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Thursday, March 12, 2009
"Table of Contents"
Personal Reflection Letter
Personal Reflection Letter
Born to Joseph Dean Folden and Shelly Lynn Sarin on November 11, 1982, was a beautiful baby girl named Heather Nicole Folden. That baby girl is me, only 26 years of life experience later. Some of those life experiences include, but are not limited to, being a daughter, a mother, a partner, a sister, and a seeker of personal improvement. In 2008, on September 25th, I lost my mentor to cancer. My grandmother’s name is Ardath Lorenson. She was “a gifted writer and communicator”, as described by her survived husband. She has been one of my greatest inspirations, loudest fans, and on the day she passed away, the beginning of my journey to college began. While my family and I spent Ardath’s last days with her in the hospital, it was brought to my attention that I had a knack for nursing, as I displayed compassion and competence in what was clearly a painful time. And so it was suggested that I seek out the education necessary to become a nurse. So slowly, but surely, I took the steps of becoming an enrolled college student.
This is how I came to be in an English class that has most definitely challenged my personal thought process. Challenging my personal thought process is one of the most daunting and rewarding tasks I have ever been a part of. From feeding my local homeless community to discussing a book called “Three Cups of Tea”, I have had the privilege of practicing some principles like patience, open-mindedness, love, generosity, tolerance, and acceptance. Working with my homeless community has given me a truth that I can not ignore. That truth is that there are far too many of our brothers and sisters living on our streets just trying to survive one more night in the cold. The last thing that these people are worried about is getting a an “A” on their English paper, and that puts my petty concerns into perspective. I have learned that I do not have to agree with individual opinions or thoughts, but I do still need to show respect and compassion to people. I do not have to agree with how suggestions are given, however, I can learn from them still in order to become a better writer. There were a lot of instances throughout this class that I have felt angry, irritated, grateful and excited. I suppose though that all of the questioning that has occurred in this class has been done in the name of helping me to become a stronger writer. Sometimes becoming stronger is painful. I have been able to learn a great deal from my peers, teachers and students alike. I have been so inspired by this course to know more about what issues are influencing our society, that I have chosen to take Global Studies as one of my courses for spring quarter.
For my E-Portfolio I have chosen the following pieces to share with my reader. I have chosen to use my most recent essay, titled “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”, as my major writing assignment that best represents my ability to take a piece through the writing process. “What is Poverty” is my piece choice for sharing my ability to write effectively. “Visually He Took Me with Him”, a discussion piece from Seminar 2, displays my critical thinking and analysis abilities. “Ignorance is the Enemy” is my writer’s choice, as it was a candid sharing of my eye opening experience and the basis for my essay, “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”. I truly hope that you’ll find my e-Portfolio to be an enjoyable and informative read.
Born to Joseph Dean Folden and Shelly Lynn Sarin on November 11, 1982, was a beautiful baby girl named Heather Nicole Folden. That baby girl is me, only 26 years of life experience later. Some of those life experiences include, but are not limited to, being a daughter, a mother, a partner, a sister, and a seeker of personal improvement. In 2008, on September 25th, I lost my mentor to cancer. My grandmother’s name is Ardath Lorenson. She was “a gifted writer and communicator”, as described by her survived husband. She has been one of my greatest inspirations, loudest fans, and on the day she passed away, the beginning of my journey to college began. While my family and I spent Ardath’s last days with her in the hospital, it was brought to my attention that I had a knack for nursing, as I displayed compassion and competence in what was clearly a painful time. And so it was suggested that I seek out the education necessary to become a nurse. So slowly, but surely, I took the steps of becoming an enrolled college student.
This is how I came to be in an English class that has most definitely challenged my personal thought process. Challenging my personal thought process is one of the most daunting and rewarding tasks I have ever been a part of. From feeding my local homeless community to discussing a book called “Three Cups of Tea”, I have had the privilege of practicing some principles like patience, open-mindedness, love, generosity, tolerance, and acceptance. Working with my homeless community has given me a truth that I can not ignore. That truth is that there are far too many of our brothers and sisters living on our streets just trying to survive one more night in the cold. The last thing that these people are worried about is getting a an “A” on their English paper, and that puts my petty concerns into perspective. I have learned that I do not have to agree with individual opinions or thoughts, but I do still need to show respect and compassion to people. I do not have to agree with how suggestions are given, however, I can learn from them still in order to become a better writer. There were a lot of instances throughout this class that I have felt angry, irritated, grateful and excited. I suppose though that all of the questioning that has occurred in this class has been done in the name of helping me to become a stronger writer. Sometimes becoming stronger is painful. I have been able to learn a great deal from my peers, teachers and students alike. I have been so inspired by this course to know more about what issues are influencing our society, that I have chosen to take Global Studies as one of my courses for spring quarter.
For my E-Portfolio I have chosen the following pieces to share with my reader. I have chosen to use my most recent essay, titled “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”, as my major writing assignment that best represents my ability to take a piece through the writing process. “What is Poverty” is my piece choice for sharing my ability to write effectively. “Visually He Took Me with Him”, a discussion piece from Seminar 2, displays my critical thinking and analysis abilities. “Ignorance is the Enemy” is my writer’s choice, as it was a candid sharing of my eye opening experience and the basis for my essay, “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”. I truly hope that you’ll find my e-Portfolio to be an enjoyable and informative read.
Intro to "MWA" piece
Best demonstrates your ability to take a piece through the writing process:
In March of 2009 I wrote my persuasive essay titled, “Practice Love in Place of Hate”. Our assignment for this paper was to write a good argumentative essay that displayed my ability to demonstrate my understanding of what an argument essay is and also what the effective parts of an essay are. My thesis, “An alternative for America was, and still is, to respond through love, rather than by reacting with hate. As salvation is not delivered through hate; it is won through a practice and a pledge to love in spite of hate”, is strong for this essay and lets the reader know my viewpoint as well as what they will learn about in my essay. I supported my thesis with quotes from humanitarian, Greg Mortenson, author, Marianne Williamson, and reporter, Felina Saguil, who was my cited source from ProQuest, which was also a part of my assignment. I was able to give examples of how people can practice love in place of hate. Although there is always room for more knowledge, I definitely met the requested requirements of the assignment and I am proud of the message it carries.
In March of 2009 I wrote my persuasive essay titled, “Practice Love in Place of Hate”. Our assignment for this paper was to write a good argumentative essay that displayed my ability to demonstrate my understanding of what an argument essay is and also what the effective parts of an essay are. My thesis, “An alternative for America was, and still is, to respond through love, rather than by reacting with hate. As salvation is not delivered through hate; it is won through a practice and a pledge to love in spite of hate”, is strong for this essay and lets the reader know my viewpoint as well as what they will learn about in my essay. I supported my thesis with quotes from humanitarian, Greg Mortenson, author, Marianne Williamson, and reporter, Felina Saguil, who was my cited source from ProQuest, which was also a part of my assignment. I was able to give examples of how people can practice love in place of hate. Although there is always room for more knowledge, I definitely met the requested requirements of the assignment and I am proud of the message it carries.
"Practicing Love in Place of Hate"
Heather Folden
Professor Shen
English 98
2 March 2009
By responding to these acts of hate with equal hate and vengeance, rather than out of a place of love and improvement, a continuous slaughter of human life occurs. Horrendously, casualties of the September 11th hate crime totaled 2,974 people (Wikipedia). Since the start of the Iraq War, 2003 till present, Wikipedia reports that the lowest estimation of death tolls is at 90,805 people, and they estimate the highest loss of lives at 1,200,000. This boldly showcases how hate matched with hate can only breed more loss.
However inconceivable it may be to practice love when hate occurs, it is essential for positive progress to be made, and it is also what we teach our children. Practicing love in place of revenge is generally what people teach, starting with elementary students. For example, one might tell a child to walk away when they are hit on the playground, and to go find an adult, who can then facilitate finding the cause behind the perpetrator’s aggression . This scenario is meant to diffuse harm that might occur in the present situation, as well as the future, by simply seeking a loving path. Americans made a choice to “hit” back out of fear. Instead, a different choice could have been made to focus on positive progress to find out the cause of the extremist behavior and sequentially spending war money on education, or social improvement like health care. Although a loving path was perhaps inconceivable at the time due to searing anger, it was most likely a more productive way of saving lives in the long run.
When the towers fell, although there was a surge of love from a nation to its wounded brothers and sisters, there was a rise in hate crimes on American soil against Muslim Americans. Ignorantly, people that looked “middle-eastern” were reportedly the victims of abuse verbally, as well as physical assaults. One account includes the firebombing of a Hindu temple and the murder of a man named Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was fatally shot because of the way he looked (Wikipedia).
In contrast, the Muslim American community displayed a reaction based in love, asking for fellow Muslims to “come forward with their skills and resources to help alleviate the sufferings of the affected people and their families”. They also responded with love by way of financial donations, blood drives, providing medical assistance, food, and even residence for victims (Wikepidia).
When the Iraq War was waged, there was not enough concern given to all of the women, men, and children who would suffer the blows of America’s retaliation. Consumed by fear, a nation tragically responded with revenge, without considering how many more lives they would lose in the process, on both sides.
Marianne Williamson’s concept of love, and why it’s essential for our survival, is inspiring. She is the author of a book called “Illuminata”, in which she explains, “Hatred itself is the cancer that threatens the survival of the species”(17) and that somehow love “is considered a relevant conversation between a husband and a wife. . .but not between a government and its people. It’s fine for the bedroom but not for the classroom”(19). This truth keeps people from reaching toward a higher goal of communication and living together for the greater good of the preservation of human life. If the choice is made to continue acting and reacting out of hate, rather than striving to practice the principle of love, even in the most inconceivable and difficult moments, the human race has the capacity to simply wipe itself from the face of the earth. Greg Mortenson, author and humanitarian, expresses this very sentiment in his book, “Three Cups of Tea”, when he says, “If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs”(301). An expression of love by way of educating people is definitely a good start in preserving human kind.
Any act of good, concern, generosity, pardon, or forgiveness, springs from the principle of love. Practicing love is feasible in all our affairs. By people forgiving their wives and husbands after an argument, or showing pardon by letting that guy in traffic merge ahead of us, or by laughing at our child dumping spaghetti over her head for the hundredth time, rather than being irritated or staying angry, we are practicing love.
Practicing love on a global scale might come across as overwhelming, however it is this very action that will change our future from one of war to one of peace. On a global scale the foundation of love can be built by making an effort to understand where we may be of service. An example of this is shared by Greg Mortenson, while participating in a Borders Book Club discussion, where he talks about how much it meant for impoverished children in Pakistan to receive pen-pal letters from American children. As they have never received a “gift”, the kind gesture is very valuable to them. Although it may seem like an insignificant action to some, it is love being expressed. And when love is shown, changes can occur. By reaching out across our borders to offer friendship to people across the world, a different future course can be mapped for our world.
When we attempt to love in spite of fear, lives can be saved, and even the most horrific acts can be overcome. Felina Saguil, a reporter, states that, “Sooner or later, you will discover that real success is to be found in loving relationships. . .with your family, friends, strangers, and anyone who crosses your path. . . What lasts is love”(Filipino Reporter). Felina, a supporter of finding love in all situations, makes a strong case for love by stating that “anyone” crossing our path is an opportunity to practice the principle of love. By responding to the events in our life, whether small or large, with love rather than hate, we are in fact successful.
In the end, as human beings we have choices to practice love in place of hate, even when our knee jerk reactions might be to just “hit” back. Americans as a nation have reacted to terror out of fear, rather than respond out of love, thus leading to more death and hate. However, as individuals, the pledge to grow in love can be made through our interpersonal relationships. Try to imagine the world’s religious leaders, sitting around a table playing poker, laughing, happy, and talking about love. Isn’t love what they all teach at the end of the day, anyways?
Works Cited
Mortenson, Greg. Three Cups of Tea. USA: Penguin, 2006.
Williamson, Marianne. Illuminata. New York: Random, 1994.
Saguil, Felina. “Success takes many aspects” Filipino Reporter 6-12 February 2009: Vol. 37, Iss. 9; pg. 29, 1 pgs. ProQuest News & Magazines. ProQuest. Everett Community College, Everett, WA, CO. 28 Feb. 2009
Professor Shen
English 98
2 March 2009
Practice Love in Place of Hate
People falling to their deaths from over a thousand feet above ground, forced to plummet to their death, be burned alive or suffocated because of one groups decision to hate. America was rocked on September 11, 2001 when terrorists took over commercial flights, steering them directly into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, as well as the nations Pentagon, striking fear and rage into the hearts of Americans. This hateful atrocity sparked embers of hate and outrage in the hearts of Americans, as a way to atone for the monumental loss so many endured that fateful September day. Deciding that an “eye for an eye” was the best course of action in defending our nation, war on “who” was not yet clear and still it became inevitable. An alternative for America was, and still is, to respond through love, rather than by reacting with hate. As salvation is not delivered through hate; it is won through a practice and a pledge to love in spite of hate.
By responding to these acts of hate with equal hate and vengeance, rather than out of a place of love and improvement, a continuous slaughter of human life occurs. Horrendously, casualties of the September 11th hate crime totaled 2,974 people (Wikipedia). Since the start of the Iraq War, 2003 till present, Wikipedia reports that the lowest estimation of death tolls is at 90,805 people, and they estimate the highest loss of lives at 1,200,000. This boldly showcases how hate matched with hate can only breed more loss.
However inconceivable it may be to practice love when hate occurs, it is essential for positive progress to be made, and it is also what we teach our children. Practicing love in place of revenge is generally what people teach, starting with elementary students. For example, one might tell a child to walk away when they are hit on the playground, and to go find an adult, who can then facilitate finding the cause behind the perpetrator’s aggression . This scenario is meant to diffuse harm that might occur in the present situation, as well as the future, by simply seeking a loving path. Americans made a choice to “hit” back out of fear. Instead, a different choice could have been made to focus on positive progress to find out the cause of the extremist behavior and sequentially spending war money on education, or social improvement like health care. Although a loving path was perhaps inconceivable at the time due to searing anger, it was most likely a more productive way of saving lives in the long run.
When the towers fell, although there was a surge of love from a nation to its wounded brothers and sisters, there was a rise in hate crimes on American soil against Muslim Americans. Ignorantly, people that looked “middle-eastern” were reportedly the victims of abuse verbally, as well as physical assaults. One account includes the firebombing of a Hindu temple and the murder of a man named Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was fatally shot because of the way he looked (Wikipedia).
In contrast, the Muslim American community displayed a reaction based in love, asking for fellow Muslims to “come forward with their skills and resources to help alleviate the sufferings of the affected people and their families”. They also responded with love by way of financial donations, blood drives, providing medical assistance, food, and even residence for victims (Wikepidia).
When the Iraq War was waged, there was not enough concern given to all of the women, men, and children who would suffer the blows of America’s retaliation. Consumed by fear, a nation tragically responded with revenge, without considering how many more lives they would lose in the process, on both sides.
Marianne Williamson’s concept of love, and why it’s essential for our survival, is inspiring. She is the author of a book called “Illuminata”, in which she explains, “Hatred itself is the cancer that threatens the survival of the species”(17) and that somehow love “is considered a relevant conversation between a husband and a wife. . .but not between a government and its people. It’s fine for the bedroom but not for the classroom”(19). This truth keeps people from reaching toward a higher goal of communication and living together for the greater good of the preservation of human life. If the choice is made to continue acting and reacting out of hate, rather than striving to practice the principle of love, even in the most inconceivable and difficult moments, the human race has the capacity to simply wipe itself from the face of the earth. Greg Mortenson, author and humanitarian, expresses this very sentiment in his book, “Three Cups of Tea”, when he says, “If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs”(301). An expression of love by way of educating people is definitely a good start in preserving human kind.
Any act of good, concern, generosity, pardon, or forgiveness, springs from the principle of love. Practicing love is feasible in all our affairs. By people forgiving their wives and husbands after an argument, or showing pardon by letting that guy in traffic merge ahead of us, or by laughing at our child dumping spaghetti over her head for the hundredth time, rather than being irritated or staying angry, we are practicing love.
Practicing love on a global scale might come across as overwhelming, however it is this very action that will change our future from one of war to one of peace. On a global scale the foundation of love can be built by making an effort to understand where we may be of service. An example of this is shared by Greg Mortenson, while participating in a Borders Book Club discussion, where he talks about how much it meant for impoverished children in Pakistan to receive pen-pal letters from American children. As they have never received a “gift”, the kind gesture is very valuable to them. Although it may seem like an insignificant action to some, it is love being expressed. And when love is shown, changes can occur. By reaching out across our borders to offer friendship to people across the world, a different future course can be mapped for our world.
When we attempt to love in spite of fear, lives can be saved, and even the most horrific acts can be overcome. Felina Saguil, a reporter, states that, “Sooner or later, you will discover that real success is to be found in loving relationships. . .with your family, friends, strangers, and anyone who crosses your path. . . What lasts is love”(Filipino Reporter). Felina, a supporter of finding love in all situations, makes a strong case for love by stating that “anyone” crossing our path is an opportunity to practice the principle of love. By responding to the events in our life, whether small or large, with love rather than hate, we are in fact successful.
In the end, as human beings we have choices to practice love in place of hate, even when our knee jerk reactions might be to just “hit” back. Americans as a nation have reacted to terror out of fear, rather than respond out of love, thus leading to more death and hate. However, as individuals, the pledge to grow in love can be made through our interpersonal relationships. Try to imagine the world’s religious leaders, sitting around a table playing poker, laughing, happy, and talking about love. Isn’t love what they all teach at the end of the day, anyways?
Works Cited
Mortenson, Greg. Three Cups of Tea. USA: Penguin, 2006.
Williamson, Marianne. Illuminata. New York: Random, 1994.
Saguil, Felina. “Success takes many aspects” Filipino Reporter 6-12 February 2009: Vol. 37, Iss. 9; pg. 29, 1 pgs. ProQuest News & Magazines. ProQuest. Everett Community College, Everett, WA, CO. 28 Feb. 2009
Intro to "Effective Writing" piece
Best demonstrates your ability to write effectively:
My ability to write effectively using an academic voice and a lively style is displayed in my piece “A Better Understanding”, written on February 10,2009. The original assignment was to write an objective summary, as well as a personal reflection, on the essay, “What is Poverty”. My objectivity and overall summary is strong. For example, when I write, “Foul smelling, malnourished, and full of hopelessness at her situation, this woman describes in detail why life is this way for her” I speak straight to the heart of the story. I show my lively style when I say, “ The realities depicted in this story could only have sprung from a woman's heart who has felt the searing burn of poverty's torture. Any mother reading her description of the condition she found her children in most probably felt vomit rise up in their throats at such a horror.”
My ability to write effectively using an academic voice and a lively style is displayed in my piece “A Better Understanding”, written on February 10,2009. The original assignment was to write an objective summary, as well as a personal reflection, on the essay, “What is Poverty”. My objectivity and overall summary is strong. For example, when I write, “Foul smelling, malnourished, and full of hopelessness at her situation, this woman describes in detail why life is this way for her” I speak straight to the heart of the story. I show my lively style when I say, “ The realities depicted in this story could only have sprung from a woman's heart who has felt the searing burn of poverty's torture. Any mother reading her description of the condition she found her children in most probably felt vomit rise up in their throats at such a horror.”
"A Better Understanding"
In the essay "What is Poverty", mystery author Jo Goodwin Parker accounts a personal story of what herself and her three children experience as a poverty stricken family and gives us a glimpse into the past that's brought her here. Foul smelling, malnourished, and full of hopelessness at her situation, this woman describes in detail why life is this way for her. After swallowing her pride to ask for help at a local government agency and being passed around like a hot potato, Jo finally receives some relief in the form of seventy-eight dollars a month, which is intended to care for her family of four. Touching on the cost of child care and her horrifying experience with a sitter that cost any less, Jo answers any questions one might have as to why she doesn't do something. We learn about the price she must pay in simply getting a ride to town, by a neighbor man who expects money or sexual favors and who sits in self righteousness when discussing the poverty stricken, immoral mothers who ask for government assistance. She shares still, after her painful account, of her dream for a brighter future, one in which hand cream and health care is no longer out of reach.
The realities depicted in this story could only have sprung from a woman's heart who has felt the searing burn of poverty's torture. Any mother reading her description of the condition she found her children in most probably felt vomit rise up in their throats at such a horror. Not to mention the utter since of despair one would feel at not being able to afford going to work. This is a truth that I have faced, that the cost of childcare can't always be off set by a persons income. This woman has learned how to live in unbearable filth, making great sacrifices in ways of neglecting her body, as well as her childrens' bodies, just to survive. Still, her obvious ability to be a coherent mother, shown in her watching that the flames don't catch on the newspaper coated walls to protect her children is the hope I found in this story. What makes a human being so marvelous is that beautiful, enduring ache a person feels in response to their child. She inspires me to hold a different understanding for what a person can experience, for though I have felt poverty, I have lived in city that has blessed and afforded me with support and opportunity and I have never had to go through anything so heartbreaking as this woman.
The realities depicted in this story could only have sprung from a woman's heart who has felt the searing burn of poverty's torture. Any mother reading her description of the condition she found her children in most probably felt vomit rise up in their throats at such a horror. Not to mention the utter since of despair one would feel at not being able to afford going to work. This is a truth that I have faced, that the cost of childcare can't always be off set by a persons income. This woman has learned how to live in unbearable filth, making great sacrifices in ways of neglecting her body, as well as her childrens' bodies, just to survive. Still, her obvious ability to be a coherent mother, shown in her watching that the flames don't catch on the newspaper coated walls to protect her children is the hope I found in this story. What makes a human being so marvelous is that beautiful, enduring ache a person feels in response to their child. She inspires me to hold a different understanding for what a person can experience, for though I have felt poverty, I have lived in city that has blessed and afforded me with support and opportunity and I have never had to go through anything so heartbreaking as this woman.
Intro to "Critical Analysis" piece
Best demonstrates your ability to write analytically:
For my third piece I chose to use “Visually He Took Me with Him”, a course discussion from Seminar 2, written on January 20, 2009. This piece is representative of my ability to write analytically in my responses to the quotes I have chosen to use. I analyze Mortenson’s nagging doubt that he talks about having had and also how he carries on with his work regardless when I say, “We are equally capable of achieving the unachievable. No one is exempt from this”. Here I show my critical thinking skills in depicting a message out of what I have read. Again, when Norberg-Hodge says, “I passively accepted a new road through the middle of a park, a steel-and-glass bank where a 200-year-old church had stood. . .and the fact that life seemed to get harder and faster with each day”. I tie this statement in to a previous conversation had between myself and a fellow student were we discussed how America’s internal structure was so much better equipped to handle supporting its citizens experiencing financial strife, but that perhaps America was still “missing” the mark in other aspects. This is also synthesis.
For my third piece I chose to use “Visually He Took Me with Him”, a course discussion from Seminar 2, written on January 20, 2009. This piece is representative of my ability to write analytically in my responses to the quotes I have chosen to use. I analyze Mortenson’s nagging doubt that he talks about having had and also how he carries on with his work regardless when I say, “We are equally capable of achieving the unachievable. No one is exempt from this”. Here I show my critical thinking skills in depicting a message out of what I have read. Again, when Norberg-Hodge says, “I passively accepted a new road through the middle of a park, a steel-and-glass bank where a 200-year-old church had stood. . .and the fact that life seemed to get harder and faster with each day”. I tie this statement in to a previous conversation had between myself and a fellow student were we discussed how America’s internal structure was so much better equipped to handle supporting its citizens experiencing financial strife, but that perhaps America was still “missing” the mark in other aspects. This is also synthesis.
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