Midterm Portfolio

     In the past eight weeks of my 043 class we have learned how to write valuable paragrahs and turn them into a splendid essays. Although i have learned new techniques in this class to enhance the quality of my writing; i  believe that one aspect of my writing which still needs improvement is, detailing.  I learned throughout this class, based on papers that this is an area i need to focus on. On Janauary  23rd we were assigned to write a blog post about the view outside our front door and i had difficulty expressing the view, in a way in which the reader would understand.  Going back and reading what i wrote, it seems as if i was trying to name the different places around me as landmarks. For example, in the second sentence i said, "If I look to my left all the way down, on the left side of the road the first thing I see is a train station, batting cage and a plant fitness." I realize now that i could have put, "The first building on the left side of my street is a train station."  That sounds more clear and goes straight to the point. After discussing details in class, i am now aware of the details  in my blog post that could have been unnecessary in  my writing. Also we had another assignment in class where we had to write out the directions on how to make origami and the other group had difficulty understand my directions. Their origami looked nothing like what it was suppose to look like. After reading what i wrote i saw how the directions may have been vague.   In order to improve, i need to take my time writing, re-read outloud and have someone else read it.  I tend to read what i wrote, but not catch the "little" mistakes that someone else can become confused by. By doing this, my writing isnt as clear as i think it is. I want to write at the best of my ability and I believe by the time this semester ends i will be  more confident in my writing.

The view outside my front door

 The road I live on is a very busy road. If I look to my left all the way down, on the left side of the road the first thing I see is a train station, batting cage and a plant fitness. Then there is a four-way intersection. After that, still on the right side I see eight or more apartment building until you reach mine. After my house, its all apartment building until you reach a parking lot which is behind a old,abandoned bank. Infront of the bank across the street is a convientent store and subway is next to that. At the top of my street on the right hand side, the first building is  Martty's corner. There is a flower shop following after Matty's. There is two or three apartment buildings untill you reach a dog grooming place which is called "The Barking Lot." After the grooming place its apartment building all the way down. At the very end on the right side is the movie theater.

Brainstorming

Three types of restuarant in my area are: Italian, Chinese and Pubs.
   My main three for italian is : Viale, Panaro's and Apizza Center
  My main three for chinese is: Chinasky, Hunan Pavillion and Sweetbasil.
   My Main three for Pubs is: The field, Matty's Corner and Ray kellys


Description for Italian places : (1) Viales is a expensive, formal and sit-down type of resturant. Theres a candel on each table top and the tables and walls are white oak.  They have a limited menu with huge portions.  (2) Panaro's pizza is cheap with a large selection. They dont have many tables inside and are more known for take-out and deliveries. They stay open late and dont require any uniforms.  (3) Apizza center has a large sit-down area which is all booths. Its a self-seating kind of restuarant and has your carries general known italian foods.

Description for chinese places: (1) Chinasky is a very small place with no seatings and  50 cent gumball and M&M dispencers. Thier options of food is numbered, light up on the wall in picture form. There always seems to be children running around throughout the building. (2) Hunan Pavillion has a large seating arrangement and multiple asian art on the walls. Also, a mix of asian and american music plays on speakers. Thier specials are always listed on the sidewalk on a white board.  (3) Sweetbasil has a very large dinning area and also private party rooms. They have a large selection and a decent bar size area. They have neon lights that hang on the walls, therefore its a very colorful place.

Description of Pubs are: (1) The field is an irish-american  restuarant. They have a large dinning area with multiple floor plants. However, thier bar area is small and is thier most money maker. They might look emp[ty during the day but this "pub" is open very late full of young adults looking to party. (2) Matty's corner is your typical "neighborhood bar". They have pool tables, bar stools and tables for you to sit down and enjoy a meal. They open at 10 a.m and the regulars are there by 11. They have beer logo's on the windows and multiple tv's. (3) Ray kelly's isnt your "normal pub". It caters to the bikers  and have known for drug busts. They have couches and a large bar area. Thier not known for thier food! They stay open til one or two in the morning and have many pictures  on the walls.

Final draft parapraph

Emotions play a big role on why holidays are more special or important than any other day. When families are celebrating together and enjoying themselves the feelings of love, ecstasy and merry intoxicate the room. Each person is happy to see one another and  they appreciate moments that brings them together. However, holidays can leave someone feeling uncherished, morbid and resentful. These spiteful feelings may easily absorb someone. It could be because family memebers have passed away or they are not getting along. Also, financial reasons. The various emotions one may feel are  more intense around the holidays rather than any other ordinary da, due to the fact that holidays are ment to be more memorable.

first draft paragraph-

Emotions play a big role on why holidays are more special or important than any other day. Holidays only come once a year and thier suppose to be wonderful. Some people may feel very happy, joyful or excited because they are with thier family. However, others may feel sad or gloomy due to the fact that they arn't with thier loved ones. Maybe those that are missed either passed away or there is a distinct reason why they arn't together. I remember years ago my family was split apart and because of that fact, I hated every holiday. I'd get depressed or just want to be alone and reflect on my life. That emotion of hatred, changed my whole outlook on holidays.  I thought they were horrible and sad. Now, I live with my mother again and my whole family comes to my house for every holiday.  We have fun and celebrate just like we use to. The love, happiness and cheer that flows throught the room is intoxicating.  All of us can't for the next holiday to come. These various emotions demostrate why a holiday is different from  any other ordinary day out of the week.

Writing Assignment #2 pg.43

      My ideal career is teaching English. I love helping people understand what comes so naturally to me. All of my english teachers in the past were wonderful and inspiring people, and I want to be that person.  I couldn't see myself doing anything else. As a teacher, I would have a salary; meaning I would make a certain and same amount of money every year. I would recieve my peycheck every two weeks, and it would be the same amount. No matter if I missed two or ten days out of the school year I missed, I'd still made the same money every two weeks. This would benefit me tremendously. Being a teacher also has benefits, such as a 401k and health insurance. Some careers dont offer this. I would respect my working conditions as well. School typically starts at 7:30 and goes until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. These hours would be great for me, I'm use to waking up early. Due to the fact that teachers spend many hours grading, I would have enought time after school to do so. Lastly, I want to help, love and benefit my students the way my teachers did for me. I went through many things, that only my teachers helped me through. I want to be there for a student, whom was just like me.

freewrite for 5 minutes/p based off of it

 FREEWRITE:
  I strongly agree with John Holt's statement, "We learn something by doing it. There is no other way." Based off of my own personal experiences. I had a friend in highschool whom was unhealthy for me. We did bad things together and were constantly getting in trouble. Everybody told me that she was  bad for me and that I should seperate myself from her. I never listened to any of them untill we moved in with eachother and things went down hill. I saw her true colors, the person everyone else saw her for while I was in denial. Also when I started working at dutchess, my fellow co-workers tried to teach me how to make change. They would tell me how they learned and I wouldnt understand. I would try thier way and would always end up giving people too much money back or too less. However, I found my own way of making change and it worked.

PARAGRAPH:
It's true, we don't learn something untill we do. There are many parents out there that try to protect thier child from danger. They could lecture and scream all they want but untill that child knows how it feels, they won't learn the true meaning behing thier parents words. Like I mentioned in my freewrite, my mother told me over and over that my friend wasn't a good influence on me. She explained how I changed from the person she use to "know". It angered me at first but I figured she just wasn't understand. It took a while before I saw what my parent and siblings were trying to tell me. My friend and I had to go through something so bad to realize that this person isn't who I thought they were; and I should have listened to the outsiders who could see what I couldn't see. Now that time has pasted, I clearly see what I couldn't before. I recognize all the bad decicsions I made and how I had changed dramatically. This factor in my life, truely opened my eyes. I couldn't believe how stuipid I became under a negative influence. I now take my time with whom I become friends with, and what a gesture of a "real" friend is. I will never make the same mistake again.