Hello there, remember me?

It's been about six months since I've posted in this blog; that's a long time! I haven't been making blogs mandatory, and I've been updating my own personal blog, so there hasn't been a need for coming on here. Still, I feel like a neglectful parent.

But I've seen a few of you around campus. It always makes me smile to see former students finishing what they started! I've seen some of you at graduation, too! Keep up the amazing work you're all doing.

In the meantime, you'll see me here sporadically. I have my Course Preview BC blog, where I update all my upcoming courses. And, of course, I have my personal blog where you can keep up with what's going on in my world or where you can get creative writing exercises (if you want them).

Take care, and hasta pronto!

J.K. Rowling's Commencement Speech at Harvard

This is a "must-see." As we start discussing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I want you to view these videos of J.K. Rowling's Commencement Speech at Harvard in 2008. Listen, really listen, to what she says. It's in three parts.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

A First Look Behind the Scenes of Deathly Hallows - Part 2

ASSIGNED TOPIC 3: Sterilization Laws

Check out this article in Yahoo News about the ongoing battle between a mother and the courts to have her 21-year-old, mentally disabled daughter, sterilized, so the daugher can no longer have children.

Do you agree or disagree with this? In a blog post, on your own class blog, respond to this article. Share with us your thoughts and concerns.

ASSIGNED TOPIC 2: FIU Bans Smoking

This article, titled "Florida International University Bans Smoking on Campus, Even in Cars," came out recently, and it's been hotly debated among my friends. Read it, and then, in your own blog, write a reaction post to this article. What do you think? Do you agree with the ban, completely? Do you disagree with it? Do you agree with some parts, but not with others? Why?

ASSIGNED TOPIC 1: Winter Break

The winter break was a nice break from school, though I'm sure most of you (if not all) would agree it wasn't long enough. With celebrating holidays and gathering with family, before we knew it, it was time to buckle up and get back to school. That leads me to the first assigned topic of the semester: what did you do this winter break? Did you travel? Visit family? Stayed locally and worked? How did you celebrate the holidays, if you celebrated at all? Remember to keep posts at about 150 words (minimum).

Welcome to Winter Term!

It's a new year and a new semester. Everyone seems to be shinning with possibilities. At the beginning, we start strong, with momentum. We can tackle the world and we can make it.

Let's try to keep that momentum going throughout the semester!

It's so easy, half-way, to get discouraged, derailed. With the mounting pressure of deadlines and projects, some of us get unnerved and wonder whether we will, in fact, succeed. We will - if we remind ourselves that, like a good run, we have to keep it steady and even, or we will burn out. If we start out fast, we run out of breath and won't make it to the end. But if we keep ourselves at a pace that we can handle, we will finish that race, or, in our case, this semester.

So, here's to a great year and a great semester. Let it be one of success, knowledge, and possibility. We CAN do it all. :)