If only I could tell you before you register for this class that Professor Renfroe's expectations of you will be tough, and no matter how much you complain or give excuses, he will not cut you any slack. In other words, his overall objective for you will be that you become a better and more confident nonfiction writer who also uses creativity as part of the process, ultimately resulting in a written work that will be enjoyable for others to read.
At times, you will think that there is no way that you can do all of the work. I mean not only does Professor Renfroe "ask" you to write (and rewrite) your essays, he also requires you to read a lot about creative nonfiction writing techniques and well known essays that incorporate those techniques, and then you will be quizzed on the readings at the most unexpected times. Oh, one more thing, he will also request that you blog, blog, blog every week. If you are like me, you must prepare yourself for the big shock of learning how to blog and then writing about various topics that you think others will want to take their time to read about.
If you get through the class, you will have learned so much. You will have refined your writing to a point that you will feel good about it and also will have developed a thought process where you will have selected topics that could be personal, profile, or immersion (topics you know a lot about) essays. The essay title will need to be good enough to "draw" the reader into a strong introduction; and if they read the whole essay, they will need to feel good about your conclusion. Your writing will reflect timely and timeless information. It will tell a story, contain some humor when appropriate, be informative where the reader will learn something, and, most of all, it will be factual. Detailed descriptions and dialogue will be important in any essay, as well as smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next. You will also see that you will typically use too many words to say even the most simplest things, when only a few words will easily suffice. One last, but very important, thing to remember: If you do not use good grammar, you will not be a successful writer.
Your classmates will also play a big part in helping you get through the class and also become a better writer. They will be required to review your essays and note your strong points as well as any constructive feedback. Be ready, if your classmates are excellent reviewers like mine were, you will be editing your essays a good bit.
All I can end with is this: I am glad the class is ending soon, but the skills I have learned will go with me into my future writings. Thank you, Professor Renfroe, and classmates. Good luck to you, naive writer. You will need it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Excitement Is Growing!
I am now getting frequent e-mails from Queens about Hayworth College’s graduation events, and I am getting so excited. I have heard that there are about 100 of us adults graduating on Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m.; and with good weather, the ceremony will be held on Burwell Lawn, a tradition in the traditional undergraduate school.
My cap and gown have been ordered, and I should be able to pick them up in a couple of weeks. I debated about whether to order announcements, but I decided to order twenty-five. I plan to send them to my family and my close friends. Etiquette tips say that you can write “No Gifts, Please” on the announcement, and I will do that (even though I hope my husband surprises me with a gift of jewelry – my favorite thing). I decided not to order a ring, but I can order one at a later time if I change my mind.
Besides my husband, of course, I have invited my son and his family, my mother, and four of our best friend couples. Yes, that is fourteen people, but at this point, there is no guest limit. Hey, I have been going after this degree for around thirty years, so I am glad that those who love me the most can help me celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event.
After the graduation ceremony, we are planning to celebrate at either Zen Asian Fusion or Providence Cafe (two of my favorites dining places). Yes, it will be around 8:30 p.m., and most of this group usually goes to bed early, but, HELLO, it is the perfect time to P-A-R-T-Y! I can’t wait.
My cap and gown have been ordered, and I should be able to pick them up in a couple of weeks. I debated about whether to order announcements, but I decided to order twenty-five. I plan to send them to my family and my close friends. Etiquette tips say that you can write “No Gifts, Please” on the announcement, and I will do that (even though I hope my husband surprises me with a gift of jewelry – my favorite thing). I decided not to order a ring, but I can order one at a later time if I change my mind.
Besides my husband, of course, I have invited my son and his family, my mother, and four of our best friend couples. Yes, that is fourteen people, but at this point, there is no guest limit. Hey, I have been going after this degree for around thirty years, so I am glad that those who love me the most can help me celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event.
After the graduation ceremony, we are planning to celebrate at either Zen Asian Fusion or Providence Cafe (two of my favorites dining places). Yes, it will be around 8:30 p.m., and most of this group usually goes to bed early, but, HELLO, it is the perfect time to P-A-R-T-Y! I can’t wait.
Change – Is It Good or Bad?
It is interesting how quickly things change. Remember how countertop microwaves were the rage and now stores only have a few models to choose from because the built-ins are the thing now. And, look at how cameras and camcorders have evolved over the last few years. The change in these electronic devices has been dramatic – from big to so small, from film to digital, from heavy to featherweight. The list could go on and on, but today the message is on big business. Recently, I learned that Blockbuster Video probably will not stay in business through the end of the year. Another big company “bites the dust.”
I recall how wonderful it has been to walk around a Blockbuster store, select a movie at your own pace, and rent it using your “special” Blockbuster card, and then watching the video in the privacy of your home. I have not heard about how other video rental businesses such as Hollywood or Netflix (mail-order) are doing, but it has been nice to have the neighborhood Blockbusters, making rentals so convenient. I rarely see a Hollywood store, and no matter how convenient they try to make it, Netflix is still work on a customer’s part. They do have the instant TV showings, but the selection is poor.
Just yesterday, I ran in MY Blockbuster store and rented the newly released Bedroom Stories and The Tales of Despereaux, and a real oldie, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. We are taking our grandchildren to Blowing Rock over the Easter holiday, and the place where we are staying does not have pay-per-view selections. They only have a collection of DVD’s that guests can borrow, and I don’t recall seeing any new releases on the list. I guess we could live without looking at movies for a few days, but the children do enjoy it (and so do I), especially before bedtime.
We have Time Warner’s On Demand feature at home, and we do use it. However, it takes a while for the new releases to be available, and then they do not stay out there for very long. I could also purchase movies on-line, but, frankly, I do not usually watch a movie more than once, maybe twice, and I don’t want to start a collection of DVD’s to have to manage.
I know I’ll cope with this change, because, knowing how things work in our country, there will be something new to replace the services that Blockbuster has given us, making the company a distant memory in a short time. Thank you, Blockbuster, for a great service to me.
I recall how wonderful it has been to walk around a Blockbuster store, select a movie at your own pace, and rent it using your “special” Blockbuster card, and then watching the video in the privacy of your home. I have not heard about how other video rental businesses such as Hollywood or Netflix (mail-order) are doing, but it has been nice to have the neighborhood Blockbusters, making rentals so convenient. I rarely see a Hollywood store, and no matter how convenient they try to make it, Netflix is still work on a customer’s part. They do have the instant TV showings, but the selection is poor.
Just yesterday, I ran in MY Blockbuster store and rented the newly released Bedroom Stories and The Tales of Despereaux, and a real oldie, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. We are taking our grandchildren to Blowing Rock over the Easter holiday, and the place where we are staying does not have pay-per-view selections. They only have a collection of DVD’s that guests can borrow, and I don’t recall seeing any new releases on the list. I guess we could live without looking at movies for a few days, but the children do enjoy it (and so do I), especially before bedtime.
We have Time Warner’s On Demand feature at home, and we do use it. However, it takes a while for the new releases to be available, and then they do not stay out there for very long. I could also purchase movies on-line, but, frankly, I do not usually watch a movie more than once, maybe twice, and I don’t want to start a collection of DVD’s to have to manage.
I know I’ll cope with this change, because, knowing how things work in our country, there will be something new to replace the services that Blockbuster has given us, making the company a distant memory in a short time. Thank you, Blockbuster, for a great service to me.
Monday, April 6, 2009
There’s No Way That I Can Live Without It...
I have truly tried to stop using dry cleaning services, but I just can’t do it. I do worry about what is happening during the dry cleaning process. What happens to all of the used chemicals? How is the air affected by the dry cleaning process? Some times, when I get my cleaned clothes home and take off the plastic cover, the smell is so strong I cannot stay in the same room with them until they air out.
I think there are state and federal regulations on dry cleaning air emissions, hazardous waste disposal, etc. I read recently there are around 36,000 commercial dry cleaners in the U.S., with about 85 percent being “mom and pop” businesses with less than ten employees. I do not know if dry cleaners are inspected like restaurants on a somewhat regular basis. I hope that all of these small dry cleaning businesses are following regulations, but I do wonder if they are.
I also read that California is trying out “wet” dry cleaning using a hydrocarbon process that has very little air emission issues and no hazardous chemical residue that can get into the ground water. It sounded like most people do not like the results of this process, because their clothes don’t turn out the same as with the routine dry cleaning process. Speaking for myself, I know that I have to have my clothes dry cleaned, and I expect them to turn out a certain way.
I take my clothes to a small operation, and they do a wonderful job using the dry cleaning method. My hope is that they are following regulations, and that I am not contributing to another environmental issue that is going to be “the end of us all” one day.
I think there are state and federal regulations on dry cleaning air emissions, hazardous waste disposal, etc. I read recently there are around 36,000 commercial dry cleaners in the U.S., with about 85 percent being “mom and pop” businesses with less than ten employees. I do not know if dry cleaners are inspected like restaurants on a somewhat regular basis. I hope that all of these small dry cleaning businesses are following regulations, but I do wonder if they are.
I also read that California is trying out “wet” dry cleaning using a hydrocarbon process that has very little air emission issues and no hazardous chemical residue that can get into the ground water. It sounded like most people do not like the results of this process, because their clothes don’t turn out the same as with the routine dry cleaning process. Speaking for myself, I know that I have to have my clothes dry cleaned, and I expect them to turn out a certain way.
I take my clothes to a small operation, and they do a wonderful job using the dry cleaning method. My hope is that they are following regulations, and that I am not contributing to another environmental issue that is going to be “the end of us all” one day.
Not My Favorite Doctor or TV Show
Almost every time I land on the USA channel, the Dr. House series is on. I have tried to watch this show, but a couple of things really bother me. One is the way that everyone accepts his drug addiction, and the other is his rude and nasty treatment of his patients, his team, and other doctors and administrators. I know if I had a drug problem, I would be told at work that I must get help or else, so this one premise of the show is just not logical, and especially so for a doctor. I also know that if a doctor were to treat me the way Dr. House treats his patients, I would be considering suing him and the hospital for unprofessional cruelty. Now, when I see that Dr. House is on, I just keep moving to another channel.
Today, I could not believe it when I read that the topic at the May Mecklenburg County Medical Society Annual Meeting is “Media, Morals, & Medicine: The Dr. House TV Phenomenon.” This show must have made an impression on the medical community for it is to be the topic of an annual meeting.
The speaker is going to analyze the show’s popularity, and talk about how Dr. House’s character was inspired by Sherlock Holmes, who was also a brilliant diagnostician and a lonely drug addict. The speaker feels that Dr. House appeals to the viewing public because he is portraying a competent (right!), yet irreverent doctor, and he disgusts viewers with his impertinence and meanness. The speaker then plans to discuss how doctors can learn from what I would call Dr. House’s idiosyncrasies or just plain craziness.
What is the world coming to if the professional medical community spends its valuable time discussing a weird TV show?
Today, I could not believe it when I read that the topic at the May Mecklenburg County Medical Society Annual Meeting is “Media, Morals, & Medicine: The Dr. House TV Phenomenon.” This show must have made an impression on the medical community for it is to be the topic of an annual meeting.
The speaker is going to analyze the show’s popularity, and talk about how Dr. House’s character was inspired by Sherlock Holmes, who was also a brilliant diagnostician and a lonely drug addict. The speaker feels that Dr. House appeals to the viewing public because he is portraying a competent (right!), yet irreverent doctor, and he disgusts viewers with his impertinence and meanness. The speaker then plans to discuss how doctors can learn from what I would call Dr. House’s idiosyncrasies or just plain craziness.
What is the world coming to if the professional medical community spends its valuable time discussing a weird TV show?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I Should Have Been a Doctor
Don’t let the blog title confuse you. There is only one way I could be linked to being a doctor, and that is my horrible handwriting. Have you ever tried to read a prescription written by your doctor? That is what my handwriting looks like all the time.
Most of my friends and family write beautifully. One of my best friends, Mary Ann, has the most beautiful handwriting. It is straight, smooth, and you can read every letter without having to strain to ask whether an “a” is an “e” like you do when you read my writing. Our Aunt Billie, who is around 90 years old, sends us handwritten notes, and she has a wonderful handwriting. It is slanted to the right a little, fancy-looking, and very readable. My son, David, is a leftie, and he writes neater than I do.
I have thought seriously about taking handwriting lessons, but at this point in my life I am having to pick and choose priorities, and handwriting lessons seem like such a luxury to me. Anyway, I would not even know where to start looking for such lessons.
I have read that our handwriting makes us unique so I’m just going to stick with my own “special” handwriting. For now, I am going to try to write slowly and deliberately and hope that if I can read my handwriting, others will also be able to.
Signed: Annette Mason (Doctor-In-Waiting).
Most of my friends and family write beautifully. One of my best friends, Mary Ann, has the most beautiful handwriting. It is straight, smooth, and you can read every letter without having to strain to ask whether an “a” is an “e” like you do when you read my writing. Our Aunt Billie, who is around 90 years old, sends us handwritten notes, and she has a wonderful handwriting. It is slanted to the right a little, fancy-looking, and very readable. My son, David, is a leftie, and he writes neater than I do.
I have thought seriously about taking handwriting lessons, but at this point in my life I am having to pick and choose priorities, and handwriting lessons seem like such a luxury to me. Anyway, I would not even know where to start looking for such lessons.
I have read that our handwriting makes us unique so I’m just going to stick with my own “special” handwriting. For now, I am going to try to write slowly and deliberately and hope that if I can read my handwriting, others will also be able to.
Signed: Annette Mason (Doctor-In-Waiting).
Betsy, The Greatest Softball Player Who Ever Lived
My seven-year-old granddaughter, Betsy, is playing softball for the first time ever this spring. She really likes sports and watches basketball, baseball, and football games with her daddy all the time. Yet, on the other hand, she is a girlie girl. She loves dolls, jewelry, buying clothes, and, most of all, getting her nails done. So, how can you be a softball player and be a girlie girl?
Well, the first step in the process is buying a glove. Not just any glove, mind you, but a lavender one with pink trim. I just know that this accessory is going to help Betsy do well this first season. She does have a mind of her own, so when her daddy took her shopping and tried to talk her into a regular glove, she would have no part of it.
I took her to her second practice a couple of weeks ago, and it looks like the whole team is a bunch of girlie girls. Betsy’s glove did not stand out among the other pink and purple gloves, and it looked to me that Betsy was more into the game than most of her teammates (that’s her Mimi talking). She does like to practice with her daddy so maybe that will help her get out of the girlie mode and into the softball player mode.
She had her first game this week, and they lost eleven to nothing. I didn’t get to go, but she called me and told me the score and said that she was sure that they would do better next time. I asked her if she enjoyed playing, and she said she loved it. It would be good if as a grown-up I could feel that optimistic so quickly after a bad situation.
Well, the first step in the process is buying a glove. Not just any glove, mind you, but a lavender one with pink trim. I just know that this accessory is going to help Betsy do well this first season. She does have a mind of her own, so when her daddy took her shopping and tried to talk her into a regular glove, she would have no part of it.
I took her to her second practice a couple of weeks ago, and it looks like the whole team is a bunch of girlie girls. Betsy’s glove did not stand out among the other pink and purple gloves, and it looked to me that Betsy was more into the game than most of her teammates (that’s her Mimi talking). She does like to practice with her daddy so maybe that will help her get out of the girlie mode and into the softball player mode.
She had her first game this week, and they lost eleven to nothing. I didn’t get to go, but she called me and told me the score and said that she was sure that they would do better next time. I asked her if she enjoyed playing, and she said she loved it. It would be good if as a grown-up I could feel that optimistic so quickly after a bad situation.
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