Last Blog

So this is my last blog and I am so happy. I mean I like writing the blogs sometimes but because they had due dates it made me dislike them. I also didn’t like that we had certain topics we had to write about because some of the topics I didn’t like. Overall I guess it was ok. I just think our blogs should have been free write so that we all could have just let out our thoughts about whatever and instead of being due at the end of each week they should have been due at the end of the semester. I would recommend people to keep blogs because it allows them to just relieve themselves of whatever. You can just write about anything and not worry about getting a grade for it. You can misspell words, spaze out, or just write two sentences. It’s like an electronic journal. Well not really because everyone can read it and make comments. This being the last blog kind of symbolizes my growth from the beginning in the semester until now in English 101. This wasn’t my favorite class but I did pretty well for myself. I came into the class not thinking I was a good writer but after seeing my grade after turning them in it boost my confidence in my writing skills. I took this new confidence and did my best on all the papers I turned in. I guess this worked out for me because I never received a grade lower than a B’. Of course there are things I can still work on but now I can have a new perspective when I go into any writing assignment. I enjoyed reading some of my peer blogs as well. They had some interesting things going on in their lives. It allowed me to kind of get to know my classmates in a sense. Just by looking at a person you would never know who they are and what they’re about but these blogs has allowed us to become more aware of each others personalities. Although I liked blogging I’m not sad to say good bye to it but who knows maybe ill create another blog and continue to blog.

Bloomington Normal

If some of my friends decide to visit the town of Normal I would tell them not to come. If they were persistent on coming then I would tell them to stay on campus because that is where most of the activities and festivities happen. If they wanted to go outside of Normal I would say “We have plenty of places we can eat like Chillis, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, and Outback.” I wouldn’t suggest they go to the mall because it’s a big disappointment. They should only resort to Eastland mall if it is their last resort. We could go to Wal-Mart, Target, and borders but these are the same stores we have back home so it wouldn’t be much fun. If they decided they wanted to just get on the bus to tour the town I wouldn’t suggest this either because we would have to wait until the end of every hour to get a bus. The only perk about the bus is it’s free for College students and everyone else pays a dollar. So after this heartbreaking news they ask so what will we do on campus and I would say “Well there’s more to do on campus then there is to do in the whole town.” We can eat for free in the dining centers. Catch a movie in the Capen auditorium that would only cost us a dollar a piece. Go to the Rec Center and play some sports or we could save some money and go on the quad and join someone else’s game. We could go to the BBC Center and bowl, sing Karaoke, or shoot some pool. We cool chill in any room in any dorm because everyone is friendly. We could play cards or other board games in the dorms or we could go to the Bone Student Center and relax. We could probably catch a basketball, football, soccer, baseball, or volleyball game depending which is in season. We could go to a frat party in one of the frat houses. Like I mentioned before I really wouldn’t suggest my friends visit Normal because it’s pretty boring here. I would only suggest they came down to visit if there was something big going on campus like Homecoming weekend.

Spring Break

Over spring break I visited my friends in Ohio at their school Central State University and then I headed to Atlanta to visit my Uncle to enjoy the nice weather and scenery. I left school the Thursday before spring break started, because I had to get the train to Chicago that night in order to get the Friday 8:00a.m. Megabus to Ohio. I almost missed the bus to Ohio because I was standing at the wrong bus stop, but fortunately someone told me where to go. The trip was five hours long. Since I traveled alone it was kind of boring. I had my computer and my IPOD though. Halfway through my trip I discovered I didn’t have a movie player downloaded onto my computer and I couldn’t watch SEX and The City. I was so disappointed because I was really looking forward to watching it. I continued to listen to my IPOD until I fell asleep. My neck started cramping so I had to wake up. It was an uncomfortable ride until the passenger sitting next to me got off in Indianapolis and I had two seats to myself. At 2:00p.m. I finally arrived in Ohio. I was relieved and ready to take a real nap, but I had to wait another hour before my friends could come get me because their school was an hour away from the bus stop. When I got to the campus I was so relieved but also surprised at the differences compared to ISU. My friends stayed in an all girls dorm and their rooms were so small. Their beds folded out from the wall. The whole time I made fun of their rooms. On top of the small rooms their meal plans consisted of swiping only three times a day and they couldn’t swipe in guest. This affected me because I couldn’t eat. They didn’t have any groceries and they had no car to travel and get food. I stayed there for 3 days and left on Sunday. I really enjoyed my time there we went to the Alpha fraternity’s party and just hung out with the students. Monday morning I headed to Atlanta on an Air Tran Plane. This was my first time flying alone so I was pretty scared but after we took off and was in the air for awhile I calmed down. Before I knew it I was in Atlanta. While in Atlanta I went to the King Center, Spelman and Morehouse College, Stone Mountain and several malls. I got to see the carriage Martin Luther King Jr. was carried in and I got to see his wife and his burials. We walked to his house but we couldn’t go in because we hadn’t signed up for the tour. After the historic part of my tour I got to do something I do best and that is shopping. I went to four malls throughout my stay and only brought home one bag. Overall I really enjoyed my spring break but I couldn’t wait to get back home so that I could rest before it was time to get back to work.

Getting Involved on campus

One of the events I attended on campus was a UPB (University Program Board) event. Every so often they host events to allow students to view popular movies in the Capen Auditorium. They usually show older movies first followed by more current movies. The cost is only one dollar and there is free popcorn. The night I went I saw the movie Role Models starring Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd. My three six friends joined me. When I first arrived a got my free popcorn and walked around the Capen Auditorium to inspect what other things they were selling. They had movie snacks like candy bars, skittles nachos, chips and a host of other things. They also had Different members of the UPB advertising other upcoming events and advising students to take some of their pamphlets. When we first arrived it was a nice crowd and people were excited. Upon entering the auditorium where the movie was to be shown I noticed a crowd of people sitting, trying to find seats and just socializing. When the movie began it was some chatter but it quickly died down. Throughout the movie the crowd cheered and laughed. The environment was great. It was a positive atmosphere. It was group of college students enjoying a comedic film on a Friday night with free popcorn. When the movie adjourned everyone clapped and cheered more and we headed home. Overall I have to say I had a fun night and it was a wonderful experience. I would definitely go out and support UPB again. One of the things I learned was to get out and get involved.

Today's Youth

I've decided to write about a topic I have written about before in H.S. because I feel it is important.
In my opinion, today’s youth should combat negative moral influences by finding a role model whom they look up to and who leads by setting great examples. A role model could set precedents in a young person’s life as to how they could aspire to be someday. Getting involved in positive school or community programs could also help students avoid negative influences. If more teenagers believed in themselves as well as their dreams, pessimistic ethical pressure would not be a problem because their confidence would be high and success would be the only option.
Today’s youth face many problems everyday but it is up to us to decide whether we want to be a part of the problem or problem solvers. Everyone has at least one person in their life that they desire to be like because of their superior qualities. I conclude, if our youth find their role model they will be more likely to combat negative moral influences because they will have someone they look up to. This means they will have someone to talk to and discuss whatever negative issues are going on. If this person is truly a good person he or she will give quality advice and will be willing to help. The teen will be attached to this person because they can relate, feel comfortable, and want to be like them. If the media, school, and music industry focused on more intellectual things and people, this could help the generation discover their role models and pursue their proper talent. If schools, parents, family and community leaders took the time out to get to know and understand students, this could help. Once you talk to someone, you find out his or her hobbies and interests. By doing this, parents could reach out to schools to request more programs or get new activities created. By popular demand and word of mouth community leaders could enforce such things to happen. If a child is offered to do something they love to do, he or she is going to do it no matter what the task is. I think parents and school officials should really reach out and promote such programs or projects just to get the youth involved. In some cases children tend to get in trouble because they are at the wrong place at the wrong time but if their involved in some community program or project, they’d be occupied with positive non-violent activities. By being involved with some type of legal and constructive group teens will more likely be under a positive moral influence instead of a harmful one.
Lastly, everyone needs to have self-confidence in order to believe in himself or herself. If the youth today are praised more than they are put down this, will build their self-esteem and give them tremendous confidence. Even if they live in a world that seems impossible, confidence will give them hope, which will lead to dreams and accomplishments. They will see someone like their role model and realize how all their dreams have come true and think, “ I can do it too!” All they need is one person in their corner pushing them, praising them, and believing in them and they will accomplish any goal without negative moral setbacks because they will have positive thoughts, dreams, and people in their life.
To sum up my thoughts, today’s youth just needs society‘s attention so they can provide successful goal-oriented role models, more improved activities and programs and confidence within themselves in order to combat negative moral influences. With hope, help and happiness a little can go a long way.

What would I be doing with my life....

If I received, in cash, all the money it costs for 4 years of tuition at ISU and the rule that I had to leave school and go out in the world to “spend” the money, I would first, use some of the money to pay off some of may parents debts. Then, I would by myself a condo in Chicago and a car to travel the world. With some of my money I would start an organization to help everyone in need. No matter what the situation was I would try to help. Then I would set up a meeting with Bill Gates to help me to continue to be successful, as well as continuing to make profit so that I could always give back. My journey would include traveling to Hawaii, Jamaica, Japan, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. While visiting all of theses wonderful places I would enjoy experiencing some cultural changes with some of the natives. I would try to participate in their daily activities by eating the foods, wearing their clothing, and participating in any festivities. Before I would leave these places, I would donate money to local cities to help in building recreation sites, feed and clothe the people, as well as helping to provide them with shelter. Also on my journey around the world I would like to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa in England and go to the top level to eat a slice of pizza. I would want to visit the Statute of Liberty just to say as a free American I have been there. I would set up a meeting will Bill Gates again to help donate computers to some of the poorest schools throughout America. I would pay some of the most famous chefs in America to cook the delicious meals to help feed the families in South Africa. I would send money to the soldiers as well as their families. If I didn’t have to have an education I would probably be devoting my life to helping others. They are so many people in this world who are less fortunate. They would be thankful to receive half of what I own. I would be happy to make other people smile by providing for them the things they should have a right to have like homes, food, water, clothing, transportation, books, sports, and so much more. I believe everyone deserves to live a happy life.

Advice for the freshmen

Dear future ISU Freshmen,
I would like to tell you about three things that you’ll need to know in order to survive Illinois State University. First, you’ll need to know some good study tips. The second thing you will need to know is how to use your time wisely. Lastly, but definitely not least you will need to know how to get the proper amount of rest. To be a successful student you need to know how to study, when to study, what to study and where to study. For some people that have come to college this was a difficult task for them, because they never really had to study like college students study. For starters you should study by going over your class notes provided in class that day, everyday. By doing this you are staying on top of your studies and making sure you are following the material from the class. Also, when it is time for a quiz or a test you’ll be prepared. Even on the weekends you should pick one day to skim over your notes from the previous week so you can go into the next week section with background information on the new material. When you are studying your notes, you can read over them along with any other materials your professor provided you with while teaching it to you. If there is something you don’t understand you should email your teacher and or ask a classmate for help. Try to study in a quiet place to make sure you don’t have anything distracting you. You should be comfortable enough to focus but not too comfortable that it’s going to make you fall asleep. Try not to study in your bed because this can be an easy way to fall asleep while reading over your notes especially if they aren’t interesting. Instead you should study at a desk or tale sitting upright. Now, that you know how to study lets move on to managing your time. Time can go by so quick that you’ll always be wondering where the time went. Well you don’t want to be one of those people so just try to keep a set schedule to make sure you’re doing everything you need to. Try to write down your class schedule in a visible place you can view everyday. This way you will be less likely to miss a class. Keep tack of meetings, organizations, and homework assignments you have due by posting them on your calendar or making sticky note reminders. You want to have a routine schedule because it will enable you to keep up with all the things you need to keep up with. Lastly don’t forget to get some sleep. Sometimes college students forget that sleep is as important as eating. When you sleep it allows your body to rest and create energy for when you are awake. You should get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. By doing so you will be able to concentrate and be more alert in class as well as in your daily activities. Cramming can be very bad for your body and eventually your health because sleeping is a vital part of life. Every once in awhile you may need to take a nap and you should do it because this will in turn help you.

Grey's Anatomy

My favorite TV is Grey’s Anatomy. This show is about doctors and interns and the things that go on in the hospital. I started watching this show about two or three years ago. I really like this show because it involves lots of drama. It also portrays the life of medical workers very well. They do a great job of giving its viewer good insight about things that go on in the hospital, along with the doctors personal lives, and the decisions they have to make. Watching this show will give you a different perspective on the way a hospital is run and ultimately gain your respect for the people who choose these careers. It’s also very entertaining because they have so many different characters you’re bound to relate to at least one of them. Some episodes will have you crying while others will have you laughing uncontrollably. There are ten main characters and each of them has their own separate problems. To begin with, Meredith Grey is one of the main characters and she is who the show is named after. Meredith is dealing with a lot of psychological problems because as a child her father was never around and her mother was a very successful doctor. In turn she pushed Meredith very hard to follow in her footsteps. Later on her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. Meredith became her primary caregiver and took care of her everyday. She had to deal with her mother’s disease along with issues at the hospital, and her father not wanting to be in her life. Derek is another character and he is Meredith’s lover. In the beginning of their relationship Derek was married and Meredith didn’t know this until his wife came to work in the same hospital as the two. He admitted to Meredith that he was still married but they were in the process of getting divorced. Meanwhile Mark Sloan is hired to work in the hospital because he’s an exceptional plastic surgeon. When Derek greets him with a powerful blow to the face the audience is notified why Derek is getting a divorce. Years ago he caught his wife sleeping with Mark Sloan, who at the time was his best friend. The drama only gets deeper. Isobel Stevens is another character who falls in love with one of her patient who has a heart condition. When his life is on the line she jeopardizes her career and his safety by lying to get him a heart transplant. She gets her friends to help her perform surgery on him without the chief of the hospital knowing and he dies. She is very heartbroken and depressed after this. The Chief tells her to take a leave from work to get her mind clear. As you can see I have only talked about four of the main characters and already the drama is intriguing. You should definitely check out an episode. This program is showed every Thursday at eight o clock p.m. It will have your heart racing with suspense and your mouth open with shock.

T-Mobiles Butt Dialing Commercial

The advertisement I can most recently recall is a T-Mobile commercial for their new Black Berry flip phone. The phone doesn’t really stick out in my mind but because of the commercial I remembered the phone. I think this advertisement is memorable because it presents a common problem with non flip phones in a comical way. Every one has experienced, as they put it “Butt Dialing.” Some people don’t have flip phones so when they place their phones in their pockets, back pockets usually their Butts dial numbers unknowingly. Other people may not have cases or clips to place their phones in so they opt for the back pocket. After this commercial I did not want to buy the phone because I have a phone and I’m not even with T-Mobile. I don’t experience Butt dialing with my phone too often because I don’t place it in my back pocket frequently. They commercial did not adequately persuade me but I did get a good laugh.

The commercial starts off with a women answering her phone and walking into the living room where her male friend is and she says something like hello is your Butt Calling. The man who’s sitting on a coach sits up and realizes he’s sitting on his phone. The woman continues to have a conversation with his Butt and tells him why he should get the new Blackberry flip phone. The man eventually becomes annoyed lifts his Butt and sits back down and tells her his Butt just hung up on her. This commercial impacted me so much because it cracked me up when I seen it. This is not a very serious problem but it lets you know majority of people have experienced this. For the women to actually pretend to have a conversation with his Butt was even more hilarious, and then his Butt hangs up on her. I believe I remembered this commercial out of thousands of others because I have personally experienced Butt dialing with my phone and this was a humorous way to interpret that.

If I died tomorrow I would want everyone to remember me in a positive way because I feel I give off a positive light in everyone’s life. I have grown to be a very mature, responsible, and respectful young adult. I love everything about myself and what I stand for. In other words, I am a very confident person.

            I want people to remember me and say, “Oh yeah, that’s my friend.” I feel I am friendly and very understanding. I’m usually the person my friends come to about their problems and ask for advice. I think it’s because I’m outspoken. I always say what’s on my mind because I think it is very important to get my point or opinion across.

            Some more of my great qualities would be my determination and optimism. I have many goals and I will stop at nothing to accomplish them. Whatever I do, I do it to the best of my ability. I know what I’ll be doing ten years from now because I’m that determined. Every day I’m faced with problems but I don’t let poor judgment or bad attitudes determine my mood. I stay optimistic about any problem I am faced with because my faith allows me to do so.

`           I am very passionate about my dreams. I plan to own my own company, get married and have a family. I want to take care of my parents’ financial needs and take the burden of stress away from them. I care a lot about my family and friends. They give me positive energy through positive feedback. They support me all the way especially about college. No matter what, they will always support me.

            I feel my best quality is my thirst for knowledge. I love learning new and exciting things. I love to read and explore other worlds through my imagination. Knowledge is power because with it you can do anything. That is why I plan to continue school until I earn my bachelor’s degree and graduate. My parents and teachers always tell me how important it is to stay in school and I understand why. School is not a problem to me because I love learning new things every day. Going to college is a no- brainer.

            Overall, I feel like I’m a very confident, self motivated, and determined young adult. I am willing to face life’s challenges head on and will succeed at whatever I’m destined to do. My optimistic perspective will only get me that much further in life because I will not let negative things be my downfall. I am a very popular, respected, intelligent, and strong-minded lady. All of my qualities allow me to be a unique being.

If I could have my way

If I could have my way I would have my own car and my own apartment right now. I want to own a 2008 Maxima hybrid and a Shit Tzu puppy. My dream apartment would have a washer, dryer, and dishwasher. I would also like a medium sized kitchen and a walk in closet. My rent and tuition for school would be paid for. I would have a $1000.00 allowance every month which I could spend on whatever. If I could have my way I would travel around the world and visit some of the world’s most beautiful places like Miami, Paris, and Puerto Rico. I would be able to go to world events like the Grammy Award show, Oprah, and The Olympics. I would be a frequent guess at the White House because I’d be tutoring Sasha and Malia. Some of my closest friends would include Beyonce Knowles, Sarah Jessica Parker and Brad Pitt.

            If I could have my way global warming would be no more along with racism, terrorism, and murder. No one would be homeless or hungry. I would give back to charities and host fund raising events. If I could have my way aids and breast cancer would have a cure. If I could have my way everyone would have equal opportunities. Tears and pain would not exist. Love would be an infectious disease that would be spread around the world. There wouldn’t be social classes or gaps. Hatred wouldn’t exist. If I could have my way we could fly to Venus and spend nights on Saturn’s rings. Swim across oceans and wrestle with lions. If I could have my way no one would be judged by physicality’s but the content of their minds. School would be every other day.

            If I could have my way my parent’s wouldn’t have to work. My sister wouldn’t have to steal and my brother wouldn’t kill. My grandmother wouldn’t have to stress about getting sick and possibly dieing. My cousin wouldn’t hallucinate and my nephew would be able to see. If I could have my way I wouldn’t have a heart condition. I wouldn’t be a compulsive liar. I would be myself instead of pretending I was Princess Diana. But of course I can’t have my way but I can only dream of one day maybe getting it.

President Obama’s Inauguration

On January 20, 2009 I witnessed the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I’m in a program called Trio here at ISU. This program hosted an event for its members to come out and watch the inauguration while we enjoyed a meal. I attended the program with my friend Courtney. I had a nine o clock class that day so I missed the beginning of it but I was able to catch the middle and the end. The room was filled with excitement and joy. Indeed it was an historic moment. Everyone had their focus on the screen not wanting to look away for even a second. After every performance or announcement we cheered. When the lady announced for everyone to stand so Obama could walk to the stand and be sworn in we stood as well. After the speech we discussed what it meant to us to have Barack as our forty fourth President.

            During the speech I listened intently to capture the essence of his words. Every now and again I drifted off to think about the new opportunities that would be offered to Americans. The speech was somber but it enlightened me. It felt good to actually hear Americas problems being addressed followed by inspiration because help was finally being offered. I respected that he didn’t bullshit us and say everything was going to be okay but was realistic and said it may take some time but eventually we’d get there. I looked around to see the expressions on my peer’s faces and some looked as though they wanted to cry while others have adorning smiles from ear to ear.

            My favorite quote from the speech was “What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.”-Barack Obama          

            This was my favorite quote because when I read it I got goose bumps. His words were so real and so true. He’s saying lets leave all the negativity behind us and move forward on a positive note. Everything that has allowed us to prosper we can continue to go about doing things that way but whatever has failed to work or is failing us we will leave that where it stands. As a people we can be united once we bestow our faith in each other as well as our country. To summarize in a shorter quote “if it’s not broke then don’t fix it”

This is me and this is what I'm about.

My name is Quasheena but most of my friends call me Sheena. I stay in Chicago, Illinois when I’m away from school and in Watterson Tower, Jefferson suite when I am in school. I attended Lane Tech College Prep High School. I’m not into sports or anything of that sort instead I like to read, spend time with friends and family, and going out to social gatherings. I really enjoy school because I love learning new things everyday. My major is Business Management and in the near future I hope to own my own company. Right now I’m not too sure what kind of company I want to operate but I’m hoping by my junior year to have it figured out. I have a minor in psychology and I’m thinking about getting a degree in this field to become a psychiatrist. Sometimes I come off as a shy person but once you get to know me I’m very outgoing. I have a sense of humor because laughing seems to make everything better in my world. At some point and time in my life I would like to travel the world to see its beauties. My favorite movie to date is The Other Boleyn Girl. Like the Bratz Dolls I have a passion for fashion. I like all kinds of music and when I’m home you can find me in a club listening to the latest sounds almost every weekend. I have seven siblings and a niece and nephew. I look forward to accomplishing many goals and succeeding at ISU.