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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Inventory of Being
My name is Heather, "Heath" to few.
I am 18 years-old, 19 by the end of the month. People have told me I am mature for my age. I beg to differ.
I often dont act my age, but my heart is where it is supposed to be. I am a very passionate person.
I am 5'8", I have long dark hair, and big brown eyes.
I am a listener to those in need. I am confident in most things, but scared easily.
I love..to love. My passion takes over my being and blinds me from the light. I tend to fall easily.
I am a daughter, a sister, and I am an excited aunt of two new little boys.
I like the wind, I like the rain.
I love a good mess, because a mess can always be solved and cleaned up.
I hope to be as strong as people believe I am.
I am a strong believer that everyone has a big heart and good values. Some just werent given a second chance.
I can never understand when hopes and dreams sometimes wont come true, even when they're needed the most.
I cannot stand big hairy spiders that like to jump and hide in shoes. But I'll always set one free if it's trapped in the bottom of the bath tub.
I am afraid of the dark, because that is where my nightmares choose to hide.
I will never be able to live without my skinny white and orange polka-dot cat.
I chew my pens. I never know what time it is. I love to listen to and observe people.
I am planning on pursuing a career in the psychology field, but likely will fall back into my greatest love, teaching.
I am an attention seeker, but hate to be in the limelight.
My name is Heather Davis, and this is my Inventory of Being
I am 18 years-old, 19 by the end of the month. People have told me I am mature for my age. I beg to differ.
I often dont act my age, but my heart is where it is supposed to be. I am a very passionate person.
I am 5'8", I have long dark hair, and big brown eyes.
I am a listener to those in need. I am confident in most things, but scared easily.
I love..to love. My passion takes over my being and blinds me from the light. I tend to fall easily.
I am a daughter, a sister, and I am an excited aunt of two new little boys.
I like the wind, I like the rain.
I love a good mess, because a mess can always be solved and cleaned up.
I hope to be as strong as people believe I am.
I am a strong believer that everyone has a big heart and good values. Some just werent given a second chance.
I can never understand when hopes and dreams sometimes wont come true, even when they're needed the most.
I cannot stand big hairy spiders that like to jump and hide in shoes. But I'll always set one free if it's trapped in the bottom of the bath tub.
I am afraid of the dark, because that is where my nightmares choose to hide.
I will never be able to live without my skinny white and orange polka-dot cat.
I chew my pens. I never know what time it is. I love to listen to and observe people.
I am planning on pursuing a career in the psychology field, but likely will fall back into my greatest love, teaching.
I am an attention seeker, but hate to be in the limelight.
My name is Heather Davis, and this is my Inventory of Being
Introduction to Piece Four
The piece that I liked the most through this course was my Inventory of Being which I wrote at the very beginning of this course. It explains my likes dislikes and my beliefs in a poem format. It is a colorful, descriptive way of showing my personality and getting to know just what type of person I am.
So Many Reasons to Be Mad
So Many Reasons to Be Mad
Mad Hatter: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
Alice: Riddles? Now let me see…why is a raven like a writing desk?
Mad Hatter: I beg your pardon?
Alice: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
Mad Hatter: Why is a what!!
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland“ , 1951
Madness is a colorful expression that can lead to many uses to infuse a certain emotion or description. The context of the word mad is crucial in relaying it’s meaning. Mad by itself cannot be expressed properly unless it is supported by its sentence. Being mad can mean that a person is angry, insane, foolish, or infatuated with something or someone.
Anger is the most common relation when the word “mad” is used. Though it is the most common reference, it is not the original term for the word. Mad is derived from the Old English word “gemad” to imply that a person is “out of ones mind.” These days, the insanity meaning competes with American English to express anger. Being mad with anger as the sense of the word, is the basic way of relaying the emotion of being genuinely upset or frustrated about something.
Being mad is also a way of describing someone’s insanity. When someone is mentally disturbed or deranged, they are said to be “going mad” or being overcome with madness. Just like the “Mad Hatter” in the Disney movie, “Alice in Wonderland“, he is depicted as being crazy and acts differently than what a normal person would, living up to his title. For example, in the movie the Mad Hatter says, “No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” It doesn’t make sense, which goes to show that he is not in his right mind. Being “mad as a hatter” is a term that was created in the 1850’s to describe someone’s craziness. The reason for this term of phrase is because hat makers used mercury in the manufacturing of felt hats. Unfortunately, the effects of contact with the metal resulted in disease which had symptoms of insanity. Madness can also run in animals when they are diseased, for example the scares of the mad cow disease, when livestock was overcome with a disease that affected the animals brain and resulted in abnormal behavior. Other animals besides livestock can go mad from disease if they are affected with rabies. When a person lacks restraint or reason, and is extremely foolish or unwise, they are said to be mad. For example, if a scientist does something in an experiment that lacks better judgment, and know the consequences of his or her actions come a mistake, they are labeled as being mad. They are better known as being a “mad scientist” which was a phrase that came into the English language in the 1940’s. Describing insanity or practicing foolish methods or decisions are usually referred to as madness.
Madness can be used when describing infatuation. A person could say, “I’m mad about my shoes,” or even fill in the blanks with a person, and still be describing some sort of infatuation. Whether a person is overcome by desire, eagerness, or enthusiasm, they can be pinned as being mad. There is also the common phrase of being “madly in love” with someone to explain a deep feeling of passion and romance, or “love sickness” towards that person. So why is it that we have turned madness into infatuation? Madness has morphed over the ages and can now be used to express some sort of excitement about something in more recent times. A person can be mad with ideas or emotions, becoming completely overcome with their thoughts and beliefs as well as their feelings. Madness can be used to describe it when a person is overcome with some sort of infatuation.
Mad is now a word that has been turned into slang. In more recent years, people have been heard to say, “that chick is mad hot,” or “I just played some mad levels on my new video game.” So what does mad mean in this sense? Crazy could be plugged into these phrases by saying that the girl is crazy hot or the levels in the game were crazy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the girl or game are insane. The only true sense of the word in this context are that the users are implying that what they are describing is above the magnitude of normal circumstances or standards.
Madness. It is a word that can only be used when supported by its context. The meanings of being mad range from many ideas. Anger is the most common reference to madness. Everyone knows what it is like when they say they are mad, to communicate that they are upset about something. Insanity is another meaning for madness, which indicates when used properly that someone is mentally disturbed. Being mad with foolish decisions such as a “mad scientist” is also a common reference. Also, when a person is obsessed with something or someone, as well as describing infatuation with someone they can be mad, as well as the use of the term of being “madly in love.” Mad is recently a term of slang that is used to express something that is above normal standards. Madness, or being mad, is a word that should not be restricted to the means of a solitary definition.
Works Cited:
http://www.fun-with-words.com/etym_phrases.html
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?1=m
Mad Hatter: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
Alice: Riddles? Now let me see…why is a raven like a writing desk?
Mad Hatter: I beg your pardon?
Alice: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
Mad Hatter: Why is a what!!
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland“ , 1951
Madness is a colorful expression that can lead to many uses to infuse a certain emotion or description. The context of the word mad is crucial in relaying it’s meaning. Mad by itself cannot be expressed properly unless it is supported by its sentence. Being mad can mean that a person is angry, insane, foolish, or infatuated with something or someone.
Anger is the most common relation when the word “mad” is used. Though it is the most common reference, it is not the original term for the word. Mad is derived from the Old English word “gemad” to imply that a person is “out of ones mind.” These days, the insanity meaning competes with American English to express anger. Being mad with anger as the sense of the word, is the basic way of relaying the emotion of being genuinely upset or frustrated about something.
Being mad is also a way of describing someone’s insanity. When someone is mentally disturbed or deranged, they are said to be “going mad” or being overcome with madness. Just like the “Mad Hatter” in the Disney movie, “Alice in Wonderland“, he is depicted as being crazy and acts differently than what a normal person would, living up to his title. For example, in the movie the Mad Hatter says, “No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” It doesn’t make sense, which goes to show that he is not in his right mind. Being “mad as a hatter” is a term that was created in the 1850’s to describe someone’s craziness. The reason for this term of phrase is because hat makers used mercury in the manufacturing of felt hats. Unfortunately, the effects of contact with the metal resulted in disease which had symptoms of insanity. Madness can also run in animals when they are diseased, for example the scares of the mad cow disease, when livestock was overcome with a disease that affected the animals brain and resulted in abnormal behavior. Other animals besides livestock can go mad from disease if they are affected with rabies. When a person lacks restraint or reason, and is extremely foolish or unwise, they are said to be mad. For example, if a scientist does something in an experiment that lacks better judgment, and know the consequences of his or her actions come a mistake, they are labeled as being mad. They are better known as being a “mad scientist” which was a phrase that came into the English language in the 1940’s. Describing insanity or practicing foolish methods or decisions are usually referred to as madness.
Madness can be used when describing infatuation. A person could say, “I’m mad about my shoes,” or even fill in the blanks with a person, and still be describing some sort of infatuation. Whether a person is overcome by desire, eagerness, or enthusiasm, they can be pinned as being mad. There is also the common phrase of being “madly in love” with someone to explain a deep feeling of passion and romance, or “love sickness” towards that person. So why is it that we have turned madness into infatuation? Madness has morphed over the ages and can now be used to express some sort of excitement about something in more recent times. A person can be mad with ideas or emotions, becoming completely overcome with their thoughts and beliefs as well as their feelings. Madness can be used to describe it when a person is overcome with some sort of infatuation.
Mad is now a word that has been turned into slang. In more recent years, people have been heard to say, “that chick is mad hot,” or “I just played some mad levels on my new video game.” So what does mad mean in this sense? Crazy could be plugged into these phrases by saying that the girl is crazy hot or the levels in the game were crazy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the girl or game are insane. The only true sense of the word in this context are that the users are implying that what they are describing is above the magnitude of normal circumstances or standards.
Madness. It is a word that can only be used when supported by its context. The meanings of being mad range from many ideas. Anger is the most common reference to madness. Everyone knows what it is like when they say they are mad, to communicate that they are upset about something. Insanity is another meaning for madness, which indicates when used properly that someone is mentally disturbed. Being mad with foolish decisions such as a “mad scientist” is also a common reference. Also, when a person is obsessed with something or someone, as well as describing infatuation with someone they can be mad, as well as the use of the term of being “madly in love.” Mad is recently a term of slang that is used to express something that is above normal standards. Madness, or being mad, is a word that should not be restricted to the means of a solitary definition.
Works Cited:
http://www.fun-with-words.com/etym_phrases.html
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?1=m
Introduction to Piece Three
The piece that I wrote analytically was my definition paper, So Many Reasons to be Mad, which defines the many meanings of the simple word “mad.” A part where I analyzed well was when I found the history for some of the meanings. For example, to describe insanity as be “as mad as a hatter” came from hat manufacturers getting brain damage and going insane from the contact of mercury while making felt hats. I really wanted to have fun with this word so I also included a quote from the Mad Hatter in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland.”
Brad and Janet's Excellent Adventure
As midnight approached, Janet and Brad heeded cautiously towards the darkened desolate mansion to escape the relentless storm. Their brand new car skid across a patch of ice and smashed into a monsterous oak tree on the road nearby. The night was haunting, and Brad's eyes fixed on the shadows with suspicion, trying to decipher any sudden movements of danger as he grasped Janets waist protectively. As they timidly made their way up the moss covered steps to the colossal spider infested door, the wind whailed and was filled with distant howls that had no creator. Janet rapped on the door, and moments later, it opened to reveal the derranged scientist, with a wrinkled pale face that shown dismay at their arrival. Brad and Janet glanced at eachother in terror, and bolted down the steps and down the long winding road. When Janet finally reached the car again, drenched and out of breath, she turned around, then realizing that it was no longer Brad who was behind her.
Introduction To Piece Two
One of the pieces that is written effectively is the assignment, “Brad and Janet’s Excellent Adventure,” which I wrote in mid February. The original assignment was to use colorful words to fill in the blanks to a story, like a mad lib. I used many words that gave the story pizzazz and formed the story so it flowed together, as well as ended with kind of an ominous ending that leaves the reader thinking and wondering.
Overreaction on Child Safety
Overreaction on Child Safety
The Washington State “toxic toys” bill that is being put into effect implies that the toys your children are playing with are dangerous to their health and should be illegal to sell. This is a statement that is meant to scare parents and citizens of Washington without properly educating them about what toys are and aren’t safe for their children. The “toxic toys” bill creates higher standards for lead and phthalate content in children’s toys and products. This new bill creates problems for manufacturers, small business owners, consumers, and outlaws toys that have
The Washington State “toxic toys” bill that is being put into effect implies that the toys your children are playing with are dangerous to their health and should be illegal to sell. This is a statement that is meant to scare parents and citizens of Washington without properly educating them about what toys are and aren’t safe for their children. The “toxic toys” bill creates higher standards for lead and phthalate content in children’s toys and products. This new bill creates problems for manufacturers, small business owners, consumers, and outlaws toys that have
been already safe for children for years.
For years, most toy manufacturers have been producing toys with low lead and phthalate content. Lead is a heavy metal that can usually be found in the paints on toys and are harmful to the body because the body cannot dispose of the lead. Exposure to lead in the body has been known to cause developmental problems as well as damage muscles and the bloodstream. Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastic to make toys flexible. Studies have shown that phthalates can affect a child’s reproductive system when they are exposed to the chemical. Most toys are already held to the European Standards and have the CE label on their product which indicates that the product has no phthalates or lead in it. The lead content of the United States is 600 parts per million where as the European Standards are gradually less, only having 90 parts per million lead content. The European Standards are the highest to abide by, even higher than that of the United States.
The new “toxic toys” bill expects toy manufacturers to spend even more money to test their products by each toy for lead and phthalate content that meets the new standards but will then cost more than what the toy is actually worth. Each shipment of toys sent out from the producers will have to have a certificate that verifies the safety for children. If it does not have a certificate the product is deemed illegal to sell.
As of August 2009, the toys that do not comply with the new bill will be illegal to sell. Small business owners will lose half or most of their inventory without a refund from producers. This situation could send a lot of small toy store owners out of business especially with the economy in the way it is in recent times. Large businesses are not as affected because they have the ability to buy in bulk at a cheaper price, which in the end they can afford to lose half of their stock and still remain in business. Some manufacturers outside of the U.S. especially in Europe that supply many products of excellent quality will not be able to afford the cost of extra testing and will stop selling to the U.S. This leaves poor quality toys made from China and the U.S. for the consumer to buy, which have had a history of making poor quality toys as well as chemical scares. For example, China has had many toys recalled for lead content including “Thomas the Tank Engine” toys which have been recalled numerous times for lead in the paint as well as many “Fisher Price” toys. This bill is taking away the consumers ability to buy good quality toys with standards that were already safe for their children.
It is understandable that the reason for this bill is to tighten child safety laws and try to eliminate dangerous products that can be harmful to children. This new bill is a step in the right direction but honestly has not been thought through properly in the aspect of the consequences it will cause as well as it being somewhat illogical. For example, new products have to comply with the bill, but old toys that are sold in a second hand store that could actually be dangerous and contain lead and phthalates do not have to comply with the bill. This bill clearly has standards that are very difficult to comply with and is affecting manufacturers and businesses everywhere with negative consequences and needs desperate revision.
The Washington State has put into effect and new “toxic toys” bill that is affecting manufacturers, businesses, and consumers rights to buying good quality toys. For years toy producers have been following high safety standards and this bill seems to be going overboard with child safety. It is expensive for producers to increase testing and is persuading producers from out of the country to not sell to the U.S. Small businesses are suffering from complying with this bill and some are being forced out of business. It is also interesting that new toys have to comply with the bill but old toys in second hand stores are fine to sell even if they do contain the dangerous elements that this bill is trying to prevent. Child safety is very important and it is a wonderful thing that the government is trying to do something to strengthen these laws. However this law in particular is an overreaction on child safety and needs desperate revision in the sense that it should be logical and does not affect businesses, in addition to keeping our children safe.
Works Cited:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/250-lead-free-toys-501101
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6927156.stm
http://www.ape2zebra.ca/lead-free-toys-safety-tips.asp
http://www.leo.com.hk/pdf/heavymetalsbooklet1.pdf
http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/7/3/231
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/government/story/302701.html
http://www.myballard.com/2008/04/01/gregoire-to-act-on-toxic-toys-bill-today/
Introduction To Piece One
The piece of writing that I best took through the writing process is my argument paper, Overreaction on Child Safety. I wrote this piece the first week of March, the assignment being an essay that persuades the reader to side with my opinion on a particular situation. My opinion was that the “toxic toys” bill that is in effect in Washington State is illogical and needs revision. My writing was strong because I explained reasons of why the bill was illogical, for example, that new toys have to comply with the new safety standards but second hand stores do not have to comply. I also had done a lot of research on the bill and presented them in my paper in a well thought out matter. The reason that I was so interested and concerned about the bill coming into effect was because I recently had worked at a small toy store so I have had a lot of insight on how many people feel about the new bill, as well as formed my own opinion about it.
Reflection Letter
For many, a journey could be described as making one’s way through a time in their life that uncovers highs and lows along the way to a goal or destination. In taking English 98, my journey was no different. This is my very first quarter in college and I am so thankful that I had many wonderful peers and a helpful instructor to welcome me into this college lifestyle. I am on my way to becoming either a teacher or psychologist, and have been debating this for years. I’m not really worried about choosing anytime soon because it will be such a long time until I have to decide, and hopefully by that time I will know where I am meant to be.
I have excelled in some areas in this course, including thinking analytically such as in seminars as well as summarizing and paraphrasing in numerous discussion boards. Many places I struggled as well, for example, creating confusing sentences and awkward phrasing in my essays, and how I had to learn to broaden my insight on thinking, reading, and writing. I have developed in so many ways throughout the term of this course, especially with cutting down on my wordiness and confusing sentences in my essays. I have been challenged to change my process of writing, including style and content, and can now see that it was for the better. My first pieces of writing showed areas that desperately needed improvement and with the help from my instructor and classmates, I am being shaped into a productive, excelling college student.
Reading “Three Cups of Tea” and hearing about the journey of Greg Mortenson was truly inspirational and I was happy that I would be able to make a difference in the world just as he did with our Service Learning project. I volunteered at the Volunteers of America Food Bank in Everett and was able to see in person what it was like to be in the presence of poverty. Everyone who needed help was very thankful for what we were giving them and I had a lot of fun working with all of the other volunteers. It was definitely an experience that I will never forget and will last me a lifetime.
The first piece of writing I will be including that best represents my ability to take a piece through the writing process is my argument paper, Overreaction on Child Safety, which explains the reasons why the new “toxic toys” bill for Washington State is illogical and an overreaction as well as needs revising so it will be easier to comply with the new expectations and standards. The second piece I’ve included that demonstrates my ability to write effectively is the assignment, “Brad and Janet’s Excellent Adventure” which was where I was able to be creative while writing a well thought out paragraph. The third piece I will share that shows my ability to write analytically was my definition paper on the word “mad.” This paper was carefully written and planned out because I had to pick apart the word and decipher all of its meanings. The last piece I have included is my Inventory of Being, and I have chosen this because it tells a lot about what kind of person I am. It was also my first assignment for the class so it is interesting to see just how much I’ve grown because of this course.
I have excelled in some areas in this course, including thinking analytically such as in seminars as well as summarizing and paraphrasing in numerous discussion boards. Many places I struggled as well, for example, creating confusing sentences and awkward phrasing in my essays, and how I had to learn to broaden my insight on thinking, reading, and writing. I have developed in so many ways throughout the term of this course, especially with cutting down on my wordiness and confusing sentences in my essays. I have been challenged to change my process of writing, including style and content, and can now see that it was for the better. My first pieces of writing showed areas that desperately needed improvement and with the help from my instructor and classmates, I am being shaped into a productive, excelling college student.
Reading “Three Cups of Tea” and hearing about the journey of Greg Mortenson was truly inspirational and I was happy that I would be able to make a difference in the world just as he did with our Service Learning project. I volunteered at the Volunteers of America Food Bank in Everett and was able to see in person what it was like to be in the presence of poverty. Everyone who needed help was very thankful for what we were giving them and I had a lot of fun working with all of the other volunteers. It was definitely an experience that I will never forget and will last me a lifetime.
The first piece of writing I will be including that best represents my ability to take a piece through the writing process is my argument paper, Overreaction on Child Safety, which explains the reasons why the new “toxic toys” bill for Washington State is illogical and an overreaction as well as needs revising so it will be easier to comply with the new expectations and standards. The second piece I’ve included that demonstrates my ability to write effectively is the assignment, “Brad and Janet’s Excellent Adventure” which was where I was able to be creative while writing a well thought out paragraph. The third piece I will share that shows my ability to write analytically was my definition paper on the word “mad.” This paper was carefully written and planned out because I had to pick apart the word and decipher all of its meanings. The last piece I have included is my Inventory of Being, and I have chosen this because it tells a lot about what kind of person I am. It was also my first assignment for the class so it is interesting to see just how much I’ve grown because of this course.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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