First Post

Hi everyone, my name is Holly and I'm from Boulder, Colorado. I am a sophomore at TCU and I'm majoring in Speech and Language Pathology and minoring in Spanish. I love TCU and am involved with many different organizations on campus such as a sorority, Soul Steppers, the Honors Program and more. I listen to a million different kinds of music, and will listen to anything at least once. My favorite TV shows are The Office, Lost, 24 and the King of Queens, although I am always open to more suggestions. My favorite movie of all time is Remember the Titans. I am a big fan of musicals and "feel good" movies as well. I love to read and can totally get lost wandering around Barnes and Noble. 

This blog is a part of my Sophomore Composition English class. I'm taking this English class because it is required, but I am looking forward to the class in general. I enjoy writing and think that I will be able to strengthen my writing skills on many different levels by taking this course.

Writing is a pretty big part of my world. I am often texting friends or family, especially since I am far from home. Text messaging and emails are great methods of communication for me, because it allows a conversation to be had at a convenient time for everyone involved. I don't think that an email or text can take the place of a phone call however, but for the sake of speed and efficiency in communication, it will do. I also journal a lot. Journaling is my way of getting my thoughts and emotions on paper in order to better understand them. It helps me to clear my mind and see things in a different light. Instead of getting overwhelmed, I have found that problems often don't seem as bad when you see them written on paper. Writing on facebook is also a common method of communication between my friends and I. It is rarely personal, but is a small connection with what is going on in the worlds of my friends. So overall, I consider writing a release and a concise means of communication. I feel that information can be passed on much more clearly and efficiently in writing.

I am a member of many different communities, all of which have impacted who I am today. I am originally from Boulder, Colorado, and I love it. Boulder is a very unique town and the people are a very ecclectic breed. What I enjoy most about Boulder is the laid back lifestyle. I am a pretty easy going girl and I enjoy taking things at my own pace, one day at a time. I feel at home in Boulder, and enjoy hiking and running in the mountains. 

I graduated from a small, charter school about 20 minutes outside of Boulder. Being a small school, with a graduating class of 48, we formed our own community. This community was one of labels. I  was labeled as the athlete and smart girl. This community was formative for me as well, because of the amount of time I spent in it. Some of my best friends are from this community. 

As a member of the TCU community I have been influenced in many ways. This community is much different than my home in the sense that it is more structured and public. The people of TCU are more friendly and outgoing than those in Boulder, for the most part. Being a part of this community has made me more of an individual, as I have had to make choices that might have otherwise been decided for me at home. I have become a stronger person because of this. 

I am a member of Eta Iota Sigma, which is another community in which I am involved. This is by far the most tight-knit community of which I am a member. Many of the girls in my sorority are my closest and dearest friends, making the sorority a source of great encouragement and support in all seasons of life. I was recently in a horrible car accident which resulted in 3 surgeries on my feet and knee. My sorority sisters provided me with undeserved support every day. 

If this blog is indeed an argument in itself, I suppose that it is arguing who I am. The colors that I chose reflect my personality and are trying to portray my "image" to the readers and win their acceptance in a way. However, it is also an example of "invitational argument" because I am inviting readers to explore my ideas and thoughts and compare them with their own. This blog is a way for my thoughts and ideas to be presented to the world. I suppose that it is argumentative in nature because I am willing to defend and stand behind my ideas as I present them to readers. By adding a picture of the mountains that are by my house to this post I am also arguing that my home is a beautiful place and wanting others to see that and agree with me. My introduction argues that I am an open and social person by sharing my interests and preferences to many different things. So I am arguing on my own behalf and on the behalf of my opinions through this blog.

*I have read the syllabus and agree to the conditions and terms of this class.