My grandmother Benice was a very predictable person.  We always knew what color of tissues she would have set out, in her pockets and in her hands.  They were always the pink Kleenex brand.  She always had her strawberry Bubblelicious bubble gum.  Pink, of course.  She would chew bubble gum all day long.  Then, there was her pink, button-up sweater, which she wore most days, even in the summer.  Her rouge and lipstick were also very pink.  I never thought much about this nor have I ever asked her what her favorite color was.  I guess after a little reminder of the past, I have a pretty good guess that it must be pink. 

She has been gone now for almost 17 years.  We placed a pack of bubble gum and a few pink tissues in her casket the day of her funeral.  We wanted Grandma to be well stocked as she entered the gates.  She always had the “supplies” on hand when we needed them, so it was the least we could do for her. 

I am very happy to have had this assignment.  It not only gave me a few minutes to remember my grandmother Bernice, but to remember my other grandparents who have since passed as well.

“They’re all related, and I value all of them, but clearly the student that I find most rewarding is the Peanut.”

I like this quote because it truly expresses the authors thoughts and hopes for each M&M/student.  The thoughts are expressed very well in each primary and secondary support paragraphs.  In the end, the Peanut is the favorite and I think that is the case in most of our lives.  We strive to be the best and expect the best from those we care about.

I think the thesis is: “In two years teaching composition at LSC, I have noticed certain classes of students emerge from the homogeneous masses of candy coated chocolate that face me every day.”  The supporting paragraphs really represent the thesis by explaining each kind of M&M and personality or class.  An example of support for the thesis is:  “The Krispie is one of those new M&M’s that I like very much, but I’m afraid they’re not going to last.”   What a great analogy…M&M’s and people.

“Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.”  I don’t think enough peope believe this about education.  I know I didn’t when I first attended college eleven years ago.  I was going to college because it was what people did after high school.  Now that I am going to college for the third time in my life, I understand this statement and appreciate it a lot more.  I am a bit older now and I understand life a lot better.  If I want more in my life, it is up to me and my goals to accomplish this task.

 I believe the thesis is “As I engage in the so-called “bull sessions” around and about the school, I too often find that most college men have a misconception of the purpose of education.”  The author gives three different points of view of the purpose of education and supports his own point of veiw.  One example of support for the thesis is, “It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society:  The one is utility, and the other is culture.”  Here he is stating his own point of view of what the purpose of education is.

“The family, led by a married mother and father, is the best available structure for both child-rearing and cultural health.”  I used to be so afraid of gay people, I felt sorry for them because they wouldn’t have “natural” children, they wouldn’t have the normal American family.  They wouldn’t get to experience what I have been able to experience with my family.  Now, I am not afraid of them, I am however, uncomfortable around gays because it is not a way of life for me and I don’t understand it.  I do not feel sorry for them for reasons stated above because I now realize that everyone has their own desires and leading a gay lifestyle is appealing to some.  Even though I am not a supporter of a gay relationship, this quote upsets me because it may be naturally moral, but not everyone has the same morals.  There is really nothing we can do to stop the relationship.  Whether they are allowed to get married or not, they still will have feelings for one another and carry on in their relationship.

I do not support this quote, however it states a fact, but can also be argued which is what most of this essay is about.  In the end, it comes down to an opinion. 

I think the writer’s point is that the Federal Marriage Amendment needs to be passed or their will be chaos.  I don’t think he supports gay marriages or relationships at all. 

“Convinced by the media and popular culture to believe that, as women, they should look a certain way and that only if they looked that way would they be loved and respected, they turned to dieting as a means of personal fulfillment and self-definition.”  I chose this quote because it reminds me of my life a little bit.  I was previously married to a physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive man.  I thought I looked “good” back then.  He once made the comment after I accepted a job as a school secretary that I better watch myself because my behind (he used other words) will expand from sitting on it all day long.  He also said to one of his friends that if I lose 40 pounds, from where I don’t know, that he would have sex with me more often.  Lucky me!  We divorced soon after that.  I now am married to a wonderful man and have five children with him.  My weight has increased quite a bit and I  have not heard one negative comment from my husband.  This reminds me that you don’t have to be “Hollywood thin” to be loved.  There are a lot of nasty people in this world, but there are also a lot of fantastic people.  This essay tells a lot about how women feel about themselves and the influences that others have on them to look “good”. 

I think the thesis is “Women are up against a long history of devaluation and oppression, and, unfortunately, the feminist movements have been only partially successful in purging those legacies.  Women have always struggled with self image, but with support groups, great friends and treatment, not only to victims, but also to the rapists and batterers, we may be able to reduce the amount of incidences, be it, eating disorders, rape, abuse, and negative self image.

“I am a cripple.”  I chose this passage because it is the truth, it is pure honesty, it is acceptance of oneself.  I tend to live in the moment and deal with what is at hand.  I am a constant reminder that “we will get through this”.  Nancy seems comfortable with her situation and chooses to deal with her “crippleness” rather than dwell on her incapabilties.  I appreciate this kind of attitude.  I believe this passage is the thesis because it explores how she feels about it and what she is doing to overcome everyday challenges.

This reading had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  “Will he do it?” is all I could think of.  This is the type of story no parent would ever want to know about.  Not only is Roger putting himself in danger, but he must be going through so much pain inside knowing he has to prove himself to make friends.  Not exactly what most people look for in a friend.

The following got my attention:  Even my old cronies, Dwayne and O.T., made it clear I’d never be one of the guys in junior high if I didn’t dirty up my act.  This is upsetting to me because I believe and try to teach my children to accept people for who they are.  You never know when their qualities may benefit you. 

 I think Roger Hoffman wanted to express how hard a child’s life can be.  He went to great measures just to “fit in”.   Just because children become adults doesn’t mean things change, adults are confronted with dares, they are just usually handled in a much different manner. 

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