Multi-Modal Reflection

             Due to the topic we chose, I found this to be an enjoyable project. I had a good group, who worked well with other people, and we were able to work quickly and efficiently. We were able to apply our knowledge previously learned from other papers/projects from the semester in writing this paper, like in the works cited. We were able to correct each other in any errors we found, and I found that we were all able to accept constructive criticism in a positive way.

               I liked how much freedom we had with the paper, design and topic wise. It allowed us to really explore our styles and our ideas to bring them together into one cohesive paper. The amount of in-class time was also very useful, as all of our schedules could make it difficult to get together to work on the project outside of class.

               I found this paper to be a good one to end the class with, as it let us use skills from all three papers we’ve written previously. We used our opinions, we had to analyze what other people were putting online, and we had to do a LOT of research in order to back up our claims and ideas. I think it helped solidify the general things we were supposed to learn from each project.

               I enjoyed my group, and this project in general. The 30 second proposals were entertaining and very eye-opening at how prepared we were for the final submission.

Style Academy

Surprisingly, the Rhetorical Analysis paper was a HUGE struggle for me. I generally am very good at twisting other people's words around to suit my purpose, but it seems that I'm not nearly as smart as I think I am. (I guess this is why we go to college, huh?)
Having completely re-written this paper more times than I wish to admit, I still feel like I don't quite understand how to go about it. Hopefully as the semester continues I'll be able to keep working on it to improve.

Getting hooked

Recently, I've become extremely addicted to the BBC show, Sherlock. While thinking about the effectiveness of writing, I tried to evaluate what it was that got me so hooked on that show.

Drama

Mystery

Comedy

The writers know how to throw in a lot of comedy that, sometimes, you really have to pay close attention to catch. They also know how to keep a wide range of watchers on the edge of their seats wondering what could come next. Being able to keep a variety of personalities and preferences engaged in something is a huge feat, if you ask me!

In the first episode alone, you're suddenly thrown into the relationship between Sherlock and Watson, as is Watson! It's a very fast paced show with constant action, making it very exciting. I think that is what appeals to many people, especially the younger generation. Today's world is such a "go, go, go!" world, that everyone takes to the involvement of Sherlock very well. The writers were able to convert old classics into something that fits into the modern world, which I believe is what really keeps people coming back.

A Choice

            In the Mormon religion, the opportunity to go teach and serve others has always been important. However, women haven’t been as highly encouraged to serve as men. Why is this? I think mainly because women weren’t given the responsibility to hold the priesthood. That has been reserved for the men. As women, we have the sacred responsibility to bring God’s children into this mortal life, and to nurture them. The church places a heavier emphasis on women getting married than serving a mission.

            During my childhood I knew lots of boys who served missions and even some girls. It wasn’t necessarily uncommon for girls to serve, though the number of female missionaries compared to males was drastically smaller. When the age change happened, I knew that the number of female’s who would serve would jump, but I didn’t anticipate the expectations that followed. Women are encouraged to marry a man who has served an honorable mission. It now seems that men are starting to follow along the same guideline, which I don’t think is quite fair. When President Monson shared the news about the age change, he himself said, “We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men.”

            When my sister got engaged to her husband, many people that she expected to receive congratulations from instead gave condescending and negative feedback to her husband for choosing a partner who hadn’t served a mission. As our prophet himself has stated that women aren’t under the same expectations as the men, why does the rest of our culture seem to think that they are? People need to understand that while we are equal in terms of legal rights, we aren’t equal in terms of responsibilities. While I can share the good news with other people, I can’t ever bring it to them in fullness without the priesthood, which I don’t hold, and I never will. 

Reality Is Perspective

Ever experienced a moment of frustration over what has been asked of you? For example: when professors expect a large project to be finished within a week? 

I know I have.

In fact, I had these very thoughts cross my mind at least 20 times, just today:

Professors must not remember what it is like to be a student.

They didn't have to work as hard to get through school as we do.

None of my teachers understand my situation.

But have any of us ever tried to think about the situation, from their perspective? We constantly expect them to do so for us, so why can't we do so for them?

We judge them for having TA's, but can you blame them? I mean, many of the classes that do have TA's have them because they have 250+ students per class! I have a hard enough time completing the assignment once, let alone going through it 250 times. 

We also condemn them for giving us a lot of work, yet we want to get every penny's worth of knowledge out of our courses. How can we expect to do so without putting in the elbow grease for it? 

It's amazing how a slight situation shift can change your whole perspective. Having recently gone from a crew member to a supervisor at my job, I'm coming to notice myself judging the crew for things they do, that I myself did just a week prior. If my perspective on that can change in a week, I'm sure the perspective of a professor has had a lot of time to change and mold.

Yet even while writing this post, I got upset thinking how my professor probably won't reopen a quiz for me to take since I had no access to wifi for 3 hours when my car broke down today. Obviously no one is perfect, but I sure think we can try a lot harder to work towards it. 

So, the next time you feel like complaining about the homework you're sitting down to do, take a second and do a perspective check. Maybe you need to step outside of your own reality to see the whole picture.

How's about I introduce myself?

Hey, there! I'm Allie, but my full name is Allison for those of you who wish to be all formal.

I'm in my second semester here at BYU, but am actually considered to be a sophomore. Weird, right? I guess credits is what decides your "title" instead of time.

Anyway . . .

I graduated from American Fork High School here in Utah last spring, and am hoping to major in Biochem here at BYU (I haven't actually declared 😝). During my time in high school, I was blessed to be able to participate in the New Years Day Rose Parade, and also the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with the American Fork Marching Band. I spun flag for the first, and saber (yes, a sword) during the second. I even got a close up on the television screen!

I have played the viola since I was 9 and the piano since I was 4, and I currently serve as the relief society pianist of my ward. 

I absolutely LOVE to read, so if you have any good recommendations, particularly fantasy and SciFi, hit me up!!

I consider myself to be a potterhead, a die hard Sherlock and Merlin fan, and a nerd herder (Chuck). 

I also really love memes. Like these:

    

Basically, I'm down for anything that will make me smile or laugh. Like memes. And my roommate Katie, who is down for any adventure I think up. 

This was our collection of . . . Energy supplements during finals week. 

I'm single, and planning to stay that way for the near future as I am preparing to start my papers for my mission! So, back off haters (name that person!).