Self Evaluation

1. Before English 15S started, I was not sure what to expect from the class. I envisioned it being a class where we would read multiple novels and then follow the readings with an essay. Fortunately that was not the case. I learned a new form of writing, one that is more current with technology. I learned how to make a blog and respond to prompts through a website. Blogging has taught me how to write casually while still being appropriate. I learned that for my intended audience it was acceptable for me to write in a more laid back tone. Blogging is also something that I enjoy doing. Having my own blog makes my responses more personal and interesting, rather than having my responses come across as textbook like answers. My responses were able to flow simply because of how comfortable I felt. When it came to working in a group, it was surprisingly easier than I imagined it would be. My group worked very well together. Everyone was able to complete the work on time and we were able to divide it up in a way that was fair for everyone. Although working in a work came with no complications, I’ve learned that I would rather work individually on an assignment. My work ethics have grown in what I would like to call stepping stones.  I am a still a huge procrastinator; however I do not wait until the very, very last minute anymore.

While being in this English class, I learned a few things about Penn State itself. After our advertisement assignment, I started to notice the advertisements around campus and which ones were worth reading. If I were ever to become an advertisement specialist, I now understand that using the pathos, logos, and ethos appeal collectively is the most effective. English 15S has also introduced me to famous Penn State Arboretum along with the Penn State museum. English 15S provided me with the opportunity to take the time and explore these exhibits. I was able to see my first play at the theatre, and surprisingly enjoyed it. This class has broadened my horizons in areas that I would not normally explore.

When it comes to the arts, I know that I am a huge fan musically. Any concert I have attended has been able to grasp my attention, and I’ve enjoyed the entertainment it provides. I have found that I am not much of a painting, sculpture type person. There is too much of a standstill interpretation that comes along with it. I like when the message comes in a verbal form.

2. 

•  http://jimmyschlupp.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-social-network.html?showComment=1355503631125#c7924878168895584725

• artandrhetoric.blogspot.com/2012/09/extra-post-comic-book-coffee-table.html?showComment=1355503787517#c3944354521736990856

• http://carascornerthearts.blogspot.com/2012/11/extra-blog-post-2-my-photography.html

• ·         http://joewater.blogspot.com/2012/12/random-post-christmas-decorations.html?showComment=1355504452101#c4143187500743431109

• ·         http://theartsynittanylion.blogspot.com/2012/12/crazy-for-shwayze.html?showComment=1355504757115#c8674182252539574541

• ·         http://artsfortheheart.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-art-of-secret-secret-in-hebrew.html?showComment=1355505048829#c3523386512125908701

• ·         https://cms.psu.edu/section/content/Default.asp?WCI=pgDisplay&WCU=CRSCNT&ENTRY_ID=B44ADAB486D640DFB33AC027BB2F1A11

• ·         http://storiesfromstuart.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-garden-of-thought.html?showComment=1355505529211#c5212308282507028081

• ·         http://curtincallblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-last-thing.html?showComment=1355505646149#c8580295484768609607

• ·         http://ifartcouldtalk101.blogspot.com/2012/12/cultural-event.html?showComment=1355505832724#c6263340160288892996

• ·         http://artsinthehappyvalley.blogspot.com/2012/10/relive-best-7-years-of-your-college.html?showComment=1355506106139#c3735492610907968683

• ·         http://takingonsociety.blogspot.com/2012/12/every-summer-i-would-travel-to-brazil.html?showComment=1355506364018#c6371939704567179346

3. Hi, Ms. S I completed my SRTEs!

In Red and Brown Water

In the Red and Brown Water, directed by Steve Broadnax, opened with five women. They all took turns talking as the spotlight lit up their faces. At first, I had no idea what they were talking about. However, I knew that this opening scene was of importance, as all introductions are. The main character, Oya, was a talented track star that had been given many opportunities while she was young. Oya also was popular with the men in town. Everyone wanted to date her, but her mother never approved of any man that came by. One very big opportunity that was given to Oya was a scholarship to a big State school. Oya was very interested in the offer, however her mother was her whole life. When she found out that her mother was not sick, she turned down her offer at school and decided to take care of her mother. Not long after, Oya’s mother passed away and left Oya to take care of the house. Most African American women depended on their husbands for income, shelter, and food. It was expected that Oya married and started a family. Oya and another younger gentlemen Shango had a coy love from the very beginning.  As Oya and Shango began to reach adulthood, it became more difficult for them to be together. While Shango was away in the army, Oya passed the time with another man. Shango would came back periodically, and Oya always went to seek love from him. Oya ended her life as soon as she learned that Shango would be the father of another woman’s baby. Oya cut off her ear and gave it to him because Shango would always rub her ear, and that symbolized the kind love the two shared.

The most eye opening part of the story was when Oya’s mother died. Once she died, Oya was left all alone to care for herself. She also was not able to go to school for track since she rejected her offer the year before. Oya’s intention was to go to school and continue her track career, however that was no longer in the cards for her.  Unfortunately, she did not achieve her goal. Instead, she was forced to live her life the same way every African American girl her age did. She would marry and become a stay at home mother.

I was most compelled with Aunt Elegua in the play. I thought her character added some comical relief in the play. I especially liked when she got on the dance floor and shook her booty. I also liked her comments toward Shango when she first met him. Her comments made it awkward for Shango and also left the audience feeling uncomfortable and on their feet.

If I were to critique the play after viewing it, my only complaint would be that the introductions of each character did not flow. It was distracting when a character announced the moment in which they would walk in, or when they mentioned their state of mind. Besides that, everything else worked.

This was the first time I had seen a live play at the state theatre. Prior to attending the play, I assumed that it would be like any other typical high school play I viewed. There was bound to be some cliché story line, along with sing alongs that were upbeat and giddy. My expectations were not that high considering it was mandatory, and well, it was a play.  However after viewing the play, my opinion changed. I enjoyed how the play was not too conservative. I liked how it was meant for a college, student audience. The cursing, music, and dancing were all relatable, and allowed me to make a better connection with the characters.

A Movie Review

Have you ever thought marriage and school could coincide?  Well, Wellesley girls are accustomed to living a lifestyle of just that. “Wellesley girls who are married have become quite adept at balancing their obligations”. Their obligations being that they must manage their rigorous course schedule while mastering all housewife duties and attending to their husbands. This is the “role [the women] were born to fill” at Wellesley College. One would not know who a Wellesley girl is without viewing the romantic drama film, Mona Lisa Smile. As the director, Mike Newell portrayed Julia Roberts as a teacher that had the intentions of showing her female students that it was possible to apply their knowledge in a work force setting after they graduated. Students, starring Kristen Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Julia Stiles, believed that their duty in life was to be a housewife and raise a family. This film goes on to show how the 1950’s era had an impact on a woman’s future and her decision-making.

            After viewing the film, there were some appeals that made the movie evoking. Although this film took place in 1953-1954, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were some areas of mutual conflicting predicaments that still occur in today’s society. The uncertain nature of where one wants to go in life was established in almost all the girls that attended Wellesley College. Some girls were undecided on their careers, and others were indecisive on whether they wanted marriage alongside a graduate degree. In addition, there were struggles with finding an everlasting relationship and staying loyal. This was solely shown through Kristen Dunst’s character. She had not been content with her marriage, because her relationship felt more like an obligation rather than a pure feeling. She later began to realize that her husband was cheating on her, while under the impression that he was on business trips. There was drinking, smoking, and intimacy all incorporated within the scenes. Some drinking incidents led to irresponsible behaviors, such as a student teacher affair. All these aspects of life are reoccurring and still very much present in 2012.

            Although the film mostly consisted of relatable features in every day life, there were few elements of the film that made it difficult to connect with. For instance, the film’s main focus was women independence. Wellesley College was an all female school. Therefore the women who attended were fully committed to their studies and were awaiting marriage. In today’s society, most women attend co-ed universities/colleges and do not get married until the average age of 28. The expectations that were demanded of these young women were hard to grasp. Not only were they asked to have proper etiquette at all times, but they also had to listen to the obligations of which their parents bestowed on them. One student’s mother in particular, would not allow her daughter to sleep in her house once she found out her husband had been cheating on her. She was also not allowed to file for divorce. These things are unheard of in 2012. A majority of the population in the US decide what is best for them in adulthood, not their parents.

Although Mona Lisa Smile did not depict exactly what life was like in current times, it did have an engaging story line that was excellently performed by Hollywood’s A-list actresses. A bulk of the film that was relatable made the film worth viewing. Not only did Mona Lisa Smile exhibit romance in various forms, but it also contained drama that allowed the audience to be engaged. Mona Lisa Smile, directed by Mike Newell, earns my approval and a “thumps up”.

The Arboretum at Penn State

When the class was asked to meet at the H.O. Botanical Gardens at the Arboretum, the destination did not sound familiar. Given the name “Botanical Gardens,” I could only imagine what the place looked like.  I pictured a vast amount of land, acres upon acres, specifically allotted for plants and flowers. When arriving, my expectations had not matched up. The H.O Botantical Gardens was relatively small; however it was also under construction. When visiting, there were construction workers expanding the gardens. Trails were placed throughout, leading to the different displays of flowers and plants. Each section had a different theme to it. For example, some areas just consisted of bushes, whereas other areas had a few types of water lilies and large water pads surrounding.

Growing up I was not exposed to many naturally activities. I played a lot of sports, so hiking, fishing, and exploring the outdoors was not something I became familiar with. With that said, I am not a big nature person; I do enjoy small amounts of it here and there, but at times it can be overwhelming. The H.O Botanical Gardens was not at all overwhelming. In fact, it contained the perfect amount of nature that enabled me to enjoy the walk through. I was also able to see what each section consisted of rather than just the main attractions. After my visit, I explained the layout and showed each of them pictures of each section of the Botanical Gardens. Each of my friends reacted positively to the photos and insisted on taking a trip there in the near future. As for me, I would definitely return to the Arboretum. I have an obsession with sunsets so watching one there would be like sitting front row at a concert. Not to mention, Sunset Park is just a few minutes away.

After walking around for about a half hour, there were two areas in the Arboretum that captured my attention. The very first section that caught me eye was the archery made by leaves. The complexity of the leaves, and the size altogether made it impossible to miss. The bench that was placed under made it very approachable, and has potential to be an excellent place to read. The array of sunflowers that were set in the back added a nice touch to the entire serene scene. I could not connect this setting back to anything in my life. However, it did look very similar to pictures I have seen in magazines of gardens and would be perfect for a movie scene. Another spot of interest was the small pond that was constructed of stone. In the pond, there were a number of large water pads that enclosed the pink water lilies. Something I found to be interesting was the spirally plant that grew in the water. Small parts of the branches jutted out towards the sky, making it appear to be a stick floating in water. Looking at this pond made me think of a similar one that is back at home and left me feeling a bit nostalgic.

Palmer Museum Visit

Upon visiting the Art Museum at Penn State, there was one piece of art that caught my eye. This specific art piece, made by Willie Cole in 2005-2006, was given the name Harlem Rose. The sculpture was comprised of “worn, scuffed female shoes”. The Harlem Rose has a circular shape and within that shape there are black shoes jutting out, making it a three dimensional work of art. The back shoes are pointing outward so that the toes are facing the viewer. Each shoe is carefully placed in a different direction so that it looks like a shrub. No matter what angle the viewer is standing, the individual will always see about half the souls of the shoes.

Willie Cole did not make this specific piece of art while physically experiencing a notable time in history. Instead, he made this sculpture with the Civil Rights Movement in mind. Willie wanted to portray the struggles that African Americans had to experience during the Montgomery bus boycott. The shoes connect with the Civil Rights movement because it “suggests the fragile beauty of a once vibrant urban center for African Americans”. The Harlem Rose is in conversation with that movement because the shoes are a representation of the black women who participated in the boycott, and it symbolizes the dedication each female had when walking across town to go to work. This piece is a social comment to the society in which those women lived in during the 1960’s.

This piece applies to the pathos appeal in many ways. It makes me have empathy towards the women whom did not have equal rights. This piece displays the pain in which these woman faced. At the same time, I have respect for the African American women during that time period. The Harlem Rose shows their resistance and the battle they faced against an unaccepting society. I feel respect towards them because a majority of these women handled it with such grace.

This work of art has a sense of credibility because Willie Cole was an African American himself. Therefore, he felt a strong connection with the African Americans and was aware of their past history through relatives. In the early 1990’s, Willie specialized in shoes. He then was fascinated with taking these shoes and creating “artifacts from other cultures”. Willie Cole’s other pieces of art are either sculptures or printmakers that are assembled from “irons, blow dryers, bicycle parts, etc”.

This piece makes a claim that during the Civil Rights Movement there were many women experiencing a life of hardship. They were all fighting for the same thing and came together as one in doing so. The shoes are all the same color, which represents the African American’s skin color.

My first time at the museum was an interesting experience. I normally do not usually go to museums in my free time, however I enjoyed looking at the sculptures. It was fascinating to see how each piece of art represented a given time period. Although it was a valuable experience I would not revisit the museum. I enjoy art that is more interactive rather than visual.

Template: 

When deciding what template I wanted to choose for my blog, I had a difficult time because each template was appealing to me. Also, it was my first time ever making a blog, so I did not know what an appropriate template for this class should look like. In most situations, I am an easy, traditional person. I like to keep my work simple and to the point. I find that a blog with pictured background distracts from the writing. Therefore, I was able to find a template that was simple, organized, and it happened to be my favorite color. With that said, I decided to have a simple layout that allowed my posts to be the main focus of the page.

Title:

When it was time to make a title for my blog, I had difficulty because typically I am not very creative. After I put some thought into it, I concluded that it should be "Sam's Piece of Mind". The blogs that are going to be posted all come from my point of view, and the reader will get a taste of my personality.

Color:

Finding a color for my blog was the easiest part. I am in love with the light color blue. I find that it brings a soothing mood and also makes it easier to write. I did not want my page to be boring black and white, and I wanted some incentive while writing. Having my blog background be my favorite color will give me ease while completing the assignments.

Font:

I have always been trained to type in either Arial or Times New Roman font when completing an assignment. Because I was given the choice to choose my own font, I found that Trebuchet was simple, yet different and of course easy to read. I like typing in a bigger font not because it takes up space and looks long, but because I felt like being generous to those who have bad eyes.

Pages: 

I decided to make all the pages easily accessible to the reader by having it all laid out on one page. I continued to go along with my simple theme. I thought that the blog's were the main focus, and so I made that be the center.

Sharing/Findings:

Everything that the reader needs to see will be accessible on the one page of my blog with exception to the links I post that go along with addition information. This was done to avoid chaos and confusion.

Links: 

I have not found any links to add yet. However I plan on adding them as I continue to blog. I will post links that are relevant to what I am discussing on my blog. I will also post the links that go along with any of the research I have done.

After looking at my blog I feel like it represents who I am. I am not very creative when it comes to formatting and designing. I enjoy when websites are easy to navigate through, and there is no excess information that misleads you from the purpose of the page. The experience of creating a blog was fairly easy. Some of the minor details were difficult to navigate at first, however I was able to find it in the end. Through blogging, I expect to be able to write freely and say what is on my mind while being appropriate and keeping the audience in mind. I also hope to be able to read what other people have to say about certain topics and get a different perspective on the arts at Penn State.