Thinking Critically About Writing

Whitney M.

December 29, 2008 - 5:12 PM

Lately, reading has become really fun for me. This is a bold statement given that I have never read happily and have devoted many brain cells to figuring out how to avoid it. As a child, I would sit on the couch and look at the pages so that my parents would think that I was reading, turning the pages every so often. Just in case you're wondering, it never fooled them.

I think that being in the journalism school has taught me to think critically about the authors' writing styles. It has become somewhat of a hobby of mine to analyze the grammar and word usage that the author chose to communicate his or her message. However, I must admit that it is much easier to be an editor than it is to be a writer. You know a good song when you hear one, and we are all quick to judge a bad song when we hear one of those. But only a very select few, for example Sir Elton John, are genuinely talented in the craft of writing songs.

The same goes for literature; I am sure. It is funny to see how a good story flows from page to page until the reader is blindsided by a bad choice of grammatical construction. Another insufferable mistake that some writers make is one that misstates a common axiom. One of which might be, "it was just a splash in the pan," which the writer meant as a reference to a "bump in the road"--not even the implication of the actual phrase. However, I have to recognize that these are few and far between, so...

"The glass is (more than) half full."

Which brings me to another point; I have noticed that some college students have begun to think critically and argue a less popular stand-point at "the drop of a hat," just for the sake of arguing--not "for the sake of argument," which is a noble cause. Being able to contrast points of view is important. But aimlessly disagreeing is arguing to see if "thinking outside the box" can land you on the upside of a discussion. Really, it is about winning, even if you don't know what you are talking about. From time to time, yes, the creative thinking can be very effective. But when we take an angle on a subject that has little or no evidence or support, just to be different, it is exhausting and a waste of time to our listeners.

I lost my main purpose for this blog after the introduction. I meant to tell you that reading is a somewhat exciting new hobby of mine. My boyfriend reads endlessly, which has always made me feel a little inadequate. But lately, and maybe as a result of my anxiety or a consequence of a multi-media generation, I have not been able to sit still without stimulating my mind. Electronics generally bore me, and I can't stand trying to type and focus on such a minute scale.

But when I am sitting around waiting for my dad, who is perpetually tardy, I have found myself reading "100 Words All High School Graduates Should Know," by the editors of the American Heritage Dictionary, or some new fiction written by successful, 21st century, female journalists like "Literacy and Longing in L.A." by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack.

 

In women's magazines, there is always a woman who tells the 20-something readers that she has finally found herself, now, at the age of 35 or 40. That is one of those statements that falls into the category of "aren't you too young to be in love?" or "don't worry it is all going to work itself out." Neither of which is helpful in the least because the younger person is always in love or always worrying. These "words of wisdom" easier said than understood.

 

But I think that when I reach that point of having found myself, I will be curious, hungry for knowledge (well knowledge that is relevant to my interests of course. You wouldn't see me reading history just for fun no matter how old I am), and always having something to "sink my (mind's) teeth into." I think that is one of the rewards of going to college. More than the potential to earn more money, learning to enjoy the intellectually curious side of your personality is the golden key that one gets out of having an education.

 

As a footnote, I have to tell you that my grammar class taught me that using maxims detracted from clever writing, which is probably true.

 

 

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Wherever You Go There You Are

Whitney M.

December 26, 2008 - 5:33 PM

I am feeling much better after having spent some time on winter break. This last term was so hectic that I didn't feel like I would ever de-stress. But now that I have relaxed a little bit, I feel refreshed enough to go into what will be the hardest term of my education. As long as I am able to keep my activities to a minimum this next term, I will be just fine. Before I started to feel better, however, I applied to intern at several magazines in New York starting in January. The purpose of course was to run as far away as I could get.

Soon after, I received inquiries from several big-name magazines, asking me to come in to interview for the position. Immediately I realized that this would be a huge mistake. During the upcoming term, I need to apply for study abroad, finally take Information Gathering, work for the transfer seminars, and try to find a balance between stress and laziness. Going across the country last-minute would be a terrible idea. My roommates would be without a third roommate, and my dad would have to pay the rent for my space. So everyone else loses! Nope! I couldn't do that. I needed to think this decision through and realize all of the horrible repercussions that would result from this spontaneous choice to run away from my stress.

"They always say: Wherever you go, there you are," and that is true. I need to learn to deal with my over-ambitious personality because that is the problem. No matter if I am in New York or Eugene, Oregon, I will be a stress-case if I don't take the steps to face it and correct it.

It is amazing what you learn during these breaks from school. I didn't think that there would be enough time to relax, but I am almost completely rejuvenated. I am sure that by the time the term starts, I will be ready.

 

 

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The Lighter Side

Whitney M.

December 22, 2008 - 3:26 PM

My dad and I went to Hanukah dinner tonight at his friend Carol's house. She has two kids and a few siblings with kids of their own. We all sat around a large table for a several course meal! It was absolutely fabulous. Going to the holiday parties is the best part of the season because experiencing people's smiling faces and good-humored remarks is really refreshing. The rest of the year is mostly composed of complaints and stress, but being with other people during this season has shown me the lighter side of people's personalities.

I went sledding with Carol's daughter Megan and her cousin Amy after dinner, which was funny because they are 27 and 28. As we were traveling up the hill we started wondering if one of us should stay at the bottom and direct traffic (that was nonexistent) just in case. If one of them was hit the headline would say, "Girl Killed in Sledding Accident: She was 28." Very sad. It was fun to get out and "play" again. I think the holidays do that to you. No matter how old or how "cool" you are, you always want to go play in the snow.

It is a great way to feel happy when most of the time I am nothing but stressed. I am actually starting to relax and getting used to the idea that school is going to start again. I think that I am getting some R&R. I have spent a few long days at the gym, using the internet access, and taking my time fixing up after my workouts. I also got my Christmas decorations up, which I wasn't sure was going to happen. This year my dad is working a lot so much of the gift shopping and home prepping has been put off. My mom won't be coming because of the terrible weather, and my grandma doesn't want to leave the "home," even for the holiday.

It is a little sad and a little frustrating, but right now I am trying to soak up the joy from the parties like my friend's surprise, welcome-home party and spending Hanukah with Carol and her family.

 

 

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It's Snowing in Portland!

Whitney M.

December 17, 2008 - 10:59 AM

It's snowing in Portland! Snow hardly ever falls in Portland. I remember growing up and praying at our living room window for the snow to fall. Snow feels magical no matter how old you are. My dad drives a Toyota Tundra, (fitting non?) and he can't wait to get up in the morning to brave the elements and conquer the adverse conditions.

I really like seeing these little parts of my dad's personality. He really is fascinating. Hearing him tell stories about his life, and watching him go through his everyday life is so wonderful for me. Much of my ambitions come from watching and hearing him talk about his life.

When he drives me around in the snow, I wonder how I am going to drive myself around when he no longer can. There are some things in college that you can't learn in a classroom. Who taught my dad to maneuver the truck in the snow and ice? I don't think anyone did. But if that is the case, then he must have just developed the skill, which makes me nervous because I question my own ability to do the same.

 

When do I get to grow into someone who can fend for herself in all situations? Does that exist? Can it happen for a woman? Well, now that is a loaded question because almost everyone nowadays says that women can do anything a man can do. But not all women can drive a truck in the ice and snow and live to tell the tale. Not every woman can back a boat trailer into the water, unhitch the boat, secure it and so on. Not all women can do all of the things that men can do. Some can; I'm sure, but not all.

Then again, not all men can do those things either. And I am sure that some women are much more adept at "masculine" undertakings than some men are. But again and again I hear that it is a man's world. Business is a man's game, even though women can be good, or even better than some men. But in the business game, men still come out with more credibility and a higher paycheck.

Not being able to do all of the things that my dad and boyfriend can do scares me sometimes. I feel stupid, weak and vulnerable when I think of the things that my dad has been doing for me forever.

The snow makes everything feel like it is at a stand-still. It is as if people can take their time wherever they need to go, and they might just put off their projects until a more suitable time. It also makes me feel not as rushed, not so pressed for time to figure everything out. I guess I might be scared that when I am 25 I will be way behind where I am supposed to be.

My dad always tells me that worrying about the things that I do is not productive because they are all things that are out of my control at this point in time. He tells me to trust the flow of things and cross these bridges when I come to them. Yes, this advice is absolutely correct. But turning off the need to fret is practically impossible. Sometimes, when I am in a very centered, "OM" place, I can allow myself to relax. But with the economy the way it is and with all of the things that I am trying to accomplish, these OM-oments are hard to come by.

Sometimes I think that if I am thin enough or work hard enough, I will find a place where I feel comfortable. But I always feel as if I am swimming upstream, but my destination is always unclear.

 

 

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The World and the Way it Works

Whitney M.

December 13, 2008 - 6:52 PM

I have just received a text message from my best friend. She and I have been friends since we met at the age of 5, but in the last two years, we have found it hard to find common ground on which to base our aging friendship.

Growing up, she and I spent every summer together, which was quite the feat given that she was from a small town that is about an hour and a half away from Portland. During the school year, she and I would always manage to see each other at least every two weekends. We were inseparable; all of our thoughts, wants, and decisions were aligned. As we grew and learned more about the world and the ways it works, she and I somehow always landed on the same conclusion, whether or not we talked about it before we decided.

It was like something you read about in a book. She was there for all of the hard things that I had the misfortune of experiencing while I was growing up. She held my hand as I cried after boys called me fat. She and I held each other while we watched our mother lose her mind. She was my sister, and my best friend; my soul mate. We needed each other. Her family life wasn't very happy either. Her father, who was deaf, never genuinely cared for her, which allowed my family to be her home for so much of our childhood.

When I went to inpatient drug treatment, I had no idea what was going to become of my best friend. She and I had gotten into a lot of trouble together, and I didn't know if I was going to be able to see her again. Eventually, I graduated the program and was sent home. My dad understood the relationship that my friend and I had, and he allowed me to slowly begin to contact her to see if she was in a place in her life that would allow us to maintain our friendship as well as our sobrieties.

By some will of a higher power, she was. She had moved away from her dad's house to Seattle with her grandmother. She had gotten a job at a hotel and was looking forward to starting community college in the near future.
Finally, we got to see each other again. At first it was strange. Being in such different places for two and a half years made for a bit of a culture shock. But pretty soon, we were back to our old selves, laughing like there was no tomorrow, talking until the wee hours and our eyes were so tired they were bloodshot.

We went to the east coast, my mom's in Long Beach WA., Seattle, and Portland together. I met my boyfriend while she was visiting me, and that first year after I graduated the program was a beautiful time. We had so much fun just being us again.

But now we are estranged. Neither of us has time to visit the other anymore. Both of us have boyfriends that we adore, jobs that demand our attention, and schoolwork to accomplish. It is very hard to live my daily life without her. We have spent our whole lives in somewhat of a long distance relationship, during the week at least. But we have had conflicts of values now that we are growing into young adults, and we have found it hard to see eye-to-eye.

Every day I wish that I could call her and tell her about all of the things that I wish she was fighting through with me. When we were growing up, it was she and I against the world. If I was fighting, so was she. If she needed me to support her, I was there in no time with a fire in my eyes and a clench in my fist.

Maybe it is good for me to learn to support myself emotionally and have my own back for once. But without my mom's sanity, and sometimes without my dad's emotional support, I feel awfully alone. Not having her is like not having that person on the inside who listens to the voice that is always talking in my head.

Friendships have changed now that I am in college. Girlfriends are not the same as they used to be. I suppose it is probably good because overall people are way less codependent. Everyone has their major, their job, their boyfriend, their internships, you name it, they've got it. And friendships are more of an afterthought. I'll confess that my boyfriend is my best friend nowadays, which creates an alliance that I don't share with my girlfriends.

For me, this is hard because I am so used to having very tight relationships like the ones in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Sex in the City. Maybe someday there will be a shift for my best friend and me. Maybe we need to have our independence right now, but I pray that it isn't over between us. She represents so much of who I was while I was growing up; I don't want to lose that, nor do I want to lose her.

 

 

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