And So We Say Goodbye: A Reflection

    I like to think that I am a relatively simple person, but over the past eighteen years of my life, I’ve realized that this is far from true. I’m a complex, interesting, difficult young lady, and I am perfectly okay with that. Explaining who I am through a jumble of words and phrases isn’t an easy task. I am more than a heap of vowels and consonants, delicately placed into a piece of written excellence.


    Well, I should start somewhere. For starters, my name is Elizabeth Ann Johnson. Honestly, I do not like my name as much as I’d like, but it has grown on me, especially after taking this course, and realizing that my name is a part of what makes me, and is part of my identity.  I’ve lived on this beautiful planet in the city of Everett for eighteen marvelous years, and have enjoyed each minute of it, good times and bad. Growing up as the second oldest in my house has had its challenges, especially after my older brother moved out. My mother has a slight case of cerebral palsy, and a slipped disc in her back. I spend my extra time being a “second mother” to my younger brother, 10, and younger sister, 16. I am a very house-wifey type of girl, and love cleaning, cooking and baking. Knowing that I can help create a clean, happy household gives me a feeling that even I cannot explain. Just like all families, we have our moments, but there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them.


    Writing has always been my passion. In the future I hope to publish a book of poems that I have been working on for the past four or so years. It was a surprise to me when I realized that I was very nervous about this class, since I enjoy writing so much. I'm sure that one reason for this was that it was online. I’ve had online classes before, and I really do enjoy them, but the thought of an English class online made my stomach do flips. After I got into the routine of checking back every day, and making sure I check when all items were due, the class became way less overwhelming. I happy to say I think I’ve gotten through alright.


    Before this class, I never thought of identity as such an important aspect of our lives. When the word identity was used, I automatically just thought of drivers’ licenses and IDs. The unit of identity really opened my mind to what identity really is. My ideas on what identity consists of and what it have been changed greatly, and I developed a better understanding of it. One specific aspect and idea of this unit that I remembered particularly well, was the concept that identity can be shaped by others, and there are many challenges when it comes to creating an identity that is your own. The paper I wrote for this unit focused on these ideas. “(Breaking this mold of conforming is one of the greatest obstacles when it comes to creating and developing a strong sense of one’s self and identity, since everyone is an individual and should not be concerned about pleasing others, but pleasing themselves so they are able to begin figuring out what makes them a unique person.”)


    Communities were another issue that I’ve learned a lot about during this course. Before the communities unit, I really didn’t understand how and why communities play such an important role in our lives. After looking into the matter deeper, I came to realize that communities are vital aspects of our lives, and also play an important role in developing our identity.  It gives us a place to connect with others. Communities are not just where one lives, but a community can be anything, from fishing clubs to Barbie lovers. I think that each unit of study (identity, communities, and tradition) for this quarter has tied in well with each other.


    I wasn’t really sure of what to expect from a diversity course, since I have never taken on before, but after this quarter of English, I realize that diversity is a huge part of our lives. With each unit of study that took place, I’ve learned more and more about how important diversity is in our culture. Diversity is a part of our everyday lives, and is different for all people. “Diversity is a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety of characteristics that make individuals unique in an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.” (The University of Tennessee Knoxville) This course has proved this true to me. With each discussion board that was completed, numerous members of this class could read another’s post, and usually see it in a different way. That’s diversity. After watching the assigned film, “Edward Scissorhands,” the idea that diversity changes from person to person came to be even truer. The film showed great examples of how different people react to new people. For instance, Kim’s boyfriend, Jim, does not like Edward, and thinks that he “ruins everything he touches.” The rest of the neighborhood finds this assumption to be false, because Edward is very creative, and does a wonderful job at cutting hair on the ladies, and trimming the hair of the neighborhood hounds. This just shows that each person sees the same thing, in different ways. If everyone thought the same, diversity would not be present in our society, and I think that that would make life pretty boring.


   My time in English 101 has been a rollercoaster. With all the discussion boards and constant reading, I became overwhelmed countless times during the quarter, and many times felt like giving up. I knew that this was not a good answer, and I fought through. This class has taught me so many things, and I have enjoyed expanding my thoughts on different subjects and developing my skills as a writer. My final project is an overview of just a portion of the things I’ve learned this quarter, and I hope everyone that happens to stumble upon this particular blog will have as much fun reading it as I did writing all the contents.