Final Reflections

This week we will be finalizing everything that we have worked on this semester. I will go over my expectations with regard to the Final and the Portfolio, as well as personally conference with all of you with regard to your academic standing in this class.

This semester you had the opportunity to accumulate a total of 1800 points! Please check your Blackboard gradebook to see where you stand with regard to your points. Please also note that 600 of these points are outstanding. This is because your journal entries are worth 300 points, your narrative is worth 100 and your Final/Portfolio is worth at least 200 (but you will have the opportunity to earn at least 300 bonus points with this assignment.

Narrative – 100 points

Journal Entries – 300 Points

I will check over journal entries (Hopefully, you have at least 30 – the journal entries are worth 10 points each)

April 2015 The Final/Portfolio

Below is your final/portfolio. Your portfolio consists of you gathering up all the work that you completed this semester and evaluating it and/or rewriting some pieces.

Portfolio 150 Points – Required!

The purpose of the portfolio is to get you to really think deeply about how you have grown as a reader, writer, listener, thinker, researcher and debater this semester.

Final 300 Bonus Points Available – Not Required

The purpose of the final is to either test your knowledge about writing and the writing process, or to get you to think provocatively about certain concepts we have covered this semester.

Remember Tuesday May 5, 2015 is your deadline! No work can be accepted after this date! This is your final opportunity to improve your grade in this class. If you miss me on campus, please turn your final work into room 433 in the Seedfelt Building. Put a note on it to indicate that it is for Professor Amber Maiden.

Portfolio Questions:

What are the most important things that you have learned this semester about your writing process? If you choose to rewrite any of your assignments tell me which ones you selected and why. If you did not choose to rewrite any of your assignments, select an assignment that you should have rewritten and would have rewritten if you had the time.

Do you feel like you have learned how to become a stronger writer, thinker, reader, researcher and speaker in this class? What skills did you pick up in this class that you will be able to take with you and use in another class?

What was your most favorite writing assignment, and why? What was your least favorite writing assignment, and why?

Which writing assignment was the most difficult for you? Why do you think it was so difficult?

What did you think about the group method? Did you like working in groups?

What did you think about the socratic method? (Sitting around the table, passing notes to partners, limited professor guidance) Did you feel like it gave everyone the opportunity to participate in class? Do you feel like it gave you an opportunity to be more involved in your learning experience. What did you like about it? What didn’t you?

Research Questions

What role did you play in the Great Debate? Did you find the role that you played in the debate to be easy or difficult? What was the most difficult thing that you had to do in preparation for the great debate?

What did you think about identifying a rhetorical style for the articles that you were researching? What did you learn from trying to evaluate the point of view of the writer?

What was most difficult about the research process, locating articles, summarizing the articles, citing the articles or identifying a rhetorical style?

Based on the articles that you reviewed, do you think that you can believe everything that you read? How reliable did you find your sources to be?

Do you feel like you will be comfortable researching difficult topics in the future? How did the research and debate sessions of this class, improve your ability to think critically.

Out of the nine rhetorical styles we studied this semester, which three were your favorite and why?

Journaling Questions

What did you think about personal journaling? Did you use this process to learn more about yourself? What do you think about this kind of journaling?

For your public journaling, which websites did you use to spur your thinking about different topics? Why were you attracted to this particular website? Did it open your mind to new thoughts about anything?

Based on the work that you put into this class, what final grade would you assign to yourself?

Bonus 50 Points:

You may earn bonus portfolio points by rewriting any assignment, or a part of an assignment that you feel you can make better OR by crafting your own portfolio questions that you would like to answer.

Final Questions

Analytical Questions

What is writing?
What is Critical Thinking and why is it so important to learning how to debate an issue or live your life?
What is The Basic Essay Structure, why is it so important to master it?
What is The Writing Process, what have you learned about it this semester?
What, do you think is the most important thing that you can learn about Grammar Again!?
Tell me some interesting things about Punky, Pompous, Punctuation.
What is the The MLA Style, and why is it important for you to master it before you turn in your research paper?
Name at least five stages of the writing process.
What sorts of things have you really thought critically about this semester, please explain why you would label this thinking as “critical.”
What do you think is the most important thing that one can do to prepare for a debate.

Technology

What was the most interesting thing that you learned about technology this semester?
What was the most outrageous thing that you learned about technology this semester?
Based on the debate, do you have a greater awareness of how technology is influencing our world, if so how has your understanding of technology expanded?
Based on the debate, do you have any strong opinions about whether technology is improving our world (heaven on earth) or degrading it (hell in a handbasket)?
What does Hal say to Dave that has become so iconic (among software programmers) that Siri says it, if you ask her Dave’s question.

Analytical and Intuitive Questions

1.8 Mile v. T.S. Eliot’s “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

Eminem is a brilliant lyracists and T.S. Eliot is considered that grand daddy of modern poetry. In class, we discussed how each artist was essentially telling the same age-old adversity story – What was it? Did you figure it out? What do those two literary works have in common? What is the adversity that Rabbit and Prufrock must overcome?

You Live, You Learn, In the song, you live, you learn, what is Alanis Morissette is saying what about adversity? Is she speaking of any specific type of adversity? Cite a lyric to back up your analysis.
Never Be Daunted

Rather than adversity, I think this song/poem is about fear. Do you agree? What does this song say about fear? Does it give you any particular insight into fear? How does fear relate to adversity? Cite a lyric to back up your analysis.

Story Telling – Adversity

The Way Through, By Amber Lisa

Preface: “Just Get Over It” – Amber Lisa – MANDATORY

How is Amber Lisa’s preface about overcoming adversity? Does she tell you what kind of adversity she is facing? How does she overcome it?

“The Orange” – Snap Judgment – MANDATORY

How does the main character in this story overcome his particular adversity? What rhetorical style is used to make the point? Is it effective?
Bonus Points – If you reviewed any of the materials below and have anything that you wanted to share about it, feel free to do so for bonus points.

“A Love Supreme” #404 – Snap Judgment, “Making it Work” #406 – Snap Judgment, “Lemonade” #318 – Snap Judgment

Story Telling – Love, Peace & Joy

Bonus Points – If you reviewed any of the materials below and have anything that you wanted to share about it, feel free to do so for bonus points.

Chapter 9: “True Love” – Amber Lisa – Optional, Letters to Santa – Mandetory

“No Perfect Love” #426 – Snap Judgment – MANDATORY, The Gangster’s Girl – This is Hysterical!, Love On The Rocks, Chasing Kari, The Gift Horse, Simply Happy – Required, Be Happy, It’s Love!, Cooperation!, Share!, “A Love Supreme” #404 – Snap Judgment, Falling Slowly, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, The Story of Ko Jimmy, Cynthia, The Last Madam, “Joy and Pain ” #503 – Snap Judgment,The Unwedding, Just Us, The Last Resort, Henry and Jane, Letters to Santa – Mandetory

Story Telling – Identity/Family

Bonus Points – If you reviewed any of the materials below and have anything that you wanted to share about it, feel free to do so for bonus points.

Chapter 5: “The Quest for Identity and Power” – Amber Lisa –MANDATORY, Chapter 15: “Who’s Afraid of Lisa Lu?” – Amber Lisa – MANDATORY, “Identity Crisis” #417 – Snap Judgment – MANDATORY, Step Into The Den, Far to Fall, Amnesia Forever. The Registry, “Dear Mama” #426 – Snap Judgment, The Tea Ceremony, What’s Happenin’ with Raj’s Mom?, Raw Meat, Mother of Many, Mom vs. Tornado, Moms in Prison, Embryonic, Soul Food, “Artificial Intelligence” #501 – Snap Judgment, Robot Boy – Snap 501(Loved this!) Sim Stephanie, Defender of the Internet, Brain in a Box, “Simpatico” #605 – Snap Judgment, I Hate That Guy, Anything For The Client, Through The Looking Glass

Story Telling – Death, Loss, Fear

Bonus Points – If you reviewed any of the materials below and have anything that you wanted to share about it, feel free to do so for bonus points.

Chapter 8: “Losing it” – Amber Lisa – Optional, Chapter 12: “Running for my Life” – Amber Lisa – Optional, Chapter 16: “The Serenity Prayer” – Amber Lisa – Optional, Chapter 19: “The Story of My Life” – Amber Lisa- Optional, “Reunion” #415 – Snap Judgment – MANDATORY, “J- Dilla’s Lost Scrolls”, “Picking up The Pieces” #523 – Snap Judgment – Optional, “The Mission”, “Lost Cause” #507 – Snap Judgment – “Not Good Men”

Questions on The Way Through

Part 1: Deep Slumber

Preface and Chapter One: The Beginning of the Journey

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French Jesuit priest and philosopher

When I was three years old I lived like a princess.

The Preface: What happened to Amber when she was thirteen? How did this affect her?

Have there been experiences in your family that you felt were traumatic and upsetting? If so, how did your family deal with this experience? How do you think this experience affected you or your family?

What do you think of the quote “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.” Why do you think he says this? Does Amber believe that this is true? Do you?

At the first chapter of my book, The Way Through, I ask, “Why are we here? How did we get here? How do we end up in some of the situations that life places us in? Do we have any choice in the matter? Hey I want to sign up for the life experience where my crazy daddy threatens to bash my head in and I’m totally screwed up about it for the next twenty years? Did I really sign up for that?

Do you think that I did?

In order to write my book, I did a lot of research and study of my family, and their patterns. Not just my parents, but my grandparents and aunts and uncles, etc.

How much do you know about the people in your family? Do you know how much education they have, what their careers have been, what their hopes and dreams were? What their most cherished beliefs are? What patterns do you recognize in your family, and how do these things affect you?

Chapter Two: Love and Fear

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

Lao Tzu, Chinese Taoist Philosopher, 600 BC

Eventually you will come to understand that love…is all there is.

Gary Zukav, American Best Selling Author, Spiritual teacher

We invent what we love and what we fear.

John Irving, American Best Selling Author

When I was eight years old, I finally met my father.

What do you think the above quotes? What do they have to do with love and fear? What is the relationship between change and love and fear

Why does Amber pray that her father turns into Ward Cleaver? Do you think her prayers will be answered? If so, how?

Why does Amber say, “When I was eight years old, I finally met my father?” what does she mean by that? Hadn’t she known him all her life? Why does she call him a rock star?

How is Amber’s family dysfunctional? What does Amber hate about her parents? How do you think this affects her? Have you ever seen your parents fight? How did it affect you?

Why did Amber feel so incredibly betrayed when her father took her family to Mexico? What kinds of things happen in Mexico and how do they make Amber feel? How do you think you would have felt, had these been you experiences?

What is the most amazing thing that happened to Amber and her family while they were in Mexico?

What lessons does Amber learn in love, fear and love and fear (based on what you have read from the past three chapters.)

Chapter Three: Betrayal and Hate

In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost.

Dante Alighieri, Italian Poet from the Middle Ages (1300 AD)

The price of hating other human beings is loving ones self less.

Eldridge Cleaver, Author, Civil Rights and Black Panther Party Leader

When I was ten, I learned how to hate.

What do you think of Cleaver’s quote, “The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.” Do you think this is true? Why does Amber say, “When I was ten, I learned to hate?” What happens to her when she was ten? Has anything ever happened to you to make you very angry with someone, of to make you feel like you hated someone? What was it?

What does the quote by Dante Alighieri in the beginning of Chapter 4 means?

What is the most amazing thing that happened to Amber and her family while they were in Mexico?

What lessons does Amber learn in love, fear, betrayal and hate? How will the things that she has learned effect her long term?

Chapter Four: Chaos and Confusion

We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.

Oscar Wilde, Irish Playwright, Poet, Novelist

When I was eleven years old, I went to hell. My own private one anyway.

Amber says, “When I was eleven years old, I went to hell. My own private one anyway.” What does she mean by that? What are your thoughts about hell? Do you think it is a real actual place that exists- or is it simply a state of mind?

At this time in her life, what is making Amber so angry? Why do you think she feels the way she does? Does she have a right to be so angry? What do you think the consequences of her anger will be? Have you ever met someone who was extremely angry? If so, have you ever examined the reasons for their anger?

When Amber gets blamed for dropping her baby brother, why does this make her so angry? Has anything happened to you that made you really angry? How did you deal with that anger?

What do you think will happen to Amber as a result of her anger, and the other dark emotions that she experiences? Have you or anyone that you know, ever been overwhelmed with negative emotions due to a particular trauma or tragedy? What happened to these people as a result?

What do you think of the Stone quote, “I am no better, and neither are you. We are the same whatever we do.” Does anyone believe this? Why is this quote an ironic way to for Amber to begin Chapter 8?

In this chapter, who is Amber fighting with, and why is she doing all of this fighting? Where does it ultimately lead Amber?

What do you think of the quote “Sex is power, Identity is power. In western culture , there are no none-exploitative relationships. Everyone has killed in order to live.” Do you think this is true? Why or why not? How does this quote tie into Chapter 8?

Why do Amber and her friends become so obsessed with proving to the cool clique that they are also cool?

Why does Amber become so upset when JJ introduces her to his father?

During this time, what lesson does Amber learn about identity and power? What kinds of lessons have you learned around these concepts?

In Chapter 9, what does Amber experience that damages her psychologically?

Why do you think that Amber’s mother is so reluctant to take her to the hospital? Why dos Amber say that colored girls don’t consider suicide?

Why does Amber’s suicide attempt upset Dr. Farmer so much? What kind of affect does this have on Amber?

Why do you think Amber says that she went to hell? (her own private one anyway?) Do you think that you are responsible for the hell you create in your life, or is it always someone else’s action/creation?

Chapter Five: The Quest for Identity and Power

I am no better, and neither are you. We are the same whatever we do.

“Everyday People”

Sly Stone, American Musician, Songwriter, Rock Star

When I was thirteen, I studied war.

Dancing with White Boys

Sex is power. Identity is power. In western culture, there are no nonexploitative relationships. Everyone has killed in order to live.

Camille Paglia, American Author, Poet, Professor, Feminist

Identity Crisis

She knows who she is, because she knows who she isn’t.

Nikki Giovanni, American Poet, Princeton Professor

In this chapter, who is Amber fighting with, and why is she doing all of this fighting? Where does it ultimately lead Amber?

Why do Amber and her friends become so obsessed with proving to the cool clique that they are also cool?

Why does Amber become so upset when JJ introduces her to his father?

During this time, what lesson does Amber learn about identity and power? What kinds of lessons have you learned around these concepts?

Select anyone of the above quotes, and explain how they relate to concepts of identity and power.

How do concepts like race, sex and gender relate to identity and power?

Chapter Six: Terror, Loss and Grief

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,

When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on

Don’t let yourself go, ’cause everybody cries…. and everybody hurts… sometimes…

Sometimes everything is wrong.

“Everybody Hurts”

Bill Berry, Songwriter and Drummer for R.E.M.

When I was thirteen, I lived in terror, I suffered losses and I grieved.

Do you think it’s true that everybody hurts, sometimes?

What happened to Amber when she was thirteen that caused her to suffer so deeply? Do you think that many people suffer in this way?

Why do you think that Amber’s mother is so reluctant to take her to the hospital?

Why does Amber’s suicide attempt upset Dr. Farmer so much? What kind of affect does this have on Amber?

Why did she think of Dr. Farmer, and how did he cause her to reevaluate what she thought about race, gender and identity?

Why don’t colored girls consider suicide (according to the women in her family?)

Chapter 7: Authentic Power

The mind is very powerful and never loses its creative force.

A Course in Miracles

When I was fifteen, I picked up the pieces of my life and found my power.

What does the above quote mean? Is the mind very powerful? How can it never lose its creative force?

At fifteen, Amber believes she found her power, how does she do this?

Non Scholae Sed Vitae Discimus- what does it mean? What does Amber learn for her life?

Why does she still continue to struggle with her relationship with her mother?

What role do her teachers and friends play in her finding her own authentic power? Have you ever had teachers or friends that helped her out?

Chapter 8: Losing the Connection

It’s getting dark, and hell is hot.

DMX, Bipolar, Barking Hip-Hop Artist

When I was sixteen, I lost the connection

Who are Amber’s friend’s at this time in her life? Why does she choose this particular group of friends? How do these choices affect her? Were they good choices? Have you ever selected friends that were not necessarily acting in your best interest?

What other choices does Amber make during this time in her life that were poor choices? Why do you think she made these poor choices?

How does Amber describe the hood? What do you think of her description of it? Have you ever known or been to a place like that?

How does Amber describe prep school? What do you think of her description of it? How well do you think she handles the contrast?

What are Amber’s biggest fears in her life and how does she allow herself to be controlled by her fears? What happens as a result? Have you ever allowed fear to control you or influence your decisions? What was the result?

Chapter 9: True Love, Miracles and Other Spiritual Experiences

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Paul, the apostle

When I was seventeen something absolutely miraculous happened to me.

A love story, a true love story.

Crazy Fears

Crazy and deranged, crazy and deranged, you can’t figure him out, you say: “Hey, is he insane?”

“Crazy”

Jay Z, Entrepreneurial Hip- Hop Star also Beyonce’s Husband

A Christmas Miracle

So this is Christmas…and what have you done?

“Happy Christmas (War is Over)”

John Lennon, Metaphysical Rock Star

In the End

Nothing last forever but be honest babe, it hurts but it may be the only way.

“I Heard ‘Em Say”

Adam Levine, Romantic Rock Star

What was Amber’s state of mind when she met Key at driver’s ed? Do you think that she intended to hurt him when she agreed to be his girlfriend, why or why not?

Initially, Amber decides she is going to “play” Key? What happens instead? What sorts of things about the relationship are odd, beautiful, uncharted and unexpected?

Do you think Key is crazy? Do you think Key is a thug? Why does Amber imply that Key is a crazy, thug?

What happens to Amber her prom night that shifts the relationship between she and Key in a major way?

What miraculous thing happened between her and Key on Christmas in 1988?

How do things end between Amber and Key? Why do you think they ended that way? Do you think there was anyway for them to have ended better? What do you think Adam Levine means when he sings, it hurts but it may be the only way.

Stevie Wonder says, “True love asks for nothing.” The very last time Amber saw Key, she felt like this expression was applicable, why? How did the love Amber experienced in that relationship change her? Do you think true love is unconditional? Have you ever experienced it? How did it make you feel?

Would you describe the relationship between Key and Amber as difficult or easy? Happy or sad? Why are some relationships more difficult than others and which ones teach you the most? (Easy or difficult?)

Chapter 10: The Love of My Life

Until the end of time, I’ll be there 4 U

U own my heart and mind,

I truly adore U!

“Adore”

Prince, Freaky Musical Genius and Pop Star

When I was eighteen, I met the love of my life!

How is the relationship that Amber had with Bernard different than the one she had with Key. Why does the relationship with Bernard build her confidence?

Why is it that initially Lisa does not want to become involved in a relationship with Scott? Why does she act against reason and logic and become involved with him anyway?

Why does Lisa’s relationship with Scott make her think that all of her problems from before are in the past? Why is this faulty reasoning on Lisa’s part? Why do you think that people who fall in love believe that those feelings of infatuation will last forever?

Chapter 11: The Love that Was Lost

Mirror in the sky, what is love? Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?

I don’t know.

“The Landslide”

Stevie Nicks, Mystical Rock Star

When I was twenty-two, I lived through the absolutely worst moment of my life.

What is happening during what Lisa describes as the worst moment of her life? Why do you think this is so bad for her?

Once Lisa and Scott got married, that heads-over-heels love that they shared seemed to evaporate from their relationship. Why do you think this happened to them?

Why do you think that Amber cannot figure out what is wrong with he marriage? What kinds of things does she do that makes the situation worse?

Chapter 12: Running for my Life

You can’t run away from trouble. There ain’t no place that far.

James Baskett as Uncle Remus

When I was twenty-four, something terrible happened. But this time it didn’t happen to me. Not exactly.

The Graduate

I ain’t never met a child who won’t come home!

Renee Raymond, Lisa’s Aunt

Why does Uncle Remus say, “You can’t run away from trouble. There ain’t no place that far.” Why does this phrase ring true for Amber? Might it ring true for you?

Why is Amber so happy on her graduation day? Is she happy for the right reasons?

On the day of her graduation, Amber cannot seem to get along with her sister, Star, why do you think this is? Have you ever tried to avoid a family member? Do you think that your reasons for doing so were good ones?

Why do you think Lisa entertained the idea of calling Key? Do you think it is a good idea to call him? Why doesn’t she call him? Have you ever had a feeling that there was something that you needed to do for somoen out of the blue?

When Star calls Lisa in the middle of the night, Amber freaks out. Why? Do you think it is possible that Amber could have been talking to Key through Star?

How did Key’s death change Lisa? Do you think that his death had a positive or negative effect on her life? Have you ever been deeply affected by someone’s death? If so, how did their death effect you?

Part 2: The Awakening

Part Two of Lisa’s book is entitled “The Awakening.” Just what is Lisa waking up to? Why do you think that she stayed unaware for so long? Do you think you are aware of the current state of your life? Do you believe that your life has meaning? That there are certain goals that you need to pursue?

Chapter 13: Write, Write, Write!

Welcome to your life. There’s no turning back.

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World”

Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes,

British Rock Stars

When I was twenty-nine, this little voice that had been a whisper inside my head

for years and years suddenly got louder.

When Amber begins her masters in English, by taking an Autobiography calss, she is terrified to share her writing, why do you think this is? Do you think that you would be afraid to share your writing with our classmates?

When she takes a class with professor Don, and is advised to free write, what kinds of things pop up for her? What does she start writing about? What does she feel like she has to write about it?

Why does Don tell Amber a story about a Tibetan monk and a room full of dragons? What is he trying to tell Amber? Has anyone ever told you a story like this?

Chapter 14: The Breakdown

It ought to be a woman can break…down, sit down, break…down…sit down…

Like everybody else, call it quits on Monday, blues on Tuesday, sleep until Sunday…

Down, sit down, breakdown, sit down.

June Jordan, Poet, UC Berkley Professor, Activist, Feminist

When I was thirty, I lost my ever-loving mind. Really and truly, lost it!

Why does Amber lose her ever-loving mind? What does she end up doing to save hers self? Why does she do it?

How difficult do you think it is for Amber to make the phone call where she can get the help that she needs?

What happens when Amber goes to see the psychiatrist? How does she react to the visit?

What do you think Amber means when she says, the truth will set you free

Chapter 15: Who is Afraid of Lisa Lu?

For many of us, denying the pain and reality of the abuse that we endured has been a source of our insanity.

Dr. Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D., Addiction and Recovery Expert

Coming Out of the (Crazy) Closet

Before you can love anyone else, you have to love yourself.

My Mother

When I was thirty-one, I finally overcame my biggest fear…my fear of myself.

Why does Amber cry so hard in her therapy session with Pat? What does Pat say about all of this crying?

Pat tells Amber, dysfunctional families often ignore dysfunctional issues because they do not know what to do about them. Has this ever happened in your family? How did that affect you?

Why does Amber think Scott is going to leave her? Why do you think Scott decides to stay in the marriage?

How does Amber come out of the “crazy” closet? Why do you think she uses this terminology?

Do you think it’s true what Amber’s mother says, that you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else? How does Amber begin the process of loving herself?

Chapter 16: The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Reinhold Niebuhr, Early 20^th Century Theologian

I’ll Send Him a Letter

To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.

K. Rowling, World Famous Author of the Harry Potter Series

When I was thirty-two years old, I learned to say the serenity prayer.

Why doesn’t Amber want to go home?

What happens when Amber and Star get together once again? Why do you think this happens?

Why was learning the serenity prayer so important to Amber? Have you ever been in a situation where you could have used the serenity prayer? Why do you think that prayer has been so useful to so many people (it is also known as the AA prayer, or the drunk’s prayer, because it is often used in substance abuse recovery programs.)

Why does Amber feel like she needs to ask Key for forgiveness? What do you think about the way that she does this? Do you think that this was helpful for her? Have you ever needed to ask someone for forgiveness? Did you do it?

So, even though Key is dead, Amber thinks that she was able to communicate with him. Why does she think this? What kinds of bizarre things begin to happen to her after she tries to communicate with him? Is it possible, do you think, to send a letter to a dead man (or woman) and get a response back? Would you be bold enough to try it?

Part Three: The Way Through

Chapter 17: A Course in Miracles

Prepare you now for the undoing of what never was.

A Course in Miracles

When I was thirty-three, my entire world dissolved, disintegrated

and became something new.

Finding My Religion

Are you ready for the real revolution, which is the evolution of the mind?

“He Got Game”

Flava Flav, Hysterical Hip-Hop Artist and Comedienne

Fear Authority

Folks don’t even own themselves! Paying mental rent to corporate presidents.

“He Got Game”

Chuck D, Revolutionary Hip-Hop Star and Radio Talk Show Host

Why does Pat kick Lisa out of therapy? Why doesn’t Amber want to leave? What is pat’s parting advice to Amber?

What kinds of things start happening to Amber when she starts reading A Course in Miracles? Why do you think this happens? Do you think Lisa is just crazy or is she having a real spiritual experience? Do you believe in spiritual experiences (experiences that change your whole worldview or perspective, and cause you to believe in a power greater than your limited physical self.)

Why do you think Amber leaves her job? Was this a good decision, do you think? Have you heard of people just up and leaving a perfectly decent paying job, to do something entirely different?

Do you think that the real revolution is the evolution of the mind?

Chapter 18: Testing, Testing

If only I could kill the killer.

“All I Really Want”

Alanis Morisette, Screaming- Banchee Canadian Rockstar

When I was thirty-four, I wanted to murder-death-kill Star.

Why is Amber so angry with her brother Zeus?

Why is Amber so angry with her sister Star? What goes wrong at her sisters intervention?

Why does Amber go to war with her sister?

What do you think Alanis Morisette means by the phrase, “If only I could kill the killer?” Is that, do you think, what Amber wants to do?

What happens as a result of all that anger?

Chapter 19: The Story of my Life

You should be like one big happy family.

The Apostle Paul

When I was thirty-five years old, I stood up in a church filled with people and

told a story from my life.

When Amber calls her mother on Thanksgiving, why is that phone call important?

Why is her stepfather’s funeral so tense? What is going on between Amber and Star during the funeral preparation?

What does Amber think her stepfather Clark’s last words are to her? Why would he say something like this?

Why do funeral’s put some people in a reflective mood?

What did her speech at Clark’s funeral teach Amber about her life?

Chapter 20: Finally Getting Over It

When I was thirty-seven, I finally got over it .

An Honest Conversation With My Sister

Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not.

Arthur Miller, Twentieth Century Playwright

Whenever I’m down, and all that’s going on, is really going on!

Just one of those days.

You say the right things to keep me moving on!

To keep me going strong, what else can I say?

Friends are there through thick and thin!

Well I’ve been told that, and I believe that! (It’s automatic!)

So, call me when you need a friend.

Cause I’m your sista and always for ya!

I don’t know what I’d ever do without you from the beginning ’til the end

You’ve always been here right beside me so I call you my best friend!

“Best Friend”

Brandy, R and B Singer

Why do you think Amber found it so hard to forgive her sister?

Why do you think Amber found it so hard to ask her sister to forgive her?

What do you think happened between Amber and her sister?

Do you want to be right, or do you want to be at peace, why is this phrase so important to Amber in the process of asking for and seeking out forgiveness?

What does Amber finally decide about her father, and why?

What is the most important lesson that Amber learned on her way through?

Complete for 10 Bonus Points!!!!!

Dear Professor Maiden,

This semester, IOTA Solutions will be providing online evaluations for participating onsite 8 Wk 2 and 16 Wk courses. The evaluation period begins Monday, 4/20, and ends on 5/4.

Please direct your students to the following website: http://nveval.com

Instructions on the website will prompt students to log-in with their 7 digit numeric NOVA Student ID and then select their name from a randomized list to verify their identity. This verification is to ensure the integrity of the evaluation system, while assuring students that their name and ID number are not saved and their responses are anonymous.

Students will receive reminder email messages from IOTA until they have completed their course evaluations. However, we rely heavily on instructors to inform students of the evaluation and to encourage participation.

Please help us provide a smooth and successful evaluation process by:

1. Reminding students that completing the online evaluation will only take a minimal amount of their time (approximately 5-10 minutes).

2. Providing your students with the evaluation URL: http://nveval.com

3. Encouraging your students to participate and complete the evaluations in a timely manner. The evaluation website cannot be re-opened after 5/4.

4. Directing students to email us at info@iotasolutions.com should they experience any problems during the process.

Your course evaluation results will be available online at a later date. We will send you the results URL (not the same as the Student URL shown above), and a confidential and unique password to access your evaluation reports and raw data.

Please feel free to contact me directly at pthompson@iotasolutions.com with any questions or concerns.

Kind Regards,

Writing the Narrative

Personal Narrative Checklist

Great Narratives To Read/Listen to

Spring 2015 English 111 Weekly Journaling

Grammar and Vocabulary Journaling

Song Analysis

Story Telling – Identity/Family

Chapter 5: “The Quest for Identity and Power” – Amber Lisa – MANDATORY

Chapter 15: “Who’s Afraid of Lisa Lu?” – Amber Lisa – MANDATORY

“Identity Crisis” #417 – Snap Judgment – MANDATORY

All of these are very interesting! The one about the prisoner who attempted suicide – absolutely chilling! This is the weirdest story you’ve ever heard about a suicide attempt I promise you. And it’s true.

“Dear Mama” #426 – Snap Judgment

The Tea Ceremony

What’s Happenin’ with Raj’s Mom?

“Artificial Intelligence” #501 – Snap Judgment

Robot Boy – Snap 501

Sim Stephanie