It's about that time every year, when the semester is almost over. I'm sure that I can speak for a lot of people when I say this semester has been a rough one. Now all everyone is looking forward to is winter break. I can say that I am especially excited for many reasons. If possible and considering they make it, I can go watch St. Thomas Aquinas play in the State Finals on December 14th. Three days before Christmas, I'm going to the Miami Heat game with my family and I'll get to see my best friend as she is going too. But the one thing I'm looking forward to most is New Year's. Not only is it a new time to start fresh, but also I'm going to the Orange Bowl to see my FSU Seminoles play and win!
As much as I, and everyone else, are ready for this semester to be over, I can say I've learned a great amount of things that can help me in the future or just for personal enjoyment. Coming into this class, I was a little hesitant about the fact that it was based around sports. After listening to how many people actually played a sport made me feel a little lost because I never did and didn't really feel any special connection to sports. But this class made me realize that I do and I can honestly say that I watch and follow sports a great deal more than I ever have. This class also taught me about writing and analyzing things by breaking them down and seeing a different perspective of things. I'm really glad that I decided to keep it rather than dropping it for a different one. If I had dropped it, I never would have realized the great appreciation I have for sports and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
What am I happy with?
If someone to ask me what I'm happy with, I would answer that with so many different reasons. I'm happy that I got to see my family once before the semester was over. I'm happy that I have great friends that I got to come back to. I'm happy that I actually have a good roommate, as opposed to the people who always complain about theirs. I'm happy that this semester is almost over so I can go home for Christmas, and come back and start taking classes I like AND not having to wake up at 8 a.m. every single day. But what I'm most happy about is that I was able to pull myself up from literally failing a class.
I wasn't doing very well in my Race and Ethnicity class. I had an F. A failing grade. Some people (those who don't really care) wouldn't see it as a really big deal. It was a huge deal to me. Not only was I worried that I wouldn't get the history credit or the Gordon Rule credit, I was definitely concerned about how it would affect my GPA. Because I have Bright Future's that was a serious issue. I didn't really know what to do but I knew that I still did a paper that I didn't get a grade for. When I got it back, I was relieved and ecstatic that it brought my grade up to a D. I really shouldn't be happy with a D but it was better than an F and I still had opportunities to bring it up to at least a C-. Now, with my last paper turned in, I feel confident that I can bring my grade up to maybe a B by the final because this was the one paper I actually put a lot of effort into after having to basically rewrite most of it at about 11:00 p.m. All I know is I have to study an immense amount for it but I'm just happy that I have a much greater chance of getting the credits for that class and keeping my Bright Future's. As long as a person is motivated to do something, they can do anything. I was definitely motivated to bring my grade up and I was able to succeed. This is why I'm happier than I've ever been, at least this semester. Next semester: I'm taking bowling. Now, that should be an interesting class.
I wasn't doing very well in my Race and Ethnicity class. I had an F. A failing grade. Some people (those who don't really care) wouldn't see it as a really big deal. It was a huge deal to me. Not only was I worried that I wouldn't get the history credit or the Gordon Rule credit, I was definitely concerned about how it would affect my GPA. Because I have Bright Future's that was a serious issue. I didn't really know what to do but I knew that I still did a paper that I didn't get a grade for. When I got it back, I was relieved and ecstatic that it brought my grade up to a D. I really shouldn't be happy with a D but it was better than an F and I still had opportunities to bring it up to at least a C-. Now, with my last paper turned in, I feel confident that I can bring my grade up to maybe a B by the final because this was the one paper I actually put a lot of effort into after having to basically rewrite most of it at about 11:00 p.m. All I know is I have to study an immense amount for it but I'm just happy that I have a much greater chance of getting the credits for that class and keeping my Bright Future's. As long as a person is motivated to do something, they can do anything. I was definitely motivated to bring my grade up and I was able to succeed. This is why I'm happier than I've ever been, at least this semester. Next semester: I'm taking bowling. Now, that should be an interesting class.
FSU Letdown.
Being an avid Seminole fan, last week's loss against the Gators was true heart break. It was a devastating time for really all of us, especially since we had beat UF for the past two years. Although there can be argument about who was more upset about the loss, but I don't think anyone can compare their disappointment to mine. I was so angry that we lost for two reasons: because it was to the Gators and because I was wearing my lucky hat. I'm a superstitious person, especially when it comes to sports. My lucky hat had been undefeated all season. When I didn't wear it for USF, we barely won. When I didn't wear it for NC State, we lost. When we played UM, I was convinced it worked because i hadn't worn it for the start of the game but as soon as I put it on, we scored a field goal and came back to win the game.
I started to watch the game at my house with my dad and my brother. It was, to say the least, interesting that no one had scored yet. But then the decision to leave and go to my grandma's house was determined and I had to get ready. By then, we were down 3-0. So we listened to it in the car, my lucky hat still on. Then we had possession of the ball but that was cut short by EJ Manuel throwing an interception. That was the first of many. Second quarter was full of first downs but then we just couldn't make it and like the first quarter, the Gators had the ball for most of it. Then another field goal was kicked; It's good. 6-0. On the kickoff, Karlos Williams returned it for 21 yards but got hit and fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Gators who ended up converting that into a touchdown. 13-0. I wasn't too worried because it was still the beginning. When we got the ball back, I was hopeful and worried at the same time. Not to be taken as a surprise, but look! EJ threw yet ANOTHER interception. luckily we were able to hold them off until they had to punt. With a fair catch by Kenny Shaw and a lot of running to get first downs, we managed to get it in field goal range and Dustin Hopkins did his thing and kicked a 50 yard field goal to make the score 13-3.
Third quarter is when I realized how badly we needed to catch up. In the first drive, we were doing okay. That is until EJ decided it would be fun to thrown another interception. Thankfully, Bjoern Werner was able to sack Driskel at 3rd and 13, and make them punt the ball. Third quarter is when everything started falling into place. A touchdown by Nick O'Leary, a fumble recovery by Werner, and then another touchdown by EJ (his saving grace, or so we thought). By now I was at my grandma's house watching the game, and maybe that's why I felt my hat work. So many good plays, and we made a comeback. With a Hopkins 53 yard field goal, it was 13-20, FSU, by the end of the third. Fourth was a disappointment. I had to leave to go to Miami to go to the Heat game. I felt like when I left, so did all hope for us beating UF. Everything went wrong: they scored a field goal, more interceptions, EJ getting sacked, EJ fumbling, EJ getting hurt. It was just awful, but I still had a little bit of hope. It was 37-20 and I realized we couldn't do it. EJ rushed for a touchdown to make it 37-26, and that was the game. I don't know why it had to be this game that my hat didn't work, especially since it worked the past two years. It hurt me and I realized that maybe the luck was all in my head.
I started to watch the game at my house with my dad and my brother. It was, to say the least, interesting that no one had scored yet. But then the decision to leave and go to my grandma's house was determined and I had to get ready. By then, we were down 3-0. So we listened to it in the car, my lucky hat still on. Then we had possession of the ball but that was cut short by EJ Manuel throwing an interception. That was the first of many. Second quarter was full of first downs but then we just couldn't make it and like the first quarter, the Gators had the ball for most of it. Then another field goal was kicked; It's good. 6-0. On the kickoff, Karlos Williams returned it for 21 yards but got hit and fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Gators who ended up converting that into a touchdown. 13-0. I wasn't too worried because it was still the beginning. When we got the ball back, I was hopeful and worried at the same time. Not to be taken as a surprise, but look! EJ threw yet ANOTHER interception. luckily we were able to hold them off until they had to punt. With a fair catch by Kenny Shaw and a lot of running to get first downs, we managed to get it in field goal range and Dustin Hopkins did his thing and kicked a 50 yard field goal to make the score 13-3.
Third quarter is when I realized how badly we needed to catch up. In the first drive, we were doing okay. That is until EJ decided it would be fun to thrown another interception. Thankfully, Bjoern Werner was able to sack Driskel at 3rd and 13, and make them punt the ball. Third quarter is when everything started falling into place. A touchdown by Nick O'Leary, a fumble recovery by Werner, and then another touchdown by EJ (his saving grace, or so we thought). By now I was at my grandma's house watching the game, and maybe that's why I felt my hat work. So many good plays, and we made a comeback. With a Hopkins 53 yard field goal, it was 13-20, FSU, by the end of the third. Fourth was a disappointment. I had to leave to go to Miami to go to the Heat game. I felt like when I left, so did all hope for us beating UF. Everything went wrong: they scored a field goal, more interceptions, EJ getting sacked, EJ fumbling, EJ getting hurt. It was just awful, but I still had a little bit of hope. It was 37-20 and I realized we couldn't do it. EJ rushed for a touchdown to make it 37-26, and that was the game. I don't know why it had to be this game that my hat didn't work, especially since it worked the past two years. It hurt me and I realized that maybe the luck was all in my head.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Thanksgiving Sports Story.
Every Thanksgiving, aside from the food and the family, my one favorite sports tradition is watching the Cowboys play football with my dad. I've been watching the games with him for as long as I can remember. It has become like a tradition to us like eating turkey is tradition to Thanksgiving itself. It gives my dad and I something to bond over. Considering he's the reason why I like the Cowboys, it only makes sense that we watch the games.
On other Thanksgiving occasions, the Cowboys have done fairly well and won. However, this Thanksgiving was just like any other game out of the season. I wasn't really surprised that they lost but it was an interesting game. For the most part, we were losing and in the beginning it was a massacre. Then by some miracle, they made an amazing comeback. I wasn't too upset about the loss because of the comeback. I did feel a little slow that I didn't realize until way later in the game that it was a game of Cowboys versus Indians. When I declared that realization to my dad he just sarcastically said, "you just realized that?" and all I could think was "ouch that hurt my feelings." However, all in all, it was a great game and I'm glad I got to watch it with my dad, just like old times.
On other Thanksgiving occasions, the Cowboys have done fairly well and won. However, this Thanksgiving was just like any other game out of the season. I wasn't really surprised that they lost but it was an interesting game. For the most part, we were losing and in the beginning it was a massacre. Then by some miracle, they made an amazing comeback. I wasn't too upset about the loss because of the comeback. I did feel a little slow that I didn't realize until way later in the game that it was a game of Cowboys versus Indians. When I declared that realization to my dad he just sarcastically said, "you just realized that?" and all I could think was "ouch that hurt my feelings." However, all in all, it was a great game and I'm glad I got to watch it with my dad, just like old times.
Thanksgiving Memory.
This past Thanksgiving was probably one of the most fun ones I've had in a while. For the past couple of years, I've gone to my grandma's house in Gainesville to spend it there. But every year before that, I would spend it with my grandma who lives in South Florida, my family there and my family that would travel from Ohio. There were always 20+ people for Thanksgiving at her house and it was always a good time spending it with family, eating food and catching up.
So this Thanksgiving was not only just a special holiday, but it was also the first time I had been home all semester. It was so great to see my parents and my brother, but it was especially nice to see my grandma and my grandpa who has Alzheimer's. I also saw my cousin who I pretty much grew up with and always had arguments with. But this time was different. This time he was happy to see me and gave me one of the biggest hugs he's ever given me. To see the look on everyone's face when they saw me was heartwarming because they just appeared so joyful. I was just as happy to see them and I just felt so good to be home.
So this Thanksgiving was not only just a special holiday, but it was also the first time I had been home all semester. It was so great to see my parents and my brother, but it was especially nice to see my grandma and my grandpa who has Alzheimer's. I also saw my cousin who I pretty much grew up with and always had arguments with. But this time was different. This time he was happy to see me and gave me one of the biggest hugs he's ever given me. To see the look on everyone's face when they saw me was heartwarming because they just appeared so joyful. I was just as happy to see them and I just felt so good to be home.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Opposition to an Ad.
The ad I am creating an opposition for is about the Statue of Liberty holding a football. The backing for this ad is that it is a symbol for how sports in general uses a false idol which exposes the idea that sports just cover up social problems as opposed to solving them. While I agree with this position, I have to disagree and say that sports unites people as a community, a country or a continent.
I see it as a great way to show the Statue of Liberty holding a football but using it as a symbol of unity. The statue itself was a gift from the French, which I see as a way to unify two different countries, and the statue holding a football shows how that one sport, in particular, can unify a country like the United States. I think that despite people having different teams and views on who's a better player, sports are a common theme among all different countries. An example of this would be the United States & football and Europe & soccer.This common theme can create unions which in turn can form a number of social relationships that could help fix other problems, such as economics.
I see it as a great way to show the Statue of Liberty holding a football but using it as a symbol of unity. The statue itself was a gift from the French, which I see as a way to unify two different countries, and the statue holding a football shows how that one sport, in particular, can unify a country like the United States. I think that despite people having different teams and views on who's a better player, sports are a common theme among all different countries. An example of this would be the United States & football and Europe & soccer.This common theme can create unions which in turn can form a number of social relationships that could help fix other problems, such as economics.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Political View on the Adbuster.
The way I can include a political view into my adbuster is by explaining in greater detail the controversial aspect, which divides people. My adbuster has to deal with Jeremy Scott's 'Shackle' sneakers that are made by Adidas. This creates a political split because on one side, people think the shoes have no harmful meaning and that they are just a fashion statement. Other people, however, feel that the cuffs that are attached to the sneakers with chains have a deeper meaning than say "keeping a lock on your style." The controversy that is presented here creates division of a community because of how these shoes are interpreted.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)