Reflection Letter

I have found who I am through this first year of college. My name is David Chitwood, but I go by my middle name Mitchel. I have found that my true self is that I am a follower of Jesus Christ and nothing can ruin this. This first year of college has been a struggle, but with my faith in Him I can do all things. What would someone need to know about me before reading my works? I always stay true to myself. I stay strong to my opinions, but I am open to hearing others’ as well. My opinions will play an important role in my education. I have three major career goals for my life, and these goals are: a counterterrorism analyst, senator of Washington, and President of the United States. Not only will my opinions play an important role; being myself, the person God made me, will also be just as important.

This quarter has been different then the last two quarters. I have grown in understanding the terms of community, identity, and tradition. These traits play an important role in our every day lives. In the identity unit, I was able to be myself and analyze myself. Like I have said many times before, I am a believer that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day to conquer death so that I can have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Then moving into the community unit it was a struggle. I am still trying to comprehend “community”. Being a runner for the last seven years, I have run into the running community. This helped me form the conclusion that community is a group of people who have similar likes and dislikes representing those likes and dislikes. Moving into the tradition unit, I felt this could have been the hardest for me…especially when I decided to write about family time for my tradition essay. My family doesn’t have any family time and it hurts me emotionally, but it is fact that the DVR has brought my family together and brings back the tradition of watching family shows and movies.

For the intermission unit, I chose to watch the film Rabbit Proof Fence. This movie represented many different issues and traits, but the one trait that stood out to me was courage. The girls are almost home and the tracker is getting closer to finding them when he then comes across the girls’ mother. The tracker has a gun in hand and the mother has a spear in her hand. The mother begins walking closer to the man threatening to stab him with the spear. The tracker then stumbles over bushes as he tries to back away and eventually runs off. This showed me that no matter who you are, you can take a stand and make a difference.

Later on you will be reading pieces of my work from throughout the quarter. Some of these pieces are my best and others are in need of improvement. For the first one that you will come across is the critical thinking topic. I chose the Movie Talk Discussion Board post on that I made on the movie Rabbit Proof Fence. I felt that this piece of discussion showed how I critically think about a certain movie. I stated two scenes from the movie that played an important role in my critical analysis. The first scene will bring up the issue of taking away someone’s identity through the removal of their native language. The second scene will show how courage can take one to new limits. The next topic is the revision piece (I had many to choose from). I chose a different piece then most students; I chose the very first Discussion Board post in the Coming Attractions Unit. As you will read, I felt that the issue of gendered messages has been impacting my life ever since I let people know I am head over heels for Céline Dion. The third piece of my writing is in the category of Voice and Audience. I chose my “What’s in Your Wallet?” blog posting. I felt I really captured the audience’s attention and held on to it. The most important thing on this posting for me was to be humorous, serious, and me. The fourth and final piece of work was the writer’s, my, choice and I chose the tradition essay. This was a very personal essay for me because I don’t write about my family much in regards to feeling like I am not recognized anymore. But on the other hand, I feel this was my strongest essay of the year, even though the grade wasn’t as high as I had hoped, I still felt I did everything to make my point clear that the Digital Video Recorder has saved my family in keeping “family time” alive.

My final thoughts about this quarter have to be; never give up. This was my first online class and it was a challenge and different, but it also had a positive side. I was able to focus more on my writing and I was able to interact with everyone in the class rather than just a couple. I found that it is best to keep going rather than staying frustrated with it. For example, the identity essay. I was having the hardest time trying to come up with ideas that I could write off of. Unfortunately, the right idea never came into mind and my essay grade and essay itself suffered. Towards the end we were talking about pop culture and that is why this quote from Steven Tyler, off of American Idol, is alright to mention, “It’s not about how many times you fall down. It’s about how many times you get back up.”

Intro to Critcal Thinking

Most people would choose an essay to resemble their critical thinking skills at work, but I found that this one discussion board was really what showed how I can analyze a movie. The movie is Rabbit Proof Fence, and it is about a tribe in Australia. The main characters include three little girls Molly, Daisy, and Gracie. These girls all under the age of 12 were taken from their tribe because the superior other, the white man, felt that “those people” need to be washed out. The girls are sent to a settlement where they are not allowed to speak their native tongue. Not feeling at home, the girls decided to find their way home by following the rabbit proof fence. There is a tracker that is following them and Gracie is the only one who does not make it home because she departed from the group and was picked up.

As soon as the movie ended, I had to write about it in the Movie Talk Discussion Board and that was where I related to and analyzed the movie. I took on two parts of the movie that really stuck out to me. The first part was when the leaders of the settlement kept forcing upon the girls to speak English and that their native tongue was not allowed. I was able to relate to this because I have always ad that sense of “If you come to America then you must speak English. Don’t expect us to learn your language.” After watching the film it made me change everything because I then thought of how that language defines who they are and is part of their identity.

The second scene was when one of the trackers goes to the girl’s home and begins to walk through the bushes and he knows he is getting closer to the girls. Then comes the mother of the girls and she stands at him ready to strike him with the spear in hand. Even though he has a gun in hand, he stumbles over bushes trying to get away. This brought to my mind Rosa Parks. Just taking that stand can make a huge difference and it showed me courage at work.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Wow...

Rabbitproof Fence was really a great movie. I saw many traits throughout the whole movie like courage, determination, power, sadness, hope and many others. This movie had two specific scenes that I could relate to (not in a personal way, but by having an understanding).
The first scene that showed a sense of an "A-HA" moment was when the girls first arrived to the Moore River settlement and they began to speak their native tongue. The tall (scary) guy walks up and says, "you will speak English only here". And again in that same settlement one of the ladies that was in charge told the girls to not speak their native tongue. I found this to be very relatable because I hear a lot of people saying, "If those people want to move to America then they should speak English. We shouldn't have to put their language on produces, tags, or boxes." Americans, aren't we supposed to be open to the many immigrants from around the world? But immigrants why should we have to conform to your language if you are coming here? I find this a very hard topic to approach. Of course, in the film the girls were being forced to speak English, and here in America no one is forced to speak any language. It does make more sense to speak one language, so it is easier to interact with one another.
The second "A-HA" moment I got from this film was when the Australian Army guy (I don't know what to call him) goes through the woods at Jigalong (where they lived) and when the soldier goes around the bush he comes face to face with the mother of Molly and the grandmother of Molly. The soldier has a gun in hand, but when the mother points her stick (sharp end) at the soldier he nervously walks away and stumbles. This reminded me of Rosa Parks. Even though she did stand up to the white person and didn't move from the front of the bus, she still stood up to the 'enemy' and later became a hero for the Civil Rights just like Molly's mother became a hero to Molly and her younger sister.
These were the two scenes that really stuck with me. Don't get me wrong, the whole movie was really good and to top it off I had no idea it was a true story! I found that very exciting!

Intro to Revision

In this very first discussion board for this English class, we were to talk about ourselves such as talk about why we are going to college, what defines us, and what is unique about us. I originally posted about my faith in Jesus Christ and talked about what I believe; that God sent his one and only son to die on the cross for my sins then rose on the third day to conquer death so that I can have everlasting life in heaven.

This category is to be our revision piece and I felt a huge burden to choose this discussion board post. For the last two years I have been attacked by being called gay because I have an “obsession” with Céline Dion. I think that this is an important piece to include in what describes me because people don’t realize how much I listen to her on a daily basis. I sometimes think of her as a family member because she is in the house and my car a lot of the time. The real problem that I face is being called gay and thrown into that gendered message pool. “Men aren’t supposed to listen to girl music.” What’s girly about Céline Dion other than she is a girl? Céline Dion is the most famous artist in the entire world. She has over 200 million albums sold, which is more than any other artist, and when she ran her vegas show for five years; the show was sold out every single night. Why can’t a man listen to someone who has had that much success, and if they can then why do they have to be labeled as gay?

That topic has been on my mind ever since I finished my first draft of that discussion board post. Men shouldn’t be afraid to admit what they like because they might be called gay. There is no reason for calling men gay. It makes no sense. This is an issue that plays on to other issues men face, like keeping emotions inside instead of letting them out. Therefore, I would like to revise this discussion board post and talk more about what describes me.

New Me!

Hello Everyone,

First off I would like to say that I go by my middle name; Mitchel. I am excited for this quarter to start rolling! I have skimmed through the book and found a couple selections very interesting. My identity...who I am...Well, I believe that God sent his one and only Son to die on the cross for my sins then rose on the third day, so that I can have everlasting life. Jesus Christ is my life, He makes me who I am. I have grown up with the understanding that church is something you go to every Sunday, but now I have come to know that I can't just go to church, but I have to take the church out to the world by showing God's love and being that example towards others. I am proud to say that the Lord has opened the door for me to start on the path of becoming a Counterterrorism Analyst with the National Security Agency. Eventually, I hope to move into politics and become a congressman for the state of Washington. Leadership is a skill I have been given.

One more understanding that people need to know about me is that I have been trying to tackle the issue of gendered messages. I am completely head over heels for Céline Dion. The price that I have paid for this is that people have labeled me as gay. Gay as in feminine or as in me liking men, I have no idea; just gay. How is it that a man, me, can’t get away with like the most successful female artist in the entire world? She has sold over 200 million albums, which is more than any other female artist, and she had a five year show in Las Vegas where every night was completely sold out. Men should not have to hide something like this. If we, men, can’t like Céline Dion without being called gay, does that mean we can’t listen to Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Black Eyed Peas (remember Fergie is in the group!), or Carrie Underwood? Céline Dion is a part of my life as is any other artist that one may listen to; she just happens to be the one artist I listen the most to. There is one reason that I want to get across to this nation is; Men, don’t be afraid to admit what you like! You may be called some labels you don’t want to be called, but you know what is right and more importantly who you are.

I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for the rest of my life! I also cannot wait to learn from all of you guys too! Hope everyone has a great first week!

Intro to What You Want to Read!

The blog posting of “What’s in your wallet?” is the perfect example of how I grasped the audiences attention and kept them interested. I wanted to avoid the dreaded list. No one wants to read what is in someone’s wallet if all what one is going to do is put it in a list. I decided to make it funny and myself. The assignment was to show that the things in your wallet describe who you are as a human being. The time of which I was to post that, I had a lot of just junk in my wallet, so I thought it was a perfect time to bring in some humor. “Then comes all the coupons that I can possibly find in my wallet.” This is one example of how I tried to avoid saying I have junk, but my wallet definitely shrunk after I removed all the coupons. The other sentence that I tried to turn into a funny was, “Red Robin Bottomless Rewards card (Red Robin…YUM!), a Starbucks card, an Old Navy gift card (about three years old).” My goal was to try and tell the audience who I was through humor, objects, and the last part of the assignment; what wasn’t in my wallet that I wish was. My objective was to inform the audience who I am through the fold of my wallet, and this helped me become more comfortable writing in a discussion board for the whole class to see.

I am glad that this assignment was at the beginning of the quarter because this helped boost my confidence for the reason that my other classmates now know who I am as a writer. This assignment, in other words, helped me be who I am through writing and that is how I became so comfortable in this class.

Through the Folds of My Wallet

Imagine this, you are walking down the street of Seattle and you come across a wallet. Hopefully out of instinct you pick up that wallet and you open it...pulling out everything inside, you examine that wallet. The person you are about to meet through the folds of the wallet is me.
First you will see a driver's license hind a plastic wrap with all the information of David Mitchel Chitwood. Behind that picture you will see two pictures, one of the pictures is of my grandparents. This shows that I carry their love everywhere I go. They are two people who have helped show the world to me. Then the second picture is of a little girl. Her name is Maddy, and I met her at a church camp. She has become a part of my life and family in so many ways. I want to make a difference one life at a time and God has put her right in my path.
In a pocket just to the right of the plastic wrap are many cards and papers. The cards consist of my debit card, Red Robin Bottomless Rewards card (Red Robin.....YUM!), a Starbucks card, an Old Navy card (about three years old), and a Barnes and Noble gift card. Then comes all the coupons I can possibly fit into a wallet. The coupons range from toothbrushes to movies.
Finally, in the most important slot (where the cash goes), you will find a lot of cash that doesn't ever get spent. I'm sure you will come to the conclusion that I am "loaded", but I am not loaded. I just don't like spending money. This slot not only holds the money, but it currently will be holding two tickets to see Celine Dion in Las Vegas on August 14, 2011.
What you won't find in my wallet just happens to be the most important object in my entire life and that is my Bible. This what truely defines my identity. My relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is what my life is, was, and always will be about.

Intro to not yours..but MY Choice!

The Tradition essay was more of a chance for me to be more personal than I have ever been in writing. I discussed how the Digital Video Recorder has brought my family back together. I touched very briefly how my family doesn’t have family time anymore. In the essay I discussed how my brother has sports after school, dad has to work till six, I work till eight, and my mom and sister are at gymnastics till eight so they don’t get home until nine. It was hurting us as a family.

The one thing that I wanted to add to the essay I chose to not include it because it would have defeated the whole purpose of the essay. The DVR is not the only reason that brought my family back together, it was our faith. I began to getting my family back into the groove of attending church with me and I believe that that is what has helped our family get back together. The DVR is another reason because there are many shows that we would watch as a family that we just didn’t have time to watch them when they were on. Not everyone is home all at once when our favorite show, 24, was on either. In this essay, I really emphasized that the DVR made a huge impact on what we call “family time”.

The piece of writing was not the strongest piece I have ever done, but I feel this was the most personal. I don’t like to talk about me. I can’t stand the idea of being selfish. I also don’t enjoy writing about my family. I love my family with all my heart, but there are some things that make me made and sad, and that is what hurts my feelings. So writing about my family coming together meant a lot to me. I understand that not every family is perfect, and that is the very reason why I don’t like talking about mine. There are some families that have it a whole lot worse and my heart goes out to them.

The DVR: Digital Video Recorder

“You probably don't think I could force this towel down your throat, but trust me I can. All the way. Except that I'd hold onto this little bit at the end. When your stomach starts to digest the towel, I pull it out. Taking your stomach lining with it. Most people probably take about a week to die. It's very painful.” These were the words spoken by Jack Bauer from the hit television series 24. 24 is the TV show that was the biggest hit in my family. Every Monday night we would gather in the living room to watch this action packed series. Until the day all three of us kids started to get involved with sports, 8 p.m. came too soon for the whole family to be home to watch 24. The invention of the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) became a huge influence to keep the tradition of family time alive and thriving.

             As Ellen DeGeneres said in , This Is How We Live, “Everyone like to talk about how advancements in technology will change the way we live forever.” (638) It is true that many people frown upon the fact that technology is attacking our society and its values rather than helping or influencing them. Ellen also goes on to say, “Technology has done one beautiful thing for us.” (640) If one was to ask a group of people what the number one tradition for families is; there would most likely be an overpopulated answer of ‘family time’. Family time is crutial to every single family throughout the world. It is what unites families and keeps them strong and thriving.

            There are major factors that play into keeping family time from disappearing such as, movie nights, dinner around the table, family devotions, thirty minute talks in the living room, but what I see to be the largest impact to family time is the DVR. A little personal story, my family doesn’t eat dinner together. We all get home at different times of the night; My brother (15) gets off the bus at 3:00 p.m., my dad gets off work at 5:00 p.m., I get off of work at 7:30 p.m., and my mom and sister (10) get home from gymnastics at 9:00 p.m. We never have ‘sit-downs’ to just talk about life. The only question I get when I get home and when my mom gets home is, “How was work tonight?” The DVR began to change the whole entire idea of family time.

           In 2010, the television series, 24, came to its final season. My family has been watching since it started back in 2002. Every Monday night at 8 p.m. it was time to be sucked into the television. Once sports and work began to interfere with the time 24 was on, we weren’t able to watch it as a family. The DVR finally came into our house in the year 2010. We were able to record 24 while my mom and sister were on their way home from gymnastics. We would turn the television off and wait until they made it home. After every episode is when the family time would expand to new limits. We would discuss the 24 episode we just watched and we also would predict what would be on the next episode (because the ending always left the biggest cliffhanger).

            Many people would argue that the DVR is part of the bigger picture of all of technology. People may say that video game systems are in the same category. Cell phones are also becoming part of that ‘bigger picture’. Cell phones are causing more problems to traditions than anything else. Texting is affecting the way people interact with one another, video games are stealing the kids, and grown-ups from necessary family time. Instead of picking an innovation much more different than the DVR, there are problems with the DVR that can prevent family times. For example, the DVR may cost too much for a family to have. The DVR may not be available for their cable provider. These issues can prevent families from coming together to watch a program.

The DVR is bringing families together. There is no more excuses for not being able to watch a family movie that was on at two in the morning. Even though the family is not interacting verbally during the show or movie, there is still the presence of being together in the same room watching the same thing. That is what makes the traditionn of family time thrive. Uniting families to come together to watch the next American Idol, or the Biggest Loser, or witness the Event, or laugh at America’s Funniest Home Videos, is what the DVR has brought to society.

Works Cited

Latterell, Catherine G. ReMix: Reading + Composing Culture. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. Print.

This is it!

The quarter has now come to an end! I feel that with everything that I learned over the last ten weeks will help me from this day on. I am so thankful for the peers I had who edited, helped, replied to anything I have ever posted in the class. If it weren’t for all of them I would not have been able to survive this class. My thanks goes out to Lolly and Andrea for their guidance over the essays and many discussion posts. I not only got a blog out of this class, but I joined a new community that helped point me into the right direction of finding my own identity. We have gone through many challenges, but we have survived! Racing down the last few meters of the track on our way to the finish line with the wind at out backs is where we are heading now. This is not the end of this class. My memories will always go on… well I guess the education part will too! Thank you to everyone in the class!

Test Post!

My E-Portfolio will be up in the next hour! :) Stay Tuned!