. Thank You Darryl for gracing my life when you did because my life would not be the same if we had met.. You are a true inspiration to me to what kind of person God wants you to be.R.I.P Darryl A. Smith 1964-2007.
Inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it.-Lisa Alther
Inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it.-Lisa Alther
Introduction to The Critcial Analysis Piece
The next piece I chose was our 3rd major writing assignment. The essay was an arumentative essay. It was origninally called WASL... A Dram Crusher. I chose this piece because I beleive that I presented my argument effectivly. I have a a very high regard for the beleif that the WASL being a state wide graduation requirement is wrong. I beleive that it is a good critical analysis piece because I broke down the effects that the test has on its test takers. There is a prediction that there will be an 80% leap of graduation rates in the state, but how is this going to happen when there is a 70% failure rate of the WASL already? This piece is a dramaticly valid argumenative piece.
We're People!! Not Numbers!! An Analysis of the WASL
The new statewide graduation requirement of passing the WASL is a dream crusher for it’s test takers. Thus saying that a student is unable to receive a high school diploma that they have otherwise worked hard for. As Christine Gregiore took her office as the governor she implemented the graduating class of 2008 will have to pass the WASL to graduate. This requirement is on top of the already hectic graduation requirements. This requirement is informing the students that if they are unable to pass that they are not smart enough to graduate. But this requirement does not require home school and private school students. If they are not required to pass the WASL than public schools shouldn’t either.
Although the WASL calls for a certain type of math skills, science skills, writing skills and reading skills the test is a lost cause. Because even what the students are being taught is not compliant to the test so it sets the test takers up for failure. Most public schools changed their curriculum to mirror the WASL but those curriculums take away what students are supposed to know for the “real world.” Like basic math concepts such as balancing a checkbook, understanding interest rates, the basic concepts of algebra, fractions, and converting measurements. In the 10th grade WASL math section the test calls for the minimum comprehension of an 8th grader but in the questions it calls for college algebra. Also many science classrooms have lab equipment that is going to waste because in order to pass the WASL. There for many teachers are forced to teach irrelevant materiel to their courses.
The WASL is supposed to be a skills test but for whom, the teachers who are forced to teach it or the students who are forced to learn it? Some sources say that it is for the teachers and others say it is for the students. It is all a matter of opinion on who it is for. In 2004 President Bush passed a bill named the “No Child Left Behind” that requires that under no education circumstances is a child to be left behind. The WASL totally is incompliant with the bill. Because even if a student meets the standard graduation requirements of the school a student can have their diploma revoked due to their failure to pass the WASL. Do schools do this for more state funding? Not all but some schools force their students to pass the WASL to gain more state funding.
The WASL is set up to create failure. Can an honor student struggle to attempt to pass the test and their slacker relative pass with flying colors? Cala Millicent, an honor student at Granite Falls High School watched her brother pass all four sections and than she didn’t pass any. In 2004 only 39% of 48,000 students passed all four sections of the WASL. See even honor students can have trouble to pass this so-called test. Minorities have issues with the test too. So far ¾ of the African American and Latino students have failed one or more sections. 70% of the students that live in poverty, constisting of mostly Asians and Whites have had their diplomas revoked due to failing the WASL. The instructions on the test are unclear and when the test taker thinks that they are following directions the test fails them. Such as in the math section a question will ask the test taker to explain their reasoning and answer with words “and/or” pictures. Even though the test states “and/or” the test only wants you to explain with one or the other.
The WASL being a graduation requirement is ludicrous to the fact the state thinks that this is going to raise the graduation rates by using the test that fails most of it’s test takers. Therefore the if the state wants higher graduation than make the WASL graduation requirement obsolete!! This will create a higher graduation rate. Because encouragement will better a better foundation to a school district and it’s state education board. A student should only pass their high school graduation requirements. At Granite Falls High School their basic graduation requirements consist of 22.5 class credits (core classes, fine arts, P.E., and electives), 80 hours of documented community service, and a Senior Culmination Project (work from their high school career and a small project done in their senior year). At Cedarcrest High School the graduation requirements consists of 23 to 21 class credits. The reason why there is two different credit requirements is because the Class of 2008 is required at least 23 credits and the Class of 2009 is required at least 21 credits.
Some Washington State colleges are contemplating to implement the passing of the WASL as a requirement for admission. This is another way the state is telling students that they can’t do what they dream of. So does the state plan to keep our skill level to the same standards that they are now? If colleges implement the test as an admission requirement students will never have to move away to obtain the degree or skills necessary to get a better job. Because most students need to go to college to obtain their dreams. Therefore the WASL needs to become a piece of paper and be done with it.
The WASL crushes the dreams of its test takers and make them think that if they do not pass the test the that their intelligence is not worth it. Therefore the state should stop being ignorant and destroy the WASL and leave the schools alone. The schools should be able to go back to teaching what will be used in everyday life. Intelligence should not be measured by an ill written test. But by what is in the person’s heart and their expertise at what they do. In conclusion,
Dream On and Do Not Let A Test Score Define Who You Are!!!
Although the WASL calls for a certain type of math skills, science skills, writing skills and reading skills the test is a lost cause. Because even what the students are being taught is not compliant to the test so it sets the test takers up for failure. Most public schools changed their curriculum to mirror the WASL but those curriculums take away what students are supposed to know for the “real world.” Like basic math concepts such as balancing a checkbook, understanding interest rates, the basic concepts of algebra, fractions, and converting measurements. In the 10th grade WASL math section the test calls for the minimum comprehension of an 8th grader but in the questions it calls for college algebra. Also many science classrooms have lab equipment that is going to waste because in order to pass the WASL. There for many teachers are forced to teach irrelevant materiel to their courses.
The WASL is supposed to be a skills test but for whom, the teachers who are forced to teach it or the students who are forced to learn it? Some sources say that it is for the teachers and others say it is for the students. It is all a matter of opinion on who it is for. In 2004 President Bush passed a bill named the “No Child Left Behind” that requires that under no education circumstances is a child to be left behind. The WASL totally is incompliant with the bill. Because even if a student meets the standard graduation requirements of the school a student can have their diploma revoked due to their failure to pass the WASL. Do schools do this for more state funding? Not all but some schools force their students to pass the WASL to gain more state funding.
The WASL is set up to create failure. Can an honor student struggle to attempt to pass the test and their slacker relative pass with flying colors? Cala Millicent, an honor student at Granite Falls High School watched her brother pass all four sections and than she didn’t pass any. In 2004 only 39% of 48,000 students passed all four sections of the WASL. See even honor students can have trouble to pass this so-called test. Minorities have issues with the test too. So far ¾ of the African American and Latino students have failed one or more sections. 70% of the students that live in poverty, constisting of mostly Asians and Whites have had their diplomas revoked due to failing the WASL. The instructions on the test are unclear and when the test taker thinks that they are following directions the test fails them. Such as in the math section a question will ask the test taker to explain their reasoning and answer with words “and/or” pictures. Even though the test states “and/or” the test only wants you to explain with one or the other.
The WASL being a graduation requirement is ludicrous to the fact the state thinks that this is going to raise the graduation rates by using the test that fails most of it’s test takers. Therefore the if the state wants higher graduation than make the WASL graduation requirement obsolete!! This will create a higher graduation rate. Because encouragement will better a better foundation to a school district and it’s state education board. A student should only pass their high school graduation requirements. At Granite Falls High School their basic graduation requirements consist of 22.5 class credits (core classes, fine arts, P.E., and electives), 80 hours of documented community service, and a Senior Culmination Project (work from their high school career and a small project done in their senior year). At Cedarcrest High School the graduation requirements consists of 23 to 21 class credits. The reason why there is two different credit requirements is because the Class of 2008 is required at least 23 credits and the Class of 2009 is required at least 21 credits.
Some Washington State colleges are contemplating to implement the passing of the WASL as a requirement for admission. This is another way the state is telling students that they can’t do what they dream of. So does the state plan to keep our skill level to the same standards that they are now? If colleges implement the test as an admission requirement students will never have to move away to obtain the degree or skills necessary to get a better job. Because most students need to go to college to obtain their dreams. Therefore the WASL needs to become a piece of paper and be done with it.
The WASL crushes the dreams of its test takers and make them think that if they do not pass the test the that their intelligence is not worth it. Therefore the state should stop being ignorant and destroy the WASL and leave the schools alone. The schools should be able to go back to teaching what will be used in everyday life. Intelligence should not be measured by an ill written test. But by what is in the person’s heart and their expertise at what they do. In conclusion,
Dream On and Do Not Let A Test Score Define Who You Are!!!
Introduction To Inventory of Being
The last piece I chose is the Inventory of Being. This was our first writing assignment of the quarter. I chose this piece because I liked how we used it as a way to get to know our classmates. This was a good ice breaker in the beginning of the quarter. I improved on my poetry organizational skills. I hope you enjoy reading this piece as much as I enjoyed writing it!! Enjoy!!
I'm Weird.. And You??: An Inventory of Being
I am Ashley Messina.
I am 19 years old.
I am a confident person, but humble soul.
A young lady, but a little girl at heart.
I am no more than 5’ 3”.
I have brown hair with out grown highlights.
I have hazel eyes that are sometimes green or brown.
That have silver rimmed glasses to clear things up.
I wear size 8 shoes but hate to wear them my feet need to be free.
I am a lover, and a fighter, and a “cheese empress”.
California born, but Carolina bred.
I love ice cream and watermelon.
I am the oldest Dinos
But the youngest Messina
I love watching movies, and pumpkin pie, and Chili Mac’
I hope that the war would end and the troops would come home soon.
I believe it is what is on the inside that counts.
I like to collect shoes, and purses, and working at Gold’s Gym.
My best friend’s name is Gail.
I make her laugh and she makes me laugh too.
I don’t understand mean people who have closed minds.
I don’t like batteries and runny noses.
I don’t like driving over bridges over water and heights.
I like doughnuts but don’t buy me Krispy Kremes.
I one day want to meet John Travolta and the next day Ozzy Osbourne and family.
Bette Midler, and Grandma Faye, and my Mom are the women who make my world bright and shiny.
I can’t live without my “Duckie Girl”, and chocolate, and crumb doughnuts, and music, and flannel pajamas, and flip-flops, and sweatshirts.
Nancy Drew, and Curious George, and Little Critter rock my imagination.
I one day wish to be an Oscar Meyer Weinermobile driver, and cure childhood diseases, and to see the world, and see Grease on Broadway.
I am Ashley Messina and this is 2007.
I am 19 years old.
I am a confident person, but humble soul.
A young lady, but a little girl at heart.
I am no more than 5’ 3”.
I have brown hair with out grown highlights.
I have hazel eyes that are sometimes green or brown.
That have silver rimmed glasses to clear things up.
I wear size 8 shoes but hate to wear them my feet need to be free.
I am a lover, and a fighter, and a “cheese empress”.
California born, but Carolina bred.
I love ice cream and watermelon.
I am the oldest Dinos
But the youngest Messina
I love watching movies, and pumpkin pie, and Chili Mac’
I hope that the war would end and the troops would come home soon.
I believe it is what is on the inside that counts.
I like to collect shoes, and purses, and working at Gold’s Gym.
My best friend’s name is Gail.
I make her laugh and she makes me laugh too.
I don’t understand mean people who have closed minds.
I don’t like batteries and runny noses.
I don’t like driving over bridges over water and heights.
I like doughnuts but don’t buy me Krispy Kremes.
I one day want to meet John Travolta and the next day Ozzy Osbourne and family.
Bette Midler, and Grandma Faye, and my Mom are the women who make my world bright and shiny.
I can’t live without my “Duckie Girl”, and chocolate, and crumb doughnuts, and music, and flannel pajamas, and flip-flops, and sweatshirts.
Nancy Drew, and Curious George, and Little Critter rock my imagination.
I one day wish to be an Oscar Meyer Weinermobile driver, and cure childhood diseases, and to see the world, and see Grease on Broadway.
I am Ashley Messina and this is 2007.
Happy Endings
All in all I really enjoyed this class. Eventhough at times I got overwelmed. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know the people I now can call my friends. Shellee you are my saint this quarter. Thank you for always making sure I held my slelf accountable. Vikki for always making me laugh. We really need to get you a drivers license for that chair of yours. Doryce for being the other Granite Falls groupie with me. Because we all have to stick together to make our community better. My peer respanse group, Andrew, Olivia, and My keeping on writing those great reads. Maybe I'll see you on the best seller's list one day!!! Healing thank you for all of your funny stories about the Garlic Festival. Maybe you shoud put some of those stories into a children's book series. Thanks to all of my other classmates for the great quarter I hope to see you around campus in the future!! Farewell to English 98 and Hello to English 101, hopefully:)!
Adios Amigos!!!
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