Goal for W2011 Semester Before April...

Pass G2.

G1 expires in 2012 <= that's too close for comfort lol
Also need G -_-

A short essay I wrote in HS Grade 12 - found while cleaning up google docs XD

The Modern English Language – Adapting to Change

It is easy to criticize modern English. Critics can simply point out the ambiguity of political propaganda, the decadence of profanity, and the silliness of emoticons. However, before judging, one should recognize how the English-speaking society has evolved and subsequently see how well English has adapted to those changes. I believe that the overall competence of a language depends primarily on its ability to assist the ordinary person in communicating ideas. Modern English, in my opinion, has become an efficient tool of communication in today’s world. This essay explores how English has changed and how its changes affect modern society.

The internet is the greatest invention of the 20^th Century. English, both spoken and written, has changed dramatically because of the internet. Now that communication around the world has become quick and easy, it’s natural that we, the users of language, would want to make communication quicker and easier. One way of shortening language is acronym usage. Recognizing the efficiency of using acronyms for technical terms such as ISO for the International Organization of Standardization, we adopted the idea for the internet. Why spend a full three seconds typing “laughing out loud” when “lol” will do.

Another fun tool for communicating over the internet is emoticon usage. Emoticons are especially good for expressing emotions quickly. I feel it is hard to adequately describe feelings with words, especially a small amount of words. Sure, typing “happy” in the instant messenger would express your feelings, but it won’t have the same impact as an emoticon. People register images faster and more vividly, and it doesn’t matter if those images are lopsided because we get used to it. Also, since technology has made emoticons in most instant messengers more like actual images, they are even easier and faster to recognize and use.

Changes in society have created changes in language, but it also works in the reverse. The ease of language use in online communication has raised a global group of technologically savvy teens, who form a large base of internet users. Being well-versed in the internet is very important for our generation to successfully thrive and compete in tomorrow’s world, where the web will be a driving force behind all sorts of industries. I find, also, that the simplified version of online English has helped to bring people from different parts of the world closer together, breaking down language barriers.

In the fast-paced modern world, speed and efficiency of communication is essential, and English has adapted well to the change. Modern English will surely endure in connecting us all in a harmonious global culture.

AN: I think I really need to take up classes or have writing projects forced onto me to write lol. I chuckle at some of the things I wrote... but overall I have not changed much.

-L

Ate 6 Slices of Pizza Yesterday

Pretty much explains itself. I don't feel too good... 4 pieces at noon, 2 at night -_-

Though I'll admit the noon ones were good - thin crust and well-made - but that's company ordered so it should be decent.
Drank a cup of coffee because department head was buying... XD I guess I don't hate coffee as much as I used to. This is bad. First co-op manager's predictions are coming true??? NOOOOOO

-L

On Grammar

This semester has been relatively writing intense. With 4 softy business courses, one would expect nothing less. The point is though that I found myself editing SO much bad grammar that it was almost exhausting. Some factors that contributed to this:

- Apparently, most people have terrible grammar.

- Apparently, some people do not agree with what I consider good grammar.

- which, given my lack of sufficient self confidence, causes me to question myself and my faith in ze Grammar Godz

- which, after much hair-pulling, results in my realizing that I was right all along.

- Lastly, I’m anal about grammar / style / formatting

I think this is one of the few things (HAHA) that I am OCD about. (<- see there, I really want to write “…about which I am OCD” but that’s not proper colloquial lingo =/)

I like experimenting with language and grammar (mostly english, I dont know any other language well enough to play) because I see a lot of possibility to make things sound better, express more vividly, etc. I dont really see it as work so much as play… though it does give me stress sometimes. One of my youthful aspirations (of which youth is no longer a factor) was to be an editor. I know right, a TOTALLY explosive occupation. I can’t really recall now (youth was so long ago), but maybe it was during the same time as my aspirations for creating writing began (i.e. being an author, of fantasy novels of all things).

I think a part of me still holds those thoughts, in the back of my mind when the vivid-vague universe resurfaces during times quiet or darkness. Some analysis to be done here for good measure, and since I’m bored:

One of the many problems that blocked me from producing a proper story is I am anal about style and grammar and tend to crouch over a sentence for an obscene amount of time, enough time for all other thoughts and progressions to fade before crystalizing.

Another problem that I found was my voices cannot often be distinguished. What I mean here is that when I have multiple characters, obviously with different backgrounds and personalities and purposes, often speak and think in the same voice. Well, obviously I created all of them so my fingerprints are all over their psyche, but even when they start out quite differently I find their thoughts to all converge at some point and hence pushes me onto a path of retrieval to go back to the point of convergence and bring back the story’s authenticity. This is often hard and time consuming, even in the lightspeed of my mind. And consequently discouraging.

It is hard, and frustrating, and I feel the growing voices in my mind impatient and standing in a white space, unmoving as I am unwilling and they unready. At least this is what I perceive.

Sigh, I guess this post isn’t really on grammar, but on the white space within it.

I shall draw first – my first love, and deal with words later.

-L

On what to spend money?

With the incoming work term, believe it or not, I realized my budget is about to get tighter. Rent is always a big cost. And food – even if I cook at home – which I feel is going to be a predominant source (for better, I hope). But looking at the things I have, I feel like I need to spend some money on some items:

Things I need for the winter term:

- good sketchpad, and find my pencils, or get really awesome black pens ;D

- still need a good, comfy pair of shoes – BEFORE my current pair dies permanently – the front has already completely discoloured and become grey

- probably more work clothes… honestly do not know what people wear at work =/

- bring vacuum cleaner >.>

- bathroom filter

- a chair/bean bag for alternate sitting/put clothes on station XD

 

Things I want soon:

- computer sketch pad – if I want to get into some design, useful for colouring – which I still haven’t decided yet

- a new phone… BEFORE the impending death of my current one – the back of the phone can no longer close properly <= THAT is a sign! =/

- depending on the phone I get, need better music player

 

Other stuff I can’t think of at the moment

-L