Last Blog

I believe this blogging project has created a new community relationship within our class. In English this semester, we have has many discussions and opportunities to hear each others opinions and ways of thinking. Because I am so quiet in class, I rarely spoke out, I would make legit comments to peers around me and moments later another class member would express exactly what I was thinking, this made it even easier for me to not participate. But in this project, I was able to express myself without feeling judged or put down. It was a way that we could get to know each other on a more personal level, and become friends or acquaintances rather then just classmates. While, my blog was more of just a journal of my thoughts and feelings, it was helpful to me to get those feeling out in the open and realize that I am not the only one experiencing the feelings.
It was very enjoyable to read about the happenings of others and the new, cool and exciting things they were participating in. Some educational, some sports updates, some just fun events in life and sometimes we found ourselves giving each other support as we were working on projects, or just trying to make it through school until spring break.
Blogging could be a good way for one experiencing difficult times could seek help and acceptance from others going through similar situations. I think a lot of times people have emotions and events in life and are unsure as to how to handle them, but with the Internet, they can seek advice in ways that are not as frightful. One can be anonymous, or be whoever they want to be without the fear of being belittled. Virtual communities can help anyone, as long as they do not completely lose grasp of reality and physical and emotional contact with the people surrounding them.
Though this experience was a different assignment from anything else I have ever done in a class, it was full of learning. I learned that it is easier to write my feelings than speak them and I can get to know people online. I do feel that while online communities are beneficial to ones life, I could not survive with Internet alone. I still need the love and compassion from friends in person. I need hugs and facial expressions that let me know that everything is alright and it will all work out.

Ready to be DONE

After spring break, going home this past weekend, leaving again this week and with all the papers and studying I need to do, I am stressed out and wanting to give up! I am sick of researching, I am burned out, like to the point where I just cant think any more. I am sure many are feeling the same way too. I keep procrastinating, yet I have to work under some sort of pressure or I just wont do anything.
While I want it to be over, I am really not ready to work full time this summer or live in the DEATHLY heat in Phoenix! And the thought of being without most friends for 3 or 4 months just doesn't sound fun at all!!!
So this was yet again another random ramble from Joanna.
Good luck on papers (especially English argument paper!!) and finals! It will soon be over!

Freshman Year Flyin' By

It seems like it was so recently that I was packing up my room and life moving up to Flagstaff for school and now I fend myself packing up to go back home to Phoenix. Where did all the time go?? In the beginning when I missed everyone back home the weeks were so long and I just yearned to be home with family. Then Christmas break rolled around and I was ready to go back to school 2 weeks into break because I just missed friends and the cool weather. Its funny to think that I went 18 years without knowing these friends and now I rarely go a day without talking to them and Ireall cant imagine life without them.
As the end of my first year of college is coming to an end, I am super excited yet torn with mixed emotions. I am stressed out with numerous papers, assignments, exams, projects, housing for next year, work, figuring out next years schedule plus spending my last month with friends....some I will see in August and some I do not know when I will see again. I have lived with these friends for months know, we are so close almost like a family away from home. One friend in particular, I dont know what I am going to do without her. Shes one of the closest friends I have who is always here for me, I can tell her anything and everything. To think I wont get to see her bright smiling face and hear her silly comments and advice everday, it is going to be a tough change. We have done so much together like homework, baking in the kitchen, sleepovers, hikes, random trips to the store, staying up way late being random and laughing about nothing and everything, most meals we have together and so much more. As the end comes near, we avoid talking about it because its so hard, but not talking about it doesnt make time stop, its coming fast. Planning a road trip to Colorado sometime in the future and phone calls just are not enough, I am going to miss her like crazy!!!!
Court I love you and I am going to miss you SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! I cant even describe it!
I love you to infinity and beyond!