Fundamental Composition Fall 2013: November 2013

Instructions

Do you like art? If so, what kind of art? If we think about it, we all like art in some shape or form. For some, art is a beautiful oil painting on canvas. To another, art is expressed through dance, while to another, it is expressed through one's fingers as one molds and shapes new objects made with clay. Did you know that written text can also be art? I would like all of you to be artists with the freedom to express yourselves in any way that you would like.

Every Monday morning, I will post a topic on my blog, which you are reading these instructions from. Once you have read my topic, you will need to leave a comment on my page. However, this "comment" should be more than one sentence. It should be your response to the question I am posting on my blog. I would really like to encourage you all to try to write as much as you can. Although I would like for you to write as much as you can, please do not spend more than 30 minutes writing them. If you read a comment from your classmates that you find to be interesting, feel free to comment to them as well! Lets try to make this as interactive via the Internet as possible. Your responses and comments will need to be completed by 8:00 p.m. every Friday. There will be no exception! Therefore, plan on completing this assignment before the Friday deadline in order to ensure that you receive full credit, which will be 10 points for each week.

On a final note, these blogs are intended to be fun and to allow you to further practice writing in English in a variety of avenues. Be adventurous and express yourselves! Although we may occasionally use some of your blog entries for grammar practice, these blogs are primarily focused on content. Have fun, and do not forget, all of you are artists!!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Topic 10: Biggest Regret

As we go through life, we make mistakes here and there. As a result, we often experience regret at the mistakes we have made. I do not know about all of you, but I do believe that our succeses as well as our failures or mistakes shape who we have become.

My question to you for today is regarding your biggest regret. What is one moment or incident that you regret? What happened? Why do you regret it so much?

For me, my story goes back to when I was in junior high school (this was not very long ago.... ;) ). When I was a junior high school student, I had a friend named Aimee. During that time, we became really, really good friends. I would almost say she nearly became my best friend at that time. Unfortunately, due to reasons which I cannot remember, we ended up getting into a huge argument. I do not think I have ever been involved in such a big argument as I did with her. As a result of this argument, we stopped being friends. After a couple of years passed, we reconciled and became "friends," but it was nothing like before. We were not nearly as close as we had been. Now, I will tell you what exactly it is that I regret so much. When we entered high school, we discovered that she had a brain tumor. When I found out, I was shocked and surprised. Even though we had reconciled, I do not think we had TRULY reconciled. There was still a lot of tension between us, for we had not completely told each other everything. As the years rolled by, I always told myself in my mind that I needed to fully clear everything with her. Although I kept meaning to, time continued to slip by. I noticed that she eventually started wearing a wig and then a hat because she was doing chemotherapy. Still, I did not go to her and completely make amends. Then one day, while I was in the library, one of my friends came running to me with tears in her eyes. When we asked her what was wrong, she told us, "Aimee just passed away." I could not believe it. I was in shock and deep sadness. Then I thought, "I never completely made my peace with her..."

Therefore, this is what I consider to be one of my biggest regrets. I wish I had spoken to her sooner....but I will never ge that chance.

What about you?

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Questions 9: Having Fun

I do not think it is necessary for me to ask if you all have friends, for I am sure you have MANY! However, how many of you are extroverts, and how many are introverts? Therefore, when it comes to having the most fun, do you like to be alone, with a large group, or with a small group of really good friends? Why is that?

I have said this on many occasions (though none of you seemed to believe me!), but I am naturally a very shy individual. Therefore, although I do not mind being in a situation where there are lots of people, I find myself having the most fun when I am with a few good friends. With that said, I suppose I am an introvert?

What about all of you?