Personally, English has never been my strong suit, but I found this semester surprisingly enjoyable. My favourite part of the course was the blogging. I have never blogged before but I enjoyed how unlike my other classes which base my mark on 2 or 3 assignments, the blogs were an opportunity to boost your mark. I also enjoyed writing my blog in a more relaxed manner as opposed to a formally written essay. This class was also very helpful in that I now know what is expected of me in writing a university quality essay.
Short fiction was definitely more engaging and interesting for me as I have never been a fan of poetry. I thought the choice of short fiction was interesting and it was really neat to talk about banned books and why they may be banned. The essay writing workshops were extremely helpful in knowing what the prof wanted and the format that I needed to follow in writing the paper. By knowing where to begin in organizing my paper and how to transition and connect my paragraphs was really helpful in the transition from high school or university paper writing.
Finally I want to thank our prof Jon Parsons for such a great semester and for helping with any issues we may have come across. It is less common in university to have a professor who really cares about the outcome of their students grades. I definitely felt more encouraged to do well in this course than in many others.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Learning Journal Activity - Flash Fiction
Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s
“You can run but you can’t hide!” my cousin yells as he chases after my younger cousins.
This is what we are greeted with as we entered the main foyer of my grandparent’s beach side home in Prospect, Nova Scotia. The sound of mumbled adult conversation, cooing of babies, and screeches of toddlers were among the various sounds that filled and still do fill their comfortable home. Roast beef is slowly roasting in the oven and the smell makes my mouth water. As my parent’s made their way to join in conversation the first stop for me was always the beach on those summer days.
The sound of the ocean slapping the sand and rocks as it rolls in and out, mixed with the soft smell of salt water and fresh air were enough to bring my 7 year old self down to the shore. I would play and dig my hands in the sand, wade into the water under the supervision of my older brother and climb the large rocks lining the shore. This was my sanctuary.
The days rolled on and finally my mother would call me and my 20 other cousins to stop our playing and get inside for supper. As always my grandmother outdid herself. Roast beef, potatoes, rice, vegetables and for dessert hot apple crisp that my grandfather INSISTED was topped off with vanilla ice cream. The thought still makes my mouth water.
One day, about 10 years ago, this routine came to a halt. My grandparents moved to a condo in Halifax. The family dinners continued, our family remained close, the same noises fill their smaller home during our get togethers. The same smell of roast beef and grandmas dessert fill your nose at arrival. During these visits my mind is still, to this day, drawn to the beach. My sanctuary.
“You can run but you can’t hide!” my cousin yells as he chases after my younger cousins.
This is what we are greeted with as we entered the main foyer of my grandparent’s beach side home in Prospect, Nova Scotia. The sound of mumbled adult conversation, cooing of babies, and screeches of toddlers were among the various sounds that filled and still do fill their comfortable home. Roast beef is slowly roasting in the oven and the smell makes my mouth water. As my parent’s made their way to join in conversation the first stop for me was always the beach on those summer days.
The sound of the ocean slapping the sand and rocks as it rolls in and out, mixed with the soft smell of salt water and fresh air were enough to bring my 7 year old self down to the shore. I would play and dig my hands in the sand, wade into the water under the supervision of my older brother and climb the large rocks lining the shore. This was my sanctuary.
The days rolled on and finally my mother would call me and my 20 other cousins to stop our playing and get inside for supper. As always my grandmother outdid herself. Roast beef, potatoes, rice, vegetables and for dessert hot apple crisp that my grandfather INSISTED was topped off with vanilla ice cream. The thought still makes my mouth water.
One day, about 10 years ago, this routine came to a halt. My grandparents moved to a condo in Halifax. The family dinners continued, our family remained close, the same noises fill their smaller home during our get togethers. The same smell of roast beef and grandmas dessert fill your nose at arrival. During these visits my mind is still, to this day, drawn to the beach. My sanctuary.
Monday, 26 November 2012
Learning Journal Activity - Open Letter
Dear Bed,
I sincerely want to know why you can be so cruel when I need you the most. On Monday morning when I have to be up for school you always, and I mean always, decide to become even more comfortable and difficult to leave. I have to be out the door by 9 but you make it hard to rise before then. My alarm goes off and my mind and my body fight one another, stay in bed or get up and go. My body almost always wins and it’s back to bed I go.
I am not intending for this letter to come across negatively. I thank you for those few extra minutes in the morning, but I truly need to make it to class in the morning. So please Bed, save the comfiness for the weekend. It seems I always rise to early then anyway and its the week that I need an early kickstart. So Monday thru Friday please don’t make the bed so toasty in the morning, and don’t let me find that perfect sleeping position.
Kathryn
I sincerely want to know why you can be so cruel when I need you the most. On Monday morning when I have to be up for school you always, and I mean always, decide to become even more comfortable and difficult to leave. I have to be out the door by 9 but you make it hard to rise before then. My alarm goes off and my mind and my body fight one another, stay in bed or get up and go. My body almost always wins and it’s back to bed I go.
I am not intending for this letter to come across negatively. I thank you for those few extra minutes in the morning, but I truly need to make it to class in the morning. So please Bed, save the comfiness for the weekend. It seems I always rise to early then anyway and its the week that I need an early kickstart. So Monday thru Friday please don’t make the bed so toasty in the morning, and don’t let me find that perfect sleeping position.
Kathryn
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Learning Journal Activity - In The News
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER ULTIMATE SECRET IN FORTUNE COOKIE
Scientists convening at a local chinese restaurant discovered the secret to the universe in a fortune cookie last Tuesday. Their discovery was made public last night at the Regional Scientist Convention in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The people of Canada and the rest of the world were shocked to discover, yes, we are living in the Matrix. The Agents as they are called, who are programmed to keep order in this computerized world we live in, have been in a frenzy trying to clean up the mess that we are in as people discover the secret of the Matrix. We have all seen the science fiction movie released in 1999 and been slightly paranoid ever since but it seemed ridiculous to believe such a thing could be real. The most prominent issue now, is trying to establish who the real Neo is. The government has been busy trying to weed out the posers as thousands of men and even some women claim to be “The One”. So folks, since our real bodies are really back in Zion and guarded by the machines let just sit back and see how this all pans out.
Scientists convening at a local chinese restaurant discovered the secret to the universe in a fortune cookie last Tuesday. Their discovery was made public last night at the Regional Scientist Convention in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The people of Canada and the rest of the world were shocked to discover, yes, we are living in the Matrix. The Agents as they are called, who are programmed to keep order in this computerized world we live in, have been in a frenzy trying to clean up the mess that we are in as people discover the secret of the Matrix. We have all seen the science fiction movie released in 1999 and been slightly paranoid ever since but it seemed ridiculous to believe such a thing could be real. The most prominent issue now, is trying to establish who the real Neo is. The government has been busy trying to weed out the posers as thousands of men and even some women claim to be “The One”. So folks, since our real bodies are really back in Zion and guarded by the machines let just sit back and see how this all pans out.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Learning Journal Activity - Review
Cha Baa Thai Restaurant - Halifax, NS
One of my great friends came to Halifax as an exchange student from Thailand. He loved Halifax and has been coming back for school for the past 3 years, in these three years we have taken upon ourselves a challenge. This challenge is to find the best Thai food in the city. Cha Baa Thai has yet to disappoint. Located on Queen Street this is a perfect location in walking distance from almost anywhere downtown. I can truly say that the only slightly unpleasant part of any outing to this fabulous Thai restaurant is finding parking, but with several shops and busy areas it doesn't usually take to long to track down a spot in a parking garage of near by lot.
When you walk into the restaurant the atmosphere is quite relaxed, the chefs behind the counter visible from your seat. The servers always arrive promptly after you are seated and never without a glass of water. After a couple visits and with such a small staff its easy to spot a familiar and friendly face. If you decide to try out this restaurant, don’t leave without trying their deep fried spring rolls which are a highlight of the menu, served promptly and hot with a side of slightly spicy thai sauce they are the perfect way to kick off a delicious Thai experience.
As we are not adventurous at all in my food choices we always choose the same thing for our main course, and never to our disappointment. Pad Thai for me (15$) and Panang Chicken with steamed jasmine rice (13$) for Benz. Laden with crisp bean sprouts, green onion, chicken and small bits of tofu the Pad Thai is delicious, and enough to keep you coming back for more every visit. The Panang Chicken is cooked in a coconut curry paste and sauteed with asparagus, cabbage, chilies and lime leaves. It is the perfect balance between spicy and light with the rice as a nice complementary plate. Despite not being adventurous we usually pick off of each others plates and in the off chance that we aren't to stuffed with food will sometimes splurge on a tempura banana and ice cream for dessert. The perfect way to end a fabulous meal with a fabulous friend.
One of my great friends came to Halifax as an exchange student from Thailand. He loved Halifax and has been coming back for school for the past 3 years, in these three years we have taken upon ourselves a challenge. This challenge is to find the best Thai food in the city. Cha Baa Thai has yet to disappoint. Located on Queen Street this is a perfect location in walking distance from almost anywhere downtown. I can truly say that the only slightly unpleasant part of any outing to this fabulous Thai restaurant is finding parking, but with several shops and busy areas it doesn't usually take to long to track down a spot in a parking garage of near by lot.
When you walk into the restaurant the atmosphere is quite relaxed, the chefs behind the counter visible from your seat. The servers always arrive promptly after you are seated and never without a glass of water. After a couple visits and with such a small staff its easy to spot a familiar and friendly face. If you decide to try out this restaurant, don’t leave without trying their deep fried spring rolls which are a highlight of the menu, served promptly and hot with a side of slightly spicy thai sauce they are the perfect way to kick off a delicious Thai experience.
As we are not adventurous at all in my food choices we always choose the same thing for our main course, and never to our disappointment. Pad Thai for me (15$) and Panang Chicken with steamed jasmine rice (13$) for Benz. Laden with crisp bean sprouts, green onion, chicken and small bits of tofu the Pad Thai is delicious, and enough to keep you coming back for more every visit. The Panang Chicken is cooked in a coconut curry paste and sauteed with asparagus, cabbage, chilies and lime leaves. It is the perfect balance between spicy and light with the rice as a nice complementary plate. Despite not being adventurous we usually pick off of each others plates and in the off chance that we aren't to stuffed with food will sometimes splurge on a tempura banana and ice cream for dessert. The perfect way to end a fabulous meal with a fabulous friend.
Friday, 12 October 2012
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