Undoubtedly, we've all been asked why we're here. No doubt, most of us have joined for the scholarship. I too was in that category a year ago; I joined for the scholarship opportunity. I found this site through another scholarship engine, as no doubt many of you have.
And I don't feel that there is anything wrong with that. No one should be made to feel as though finding this site or using this site for the opportunity of a scholarship is bad. Hopefully, as the Community of Progressive U grows, people who have come for the scholarship will stay for other reasons.
What we need to do is find those reasons.
I have been reflecting; why am I here? Do I want / need the scholarship? Most definitely, don't we all? During my first go round, I don't even think I was noticed, to tell you the truth. I had posted up a total of maybe 20 blogs or so. During the Fall 2006 competition, I received an honorable mention. My buddy list started to grow as I began to talk to more people and write more. But I continued to write even between these three contests. There was still another reason that I was here. There had to be, or why would I continue writing?
Not long ago I began receiving some very hateful emails from some Progressive U users; complaining that I wrote too much, accuseing me of cheating - just down right hateful. I considered quitting; let someone else win - that's what they want. But I decided instead, through the direct support of some of my friends here on this site, to continue on and continue making an earnest effort towards this contest.
Then I received an email from another friend of mine, a semi-newcomer to this site, asking how I did it. How do I handle all the bad on this site, the personal attacks, the accusations, the arguments? How do I go through these things and come back and continue writing and commenting? How do I not retaliate? Could I help her through some of the attacks that were falling on her?
I had to sit and reflect. How do I do it? More importantly, why do I do it. Yes, the scholarship means a lot to me; of course I would not turn it down if I won. But is $500, or even $1,000, even worth that much stress and criticism?
I can tell you, it is worth it, even if you don't win, if you find the reason you are here.
Well, here is an example of what I have come to love about Progressive U:
Submitted by Fallon on Tue, 04/24/2007 - 4:40pm.
I know. I said some Christians for that very reason. :)
Submitted by meburgos on Tue, 04/24/2007 - 4:48pm.
Just thought I'd
Add proof to your pudding...;)
Since they were soooo sure that everyone believes the way they believe...
Submitted by Fallon on Tue, 04/24/2007 - 4:54pm.
mmm... pudding.
Submitted by Fanaile Essence on Wed, 04/25/2007 - 11:39am.
? Pudding! ?
This conversation went on resulting in a new recipe for me for homemade Chocolate pudding...
This conversation is one of many that I have become privileged enough to participate in: Here, here, and here.
That's when my reflection came to a head. I came here for the scholarship, but I am here for these conversations. Progressive U really has grown into a community. Sure, we all have Buddy Lists, some of us use them for different things. But it's different, and that much more important, to recognize the Community that Progressive U has become.
Now I am watching as members who were here when I first joined and disappeared shortly after the scholarship ended (or even before the scholarship ended) come back and begin posting again. Debatechick has rejoined the Progessive U Community as a moderator, Reboloke as well... Cadet has returned a year older and just as articulate... Peppermint Frost (a past winner) as returned recently and is just as strong in her beliefs as ever. Mike (embryowassup) has been vital to helping to guide people grow in their writing and in their blogging with his advice and support.
So to those of you who are new and joining in this community, I'd like to say welcome, and if you'll allow me, to pass on some advice.
This is a place for debate, expression, and argument. There will be people here that hate you, are hateful towards you, will call you names, will call you stupid, and will criticize you for being "you". You will receive outside affirmation for your works, and in the next few minutes you will receive criticisms. Some will be honest, some will be lies. Some will be with the intent of helping you grow and claim a spot within the community, while others will be hurtful with the intent that you will leave.
I say to you: look, read, and think for yourselves. Learn to see through the BS and find the comments and conversations that matter. Take the advice from some of the people that have been here the longest and allow them to help you grow.
And most importantly, find the reason that you are here, nevermind what the reason was that brought you here.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
As a newbie, 3 weeks and 2 days I think, I understand exactly what you mean...
"During my first go round, I don't even think I was noticed, to tell you the truth. I had posted up a total of maybe 20 blogs or so."
I've noticed that as things progress I learn more, notice more, even the criticisms, and angry and hateful comments. At first I was hurt by them, but as I read more and noticed more I finally figured out that some people are just like that. I was disappointed that people rarely commented or voted for my posts. With the help of others I began to see that many are on the site for the conversation, to hear others opinions and to voice their own, not merely for the scholarship. I doubted seriously that I would be in the running for the scholarship but I could learn and participate, I could enjoy the opinions of others, even those who mock and criticize, and for the hateful ones--their posts sadden me, they don't anger me.
Fanaile, thanks for making this site a better and more interesting environment.
"A prime part of the history of our Constitution...is the story of the extension of constitutional rights and protections to people once ignored or excluded." ~US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
"Fanaile, thanks for making this site a better and more interesting environment."
Oh, thank you! I'm glad that you get anything out of my blogs, even if all you get is hungry... :)
And thank you for the same... all of us bring something to this community. And I have learned a great deal from the members here.
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Aww! I thought this was going to be how I could get free pudding :(
But you make many good point in your post, esp. the one about giving "semi-newcomers" advice and trying to see more of the good than the bad on this site. Like some people say "100 times you could be nice to me but that one bad time you treat me unfairly it will seem like 1000"...or something like that :)
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See my blog and I'll love you forever! Or at least temporarily: www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
Wow! So I guess now I will have to find a way to post a blog about free pudding...
Hmmm, could take some creative thinking, but I'll bet I can do it :)
Yes, the hurtful comments can hurt more than the compliments can make you smile, and I hope that people who are new, or those that will be coming to this site, will be able to see this and come away with something; and I'm glad to see that you have come as far as you have :)
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
I've always liked this blog. When I joined last year's scholarship contest, I found myself looking for the "greats" of Progressive U so I knew my competition. Trust me, you're in that category.
But I can't understand why people should be so hateful. I have not yet recieved any hurtful messages or comments. I can't understand how bad that is for anyone voicing their opinions.
Those were some wise words. Now let's see if others can put them to use!
"Trust me, you're in that category."
Wow! I think this is one of the best compliments I have ever received on any forum such as this. Thank you so much!
I don't know why some people are hurtful, but I am glad to hear that you have not been subjected to it. Perhaps it is just high competition from the scholarship contest? Whatever the reason, I hope that others will learn how to work through it.
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Is there a list of the greats? If so, how do I look it up?
I want to see...I wanna see...
"A prime part of the history of our Constitution...is the story of the extension of constitutional rights and protections to people once ignored or excluded." ~US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Everyone has their favorites, LOL, so I don't really know if you'll find any two people here who would give you the same list of names for the "greats"
However, my suggestion is to start with the people whom you seem to read a lot, even if you don't always agree with them. If you find you're reading a majority of blogs from the same two or three people, add them to your buddy list. Then, you can also go through their "track" feature and that will lead you to others (as you'll be able to see who they tend to follow a lot).
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
We used to have the Feature Blogger section, but people were complaining because they weren't changed frequently enough. One of the other moderators mentioned restarting the system and allowing bloggers to nominate who gets that title, so maybe we'll see it again soon.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
Rock on Fanaile! I'm happy to see that some of my conversations, even when they aren't progressive (though pudding is most certainly progressive to my way of thinking!) have been at least some small part of the reason you have stuck around. It wouldn't be the same around here without you, I tell you that!
I'm still around because, like you, I've had some great conversations and have found a sense of community. There are all kinds of people my age in my immediate area, but there aren't many in my line of sight that are willing to challenge you to think for yourself, to defend your opinions, to seek out the reasons why, and to debate those with you. Here, we can talk about pudding one minute and discuss the health care crisis the next... that's not something you give up easily! :)
On another note, did you try that recipe out yet? It's pretty awesome lol.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
I haven't tried the recipe out, yet, but I will. And I will let you know how it goes :) If I like it I will add it to my cookbook.
There's a bit of a tradition going in my family right now. My grandmother started it (sort of). She couldn't afford a cookbook, so she bought looseleaf papers and legal pads, and every time she came across a recipe she liked, she would handwrite it and keep them all together. When she died, she willed this stack of papers to my mother, who had grown up watching her mother sort through these papers while cooking, write in new recipes, and whatnot.
My mother took them all, bought a hard-cover journal, and wrote in her favorite recipes from my grandmother. Then, as time went on, she also added to it.
Last year for Yule, my mother bought another hard cover journal and sent it to me, along with photocopies of all those recipes, so I have been going through and handwriting them all into my own book, and adding as I go along other recipes that I find or are passed to me.
I don't have a daughter, and considering that I'm already 30 years old, I might never get one. However, in the event that I don't have a daughter to pass this along to, I will pass this on to either my neice (Faith) or my oldest nephew (Brandon), both of whom love to help me out in the kitchen... And Brandon has already expressed interest in getting his hands on that book...
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Funny how this is now turning into a "how can I get/try/make pudding" tread, lol
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See my blog and I'll love you forever! Or at least temporarily: http://www.progressiveu.org/194914-i-think-this-is-something-every-american-should-read
LOL!
Well, with a title like "Progressive Pudding", it kind of all ties in together... :)
Besides, we could all use a little more pudding in our lives...
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
I'm telling you, it's something to do with the word pudding. It turns people into a bunch of food obsessed maniacs:)
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
That's awesome. Our clan printed up a family cookbook a few years back so we have all the yummie recipes that have been passed down for generations as well as the new ones everyone put in. It's wonderful to have and has some really amazing recipes in there.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
I bought a journal many years ago and put some quotes, recipes, newspaper clippings, etc in it...it was sort of a hodge podge of things. The older I got, the more I realized that I might need two of them, one for my son and one for my daughter, to pass down.
You could make one for both your nephew and neice, and if you have a child or children one for them/her/him.
Traditions can adapt to the times, who says tradition can't be progressive as well.
"A prime part of the history of our Constitution...is the story of the extension of constitutional rights and protections to people once ignored or excluded." ~US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
So very true, and thanks for that suggestion! That's a great idea.
LOL, of course, I will also have to make one for my youngest nephew, who is about to turn three (this June)... He's now getting to the point where when he sees me cooking, he will grab a mixing bowl and a mixing spoon and start "mixing"... :) he's so cute sometimes... LOL.
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Kaia is like that too. He has his own little stool so he can stand in the kitchen and help me cook... he's a pretty good stirrer... not so good egg cracker. But, it's sweet. He gets so excited when he gets to cook; he brags to everyone lol. Gotta love the little ones!
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
I have a counter in my kitchen that is so far out of the way that it's really inconvenient to try to use it while cooking. So when Brandon began hanging out in the kitchen, I deemed it his corner, where he could help me. He sits up on the counter and mixes things as I add them to the bowl. He has his own set of utensils that are in reach right there.
The one good thing about this counter is it's away from everything else. LOL, no stove, no dishwasher, no knives... nothing. So he can sit there and feel as though he's helping, and he'll watch me all the way through.
On Saturdays I make granola cereal (one of my recipes makes about 25 cups of the cereal, so it would normally last about a month, but with three kids in the house, I'm lucky if it lasts for a week and a half, LOL). Today was the first time I let him measure and add the ingredients himself. He was so excited! He got honey in his hair (not sure how that happened) but it was adorable and it didn't bother him one bit.
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
How sweet. We've relocated knives to the top shelf of the pantry because it's the only place Kaia can't reach one way or another. We have a small kitchen- why do apartments always have small kitchens?!- so he doesn't get his own cabinet but that's a good way to do it. I just stick Kai as far from the stove as possible and let him mix til his little heart is content... I'm working on the hope that when he get's older, he'll have the aptitude to help me with the cooking. ;) I don't mind it most of the time... but having someone else around that can could would be heaven on those days I just don't want to do it lol.
I know how you feel about food disappearing around kids! Alo can't eat anything (he gets tube fed formula still, though hopefully his next swallow study will look good and he can start baby food) but Kaia and the dogs eats enough for both of them and a few more besides. Any clue how to get a kid to rid himself of the belief that dogs can eat anything and everything kids can eat?!
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
"Any clue how to get a kid to rid himself of the belief that dogs can eat anything and everything kids can eat?!"
Hm, not sure about dogs, but we used to have a problem with the kids feeding the cats all the time, especially chocolate.
What I came to realize was that even though we told them that chocolate could make the cats sick, they had no real frame of reference to compare to. I mean, we tell kids that too much candy will make them sick, so that's what they were using as a frame of reference..."too much".
I finally had to explain it to them as an allergy, something that gave them a larger frame of reference. Brandon is allergic to bees, so I had to sit him down with Faith and make them re-look at one of incidents of a doctor's trip when he was stung. Then asked what he thought would have happened if he ate a bee. That scared them (not my intent, but I'll take it, LOL). They stopped right away; and I've even caught Brandon "lecturing" the little boy next door about feeding their cats.
I find that we can explain things to the kids, but if they have no real comparison to make, they go to the next closest thing to compare to. If it doesn't seem that bad, they don't realize they're doing anything wrong...
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Fanaile, Kudos to you and your strength *smiles*
I originally was brought to this sight because of a scholarship search engine and had every intention of doing the best I could to win the scholarship. However, after the first 4 weeks, I realized winning the scholarship no longer mattered to me. It would pain me if you left because of any insults as I do enjoy reading your blogs (well, maybe not ALL of them, but a fair amount of them *grins*)Isn't that the point of this site tho -- everyone takes away what they choose to-- and some take away nothing at all. I know that I was personally attacked by a progressiveu blogger and probably didn't handle it in the most effective or appropriate manner, but I have learned a lot by that incident and have chosen to not respond like that in the future. I am not hear to impress anyone, I am here to write and be read by those who are interested in what I write. I LOVE THIS SITE!!! and will be around long after the scholarship is gone. YOu all ROCK!!! Keep up the good work. See ya around!
Ceila
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ceila30
http://www.progressiveu.org/160156-facing-same-sex-marriage
I just want to add some to your blog. There are times when a number of us seem really harsh to the newbies, myself included. But honestly, we're not really doing it to make you leave, we're doing it so that you get better at blogging, and join the amazing community we have. We don't want mindless robots here, and we know that most of the people that join the site aren't mindless robots, so we want to make sure you realize that.
It's sad that a lot of people come, write 30 blogs in 2 days, and then disappear off the face of the earth for the rest of the contest. I've come to see how one post a week can mean so much more than 5 per day. It may not get you the scholarship, but with something like 23,000 users, would you rather try to compete for the scholarship (which you can only win once), or learn a world of new ideas and hone your writing skills to help you out in the rest of your life?
For the next contest, I hope to have a lot of things changed (or added). I know all the moderators are working really hard on making things great for all the bloggers, and are willing to listen to any suggestions any of you have. Nothing can be done if you don't speak up, though.
Wonderful as always, Fanaille :-).
~C
Visit my blog.
You have a lot of good advice about sticking things out and needing to find why you're here. Really that's what this site is about to begin with. It's about figuring out WHY we believe the things we believe. It would be so easy to just post something up without thinking about it but that's why a lot of the responses can get pretty heated. Nobody wants that, we want things to be thought out and to have a foundation, even if it's not a foundation that we agree with. I don't agree with the negative commenting that some people use and I don't think it's necessary. But the CHALLENGING comments are extremely important. That's what makes us grow. Comments should be open minded and allow for progression, that's what we're here for. When people comment with personal attacks they are not allowing any room for progression.
BUT, we can complain about it all we want and it may change a little but there will always be people here who don't want to listen and who want to attack everyone else. I don't say this to be hopeless but to be hopefull. There is a lot we can take out of personal attacks. First of all, learning to read them, consider them, and take what we can to learn from them is important. Sometimes even when they are harsh and disrespectful there are good points about things that we are overlooking. While I don't condone those comments themselves I would say to take what you can out of them. But more importantly is to learn to understand that it doesn't matter. Learning a strong self-confidence that can't be broken from a few negative comments is a good thing. We have the right to our opinions whether other people like them or not. There will always be people who agree with some of our points and disagree with some of our points and some of the latter will not be so nice. Learning not to take it personally, but to realize that we are developing a strength in ourselves and a strength in our opinions is important. It's about standing in the face of adversity and negativity. After all, there are almost no major changes that occur without conflict (Take the revolutionary war as a "small" example) Without learning to stand up for our beliefs in the face of adversaries we have no freedom. But then we are charged to remember that struggle when we deal with other people on this site, being careful not to dish out the things we had so much trouble with ourselves.
Anyway, I've gone on long enough I believe (not trying to argue your points but to add on). I would say again that I like the post and it brings some very valid points about supporting each other and helping each other grow with advice. Keep it up.
On a completly unrelated note...is that a recent wedding picture? (I'm assuming it's a wedding picture since everything is so small it's hard to tell)
And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
"On a completly unrelated note...is that a recent wedding picture? (I'm assuming it's a wedding picture since everything is so small it's hard to tell)"
March 25, 2005... :)
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
Ha, well not quite so recent I guess but congrats. I hope that everything is going well..safe to assume from the smile. I'm getting married this june, hence the curiousity :)
And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Thanks!
Everything is going very well. We had a very hard first year (which I am in the middle of writing about now) but it wasn't anything either of us had any control over at all... And we made it and here we are.
Best of luck to you and your upcoming marriage! I hope it's everything you're hoping for and more!
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
i came her for the school money..but i just love arguing with people. So money or not, at here it's cleaner and more respectable.
pyro inside
Not so great delivery.
You get a three. It would have been higher but for poor grammar. Do you proof read?
Yeesh. It's not like the post was riddled with grammatical errors.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
Actually I found many.
There are certainly many other posts with many more grammatical errors. If you would take a look at the "good product" you referred to than it would be good to notice that this is about encouraging each other and constructive criticism. It's about not being negative but instead learning to get around the negative comments in order to keep making good points, since the point of this site is to create progress not ridicule. Maybe there are a few mistakes but it's not a huge issue. She made her point and there are much better tones that could be used to provide constructive criticism. Telling someone their mistakes brought them down creates a very negative atmosphere.
And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Thank you for the reassurance, Bold...
I'm glad people were able to read through my mistakes and come away with the point of my blog...
:)
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
...in their posts criticizing the grammar and usage of another user.
You left out the comma that is required after the introductory word, "actually."
"Use a comma after introductory words (actually), and use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (but) when it is used to join two independent clauses."
http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/writingc/handouts/comma5key.htm
*note* I am not taking you to task for your usage, but merely pointing out the hypocrisy of making a big deal out of a minor error that doesn't really interfere with the ability of a reader to understanding what is being said.
percivale
Eh, I found 7; Four of which were the fact that the questions I posed in the "reflection" portion were written as statements (primarily because as I read them, the tone I felt them was more as statements, not as questions) they have been "fixed" to reflect a more question-like tone.
"Progressive" was misspelled once, and it has been fixed...
And the last two I left alone. One was the capitalization of "Fall" which is no longer acceptable by academic standards, and the other was the spaces I placed before and after the "/" sign, but I prefer reading it that way.
Other than that, I used the word "it" which is unacceptable by academic standards as it can sometimes cause pronoun confusion... But I felt as though my audience would understand what I was trying to say...
:)
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
If I made mistakes, I'm more than happy to listen to constructive (note the key word--constructive) criticism and fix them.
However, if all you're trying to do is say "you suck" then clickety click the back button and find a new blog to bring down :)
The comment about "You get a three" is ridiculous and hateful. The only purpose in saying something like that is to try to hurt the feelings of someone else. Additionally, the lack of description of the alleged mistakes only serves to try to build yourself up and try to knock someone else down. So to any new people, feel free to use this comment as a prime example of what this blog was about, and what can happen on this site.
I think it's fairly obvious that if this person was truly worried about grammar, and good sportsmanship and all about the Progressive Spriti and trying to help, this person either would never have said anything about how he or she rated me, or would have given me the time to fix any mistakes prior to giving me the rating.
Ah, but thank you, KC, for giving me a working example...
:)
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"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence
However, if all you're trying to do is say "you suck" then clickety click the back button and find a new blog to bring down :)
YAY!!!
I'd just add one thing.... if all you're trying to do is say "you suck" then clickety click the back button and find a new blog somewhere other than at PROGRESSiveU to bring down...
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -Huxley
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." -Gandhi
I'd really hate to see your critique of some of the posts on this site, which border on unreadable because of their grammar errors.
Fanaille's blog was at least readable, and I honestly did not notice any grammar errors that she made. Besides, even if I had, it wouldn't have detracted from the point of the blog. It's like the writing section on the MCAT: They are determining your ability to write, and a few grammatical or spelling errors won't seriously bring down your grade (they would have certainly given her more than a 3 out of 5).
~C
Visit my blog.
I found this site to be a great way to express one's self through writing. You are absolutely correct that the money is worth all the negative comments you recieved. Furthermore, though, I would say that I have gained more knowledge about myself, and knowledge on how to express my opinions gracefully as well. I have learned so much through writing within this site it's amazing! I hope that you have experienced the same to, because learning more about one's self is very important. As, is expressing one's opinions, and sentiments. In conclusion, I hope that you've been enlightend in this light as well as enjoyed competing for the scholarship. ;)
TCho
"I came here for the scholarship, but I am here for these conversations."
^ good stuff man.
Although I haven't been here for too long, I'm SURE that I'll be here when the scholarship's over. Yea, the money's great too but what's more important has been the experience of being able to read other peoples thoughts from different areas on the same things that you hear/see at home. That's something that money can't buy. Also, on the road to becoming the next best thing since Truman Capote (joke), I find that the time spent here, refreshing my page, reading/writing blogs & responses to both mine & others' blogs, is enhancing both how I write & how I view others writing as well.
It has been a busy couple of weeks, new classes, etc. But I've also found that the blogs, comments, etc have helped me with my writing and reading skills.
Plus, I enjoy it.
"A prime part of the history of our Constitution...is the story of the extension of constitutional rights and protections to people once ignored or excluded." ~US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg