Paul Perez Jr.
Monday, December 6, 2010
What does it take to be a writer?
Writing is a process and like any real process in life, it takes time. During that time it requires practice, hard work, and dedication. Staying focused on your project and making sure to answer the tasks at hand are also key for success. Editors are your best friend but without this one key element, writing is just words. You, the writer, are the key that unlocks the door beyond. If you can open your mind and paint your heart on a page waiting for opportunity to mark it with a purpose, then and only then, will you be a writer!
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Thank you,
Paul Perez Jr.
paulwall242@gmail.com
Thank you,
Paul Perez Jr.
paulwall242@gmail.com
Editing Log
When you edit, you check your writing for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The more your readers must pay attention to errors in your writing, the less attention they'll pay to what you have to say.
In a section of your notebook or learning journal, record the errors you have made in your returned assignments. (They are marked with a check mark above the error.)
Date your entry and give the title of your essay. For each check mark, identify the type of error. Rewrite the sentence, correcting the error.
I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job.
When You Wish Upon A Star (Assignment 1)
Born out of wedlock,… When it was read, it sounded as if my parents were born out of wedlock and misconstrued the meaning.
…do”, The problem was that the comma was out of the parenthesis. It should look like this: … do,”
…mothers, who… The problem here was a misusage of a comma. It should read: My mom had to go in search of government assistance and received W.I.C. (Women, Infants, & Children) which was designed to aid low-income mothers who were unable to provide sufficient fundamental needs to her child.
… on … The problem was word usage. It should read: My parents began having relationship issues, and at the age of eleven, decided that it was better to go their separate ways, after several years of arguing and abuse between each other.
… turrets. I think the error here was inaccurate information. It should say: turret syndrome
…adult; realizing… The problem was the misuse of a semi-colon. It didn’t separate the ideas properly. It should read: I made changes in my life embracing my new role as an adult realizing the true meaning of a greater calling.
…year, and… I misused a comma right here. It should read: I was able to excel making the varsity baseball team my freshman year and varsity basketball team my sophomore year.
…spell; talking… The problem was the misuse of a semi-colon. It didn’t separate the ideas properly. I eventually got rid of this sentence and the paragraph it was in entirely because it wasn’t complimenting my essay.
…those whom which I cared… This sentence was also omitted entirely.
…couple weeks… It wasn’t’ a smooth flow into the sentence. I changed it to look like this: Weeks later, I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job.
…undergrad. The problem with this word choice was that it was already understood. So I omitted it completely.
Sex: Are You Involved? (Assignment #2)
… by… It was a problem with clarity and choice. It should read: This was a story that had been published by Spike TVs “1,000 Ways to Die.”
… it, why … It wasn’t clear what “it” means. It should read: … knowing that everyone else around you is sexually active. Why aren’t you?
… interviewee’s… It should read: Here is one interviewee’s response:
… changes, and… It was a comma error. It should read: Many experience the transformations of bodily changes and are now becoming attracted to the opposite sex.
… neglection… Was a grammar error. The word was omitted.
… lives. Left the reader without closure. It was later fixed for closure.
Is A Relationship Right For You? (Assignment 3)
Tennyson… The problem here was that I didn’t write it as a paraphrase, so it appeared as a direct quote. It should read: This paraphrase of Tennyson’s quote has…
… risk… The problem here was that I didn’t explain the risk so it is very open ended. It should read: But at such a high risk with your future being on the line, …
Well… The problem here was that when I started my sentence, it was really understood as a first step without it anyway. It should read: First I’d like to…
… lucky, that’s… The problem here was that I left this sentence fragmented. It should read: … consider yourself lucky. That’s right, I said lucky.
…. spouse … The problem here was meaning and clarity. After reading this I realized it led to a different understood meaning from what I had originated. It should read: … we tend to spend an over exaggerated amount of time and effort into that someone.
… 2… The problem here was that it was a lonely number and didn’t flow smoothly. It should read: … two…
… that… The problem here was that the sentence didn’t flow correctly so the word “that” wasn’t a good transition word. It should read: In a relationship, you meet someone and grow to develop strong feelings for them and choose to care about their well-being.
… validated… The problem here was the difficult meanings that were assumed when it was read. It should read: … and in the blink of an eye that relationship is over with, sometimes without closure or even peace of mind.
… woman, others ... The problem here was sentence structure. It should read: .. Rihanna had found Chris texting another woman. Others say it was because Rihanna gave Chris a sexually transmitted disease, …
… they’re… The problem here was wrong word usage. It should read: there
… neat … The problem here was spelling, it wasn’t the correct way to spell a certain word. It should read: near
… heir-line… The problem here was meaning and sentence word choice. It should read: Another is love, where there is no bond between you and a significant other, there is no normal conceivable way to continue your blood line.
Is A Relationship Right For You?
“Is it better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all?” This paraphrase of Tennyson’s quote has been used for over a century and allowed for people to contemplate if love is a worth-while, risk-taking factor. If you’ve ever been in a relationship or even developed feelings for someone you have experienced a form of love. It’s even ok to factor in a love for a family member. Now “love” has some serious effects that tend to alter the way we think, act, and decide much of our future. But at such a high risk with your future being on the line, is a relationship worth sacrificing your entire life for someone’s love? How can we know if we’re a good candidate for a relationship? Is there even such a thing? Or maybe there is.
First I’d like to entertain those who have yet to really experience the depth of this matter and haven’t dabbled in the waters, to get a taste of its effects. Relationships are a way of expression that humans are notoriously known for. We, as social creatures, love to be loved and like when people know so. We also have a tendency to be wanted and accepted in society and tend to cling to comfort, so when we see that there is an opportunity to be loved, we usually accept the invitation. If you have been single for most of your life consider yourself lucky. That’s right, I said lucky. I believe that relationships are chaotic, dramatic, and over exaggerated concept in life. Why do we force ourselves upon others when we see something we like and are so quick to change our lifestyle so quickly and abruptly? To go from single to a companion is an enormous change on perspective. Things can no longer relate to just you anymore.
Let’s take several perspectives on this concept. Consider a financial standpoint. With a lot of Americans today owing money to private sectors because of loans, school allowances, and other debts like credit cards, we are already a financial burden on society. Now when we get into a relationship, we tend to spend an over exaggerated amount of time and effort into that someone. We also like to prioritize our life around that person and will devote money to them, for gifts, dinners, etc., that could be spent elsewhere to better help your own financial status. What about if he or she is the one for you? Well, when you get married, that debt doesn’t go anywhere. As a matter of fact, you’ll probably be inheriting your spouse’s debt as well, leaving you double the debts you had before and now you are responsible for two people. Not only do I consider this an unfair burden to both you and your spouse, but it is also an unnecessary one, which can be easily avoided.
Another perspective I want to take is that of a family’s perspective. Have you ever heard the saying, “Blood is thicker than water?” This quote is meant to show that family ties and relations are much more strongly bonded than those of any other. From the time you were born to the time you decide to move out, your family has always been an influential factor, to help provide you with the most effective advice and most encouraging love. Families are forced to tolerate you; therefore they’ve grown a certain type of love that is unmatched because in spite of all your flaws and mistakes, they are still a supporting factor day in and day out. In a relationship, you meet someone and grow to develop strong feelings for them and choose to care about their well-being. After all, this is someone you want to love you too for the rest of your life or at least some form of that intent, right? Well your counterpart has no obligation to have feelings for you and no bond to force them to stay with you. Yeah, marriage is supposed to be a sacred bond, but as the United States’ divorce rate continues to grow, why would you even chance this sort of thing. Because your spouse is not forced to love you, they will always have the option to stop loving you, even so to the point where they stop talking to you altogether. Great excuses that come to mind are: “It’s not you, it’s me,” or “I choose to love you in spite of your flaws,” or “I need some me time.” There is a central meaning behind all of these saying “Hey, I’m beginning to grow tired of you so I’m going to be pursuing my future without you,” and in the blink of an eye that relationship is over with, sometimes without closure or even peace of mind.
My final perspective that I would like to entertain is that of a more physical atmosphere. Ever hear of domestic violence? Not everyone who gets into a relationship is Mr. or Ms. Joe Cool. People have tempers, anger management problems, outside influences, and many other issues that tend to let get in their way easily. Let’s take a previous example that has been quite popular, the Chris Brown and Rihanna incident. Chris Brown and Rihanna were driving together one night when an argument broke out. Speculation said it was because Rihanna had found Chris texting another woman. Others say it was because Rihanna gave Chris a sexually transmitted disease, but whatever the real reason was, there was a dispute anyway. When there dispute was over, Rihanna had had easily visible signs of physical abuse throughout her face and although Chris Brown didn’t have anywhere near the amount of damage done to him, I’m pretty sure he suffered from physical and even emotional abuse, as well a Rihanna. Weren’t these two celebrities madly in love with each other? Well, apparently they were mad about something which led to a domestic dispute that became too hot to handle for either one of them. Because they were so emotionally bonded there was a need to express their meaning in a special way that would show their feelings about the matter to someone they’ve learned to have strong feelings about, which led to the domestic dispute.
Now, I don’t wish to sound like the bearer of bad news or someone who is just bitter about relationships. I’ve had my fair share of experiences, some good some bad. Being single also has its advantages and disadvantages. When you remain single you tend to have more freedom in your everyday activities, your options are more open to what you wish to do. Focus is more easily distributed on family matters and availability for visitation is much more open as well. Financially you have more of a say so about your budget and also choose what you wish to invest your money in and how. However, the bachelor’s lifestyle has its disadvantages. Most visibly is the fact that you are alone, there is no one there to own that comforting spot. Another is love, where there is no bond between you and a significant other, there is no normal conceivable way to continue your blood line. Your income is also limited to a single salary. I think the main factor that is a disadvantage to being single is the absence of love. Love is a unique feeling of emotion that is wild and dangerous! It caused people to do drastic and crazy acts to please their loved one, which makes it all the more dangerous. However, this feeling has also created many happy memories for many people and has allowed us to build families and not just an overpopulated reproduction system. Love is a risky chance taking scheme that isn’t meant for everyone, but for those who are truly daring to try so.
The single life is meant for those who are still wanting or needing to focus more on their own personal needs and ways. It is meant to develop a person’s character to prepare themselves when opportunities arise. Relationships aren’t for everyone, and for those who have doubts, know that it is okay to be patient. If we all took time to think and made logical reasoning a main priority, rather than base our actions off of pure emotion then maybe there wouldn’t be so many issues with relationships.
“Is it better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved before?” The right answer to happiness is, “To each his own.”
Works Cited
Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem. Memoriam: 27 . 1850. Nov. 11, 2010. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/62650.html
Toppo, Greg. “Chris Brown-Rihanna incident could be 'teachable moment'.” USA Today. March 9, 2009.
Sex: Are you involved?
Drew and Michelle were high school sweethearts who decided to tie the knot! After 8 years of being together, they finally committed to each other and said “I do.” Both Drew and Michelle were madly in love with each other, but for some reason they had had difficulty expressing their love physically. They had both retained their virginity, yet with the perfect opportunity at hand they were unable to capture the way they felt about each other. Many things grew to arouse their interests such as holding hands, kissing, and even embracing with passion and emotion. However, though they tried many times, their physical love had limitations. One day they tried to commit to having sex, so they began drinking themselves to an unstable state of mind. Once they were under the influence they began to act romantically, making aggressive and advancing gestures. Finally, once they had been stripped to the naked body, their ultimate goal had started. However, it wasn’t a happy ending for these two. They had become so over excited and anxious, that once they reached the point of climax, it was they last feeling they ever felt. Both Michelle and Drew had died of heart problems.
This was a story that had been published by Spike TVs “1,000 Ways to Die.” This couple was a special case. Not only had they never had sex, but they weren’t able to experience the emotions or feelings of that level of intimacy. But, what is sex? How is it involved in everyday life? Why does it influence us? Many questions arise about sex, much of which can go unanswered because of the discomfort that it comes along with. Try having the birds and the bees talk with your parents or grandparents and see how comfortable you are while in the hot seat. Or how about the pressure you receive from your friends, knowing that everyone else around you is sexually active. Why aren’t you? Is it because you aren’t normal?
Sex has many meanings: spiritual, a dictionary, and as an action. The spiritual example was created by God for humans to express their love for one another in a physical manner, while being under a sacred marriage. This act was to be done as a form of love. The dictionary defines sex as an act of reproduction between a male and female. Sex as an action can be done for stimulation, reproduction, or terms or employment. Sex can also be defined by the five senses. Sex is seen as something beautiful, a true creation of what God intended for a man and wife. Sex is a sound of eternal belonging and assurance with the beat of a heart sealing the bond. Its unique smell can seduce your will, numbing and robbing you of all logistics. The taste of sex can range from classy to trashy depending on your preference. Its touch is soft and tender, binding the inner soul to a counterpart.
Have you ever heard the term sex sells? Society thrives from sexual advertisements and influences. During an interview, I asked several questions that dealt with pressure, values and morals, experience(s), and their personal feelings. Here is one interviewee’s response:
“I think sex is a form of pleasure. My first kiss was when I first encountered sex. I’ve felt pressure when dealing with sexual encounters, but not always. Sex in society definitely changes a person’s morals because there’s a great temptation and the need to fit in with the rest of the group’s actions. When I was pressured, I felt bad, like I was used because it wasn’t something I wanted to do at that time. I don’t feel I’d be more sexually active if I wasn’t pressured because I don’t feel that there is a “need” to have sex. Things that interest me are kissing, touching, a tall frame, nice smile, education, goals, the ability to care for and comfort me, trustworthiness, responsibility, and a sweet personality. I choose to be abstinent because of STD’s, the risk of pregnancy, I find it worth it to wait for someone.”
Sex has a lot of effects when it is misused. There are risks of infections like chlamydia, warts, HIV/AIDs, syphilis, gonorrhea, HPV, and herpes. Practicing safe sex involves many precautions that can help prevent these diseases, however they often are overlooked because of “the heat of the moment” or the feeling is better without certain contraceptives. Peer pressure is a deep and penetrating influence on kids in school. Many experience the transformations of bodily changes and are now becoming attracted to the opposite sex. Due to the lack of knowledge and education that these kids receive, a vast majority are thrown in to the wild to fend for themselves with their only weapon being first-hand experience. Problems arise such as various infections, relationship abuse, excessive tormenting, pregnancy, and even emotional strain. Society tends to see these adolescents as little more than a parenting problem gone wrong, but when society does turn its back on the young who do they affect. Not only do they cause hardship at home, but it gets carried into the workforce and society’s overall image.
How do we comprehend such a diverse and complex issue, especially when there are so many different variables and aspects to what it has to offer life? Sex is a part of everyday life whether we’re at home, school, even the workforce; it is always craving our attention. We, as members of society, need to be educated in its causes and effects in order to understand how it will relate and influence our lives.
Works Cited
“1,000 Ways to Die.” Spike TV. October 04, 2010.
Torres, Isabel. Personal Interview. 10/20/10
When You Wish Upon A Star
I once heard in a movie, “You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you that you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period!” (Pursuit of Happiness). Since the day that I first tasted air, I have faced adversity. Like a grotesque disease it has followed me everywhere, but I have never taken that as an excuse to give up on my dreams. From a divorced household to stereotypes to threats on my life, I have never given in to these limitations, always looking to exceed society’s expectations of me. Never settling for less, I have been blessed with the gift of being driven.
July 8, 1989, a date that will forever carry significance with me, I was born to Sheila Dore and Paul Perez Sr. Born out of wedlock, my parents decided to get married figuring it was the “right thing to do”, but with dad dropping out of his freshman year of college and mom barely graduating from high school, our American Dream would quickly fade away. My mom had to go in search of government assistance and received W.I.C. (Women, Infants, & Children) which was designed to aid low-income mothers, who were unable to provide sufficient fundamental needs to her child. My dad had to work two jobs, a salesman in the fish department at Albertson’s and attempting vigorous training to join the El Paso Fire Department. As I grew up, I learned to appreciate the smaller things in life, such as family, that would teach me values and morals.
My parents began having relationship issues, and at the age of eleven, decided that it was better to go their separate ways, after several years of arguing and abuse on each other. Torn between my parent’s love, I felt that I was the reason for the divorce and as if I had broken our family apart. My parents began seeing other people, making the case more so that I kept driving them apart. I began to see a therapist because I developed abnormal habits that concerned my parents. He diagnosed me with nervous trauma and said that I had suffered from turrets. I had a drastic reality check which forced me to accept the fact that I could not be a child anymore. I no longer felt like I was momma’s little boy or daddy’s little champ. Rather than be a statistic, I made changes in my life embracing my new role as an adult. I realized the true meaning of a greater calling.
The transition into high school brought along social differences. The importance of cliques and social gatherings was a new essential to surviving high school life. I was a timid and shy individual who only knew academics, basketball and baseball. Because I had played both these sports year-round since I was four, I was able to excel making the varsity baseball team my freshman year, and varsity basketball team my sophomore year. I earned titles of All-District athlete, Honorable Mention, All-City athlete, Most Improved on my team, and Academic-All-State athlete, an accolade where you had to maintain an “A” average, as well as an All-District/City athlete. As I grew more confident in my studies and athletics, my social life also expanded and began to open me up to the social aspects of high school. Never staying glued to one clique, I began diversifying my academic and social portfolio. I was no longer accepting mediocrity as an allowable passage through my studies. I geared my attention to college, in my AVID class (Advanced via Individual Determination), taking certain steps that I felt necessary to prepare myself for what was to come after high school. I became the Student Body Manager for student council emceeing pep rallies, meetings, and out-of-town field trips. That job also entitled me to promote school pride and spirit amongst the student body itself. I also was a member of the National Honor Society, and nominated to the Mayor’s Top 100 Teens list.
During my junior year at the University of Texas at El Paso, I stumbled upon one of my greatest accomplishments in life. At a basketball game I was approached by this fan in an orange jumpsuit. I had no previous encounters with this man, but when he spoke to me he mentioned my outgoing spirit and unique way of getting into the game. He went on to talk about how he used to be the mascot of UTEP and how he said I would be the perfect fit for what the university needed. A couple weeks later, I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job. Unsure, I accepted and was given a chance to show my skills. I had no prior training as a mascot so I was very skeptical as to what I was to do. Before I knew it I was bringing the fight back into the games, attracting more people, creating a new dynamic of entertainment for the fans, and representing my university to my best ability.
During my junior year at the University of Texas at El Paso, I stumbled upon one of my greatest accomplishments in life. At a basketball game I was approached by this fan in an orange jumpsuit. I had no previous encounters with this man, but when he spoke to me he mentioned my outgoing spirit and unique way of getting into the game. He went on to talk about how he used to be the mascot of UTEP and how he said I would be the perfect fit for what the university needed. A couple weeks later, I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job. Unsure, I accepted and was given a chance to show my skills. I had no prior training as a mascot so I was very skeptical as to what I was to do. Before I knew it I was bringing the fight back into the games, attracting more people, creating a new dynamic of entertainment for the fans, and representing my university to my best ability.
They say that as a mascot there are two accomplishments worth bragging about: one is being crowned the UCA champion, which is a mascot competition amongst others, and the other one is being invited to the Capital One Mascot Challenge. Within my 1st six months of being UTEP’s Paydirt Pete, I was selected to be one of sixteen nationally recognized mascots out of all the FBS and FCS schools in the United States. Not to mention the only on selected in Texas. I, had become, a 2010 Capital One Mascot Challenge Finalist.
My aspirations are to obtain a sociology degree as an undergrad, then take that further and focus on my degree in law. I have experienced the power and influence that the law has on society, which I feel positively influence the human lifestyle. It is hard to see how my future will be shaped, but I know that I have this problem because of the amount of opportunities that I have taken in. As I look through the eyes of that helmet, I am no longer Paul Perez Jr., I am a representative of my school, community, and the greater El Paso, TX area in which I must show that I am prepared for the demands that so many people expect of me to achieve. If I am to obtain make my fantasy’s come true then I must know that my character is not living in a fable, but rather writing my own chapter to a history that is full of uniqueness. If I am to be able to be successful, then I must continue to never follow someone else’s path, but instead be the star that everyone wishes upon, and that, is why I still dream!