(Blog 12 of 12) "Do You Have Any Advice for Those of Us Starting Out?

It is always beneficial to look at your subject in every angle possible even though you may not understand it in some lights. Look at your world in the dark then turn on the lights. Look at your world from a distance and then diminish your range before you decide what it means to you. Most importantly, however, do not let anyone define the world around you because only you can do that for yourself. Look at your subject through the eyes of a child and dare to look at it through the eyes of an elder even if you are unsure of what they see.

Blog 10 of 12

 Rodney Jones is arguing the high power of words as apposed to the power of images. With his language he describes his writing. of coconut milk and 150-proof rum and dumped it white into the waves when it came on me how sweet it had been" He describes is words as rum and milk and the ocean is the sea of readers. His words are powerful and bitter like, yet they are cool and soothing like milk. He loves what he writes no matter what the audience has to throw back at him, and he knows that his language is the most powerful tool he has.

Blog 11 of 12

Our four letter word projects were writing. First we needed to write a story then pick the images that we believed best suited it. Everyone's project was a story in it's own right that was meant to persuade, entertain or  make the audience feel. Stories do not need to have words, they just need to be successful in making the audience come to the conclusion that the creator wants them to feel.

Blog 9

When I wear text I do not really anticipate any one to read it but now that I sit down and think about it I guess my audience would be the general public.... I wouldn't really consider them my audience only because the text on my clothing is not my own words, but someone else's that I merely put on. Writing on Twitter is completely different in that usually I post my own words on a social networking site and that I am aware that any one is capable of reading what I write every time I post. I think that some people use social networking to vent emotions or feelings that are sometimes inappropriate for the entire world to possibly read. This is because they have forgotten who their audience is sitting behind the privacy of their computer screens.

Deeba's in class work (Blog 8)

Deeba writes:

"I think it is true that the flexibility of voice lead to the flexibility of all things. If you're able to change up the way you speak then you're most likely able to  adapt a wider range of situations. Being able to change your voice also means being able to grab the attention of more people and a more diverse group of people as well as making it seem as though you can relate to all those different people. Relating to all different kinds of people means being able to change how you think and being more open-minded."

I agree with her although I think she could have been clearer in presentation. Repetition of words should be edited and presented in a more creative way.

Blog 7 of 12: The Crayon

When I read the sample I was given I did not feel as though the writing implement, the crayon, effected any part of this work. This particular piece could have been written in pencil because it remained unaffected. I appreciate this about its writer. The author sticks to her method and style of writing no matter what change of writing implement or paper is available. I do not think that the sample is more or less expressive than the author would normally be.

Blog 6 President and Poet

There is a difference between a president and a poet according to Smith. A president should not speak in many tongues and attempt to confuse his audience who may not be so skilled in voice or rhetoric. A poet on the other hand should express his feelings in a different way so that his audience may feel how they want to and may understand his work in different ways. A poet should be a liguistic artist and a man of feeling while a president should be a man of feelings as well but never a lingustic artist. He should know how to speak but never know how to con his people; While as for a poet this would be acceptable.

Zaddie Smith "Speaking in Tongues" Questions (Blog 5)

1. What about linguistics changes the meaning of a work or a word as a whole?
2. How big of an effect do different places play on the literature that comes out of those places?
3. Do means of communication change the ideals of a person?
4. If so why does this occur?
5. Why were you so afraid to create your own form of linguistics as you began to conform?
6. What exact experience brought you to a new way of thinking?

Twitter (Blog 4)

What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is that it does not have much of a purpose. I see the site more as a place to vent or describe the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you had for lunch. Most people use Twitter as a place to watch a celebrities every move or to write short blurbs about their painstakingly boring lives. I have never been a Twitter user because I am not a fan of the site and I don't think I ever will be. I find it boring and unappealing and I would never consider using it as a true method of writing because of the way that other people use the site. I don't think that any form of social media is ever the place to write but more of a way for the general public to connect with others and the media but hardly interact with it. 

Text on Clothing and Skin (Blog 3)

I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin.  Perhaps they feel that such portable writing serves to start a conversation or find others who share the same interests. I believe that others wear text just because it is the only item of clothing available and they really have no intention of others reading it and approving or disapproving of what it says. Others wear text because they have strong feelings or support what the words or logo stand for, be it a club, a school or a campaign. People wear text for a myriad of reasons and defining just one of these is nearly impossible. 

The Problem of Describing Trees reaction (Blog 2)

The poet is arguing that not every picture can be described through words, but that images alone can stand on their own two feet. There is no need for an object to be described when it can be seen. Its symbolic meaning can be understood by every viewer differently. Images can also derive different feelings for all people. The poet cannot describe what the tree does because it is a challenge that is nearly impossible. The tree does not dance and the tree does not  capitalize, these are merely human comparisons to something much larger.
When the Poet mentions dancing together he is actually speaking for the tree. The tree tells his human friend to dance with it in nature and in life. The tree is not actually dancing of course, however it is fulfilling its life cycle and challenging the poet to describe what he sees before him as though he was taking part in this action himself.

Four Letters For Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2NKksmUpnQ

A picture is worth a thousand words.... This blog is worth 93 (Blog 1)

A picture cannot tell a story like words can. Images are strictly visual and can be understood in almost any way by it's viewer. Reading a passage, however, is different in the sense that the words chosen by the author are done so specifically to make the reader feel the way the author wants them to feel. Describing an object as old and dirty will give the reader a different idea than if it was described as antique and worn. While in an image, the viewer makes their own decision about the subject.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Terms for Girls

Lady

Woman

Chick

Damsel 

Female

Doll
Broad

Terms for boys

Man

Gentleman

Bro

Dude

Male

Guy

Writing with Style: Chapter 7

John Trimble teaches his audience about readability and its importance. He explains that in order to make a work readable, an author must include both fresh ideas and relatability. One must capture the attention of their reader by using both of these tools. This is very similar to the ending of Stomp the Yard. The two dance teams are both aspects of writing. Both aspects are necessary for an entertaining competition, although they may over lap or even conflict once in a while.

I keep thinking about my project three....

My project three is not perfect and I am well aware it never will be. However, I think a rhetorical move that would enhance this work would be separating myself from the peice. I want to give the reader the scene and the place, but not so much of me. I want my reader to make decisions on their own by giving them more imagery and more description of my place, instead of description of my feelings. I will also change the format of my project. Right now it is a poem when it should be an essay.

After reading through my third project I've found a few faults with it but I've also found a few aspects that I appreciate about it. It's sentmentality, being one of the only things that I feel two ways about, is one aspect of the project that I need to consider highly. I must admit that this work is not all based on fact; its sentimentality however is genuine. I am a fiction writer by heart and I can't help but incorporate some fallacious information into my writing to add to its impact. I like my piece but I do realize that it is incorrect for our assignment. My final draft will be completely different from what it is now.

A sentence starts out like

A sentence is a new born baby.  At first its doting parents find rest by counting its toes and fingers, making sure there are five on each hand and five on each foot. As the baby grows its parents realize there is much more to worry about and they raise the baby the way they want to. Through its childhood it might get a few cuts or bruises, but those are healed and and everything seems to be in order again. Its personality develops according to its parents. Its parents form the baby the way they want him or her to be throughout its life. They teach the baby right from wrong and they tell the baby what its purpose is. Everyone is important, we all must work together to make the world complete. When the baby is ready it goes out to the world on its own. It is indeed a necessary piece to a much larger puzzle.

Rediscovering Central Asia

The best technique used in Rediscovering Central Asia was its imagry. Every aspect of the essay is very well described and it is very possible for the reader to see a picture in his or her mind. Other than the imagery I found the essay quite bland. It was more historical and picturesque than exciting. It was harder for me to find the purpose of the essay and it was also hard for me to pay attention to it for the entire time.

The Magazine "Doesn't Work"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXV-yaFmQNk&feature=player_embedded

This video of a one year old baby shows how technology will continue to effect our younger generation. Picture books are no longer sufficient and hands on technology will soon morph into its place. It is fairly obvious that a baby or a young child would much rather play with something with more effects as well as something that responds to their senses. These children will grow up knowing for the most part only of technology as soon enough print text will become more and more scarce.
The most interesting quote however, is the one displayed at the end of the video. It makes a remark that the baby has an OS (operating System). This goes along with my idea that computers are essentially humans and visa versa. Everything is becoming technological, why not human beings?

What's your relationship with your reader?

I cannot be sure my reader is here. Sometimes their presence is more distinct then others, especially if they leave a comment; other wise I doubt that anyone looks at my work. I wonder what would be their purpose of reading any of the things I have written. Most of my work is not posted on Blogger let alone online anyway. Even though I feel that no reader would have reason to look at my writing, it is still scary to put it out there. This is why my reader is a ghost. No one knows whether they are present or not, but everyone has a fear of the possibility.

[Place] is like... (start)

My grandmothers house is cold, it is not cozy or warm and it is not the place I remember from my childhood. It is not bright and it is certainly not hopeful.

My grandmothers house is not home baked cookies, warm dinners or big comfy chairs; it used to be.

It used to be soft blankets, hot soup, bags of candy, comfort tea; Stay home sick days, holidays,any days; But this is no more.

Ink Shedding

Media is becoming a part of the natural world. It surrounds us in every part of our every day lives; almost to the point that it is invisible or unrecognizable. Technology is thus becoming organic. Most people do not consider how technology has grown on us so enormously or so rapidly. For the new generation it would be nearly impossible to do so, considering they have never lived in a world without technology. Even so, it is important to learn about the past in order to grow for the future. For now, the media continues to grow in an organic sense as it branches off in many directions and continues to spread naturally.

What is Happening to Writing?

Catherine Manett                                                                                               

10/16/11

WSC                                                                                                                       

Project 2

           

The most notable feature of technology is its ability to cooperate with a human being rather easily. Nearly all aspects of life are being simplified with the use of computers. This new generation of advancement, however, seems to frighten those who value more traditional mediums. One of the most distinct transitions has taken place in the writing industry. Hypertext and the Internet have seem to slowly taken the place of the printed book as discussed in Writing Space by Bolter. It is important to note that computers and technology have become such easy methods of exploration because in many ways they mimic the human mind and thought pattern.

The word processor is the closest resemblance to print text that is found on the computer. This is because the words typed on the document do not travel. For the most part, word documents are a collection of private works known only to its author until it is connected to an outside source. All though it is not the most innovative program on the computer, it still contains many components that resemble the work of the human mind, which is taking print text one step farther. Tools such as spell check and grammar check allow the machine to correct a human being when mistakes are made.  Word processors also allow for fast and easy change to any error made on the screen, unlike the traditional print text. Computers accommodate to human error and make correction simple, fast and unnoticeable.

The closest resemblance between technology and the human mind stems from both of their sources of ambiguity, relativity and exploration. Computers allow the human being to see writing in a three-dimensional form, much like the human thought process. Because humans do not think in one-dimensional terms, print text cannot be a sufficient medium for growth or education all the time.  Videos, graphics and links help to bring the bond between technology and its users closer as they feel that they are one with the machine and soon barely notice its presence. This idea is known as transparent media. “The medium is supposed to function as a window through which the viewer can see the objects represented” (Bolter, 25). The comparison of technology to a window expresses the idea that the human can see past the technological hardware itself. Although one cannot quite make the hardware disappear, it is simple to let oneself enter the three-dimensional world that technology has created. This is innovative and explorative like human instinct and it creates a desire to learn. Involving the reader in the text most easily keeps their attention. This is necessary in order to create a more enjoyable and over all productive environment.

Technology resembles the human mind through its three-dimensional and hands on ways of bringing the reader closer to reality than any other writing space ever before. Is it possible that technology resembles the human body as well? Seeing past the hardware of a computer or any form of technology is a form of advancement, however, the hardware itself also aids its user by morphing to the human body. Light and compactable phones make it easy to be connected with the world at all times. Keyboards on computers also allow the writer to express their ideas more quickly and more concisely then they would with paper and a pencil. ““I only wish I could write with both hands,” noted saint Teresa. “So as not to forget one thing while I am saying another””(Bolter, 33) Computers accommodate too the human body so well that they are almost becoming a part of it. It is not unusual to hear someone say that they would die without their handheld phone or laptop. Technology is becoming close to the human heart and most people are open to letting advancement into their lives because of the way it brings ease to their every day schedule.

A computer is like the human mind because of its speed and ambiguity. A computer is like the human body because of its importance, ease, size and attachment. Because the computer is so much like a human being does this mean that a computer is one? Finding the answer to this question is tricky because every individual has his or her own definition of what a human being is. Does having rationality make you a human being or does being human require a heartbeat? “Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god. ” (Aristotle). Although Aristotle’s lived much before computers came about, his quotation does have relevance when considering the definition of technology. Computers are social in the way that they help to unite people from around the globe. Print text however, is most unsocial because it cannot travel and is often stable and not shared with others. According to Aristotle this would most likely make print a beast compared to hypertext because print is not without its faults. Hypertext allows for communication and the flow of ideas, which is an important aspect to all social and political change.

“We put all of our information out on the Internet, and this makes the Internet grow stronger each and every day. We made the Internet, and now it needs us to continue to exist. Where would the Internet be without us? Or is the real question, where would we be without the Internet?” (Dayna S) Daynas point on her invention blog is one that may be considered by many technophobic users. Most people who want to stick to traditional print text are afraid of how powerful technology has become as well as the level of dependency humans have began to have on it. Many writers have explored Daynas idea of super human computers and evil creations come to life, such as James Cameron in The Terminator and Marry Shelly in Frankenstein.  Although these two works are mostly fantastical, it can be frightening to some to think of how humanistic computers have become in various ways. Of course the idea of being taken over by something we have created is also bit frightening as well, be it mangled carcasses sewn together or a computer. Because computers resemble the mind and body of a human being they may soon be considered human or maybe even super human as time goes by. What is happening to writing? Writing has become seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing what the author wants their audience to. This can be accredited to technology and its ability to touch the human senses.

The link to our Prezi: The New and Improved Tree

http://prezi.com/y1qvif3a7z82/writing-space-chapter-3/

What role does performance or writing space play in the making of meaning?

The spoken word is a strong. It gives meaning to a work as a whole. Words are one of the strongest tools we have as human beings because we have the power of communication. However the younger generation have been less confident in their speech and it is heard clearly through their speech.
Mali debates what the reason of this new speech is. Is it not cool to sound smart?  This is not the case. There is a different purpose of using words such as "like". By using such language there is always a way out of anything that is said. Instead of directly making a statement it is easier to say something with out meaning. By using the word "like" no statement is ever certain. The younger generation wants to use such uncertain word choices because they never want to be wrong, and by using this language it is almost impossible to be wrong.

Group Prezi analysis's for 10/12/11

Both of the groups that presented their work today in class had distinct ways in which they depicted the main points of their presentations. The first group did an approach that connected the chapter to the human being while the second group connected the chapter to nature. Both expressed their points clearly in different ways with focused analysis's. Both of these ideas worked well with Bolters point in chapter 2 as he expressed the transition of writing spaces as the growth tree.

Are you ever afraid to write?

Writing is criticizing in one way or another and at times it can be frightening. One must remember that it is okay to challenge the beliefs of others and that it can only lead to advancement and diversity. I must remind myself of this idea on a daily basis. Sometimes it is not only frightening to write, but it is also frightening to think. Everyone has those moments when they are in a state of shock and disappointment over what they are beginning to believe in or what they are beginning to doubt, especially when they know that those close to them feel the opposite way. Writing these ideas down and expressing them is another step even farther. Being accepted by the outside world is a necessity to most people for good reason, and it is very easy to feel different than those around you in a negative way. Although it is easy to be apprehensive over new thoughts or feelings, they are a necessity to discovering who you are growing into. We all lead different lives and we should be proud of being our own person. We should let no one stand in the way of who we are, what we believe or how we feel. No one should ever be afraid to wear their own skin or write their own words.

Bolter quiz chapter 1 rewrite

In chapter one of Writing Space, Bolter preaches the great power of technology and digital forms of writing. He argues many points in which critics try to praise the advantages of print text. "Such conventional novels as Brave New World and Jurassic Park have been digitalized and read by an audience of hundreds or a few thousands" (5). Through his words, Bolter depicts his belief in the future of digitalized work and advancement in the thought of human beings, which is just what technology allows its users to do.
Another point to consider when reading chapter one of Writing Space is whether or not a reader will obtain the same information as another reader when using technology. Perhaps this may not be a disadvantage in reading digitalized text. Because not one set of web searchers will read the same set of works or share the same beliefs, technology has allowed for text to become diverse. Digital text breeds human thought and over all growth of society more rapidly then print text. Technology not only allows for human thought but it also connects almost every human being to one another with a click of a button. Any one can share their beliefs and maybe make a drastic change in the way everyone will think in the future.

Is the Machine Using Us?

Because human beings have created computers it is some times difficult to consider that these machines can  manipulate a living, breathing person. Computers are advantageous to to people in many ways be it for business, communication or recreation. However when using technology and the internet one consider two questions. How much technology is too much? And am I endangering myself and or my friends and family  by the way I am using technology? Technology is power, no matter good or bad, and lately it seems that more and more people have been using it the wrong way. Technology has become so important in our world that cellphones have seem to become an extra limb connected to ones body. It is not rare to hear a person say that they cannot live without their smartphone as if it is a wire that is connecting them between life and death. Dependency on technology is in fact one of the biggest cases of people letting the machine use them, and this epidemic is growing exponentially.

Writing With Style: Chapter 6, Diction.

         In chapter 6 of Writing With Style, Trimble offers advice on using diction properly. Word choice is important for any work and can make the difference between a poor piece and a great one. According to Trimble, three of the most important aspects of stylistically using diction are Conciseness, verb choice and freshness. Trimble also explains that quality is more important then quantity when it comes to writing. This advice means that the most important part of wording is not to use a lot of it! This is a crucial fact that the reader should pull out of this chapter of the text. 

Trimbles advice is very helpful to remember when writing any sort of work. It can be difficult sometimes to erase part of your own piece, even when you know it may be over excessive. It is important to note that a shorter work will be more memorable as well as less confusing to its reader. No audience wants to hear or read more than is needed to get the point across clearly. Extra ‘baggage’ can cause a reader to become confused or lost within a work. Beautiful, long sentences do not always have the purpose they should. It is important for a writer not to get lost in fabulous diction, but to stay focused on purpose and it’s depiction.

Chevy Runs Deep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfo7tWdGu7I

The 2011 Chevy commercial appeals to its audience by making the statement that Chevy is the car to drive. This commercial tries to pull in older customers as it shows that their new models look cool and will keep them young. This type of advertising uses metaphors to bring together a real aspect of a product and a fallacious aspect that work together as a pair. In this case, Chevy ties together the idea that their new car is young and modern and soon connects it with the idea that it can make its driver young as well, in other terms, the freedom of the road will bring freedom of the spirit.

This type of advertising will bring in many customers who wish to feel young again, which is most of the older generations in the U.S today. Chevy is not the only company to use this type of advertising, many commercials use the elements of exaggeration and great fallacies as well in order to sell their products. Apparently, "Red Bull gives you wings" and "Skittles let you taste the rainbow". This proves to us that modern advertisement does not have to be real in order to sell a product, it just has to be attractive and alluring.

Heineken Commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjkUkqTUHNc

One of the most important aspects of the Heineken commercial is their use of the comedic device exaggeration. Most everything depicted in the commercial is blown out of proportion. The size of the house, the reactions of the women and men to their different interests as well as the idea of having a large walk in fridge to store beer are all ridiculous. The use of exaggeration, however, makes the commercial funny and over all memorable. This advertising strategy is important for sales of all kinds.

This use of exaggeration can appeal to both men and women. Women who see the commercial will find humor in it just as men will. This commercial finds a way to appeal to both the sexes by making fun of them each in different ways using stereotypes. Because Heineken finds a way to include everyone in their stereotypes, they can sell their product to virtually anybody which would ultimately be successful advertisement.  They even finish off their commercial with “Heineken, serving the planet”.

12 Questions for Heineken.

1. What were the advantages of using a comedic spin on your commercial?
2. Is there a distinct difference between the interests of men and women pertaining to your product?
3. Is this commercial geared toward men, women or both?
4. Do you believe exaggeration is one of the best devices to use in a comedic commercial?
5. Did this commercial lead to higher sales?
6. After this commercial, who seemed to purchase more beer, men or women?
7. On what channel was this commercial mostly played?
8. Do you believe that the channel that the commercial was played on would effect the sales of your product?
9. Do you think this commercial could be taken as bias by some of it's viewers?
10. Do you think if it was seen as bias, sales may be lowered?
11. Which sex do you think may be more likely not to understand the comedy in this commercial?
12. What sex purchases this most of your products?

Hello AT&T? Just 12 Questions about Hansel and Gretel...

1. Why did Hansel and Gretel travel from their cottage to the city?
2. Is the bread that the children are dropping symbolic of money or is bread used in the commercial based on the fairy tale?
3. How is your smart phone more advanced than another companies smart phone?
4. How do you believe this approach would help increase sales?
5. Did it increase sales?
6. How old are these children supposed to be?
7. Do you believe children this age need a smart phone?
8. Is this commercial supposed to appeal to the parents of young children or to young children themselves?
9. Do you believe that real parents would trust their young children alone in the city just because they have a GPS?
10. Do you believe it would be safe to allow two young children to walk the city at night with nothing but a GPS?
11. Do you believe the smart phone would make Hansel and Gretel look more normal in the city?
12. Do you believe advanced technology used by everyone in the city or only tourists such as Hansel and Gretel?

AT&T Hansel and Gretel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_iWajvrZns

AT&T uses a very familiar setting in their modernized version of Hansel and Gretel. The details of city life compared to the very outdated children make the setting the most important aspect of the main message in the entire commercial. Most working class viewers will recognize the city as well as events that take place their every day. The audience will realize that it is preposterous that the children are leaving behind bread crumbs in order to find their way home later.

This enables AT&T to show that in order to live a big city life, everyone must have the newest technology. AT&T advertises their smart phone as the light in the darkness, literally as Gretel lights up her phone in order to use it's GPS. By doing so, AT&T has compared other companies to the bread crumbs that Hansel and Gretel leave behind, outdated and unsuitable, while it's technology is shown to be the most advanced. “Count on the nations fastest 3G network, AT&T”, is the only line spoken within the entire commercial. This finishes off the advertisement with a direct statement to the audience noting AT&T’s obvious advantages over their competitors when you need them the most.

Extraordinary Pantene Comercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A

One of the most important observations found within the Extraordinary Pantene Commercial is the usage of flash forwards and flash backs. The method of showing the audience this series of events within the girls life in a mangled order makes it easier for the audience to understand her past quickly, and how it will lead to her over all achievement in the future. It also serves as a way for the audience to see into the girls mind while she is on the stage, and what emotions must come with her thoughts, therefore leading to an almost personal connection between the girl and the audience.

  Because of the obvious advantages of using flash forwards and flash backs in the commercial, Pantene has made it so that the audience will not only remember the commercial, but also the way that the commercial made them feel as they watched the successful girl “shine” on stage in her future. This development of connection between the audience and the character makes it more likely for the audience to buy the product.  The Pantene logo, “You can shine”, finishes off the commercial directly after the girls final performance. This ends the commercial with a powerful message that ties together the girls sad past all the way up to her "extraordinary" future.

FFW 9/12

When an artist of any kind decides to create a work, he is using his ability to portray or depict his feelings for others to see and understand. To create art one must have an open mind. They must learn to study and take in the work of others, yet they must also stay strong when it comes to defending their own. This is how a writer is a warrior. Wether their work is fiction or non-fiction, as a writer there is always a purpose behind their words. A writer must be strategic and all of the elements they use are carefully placed. They must cut into the hearts of their audience and in the end, take over their minds. A purposeful work of literature should leave a reader impacted and even maybe make them question what they once believed to be true. A great writer leaves behind his mark just as a warrior would.

Here I am at Hofstra and I'm blogging...

Here I am at Hofstra and I'm blogging... Well I'm actually at home as of right now and I'm laying in bed. However, lately it has been rare if anything else has come into my mind other than school. The transition from high school to college has been difficult for me. Not the work load mainly because I'm used to that from the myraid of AP classes I subjected myself to all throughout my high school years, but dorming and meeting new friends. I guess everyone else is in the same situation. At Hofstra I am completely new. When I think of my old town I remember all of the accomplishments I have made and the person that I was and still am here at home. As of now in college I am nobody. It leaves me to wonder if it is time to reestablish my old self at Hofstra or if it is time to completely reinvent myself. I am beginning to think that I have come to a conclusion. Although I do not want to completely change myself, there are some aspects of me that must change in order for me to adapt here. I have become well aware that I have found myself in a totally new planet that I must adapt to. New qualities that I want to gain are a bit more bravery and a bit more confidence so that I can pursue my dreams without the fear of losing them. I need to break out of my shell a bit more and become a little less shy.