Reflection

This course, PWR 340, has benefitted me greatly. I have learned alot about writing, especially nonfiction. The literature in the course was interesting and very informative when I wrote my own stories. I honestly don't like writting that much, actually not at all. This course was painless though. We got to write about things that interested us, and Prof. Emerson just helped us make our stories more creative. He never thought we had bad ideas and showed me that you could make a fifteen page paper about pretty much anything with the right structure and some creativity. I used to think that nonfiction writing was the most boring type of writing until this class.
Now I think that nonfiction writing is the most interesting and most carefully thought out type of literature. The structuring and research behind many of the pieces we read and members of our class wrote were well thought out. Now when I read a piece I find myself examing what the author has done with the piece- where they added research, why they structured it the way they did, what the themes were. Although sometimes board work was monotonous, I think it was the most beneficial part of class. It really got you thinking and analyzing the story until you exhuasted every angle of it.
Overall I enjoyed the class. Writing ifs definantly still not my favorite thing to do, but I enjoy reading more now that I understand how much effort goes into each piece. Thanks!

Snow

I hate the snow. I do nothing that involves the cold. I might snowboard or ski once or twice a year, but that's it. The snow stays around for six months. Thats six months of staying inside and doing nothing. Everyone is always sick in the winter time, probably because they don't get enough fresh air and are always freezing. Today it has snowed all day. The roads are terrible and even if you did have something fun to do on a terrible day like today, you would have to risk your life on the icey roads to get there. So basically, the snow is the worst.

Parents

I went to an 8th grade football game the other day and it was very entertaining. The kids were too cute in their oversized pads. Most of them had a good concept of the game but they were all in the learning phase. Most of the boys were in the awkward growing phase and couldn't really control their bodies yet. Some were very talented and stood out among the other kids. One of these athletes had three touchdowns and contributed greatly to his teams 46-6 lead at halftime. It was during halftime that he came over to talk to his dad, looking for praise but what he got was the opposite. I watched his dad tear him down and focus on all the negatives that this 13 year old boy had down. Not once did he say good job but just told him what he shoudl do in the second half better. Although the criticism may have been intended to be constructive, I couldn't help but want to tell the kid good job myself.
I definately don't have kids of my own but if I did I feel like I would have had better things to say to them than "you suck". I feel like parents are half of the reason kids don't want to play sports when they are older. At young ages all kids want is acceptance and encouragement, and lots of times parents don't offer either of these. This game was a reminder of how rediculous parents can be, and I'm sure this is quite common.

Marathon

Yesterday I completed my first full marathon, all 26.2 miles. Talk about feeling accomplished. Honestly the best feeling in the world. I had no expectations going in, just to feel exhausted by the end, but I was pleasantly surprised. I ending up doing very well and qualifying for the Boston marathon in April which I am already so excited for, it can't come soon enough. Most peopel think that running that much would make you feel terrible, but it actually did the exact opposite for me. I am so full of energy and I don't think I have ever been more proud of myself, it was a very uplifting experience. Finding out what you are capable of is so inspiring to me. Never in my life would I think that I would take on such a huge feat at such a young age, but I did I am beyond thrilled that I did it. I would recomend anyone who has dedication adn desire to do the same.

School

The school year is sooo long. We have only been here for a month, but it feels like forever. In the summer I get lots of sleep, eat good meals, and have so much time to myself to do whatever I want. When I get to school I feel like I have no time to do anything. If I'm not in class, I'm doing work or thinking about what work I have to do, or doing laundry, or finding something to eat, or cleaning my room. I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. I do spend a lot of time doing things that are unproductive and recreational, but those are things that are fun for me and keep me sane. I just like the Summer much better. I don't like having a set agenda and like to do things as they come. Also, in the Summer I can work full time and have money in my pockets. Right now I have no money coming in, and seem to need so many things.
The other day in class it was mentioned that we should have a break every few weeks from school just to re-group. That is the best idea ever. I get so run down from the weekends, which are my days to enjoy myself without thinking of the stressful week. It would be nice, and I think very beneficial to have a four day weekend ever so often to catch up on work, sleep, and life in general.

Mornings

I am a morning person. The color of the morning sky is my favorite color. I can't really describe it, but you can see it for yourself if you wake up before 6am. The air is always fresh, before daily activities have polluted and intervened. The sun is just coming up so the sky is still dark but on the brink of becoming illuminated. It is during this time that I like to go running. It feels so good to know that as everyone else is sleeping, I am making the most of the most beautiful time of day. It feels so good to get a head start and get my day going in the right direction. It is also nice to see other people out at this hour. Most people stay in the comfort of their own beds, but the dedicated like to take advantage of the dead hours. I used to think that getting up so early would maked me tired adn worn out during the course of the day, but for some reason it does the exact opposite. It gets me going and energizes me for the tasks ahead. I always feel like I'm one step ahead on the days where I take advantage of the morning hours.

Preseason

Both college and professional athletic seasons are long, and last over half of the year. During this time the athletes are putting their bodies through unimaginable stress and pressure on a day-to-day basis. In addition to the season, the athletes are expected to partake in preseason activities including full-speed games. During this time many injuries occur which effect the remainder of the core season. Preseason games give coaches, viewers, and players an idea of how the team will do in the league. At the same time these games provide an opportunity for players to get injured before the real games, the ones that actually count. Injuries do happen in and out of season, in practice and in games. It just raises the question of how hard the athletes are pushed in the off-season and whether or not it is beneficial in the long-run.

Soccer

Soccer isn't a boring sport, but it isn't one of the more exciting ones. The fact that there is major league soccer in the US means that there are enough supporters of the sport, but I don't think it will ever be on the same level as basketball, football, or baseball in America. The sports we watch are a direct reflection of what we value and what we find entertaining. Americans like fast pace, contact, and high scoring sports. Soccer is none of the three. There are times when there is some excitement, but it is a very small portion of the long game.The only time I ever see high-lights from soccer games is if there is some sort of fight or some flagrant foul, because those are two things that people may find exciting about the game. It takes much skill and endurance to play, but it also takes much patience and knowledge to watch and enjoy. I would challenge someone to name 5 major player in the MLS, cause I know I couldn't. I found it interesting how the hype of Beckham coming to the league made some question the popularity of the sport, and believed that he would bring more fans. Maybe he will, but I don't think it would be enough to take any attention away from the other big sports.

Fall

This weekend has been an indication that summer is coming to an end, and fall is right around the corner. Although technically the fall doesn't start until later on in the month, this weekend with the rain and the football has made it feel like fall came early this year. Summer is definitely my favorite season, with the warm weather, and the sun, and the beaches. Although weather wise, fall isn't the best, fall does mean football season. In the summer there are sporting events on t.v., but not ones that I am really interested in. There has to be something on television to watch on the cold rainy days, that's why I feel like football season starts at the perfect time. I enjoy watching college and NFL, I don't really have a preference. The games are long and allow much time for scoring, comebacks, and upsets. Even though it makes me sad to see the days get cooler and the leaves start to change, I'm excited for some good football.

International Basketball

I am not a big fan of the NBA by any means, at least not until play-off time. The games are sometimes exciting, but I would much rather watch the highlights the following day on sports center than an entire game.
What I do find very entertaining though is the international play. The FIBA Americas 2007 has definantly kept my attention and is something I find myself following. I like to watch some of the premiere players in the NBA work together to represent the US. It seems for the most part that everyone puts their egos aside and they genuinely enjoy playing with each other.
Watching players from different teams mix together shows you a different side to each player. On their original teams they are the "superstar" and you know what to expect from them. On the US team, the players are out of their element and on a team of "superstars" and no longer have the same role that they do on their home team, which sometimes brings out a different aspect of their game.
I also enjoy watching teams from other countries play. In this years tournament the USA team is proving themselves to be a dominant force, burying teams like Canada. Basketball is one of the more popular sports in the US, but it seems to be gaining popularity in other countries which is mirrored in teams who prove to give the US some competition, especially in the last Olympic games. Its fun to see if USA's finest size-up to those from other countries, so far this tournament no one has proven themselves a match.

Sport and Character

Through competative sports, both team and individual, I have learned many useful skills far beyond the rules of the games. I have learned teamwork, discipline, dedication, sportsmanship. and hard-work to name a few. These character traits carry over from the athletic field into my everyday life, the same is true of many of my friends and teammates. There are certain values that one acquires through participating in sports which adds to their overall character.
I believe that the athletic community as well as the rest of society expects professional athletes to display not only talent within their expertise, but also the values and sportmanship that they may have learned through playing the sport. I personally respect athletes who are extremely talented and are upstanding citizens as well. In my opinion watching someone who demostrates sportsmanship and teamwork during a sporting event adds to the overall appeal of that player. On the other hand, those who show no values are somewhat tarnished in my eyes. When professional athletes, who are supposed to epitomize sport, display bad character and make poor decisions I often lose some respect for them. For example, recently Mike Vick has been a focal point of much scrutany for his practices and behavior. Regardless of the jail time he serves and if/when he returns to the league, I don't think that I will ever have as much respect as I used to for him as a player. I feel that this may be true for many of his fans as well.