My sister finally left for Germany. Her being home for two months I was awaiting for her to leave. However, the second she left and I realized my room was to myself, and that I wouldn’t be able to get in any fights with her I became saddened. It hit me ten minutes after she left. I was very shocked. I felt so scared, and I really wanted her to come back home. She was always on my mind. I didn’t even imagine this to happen.
The first phone call the family hears of her, she is refusing to unpack and hates it in Germany. When I heard this I was terrified. I didn’t know who she was with, was she alone, I didn’t know if she was safe. It was the most unexplainable subject in my life I had ever been prone to. The whole day my family was talking about it and were always teasing me Amy will have her room back. Yes that immediately came to my head, but in the sense I don’t care if she comes back. I want her to do what she wants to do. She knows the importance of earning an education in Germany, that all I wanted was for her to be happy.
Finally, orientation began and she met people. She also got her lap top hooked up. She felt a lot better. It was awesome being able to talk to her on the internet. With the whole time difference and her panic the pricey phone calls were just tedious in waiting for a call. It was so unsure. The second she hooked up to the internet everyone in my house turned happy. My parents looked at her pictures online, and my sisters and I were instant messaging her. It was a joyous experience. One where I realized how important technology is for it provides communication that could be impossible if it weren’t available for people. The internet has saved a lot of stress for my family, and it is important to be able to interact with my sister.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Blog 9= Going to Europe
My sister finally left for Germany. Her being home for two months I was awaiting for her to leave. However, the second she left and I realized my room was to myself, and that I wouldn’t be able to get in any fights with her I became saddened. It hit me ten minutes after she left. I was very shocked. I felt so scared, and I really wanted her to come back home. She was always on my mind. I didn’t even imagine this to happen.
The first phone call the family hears of her, she is refusing to unpack and hates it in Germany. When I heard this I was terrified. I didn’t know who she was with, was she alone, I didn’t know if she was safe. It was the most unexplainable subject in my life I had ever been prone to. The whole day my family was talking about it and were always teasing me Amy will have her room back. Yes that immediately came to my head, but in the sense I don’t care if she comes back. I want her to do what she wants to do. She knows the importance of earning an education in Germany, that all I wanted was for her to be happy.
Finally, orientation began and she met people. She also got her lap top hooked up. She felt a lot better. It was awesome being able to talk to her on the internet. With the whole time difference and her panic the pricey phone calls were just tedious in waiting for a call. It was so unsure. The second she hooked up to the internet everyone in my house turned happy. My parents looked at her pictures online, and my sisters and I were instant messaging her. It was a joyous experience. One where I realized how important technology is for it provides communication that could be impossible if it weren’t available for people. The internet has saved a lot of stress for my family, and it is important to be able to interact with my sister.
The first phone call the family hears of her, she is refusing to unpack and hates it in Germany. When I heard this I was terrified. I didn’t know who she was with, was she alone, I didn’t know if she was safe. It was the most unexplainable subject in my life I had ever been prone to. The whole day my family was talking about it and were always teasing me Amy will have her room back. Yes that immediately came to my head, but in the sense I don’t care if she comes back. I want her to do what she wants to do. She knows the importance of earning an education in Germany, that all I wanted was for her to be happy.
Finally, orientation began and she met people. She also got her lap top hooked up. She felt a lot better. It was awesome being able to talk to her on the internet. With the whole time difference and her panic the pricey phone calls were just tedious in waiting for a call. It was so unsure. The second she hooked up to the internet everyone in my house turned happy. My parents looked at her pictures online, and my sisters and I were instant messaging her. It was a joyous experience. One where I realized how important technology is for it provides communication that could be impossible if it weren’t available for people. The internet has saved a lot of stress for my family, and it is important to be able to interact with my sister.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Blog 8= Power of Music
Sitting at my computer I was trying to think about what to write for my next blog entry. As I sat there doing a different assignment listening to my IPOD I realized music is a means of communication that I definitely could easily relate to. I thought about the many different ways I use music in a way of communicating with others.
To begin with, listening to music with friends and just singing along to words that are probably not right, lead to growing bonds with friends. The true friends that I have are the ones that I can sing out loud and in my friends’ heads sing obnoxiously with. Those friends that I can sing obnoxiously to are the ones that I best communicate with. They are the ones that I turn to when I need guidance in my life. Also, those same friends are the ones that will go to the concert with me and make memories that will last forever.
Coming from a large family there is always different tastes in music amongst my parents, brothers, and sisters. Fortunately, my mom likes a variety of music, so if I want to listen to what I like she will also like it. However, when my dad is in the car, all of my brothers and sisters know that music will not even be heard, but instead the sports station will be on. He cannot stand any of the music that teenagers listen to. Then, there is a huge fight between the siblings. Some like country, some like rap, there is always an argument. Although, those little arguments build us closer to one another because we learn to communicate and compromise in order to make everyone happy. Before one knows it everyone in the car is singing and having a good old time. To bad the voices of my family overpower the song.
It’s amazing how music tells people a lot about peoples relationships with other people. Listening to music is a very relaxing activity and sharing it with people significant in my life is important. I know then that I am in a comfortable situation.
To begin with, listening to music with friends and just singing along to words that are probably not right, lead to growing bonds with friends. The true friends that I have are the ones that I can sing out loud and in my friends’ heads sing obnoxiously with. Those friends that I can sing obnoxiously to are the ones that I best communicate with. They are the ones that I turn to when I need guidance in my life. Also, those same friends are the ones that will go to the concert with me and make memories that will last forever.
Coming from a large family there is always different tastes in music amongst my parents, brothers, and sisters. Fortunately, my mom likes a variety of music, so if I want to listen to what I like she will also like it. However, when my dad is in the car, all of my brothers and sisters know that music will not even be heard, but instead the sports station will be on. He cannot stand any of the music that teenagers listen to. Then, there is a huge fight between the siblings. Some like country, some like rap, there is always an argument. Although, those little arguments build us closer to one another because we learn to communicate and compromise in order to make everyone happy. Before one knows it everyone in the car is singing and having a good old time. To bad the voices of my family overpower the song.
It’s amazing how music tells people a lot about peoples relationships with other people. Listening to music is a very relaxing activity and sharing it with people significant in my life is important. I know then that I am in a comfortable situation.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Blog 7= Yelling
Yelling! Yelling! Yelling! If that doesn’t grab someone’s attention then I don’t know what does. However, in yelling people don’t hold a civilized conversation. I don’t understand why people yell. Do they think they are getting their point across? Do they think yelling is a way of persuasion? Do they think that people are going to be influenced by feeling beaten up inside? Yelling in my belief is one of the most hurtful things to do to someone.
Everyone has experienced yelling at someone before in their life, or being yelled at. In the end, is the yelling worth it? I always feel really down after being yelled at. It seems to me I always get yelled at from people by trying to do something for them and maybe having a very small flaw in the process. It really upsets me. My only intention is to do my best and be helpful to others, but is it necessary to yell. Just the raising of someone’s voice scares me, it more than likely brings me to tears. I just don’t understand the purpose of yelling. Those who frequently do it are just rude.
The person with the real issue is the person doing the yelling. They are the ones stressed out and only see people as a means of taking out the stress. At home with a lot of brothers and sisters I see this happen often. My sister who is all stressed out because she is going to Germany is very stressed out and is always yelling and complaining at people. Also, my parents will be upset with one of my siblings, and then go and take it out on a different sibling. The person who didn’t even do anything is the one suffering. Yelling is unfair and degrading to people, people should avoid yelling at others.
Everyone has experienced yelling at someone before in their life, or being yelled at. In the end, is the yelling worth it? I always feel really down after being yelled at. It seems to me I always get yelled at from people by trying to do something for them and maybe having a very small flaw in the process. It really upsets me. My only intention is to do my best and be helpful to others, but is it necessary to yell. Just the raising of someone’s voice scares me, it more than likely brings me to tears. I just don’t understand the purpose of yelling. Those who frequently do it are just rude.
The person with the real issue is the person doing the yelling. They are the ones stressed out and only see people as a means of taking out the stress. At home with a lot of brothers and sisters I see this happen often. My sister who is all stressed out because she is going to Germany is very stressed out and is always yelling and complaining at people. Also, my parents will be upset with one of my siblings, and then go and take it out on a different sibling. The person who didn’t even do anything is the one suffering. Yelling is unfair and degrading to people, people should avoid yelling at others.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Blog 6=How Will I Know
With massive amounts of snow, comes every student, no matter what the age is, one dream: Snow Day! However, being a commuter student the anticipation of checking the news to see if school is closed or getting a call from the school system is lost. Instead, I had to search in all different areas at 5:45 in the morning to see if school was canceled. The reason for having to do this so early is because I am a commuter to school. I wanted to make sure school wasn’t cancelled before I made the hour long commute downtown.
Early this morning, I saw a major lack of communication for students at DePaul. I had no idea to figure out if school was possibly cancelled. I checked the DePaul homepage, blackboard, campus connect, my e-mail, and even searched through links on those pages. I felt like there were no communication lines available. Then I started thinking about the services that would be open at 5:45 in the morning. I knew there wasn’t much to choose from. All of the buildings tend to open at 8:00 A.M., and by then it would be too late. I was weary, but I decided to call Public Safety. I didn’t want to do this because there was no emergency, but my mom convinced me that it was fine. Public Safety was very helpful, and gave me a quick answer and even gave me alternate ways of finding out this type of information.
I was very upset to see that DePaul had no solution for me. To better the system for cases of this sort on the DePaul homepage there should be a link always there saying that school is in effect or not in effect for that day, and give reasons for school not being in effect. Or the school should have some sort of message sent out, or telephone system to better communicate with students. Today, the commute wasn’t that bad, but it was definitely unsafe conditions on the streets. As I sat on the El I realized, DePaul stresses public transportation there is no way we are going to have a snow day today, and for that matter ever!!!
Early this morning, I saw a major lack of communication for students at DePaul. I had no idea to figure out if school was possibly cancelled. I checked the DePaul homepage, blackboard, campus connect, my e-mail, and even searched through links on those pages. I felt like there were no communication lines available. Then I started thinking about the services that would be open at 5:45 in the morning. I knew there wasn’t much to choose from. All of the buildings tend to open at 8:00 A.M., and by then it would be too late. I was weary, but I decided to call Public Safety. I didn’t want to do this because there was no emergency, but my mom convinced me that it was fine. Public Safety was very helpful, and gave me a quick answer and even gave me alternate ways of finding out this type of information.
I was very upset to see that DePaul had no solution for me. To better the system for cases of this sort on the DePaul homepage there should be a link always there saying that school is in effect or not in effect for that day, and give reasons for school not being in effect. Or the school should have some sort of message sent out, or telephone system to better communicate with students. Today, the commute wasn’t that bad, but it was definitely unsafe conditions on the streets. As I sat on the El I realized, DePaul stresses public transportation there is no way we are going to have a snow day today, and for that matter ever!!!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Blog 5= Power of Silence
Why is it that people constantly question other people? Why is it that those same people feel they have the power to retrieve an answer? My answer to any question from someone who thinks they have power over me and doesn’t is plainly silence. Silence to me is the only treatment one can give someone to avoid confrontation. Although, no words are being spoken silence is still a form of communication.
When someone is being rude to me or trying to be nosey about my business, I generally respond with no response. I feel that if one just ignores someone and walks away it says a lot more than arguing and yelling about something that shows no meaning. In being silent, the person looking for the argument realizes this person isn’t going to give me attention and just become annoyed. For they annoy me when they question me, I return the favor by walking away.
People that do not deserve an answer due to their way of going about a situation will not receive an argument for me. For I think answering to them is just stepping down to their level. They know where they stand with me when I am silent to them. I know it kills them inside. It kills them just as bad as it kills me that they are asking me of my every move. Before when I used to just come up with comebacks and ways to fire back with an argument I was always miserable and stressed out. I hated yelling. It made me look like the bad guy.
People are always trying to get into my business. I used to be very bothered by this. I would always try to come up with different ways I could make them mad; however, these were usually acts of immaturity. In finding a means of communication that is stress free I found being silent as the only answer. I feel like I have succeeded when I just walk away from a situation without a word spoken.
When someone is being rude to me or trying to be nosey about my business, I generally respond with no response. I feel that if one just ignores someone and walks away it says a lot more than arguing and yelling about something that shows no meaning. In being silent, the person looking for the argument realizes this person isn’t going to give me attention and just become annoyed. For they annoy me when they question me, I return the favor by walking away.
People that do not deserve an answer due to their way of going about a situation will not receive an argument for me. For I think answering to them is just stepping down to their level. They know where they stand with me when I am silent to them. I know it kills them inside. It kills them just as bad as it kills me that they are asking me of my every move. Before when I used to just come up with comebacks and ways to fire back with an argument I was always miserable and stressed out. I hated yelling. It made me look like the bad guy.
People are always trying to get into my business. I used to be very bothered by this. I would always try to come up with different ways I could make them mad; however, these were usually acts of immaturity. In finding a means of communication that is stress free I found being silent as the only answer. I feel like I have succeeded when I just walk away from a situation without a word spoken.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Blog 4= Computers and Communication
From generation to generation the way people communicate changes tremendously. My grandparents use to always write letters, or even make personal visits that were sometimes lengthy trips for the day. My parents depended on the telephone. Today, I depend on the internet for communication. It is interesting to see this vast change in the means of communication overtime.
About a couple times a month, my dad will always ask me to look online to find something for him. Sometimes this could be annoying, but more so I find it interesting how the internet is not what is familiar to him. He wasn’t raised on the internet. Its weird how through the invention of technology, like phones and computers, make such a drastic change in the way people communicate.
Today, my siblings and my friends we use instant messaging to chat with friends, and e-mail. Just today I was thinking about all of my e-mails from teachers at school. I was just amazed. I wonder how professors use to contact their students when computers and the internet didn’t exist. I love being able to contact whom ever I want right at my fingertips. Through college I have taken advantage of this quite a bit.
I do wish though those computers weren’t so influential in people’s lifestyles. I wish I had what my grandparents had. For example, to just walk a mile to visit someone and talk would be ideal for me. Also, my sisters all they do is sit on the Internet. I don’t like this because they abuse the advantages of having computers. If it weren’t for Myspace they would be lost.
It’s interesting to see how with the introduction of technology, customs of the means of peoples communication changes. It’s weird how some means of communication would be favorable for me that was of generations years ago.
About a couple times a month, my dad will always ask me to look online to find something for him. Sometimes this could be annoying, but more so I find it interesting how the internet is not what is familiar to him. He wasn’t raised on the internet. Its weird how through the invention of technology, like phones and computers, make such a drastic change in the way people communicate.
Today, my siblings and my friends we use instant messaging to chat with friends, and e-mail. Just today I was thinking about all of my e-mails from teachers at school. I was just amazed. I wonder how professors use to contact their students when computers and the internet didn’t exist. I love being able to contact whom ever I want right at my fingertips. Through college I have taken advantage of this quite a bit.
I do wish though those computers weren’t so influential in people’s lifestyles. I wish I had what my grandparents had. For example, to just walk a mile to visit someone and talk would be ideal for me. Also, my sisters all they do is sit on the Internet. I don’t like this because they abuse the advantages of having computers. If it weren’t for Myspace they would be lost.
It’s interesting to see how with the introduction of technology, customs of the means of peoples communication changes. It’s weird how some means of communication would be favorable for me that was of generations years ago.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Blog 3 = Making a Big Deal
Do you ever wonder if what is bothering you most is important, or should be talked about? Do you ever think, I shouldn’t even bother with this because it will only make things worse in a relationship? Constantly, I get this feeling towards my boyfriend. I am always upset or bothered by little occurrences that are just assumptions. I hate having to bring them up because I don’t want him to get frustrated and sick of my complaining. I know that nothing would come between us, but then why do I always get these feelings? I could tell my best friends in the whole world how mad I am at him, but that doesn’t change the feeling in my stomach. The only way that feeling goes away is if I tell him. Good now that feeling has escaped and I am not stressed out, but then I just see this disappointed look on his face. I always get the same reaction. The poor guy is always telling me to not make a big deal about the small stuff, but it is so hard because it ruins everything else in my life because I am in a very bad mood.
Through the course of this year I have mainly experienced this. I have learnt that this is a key part to language. One of the hardest things for me to do is to communicate my feelings and that is crucial in being open, and having a good language in the relationship. Also, I have learnt that speaking clearly and using a language that both people of the relationship respect will save one from having these little occurrences of annoyance. The more and more I think about the things that bother me and disappoint me about him, the more I think about how language is an important factor. Tone is a key part in knowing whether he is happy or not, and this has helped me fight through the little annoyances and forget about telling him of them. As I think about language my relationship with my boyfriend improves.
Through the course of this year I have mainly experienced this. I have learnt that this is a key part to language. One of the hardest things for me to do is to communicate my feelings and that is crucial in being open, and having a good language in the relationship. Also, I have learnt that speaking clearly and using a language that both people of the relationship respect will save one from having these little occurrences of annoyance. The more and more I think about the things that bother me and disappoint me about him, the more I think about how language is an important factor. Tone is a key part in knowing whether he is happy or not, and this has helped me fight through the little annoyances and forget about telling him of them. As I think about language my relationship with my boyfriend improves.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Blog 2= Speaking a Different Language
Having seven brothers and sisters it could get a little hectic at the house. I am the second oldest so there are a lot of younger ones. My older sister goes to Illinois State University and I commute to DePaul so it is nice to be able to have my room all to myself while she is at school. However, she is home this semester because she is going to Germany at the end of February and can’t start a new semester at ISU. As she gets ready for school, yes as early as January, I have learnt a little bit about language.
My sister is going to Germany as a requirement for majoring in German Education. She wants to become a German teacher. The more I think about it the more I am amazed by the whole situation. I can’t believe that she is going to be living in a foreign country for three months, and on top of it speaking a foreign language everyday. This just astonishes me. I took four years of German in high school and I understood it very well, but I was never really passionate about it. It had its difficulties, and I wonder to myself that must be difficult to teach high school students a foreign language. I never really was affected by it though. However, now my sister will be speaking German all the time. It will be like a second language to her. It is unbelievable how someone can learn a totally different language and then teach it. I always thought of language as the words one said growing up. The language that was normal, everyone else was speaking. It’s more than that though.
As I watch my sister prepare to get a better understanding of the German language with real life experience, I realize just how unique culture really is. It will be very interesting to learn about the culture of a different country from my sister’s perspective. I hope to even get a chance to visit her in Germany. I wonder what it will be like in July when she gets home. My little, four year old brother will probably be bilingual because she will always be speaking German. I think that is wonderful that someone has the opportunity to speak a different language.
My sister is going to Germany as a requirement for majoring in German Education. She wants to become a German teacher. The more I think about it the more I am amazed by the whole situation. I can’t believe that she is going to be living in a foreign country for three months, and on top of it speaking a foreign language everyday. This just astonishes me. I took four years of German in high school and I understood it very well, but I was never really passionate about it. It had its difficulties, and I wonder to myself that must be difficult to teach high school students a foreign language. I never really was affected by it though. However, now my sister will be speaking German all the time. It will be like a second language to her. It is unbelievable how someone can learn a totally different language and then teach it. I always thought of language as the words one said growing up. The language that was normal, everyone else was speaking. It’s more than that though.
As I watch my sister prepare to get a better understanding of the German language with real life experience, I realize just how unique culture really is. It will be very interesting to learn about the culture of a different country from my sister’s perspective. I hope to even get a chance to visit her in Germany. I wonder what it will be like in July when she gets home. My little, four year old brother will probably be bilingual because she will always be speaking German. I think that is wonderful that someone has the opportunity to speak a different language.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Blog 1= Communication
Communication has played a role in people’s everyday lives since they were born. Parents would talk to their newborn, and the newborn would just sit there. However, it felt like a long conversation because the parent didn’t expect a reply. Sometimes a giggle was the only expectation of the parent. Soon the child was able to talk and it was a milestone. Although, as the child gets older the parent wishes that he or she didn’t talk. As people grow up the importance of language and speaking clearly becomes more serious. As adults look to work it is necessary for them to have good communication skills.
When applying for a job communication is crucial when it comes to being interviewed. One’s future boss is mainly looking at the way one carries oneself. When discussion is poor, or even their etiquette the boss is distracted by the traits the qualify one for the job. Yet he sees a huge disadvantage to one’s communication skills. Communication skills are closely looked upon when hiring people.
Comfortable and open is what bosses wish upon their employees. They want their employees to communicate when ever there is an issue. Bosses won’t see all activity going on in the workplace that is why they look for people with good communication skills. Bosses want to know if someone is stealing, if someone is cheating, if inappropriate behavior is taking place, and of issues interfering with work. With a lack of communication the business isn’t functioning at its full potential.
Through one’s life communication plays a crucial role. When growing up parents rely on their child communicating with them, throughout the teenage years friends look for communication amongst one another, and businesses turn to communication when hiring people. Language is crucial in one’s everyday life, and it is interesting that it changes who it affects most overtime.
When applying for a job communication is crucial when it comes to being interviewed. One’s future boss is mainly looking at the way one carries oneself. When discussion is poor, or even their etiquette the boss is distracted by the traits the qualify one for the job. Yet he sees a huge disadvantage to one’s communication skills. Communication skills are closely looked upon when hiring people.
Comfortable and open is what bosses wish upon their employees. They want their employees to communicate when ever there is an issue. Bosses won’t see all activity going on in the workplace that is why they look for people with good communication skills. Bosses want to know if someone is stealing, if someone is cheating, if inappropriate behavior is taking place, and of issues interfering with work. With a lack of communication the business isn’t functioning at its full potential.
Through one’s life communication plays a crucial role. When growing up parents rely on their child communicating with them, throughout the teenage years friends look for communication amongst one another, and businesses turn to communication when hiring people. Language is crucial in one’s everyday life, and it is interesting that it changes who it affects most overtime.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
First Post for English
Hi my name is Amy. I am a commuter to DePaul University. Friends and family are really important to me and I like being at home. I have seven brothers and sisters. So far college is awesome. Last semester I went three days a week and now I only go two days a week.
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