The Cask of Amontillado

This reading was very dark and very interesting to read, many questions came to me as I kept going along. First of all how can someone be so vindictive enough to kill someone just because they offended you numerous times? I would understand if he had committed an awful act towards you but not just by saying a few words. Well in this story Edgar Allan Poe mysteriously hides the words that Fortunato had said to Montresor that had offended him a whole lot that it got to the point of assassinating Fortunato.  We could only make assumptions of the insults that Fortunato had said to Montresor; one of them was the way that Fortunato told Montresor that his family used to be very noble, basically stating that they are not noble at all anymore. Another insult I found was that when they were walking towards Fortunato’s death Montresor tells him that he used to be a Mason which is a Fraternity. But of course Fortunato does not believe him since he made a Mason hand gesture and Montresor was not able to recognize it. Why do you think that the author hides the insults that caused Montresor to kill Fortunato?  Why do you think Montresor commits this terrible act towards Fortunato? Do you think it goes far along more than just insults? 

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

I could really connect to the main character in this story, because as young adults we have the mistake of being in relationships that never really work out. When these relationships end, we feel very depressed and upset at all times. We sometimes feel like we cannot continue our lives without them. For the character of this story he had certain anger issues that made him break plenty of lamps when he got upset with his girlfriend. By these actions we could see that this relationship wasn't all that healthy. Maybe ending the relationship was for the better of each individual. Towards the end of this story we get caught on a very important question. Did they end up together? Because his girlfriend did call him to see how he was doing. Does it mean that she still loved him and wanted to be with him? I guess the author wanted us to be caught in the mystery of never knowing what happened. But we did know that he still wanted to be with her, and still had very strong feelings towards her. I liked this story because the main character was a college student that all of us could really connect with. 

How to Become a Writer

For this first reading at the very beginning I thought it was very confusing to understand who the narrator was talking about. I really disliked the fast that the whole story was in Second Person. The whole time it was “you did this” or “you did that” type of writing. It felt like it was talking about what I did, but I didn't relate to this story because who the narrator is talking about is very different of who I am. Like my major is Dentistry instead of child psychology or writing or even law. As I kept reading more and more of the story I just got really annoyed by the big use of second person. It’s overly used to the point where it gets very confusing on what the author is really talking about. Towards the end the story the author basically explains that the student he’s talking about is a confused college student that doesn't know what to do. If to either be a child psychologist or a writer or even a lawyer; this student is beyond confused. Overall I really didn't like this story it was very confusing reading it, and the writing level doesn't seem very intellectual. Hopefully the rest of our stories will be better than this one. 

Freshman Year is now Over…

                  The thought of my first year of college almost ending is crazy! Time just flies by too fast. Looking back when I came to Richard Bland for the first time feels like it was so long ago, and it was when I took my Placement exam. I felt like such an adult because I knew that my mom and dad were not going to be by my side anymore. I had to step up and take responsibility for myself. I decided that it would be a great idea to apply to the RBC Library knowing that I didn’t have a vehicle to drive around in. I also wanted to make some money so my parents don’t have to worry about giving me some sort of allowance because they already have my three younger siblings to take care of. After getting the job I felt like I had to do basically everything for myself in order for me to get outstanding grades. Not only did I learn all the different subjects that I had to take I also learned many life lessons such as people basically not caring for you at all. Certain acquaintances decide that passing the class is good enough, but when it comes to my grades a “C” does not cut it because I know I can do much better if I try. I can wait to start my sophomore year of school so I could finally transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Tattoos

Today when coming into class I hear a controversy among my classmates. I quickly realize that people were talking about tattoos and explaining the reason for engraving their bodies for the rest of their lives.  Many individuals were responding negatively about the bad choice they made many years ago when they decided to place this mark on their bodies. They were saying that the only reason they had gotten it was because everybody else was getting them and they wanted to fit in. The people that had ink engraved, almost meant that they had more than just one tattoo. They decided that once you get one it’s unstoppable and almost addicting so most of them just kept getting more. The biggest controversy was getting a certain special person’s name inked on your body. I completely agreed with the people that said that it is stupid idea because what if your boyfriend or girlfriend decides to break up with you or cheat on you? Than…what do you do? Go get laser surgery right away? Well most likely NOT. Due to the fact that it’ll cost you anywhere between two hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. But that still doesn't stop anyone from making stupid mistakes. I feel like even though people are married for thirty years they can still get divorced and have this horrible symbol that reminds them of their Ex. So people should really think through this tough decision of whether getting a tattoo of their lover is all that great on an idea. 

Summer 2013

                Summer of 2013 has been anxiously anticipated since my freshman year of college will be done. But I recently found out that I will be taking ten credits over at Northern Virginia Community College. I knew I had to take summer classes but I didn’t fully realize I had to take three! Two of them are Chemistry classes which means I have to take each section in only six weeks. Knowing that each class will be going at a rapid pace makes me nervous, especially knowing that I will take these two difficult chemistry classes. A subject that I haven’t touched in about three years. My third class is Physical Education. The easiest class to take with these two chemistry classes, the great advice my adviser has given me for my whole summer. Seeing my whole summer being consumed by my education makes me realize that I won’t have so much free time to enjoy myself and slack of. I can see how my career is taking over my life, and the pathway of being a dentist seems to be very complicated. But at least I know I am 1 year closer to my eight year career goal.

My Second Essay: Family

               I was thinking about my second essay and how it comes with difficulties knowing that I can run out of facts and opinions to say. My research essay is about single parent homes versus two parent households. Many people believe that it is much better that children are raised between a mother and a father, but in some cases one of the parents can be abusive and not help their children at all versus a very responsible single parent that will do anything for their children. This topic is very controversial to the fact that everyone has a different opinion on it. Since I had to do a lot of research for this essay I found out that there are 13.7 single parents in the United States and each one of them has to take the responsibility to raise 21.8 kids. That is more than twenty five percent of the children today in the whole country. This number will just keep increasing since the divorce rate keeps rising as well. So people should be more understanding and respect these single parents since they have double the work and most of them do a great job.