The End. Or Just the Begning?

I do not like to think of this as my last blog post. Blogging on anamericanstudies.com has honestly done so much for my impressionable brain! Most importantly, it has taught me to become a stronger writer. I have learned shorthand techniques as well as how to summarize information efficiently. For example, on my post written on May 11th called Black Sox Scandal, I was proud that I took a complicated historical event, and wrote a crisp and to-the-point blog post. I picked out the important information during my writing process. This concept of writing takes a lot of practice, but I feel I have mastered this skill during 2nd semester.

Blogging also kept me updated on current events. For example, in my Golden Gate Bridge...Asking for Suicide? post, it all started by an article I saw on the homepage of MSN. Being an active blogger, it is crucial to be involved and knowledgeable of our worlds current state.

Finally the moment you have all been waiting for!! Doc OC and Bolos, Please read the blog called Tokenism, posted on March 7th. I love this post not only because I am super familiar with its contents, but because it lead to a great discussion, of 3 comments from my classmates! I thought deeply into the issue, and created an original idea along with linked photos to support my case.

American studies has been such a fun ride. I am truthfully so sorry that it has to come to an abrupt end. Let this blog live on forever!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Sarah E.

Ta-DA!

Click HERE
For
An amazing,
One-of-a-kind,
YouTube video.

I promise you wont regret it!!!!

Sincerely,
Sarah ... (whose in a good mood because its 85 degrees today!)

American Nightmares... YiKeS!

It is easy for one to come up with their so called, American Dreams , just as we did in class the other day. Common themes were: (in no particular order)

1. Get married
2. Have kids
3. Do good deeds and help others in need
4. Go to college
5. Own a home
6. Be financially successful

Though, I challenged myself to think of some American Nightmares...things people dread to obtain in part of their future lives. Feel free to add to either of my lists!

1. Struggle with money
2. Loss of a job
3. Not be able to get health insurance
4. Can't get pregnant, unable to start a family
5. Caught in a lawsuit or legal trouble
6. Health and well-being in jeopardy

Untitled

Chloe D's post inspired me to write a blog on music! Sooooo basically, I have been listening to this song on repeat for a while now..haha. Its called "Best Love Song" (feat Chris Brown) by T-pain. The beat is SO catchy. But I am puzzled by the lyrics. Click HERE for a link to them.

These lyrics are EXTREMELY simple. Listening to the song, I thought how cute it was (it is about writing a love song) and how pumped up it got me. Yet when I see it actually written out...I am embarrassed! Most lyrics are repeated multiple times, words like "gotta," "touchin', " "wanna" occur often. I am not saying that is bad! Sometimes shortened words go well in songs. What does the kind of music you listen to say about YOU?

One lyric really stumped me. It goes "homie kiss your girl, shorty kiss your man." What is a homie? And shorty? Can't we use better vocab here!
Better think twice about what I listen too...

Black Sox Scandal

In AIS, we are currently reading The Great Gatsby, and are at the part where the well known "Black Sox Scandal" has come into play (pun!). Being a humongous baseball (GO CUBS) fan, I am very knowledgeable about the topic! It was a very pivotal point not only in baseball's history, but American history as well, and I think it is important to know about it so here goes...

To start, this story is about the 1919 Chicago White Sox's in the World Series. They are pictured below.

They look so innocent, right? The reality is, 8 of these players were banned from Major League Baseball due to purposely "throwing" the 1919 World Series Game against the Cincinnati Reds. All in all, this was a gambling scheme, created by the Sox's first basemen. He recruited other team members, including the famous Shoeless Joe Jackson, which later was a heartbreak to many young fans.

Playing fair is a part of American Society. Some try to slide by without getting caught, (and sometimes they don't!) but it shows character and respect for the game when you play fair. This issue makes me think of the current day "steroid usage" issue. Is that cheating? How should we handle that situation?

Gatsby

I am a strong believer that you can judge a book by its cover. Whether its simple, complicated, colorful, dark, small or big, one can always analyze and relate it to what is inside. What do you think? Can you acctually judge a book by its cover? What does this Gatsby cover say to you?

The Grand Finale

Junior themes were turned in this week (well... I HOPE yours were turned in!) and it is honestly such a relief. Its amazing how much there is to learn about every little topic, yet during this project, I truly did realize there is a way to "over-research."

Ask me anything about television in the 1970's and I'm sure I know it! That is a great feeling. On the other hand, after weeks and weeks of reading materials surrounding the same subject line, I am more than ready to move on to The Great Gatsby!

Looking back, I liked the Junior Theme project. I felt it gave each author "wiggle room" to test the limits of their knowledge. Also, I felt that being able to choose your own topic, benefited not only your paper, but also everything you took away from this project.

If I were to do this again, I would change two things. First being, to take full advantage of library time. Second being to spread out the actual writing process over a couple days (suggested 3 or 4) instead of 1 or 2.

I am really proud and excited that its all done!!!