Term Paper Blues

This semester, I have to write a paper that is worth 30% of my mark. That is the same as my final in this English class. And I know that my professor is expecting a lot out of us. I also know that I am not exactly on the right track. You see, I handed in my proposal last week and got it back on Monday. I achieved a whopping 1.5/3 on it. Apparently, I am not doing so well in that area.
Mind you, this was the first proposal I had written and I didn't complete all the requirements. I was lacking a source because I couldn't find one. I know that's a lame excuse, but you try finding an academic journal article about a poet that actually deals with a poem that you want to write about! It's a challenge. I do not appreciate it!
So I am meeting with my prof tomorrow. She is very willing to give me some guidance in this area. Apparently my thesis statement was lacking direction. I believe that this is the first time I am meeting with a professor to discuss a paper. I'm rather good at writing papers, thus the English major thing. So it's not something that I have done before. I don't know what to expect. I'm assuming that I should go in there with some ideas and make it look like I have put some effort into this paper. But I don't want to. This term paper scares me. I know it shouldn't.. I will have to write 4 more next year when I continue taking 300 level English courses. But I still don't like it. Does that make me a scaredy-cat?

Obesity Epidemic

I am currently in Minot, ND on a shopping trip with my mother, grandmother and sister-in-law's. It has been thoroughly enjoyable so far.. Except for the disturbing trend I noticed at supper tonight.
We went out to Applebee's for supper. It was really tasty and we quite enjoyed ourselves. Except the amount of food we received was slightly excessive. We each got a meal and also had 2 appetizers. When we got our appetizers, we realized that these pre-dinner treats were actually large enough to satisfy us as a meal. And the meals we got were massive. Chelsea and Steph both got chicken fingers and fries. Usually, you would get 4 chicken fingers and a good portion of fries. But they got 6 chicken fingers and more fries than a person could normally eat. This excessive portion size was reflected in the other 3 meals we consumed. I left that restaurant feeling very, very full.
This large portion size isn't just a trend at Applebee's. Everywhere we go, everywhere we get food, portions are huge. You always receive more food than you can actually eat. I would have to say that this is one of the main reasons that our society is experiencing an obesity epidemic. So often, we eat on the run or don't have the time to cook at home. The portions we get at a restaurant are much too big. We feel like we should eat all of what we are given, but this shouldn't be the case. If we didn't feel obligated to eat so much at restaurants, I bet our obesity rates would be diminished. Think about it..

~ Jessica

Switch on.. Switch off

I am of the opinion that sex should wait until marriage. But having a boyfriend makes that waiting a lot more difficult. Upon reflection, we decided that having an on/off switch for your sex drive would be very useful. I mean, imagine if there was this switch that could be turned on when you get married. Before that point, you would just make out and then be satisfied. Upon getting a ring on your finger, you would all of a sudden be up for much more. This may seem archaic to those of you who are just waiting for "the one" with or without a ring. But for me, I'm wishing that there was a switch. Things would be a lot easier..

~ Jessica

Skin Deep?

So have you ever glanced over and been a little scared of the person you find in your view? It's happened to me before. I mean, not everyone is going to be appealing to you at first. Some people don't have the best style. They may look a little odd. Sometimes they need just a little fashion advice. So you avoid them for as long as possible. You are scared that their outward appearance somehow reflects the person on the inside and you don't want to look any deeper.

I've done this a lot in my past. I'll admit it. I tend to be a little shallow. But as I have become more comfortable in my own skin, I find that I can hang out with those people who are a little odd and not be ashamed by it.

For example, I have a friend who recently began dating a boy who, at first glance, was a little intimidating. He was quirky and a bit of a hippie. Not the kind of guy I would normally hang out with, but my friend really likes him. So I gave him a chance, talked to him a couple times. And do you know what I realized? He was a really nice guy! And he suited my friend quite well. Imagine what would have happened if I had brushed him aside because he wasn't the kind of person I normally associated with.. I would never have realized what a nice guy he was. I've heard him referred to as "a loser" but that is def not the case!

Now I'm not saying that because of this one example, I am perfect. But I am saying that I have begun to learn that a person's character is not always reflected in their appearance. So I am fine associating with the "losers" of the bunch, to an extent. There are still some people who lack social skills that I have a really hard time hanging out with. You can only do so much. But I am willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. You never know what might happen if you do! You might find your best friend underneath that slightly odd exterior.

~Jessica