Those DAM CATS!!!

My fiance has cats, before I met him he had six cats. "How odd I thought a man to have six cats." I have never known a man to have so many cats, maybe dogs but not cats. Myself, I am a dog person, though they are a lot of work and so I guess with my busy life of children, work, school and home is why I do not have a dog.

But there is still this cat situation in the house! Since the combining of two households my fiances and mine. We have cats and though they kept in the master bedroom and not allowed to wander the house, there still is this conflict between my fiance and me about these DAM CATS. There are only two now because six cats were just one to many. Its been five years, and I have been without a space of my own in this house. Since I have allergies due to the cats I have not slept in my bedroom for four and half years!!!!! What the hell??????????? 

The cats have completely taken over the master bedroom upstairs. There is no place for me in this house, No room of my own to escape a long hard day of work, school and children. No place to rest my head at night which means no intimacy. I can count on both hands the amount of times in one year, sad but true! No romance  either, its all very sobering as I have watched these years passed by. My only place is a small closet by the garage to hang a few of my clothes the rest my clothing in a storage bin that sits in my office. My jewelry, make-up, purses (3 to be exact) and shoes sit on a small shelf in the closet and on the floor. 

I fight off spiders and ants during the year that seem to make their way into my closet and because this is the desert a field mice or two. Last year I threw away lots of clothes because the thought of a mouse in the house in my clothes...yuck! Well at least I got to buy replacements! Either way I can not breathe nor move. My sentimental knick-knacks sit in boxes because  I can not put them in a room of my own. 

But what is most frustrating is I can not say a thing about these cats to my fiance or he blows up with false accusations. Granted in the beginning I used to say how much I detested cats in general mind you. I tired to be nice and understanding to these two farrow cats, but they are just mean cats. Their cute names China and Kitten is something of a joke. Kitten is the really mean one, although he has no front claws his teeth are huge! He once bit my fiance once right through his nail! China I think if kitten where around might be nice, but this one has her claws. Either way I just really dislike these cats! 

Today I mentioned how yesterday I went quickly into his room for a cup of cat food, to give to another orange cat outside that comes around the yard. This kitty looked thin and hungry so  I went to grab some cat food and water. Besides this particular cat brings dead mice that have been behead and disemboweled to my door. He is out earning his food. Either way I went to grab some cat food and Kitten was hissing at me as usual then ran out and charged at me, so I had to yell and stomp my foot down. I do this to show who is boss...yahhh right! Kitten ran back under the bed. I told my fiance this and today, as usual he thinks I am being silly like the cat is really going to bite me like a dog. I say, "Well you never know, cats have their means just like dogs." I really should have said nothing about this whole situation! It just gets him in a bad mood and me frustrated that he refuses to understand or acknowledge what I am saying about these stupid cats. He always turns my words and meaning of what I am saying about this situation of the stupid cats. 

BlahBlah, "You ALWAYS say this or that about the cats" really? I have not mentioned anything about the stupid cats I seldom do, if my fiances asks me to get something from his room I say "No you go get it, I have allergies" But what happens I usually go get it, then he cats hiss at me, I find this annoying especially when they try to charge me. He is never there when they charge me but says it did not happen. There was a time I early on I used to sleep in that room, but I would wake up sick eyes swollen skin itchy. Until one year I got sick and had some sort of bacteria on my cheek from the stupid cats. I think they were wiping their ass on my pillow. Anyways I got sick for a long time so sick that I could not fight off a viral infection and end up with shingles! SHINGLES people!!!! It sucked so bad I spent my days laying on the couch some days I could barely move without pain to get up and used the potty. Still I went to work, school and took care of my kids. It took a year to recover, this is all insane.

Years passed and I still had no bedroom of my own. I once slept on the couch for a year until I notice my poor $1000 couch was suffering. Then I used to sleep on the floor in the living room, but that really sucked. So I bought an air mattress...except that did not last either. Finally I am now sleeping in my small children's room..on the lower bunk. Hmm this really sucks! All the while these cats have a master bedroom with a huge closet and bathroom. It is my fiances room. You think he would keep it clean, but nope. I used to imagine when we first move in here where I would I put things in the master bedroom and how I would decorate it. Now I pass the department stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, and dream of one day having a room and being able to buy that $300 comforter set. Will that ever happen? I often wonder. 

I came from a big family and so never had my own room or bed. I had to share it with 6 sisters! SIX. We had to share at times sleeping with one another, actually for some reason I did with my step sister who would wet the bed. Geeeezzzz I hate those days! Funny I wonder now if then was preparing me for now? 

Now that I have calmed down from the cat discussion with my fiance this morning, I'm just going to say, I HATE THESE DAM CATS!!!! 

Last Blog

Final and Last Stop…

Do you feel beaten? Left trudging back from the battle grounds of College work, slump over in defeat or head up in accomplishment from lasting the whole 16 weeks through? I have no clue just yet by next week I will defiantly need a chiropractor from nights spent up typing my last few thoughts out after having worked an eight hour work day and coming home to unfinished dishes and laundry, bills unpaid and the trash barrel yet to be pulled out to the curb.

I defiantly learned a lot about my self this term. It is a risk on ones GPA to succumb to the arrogance of conquering a challenging class like English 103, specifically if it is Professor Gross’s class. While the Professors intentions were well meaning I feel that I may have a few gray hairs from the stress. However was it all well worth it?

Absolutely! I love to read though more often for myself then to fill a requirement. However I would have not selected Reading Lolita in Tehran or Animal Farm, this is one thing that I enjoy about being in an English class or any course that introduces you to reading literature or essays. It introduces an individual to various aspects of writing styles, characters, plot, cultures and so forth. It helps us make connections to periods of time and issues, as well why we write, who are we writing for and what the connection is.

Another part of this course that was enlightening was essays we read in Exploring Language. Chapter two in particular was helpful to me. We all struggle with writing for me it is often my usage of small words. Reassurance by an author perspective of using small words I believe helps with having the confidence to write for others. In Richard Lederer essay The Case for Short Words (122), he states a rule, “Here is a rule: Use small old words where you can. If a long word says just what you want to say, do not fear to use it. But know that our tongue is rich in crisp, brisk, swift, short words.” This help with reassuring me that my writing style is still my. Lederer goes further to say, “Make them the spin and the heart of what you speak and write. Short words are like fast friends. They will not let you down.” I actually felt better about my writing after having read this essay and using small or complex words to facilitate my reading and writing abilities.

The essay topics introduce use to the complexities which exist in technology, cultural, communicating with others, the language which exists between social groups and gender. I believe helped to gain understanding and self awareness of how we write and who we are writing for, and to think critically when reading and writing. This was all important and lead to the fostering of a community within the class in exchanging our thoughts through blogging and sharing ideas.

All the work was intense although I feel that it help all of us become better writers by addressing our weakness and helping us to build and reinforce them. I take from this an understanding of areas within the writing and reading process that I need to address in order to become a better writer. 

To the Editor

This is an open letter to the Editor,

            I’ve just returned from Akron, Ohio. Where I was in attendance for the Women’s Rights Convention the year is 1851. The hall was full of women all white and one colored woman by the name of Sojourner Truth, she was a tall woman weathered in the face from the sun her features however soft. Most of the white women gasp at seeing this woman, Sojourner Truth though none had the nerve to have her removed from the hall. So she stayed as she was a woman and was this not a place for women’s interests?

During the first day of the many sermons that filled hall we mostly heard from ministers from many religious sects that were men. They had been there to remind us women of our duties and of duties of men. As I was just thinking that I had not come so far and risking my marriage to hear the sermons of a man’s view. On the duties of women to her family and Church. It is of the second day of speeches that Ms. Sojourner Truth rose and took to the podium. Many of the women were offended and even suggested that she not speak. Though no one intervene nor prevented her taking the podium.  

It is of this that I write to you, of the moving speech she delivered. I have never been so moved by such reasoning as when she stood there with such strong convictions when she addressed the hall of women. She was loud and powerful commanding the room for undivided attention. Ms. Truth compared the lines between men and women to those that stood there before her preaching to us women about having “Intellect,”  and what would we do if vote or own property.

Ms. Sojourner Truth stated that she had, “borne thirteen children most had been taken and sold off into slavery.” She was commanding by addressing the hall “Ain’t I a woman.” For she bore the marks of child birth but had to endure seeing almost all wrenched from her and sold.

Again she became louder when she belted out, “Ain’t I woman…for wanting to help into carriages and lifted over puddles…for having to plough and plant.” And here these men that spoke before her about a women’s place and the duties of a man to perform such tasks. Yet she continued to address the room of women and men about the origins of Christ. Explaining this she said, “Where did your God come from? From God came woman. Man had nothing to do with him.” To address the statement made, “women can’t have as much rights, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman.”

I was moved by Sojourner Truth her speech to the hall of women, she was powerful and moving. She had the courage to step forward and deliver an inspiring speech. When no other woman had step up to address the issues and the purpose for convening this Women’s Convention. I was truly inspired to advocate change to the life of the colored women. The realization came to me that we women have the same common interests of equality fighting for the same freedoms.

Thank You

Last Blog

Final and Last Stop…

Do you feel beaten? Left trudging back from the battle grounds of College work, slump over in defeat or head up in accomplishment from lasting the whole 16 weeks through? I have no clue just yet by next week I will defiantly need a chiropractor from nights spent up typing my last few thoughts out after having worked an eight hour work day and coming home to unfinished dishes and laundry, bills unpaid and the trash barrel yet to be pulled out to the curb.

I defiantly learned a lot about my self this term. It is a risk on ones GPA to succumb to the arrogance of conquering a challenging class like English 103, specifically if it is Professor Gross’s class. While the Professors intentions were well meaning I feel that I may have a few gray hairs from the stress. However was it all well worth it?

Absolutely! I love to read though more often for myself then to fill a requirement. However I would have not selected Reading Lolita in Tehran or Animal Farm, this is one thing that I enjoy about being in an English class or any course that introduces you to reading literature or essays. It introduces an individual to various aspects of writing styles, characters, plot, cultures and so forth. It helps us make connections to periods of time and issues, as well why we write, who are we writing for and what the connection is.

Another part of this course that was enlightening was essays we read in Exploring Language. Chapter two in particular was helpful to me. We all struggle with writing for me it is often my usage of small words. Reassurance by an author perspective of using small words I believe helps with having the confidence to write for others. In Richard Lederer essay The Case for Short Words (122), he states a rule, “Here is a rule: Use small old words where you can. If a long word says just what you want to say, do not fear to use it. But know that our tongue is rich in crisp, brisk, swift, short words.” This help with reassuring me that my writing style is still my. Lederer goes further to say, “Make them the spin and the heart of what you speak and write. Short words are like fast friends. They will not let you down.” I actually felt better about my writing after having read this essay and using small or complex words to facilitate my reading and writing abilities.

The essay topics introduce use to the complexities which exist in technology, cultural, communicating with others, the language which exists between social groups and gender. I believe helped to gain understanding and self awareness of how we write and who we are writing for, and to think critically when reading and writing. This was all important and lead to the fostering of a community within the class in exchanging our thoughts through blogging and sharing ideas.

All the work was intense although I feel that it help all of us become better writers by addressing our weakness and helping us to build and reinforce them. I take from this an understanding of areas within the writing and reading process that I need to address in order to become a better writer. 

Useful

Reading and Writing Freely

This semester we have focused on so many aspects of the reading and writing process. I certainly thought by English 101 I had done it all, but this English class has introduced me to other aspects of writing to consider.

First out of the gate was blogging. I had would have never thought an English Professor would actually use this tool in their class. It just seemed to be a social networking device that some individual could share their thoughts with others or as a journal. Though I think it helped encourage me a little more to write with the thought of reaching others out there. It became a useful tool that helped me be attentive towards my grammar and consider the forum to which I was writing for. The responding aspect of blogging was helpful it introduced me to various styles of writing out their by other persons. It was also another way that students of English 101 could again share thoughts and interact with one another like group work did.

Group work was interesting! It was like entering the classroom on the first day and getting to one another. Then allowing for the transference of ideas and opinions to happen and take place. It was constructive criticism from others that helped me see areas in my writing that needed improvement. I think it helped out a lot with my development in writing and deconstruction and analyzing essays. Group work I think was challenging at first however I believe the process itself help me focus more on what exactly was being asked of me to write and it helped me with teamwork skills because usually I tend to be a loner and work on my own.

What I found helpful was the discussion boards early on, as I was having technical difficulties with blackboard and understanding what was specifically that I had to do. So it was great to get homework help when I needed it, I am still working with some formatting issues and submitting. The Reading discussion forums was another great tool that was useful in helping to examine closely the plot, references made to history and similarities and characters of our reading. The generation that other students came up with through their examination through reading and then responding in the forum was insightful. It was useful to have others connect ideas and help me thinking or relate others during my reading.

What was great this semester was the peer draft reviews, PDR’s. The PDR’s were awesome! I love hearing from others what they thought of my essay’s and getting that feed back. I am not that confident when it comes to essay writing my first thoughts are that, “Am I doing this right?” or “This seems extremely boring and I am sure the Professor has heard it all before.” I was not too sure when we first had to do them but they helped to catch mistakes or unclear thoughts in my papers.

Essay’s are at first hard to get started then they run over and somewhere there I do not know what the heck the writer is talking about. This is were the PDR’s become helpful and provide insight into our essays by having other read it then answering . Writing and reading is most defiantly rough. It is great to have had these tools this semester. I think they have helped me with writing essay and considering a border spectrum of people. It has also help me understand reading effectively and what to look for.

Kill Me Now or at Least Drop by & Help Me!!!

Aguuuhhh!!! ! I hate this!!!

First off I hate research papers! That is all I have been doing this spring semester, is researching for this class and another class that I’m taking. One would think that after the first couple of papers that some things would fall right into place. This has not happen and I am beginning to wonder if it ever will.

I am stuck! My mind can not go any further! I have an idea but putting all the information together is difficult and it becomes confusing. I am hoping it all just makes sense. My best bet is to just write it out then go through it all once again. This is how I will spend all day tomorrow putting my thoughts into some form of psycho babble another weekend gone to hitting the books. I hate it! Because I need to be spending my time with math since I have such a difficult time with that. What makes if difficult about this online class is I just have this belief that I am doing it all wrong. What is this a revelation? Yes! I can say it I am afraid to fail. If I fail at least I tried right? Wrong because I will have to take it again so then I have wasted these weeks..

It has become difficult because I spend my time looking for research material that has some substance. By this I mean that has logic, not boring and worth considering. I just think that Professors and teachers have seen it all; it must get redundant after a while, right? So, my desk is piled high in research material and of books that must be read. I have been slowly been reading, reading and reading all week long. In the wee hours of the night between bedtime stories and putting children to sleep after a long day of work and school, I am exhausted by ends day. I am sure we all our right?  

Here we are week 14, what should have been easily thrown together, a few words “blah, blah, blah” and all is said and done. If I was a person that did things have half ass then it would be alright. Then I could justify loading my papers up with quotes from Dr. and so forth. Yet because I am not I am still reading and writing papers. It is Friday night no time for date night or hanging out, a quick bite and off to work I go to work the night shift. Tomorrow will come and finally a few hours to finish reading and drafting my papers. I am almost out of copy paper and my ink is low, I will be exhilarated once this term is done!

 After the first couple of papers you develop a knack for evaluating certain data, concepts and consider other arguments to base your own argument off of. Unfortunately for me I have drowned myself in a stack of articles and such. They sit not more than a foot and half from me, a constant reminder of how much more reading I will need to do before the night is done. Well time to go finish my shift at work.