Life as a Single Child in Family

Xuejun Yu
Instructor: Jason Kirkmeyer
ENGL 1210-02
October31, 2009
Life as a Single Child in Family
Since Peter was talked about the “birth control policy” in his paper, it reminds me that I am also the only child for my parents. As a single child in my family, my parents, my aunt, my grandparents, always make so much pet of me. This kind of pet, of course, not only brings so much happiness to me, but also some spokes to my independent life.

I am the only child for my parents, so that they love and protect me as a baby in their arms since I was born in this family. Both of my parents are all teachers in university which got just fair incomes from their works. However, they tried to give me the best they could afford, the best living conditions, the best education environment, and the best freedom atmosphere for me to grow up. They have given me a lot; on the other hand, they had never thought about that I can feed them back someday. I can live a better life than theirs is the only thing that they want to see in my life. My parents always prepare all the things I need in my daily life ready for me, cooking three meals a day, washing and drying my cloths, talking with me when I feel depression and trying to tell me some valuable life experiments. They do not want to see that I am walking to the wrong direction when I am standing on the crossroad for my life. This is my parents. My other family members, my grandparents, my aunt, my uncle, also treat me like this.

Maybe people know this will say that I am in such a family with so much happiness. Actually, I am not under such kind of happiness. My parents put their dreams in my life that they want me to let them come true. They want me to be that kind of person who they want me to be. This is a kind of stress for me. They have done so much for me, and I really do not want them to be disappointed with me. I want them to be proud of me.

Since I left my home to go abroad for study, I have been so far away from my family. I always miss them a lot, miss my mother’s cooking, miss my father’s hug, and miss my grandmother’s old stories. I love them so much, and they are part of my life. I always feel lonely and homesick with the life far away from my family. I am pleased that I can deal with my daily life without my family. Some of my friends who are also the only child in their families cannot deal their daily life without their parents, washing their cloths, eating health, and cooking for themselves. We were grow up under our parents’ protect. If someday we leave our families, we will feel helpless without our families. The single child in each family like us is just like a flower which grows up in greenhouse that is carefully protected by gardener. This kind of flowers cannot survive if people put them in fields. Like us, we cannot leave comfortable without our families.

Actually, all the single children have been growing up, and they need to live their own lives independent. Although it is a painful for all the single children, they have to face the true world.
I left my family to go to the United States for my college study has been one year. I still can remember the first night I sleep in the United States that I hided myself under my blanket and cried till the next morning because I had already miss my family, my friends, and my hometown so much. I had nothing in this strange country, no family, no friends, no money, and no background. I was just asked myself what can I do next, and going back home is impossible. The only thing I can do is to survive in United States by myself and get stronger than I am in home. Actually, I did this. Right now, I can cook for myself, wash cloths for myself, earn money for my tuition, do well on my classes as a secondary language for me, and also repair my car when it is broken. It is an amazing change for me, and it is impossible for me to think I can do all the things just after one year I came to the United States. I also made a lot of new friends in United States. I have been already like my new life which is really different from my past life in my hometown. This year is really a painful for me, but it is really worth for me to be alive without my parents.

I am a single child in my family, and my past life before I leave my family is just like honey. I was living in a life as a center of my family. I have been survived in the outfield, and I will never be a flower in greenhouse any more. This is just part of my life, and I still need to suffer more in my whole life. This is just a start. My life will be better and better hopefully.

All single children in their families have to leave their parents sooner or later to live independent. They have to suffer this kind of painful. But it is worth for their better future.

Working hard

lenyn Leonce
English 1010


Although I have never been on or close to an oil patch my hard working experiences working as a construction worker can relate to the admirable times you experienced on site. I usually wore the worst torn up clothes that I could find, simply because at the end of the vigorous day they would be covered in cement or other messy equipment needed to complete the job. The job of construction can be a tough one. In order for an individual to work on a construction site, they must bear a level of physical strength higher than the average human being.

Working on a construction site to me was usually a part time summer job. An engagement used to basically keep me occupied and stay away from the delinquents of the present society. I could still vividly hear my mother, as the summer vacation approached, saying “you better go get some work to do before you find yourself in trouble.” The fact that I was the youngest individual on site didn’t change the way that co-workers treated me. To them I was part of the family. Like all families this one had its ups and downs. There were times when some of the guys fought with each other for the stupidest of reasons and other times respected each other like a child would respect his or her mother.

As early as five A.M every morning I would be on the well built company`s open truck, along with my co-workers sipping some coffee and breathing the early morning`s air in preparation for the day ahead of us. Similar to your oil patch, we cooked some delicious meals for each other on breaks in a shed which we used or special skills to build. During the time we ate the food that we prepared, there were many jokes and stories shared, some of which were very personal. The depicting of these personal stories can be a prime example of the amount of trust that we had for each other. I believe these times we spent together created a bond, which enabled us to carry our jobs efficiently.

Your description of the workers on the oil field, “The oil field is usually seen as a rowdy bunch of “rough necks” that are foul mouthed and dirty in all senses (Antrim 1)”, is exactly how construction works are viewed in the eyes of those in my community .Likewise, this is view not a fact. After much interaction with many construction workers, I realized that these individuals are simply ones who were unable to keep up with the faulty education system; therefore they resort to their last option of living which is construction. With the increasing amount of hotels and housing apartments on island, in your case the increasing demand of oil worldwide, provided many opportunities for us to use our expertise. Usually the bosses, who we called often “Boss La”, on site gave the instructions for the actions we carried out such as, how far we should cut a corner of a room and how tall a window ledge should be. Though there was plenty of man power present each day, the job could not be completed without the use of numerous tools. The most frequently used tool was a cement mixer. I would normally have the satisfaction of operating this machine every day. The thrill of hearing the water, white sand and, stones grinding against each other to make the main element needed for the job was one I could never forget. After the machines produced their final product there was often an excessive amount of team work occurring in setting process up the finished goods.

Like drilling, the art of construction is very technical and messy similar to the beauty of the North Dakota morning, the crack of dawn in the St.Lucia, known by many people as the Helen of the West, also presented various features that appealed to one`s senses. On site however, the smell of cement, dust, freshly cut wood and steel, and the frequently used mud water would not. These elements, if breathed in, can be detrimental to the health of an individual, hence we often wore mask and protective head gear which clearly resembled those worn on an oil field site. Some of the other protective gears we were required to wear were, Steel toe boots, goggles for those operating the machines that cut steel, back braces, and gloves.

The summer of 2009 was a painful one for me also; having to say good-bye to my immediate family plus those I considered family on site. Similar to you, Sam, I got a lot of jokes on my last day of work but they also came along with well wishes and chants of congratulations, like any other normal family would do. While I also miss the time spent with my co-workers, looking to the years ahead I imagine returning back to the site after earning a Bachelor’s degree in business management, to help my past co-workers with the way they manage equipment and time, therefore generating more revenue. Hopefully, once again contributing to the improvement of the managerial aspects of construction sites, which I loved and appreciated so much from a very tender age.

In the same degree as you, I am pleased with the strides that I took in my life to get me where I am today, projecting as bright and prosperous future helping those who are considered as menaces to society, our fellow co-workers. This paper has so many similar characteristics with my experiences as a construction worker, it reminds me much about my life at work back at home.





Works cited

Antrim, Sam. English 1010 Blog. October 9, 2009. October 9, 2009.
http://english1010blog5001.blogspot.com/2009/10/since-resigning-my-position-at-my-last.html

Follow the Standardized Brick Road?

JoLynn Fletcher
Professor Kirkmeyer
English 1010
2 November 2009

Follow the Standardized Brick Road?

“Standardized tests were first administered to see where a student was in the class and if they needed additional help” (Aubrey Goolsby). It is interesting to see how much the common goal of standardized tests can morph into so much more than just a simple tool to test academic progress. I agree with Ms. Goolsby that these tests have come to be regarded more highly than they really should be when it comes to the educational futures of students across the nation.
Through tests, more specifically standardized tests, our culture has come to put more emphasis on the testing process rather than the actual educational and learning experiences that a child receives at school. Elements such as the inconsistency of standardized tests that can be fueled by the lack of participation by students and their stress and anxiety only help to put light on the fact that standardized tests aren’t everything that they have been made out to be throughout the past. Standardized tests should not in any way, shape or form be regarded as highly as they are. By the way in which they stand now, these tests have the ability to make or break many students’ academic careers as well as their self-esteem and motivation.

Standardized tests have been proven to show inconstancy across the nation through educational gaps. Teachers use many different methods at various different skill levels to teach their students. The materials taught originate from curriculum guidelines and standards that aren’t always followed correctly which only widens these gaps in terms of knowledge production in youth.

The sole fact that students only try on standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT, can be linked to the fact that with all other standardized tests, they are not directly affected. When these types of tests are given to a certain group of students across the nation to see how well teachers and schools are doing at giving a proper education, students will not try their best to give good representation to their school. Schools are then punished with higher academic standards.

“It’s just that the system is not based on showing what a person’s utmost potential on what he does know, but only on what you don’t know” (Aubrey Goolsby). Tests are used to help weed out those students who know their materials from the ones who don’t. It is with this system that the foundation for standardized testing is based. Not only do students feel like tests are geared towards the majority of their peer’s strengths, but they also feel that standardized tests only cater to either right or left brained students. “Every single person has their own learning pattern and standardized test can be degrading to a person’s self-esteem” (Aubrey Goolsby).
Stress and anxiety are common factors that, in no way, help students who are taking any sort of test. Not only does stress and anxiety take away confidence levels when entering a test, but they also play a factor in the ability to retain the knowledge required to perform well. The fact that we all have been trained to give right or wrong answers can also play a huge role in contributing to stress. It is with the greater understanding of individual strengths that students won’t feel quite so bombarded when trying to succeed.

“We are the only industrialized nation that considers the mastery of basic skills to be the goal of k-12 education” (Ravitch, and Cortese 73). While basic skills are essential for everyday life, in the real world, it is highly in-effective to construct thirteen years of education solely on basic skills. With the implementation of projects and activities that explore other educational avenues, we can better diversify the over-all educational standards that the United States has set for themselves in comparison to other academically progressive nations.
Many people see testing, standardized in particular, as a solid structure and education base for improving academics. These tests are seen as not only a good way to see how much knowledge has been retained by students but also how well they can project it back to the teacher on paper through right and wrong answers. While standardized testing is indeed a good way to provide students with the ability to nurture their own academic independence, the results aren’t always what teachers hope for.

I, on the other hand, agree with Ms. Goolsby that standardized testing is indeed an inaccurate and unjust way of testing a student’s intellect. It seems rather unfair to judge a student based upon knowledge a child should know rather than what they do know. She brings up many other valid points that depict standardized testing as an unsuitable way to perceive a student’s ability to retain years of education, especially when it comes to admission into college. While I will agree that there needs to be higher expectations for academics across the nation, it seems like testing shouldn’t be the only way in which we reach those goals, but rather through more creative ways to present new materials and information to students. It is through these new and conventional experiences, students will come to appreciate the education that they are receiving rather than dreading the testing of what they have or haven’t obtained throughout any given time in a school year.

So, with standardized testing growing to be more and more of a debate on whether it should be regarded as highly as it is in terms of a students’ educational future, we must look at all avenues of thought and contemplate what exactly these tests can do to better improve one’s education rather than to set it back to due unhealthy test scores and negative feedback. We can look to strong writers on this topic, such as Ms. Goolsby and derive our opinions from there, however it takes a great deal of thought and consideration before one can come to a conclusion as to hold standardized testing so highly.



Works Cited

Goolsby, Aubrey. "The Madness of Testing to Improve Educationaltr Achievement." Weblog post. Writers of the World. 14 Oct. 2009. Web. .

Apocalypse Now …or Not

Sam Antrim
November 1, 2009

Apocalypse Now …or Not

While reading Bridget Gegg’s paper about the supposed apocalypse of 2012, I started to feel the tingle of desire to know more about when the end could be. I have always been interested in the ancient doomsday predictions of both the Mayans and the Aztecs. I am even more drawn to the somewhat more recent works of Nostradamus. The lone truth we may rely on is the age old saying, “Only time will tell.”

In Gegg’s paper Doomsday 2012, the Mayans calendar is explained in great detail. She states that the calendar is started at 0.0.0.0.0, and that each day is a whole number in the far right place until the number nineteen is reached. At that point a one takes place of the second spot in the sequence and the right most place starts again at zero (e.g. 0.0.0.0.19 becomes 0.0.0.1.0). She further states that thirteen and twenty are very important numbers that are the roots of the Mayan numeric system. This is where some experts choose the interpret thirteen or 13.0.0.0.0 to be the end of the calendar, and since that day happens to fall on December 21, 2012 it has been marked doomsday. The conclusion stated previously leaves much room for skepticism since the number system relies on both thirteen and twenty as important roots, it could easily be when the calendar reaches nineteen or 19.0.0.0.0 in its left most space. Furthermore what tells us that because the calendar ends that the world does also? Each year we all get a chance to pick out a new calendar and it feels like more of a beginning than an end (Gegg ¶3). I must admit that my previous views on the end of the world are changing rapidly as I read this paper. I had always believed that the Mayans were a very complex culture with time telling and calculation skills far beyond their time. I still revere their skills as such, but I am forced to look at their calendar in a different light. I had no idea that their number system was base twenty. I had always thought it was thirteen. With that information alone I question the relevance of thirteen in the left most place, I now would interpret that as being no different than the number nine or sixteen in the same spot. Furthermore if each place is moved to the left only after it reaches nineteen, why wouldn’t all of the places be filled with nineteen (e.g. 19.19.19.19.19) before the calendar would “end.” The “end” is another good point to question, why wouldn’t this calendar roll over just the same as all others have and simply start a new time period? The deeper I delve into this subject the less mythical and more publicity stunt it becomes in my mind.

Gregg also brings up another great point: the “Y2K” scare of the late 1990’s. Y2K was a mass media frenzy claiming that the world just might not run the same as it did the day (December 31, 1999) before, threatening that power grids would no longer function, and that banks would have nothing more than paper to compute balances and transactions. This situation arose from the lack of foresight during the programming of most computer software. The problem was that as 1999 came to and end we rolled into year 2000 all computers would think that it was year 1900 instead of 2000 because most programs used only a two place date for year instead of the four places it would take to state the full year. This was done partially out of laziness and partially to save precious space on early computer hard drives. She states “As 12:00 a.m. January 1, 2000 approached people were stocking up on food and weapons, because people were expecting us to have to resort back to our barbarian ways without our technology. But when the clock struck midnight no problems had arisen. Nothing had happened. Y2K had been avoided.” (Gegg ¶6). I remember this event like yesterday. Our family was visiting our good family friends and having a New Years Eve party. The months leading up this consisted of our mothers stocking up on canned foods and water while our fathers made sure that the firearms were ready and hiding large sums of cash and other valuables within our homes. Banks were one of the biggest concerns in programming since computers controlled all of our money. I digress; we all watched and waited almost more in horror than with excitement as we had in previous years. As the clock struck twelve the ball dropped and the noisemakers scared the dogs, just like every year before. Y2K was almost forgotten as instantly as the ball dropped. It was a large-scale scare that had no real impact in the end. One might equate this next proposed catastrophic event to be nothing more than another Y2K type media blitz.

I now must give up my somewhat childish thoughts and accept that the world most likely is not coming to a rapid end. Once I understood more about the Mayan’s calendar my previously uneducated beliefs quickly crumbled around what no longer seemed to be concrete. The coming of doomsday can now easily be placed along side the Y2K scare in my mind. My choice to return school is now also reaffirmed since the world probably will not be ending. I must however admit that I am somewhat disappointed that I can’t just run out and plunge myself into debt for a mansion, plane, 5 cars and have all responsibility expunged at the end of 2012.

Gegg, Bridget. “Doomsday 2012.” Writers of the World (2009) 1 Nov. 2009

"The Magnetism of the Mysterious" Revisited

Kara Healey
Professor Jason Kirkmeyer
English 1010
2 November 2009

While reading Elisabeth Miller’s “The Magnetism of Mysterious”, I couldn’t help but agree with her writing. I have long found mythology and cryptozoology fascinating subjects and have studied them thoroughly. Through these studies, I’ve found that many of Elisabeth’s statements are now widely accepted theories as to the origins of mythical creatures. It was this thought process that was the basis for my final paper in my senior-year AP English class. My paper – entitled “Lycanthropy” – was a ten-page informative discussion of the werewolf legend and where that legend began. Like many of the creatures in Elisabeth’s paper, werewolves also have a historical connection to real-life people with mental and/or medical afflictions that could not be explained by the technology of their time periods.

I remember the day our teacher, Mrs. Rowley, asked us for our topics for our final papers. I sat down with her and explained what I wanted to write about. She looked at me skeptically and asked, “Are you sure you can find enough information on that subject?” Truthfully, I hadn’t been sure that I could, but I simply smiled and said, “I won’t know ‘til I try.” And with that, I was off to do research into the mysterious world of the werewolf which, surprisingly, was not hard to come by at all.

In her paper, Elisabeth mentions that descriptions of the mythical dragon can be found all over the world – dating back to times when many different civilizations did not have contact with one another – and do not vary much from culture to culture. Interestingly enough, the same is true for werewolves. While the myths may vary slightly in different cultures, what can be agreed upon is that a werewolf can be either a male or a female with the ability to change from human to animal and back at will. The power of transformation can be either heredity or acquired, the latter usually coming from the use of black art.

Elisabeth then goes on to say that it has been proven that some mythical creatures have a basis in fact. She cites the giant squid as an example. The giant squid was once described by sailors as an enormous monster capable of dragging a whole ship down to the depths. Scientists have now confirmed that there is a gigantic squid – called the Colossal Squid – that lives in the deepest darkest depths of the ocean. While the werewolf has not been confirmed as being an actual creature, Clinical Lycanthropy is a very real, documented mental disorder. The disorder is rare, but causes the sufferer to believe that he or she is a real shape-shifter. This includes hallucinations, unusual or dangerous behavior, and even violent outbursts.

It has also been proven that the moon does have a mental effect on humans. Psychosis and violent behavior have been shown to increase during full moons. One study found that homicidal crimes were unusually concentrated around new and full moons. Observations such as these could be one of the possible origins for the myth that werewolves are changed by the moon.

Another theory is that werewolf legends grew out of the horror of the Berserker Insanity. Berserker Insanity has been defined as simply killing for the love of it. It was most prevalent in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages. Those afflicted with the Insanity would gather in bands and travel around the land massacring many. The killers would often dress in wolf or bear skins and were known for cracking backbones, smashing skulls, and drinking the blood of their victims.

One Arcadian religious theory states that werewolves were men who lived with wolf packs in the woods. It was the job of these men to keep the wolves away from the village and be especially vigilant about children and domestic animals. If these “werewolves” were to lose control of their packs, they would be shunned from society.

When Christianity – especially Catholicism – grew in popularity in Europe, werewolf paranoia also grew. Christianity claimed that werewolfery was witchcraft; its powers gained from the devil. This fear, spread by the Church, caused an immense increase in cases of werewolfery reported. Anyone with long teeth, long fingernails, bushy eyebrows, or who was just seen outside late at night, could be suspected. As can be imagined, these descriptions could serve to make anyone a potential werewolf. Between 1520 and 1630 the Catholic Church received 30,000 reports of werewolves from across Europe. Those accused would either confess freely, or be tortured until they did. After they confessed, they would then be burned, decapitated, or stabbed with a silver knife.

Even with all the evidence that can be found, it is hard to locate the exact basis for the werewolf legends. Theories abound – many with very convincing and sound supporting evidence – but the fact remains that no one knows for sure. Like the creatures Elisabeth mentioned in “The Magnetism of the Mysterious,” origins for the myths can only be speculated on; at least until – like the Colossal Squid – a real, transforming werewolf turns up in modern society. Until then, werewolves will only remain in our minds as the creatures dramatized by Hollywood that haunt our nightmares.

NEPALESE FESTIVALS

Diwash Bhusal
Jason S Kirkmeyer
International English 1210
9th September 2009



Nepal is a culturally rich country . There are people from different religions , casts and ethnic having different lifestyle , food , beliefs , language and food . It has a variety of festivals celebrated by different people every year . There are different religions like Hindu , Muslim , Buddhist , Sikh and Christian . Nepal has a great number of Hindu people so it is believed to be Hindu country . There are many temples all over the country that represents different religions of our country .

Being a Hindu country , there are uncountable festivals of Hindu celebrated each year and Maha Shivaratri is one of the important festival which occurs in the month of February . It is a festival where lord shiva is worshipped . In Hindu epic lord Shiva is believed to be creator of this world , Nature , living beings and other gods. so people from India and other countries come to Nepal to visit the Pashupatinath temple of lord Shiva . There will be a long queue to worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath temple. Pashupatinath is even termed as one of the biggest Hindu temple of lord Shiva. So , me and my friends used to visit Pashupatinath to see the crowd and enjoy the festival.

There is a festival of water and color known as Holi which is celebrated on the month of February . This festival is especially enjoyed by young people . On this day people wander in streets on groups with different colors smeared all over them . People also carry water balloons to throw at each other and people walking down the streets . They meet their friends, throw colors and water balloons on them and wish them shouting Happy Holi . We also used to gather in groups and visit our friends home to wish them Holi . Its a three day festival which is a good way to enjoy with friends.

As lord Buddha was born in Nepal so there is large population of Buddhist people celebrating Lhosar as their biggest festival . Lhosar means new year of Buddhist community . The different monasteries of our country are decorated with colorful flags and they also rhyme their holy songs and perform dances . They welcome their new year with family gathering and wearing new clothes, jewelries and also by giving gifts . I had alot of Buddhist friends who used to invite me in Lhosar . The best thing I love about this festival was the food , cultural dances and the colorful flags all around.

Buddhist also celebrate Buddha Jayanti . it is celebrated on the birth date of lord Buddha . it is also known as Buddha Purnima . it falls on the month of April . lord budhha is the founder of Buddhism and was born in Lumbini that lies in the western region of nepal . so on Buddha purnima the place will be crowded by monks and Buddhists . So it is awesome to be at Lumbini celebrating Buddha Purnima because the place with monks is so peaceful . I would prefer everyone to visit lumbini on Buddha Purnima with their loved ones.

Nepal has its official calendar . The first month is Baisakh that falls on mid of April . This very first date of Baisakh is known as “Navavarsha” which means Newyear . People prefer to celebrate it by their ownways . Some like to drink while other organize picnics , parties , dance events . People send card and gifts to beloved ones so that the coming year will be full of happiness and prosperity for them.

There is Gaijatra which is celebrated on the month of August. It lasts for 10 days . This Festival is famous for singing dancing and comedy . People visit to different comedy, singing & dancing events to enjoy this festival . We can even watch shows on tv on this festival but I would watch it live .

Dashain is the believed as the main and biggest festival of people in Nepal . The belief behind this festival was the victory of goddess Durga who killed the evil . So , it is celebrated as a win on evil . Dashain is celebrated in the month of September / October . It lasts for ten days . The 1st day is called Ghatasthapana , 7th is called Fulpati , 8th day is called Astami , 9th day is called Nawami . On this day people gift goats , buffaloes , vegetables or birds to goddess . Lastly , the final 10th day is Bijaya Dashami or Dashain . People wear new clothes and go to temple to worship goddess Durga . then at home we receive Tika from our elders . We also get a lot of cash as gifts from our elders . This festival brings home all the members who are far away from their home and family . The whole country will be in enthusiastic holiday mood during this festival. Different people have their own style of celebrating this festival. Some people like to celebrate with family by talking to them or making different foods at home . While other like to celebrate with friends by playing cards and drinking . I also enjoy this festival because each of our relatives are home for this festival so I get a chance to hang around with my cousins . We get new clothes , variety of foods , and lots of cash which is the main reason we like it .

The other festival is Deepawali which is also known as Tihar . It lies just after Dashain on mid of October . This festival last for four days . The 1st day is called Kaag Tihar where we worship a crow . The 2nd one is Kukur Tihar where we worship dogs . The 3rd one is Goru Tihar where we worship cow and the final day is called Bhai Tika . It a festival for sisters who pray for their brother’s safety and prosperity . I don’t celebrate this festival because I don’t have any sisters to celebrate it . The most interesting act in this festival is on evening which is known as Dheusi-Bhailo program where people make a group and visit others home to sing songs and dance and they get reward for that . This is what I like about this festival.

We also have a festival where we worship snakes and that is known as Naag Panchami . in Hindu culture they own a prominent place because of the stories and fables in Hindu Mythologies . it is believed that lord Bishnu reclines on snake while sleeping in the sea . People feed milk to snake so that the snake won’t harm them all their life and they worship it in honor of snakes .

I have just mentioned some of our big festivals but beside this we also have many festivals that is not celebrated by all people . The main thing I like about this festival is we get public holidays . We can spend time with our relatives who are far from us . We can hang out with friends like a get together . People are always busy with their busy schedule so festivals are the only time when we can find everyone spending time with their families and friends . So , I always used to look forward for this festival . Now , I am miles away from home , relatives , friends . I know it will not be the same what I had at Nepal . Festival celebrated at Nepal are not celebrated here or we don’t have any holiday for it but being in a small community of Nepali over here it will be fun to celebrate festivals over here .

Country Pride

Lenyn Leonce
Jason S Kirkmeyer
English 1210
October 9, 2009
Blue, black, white and gold; put these colors together in a certain order and you will get the flag of my home country, the beautiful island of St.Lucia. I was born and raised on this island, of course with the exception of regular travelling occasions, having being a national athlete; but no moment in any other country could ever come close to the jubilant ones I had in my home town. The blue reflects our tropical sky and also our emerald surrounding waters— the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The gold represents the sunshine. The white and black signify the races of the affable people it shelters. The flag is organized in an intricate isosceles triangular shape which represents the land on which the people of St.Lucia walk on a daily basis, but more specifically, the triangles represent our World Heritage Sites, the twin pitons.

Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer who is a personal friend of mine created this exquisite masterpiece, one which I look at everyday and reminisce on the times which I shared with my friends , neighbors, track team mates and most importantly , my family. The island of St.Lucia, located in the West Indies, which is also called the Helen of the West, is known for its tropical climate, many white sand beaches and for its World Heritage sites, the twin Pitons- Gros Piton and Petite Piton. For any patriotic individual, whether living in the island or living abroad, there is always a sense of pride and allegiance to their country. As an athlete representing my country around the World, I have come to acknowledge the importance of my own national flag, especially when I see it hoisted up among the many flags of the countries around the world when I attend a track meet.

The frequent traveling I did representing my country as an athlete has also allowed me to conjecture my own feelings and meanings to our different national symbols, particularly, our National Flag. I came from the small city of Castries, to be specific, a community called Carellie Gardens, which can be described as a very active and social place. This is what the land part of the flag reminds me of. The many times I tumbled on the hard dusty surface, not at all similar to the land of Wyoming ( my current residence ), while at track practice or at the regular cricket matches which I shared with my classmates or neighbors. The frequent visits to the beach were one of my many personal favorite natural ventures. I could still feel the salty cool water brushing against my face or entering my mouth and ears, and the sand trapped between my toes, while running, hands extended with clustered sand particles in them, usually aiming towards my friends back or head on the more violent occasions. I remember the one time of my eighteen years of existence ,that I climbed one of the twin peaks ,Gros- Piton which mean “ big peak “ in English. It was a very ecstatic adventure having seeing and hearing all the birds and other creatures chirping was a wonderful feeling. The trees swaying in the early morning breeze, and me, being at the higher points where the wind was really strong, was an experience I would never forget. The best part of the hike was reaching the summit of the mountain and seeing the whole southern side of the island right at my feet but mainly seeing the only drive-through volcano in the world bubbling a few miles away.

Like all other national flags, there is heavy symbolism in the design of the flag and its colors. The designer of the flag has described it as “A device consisting of a white and black triangular shape, at the base of which a golden triangle occupies a central position. The triangles are superimposed on one another; the black on the white and the gold on the black. The black ends as a three pointed star on the centre of the flag” (contributors). The black and white of the National Flag represents the kind, peaceful, helpful, and neighborly people who reside in this Helen of the West. As is seen on the flag, the triangular black area is evidently larger than the triangular white area. This signifies that here in St.Lucia, the majority of people who reside here are of African origin, therefore, giving them their rich, dark color. The white represent the small number of Caucasians who also reside there. Together, living in harmony, the people are the most important aspect of the growth of this developing country. However, personally and from experience, the black and white of the flag signifies the diverse races which I come into contact with every time I travel. This shows that talent has no color or race and this outlook has enabled me to form many lifelong friendships.

In connection with the people, comes the aspect of culture. My grandparents would always teach me (the rituals) of their time so that their traditions would continue for many generations to come. Grandparents were the best, they can always relate to any problem I had which made me very comfortable and secure in their presence, of course with the exception of the recent technological improvements of the world which they have no knowledge of. I remember the many times my family and I attended the numerous national festivals and traditions which were celebrated on the island, such as the La Rose and La Maguerite celebrations, Jounen Kweyol, which means Creole Day, among many others which would go into the wee hours of the morning. These festival activities could be considered to be dangerous, but in St.Lucia this is not the case. I always felt safe during these times. In my small island, where ‘everybody knew everybody’ and where it takes a community to raise a child, safety, being important in any place, can be taken for granted. Doors could be left unlocked, even pots being on fire with the certainty that the house would be taken cared of by members of the community. All this reflection on community and traditions has instilled in me a greater appreciation towards my county; not only in the aforementioned ways but it made me more appreciative towards our year round sunshine.
Being here in Wyoming has affected my own appreciation for the climate of my country. For some, the island is blessed with a tropical climate, resulting in sunshine all year round, but for others, this sunshine can become scorching heat and very crippling, causing everything and everyone to be slowed down. However, the tropical climate has allowed for beautiful and natural flora and fauna. This greenery beautifies the country all year round. Hence, the gold part of the flag represents the prevailing sunshine that shines on the country, causing everything to be green and fresh. Also, this gold signifies the prosperity in St.Lucia and the Caribbean. The blue backdrop of the flag represents the many oceans and seas surrounding this Helen of the West, as well as the blue sky.

I am a very proud St.Lucian and everywhere I go I try my best to bring a little bit of my country with me. Whether it be sharing our culture with others, or simply speaking about this little island of the West to my colleagues, I represent my country in everything I do. Just like the islands’ famous twin Peaks, rising out of the sea towards the sky, symbolizing the hopes and aspirations of me and the people of my country, I too will rise and shine.






Works Cited
contributors , Wikipedia. "Saint Lucia." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. , 2009. Web. < title="Saint_Lucia&oldid="319708167">.

The Friendship between Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine

In 1923 Hu Shih cogently remarked that “ever since the beginning of reform tendencies in China, there is not a single person who calls himself a modern man and yet dares openly to belittle science.” 1All of China’s modern intellectuals accepted Hu Shih’s ideas on what constituted science.2 Starting from the late 19th century, some politicians and Chinese scholars with background in Western medicine have been trying to phase out Traditional Chinese Medicine totally in China. They thought Chinese medicine is a kind of pseudoscience. Chinese medicine does not have background about modern science. However, nobody can say the curative effect from Chinese medicine is really bad. On the other hand, there is something in western medicine better than Chinese medicine. Making up the friendship between them will help people who need a health care to get their original health back.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine are mainly based on the yin-yang and five elements theories. These theories apply the phenomena and laws of nature to the study of the physiological activities and pathological changes of the human body and its interrelationships. The typical Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong exercises.3 This is why so many modern intellectuals disagree with the traditional medicine. The terms, yin-yang, five elements and qigong, are not real tangible. Those are from the imagination from our ancestors who study traditional medicine. This is not a kind of science. However Dr. Croizier said the most obvious value is that Chinese medicine has survived for thousands of years because in many cases it actually works.4

What is western medicine?
Western medicine, instead of Chinese medicine, is an absolute science. It is a study of the symptom of the disease and the treatment it directly. It can cure the disease very fast just like having an operation or taking an injection. However, the problem is you cannot get your original health back.

What to do with them two?
Chinese medicine and western medicine also have something in common. Chinese medicine always use herbal medicine which is from the nature, and the western medicine always use the pills which using the modern technique to synthesize the compound they need. Chemistry is from nature, and the nature has more kinds of compounds than the compounds synthesize in the lab. Why not using the nature compound instead of lab compound?

Within China, there has been a great deal of cooperation between Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and Western medicine, especially in the field of ethno medicine. Outside of China, the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine is more contentious. While more and more medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine in their curricula, older Western doctors and scientists are more likely than their Chinese counterparts to skeptically view Traditional Chinese Medicine as archaic pseudoscience and superstition.

Chinese medicine’s main point is to see the phenomenon of the disease and consider the balance of your human body, then try using some medicine to repair your healthy balance. For example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies, and this room is just like your sick body. Because of those rubbish, numerous flies fly into that room. What should you do if you want let those flies leave that room? For Chinese medicine, people should clean the room first, and then the flies must disappear after the room got clearly. But do not you think that treatment is too slow? The room is getting more and more clearly which is just like your health is getting more and more balance. However, the flies are breeding all the time. You cannot let those flies disappear immediately. This is the treatment from Chinese medicine. It works well, but it needs a long time. For some emergency, it cannot treat very well.

Western medicine sees the inspection results as standard. If you got something wrong with your body, their treatments face it directly. The same example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies. What should a western doctor do? He must take a powerful pesticide here, and kills those flies immediately. Of course, it works very fast. However, after a well some other flies fly towards the rubbish again. It is just like a patient get a cancer, and then he takes an operation which cut his cancer cells off. But the balance of his body damaged by the operation that means he cannot get his original health back again. Maybe he will got the cancer again and again.

By the way, both Chinese medicine and western medicine are not perfect. Both of them have their special side, and we cannot say which one is better. Just like the difference between a landscape painting and an oil painting, the Buddhism and the Catholicism, coffee and tea, a mathematician and a poet. Thinking from different side you maybe like different things. Scientist cannot integrate them together, but you can let them coordination.

We can let them coordination that is the friendship between the Chinese medicine and the western medicine. Both of them use their significant advantages to treat the disease. The western medicine kills the flies by their powerful pesticide firstly, and then the Chinese medicine cleans the dirty room immediately. By the way, the disease will recover very soon. The contradiction between Chinese medicine and western medicine is a problem of perception which having no contact with medical science.

Considering both the different and common sides of western medicine and Chinese medicine, they have their own special aspects. Each has its bright qualities and their dull qualities. There is no way to say that which one is not a science. Making up the friendship between them will help us to get our original health back.






Bibliography:
Chang Chunmai, Ting Wenchiang, K’e-hsueh yu jenshang kuan. Science and philosophy of life. Shanghai, 1923. P.3
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.1
Shui, Qing, Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine. 23 Mar.2003 <http://www.tcmpage.com/>
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.3

"Roman Polanski: To Free, or Not to Free? That is the Question"

Kara Healey
Professor Jason Kirkmeyer
English 1010
12 October 2009

Roman Polanski: To Free, or Not to Free? That is the Question

On August 18, 1933 Raimund Polanski was born in Paris, France. Three years later, little Raimund and his parents moved to his father’s hometown of Krakow, Poland. Unfortunately, tragedy found the family in 1941 when both of Raimund’s parents were sent to Nazi concentration camps; his mother eventually dying at Auschwitz. Young Raimund stayed with several Polish families until his reunion with his father in 1944. As he grew, Raimund developed a love for creating movies and enrolled in the National Polish Film Academy in 1954. In 1968, after directing two successful films in Europe, Polanski married a popular actress named Sharon Tate and moved to Hollywood. Again, Polanski’s world was shattered when in 1969 his pregnant wife was murdered by the Charles Manson Family (“Roman Polanski – Biography”). After the incident, Polanski came to despise the media for the way they had portrayed his wife’s murder (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

After his wife’s death, Roman developed a reputation for being a partier and a womanizer (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired) and in 1977, was convicted of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl (Howell). On February 1, 1978 (Howell) – the eve of his sentencing – Polanski fled to Paris and has never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Recently, on September 27, 2009, Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on his way to the Zurich Film Festival and is currently being held in custody there awaiting extradition to the United States (“Polanski Arrested…”).

Since his trial in 1977, new evidence has come to light of corruption and mishandling of Polanski’s original case. This evidence, coupled with Polanski’s current age of 76 and background as a critically acclaimed director, has some people calling for Polanski’s release. Others believe Polanski should be brought back to the United States to face his crime and be punished. While the details of the Polanski saga are not always clear, what is clear is that Roman Polanski’s case history, court room proceedings, and moral decisions must all be examined and addressed to devise a solution that satisfies not only Polanski’s supporters, but also those who wish to see him atone for his crimes through the administration of the United States judicial system.

Roman Polanski’s case began on March 11, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, when he was arrested and charged with six counts of illegal conduct, including 1) furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, 2) committing a lewd or lascivious act on a child, 3) unlawful sexual intercourse, 4) rape by use of drugs, 5) perversion, and 6) sodomy. The victim’s name was Samantha Gailey, and the incident took place during a photo shoot at the home of actor Jack Nicholson in Beverly Hills. Nicholson was out of town at the time, but had given Polanski – who had been asked to “shoot photos of girls from around the world” for Vogue magazine – permission to conduct the shoot at his home. It was the second photo shoot Polanski had done with Gailey, and the two were let in to Nicholson’s home by the caretaker (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

According to testimony given by both Polanski and Gailey at the trial, after going inside the house, Polanski produced a bottle of champagne and a quaalaude tablet and offered them to Gailey. She took them. As Polanski was taking photos of the teen near the bay window, he asked her to remove her shirt, which she did “without hesitation” according to Polanski. He said he felt an “erotic tension” between them. Awhile later, Gailey stripped to the nude and got into the Jacuzzi. Polanski claimed there wasn’t enough light to take pictures in the hot tub, and they left the water and began to dry themselves and one another. Polanski testified that he then “very gently began to kiss and caress her.” Gailey testified that she told Polanski, “No, keep away,” but Polanski claimed that “she wasn’t unresponsive” and there was no doubt about her experience and “lack of inhibition.” Gailey told the court that she had felt dizzy and blurry, and she had trouble remembering parts of the experience. Roman Polanski never believed that he had broken the law by having sex with the teenager (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Roman Polanski’s trial gained worldwide recognition. The American media portrayed the director as a villain, while the European press viewed Polanski as a victim of bad circumstances. Not surprisingly, the courtroom turned into a media frenzy (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Laurence J. Rittenband – the senior judge in Santa Monica – presided over Polanski’s case. Rittenband had always taken special interest in celebrity cases and asked to be assigned to Polanski’s. It was well known that Rittenband loved the media and always had comments for the press when asked. Marilyn Beck, a Hollywood gossip columnist who spoke to judge Rittenband frequently, claimed that “he [Rittenband] liked being among the stars” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Former public defender Michael Caine agreed saying, “I don’t know any judge that liked publicity as much as Rittenband did” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He even went so far as to have his bailiff keep a scrapbook containing any newspaper article that mentioned Judge Rittenband’s name. Rittenband was also known for being a womanizer in public and a tough punisher on the bench (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

At the time of his arraignment, Polanski plead not guilty to all charges. Gailey’s attorney, Laurence Silver, tried to protect his client’s anonymity by attempting to arrange a plea deal. After the district attorney, Roger Gunson, refused Silver’s suggestion of a plea bargain, Silver went directly to Douglas Dalton – Polanski’s attorney. However, Dalton refused the idea, believing Polanski would be cleared of all charges. It was only after a pair of Gailey’s panties – a very damning piece of evidence – had been introduced into the case, that Dalton called Silver and agreed to negotiate for a plea deal. Roman Polanski would plead guilty to the lowest count of unlawful sexual intercourse, and his sentence would be based on the probation report and council arguments. Judge Rittenband accepted the plea agreement (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

At that time, the punishment for unlawful sexual intercourse was an indeterminate sentence, meaning the guilty party could be sent to a state prison for anywhere from six months to fifty years. However, Polanski’s probation report recommended no incarceration time and only “straight probationary sentences” for the esteemed director. Judge Rittenband decided to order Polanski to be examined by two psychiatrists to determine his soundness of mind, and that the sentencing would be determined after the psychiatric reports. On these terms, Polanski could have faced a number of sentences, including an assignment to a mental hospital, one year in county jail, fifty years in state prison, deportation, or probation (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

One of the psychiatrists who examined Polanski was Dr. Ronald Markman, who described Polanski as “a very congenial, yet somewhat reserved guy, who was very straightforward in the interview” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He went on to say, “As experiences go, Roman Polanski has had more than what would impact on a dozen people… It was my opinion that Mr. Polanski did not qualify as a mentally disorder sex offender and should not be handled as such” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

After receiving these psychiatric evaluations, Rittenband was still unsure of how to sentence Polanski and asked for advice from outside sources (an illegal practice for a judge.) Rittenband wanted to look good in the eyes of the media, so in order to give himself more time to think, the judge ordered Polanski to 90 days at California’s Chino State Prison for diagnostic observation. Legally, a diagnostic observation sentence is not to be used as punishment and is not a final sentence. Final sentencing follows the results of the observational period (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Rittenband called Dalton, Gunson, and Silver to his office to hand down the Chino sentence. He told the attorneys, “I don’t want to send Mr. Polanski to county jail because I don’t want to be responsible if he were to be injured or killed.” Because Polanski was in the middle of filming, Rittenband told Dalton to apply for “stays”, or deferments, of the observational period in 90 day increments, and that he would grant the stays for up to a year. Rittenband thought that granting a 90-day stay would sound better to the press than a one-year deferment. He then told the attorneys to pretend to argue the case in open court – in other words, put on a show for the press – and that he would hand down the Chino sentence at the end. Rittenband told Dalton, “If you do not tell the press about this, and if Polanski receives a good report from the probation department, which we all are quite sure he will, that will conclude his punishment” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). So when it came time for court, Dalton argued for probation and Gunson for prison, even though the victim and her family asked for no incarceration time for Polanski (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

According to the details of his plea bargain, Polanski was allowed to travel out of the country. The distributor for the movie that Polanski was filming invited the director to Munich to discuss the movie and have some fun. While there, Polanski was photographed partying at Oktoberfest. It came as a surprise to Judge Rittenband and the attorneys, who believed that Polanski was in Paris filming. Enraged and embarrassed, Rittenband ordered Polanski back to the United States and refused to grant any more stays. Polanski was ordered to begin his observational period at Chino immediately (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Authorities at Chino placed Polanski in protective custody. The director spent his time on cleaning detail and prepping for his new movie. After 42 days, Polanski was released with a recommendation for probation on his observation report. Rittenband read the report and declared it a “whitewash.” He once again called the attorneys to his chambers and announced that he would not keep his promise to release Polanski because he was receiving too much criticism from the media. Rittenband told Dalton that Polanski needed to make up the 48 days in custody that he missed by being released early, but when Gunson suggested 48 days in county jail Rittenband dismissed the idea, claiming that “the perception of a prison sentence” needed to be maintained for the press (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Once again, Rittenband told the attorneys to put on a show for the press. Rittenband told Dalton that at the hearing, he would hand down the 48-day prison sentence, but that if Dalton would come back to the courtroom after everyone had left, he would recall Polanski and have him released. However, Rittenband would also have Polanski deported, and wanted the director to waive any rights he had to a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband had no authority over matters such as these and was once again showing illegal conduct. “It is illegal to impose an illegal condition upon somebody serving time in custody,” said Dalton (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He told Rittenband that if he wanted to deport Polanski, there would be a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband responded saying that if Dalton insisted on having a hearing, he would withdraw his promises of Polanski’s release. Feeling that he could no longer trust the judge, Polanski boarded a plane to Paris, France and never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

In an interview, Stephen Trott, the Chief Deputy District Attorney, described why Polanski could not be extradited from France:
“The treaty [with France] only specifies, number one, rape. As you know, Mr. Polanski was not convicted of rape; he was convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse and that’s a different crime than rape. Secondly, the treaty specifies that it’s discretionary on the part of France to return French citizens. In other words, they have an option. They can or they can’t, depending on how they feel about a particular case, or maybe even possibly, a particular person” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

After Polanski’s flight to France, Judge Rittenband immediately held a press conference on the pending case, also illegal judicial conduct. Rittenband announced that he planned to sentence Polanski in absentia. Dalton immediately prepared a challenge to disqualify a judge. This requires that an attorney proves that a judge holds prejudices against his client and that a fair trial cannot be had before him. Dalton showed the declaration to Gunson, who said that he would attest to everything written there. Judge Rittenband removed himself from the case on February 24, 1978, but never admitted to any of the accusations (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Everyone involved in the case agreed that Polanski had not received fair treatment. Gailey settled a civil suit with Polanski and publicly forgave him in 1997. That same year, Dalton and Gunson presented Polanski’s case to another Los Angeles superior court judge. The judge agreed that if Roman Polanski would return to the United States he would serve no more time in custody. However, Gunson and Dalton reported that the judge would want the proceedings televised. If so, Polanski refuses to participate (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).

Despite the plethora of evidence claiming that Polanski’s case was mishandled, many people still believe he should be punished. The pro-prosecution side claims that the rape of Gailey using drugs and alcohol has been widely overlooked by Polanski sympathizers. Not only was Polanski charged with the crime, he also pled guilty – another reason why he should be punished. They also point to the fact that Polanski’s 32 years in exile were spent at his multiple homes in Europe, continuing his movie career, winning an Oscar, remarrying, and fathering two children – hardly an unbearable punishment. They believe that Polanski’s story has been skewed by his sympathizers and that he should face justice because he broke the law; plain and simple (Harding).

While it is true that Polanski did not receive a fair trial the first time, I believe he should be returned to the United States to try to sort out the mess within the judicial system. If Polanski were to return, he would finally face sentencing for his 1977 crime. After the sentence was handed down, Polanski could file an appeal which may or may not be reviewed by an appellate court. If the case was reviewed, the court would either overturn Judge Rittenband’s earlier ruling or grant Polanski a retrial. However, because he skipped the country in 1978, if retried Polanski would be incarcerated for the duration of his retrial.

If he were to be found guilty again, Polanski’s current age would not play a role in the sentencing process. This is largely because a crime of manipulation over adolescence is not necessarily affected by the “aging out” – or maturing out of a behavior – process. Also, because he crossed international borders, Polanski would face new charges in federal court for evading justice. So while this course of action may appease the people who wish to see Roman Polanski face justice and his sympathizers who wish to see him treated fairly, it may also extend the Polanski saga because of the new federal charges he would face. Given the director’s advanced age, there is a good chance we may never see the resolution of Polanski’s case. One thing is for sure, the victim, Polanski’s family, and the rest of the world are waiting with baited breath to see exactly what will happen now that Roman Polanski has finally been caught.
Works Cited

Harding, Kate. "Reminder: Roman Polanski Raped a Child." Salon.com 28 Sept. 2009. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/auth/checkbrowser.do?rand=0.8579715754756315&cookieState=0&ipcounter=1&bhcp=1.

Howell, Peter. "Crime, Punishment and Roman Polanski." The Toronto Star 25 July 2008, Entertainment sec.: E04. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7495498899&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7495499302&cisb=22_T7495499301&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=8286&docNo=14.

Morton, James. "Opinion: Celebrities and Juries." Journal of Criminal Law 69.5 (2005): 365. EBSCOhost. Web. 5 Oct. 2009. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=18367720&site=ehost-live.

"Polanski Arrested in Connection with 1970s Sex Charge." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 27 Sept. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/27/zurich.roman.polanski.arrested/index.html.

"Roman Polanski - Biography -." Biography.com. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.biography.com/articles/Roman-Polanski-9443411.

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. Dir. Marina Zenovich. Perf. Roman Polanski and Mia Farrow. Antidote Films, 2008. ITunes. 2009. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.

Since resigning my position at my last employer I have come to realize how much my hard hat reminds me of all of my best and worst times in the oil patch. Covered in stickers from all of the different companies we worked with and for, it is a visual journal of sorts. Each takes me to a memory of what I was doing and who I was with. Every time it was covered in mud, grease, or oil, I most likely was too. Overall it is a symbol of that community and chapter of my life.

At this point in life, five years after high school graduation, there are few communities in which I feel a sense of camaraderie or fellowship. I have gone from being the “the kid in all of those punk rock bands” to being a productive member of society plagued by “the man.” The group in which I most fit in with these days would be the individuals who work for the company that I recently resigned from. We were all experienced hands for an oil field service company. For the most part we all worked our way up to our positions from the same starting point; a “worm” on the rig floor. As this earned us admiration from each other, it also granted us respect from the various rig crews we worked with. This allowed for very tight bonds and friendships to be built and flourish. Looking back on the “punk rocker” days of my youth I realize that the traits I look for in friends or a community are vastly different now.

I must explain the conditions in which we worked for one to understand the bond it created. When a drilling rig gets to a certain part of its well our services are called upon. The time period that it will take to finish a well is always unknown and generally many things go wrong along the way. There would commonly be three to four employees from our company on location at all times. While there, we lived, cooked, cleaned, worked, and reported to many other individuals, as a team. This is far different than the “friends at work” that one makes at a job where they are allowed to return to their home each night. At a “normal” job, one has time apart from individuals to reflect on their interactions. In our situation all interactions either built upon or tore down the previous exchange in real time. Spending this much time together created bonds and differences. In the end we all had common objectives and goals. For the most part everyone had unique view and expertise to offer to the experience.

The oil field is usually seen as a rowdy bunch of “rough necks” that are foul mouthed and dirty in all senses. That is truly not the case. The oil and gas industry has grown in leaps and bounds as far as technology and complex processes to become more efficient. For example just the B.H.A. (bottom hole assembly) or the part of the drill string doing the actual drilling is vastly different than those of the past. We have discovered how to use certain tools down hole to drill directionally, and how to use the mud as an energy source to propel the bit at speeds not imagined in the past. The tools that I was responsible for were used to determine inclination, azimuth, temperature, gamma ray, and tool face direction. In combination it was used to decide which way to drill and how to get there based on the many variables it reported to us. Drilling a well is not only dirty, but also, extremely technical and beautiful in some ways too.

While the production of oil and gas is often perceived as a dirty and crude process; the beauty of a North Dakota morning on a drilling rig is often overlooked. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells that it is impossible for the senses to be bored. As one walks closer to the stairs they would start to feel the hum in the diesel motors that they have been hearing since arrival. Deep breaths of the mingling smells of diesel exhaust, drilling mud, and gasses burning off the flare stack are unique to this place alone. One can see the steam rising off the mud tanks, black diesel smoke billowing into the air, and the sun starting to break over the horizon making a vivid orange glow emit from behind the derrick. Once the ascent to the floor is started the vibrations underfoot immediately signify that rotary drilling is underway. Even though oil field work is considered to be dumb iron, it is an unparalleled sensory experience.

As I rigged down all of my computers, sensors, cables, and instruments, I took in everything I could. It was my last job working in the field as an LWD Engineer. While packing up my gear in the command center I felt great and ready to be home. Rigging down the satellite I couldn’t wait to be done. Starting towards the rig floor to break out my sensors I started to fell the gravity of the situation. While I pulled my MWD tool out of the collar I looked around to see the faces of those who would be the last to make “waitin’ on you” jokes at my expense. Laying down the tool and breaking it down for shipping was my last task to complete before the journey home, and back to reality.

While I will miss these sights and sounds every day, I feel that what I have chosen for now is correct. The decision to leave my close-knit community of oil field workers was one of the most difficult and yet so far most rewarding decisions I have made. I am ecstatic to learn how and why we did the things the way we did and hopefully how to improve upon those processes. Earning a BS in Petroleum Engineering will be my next step towards a lifetime in the oil and gas industry. I always have my hard hat to remind me where I have been, what I have learned, and what to focus on.

-Sam Antrim

Art At Its Finest

JoLynn Fletcher
Professor Kirkmeyer
English 1010
25 September 2009

Art At Its Finest

It is imperative that funding for the arts be maintained at appropriate levels in order to provide a well-balanced visual and performing arts curriculum to school children. The arts are pivotal to the development of self expression, individualism, sense of community, communication, and creativity in all fields. In addition, the arts provide an avenue by which we can better understand ourselves, our culture and our history, as the arts (jazz, blues, gospel, slave songs) have been present at each defining moment of our young nation’s development.

Art history spans from the earliest drawings/sketches of mankind in caves, to current day happenings all over the world. From the patriotic songs that fill the air on days of national pride, to the most beautiful paintings and sculptures that grace museum and gallery walls, the history of art is inevitable everywhere you turn. Through these artifacts we understand our history, our culture, and what it is that makes us uniquely human and American. As Wynton Marsalis noted in the 2009 Nancy Hanks Lecture at the Kennedy Center, it is through art that we remember, identify and relate to our circumstances, history and culture.

Many people believe that art programs are a luxury – that they are elitist and serve no justifiable place in an educational institution. These people use reasoning’s such as: the arts are frivolous, art programs do not serve as a core subject and they have no necessary application in the real world. Additionally, opponents often misunderstand art and therefore claim it be offensive (remember the elephant dung on the Virgin Mary at the MOMA?!).

The arts serve as not only a critical component to a complete education, but have become a proven statistic that young people who consistently participate in comprehensive, sequential and rigorous programs are not only more likely to be recognized for academic achievements, positive school attendance and the participation in math and science fairs, but also for holding offices throughout their educational years and the writing of essays, poems and other artistic outlets (Americans for the Arts). As it has come to show, the arts play a crucial role in not only academic success throughout a great percent of the student population, but also individual success. Students are given confidence and a burning passion to excel at something in which they truly enjoy.

Public schools across the nation aren’t just centers for educational excellence but also a place in which communal ties are formed. Children continue to learn of and experience “community” in the school environment. It is in public (and private) instruction that students learn to relate to one another, share common and unique experiences, and communicate – something that is often done through the arts and other creative means.

Schools are playing a large role in the integration of formal art instruction for America’s youth. Well-designed educational advances will give students the ability to peak at their academic consummation as well as move forward in a positive direction with the necessary skills acquired to be successful in the workplace as well as be a positive influence among their peers. The arts help children develop literacy skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The arts encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling students to think creatively (Americans for the Arts).

Much of today’s research states that a great portion of a child’s academic and social development can be attributed to education through the arts. In addition, research and formative evaluation of successful arts programs have demonstrated that access to and participation in the arts helps decrease and prevent negative behavior by at-risk youth (Americans for the Arts).

According to the American’s for the Arts Advocacy Day: The 2009 National Arts Action Summit Congressional Arts Handbook; not only does involvement in the arts increase academic performance as well as standardized test scores, but it also lowers dropout rates. By the 10th grade, students with a high involvement in the arts have a 1.4% dropout rate compared to the 4.8% of students who aren’t involved in the arts in any significant way (Dr. Shirley Brice Heath). Constant participation in art and music classes throughout all four years of high school has also been statistically proven to raise SAT results to 85 points higher than students who only take one-half year or less (The College Board).

There has been a significant amount of research done on arts education and how it directly relates to cognitive development. “Neuroscientists from seven universities across the country used brain imaging studies and behavioral assessments to advance our understanding of the effects of music, dance, and drama education on other types of learning. The findings from their coordinated three-year study suggest that children motivated in the arts develop attention skills and strategies for memory retrieval that also apply to other academic subject areas” (LEARNING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition). Throughout the duration of these studies, the scientists have come up with many interesting findings that can better explain the impact that the arts have on a growing mind. Interests in performing arts often lead to a higher state of motivation and the training of attention that both lead to individual improvements in these areas. Specific links were also discovered between interaction with high levels of music training and the ability to manipulate information in other areas such as geometry and other forms of numerical expression. Several correlations were also identified between music training and the positive effects that it had on reading and sequence learning (LEARING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition). All of this research and more can help stabilize the arts as a whole and bring forth all of the positive attributes art programs possess for all who are involved.

The National Endowment for the Arts is another organization that focuses all of its attention and energy on the beneficial aspects of art programs. The organization realizes the many ways in which public school art programs help students of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and levels of intellect come together for the sole purpose to create and re-create so much of what our American culture is based upon. With a goal of providing leadership in arts education as well as recognizing the contributing role in which the arts play in the overall educational process as well as opportunities brought forth is the mission upon which this organization thrives.

“Today, the Arts Endowment's focus is on identifying and supporting model programs and projects that provide in-depth knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts to children and youth in schools and communities. Research strongly suggests that young people who learn about and participate in the arts acquire skills that help them in decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, and teamwork. An increasing number of studies also find that arts programs motivate children to learn, assisting in improving performance in core academic subjects. For some children, the arts provide the impetus to stay in school until graduation and, for others, the inspiration to pursue college education. Arts education programs will continue to play a pivotal role as the nation struggles to improve high school graduation rates, develop pre-kindergarten programs, and counter the achievement gap in urban communities” (National Endowment For the Arts).

A great majority of students look to their public schools for ways to participate in many art programs; although, without appropriate funding for these programs, students are often left with few other options in which they can participate in aforementioned programs. Art programs are funded through federal agencies, grants and private donors, however, art education funds are generally limited in comparison to other educational program funding. In 2005, the United States Department of Education received approximately $40 million in appropriations for arts education grants (Americans for the Arts).

The arts, as a whole, are written into Federal law as a core subject in all K-12 public schools through the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Americans for the Arts). While the Federal government asserts that the arts are indeed a core subject, that doesn’t mean that school districts are required to offer such programming. While many states are mandates for art education, it is up to the individual school districts to decide whether they will implement or allow funding for the programs to function.

People come together on many different levels to discuss and interact with the issues that face the arts community today. As we continue to grow within ourselves, we need to keep steadfast what is really important to American culture: the arts. Art advocates, such as National Arts Policy Roundtable, come together to address recommended policies, among other things, through forums and conferences and provide knowledge to all who are interested in preserving art programs for future generations.

The fate of the continuation of art programs lies solely within the hands of administrators, school board faculty, educators and parents. It is through the commitment of multiple persons that the arts can receive the representation necessary to carry on its goal of reaching millions of kids per year within their public schools and communities. It is crucial for administrators to take notice of the great achievements that accompany art programs, it is the school boards job to allocate and secure the funds necessary for these programs to continue and it is the educator’s responsibility to properly provide students with the academic environment in which they can acquire their artist and creative identity.

Applaud and take note of the remarkable advances that have been made in association with art education up until this point, but don’t shy away from the responsibility that now lies before each and every one of us to keep the academic torch burning for the funding of art programs across the United States. Not only will the arts assist us in understanding who we are, but they will provide a solid foundation for our future endeavors, most of which are bound to need an injection of creativity in order to keep us competitive in a global marketplace.


Works Cited

Americans for the Arts. 07 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009. .

The College Board. "2008 College-Bound Seniors: Total Group Profile Report." (2008). Abstract.: n. pag. Print.

Dana Press. "LEARNING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition." (2008). Print.

Dr. Shirley Brice Heath. "Carnegie Foundation for The Advancement of Teaching." N. pag. Print.

"Grants for Arts Education." National Endowment for the Arts. Web. 24 Sept. 2009. .

"Nancyhanks09." Americans for the Arts. 07 July 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009. .