Freewrite - "I am not what I am."

3. Viola: Then think you right. I am not what I am. Olivia: I would you were as I would have you be. (III.i.148-149)

In this portion of the text, Olivia and Cesario are in the midst of a little debate about who they truly are. Olivia wishes that Cesario would stay and tell Olivia what he thinks of her. Cesario does not wish to linger and lead on Olivia anymore than he already has because anything beyond what already exists would be asking for trouble. Cesario bluntly says that he thinks that Olivia is denying who she truly is. Olivia gets a bit defensive responding that she thinks Cesario does not know who he is. Cesario puts up no argument because he is truly a woman, Viola. Viola does not know who she truly is or what she is going to do with the coming events so she does not deny the fact that she's confused about who she is. Olivia responds saying that she wishes Cesario was who she wanted him to be. Cesario admits that he wishes he was someone else because right now he is a fool. This is a point of dramatic irony because the audience knows that Cesario truly is a big fool putting on a drag act and fooling Olivia. Olivia has no idea what Cesario's statement truly means at its core. I thought it selfish of Olivia to say that she wishes Cesario was who she wanted him to be. I think that's a lot to demand of someone, especially someone you've just met. I feel as though she should know better because a comment like that could easily scare a man away. Olivia's selfishness in terms of chasing after Cesario is a bit annoying throughout this play.

Freewrite - crush & bow.

2. Malvolio: ...and yet to crush it a little, it would bow to me...(II.v.143-145)
Malvolio mentions this after he reads the primary portion of Maria's letter. After reading, he is baffled as to what all of it means, including the letters M.O.A.I. Malvolio is convinced that these letters have something to do with his name because they are all present in its spelling. Malvolio wants the love letter to be about him, so he is going to "crush" or shake up the words and their meanings in order to convince himself that it was written for him. Once he has assigned his own meaning to the words on the page, the words will favor him in a way that convinces him that the letter was truly written for him. Maria's faux love letter serves as a puzzle and false hope for Malvolio. I think what Malvolio has in mind for this letter is extremely whimsical and far-fetched. If one is direly in love with another person, I suppose it is plausible that he would read into the note so much and juxtapose the words in a manner that gives him the answer he wants.

Freewrites - "I am the man."

1. Viola: I am the man. (II.ii.25)
This quote is said by Olivia post interview with Olivia. Viola is confused about Olivia's feelings regarding Orsino and now she is considering the possibility that Olivia may very well be in love with her. Viola comes to understand that it is she who Olivia is in love with. Viola feels sorry for Olivia because Olivia mind as well be in love with a dream seeing as how she will never be able to be with who she thinks is Cesario. The countess decides to come out of mourning for a phony. Viola goes on to say in her speech that disguises are never a good idea, they are in fact, wicked. I think Viola feels that she should have known better because she knows personally how weak women are in terms of their feelings. She has now manipulated the feelings of a woman, which will make things quite complicated. Viola has dug herself a great hole because her disguise makes it so that neither Orsino nor Olivia can love her. I feel as though Viola would be a lot more scared and nervous when she found out another woman was in love with her. I didn't think that this portion of her speech was dramatic enough. She is a woman with heavy emotions that don't really come through in this scene. I'd expect her to get emotional, perhaps a bit scared, and very vulnerable. Reading this, I felt like she handled it as a man as if she were giving a big "whatever" to the situation.

Shakespeare Concordance Q's - Working with Data

1. What thematic strands have you located?
Music, song, sing, sound, tune, verse, pitch, ear, dying fall, Illyria.

2. Where is the data you retrieved from? What is happening in context when Shakespeare employs this particular theme or image?
Most of our concordance themes come from Acts I and II. The character that mentions these recurring themes the most is Orsino, probably because of his love for music in general. Orsino often demands music to be played for him. He loves his music so much that he practically wants to drown in it. The Duke's obsession with music is almost violent. Instead of wanting to hear songs for pleasure, Orsino uses music as an escape from life and love.

The characters that mention these themes the next most often are Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. The reason Toby and Andrew talk about music is most likely because their love of food and drink goes hand-in-hand with music. Music is their refuge, their fun, and their folly.

Viola refers to music because she compares her love to a sort of melodic song. She mentions in a couple of instances that instead of talking to someone, she wishes to sing to them and asks for their ears throughout the play. She is very audio-focused when speaking of love and life, as is Orsino.

3. How does the data you retrieved support your first thoughts on Shakespeare's obsessive use of a particular image? What can you argue about Shakespeare's figuration?
I took for granted all of Shakespeare's hidden meaning and symbolism in his writing. I never would have guessed that music was a motif in his writing if I didn't take a closer look at the text in class. Our research on the motif of music revealed that it was in fact, a deliberate doing on Shakespeare's part. Music, song, and singing are constantly being referenced throughout the play. For instance, Duke Orsino's character is purposefully obsessed with music to the point where it almost becomes a sick compulsion. Shakespeare had Orsino mention music so much in order to communicate his motif of music. Orsino also uses Viola (who's name suggests an instrument in and of itself) as an instrument. She serves as the messenger between Orsino and Olivia. Viola is also the receiving end of a lot of Orsino's lamentations and venting sessions. He plays Viola like an instrument. Shakespeare also had a lot of mentions of music appear in scenes with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. This contends that music and drinking went hand in hand; they are part of the mens' very lax lifestyle.

Freewrite - "Sport royal, I warrant you."

I think "sport royal..." is Maria's way of saying that the scheme of embarrassing Malvolio is a jest and fun little game for her, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew to play. I think that royal refers to the fact that they are all of higher class standing. Maria is the waiting gentlewoman for the countess, Olivia after all. Maria is seeking a more sophisticated kind of humor, which comes in the form of fooling around with love and their pompous friend, Malvolio. He is a "sport royal" because he truly goes along for the ride. Malvoilo's a good sport because he has the perfect attitude and gullible personality for such a scheme as Maria's. Maria thinks that it will be a royal jest because it will be successful, amusing, and unbeknown to Malvolio.

Inkshedding Act II

This inkshedding activity is focused on a quote from Sir Toby in Act II, Scene 3, Line 5. They are discussing the hour and whether or not it is wise to retire for the night/early morning.

Sir Toby: "A false conclusion. I hate it as an unfilled can. To be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early, so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes. Does not our lives consist of the four elements?"

Prior to this quote, Sir Andrew is explaining to Sir Toby that they are up too late at night. Sir Toby is explaining in this quote that they are not up too late, but in fact, they are up early in the morning. The quote "A false conclusion. I hate it as an unfilled can" refers to Sir Toby hating Sir Andrew's logic as much as he hates an empty drinking glass. This proves his infatuation with all things food and alcohol-related. Sir Toby goes on to say, "To be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early, so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes." He believes it unnecessary for them to go to bed because the day is already in full swing. They wouldn't be going to bed late; they would be going to bed early. Sir Toby's quick chat about the four elements at the end serves as a justification of his statement. Everyone is made up of the four elements, meaning, staying up really late/early doesn't change. The earth goes on with all of its elements despite what people have to say about it. Therefore, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew should just remain awake according to Sir Toby. His philosophical outburst does not last long, for Sir Andrew goes on to say that life is solely made up of food and alcohol. They agree and continue on with their boisterous behavior.

Reflective Metacommentary - Paper 1

For me, writing the small object/large subject essay was a more tedious task than I anticipated. Five pages is generally not too much of a task for me to write because I am used to writing longer length papers for my major classes. However, I found myself lingering at four pages contemplating what to write next. Sugar substitutes, and all the topics in general, were rather difficult topics to write about because we did not receive lectures in class about our subjects, nor were we assigned subject-specific readings. We had to go out and find all the information on our subjects by ourselves. Not only that, but we needed to use our individual styles and opinions to embellish an essay that was coherent and strong on making points that were substantiated by evidence. This was also a bit new to me because most essays I've written have been lecture points in class, so I could use my enhanced understanding and notes from class to help me write the essay. The articles provided in Elizabeth Kolbert's compilation were, however, quite helpful in tackling the necessary style and format for the essay-writing process.

What I got out of writing this paper is that there is always more to write. If you don't have enough to write about, immerse yourself in another article or website. That is exactly what I did, and I went from being stuck at four pages to slimming down five and a half pages. The research process is just as important, and sometimes even more important than the actual writing process. I found myself taking more time making notes in the margins of articles and reading articles thoroughly. The more I understood the data and evidence presented, the easier the writing process became.

What I liked about writing this paper most of all, is that it helped me formulate a strong opinion on sugar substitutes. I went into the paper thinking that no matter which sugar substitute was being presented, it was harmful to the body. I learned that this is not always the case among FDA-approved additives and those used in moderate servings. Being an occasional user of Splenda in my tea or cereal, I do not feel as guilty about my using a sugar substitute once in a while as I do. The articles I read made me stand by the fact that I think natural is better when it comes to sugar and food in general. There is no need to fix what isn't broken when it comes to using sugar substitutes. Human bodies have functioned for years using natural sweeteners. Why change now? Writing my paper encouraged me to stand by my opinion that it is unnecessary for our culture to modify nearly every item that makes its way into our diets.

Post Act I Freewrite

After reading Act I of the Twelfth Night, I can't stop thinking about how quickly all of the characters fall in love. In the play, it's as if love is this persistent cold that almost every character catches. They try so hard to get rid of it, but the cold sticks with them. They become "lovesick," for lack of a better term, and drive themselves crazy. I don't understand how the characters think it is love after three days or a couple hours or even after a mere call upon one's home. Shakespeare really plays into "love at first sight" in his writing. I enjoy reading Shakespeare's tale for entertainment, but extracting any reality about love or relationships is difficult. The end of Scene V really stuck with me in this way. Olivia claims she's fallen in love with Cesario. I think what really got under my skin after reading Act I was the fact that these characters actually think they're in love - not smitten or impressed by an individual - but in love. Those two words are a bit dramatic for such slapdash meetings as the ones that took place in the beginning of the play.

Twelfth Night - Act I - Six Unanswered Questions

1. Why does Viola want to seek service with either Olivia or Duke Orsino when she can find many other ways to shield herself from society?

2. Is there a reason that Olivia is mourning the death of her brother for seven years? What was her thought-process, if there was one at all, behind that decision?

3. What is Olivia's degree in estate? If she does not marry above her degree, then are both Duke Orsino and Sir Andrew improbable candidates that are wasting their time?

4. Is there a literary connection behind the fact that both Viola and Olivia decide to handle the deaths of their brothers in the same manner?

5. Viola has only known Orsino for three days and speaks of wanting to be his wife. What is it about Orsino that makes Viola want to marry him so quickly? Is it possible for love to enact so quickly? Is it love, or does she simply think he'd make a suitable companion who'd take good care of her?

6. Is the Fool's cynicism a part of his act or has he relinquished his clowning ways for his true self and beliefs?

To Take Wilderness in Hand - Michelle Nijhuis

In her article entitled "To Take Wilderness in Hand," Michelle Nijhuis discusses the endangered population of a tree species called the Torreya taxifolia that is native to the Florida Panhandle. There are many possible reasons and causes for its decreasing population such as disease, drought, and invading animals, but the most pervasive of causes is that of climate change. Naturalist Connie Barlow decided that the tree should be moved to a climate further north for the cool temperatures and lesser amount of disease. Many efforts to save the tree species have been futile, so she sees no other solution other than to physically move the trees to a more suitable climate in order to promote their survival. This concept has been coined the term assisted migration. The example of the Torreya taxifolia is only one instance of vegetation that is being moved to a more suitable climate by human beings. Some are on board with Barlow's proposition while others think the idea of carrying plants to a different environment is simply ludicrous. To Barlow and many other environmentally-aware individuals, assisted migration is essential for the survival of many plant and animal species as the earth undergoes climate change. To others, tinkering with Nature is unethical and almost non-nonsensical. Nijhuis's article does a proficient job of describing both ends of the spectrum in terms of plant and animal conservation. The author does assume that global warming is a real presence evident in the world today, which others may argue against. She centers her argument around climate change, which is a highly debatable topic. Nonetheless, Nijhuis raises the important question: To intervene or not to intervene with Nature's right of passage?

Rehabilitation By Way of Video Games

In her article "Virtual Iraq," Sue Halpern discusses a new type of rehabilitation for those suffering from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can also be referred to as "battle fatigue" or "shell shock," and it is usually experienced by individuals who have endured particularly traumatizing events such as war and severe accidents. Modeled after Virtual Vietnam in 1997, Virtual Iraq is a computer-simulated psychotherapy treatment created by Albert Rizzo that is designed to help affected individuals cope with their memories, not attempt to change or erase the memories altogether. Rizzo wanted to invent a program that would not illustrate the negative stigma that goes along with seeing a psychiatrist for some individuals. He also believes that he can reach more people by offering technological treatment through computer-simulated programs, or more bluntly stated, through video games. Rizzo states, "The last one hundred years, we've studied psychology in the real world. in the next hundred, we're going to study it in the virtual world." In order to prove Rizzo's success with Virtual Iraq, Halpern discusses the success stories of a couple individuals for whom this futuristic method of therapy has particularly reached out to in a successful manner. A large assumption about society is being made by both Halpern, Rizzo, and the individuals utilizing the Virtual Iraq program, and this assumption is that it'll work for everyone. Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America says, "We're a video-game generation. It's what we grew up on. So maybe we'll respond to it." Profuse technology and less human interaction may not be the best step for all individuals to take when coping with a disorder like PTSD. The coming-about of Virtual Iraq is a great contribution to mental health studies, but it is not the end-all, be-all solution when it comes to handling a serious disorder that affects many.

Expressionist Freewrite

It snowed last night, and there was a beautiful moment where four of us were stalling near a lamppost. I wanted a camera to capture the sight of the snowflakes against the pale light provided above our heads. Then I thought, no, a camera would ruin this image. I want my mind to remember this moment forever. A film-esque scene, and I was living it. Dancing in the drift, catching snowflakes on my tongue and eyelashes - something you would see in the movies. We joked, we laughed, we got frozen fingertips, but something kept us loitering next to that lamppost. You know that kind of moment where you forget all else and finally feel like you're living in the moment? This was one of those times. I could have easily already forgotten my interim journey outside my dorm, but I haven't. Maybe it was the dull light creating a hazy scene speckled with snow or maybe we were just procrastinating on our homework. Whatever it was, I hope I do not need something as an imprudent photograph to maintain this memory.

E-Wasting Away: An Abstract of "High-Tech Trash" by Chris Carroll

In his informative article "High-Tech Trash," Chris Carroll tells the somewhat disturbing story of what happens to electronic waste, or e-waste, that people all over the world dispose of at an overwhelming rate. Carroll claims that the world has come to a place where the safety of individuals is being compromised in order to keep production and disposal running smoothly. He states, "The key to making money is speed, not safety" (31). The safety and welfare of individuals, and children, in developing countries is being put at stake in order for the United States to get rid of its trash quickly and without much thought. Not only that, but Americans do not realize that they are also harming themselves with their ignorant habit of polluting lesser developed countries. This unsafe and slap-dash disposal of waste releases harmful toxins into the environment like mercury and lead, and the presence of such toxins threatens human health as well. As if this is not enough shocking information to take in, Carroll provides powerful anecdotes of his personal trips to such countries where profuse e-waste disposal is taking place.

Carroll describes that developed nations are in the midst of an age of obsolescence where technological systems are constantly being replaced by new and improved ones. Americans, especially, get sucked into this idea that if there is a new product on the market, they must have it in a moment's time. In reality, there is nothing wrong with lightly-aged systems besides the fact that they get discarded in landfills and barren fields in countries like Ghana and China. Government organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have attempted to pass legislation, such as the Basel Convention, to end waste disposal to lesser developed countries, but no such legislation has been passed. Legislators do not believe it wise to restrict locations like China and India for global use and negotiation. Carroll assumes that this is a problem that ever American and company that outsources their waste participates in. There are plenty of groups that make it their priority to dispose of waste in a mindful manner. Furthermore, he does not include examples of successful recycling organizations or companies that control where their e-waste goes. In this way, Carroll takes advantage of the topic's low-profile among Americans so that he can accentuate the wrong-doings of e-waste and persuade the readers to become more actively involved in the issue.