List of my Personal Virtues

Balance might be the one I need to work at to improve my personal life, (relationship, health and exercise) time with friends and family (fun), school and work. I want to work on completing my weekly assignments on time to make progress and manage stress.  I have work, family and friends to spend some time when I am free in addition to taking three classes.   I have to schedule a time for doing my homework balances my life without procrastination. 

1-Charity: caring and giving more to the sick and helpless, less fortunate than myself, homeless and needy

2-Creativity: making something from scratch and use my brain and imagination to work

3-Generosity: giving of time and help to others and not expect anything in return

4-Balance: being able to stand still and focus while working on different tasks

5-Strength: Have the ability to do anything I think it is difficult and challenging 

6-Spirituality: connect with personal and religious spirit more often

7-Sharing: Sharing is love, giving and caring want to do that with the people I love

8-Patience: Is a key to success, if i endures a lot of patience it will take me a lot of places

9-Readiness: be prepared for most of my daily life and for the future to manage my time

10-Order: to have my priorities in order and organize my work and home clutter free

11-Acceptance: take some people and situations as they are and try to understand it(them)

12-Trust: to believe in some people you know will do the right thing especially in a personal relationship

13-Discipline:  respect and behave in good manners, continue to work on correcting my faults if there are any and take ownership to become a better person.

14-Loyalty: trusting and believing in something it can be employees, customers, companies and relationships

Portfolio Cover Letter Essay (Final)

I have come a long way since I first attend this class.  My thoughts about taking American lit class have changed now than when I registered for the class.   I did not think reading the material or getting the context and style of early American Literature would be easy to comprehend.   I also thought writing about what I read would be difficult to do since I have to read it repeatedly and sometimes I still don’t get it.  
 http://eng241.weebly.com/general-assembly-s11.html  (Discussion Forum: Time Travel and Defining Literature.)

Dr. Brandon made it easier, interesting and fun to learn.  I have options to the assigned reading sometimes to have a voice recorded narration and I follow by reading the text.  It makes it fun, easy and faster than I would read.  I also like to do research online to get a better understanding of the different topics we are reading about and the Author. 

I get motivated to read when Dr. Brandon reads to us in Class with the interpretations of some words and sentences. After class I sometimes reread it again so I get the point or ideals.  It feels like watching a movie preview and then watching the whole movie.  The reading in the class gives me an idea or a sneak peek of what the reading is about.  Then when I reread it again to grasp the point and think critically about the subject and even write about it on discussion forum or blog post.

My performance at the beginning of the course was good in following up the assignments and completed on time.  My reading, writing and thinking critically has improved over the second half of the course.  I understand and I learned that by missing one week’s assignment I was left behind and was working hard to get caught up.   I want to improve on completing my weekly assignments on time to make progress and manage stress for the second half of the semester.  I have to schedule a time for doing my assignments to balance my work and personal life without procrastination.  It is challenging but I am performing better than I thought in this class. 

I really like the creativity of writing about my own life on my blog post.   As well as the discussion forum is a great way to learn by expressing my opinions and experiences.  I attend class all the time I think it is very important to understand what I am supposed to read and learn.  Even though recently I may not have posted an assignment on the due date I always make the effort to never miss an assignment.  Here is the work I have done with the back up evidence link for my blog posts, discussion forum and some of the readings.

 In order to feel the natural surrounding and self realization of the present moment I went for a walk in the wilderness (park) to experience nature. On the discussion forum I wrote how my experience was and felt the connection after reading Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Walking”.  I also believe it is true and I agree with Thoreau’s chapter on “Where I lived and what I lived for” and maybe not like him but some sort of similar ideals.  Reminds me of how I was brought up to learn to live with what I have and focus mainly on the needs in life but not mainly the wants or materials.  
 http://seekadventureandtravel.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html http://eng241.weebly.com/general-assembly-s11.html  (Discussion Forum: Walking, Nature and the Romantic Sublime.)

I was truly confused on where and what to start writing about “what is an American” essay to a possible immigrant.  There are so many things to write about but I had to generalize and add some details to get to the point.  I know I would have appreciated it if someone could have written a letter to me before I came to America.  It gave me some understanding of the great and the bad things most immigrants don’t know until they experience it themselves just as De Crevecoeur’s tells us on his letter to an American Farmer.  It is great to know and learn what everyone’s opinion’s are about what it meant to be an American.  After reading (Maryland committee’s essay “what is an American?” and wrote my comments I was surprised to read all different thoughts but similar points as well.    It is great to know and learn what everyone’s opinion’s are about what it meant to be an American.  
 http://seekadventureandtravel.blogspot.com/2011/01/maryland-committee-comments-what-is.html   
  http://seekadventureandtravel.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html

 I had to read some of Edgar Allen Poe's work and biography to be familiar with the Author and write on the discussion forum.  The reading as always cannot understand because of the style of writing but Poe's way of writing is a little better than Thoreau’s but I try anyways.   I also liked writing comments about Poe’s work on the discussion forum, genre of ghost thrill stories.  
  http://eng241.weebly.com/general-assembly-s11.html  (Discussion Forum: Discuss the Genres of the Ghost Story, Horror and Thrillers.)

I felt most engaged while reading "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacob, also replying my comments and opinions on the discussion forum about slavery.  This is the moment I felt most engaged when reading my classmates comments, personal opinions about slavery and Dr. Brandon's response to explain or comment on my reply.   I gained some insight to how slavery was really like and most importantly I learned by reading and participating in the discussion forum.  I was touched and was emotional by the true story of a slave writer by Harriet Jacobs, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”
http://eng241.weebly.com/general-assembly-s11.html  (Discussion Forum: Questions and Answers about Slavery and the Reading.)

Current social practices in the U.S., I chose to write on my blog post about Illegal immigration.  The issue on illegal immigration divided all Americans to what is the right thing to do to lower it, stop it and find a solution. There are some pros and cons of this issue but it is time if the government makes a solid decision to resolve it.   

In general though from previous readings and how I have become better at reading critically and comprehending the assignment by writing similar situation or problem that exists currently.  The art and literature of Romanticism helped fight slavery and how slaves themselves fought against slavery by uprising for freedom and justice.  I think time is a solution for everything but many did not sit back and wait they fought in the Civil War to abolish slavery.

http://seekadventureandtravel.blogspot.com/2011/03/current-social-practices-illegal.html

http://seekadventureandtravel.blogspot.com/2011/03/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_20.html

Week Seven- Learning Reflection

a. At what moment did you feel most engaged with what you were learning?  

I felt most engaged over the past two weeks while reading Harriet Jacobs “Incidents in the life of a slave girl” Also writing solutions to social problems essay. 

b. At what moment did you feel most distant from what the class was doing and what you were learning?

I felt most distant when I was trying to catch up with the reading.

c. What action did the professor or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?
n/a
d. What action did anyone take that you found most puzzling or confusing?

Some of the blogs I read for social problem and solution.  It is amazing how every ones opinion and thoughts are different and sometimes similar.

e. What about the reading and discussion has surprised you the most?  (This could be about your own reactions to the course/reading, something that someone did, or anything else which has occurred.

 

I chose a topic of illegal immigration and when I read some classmates blogs I found two blogs of similar topic.  Two of them including mine seems a positive way to solve the problem and the other is not.  I see that everyone have a different point of view but it is better to be respectful and humane no matter how big the problem is.    

f. Review the learning outcomes for the course and list the four learning outcomes you can best say you have learned.  List the work you’ve done which you could use to demonstrate your learning of these outcomes.

I cannot specifically say what the learning outcomes were because I haven’t read all the readings yet for this week.  In general though from previous readings and how I have become better at reading and comprehending the assignment by writing similar situation or problem that exists currently.  The art and literature of romanticism helped fight slavery and how slaves themselves fought against slavery by uprising for freedom.

Solutions to Illegal Immigration

To resolve the status of illegal immigrants who are already in this country there should be a program that works better than deportation and amnesty.

If amnesty is granted it doesn’t solve the future problem because a lot more illegal immigrants will still come here illegally.  Deporting millions of illegal immigrants who work and live here would be a problem economically.    The better solution and plan is to start a program that is safe and attracting to the illegal immigrants to come forward and report themselves. 

The first step of this program would be to differentiate how they entered the country cross the border (land or sea) or if they entered legally but their visas expired and they stayed illegally.  This would help determine home land security to organize the details and have categories.  If the illegal have been paying their taxes and they have got a clean criminal record then pay a fine only for being here illegally.   They need to learn English like many immigrants have done in the past.  After they have become legal to work and live in the U.S. then they can apply for residency and wait in a long term to become citizens. This is a reasonable solution to deal with illegal immigration and to accomplish the immigration reform plan and law.  This program will treat people with respect and help them to become legal and let them unite with their families as well. 

Mid-Term portfolio’s cover essay (Draft)

     

I have come a long way since I started this class.  My thoughts about taking American lit class have changed now than when I registered for the class.  The reason is I did not think reading the material or getting the context and style of early American Lit. to be very difficult.   I also thought writing about what I read would be difficult to do since I have to read it repeatedly and sometimes I still don’t get it.   

Dr. Brandon made it easier, interesting and fun to learn.  I have options to the assigned reading sometimes to have a voice recorded narration and I follow by reading the text.  It makes it fun, easy and faster than I would read.  I also like to do research online to get a better understanding of the different topics we are reading about and the Author.  I get motivated to read when Dr. Brandon reads to us in Class with the interpretations of some words and sentences. After class I sometimes reread it again so I get the point or ideals.  It feels like watching a movie preview and then watching the whole movie.  The reading in the class (preview) gives me an idea or a sneak peek of what the reading (movie) is about and then the reading (movie) gets to the point (whole story.)

My performance at the beginning of the course was good in following up the assignments and completed on time.  My reading, writing and thinking critically has improved over the second half of the course.  I understand and I learned that by missing one week’s assignment I was left behind and was working hard to get caught up with reading and writing.  I want to improve on completing my weekly assignments on time to make progress and manage stress.  I have work, family and friends to spend some time when I am free in addition to taking three classes.  

 I have to schedule a time for doing my homework balances my life without procrastination.  It is challenging but I am performing better than I thought in this class.  I really like the creativity of writing about my own life on my blog post as well as the Nature experience on discussion forum after a walk in the wilderness (park) to feel the natural surrounding and self realization of the present moment.  I also believe it is true and I agree with Thoreau’s easy “” maybe not like him but some sort of similar ideals.  Reminds me of how I was brought up to learn to live with what I have and focus mainly on the needs in life but not mainly the wants or materials.   

I was truly confused on where and what to start writing about “what is an American” essay to a possible immigrant.  There are so many things to write about but I had to generalize and add some details to get to the point.  I know I would have appreciated it if someone could have written a letter to me before I came to America.  It gave me some understanding of the great and the bad things most immigrants don’t know until they experience it themselves just as De Crevecoeur’s tells us on his letter to an American Farmer.  It is great to know and learn what everyone’s opinion’s are about what it meant to be an American.  While reading my committee’s essay “what is an American?”   It is great to know and learn what everyone’s opinion’s are about what it meant to be an American.

 I had to read some of Poe’s work and biography to be familiar with the Author and write on the discussion forum.  The reading as always cannot understand because of the style of writing but Poe’s way of writing is a little better than Thoreau’s but I try anyways.   I also liked writing comments about Poe’s work on the discussion forum, genre of ghost thrill stories.   Illegal immigration to the U.S. from South America, Cuba and especially Mexico.  The issue on illegal immigration divided Americans to what is the right thing to do to stop it and find a solution. There are some pros and cons of this issue. 

I felt most engaged while reading "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacob, also replying my comments and opinions on the discussion forum about slavery.  This is the moment I felt most engaged when reading my classmates comments, personal opinions about slavery and Dr. Brandon's response to explain or comment on my reply.   I gained some insight to how slavery was really like and most importantly I learned by reading the participating in the discussion forum.  I was touched and was emotional by the true story of a slave writer by Harriet Jacobs, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”  

 Current social practice in the U.S., I chose to write on my blog post about Illegal immigration from South America, Cuba and especially Mexico.  The issue on illegal immigration divided Americans to what is the right thing to do to stop it and find a solution. There are some pros and cons of this issue but it is time if the government makes a solid decision to resolve it. 

Week Six Learning Reflection

a.  At what moment did you feel most engaged with what you were learning for ENG 241?  Be specific.  Was it while reading? What? Writing for the online discussion forum?  To which post were you responding? While thinking about the class, or while talking to others about it?   Why was this the moment when you felt most engaged?

I felt most engaged while reading "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"  by Jacob, also replying my comments and opinions on the discussion forum about slavery.  This is the moment i felt most engaged when reading my classmates comments,  personal opinions about slavery and Dr. Brandon's response to explain or comment on my reply.
b.  At what moment did you feel most distant from what the class was doing and what you were learning?  Again, be specific and explain why.  

I felt a little distant in capturing the message or getting caught up in the readings so i can participate the online discussion forum.

c.  What action did the professors or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?  Be specific.  

When Dr. Brandon explain in detail about the time frame in which slavery existed.  I didn't think about how and what was happening at the time for the society to demand slave labor.

d. What action did anyone take that you found most puzzling or confusing?  Why?  How did you overcome your confusion? N/A

e.  What about the reading and discussion has added the most to the human condition?

 I gained some insight to how slavery was really like and most importantly i learned by reading the participating in the discussion.  I was touched and was emotional by the true story of a slave writer by Harriet Jacobs, " Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"

Current Social Practices

Illegal Immigration

I want to discuss about illegal immigration to the U.S. from South America, Cuba and especially Mexico.  The issue on illegal immigration divided Americans to what is the right thing to do to stop it and find a solution. There are some pros and cons of this issue.  Some people say, Illegal immigrants benefits the U.S. economy, the low cost labor for businesses, increase cash circulation, good values, to strive for the American dream and perform jobs most Americans won’t take.  The opponents to illegal immigration say that illegal’s who break the law by crossing the U.S. borders without any or real documentation or by overstaying after their visas expired should be deported.  Should not get the social services benefit and given any access to become legal immigrant.  They also believe the illegal immigrants are criminals and social and economic burden to taxpaying Americans.

I understand why the illegal immigrants want to come to the U.S. leaving their home country and most of their families.  In my opinion and personal experience as an immigrant I think is because of their government and politics as much as poverty and hungry to become somebody.  They work hard and at a job that does not even pay a minimum wage.  They don’t have a right to anything if something happens to them.  The employers benefit from not paying a lot and not paying taxes.  Most of the job they are hired to do is not what most Americans would like to work in.  It is mostly hard labor jobs, factories, construction, lawn and yard, house or business cleaning.  This being said they try to help their families back home and live like a dog for themselves until it comes a day when they get the legalization or they get deported and pay a fine.  I am not saying it is right for them to sneak in illegally to the U.S. because not all of them are a drug and crime free.  Not only that they also broke the law of the U.S. by not having a legal document and entry.  The U.S. government is trying to control the boarders and improve a way to resolve the situations even if it is not hundred percent I am sure it is better now than it was ten years ago.

There was a recent Arizona state law that made head line news of the nation.  The Federal government did not support the law and the Obama Administration sued Arizona State.  It is under appeal and is expected to reach the Supreme Court.  The Arizona law was the most discussed tough immigration controversy because it was considered as discrimination for all the Hispanic community.  The law requires a police to investigate the status of people they legally stop whom they suspect are illegal immigrants.  I think this does not solve the current illegal immigration problem Americas facing today.   

Week five

Learning reflection 

A- Write a learning reflection for last week.  Publish as a blog post to your blog. As you do, go back to the learning outcomes published at the beginning of last week's assignment description.  

B- Try to see how many you managed to learn and in which exercises.  What are you learning and what are you not learning?  Why and why not?

C- Where are you the most engaged? What did you learn which wasn't on the list of outcomes?  Where and how?

D- Be detailed, and use examples from your writing and reading last week.  These examples are very important, as they allow both you and I to see details of what's going on in terms of your learning this semester.  

Learning outcomes from week five reading and writing assignment, I managed to learn more or most engaged, when I wrote about my own experience of walking in at Deep Run Park.  It was a long time since I went to the Park just to walk.  I felt refreshed and had energy afterward and would like to go out more often. 

I was interesting to read Thoreau’s essay “Walking” and from Walden “Where I lived and what I lived for” but I could not follow up with the context or long sentences.  I had to reread it most times to get some sense of the point he is trying to make. 

I had difficulty to start writing about “Living the Full Life and Defining your Best Self” but once I started it kind of flowed as I thought of many things in my life.  I still have to add more or revise it.  I read article on Wikipedia “The Sublime” and it gave me an idea of what it means and it was used more in the Early Romanticism.