FAREWELL TO BLOGGING for English Comp 201

FAREWELL, GOODBYE, I WON'T HAVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! I'LL PROBABLY FORGET ABOUT YOU COME NEXT FALL! NO MORE TAKING UP MY TIME TO WRITE ABOUT SOME THINGS I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT. ALTHOUGH WE'VE HAD OUR GOOD TIMES AND DIDN'T ALWAYS MIND WRITING ABOUT A CERTAIN SUBJECT, BECAUSE AT TIMES IT REALLY DID LET ME SPEAK MY MIND! SO GOODBYE O DEAREST BLOG SPOT, BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER STAND TO WRITE ANYMORE!
SINCERELY,
ASHLEY ANNE

Susan Boyle Blog For English Comp 201

I don't have much of an opinion of Susan Boyle except for the fact that she is an amazing singer and the fact that she had the courage to go up in front of everyone, be laughed at and then turn around everyone's opinion! It just goes to show you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Her courage is something that anyone could look at and know they can do whatever they want, if they just have the courage to go and try it! Sometimes I think the fact that there is a camera around makes people want to try and succeed. I mean really, who doesn't like to show off?!?

Human Stewardship Towards The Planet

There are some people who care for the planet, and some who don't. Everybody has their opinion of recycling. I personally think its a good idea but I know that I am not a huge recycler myself. I don't have the little box in my house to put recyclables in, but everyonce in awhile i throw a water bottle in a bin as I go by. The whole fact of Earth Day, well I don't think too many people really care actually.

"Wise/Funny Things Little Kids Say" Blog for English Comp. 201

During one of my observation times in a Kindergarten classroom, the teacher had mentioned something about driving in her car and a student reacted with "Teacher's have cars?!?" I thought it was quite cute and funny that a student wouldn't think of a teacher having a car. But in fact it seems to happen all the time. The teacher later told me stories of how the children asked if she slept in the closet when everyone left, or how one student saw her at a grocery store and the student asked why she wasn't at school. As a future teacher who hopes to own my own preschool/daycare, I can't wait to hear all the funny things from my "children" and be able to share stories with other people.

Speaking the Truth Blog for English Comp. 201

If you could speak from the heart, without cliché, sarcasm, irony, joking, or contradiction, what might you say? In other words, what would you say when you were at your best having the best of feelings toward everyone?

If could speak from my heart, I would say that life is going to be tough. You are not always going to have your best days and you are not always going to have a bad day. Life is a roller coaster and for me that's the truth. Just like in real life, I don't like roller coasters; they are ok going fast and straight, but when they begin to turn or go upside down, that is when I hate them the most! But you can't control what happens in life, but you can effect the outcome and how you respond to what happens. It's all in how we react to life. So take it one day at a time, don't let stuff bring you down, because there is always tomorrow. Don't waste your time on something that doesn't truly satisfy you, life is too short. When something bad does happen, take notes, put in the file drawer and move on. "You can't live in the past and you can't predict the future, so take the present and run with it!" -That's my quote!

Group Work Blog for English Comp. 201

Group work means everyone! In other words everyone in the group has some sort of input that they put into the finale'. Many times though, if the group is too large, there is not enough work for everyone in the group or you may have some groups where someone just takes over and gets everything done, while everyone else just sits back and puts in a few words to make it seem like they did something. So everyone, WORK TOGETHER IN A GROUP!!

Better With Me? Blog for Enlgish Comp. 201

Do I think the world is a better place because I am in it? I don't necessarily think that it is a better place in general or the fact that it even matters who I am, but I do know that I can make my world a better place. With the teaching dream that I have to start my own preschool/daycare, I can only hope that a can give a place for children to come and be well taken care of. It's not a question as to whether I can give myself a place in this world, but to give a future for those kids. I personally can't wait to graduate and begin with young children every day.

My Thought Blog for English Comp. 201

"Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~Albert Camus



Have you ever been alone in a crowded room? Tried so hard to love someone, only to be told you're a great friend? Worked extra hard only to be fired later on? Wished upon every shooting star you saw, only to know it's childish? Took hours trying to explain to someone how you truly feel, only to have them tell you not to be so negative? Well I have. I have tried so hard to explain myself, but people don't understand. Yes I would like to go through life without caring so much about something, without stressing myself out, without losing sleep over the littlest things. I want to be "normal" or as normal as normal can get. So many people don't realize the true story behind these eyes. They don't see the hurt covered up by that smile. So the next time you ask someone how they are doing, and they tell you "I'm good!", take another look in those eyes, is it the honest truth? And what would you do to take that extra step to realize what they are covering up?

A Thank You Letter To My Parents

Dear Mom and Dad,
I can't tell you enough how much I love you guys. You disciplined me when I needed it, loved me when I was wrong, and cared when I thought noone did. There were days when I hated you, wished I had someone else's parents; but noone could replace you guys. The love that you have for each other is something I hope to find someday. The love that you have for Ronald and I is something I hope I can share with my own children. Mom, thanks for showing me the household duties of a woman, even if I never thought it was fun. Dad, thanks for everything, between my car or just being the best guy in my life. Together you guys have taught me to have a hard work ethic and to believe in myself. You have pushed me to do my best and to grow up learning lessons the hard way. You have shared with me your own knowledge, your love, money, feelings, and even the car keys. Thank you. For everything. I love you guys more than I could ever show. Thanks for being the parents that someone else doesn't. Thanks for being there, even if I didn't want you to. Thanks for being those arms that caught me when I was falling. Thanks for the hard work you do to help me through life. Thanks. I love you more than words can say.
Love always and forever,
Ashley Anne

Nice Things Blog For English Comp. 201

Some of the nicest things someone has ever said to me, and why these words influenced me:

"Thanks so much for doing that project. You're a life saver!"
~These words influenced me by continuing to be a hard worker. I am glad that I can do something for someone and know that they appreciate what I do for them.

"You're gorgeous."
~To hear these words from someone really makes me feel good inside. To know that I'm not just "hot" or "beautiful", but gorgeous...it's just really nice to hear! :)

Picture Blog for English Comp. 201

In this photo the couple is obviously talking to someone on the phone. It could be that it has come down to where people can't talk face-to-face with each other anymore. With the way technology has its place in this time of life, it makes you wonder if life will become like this..not being able to enjoy each other's company even while sitting across from each other. Even now days people will IM each other or text the person sitting right next to them. Yes at times it seems easier to say what's really on your mind by "writing" it, but is it really personal? Or how about when you see a couple always texting each other but not always making that phone call to one another? Doesn't seem very romantic to me!

The Brothers Karamazov Blog for English Comp. 201

"If I had been righteous myself, perhaps there would have been no

criminal standing before me . . ..

If the evil-doing of men moves you to indignation and overwhelming

distress, even to a desire for vengeance on the evil-doers, shun above

all things that feeling."

~After both Adam and Eve took part of the apple in the garden, it became human to sin and to do wrong. I believe in this paragraph that we can reflect on our own lives and think about a time when we did wrong and how it then started a chain reaction. For example I can remember times when I would see my friends not having to call their parents and let them know what they were doing every minute, and so therefore I didn't think that I had to either. Unfortunately, I got into trouble and my little brother saw that I didn't call my parents so he didn't think he had to also and then led to him getting into trouble also. As a future teacher, we are role models and as role models we are supposed to lead our classrooms and to model behaviors that would want others to follow in the right way. I also think with the way that our economy is today, that being a role model has a huge influence to others around us. So the fact that someone saw someone else doing evil, so began the chain and now our worlds are forever at war.

Leader Blog for English Comp 201

The person as a leader and human being that I choose is my grandma Elaine. She passed away almost 6 years ago with ovarian cancer and she was my best friend. She was like my mother growing up, always baking with me, helping with homework, letting me ride the bus to her house after school, and learning the finer details in life. She was such a great person by leading in Christian Women's Group, bible study, helping out neighbors, and just being the best person she can be. She didn't quit for nothing, even up till the end, I remember her trying to get out of the hospital bed saying that there was still chores to do and bills to pay. It is still hard to think about my grandmother and know that she is gone. I looked up to her, she was my hero...and to this day I still want to be like her. Probably the best song to fit her is called "My Angel" by Kellie Pickle:
Every day when school got outI'd get off the bus and I'd run down That old dirt road where you were waiting for meOn the front porch in that blue swing You'd be smiling and we would sing'Amazing Grace' and 'Jesus Loves Me' You were like my mother You were my best friend You were everything I want to be And all the good inside of me There's never been Never been another That loved me like you did My grandmother, my angel Even though I can't touch your face I feel you with me every day I wish you could see all my dreams coming true When I get lost I close my eyes And I feel you shining down so bright I feel you shining down on me You were like my mother You were my best friend You were everything I want to be And all the good inside of me There's never been Never been another That loved me like you did My grandmother, my angel You were like my mother You were my best friend You were everything I want to be And all the good inside of me There's never been Never been another That loved me like you did My grandmother, my angel My angel

Standing Alone Blog

Yes there was a time when I stood alone...when I stood apart from the variety of crowds. And there was a time when I also stood alone in my opinion...in November 2008. I had an opinion against Obama and the words I chose to show that were very illegal. It went as far as being investigated by National Homeland Security! So that was my experience of standing alone, but I am who I am and I'm not going to change for anyone! I stick to what I believe and feel.

Filling In The Blank Blog

Create and explain a metaphor by filling in the blank: "A good argument is like _________________________________ because____________________________."

A good arguement is like being in the ring with a professional boxer because if you just stand there, you are going to get hurt. So you have to stand your ground and protect your face and stomach and be ready to fight back. People are going to argue with you (throw a punch) and so you are going to want to be ready to block that punch (defend your arguement), throw a punch back (back up your argument), and go for a knockout(win over the crowd!

An Onion Story Blog for English Comp. 201

The lady in this story was sent to Hell because she had no good deeds. Her guardian angel had tried to save her by using the onion that was given away to pull her out, but as she was beginning to be pulled out, others saw and pulled on her. She was selfish and exclaimed that it was her onion and only was she to be pulled out. I think of this as how alot of times we see things as we want them and we don't care about anyone else. We may do this in group projects for example...someone plays leader and tells others what to do without maybe realizing that someone else may have a different idea as to how to go about the project. If the woman would have just let things be, maybe she could have been pulled out of the hole.

Legistics Blog for English Comp. 201

To think about how statiscally people are doing ok and not that many are suffering, should be lagitcally correct. However if you think about it, everyone is suffering. Even if it seems that they are ok in one area, they are usually lacking in another. Take for example, someone who is rich; they have alot of money and can usually buy what they want, but do they have character that a poor man would? Would they use their money wisely, or would they treat someone lower class just as equally as someone in the same class as them? Usually not. But if you also think of the poor man and how he lacks the money to buy certain things that could help feed him or clothe him, but however, he has the character of a kind person and usually will give up what he hardly owns to someone he thinks deserves better. So no, I don't think that its ever going to be that everyone will be ok, because in the end, some will still fail.

"Don't Download This Song!" Blog for English Comp. 201

In this song, Weird Al talks about how it is wrong to download songs illegally and it doesn't matter who you are. He also explains that by doing that it takes away money from the artists so then they can't afford a new Humvee or diamonds. When this was said, I said to myself "that is exactly why people do download songs. Maybe because they can't afford to buy the CD or they only like the one song on the CD. That drives me insane when I buy a CD and I only like 2-3 out the 13 they put on there!!! And it's not like celebrities need anymore money! No wonder the economy sucks! Yes I know that it is illegal and I agree people shouldn't be doing things illegally, but sometimes when you just want a good song and not a whole CD, its nice to just be able to have that one song.

Social Interaction Blog for English Comp. 201

One social interaction that affected me was actually just last night. I have never met this guy in person but we have talked on facebook and then last night he called me. It of course started out with the simple questions and one question led to a very deep conversation. We talked about religion and how he couldn't believe that something bigger was out there because any question that he had, noone seemed to be able to answer. I of course have that relationship with God and so I tried to make him understand how it felt to know about God and some of the things that happen because of Him. It seemed like we just kept going and going in circles basically him saying "well where are the facts?" and me saying "it's just a feeling that you have that can't really be described". I am not sure why I felt a connection to this guy, but there must have been something to have talked over four hours on the phone with him. Maybe as my part, I am supposed to be a witness to this guy, to show him God's love. I can't help but think that maybe we are talking to each other for a reason, that maybe I can give him that chance at an everlasting life. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Joke Blog for English Comp. 201

The joke about the priest in the monastary was only allowed two words to say every 365 days. In the end, his two words were "I quit". The head guy told him that was fine, since all he did was complain since he had been there.

This makes me think about how we need to choose our words wisely. Sometimes you might not always get that second chance or that warning. I personally know this as I had said something just last November about the election. I said something that I didn't know was illegal to say, and of course did not mean it but was joking around. Well I was allowed that second chance. After being interviewed by National Homeland Security of USA, I think I will choose my words more wisely from now on. But it's an experience that I learned from and will never forget. The best way to learn is from experience, and sometimes that takes making a wrong choice to see the right. In everything we do or say, we learn from it.

Name Puzzle for English Comp. 201

AAFAAF
Ashley Anne Fickbohm always aims far.

What this sentence says about me is that the goals I set for myself are usually high but still for sure reachable if I put my mind to it. One of my goals for example, is to start my own preschool someday. Something that will take alot of work to do, but yet not out of reach.

Trust Blog for English Comp 201

A friend of mine convinced me to talk to this guy she knew and as a result I dated him.
It all began as a single email, asking a few get-to-know you questions and a reply back with answers and more questions. Later on as time went, I spoke to him for the first time over the phone. We talked about our favorite colors, our favorite things to do, what our families were like, the kind of kisses we enjoyed, basically anything and everything. Our phone call lasted for a total of two and a half hours. We then emailed each other more often and called every once in awhile just to see how things were going. Then in May 2006 we agreed to meet each other in person. So on May 20, he came out to my place, met my parents and then took me out to eat. We went to pizza hut for supper and there he would smile at me, wink, and even played "footsie" with me. Ha ha, it was great and then we decided to go to a movie. It began to rain as we left pizza hut and he said something that made me laugh hysterically! He said, "My windshield wipers only work when there is a hot girl sitting next to me so I don't know if they will work or not." Then he turned them on and of course they worked. The dork! So we went and saw Mission Impossible III and in the theatre we held hands and kissed and cuddled. Then we headed back home, late! Anyways then he came out the next day and helped move cattle and then he had to go back home. But the next day, he called me and asked if I would be his girlfriend. So we dated for two and a half years; when we broke up it really really hurt, and to this day we still talk about getting back together. The fact that I had our wedding basically planned out and looking at engagement rings also made it really hard to throw it all away, but maybe someday it can happen again.
So the fact that I trusted my friend, was something I will never forget.

National Public Radio Blog for English Comp. 201

"Because human problems are created, conducted, and sustained by human beings, they can be ended by human beings."

I agree with this statement because this means that when people are fussing over little things or stressing over big things, they cause issues in their own life. These things can then put stress on themselves, financially, in their relationships or friendships, or even businesses. I know that sometimes when I start to get stressed out over some things, I end up taking my stress out on something or someone else. That's why suicide rates are so high, because people don't realize that when they become stressed out, they need to relieve themselves and end up doing this by hurting them or someone else.
I personally know what it is like to hurt someone else....ask my ex. I also have threatened to hurt myself many times and a few times even came close to finishing it. I am not proud of myself for it, but at times it feels like that is the only way to solve my issues. But after last year, I have been trying different ways to relieve my stress and find better solutions than suicide. So yes I do believe that if humans create, conduct, or sustain a problem, they also have the power to solve their issues.

Nameless Emotion

The room can be full of people

They can be standing right next to me

Yet it feels like I'm in this dream

Where there is absolutely nothing but white

As far as I can see

And it's just me standing there alone

With nothing to do, nothing to say

How do I make you understand this feeling

It's a torture destroying me on the inside

I fight it as much as possible

But the only thing I can do

Is smile, pretend everything is ok

And walk away

Argument Blog for English Comp. 201

This one time I had a huge argument with my now ex-boyfriend. We were arguing over religion and trying to make each other realize why going to church or meeting in the home was different. I had gone to a church all my life until I met Eric. His family meets in the house and speaks out loud to each other. At first I thought it was much like a bible study and didn’t think anything of it. Later when I asked him to come to my church to see what it was like; he said that he didn’t think he would. I got mad because I had went with him to his church and couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t at least come and see what it was like at my church. I blew up at him saying that he wasn’t even given a fair fight. We kept arguing for awhile and finally after a few days, he said he would come. So after that Sunday service, I asked him what he thought of it; he said he liked how he felt at meeting more than coming to a church.
After awhile I continued going to meeting with him because I started to see how meeting actually affected people whereas sitting in a pew next to someone snoring! After about a year going to meetings and conventions, I professed! It was such an awesome feeling and now I love going to meetings and being able to share my thoughts for the week and relating to others that speak that day.