I'm really happy with how much I learned in this class. I know I don't have a talent in writing so it was very helpful to get feed back on the structure of my writing (I was so used to just being criticized for grammar and sentence structure). Learning how to design a research paper was by far the most important tool I learned this semester. Organization, Fanboys, ICE, structure, the relationships between points in a paper, and learning the tricks of researching were also very useful. I really enjoyed the small group discussions for peer-editing and the book club. It was very helpful and engaging. The blog assignments were unique and the reading selections were excellent. I had my doubts about this class when I registered because I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to connect with the topic. However, I had no problems with the topic because the readings were well chosen, the class was organized and the variety of autobiographies we dealt with helped make the class all the better. The only assignment I wasn't too fond of was the E-poster assignment. And the only suggestion I have for the class is to not forget about grammar and scentence structure. I feel like my writing still needs a lot of help with that, but that is probably just an indevidual thing.
I'm happy I took this UW class. I've already recommended it to my friends who have yet to take a UW class. The class was tough, no doubt, but I think it was definitely worth it. I no longer have as many anxieties about writing an extensive research paper. This class was definitely the most useful class I had this semester. Not a single class period was a waste. I complement you on the organization of your class. It is really amazing and shows how much effort you put into teaching. Unfortunately I've already had professors who are the opposite, so your work is much appreciated. I am especially thankful for your detailed comments in grading papers.
Thank you so much for your help!
Have a wonderful holiday break!
Jana
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Review of Strait up and Dirty
I am so torn. I can't tell if I liked the book of not. On one end it was interesting, the story was engaging, and structurally well developed. The book spoke to the reader with a very bold voice but also presented the reader with a softer side of the author. However, her character is so shallow and judgmental that it was hard to move past that. Although she presented a lot of "life lessons" her values did not change much at all. How much of the story was even true? How much of it was left unpolished? Especially that super-polished-happily-ever-after where she changed her husbands name to fit the "Stephen & Stephanie" mark in the graveyard. That was a bit much. And I believed it. So how much of the story was fabricated? And, okay, the story flowed but why was there such a huge need to butter things up at the end? I do not know what to believe. I did enjoy reading the book after I got past the first half and after I accepted to ignore her very opinionated character. But, it is still frustrating. Ahhh.... Maybe I should take a look at what the story was trying to achieve and then argue for or against that. Was it not trying to be an interesting memoir? It was interesting... but to what degree is it a memoir if the memories are all molded and warped to fit together?
Had I not known that the ending purposely made to be as cliche as it was I probably would have argued that "despite dealing with a very difficult character, the book was structurally affective in creating sympathy." But now I don't want to give it credit for that because I don't know how much it deserves the sympathy. On my own, I would not have been able to read this book had it not been a memoir because I simply couldn't deal with her character in the beginning. But since it was a memoir it made it more interesting because it wasn't made up and I was dealing with a real person not a stereotype... but now its just annoying. Its dealing with a real person who is spinning things off to paint a nice portrait of herself.... ahhhhh!!! I really need to sit down and re-evaluate the book. Not knowing how much is true is really messing with me now.
Had I not known that the ending purposely made to be as cliche as it was I probably would have argued that "despite dealing with a very difficult character, the book was structurally affective in creating sympathy." But now I don't want to give it credit for that because I don't know how much it deserves the sympathy. On my own, I would not have been able to read this book had it not been a memoir because I simply couldn't deal with her character in the beginning. But since it was a memoir it made it more interesting because it wasn't made up and I was dealing with a real person not a stereotype... but now its just annoying. Its dealing with a real person who is spinning things off to paint a nice portrait of herself.... ahhhhh!!! I really need to sit down and re-evaluate the book. Not knowing how much is true is really messing with me now.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Research Project Topic
Hello!
Here is what I plan on researching for my paper:
Frida Kahlo, her art, and how her art was a way of expressing herself and her life.
I will use an art therapy as a "lens" to show how her art was not just an autobiography
but a therapeutic way of dealing with her difficult life.
Here is what I plan on researching for my paper:
Frida Kahlo, her art, and how her art was a way of expressing herself and her life.
I will use an art therapy as a "lens" to show how her art was not just an autobiography
but a therapeutic way of dealing with her difficult life.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
One more thing
I took a look at the blog I'm following and for her entry on October 9th she wrote/drew about domestic violence. She also posted this link....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcodyFKKdVM
Watch it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcodyFKKdVM
Watch it!
Journal 3-- Lost in Translation
I was quite surprised how much I connected with Lost in Translation by Eva Hoffman. The way she felt about her position in her new surroundings was very similar to how I felt throughout elementary school. Her account of trying to fit in, of dressing differently, of trying to translate jokes, and of staying to the side all fit in with my experiences. I didn’t have as much trouble with switching languages because I was only four and a half when I moved but I can relate. There are times when I find myself translating Serbian phrases I hear at home. One of the best examples was when I went to a restaurant with my family for breakfast for the first time in the US. I ordered eggs and the waitress asked “How would you like them?”. I responded “eggs on an eye” and the waitress looked at me blankly. My family, naturally, completely understood what I was saying so they didn’t find anything wrong with my response. Eventually the waitress realized what I was trying to say and she taught me the phrase “sunny side up”. Another example was the Serbian translation “screaming colors” instead of “loud colors" or "sour cabbage" instead of "sourcraut". Some Serbian phrases simply don't make sense
or are really funny when translated into English. Translating directly becomes very dangerous when my parents are scolding me because it is so hard for me to resist from laughing at some of the phrases: "The train went in the corn field" "That is like a spanish village to me" etc.
It also works the other way around. When I was in Macedonia, I was telling my cousin a story in Serbian and said “my friend threw a party” at which point she started laughing. She understood what I was trying to say, but she found it so funny how I was translating directly. People can’t physically throw parties. Hoffman also mentioned how she got stuck sometimes when searching for the right feeling behind certain English words. She knows the feeling and the meaning behind some Polish word but can’t find a word that fits just right in English. Similarly, there is one word in Serbian that I can’t find an English equivalent. It bothers me so much! The word is mazi (maza, maziti, mazis). It is a word that can be used as a noun, adjective and verb. It is a combination of the words cuddle, love, pet, and hold in English. In some sentences like “ja mazim macku” it would translate as “I pet the cat” but that translation simply wouldn’t do. “To pet” is such cold, mechanical term. It doesn’t show the tenderness, the affection and the warmth like the word mazi does. “Mazilismo se” would translate to “we cuddled” but cuddle is such a fluffy word in my opinion. I really don’t know, there is simply much more to mazi. The phrase “ona je velika maza” would translate as “she is a very cuddly person” but eh, again, it doesn’t cut it.
I was very touched by Hoffman’s account because I could see exactly where she was coming from. I also wish that I could eventually write like she does. She might talk about having been detached from the English language but now she has mastered it to the fullest. I’m a bit insecure about my writing and hope to improve as much as I can. Even though I’m bilingual, I really don’t have any talent with languages and with writing. I’m a much more visual person, and if it were possible, I would trade in my artistic talents for a writing and language talent. Since its not, I guess I’ll just have to work with what I have (including spell check :- ) ).
or are really funny when translated into English. Translating directly becomes very dangerous when my parents are scolding me because it is so hard for me to resist from laughing at some of the phrases: "The train went in the corn field" "That is like a spanish village to me" etc.
It also works the other way around. When I was in Macedonia, I was telling my cousin a story in Serbian and said “my friend threw a party” at which point she started laughing. She understood what I was trying to say, but she found it so funny how I was translating directly. People can’t physically throw parties. Hoffman also mentioned how she got stuck sometimes when searching for the right feeling behind certain English words. She knows the feeling and the meaning behind some Polish word but can’t find a word that fits just right in English. Similarly, there is one word in Serbian that I can’t find an English equivalent. It bothers me so much! The word is mazi (maza, maziti, mazis). It is a word that can be used as a noun, adjective and verb. It is a combination of the words cuddle, love, pet, and hold in English. In some sentences like “ja mazim macku” it would translate as “I pet the cat” but that translation simply wouldn’t do. “To pet” is such cold, mechanical term. It doesn’t show the tenderness, the affection and the warmth like the word mazi does. “Mazilismo se” would translate to “we cuddled” but cuddle is such a fluffy word in my opinion. I really don’t know, there is simply much more to mazi. The phrase “ona je velika maza” would translate as “she is a very cuddly person” but eh, again, it doesn’t cut it.
I was very touched by Hoffman’s account because I could see exactly where she was coming from. I also wish that I could eventually write like she does. She might talk about having been detached from the English language but now she has mastered it to the fullest. I’m a bit insecure about my writing and hope to improve as much as I can. Even though I’m bilingual, I really don’t have any talent with languages and with writing. I’m a much more visual person, and if it were possible, I would trade in my artistic talents for a writing and language talent. Since its not, I guess I’ll just have to work with what I have (including spell check :- ) ).
Monday, October 8, 2007
Journal 2-- Why this Blog???
Hello!!
I found a blog and I’m really excited about it. I searched through google to see if I could focus in on blogs of different subject matters. It is in the category of Activism, that I found the blog http://www.ashleycecil.com/. It was perfect. The blog is unique in that it incorporates artwork within its blog. The lady who writes her blog choses different themes and experiences to touch upon social issues. Then she attaches a painting or some kind of artwork to express her concern. Whether it is about farmers rights, women's suffrage or charities, she manages show her concerns with her blog and art. I found this particularly fascinating because, for one, I like painting and expressing myself through art and for another, it is an interesting and unique way of reaching out to people about different social issues. I also think that it fits in with this class in the general theme of autobiographical expression. However it goes a step further by adding the artistic perspective to things. If you guys get a chance to take a glimpse of the blog, I think you will know what I’m talking about. It is quite nice and the art itself is really well done. (If you scroll down a bit, there is a sped up video of how she painted one piece. I thought that was really neat.)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
See you all in class,
Jana
I found a blog and I’m really excited about it. I searched through google to see if I could focus in on blogs of different subject matters. It is in the category of Activism, that I found the blog http://www.ashleycecil.com/. It was perfect. The blog is unique in that it incorporates artwork within its blog. The lady who writes her blog choses different themes and experiences to touch upon social issues. Then she attaches a painting or some kind of artwork to express her concern. Whether it is about farmers rights, women's suffrage or charities, she manages show her concerns with her blog and art. I found this particularly fascinating because, for one, I like painting and expressing myself through art and for another, it is an interesting and unique way of reaching out to people about different social issues. I also think that it fits in with this class in the general theme of autobiographical expression. However it goes a step further by adding the artistic perspective to things. If you guys get a chance to take a glimpse of the blog, I think you will know what I’m talking about. It is quite nice and the art itself is really well done. (If you scroll down a bit, there is a sped up video of how she painted one piece. I thought that was really neat.)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
See you all in class,
Jana
Sunday, September 23, 2007
About Me!
Hello everyone!
My name is Jana (pronounced Yana). I was born in former Yugoslavia and moved to Long Island NY at the age of 4 and a half. I have a younger brother who is turning 14 and has just jumped into the teenage realm. His voice has mutated over the summer and has lost his signature giggle. We live with our parents along with a silly white dog and affectionate speckled cat.
Over the years I have participated in two sports: swimming and volleyball. I was on the school's volleyball team for four years and on the club swim team for six. Along those lines, I was a swim instructor for 5 years and taught little kids (ages 5-12) for two hours every Sunday.
Last year, I got involved with the school yearbook as an editor. Even though it was time consuming, it was fantastic! Often before deadlines, I would stay after school from 3-9 working on the computer and would be the last one to leave. The experience was worth it. I got to learn how to use programs like Quark (this year they are switching to inDesign) and then I was able to use that to put together the Cinnabar Art Literary Magazine.
Art is a large part of me. I enjoy painting, drawing, layout design, sculpture and photography. I never planned on majoring in it but through the GW PAS program I will need to. Thus I am currently double majoring in the fine arts and undecided.
I love to travel. I spent two summers of high school in Serbia and Macedonia visiting family. Both summers were incredible. (For anyone wishing to travel there, check out Ohrid, the EXIT festival and the Guca festival on Google.) Last year I received my US citizenship and so I can now travel more than ever before. This summer was the best summer so far. I went on a Eurotrip with my four best friends: Shaul, Filip, Foley, and Lily. We went through France, Belgium, Germany (Lily left for Bulgaria after Germany), Italy and Austria. Then we split up, Shaul and Foley went to Poland, while Filip and I went to visit family in Serbia. Filip stayed in Beograd while I went to Novi Sad, Macedonia (Skopje) and then up to visit him before our return flight. The whole trip was five weeks long and was unforgettable!
Other than traveling and art, I enjoy watching films, doing ballroom dancing, reading and listening to all kinds of music (though I don't generally listen to country, hip hop or rap). I love Trader Joes, Photoshop, Risk, chopsticks, Scrabble, Nutella, Eddie Izzard, baklava and raving with strobe lights in the rain.
Hopefully you got a small taste of who I am, and I'll see you in UW!
The blog I will be following is "the Painting Activist
describing the world with a paintbrush" http://www.ashleycecil.com/
I thought it would be appropriate because the lady uses her paintings to touch upon social issues.
My name is Jana (pronounced Yana). I was born in former Yugoslavia and moved to Long Island NY at the age of 4 and a half. I have a younger brother who is turning 14 and has just jumped into the teenage realm. His voice has mutated over the summer and has lost his signature giggle. We live with our parents along with a silly white dog and affectionate speckled cat.
Over the years I have participated in two sports: swimming and volleyball. I was on the school's volleyball team for four years and on the club swim team for six. Along those lines, I was a swim instructor for 5 years and taught little kids (ages 5-12) for two hours every Sunday.
Last year, I got involved with the school yearbook as an editor. Even though it was time consuming, it was fantastic! Often before deadlines, I would stay after school from 3-9 working on the computer and would be the last one to leave. The experience was worth it. I got to learn how to use programs like Quark (this year they are switching to inDesign) and then I was able to use that to put together the Cinnabar Art Literary Magazine.
Art is a large part of me. I enjoy painting, drawing, layout design, sculpture and photography. I never planned on majoring in it but through the GW PAS program I will need to. Thus I am currently double majoring in the fine arts and undecided.
I love to travel. I spent two summers of high school in Serbia and Macedonia visiting family. Both summers were incredible. (For anyone wishing to travel there, check out Ohrid, the EXIT festival and the Guca festival on Google.) Last year I received my US citizenship and so I can now travel more than ever before. This summer was the best summer so far. I went on a Eurotrip with my four best friends: Shaul, Filip, Foley, and Lily. We went through France, Belgium, Germany (Lily left for Bulgaria after Germany), Italy and Austria. Then we split up, Shaul and Foley went to Poland, while Filip and I went to visit family in Serbia. Filip stayed in Beograd while I went to Novi Sad, Macedonia (Skopje) and then up to visit him before our return flight. The whole trip was five weeks long and was unforgettable!
Other than traveling and art, I enjoy watching films, doing ballroom dancing, reading and listening to all kinds of music (though I don't generally listen to country, hip hop or rap). I love Trader Joes, Photoshop, Risk, chopsticks, Scrabble, Nutella, Eddie Izzard, baklava and raving with strobe lights in the rain.
Hopefully you got a small taste of who I am, and I'll see you in UW!
The blog I will be following is "the Painting Activist
describing the world with a paintbrush" http://www.ashleycecil.com/
I thought it would be appropriate because the lady uses her paintings to touch upon social issues.
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