I dont' know about you, but I love Andy Warhol. He lived in Pittsburgh, PA which is where I'm from. He went to Carnegie Mellon University which is where I almost went for the same degree as him. I always loved his different and fresh style of art during his time called Pop-Art. The pictures above are self portraits where he attached quotes that make sense to me.In my English classes in the past, we had the regular English curriculum that you think of: grammar, spelling, definitions, analyzing, reading, and arguing. Throughout my high school career, my English teachers varied in the way they presented their materials drastically. My favorite teacher, Mrs. Walker, was in love with English and was by far the best teacher I’ve had in this subject. She made everything she presented interesting and had unusual ways of connecting them to difficult concepts. My senior year teacher was a bit more of a drill sergeant, but did her job by teaching us the concepts of arguing and rhetoric plus much more. She picked controversial books to read like Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and had the whole class up in discussion over everything it had to offer.
My senior year of English was very open and verbal. We argued over topics every week if not every other day. I think of arguing as a skill that comes with knowledge. If I am well versed in the topic I’m arguing for or against, then I will be more vocal about it. Otherwise, if I am not 100% sure on my opinion or what I’m fighting for/against; I will not voice my thoughts until I am certain. I always consider myself as the person who is mostly quiet during a class discussion, but when I do speak, it is worth listening to. I like to argue, but I do not like confrontation. If I feel that I am going to create too much confrontation, I usually keep my trap shut, to put it lightly.
On another hand, when it comes to persuasive and argumentative writings, I feel that I can hold my own. I am apt to be an over-analyzer and research my materials to the point where I am fluent in what I am writing. Another habit I find myself falling into quite often is writing in a conversational format. I like to keep a witty and sarcastic edge on everything that I write on top of including the reader into what feels like a conversation or one-on-one banter. I tend to be a last minute person on everything. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday, and honestly, the days fly by way too quickly. Even though it is so easy to be a procrastinator, I am becoming more productive and efficient. I am starting to work and finish projects and assignments right after they are given to me. I tend to be a technology freak sometimes. I use the computer in my everyday life to check everything from my emails, weather, and news to chatting with my friends on AIM or facebook.
When I read the assignment for A.1, there was one person from my life thus far that could answer these questions better than anyone else: my mom. She has been a constant source of support (and nagging) for as long as I can remember. She always wanted me to excel in everything I did, and academics were a main focus for both her and I. I asked her questions that pertained to my life and learning processes growing up and as you can see, she is a very proud mother.
Sarah: How often did I read when I was younger?
Deanna (mom): You became and avid reader at a very early age and I encouraged reading. As a toddler, I read all of the children’s Golden Books and bedtime stories to you. Then, I introduced you to the Sesame Street Book Club where you learned about letters, number, colors and shapes. You spent so many hours pouring over these books. In elementary, you started reading the Baby Sitters Book Club and continued to read through the entire series. This sparked a desire to write your own short stories on through middle school.
S: Did I like to read?
D: Yes. You absolutely loved reading. Quite often, your dad and I would see the soft glow of a light coming from your room at night because you couldn’t go to bed if you were so close to finishing a book. Your explanation as to why there was still a light on was that you wouldn’t be able to sleep until you knew how the story ended. You were drawn to mysteries like the Box Car Children.
S: What subjects was I interested in as a child?
D: You were very passionate about both the music and art programs. But you also enjoyed science and would spend a great deal of time learning about the solar system, nature, etc. Your interests have always been very diverse. You love to draw and you love music and would spend hours playing instruments and singing.
S: What was I like as a student? What did others say about me: such as teachers, peers, etc?
D: You were an excellent student in school. You have always been very hard on yourself to get good grades and do your best. You have always cared about your performance in school and other activities. Every teacher that had you, and even those that didn’t enjoyed having you, knowing you, or working with you. Teacher always made comments that you were sweet, polite, considerate, conscientious, and independent thinker, works well with others and always a good student. You also got along with your peers. You are still close to all your elementary classmates to this day. You were always a people person.
S: What are some of the ways I learn best?
D: I would say that you are a great note taker in class. You always worked off study guides from class. You would reread lessons before an exam, too. You always seemed to be very organized in keeping class papers together. You always started each grading period with new folders, artistically labeled, of course, and a binder to keep everything together. You have great organizational skills. I believe you received my love for organizing, color-coding, labeling, etc. It’s our artistic nature at work.
S: How do I study? With music on? At the last minute?
D: When you were younger you always studied in a quiet setting at home with as little distractions as possible. As you got older though, you studied with music as well as in a quiet setting.
S: What career do you picture me in?
D: As an original design artist, in the world of art, including architectural design, graphic design, and the many forms of art including clothing design and photography. I also see you owning your own recording studio. You are so talented that you could manage every aspect of the job: recording, singing, playing, mixing, graphics for labels, everything. You could do it all: songwriter, professional singer, recording studio director, an artist and designer.
As you can tell by just reading my mother’s responses, she has always been there for me. She has always been a supporter, admirer, sometimes a drill sergeant (in my eyes as a child), and most importantly—a friend: always helping me grow, intellectually and physically as a person.
