Classroom Culture

This last Thursday class, when we were looking at porn and children's books :) was filled with tense filled situations, of student on student confrontations. My response to it, constructive. When I hear some people talk I am amazed at their ignorance and lack of argumentation skills (and yes there is a correct way to argue) and I wish everyone can just see what i see and think what i think, but then i hear someone say some thing brilliant, that never even crossed my mind, and once again i am thankful for not everyone thinking like me.
I think the teacher does an excellent job at allowing us to work it out among ourselves. We are adults (whether we like it or not) and there is not better time to practice our free speech and practice it responsibly, than in class with our peers when things get a little heated. What we do need a little work on, is the respectful aspect of it and the understanding their are different perspectives i might not agree with, aspect of it. And that is where we can help each other.
I like when things get heated, and when people are opinionated, it makes for great debates! But that doesn't mean we need to fight each other, save that for our 6:00 break!!
Chill and just listen to what people have to say, you might learn something.
Looking forward to tonights class ;)

My boyfriend, my best friend

So I am going to get cheesy on you all and give a shout out to my man! First let me start off by saying, I have had some major drama in my life regarding boyfriends. I am not talking shit about them, they were great people, at the same time, they had a lot of emotions they still needed to figure out and as i came to learn, so did I. After having these real crazy and dramatic relationships I realized the one common denominator, ME. Ouch! That hit home, when I finally looked at myself and what I was attracting and how I was contributing to a not so healthy relationship. I did a lot of work on myself and tried to make myself who i wanted to be. This is when I met Kevin. Although I was immediately attracted to him and we completely hit it off, it was not all roses and kisses. We were two very different people. Almost the whole first year we were together was figuring out if this would even work. One element we did have since day one, was our ability to communicate. I know this is cliche, but communication really is the key! We have finally met on common grounds and now we can't get enough of each other. I have never been so happy with someone. He is truly my best friend. This is the first relationship when we have been able to eliminate all that high school, immature, and hurtful habits. Now we aren't perfect, but I know we can overcome what ever comes our way.
I don't think Kevin has realized just how thankful i am for him (even though I try and express it). He doesn't know what i have been through, to the extent that i know and to be able to just be with someone and be confident and secure with the relationship is wonderful. Kevin is freakin hilarious (that is what won my heart) and he is kind and not too proud to show me how he feels. I have realized the only time I can really breath is when I am touching him or he is around me. We share this mutual feeling of love for one another and I am so thankful he is in my life.

Winding down to the end of the semester and I can feel that I am fighting off a break down! I am usually very chill. Even though things are going crazy inside my head, I try to maintain a calm composure on the outside. I read this tip in a magazine one time, it basically said, fake it til you make it (and no i am not talking about orgasms). Fake that you are calm and relaxed and everything is under control, even if they are not. It will help you better to deal with LIFE!
So anyways, back to me and my crazy end of the semester. So I am graduating this semester YAY, so this means 20 units including Capstone!! I haven't had a problem all semester managing my time, although i am feeling the pain as the semester draws closer to an end. I can't even list the many things I have due within the 3 weeks of school. School work is getting super hectic and I am trying to keep my cool and just take it day by day. So to everyone finishing up the semester, hang in there! We are almost done!

Liberty v. Order

For my Intro to Creative Writing class we had to write a social action poem. When I wrote this, it was around the time when the class had the discussion of Liberty vs. Order. So that was my social action poem topic. Feel free to comment, the poem is still in the revision stages, so your comments would actually be helpful. Thanks for taking the time to read it!

Free as a Caged Bird

The burning star above our heads is beating down upon us,

it challenges our will to practice our rights, the

sweet smell of sweat on our body and souls, our sore throats, and

tears represents our dissent. We gather

on the black gravel road, thousands are there, our voice is loud.

Our voices are free and powerful like hurricane winds,

we slip through the government’s hands,

we march like a sea, but separate for no one.

Then, I feel a baton jab my left side and a shove from my right,

I look up and for a moment I am in the shadow of the policemen,

Atop horses, bikes, with steel toe boots, they wear

the uniform of government.

They have just disrupted a peaceful bee hive.

They are peppered among the crowds,

They are hungry hawks and we are little mice.

Waiting for us to be separated from our herd.

They fear us like the night and we fear them right back.

We are face down and hog tied on the streets, I feel the hot gravel sticking into my cheek

The sun shows us no mercy.

Our voice is broken from the crush of the tidal wave.

We are as free as a caged bird,

inside the walls of the government.

Random Free Write

I am sitting at my desk in my room. I am sitting on the edge of my chair and rocked forward because it helps me to sit up straight, which I don't always tend do. My housemates call my room my "cave" because I stay in here quite a bit throughout the week doing my homework. I have 20 units this semester along with Capstone, so school keeps me pretty busy. I am very fortunate to have my parents financial support, which allows me the extra time to focus on school instead of getting a job. But that also means, no excuses when it comes to grade time :) I don't mind getting help from my parents. I know some people don't have this option, or wouldn't take it if they did. I accept the helping hand. I figure just because someone opens the door for me, doesn't mean I won't walk through it :) I know it is important to always remember to be thankful when it happens, but not to except it.
Still sitting at my desk, I realize what a mess it is! Covered with post-its, papers, my phone, books, pictures, a bowl from lunch, couple glasses, a hammer, candles, pens, elephants (my favorite animal) and tons of other stuff that probably should not be on my desk. I am not the cleanest person alive, but I know where everything is or if it has been moved. I have a couple hours before class and I still need to take a shower and pack. I am heading home after class. I only live an hour and a half from here so I go home quite a bit. That is where my family, friends and boyfriend are. Probably going to move back there after I graduate this May.
As I am typing this blog it feels good to just be able to type whatever, but then I realize that other people are going to read this and I should try and capture their attention, so oh well, maybe next time!! Have a good day guys!

Child Advocacy Poem

Here is a poem I wrote about child advocacy. I am extremely passionate about child advocates and believe in their effectiveness. They give children a voice that is much needed. I am also writing my Capstone on the effectiveness of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

CHILD ADVOCACY

The shuffle of papers,

the low murmurs of voices turned to a soft hum,

the lawyer’s black high heels land hard on the wood floor.

They head through the swinging doors and then to behind her table.

The tension in the room is a thick fog.

All rise

The man who plays God to deliver

the verdict, has just entered into the room.

His robe sways carelessly, then rests as he takes his seat. All sit

The abusive dad looks behind his bench to see his abused daughter in the pig tails he did for her this morning and in the flower dress her grandma bought.

He shaved today for the first time in months, his breath smells of whiskey and mouthwash.

Your honor, sir, I didn’t mean to hit her that hard, I’m getting help. I promise

never again. Can I please bring my daughter home, I am all she has.

Okay, God says, you will get another chance, but this is

the last time

The daughter lowers her black and blue face to hide her tears.

If only I picked up all my toys, she thinks.

Court is dismissed

The father loosens his tie and untucks his shirt as he walks towards his daughter. He grabs her tiny hand and

it disappears in his.