Friday, March 16, 2007

Table of Contents

Table of Contents


Reflection Letter


Critical Thinking


Gender and Identity Markers


Revision Is A Good Thing


”Blaxicans” and Other Reinvented Americans - Original


”Blaxicans” and Other Reinvented Americans - Revised


Awareness of Audience and Voice


Family & Friends Food Traditions


Writer’s Choice


Traditional Dating vs. Online Dating


Reflection Letter


Other than English classes, I haven’t spent too much time writing in my life. I am usually too shy to share my writing and generally, I would be so embarrassed if something I wrote was seen by someone else. When I was a kid, I occasionally used to have a little journal or diary that I would mostly doodle in, I would seldom ever write. Now I am a 27 year old graphic design student because art is what I love. Although I have enjoyed this last quarter in this class, I honestly don’t think I would have taken it if it wasn’t required for my degree. Aside from art, my other love is music. I love to doodle, draw, and create art on the computer, as well as listen to music and see live shows as often as I can. I have a very laid-back, easy-going personality and it takes a lot for me to get worked up on any certain topic or issue. With all of the discussion board topics and posts that we completed this quarter, I was usually able to see all sides of every issue and agree with most of them to a certain extent.

The time we spent on the theme of identity this quarter was great. I really liked the topic, the readings associated with it and spending time connecting everything all together and relating it to my own life. Identity is something that we think about everyday, maybe not directly but it is still thought about. This class is the first time I have ever had to take those thoughts about identity and write them down and reflect on them. The identity blog assignment was a ton of fun. As I read through other classmate’s assignments, it was interesting to see what people had in common with others, as well as their differences. The discussion board postings challenged me to think outside the box and consider other options that I wouldn’t normally have thought of, and everyone else’s input helped me to do that. Other classmates brought up different aspects that I wouldn’t have thought of immediately, if even at all. This theme helped me think of my own identity differently and how my identity has changed or been influenced over the years. It was the most interesting theme of the class for me.

I struggled a lot through the community section of the class. For some reason I just couldn’t get into the theme and I had a hard time writing about the topics and subjects, and unfortunately my grades reflected that. The biggest challenge of the quarter was to broaden my horizons and think and write about different community topics that normally I wouldn’t have really given a second thought about. The community theme was all about new ideas and concepts for me. The readings didn’t completely interest me and I had a hard time relating them to any personal stories or experiences.

The last theme that we discussed was tradition and I absolutely loved this section. In the first blog assignment I had to think hard about traditions about food relating to family and friends. In the beginning I had the hardest time, but once I thought of one the ideas just kept coming. It was one of my favorite assignments over the quarter. The tradition portion of the class brought back so many memories for me and allowed me to reminisce about the past a little bit. When I discussed some of the assignments to friends and family some interesting conversations arose. I feel that the tradition section of the class was where I was able to exhibit my best work and it was also when I felt most confident with my writing.

It has taken me a few days to finally pick the pieces that I am going to include in my E-Portfolio. I am not a huge fan of any of my writings but I did finally make some selections. My critical writing piece is going to be the first Identity group assignment, “Gender and Identity Markers.” This assignment was completed early on in the quarter and so I feel it could use a little more work, but at the same time I feel that it showed my ability to critically analyze an issue. I have chosen the second discussion board posting under the Community theme, “’Blaxicans’ and Other Reinvented Americans,” as my revision piece. I struggled a lot during the Community part of the class and it was hard for me to stay focused and on track so I would like to revisit this assignment and improve it. The third selection that I made that shows my awareness of audience and voice is the Tradition blog assignment, “Family & Friends Food Traditions.” Out of all the blog assignments, I enjoyed writing this blog posting the most. Finally, the last piece of my E-Portfolio, my “Writer’s Choice” is going to be my Tradition essay, “Traditional Dating vs. Internet Dating.” I spent a lot of time on this paper and I feel as though I put a lot more effort into this assignment than a lot of the others.

Honestly, this quarter has been really tough for me. I’ve had so much going on in my life and with school and, on top of everything else, this class hasn’t been easy. Throughout all the challenges, I feel that I have learned a lot and I have noticed all the changes I have made in my thinking and the way it connects to my writing. I know for a fact that I will always be into art. But who knows, after all this I might start a little bit of writing.

Thanks for reading,

Desi Goodwin

Critical Thinking


The Identity section of this class was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was able to read different essays, break them down, analyze all of the different parts of the story and also relate them to my own experiences. The very first group discussion board assignment in the Identity section is where, I feel, I was best able to demonstrate my critical thinking skills.

The first Identity group discussion board assignment was to read both of the following essays and basically analyze what point each author was arguing and if they would agree with each other.

“Dude Looks Like a Lady” by Kathy Wilson
“The ‘He’ Hormone” by Andrew Sullivan

After reading the essays I was able to clearly define the points that each author was arguing. I was also able to point out different ways that the authors backed up their arguments. The following statement basically sums up the whole of all the parts of both essays:

“Gender is something that is established by how a person feels and also the hormone’s that are running through their bodies.”

In this class there have been all different types of essays to read. Some of the essays have been easy to break down and analyze, others just kind of left me wondering what the author was actually trying to say. I feel that as the quarter went on, I knew what I needed to be looking for in order to dissect an essay and get a better understanding.

Gender and Identity Markers


In the assigned readings by Kathy Wilson and Andrew Sullivan, the authors are trying to get the point across that looks and chemical makeup don’t necessarily identify a person’s gender. Gender is something that is established by how a person feels and also the hormone’s that are running through their bodies. Although this point is true and everyone knows who and/or what they are, not everyone on the outside will immediately recognize the gender of other certain individuals. Unfortunately, sometimes gender is questioned.

Wilson’s main argument in her essay is that even though she has extremely short hair, she is a woman and she feels comfortable and free in her own skin, no matter how she chooses to wear her hair or dress. Sullivan, on the other hand, is a man and although he is suffering from a disease that is causing his natural testosterone to diminish, he is still a man. His argument is that a person’s chemical makeup doesn’t necessarily establish gender.


In both of these essays, both Wilson and Sullivan share personal experiences and stories which make the essays easier to read, comprehend and retain. Sullivan, however, also shares a lot of scientific facts and statistics that seem to emphasize the points he was trying to make.

After reading both of the essays, I feel that Wilson and Sullivan would agree with each other’s points of view. Wilson knows she is a woman but at quick glance other people may think differently. Sullivan knows he is a man but his sickness is, in a way, beginning to take that away from him to a certain extent. In both cases, neither author has lost track of their gender identities based on situations that have happened to them throughout their lives.

Revision Is A Good Thing


I constantly struggled throughout the Community section of the class so it’s only appropriate that I select a Community assignment to show my revision skills. The assignment I have chosen is the second discussion board posting for the Community section. The assignment was to read the essay “’Blaxicans’ and other Reinvented Americans” by Richard Rodriguez and then answer two of the discussion questions at the end of the essay.


Although I completed the assignment I feel as though I barely skimmed the surface and that I could have gone into a little more depth. I think that I could have and should have taken more from the reading to establish more points and really understand what the author was trying to say. In my original version of the assignment, I was in a hurry to get something posted and get the assignment done and I really wasn’t so worried about quality.


In doing the revision I have taken the time to read the article again and elaborate on the points that I previously made as well as found new ones. I feel that I got a new understanding of the material and this second time around the writing came a lot easier.

"Blaxicans" and Other Reinvented Americans - Original

"I am in favor of assimilation. I am not in favor of assimilation. I recognize assimilation." (123) With these statements, Rodriguez is basically saying that he accepts what is happening in regards to culture in America. While he isn't completely for or against what is going on, he is accepting it and working with it. I don't think this means that racial and ethnic distinctions do not matter anymore, I just think that differences are becoming a part of everyday life and they are just so common now that it really isn't such a big deal. I understand that not everyone will agree, but I think that is the point Rodriguez is trying to state.

I don't necessarily think that Rodriguez would agree with the theory that communities provide stability. In his essay, Rodriguez discussed the Laotians and Mexicans in Merced that didn't like each other. Although they lived in the same community and their cultures and actions were spread among each other, they did not like each other and didn't really work together. Although they didn't like each other, they were rubbing off on each other more than they cared to notice. I think that although communities can provide stability, sometimes they can't. What Rodriguez pointed out is that different people view their lives differently than other people in the same situation may view their own. A "hispanic" in one location may be fine with being called a "hispanic", while another person in the same community may not accept that title, they may want to be known by their actual ethnic or racial group instead.

"Blaxicans" and Other Reinvented Americans - Revised


In the essay, titled “’Blaxicans’ and Other Reinvented Americans,” by Richard Rodriguez, he discusses culture in America. Rodriguez says, “I am in favor of assimilation. I am not in favor of assimilation. I recognize assimilation." (123) By making these statements, Rodriguez is saying that he accepts what is happening in regards to culture in America. While he isn't completely for or against what is going on, and he isn’t even trying to change it, he is accepting it and working with it. I don't think this means that racial and ethnic distinctions do not matter anymore in America, I just think that differences are becoming a part of everyday life and they are just so common now that it really isn't such a big deal. In this essay, Rodriguez states “I do think distinctions exist.” Throughout the rest of the essay, Rodriguez goes into great detail of how he understands distinctions exist and how it is changing America. I understand that not everyone will agree, but I think that is the point Rodriguez is trying to state.


I don't necessarily think that Rodriguez would agree with the theory that communities provide stability. In his essay, Rodriguez discussed the Laotians and Mexicans in Merced that didn't like each other. He says, “I was talking to the Laotian kids about why they don’t like the Mexican kids. They were telling me that the Mexicans do this and the Mexicans don’t do that, when I suddenly realized that they were speaking English with a Spanish accent.” Although they lived in the same community, didn’t like each other and didn’t really work together, their cultures and actions were spread among each other. They were influencing each other without knowing it. I think that although communities can provide stability, sometimes they can't and there really isn’t any way around it. What Rodriguez pointed out is that different people view their lives differently than other people in the same situation may view their own. A "hispanic" in one location may be fine with being called a "hispanic", while another person in the same community may not accept that title, they may want to be known by their actual ethnic or racial group instead.


Although people and cultures are different, they tend to combine and meld at a certain point. Rodriguez writes, “Culture is fluid. Culture is smoke. You breathe it. You eat it.” Assimilation is something that just happens after awhile and it isn’t necessarily good or bad, it should just be accepted.

Awareness of Audience and Voice


I have selected the Tradition blog assignment, “You Are What You Eat” as the piece that best reflects my awareness of audience and voice. I really enjoyed writing this assignment as it really made me think about traditions that I celebrate and uphold. Writing the blog brought back a lot of good memories for me and reading other people’s blogs gave me a lot of good ideas.

In all of the blog assignments I completed, I felt as though I could write just as if I was speaking to someone. I feel as though I did a good job in describing to the audience the points I was trying to make. I considered how a blog is an informal, yet personal way to introduce and discuss different ideas and thoughts through writing. The informality of a blog made it a lot easier for me to come up with ideas and write about the assignment as I didn’t feel as much pressure as if I were writing an essay. I was able to focus more on the concept of the assignment and write it in a more interesting way.

I feel that writing blogs has strengthened my writing skills as more people have access to seeing this writing; I’m not able to hide it as easily. I hope that people enjoy reading the blog assignments as much as I enjoy writing them.

Family & Friends Food Traditions


When I first read this assignment I really couldn't think of any food traditions. So, I kept thinking and thinking and once I thought of one the ideas started flowing like crazy. Food is the backbone of a lot of traditions, for the most part, for a lot of families, communities, and cultures. This assignment helped me reflect to a lot of the food-centered traditions that I celebrate with my friends and families.


When I was a kid, my stepfather made waffles every Saturday morning and we would eat them with strawberries, that we picked during the summer, and powdered sugar. Since I have grown up and moved out I definitely don't eat them that often but I still do make them and eat them the same way at least once a month. During the summer I always BBQ at least three to four times a week. Then there are always the Super Bowl parties with the veggie trays and 7-layer dip and fried chicken... and the list goes on. Also, every Sunday morning, after spending Saturday night out with friends, we all meet up for breakfast and bloody marys at a fun Ballard restaurant. I didn't really celebrate holidays when I was a kid but since I have grown up I have spent them with friends and now with my boyfriend and I am getting used to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner and Christmas ham dinners. When my sister comes home from New York to visit or my best friend comes over from Port Orchard, we always go to Tampico’s in Everett for margaritas and great Mexican food. I'm sure there are so many other traditions that I can't even think of right now. I’m sure I'll submit this post and then remember about ten more. :)


Right now, I share a house with my mother and dinnertime is when we both talk about our days and what's going on in our lives and when my boyfriend is over he joins in the conversations. We are all so busy but it's a guaranteed time that we can connect with one another.


I think that food is a big part of a lot of people's lives. It sets a mood and it also can bring people together. It’s kind of fun to notice the connection between foods and moods and environments. It can be a necessary evil and a guilty pleasure all at the same time.

Writer's Choice


I have selected my final paper, “Traditional Dating vs. Internet Dating,” as my “Writer’s Choice” pick. I feel that this piece is my strongest writing piece of the quarter, aside from the blog assignments.

I spent a lot of time developing the thesis and ideas in this paper. My thesis, “Internet dating is challenging the role of traditional dating by offering a high-tech, convenient and easy, yet sometimes deceitful, way of establishing new intimate personal relationships.” My thesis touched on the main points that I went into depth on in the rest of the essay.

Recently, I had a close friend of mine try out an Internet dating service and I was able to incorporate some of her firsthand views and opinions to make the points stronger. I was able to take her ideas and incorporate them with my own to make the paper stronger.

Traditional Dating vs. Online Dating


In the past, people would talk to friends and loved ones and establish new intimate dating relationships through school, work, or a variety of other places. The world now is online and connected to the Internet more and more everyday. As this change is happening, more and more personal relationships are being established and maintained through online activities. Nowadays, people use the Internet to meet new friends and keep up our existing relationships through instant messaging, blogging, e-mail, social networking sites, and chatrooms, to name a few. It only makes sense that more and more people would now also use the Internet to find dates and new significant others. Internet dating is challenging the role of traditional dating by offering a high-tech, convenient and easy, yet sometimes deceitful, way of establishing new intimate personal relationships.


Traditionally, people would look for that special someone in their life by going out and meeting new people in a variety of different places. Our parents and grandparents didn’t have the internet, as we do now, to find their spouse or significant other; they went out, met their partner, and found love outside of the home. Rebecca Miller said on a DB posting, “If all we did was what our mothers did, then the world and its customs would not evolve.” Nowadays, in our fast-paced and online world, people are changing the dating tradition; they are using the Internet to find love. A variety of dating websites, such as Match.com, eHarmony.com, JDate.com, and many others, make it somewhat easy to find a supposed perfect match. They let a person put in any number of criteria to narrow down their search for the perfect person. Someone also has access to meeting someone they may not ever have known on another street or in another city or state. The next love of someone’s life can be found while sitting in the comforts of their own home or office; people no longer have to go out of their comfort zone to find somebody.


Internet dating, although convenient and easy, has both good and bad sides. Traditionally, when a person met somebody and a date was established, they already knew they were somewhat interested in that other person based on interests or appearances. Internet dating is changing the way we meet and interact with people. When a person meets somebody online, they can take their time getting to know the other person before even meeting face-to-face. This gives a person as much time as they want to figure out if they are even interested in the other person, without putting to much pressure on either party. Unfortunately, this also makes Internet dating somewhat impersonal and it takes a lot of the nervousness and fun out of the beginning of relationships. However, this can be seen as a benefit, because after talking online for awhile, people won’t necessarily be so nervous if they do decide to take it to the next level and meet in person. On the other hand, if the two parties decide, while chatting online, that there isn’t enough interest between them, it is easy to end the relationship without as much explanation because they may not yet have met in person.


In the history of traditional dating, a person usually knows who they are going out on a date with. They had already met the person and established that they have some common interests or at least that they are attracted to each other. Unfortunately, a person doesn’t necessarily have that knowledge with Internet dating. All a person gets to see when searching any number of dating websites is another person’s profile. Through personal stories from friends, in magazines, newspapers, and online, it has been learned that these Internet dating profiles can, at times, be deceiving. A person’s picture can be one that was taken years earlier when, perhaps, the person was younger, thinner, had more hair, etc. The picture on a person’s profile can mislead someone to be interested in that person based on attraction alone, and then a relationship has already been established on lies. Also, a person can type whatever they want on their profile. There really is no true way of knowing whether their information is completely true or made up of fabricated lies to make themselves look better. People are beginning relationships online without really knowing anything about a person; they aren’t truly getting to know each other on a personal level. Many people are a little too trusting online, they may look at someone’s profile and completely believe everything that is on it. People should go into the online dating world with a little more caution because a person cannot necessarily see what they are getting.


Internet dating is the new pop culture trend that is challenging the role of traditional dating. While there is nothing at all wrong with traditional dating ideas and practices, Internet dating makes the process more comfortable and easy but at the same time, impersonal. More and more people are leaving behind the traditional ways of dating and leaving their fate in love to computer programs and website searches to find their perfect match. Michael Ramires, in a DB posting, said, “With our busy lives today, many people find it hard to put the time and effort into upholding the customs that we knew as children.” This is something that people see more and more everyday as more commercials and advertisements are seen on television and in magazines for different online dating services. Although the traditional practice of dating is not dead, it is meeting its match with the new “tradition” of Internet dating. As Jennifer Blakely, in a DB posting, said, “Most traditions are not traditions when they begin.”

Thursday, March 15, 2007