Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Visit Thomas Jeffersons One True Love... Virtually!


Monticello is Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home. It has been documented that it was his one true love, that he would rather be there than anywhere else in the world. There is no wonder why that was how he felt, everything you could ever want is there. Located on the picturesque mountains of Virginia, the grounds of the famous home are gorgeous. Thomas Jefferson put his blood, sweat, and tears into creating this beautiful getaway from the outside world. Monticello was once home to over two hundred people, from blacksmiths to field workers they all answered to Jefferson. The large house was once home to Jefferson’s vast collection of books, and is still home to many of Jefferson’s inventions. Everything at Monticello seems to be beautiful, from the architecture of the house, to the landscaping of the foregrounds. Now you don’t have to take a full trip to visit this one of a kind home, but can take a “virtual vacation” of the whole grounds. To learn more visit http://www.monticello.org/

Monday, August 29, 2011

So Much to Know About Thomas Jefferson


When most people think of Thomas Jefferson they think of him as a founding father, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and as president of the United States, that is where their amount of knowledge starts and ends. I was the same way, knowing him as only these things, but I have learned that there is so much more to know about him than just that. He was first and foremost an advocate for freedom and basic human rights. On top of that he had greater interest than just his political endeavors, these included, architecture, exploration, science, and a great emphasis on education. He founded the University of Virginia, and wanted to see public education become a reality, though he never did see that. His architecture interest came from the large amount of land that he inherited, his first love, Monticello, designing his own house and the foregrounds. One much unexpected thing about Thomas Jefferson was his on going relationship with his slave, Sally Hemmings, I would love to keep discovering more about this relationship and if it was true.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Why Freshman Composition Skills Will Help Me on the Job


Many people today believe that they do not truly use the writing skills that they were taught in college. They also believe that they don’t really write a lot in the jobs that they are working, especially in a starting position job, like waitressing or retail. I have learned through research that these jobs and any other job out there still use the writing skills that they were taught from the beginning.
            I believe that all jobs do use the writing skills people were taught from the beginning. Writing doesn't always have to be considered the typical formal essay written down on paper, it can also be used when talking on the phone. Ann Andersen, a employee of Nissan Motors Acceptance Agency says this,  "I use writing everyday at my job, when speaking to people on the phone, and to document the conversations" Andersen, Ann. Personal Interview. 27 Aug. 2011. In other cases the writing they use could be in a simple email. Eric Andersen, an employee of American Airlines says this of his amount of writing at his job, "Its nothing extensive, a simple email to coworkers, that all." Andersen, Eric. Personal Interview. 27 Aug. 2011. Although the writing isn't very formal it is still writing. In the career I would like to pursue, advertising, there is a lot of writing that goes into it due to the fact that it " is an efficient means of communicating to the world" Buzzle.com. 2010. 28 Aug. 2011. Overall writing is involved in whatever career you choose, from casual to formal it is just part of the world we live in.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Learn How to Text!

People in our world these days are not sending the greatest of texts. Great texts do not contain abbreviations like "u" for the word you, or "r" for the word are, but yet these things are a common occurrence in the vocabulary of new texters. One word texts messages are another big no in the texting world, people need more of a answer than "yes" or  "good", if they expect the conversation to continue. For people to become accomplished texters they should not do those things. They should also think twice before sending multiple messages before the recipient responds, or send the all hated "call me" text (come on, just call them!). If people would follow these simple yet efficient rules of texting then texting conversations would flourish even more than they already do!