Class Reflection

My favorite part of this class has been that it taught me to constantly work on my writing and not just accept it the first time. That a piece of writing is never really finished and to never give up on working on it.

ABC...

Although these halls are filled with good and bad memories I would not change a thing. Being in this building every day taught me lessons in life and not only the classroom. Chatting it up with friends never got old no matter how many days passed. Doing the same old thing might have seemed boring but I guess it was not all that bad. Every day that I came to this building brought me one day closer to the last. Finding out how close we are to the end is almost a little scary. Getting that diploma still feels unreal, like it will never happen. High school is a time for memories, friends, and experiencing life. I know I got everything out of it that I could. Just because it caused some tears doesn't mean I'd take any of it back. Knowing that it made me the person I am gives me a good feeling inside. Learning about english, math, and science wasn't all this building gave me. My friends and I have been counting down the days for weeks now. Nine days, eight days, seven...and now it's less than a week. Opening those doors on the last day will seem unreal, walking out to the parking lot and leaving for the las time. Parents will sit in the gym a few days later and cry about how their baby is all grown up. Quiet tears will fall from their eyes and loud cheers will escape from our lips. Robes and caps will turn into a maroon see as we stand as a class one last time. So many hours lead up to this moment, I can't believe it is finally here. To my surprise I'm almost a little bit sad that this journey is over. Under all of the daily complaints I guess part of me will miss this place. Values changed as I went through my life here but I guess it's time to move on. Where I will move on to next I'm not really sure. X-rays of my heart and mind couldn't even describe this feeling. Yet I bet I'm not the only one thinking this right now. Zoning back in and away from my thoughts just in time to hear “I now present to you the class of 2011.”

Revising Goals

1. Making everything specific and try to make it as relatable as possible.
2. Going over descriptive words and making sure they are the best ones possible.
3. Editing issues. (spelling, punctuation, etc.)
My plan is to go through my goals one by one on all of the pieces. I put editing issues last so that all of my wording will be correct before I fix my punctuation mistakes.

Letter

Dear New Resident,
Not everyone is lucky enough to grow up in one house throughout their whole childhood, but I was. The room you found this in was once my room, for 18 years in fact. The walls always remained plain white, but plenty changed throughout the years. Of course the crib turned to a real bed. Childish artwork into band posters and pictures with friends. At one time my blankets were dark blue with pink and yellow flowers on it then later it was checkered with black, blue, and green. Thats the comforter I took with me when I moved to college. Anyhow my toys turned to magazines and my closet became twice as full. I took my first steps in this room and got my first kiss. I had my boom box sitting in the corner, it was almost always on. All my books and journals sat on the top shelf of my closet. Anyhow I don't know who you are. I don't know how old you are. I don't know what kind of music you listen to. I don't know anything about you. I just hope this room means as much to you as it did to me. I hope you can look out that window every morning and see your family's farm just like I did. I hope you get to grow up here like I did. After all, everyone needs a home and even though it's different...well this is still mine.
Sincerely,
Someone Who Cares

Places Marathon

Just a building to some, but not to me. I remember when I use to dream about what high school would be like. Turns out I was completely wrong, but thats okay. I expected everything to be different when in reality it wasn't a drastic change. It was slow and steady instead of rapid and quick. I took so many classes in this building. Walked down the hallways so many times. Met so many new people. Even lost a few friends along the way. It's crazy to think that this building is so close to being in my past. Only a few days left and it seems unreal. This building changed my life and made me who I am in a way. I won't forget this building, after all 7 years don't just disappear.

So many hours spent on this land. Out on the course and in the club house too. I've played lots of courses before but of course I know this one the best. The creek that runs in front of the first hole and along side the second. The small pond straight to the right of number 6. At times I've felt like certain trees and hills always magically bring my ball over to it, putting me right where I didn't want to be. Trees that have been hit so many times it's unreal and water that has taken so many balls. You can start in one mood and leave in another. Funny how a place can change your mind set so quickly.

This house is a home to someone, even though it isn't to me. Cream colored siding with white shutters on all the windows. It looks pretty cozy from the outside. A big garage that could fit two cars easily and a back porch for grill outs and family picnics. I bet these people have kids, probably with a backyard like that. I see a leash tied down too so they must have a dog. I hope I can have a house like that someday, one that looks like a family should live in it. But I guess I really don't know if one is in there. Maybe it's just a couple or even someone by themselves, but I'm pretty sure it's a family.

The Land Behind The School

It was the land behind the high school that I attended for all four years. Surrounded by bleachers that would be filled with happy fans, cheering on the home team. In the fall it was our boys wearing shoulder pads and helmets. Then in the spring runners in shorts and a jersey. It was one dream surrounded by another. Inside the football boys with green grass, a goal at each end and a scoreboard. Then on the outside it was slick black pavement with four lanes for the track team. The land where practices are held, limits are pushed, and dreams can become a reality if only you put in the work.

The Weather is Full of Promise

I could instantly relate to this piece, because the narrator is talking about Iowa weather and considering I've always lived in Iowa I understand the different types of weather. This chapter reminded me of "The Weather Shifts" by Arthur Sze because both pieces discuss how weather can have an impact on your mood. It also discusses how much age changes the way you see weather and it is very true. When I was younger I saw snow and got excited, I saw sleds, snowmen, and snow days. Now I see driving extra slow, extra dirty restaurant floor, and days added to the end of the year. I believe weather can have a huge impact on how someone is feeling or sees a certain place. I really enjoyed reading this piece.