Final Entry

When people say the expression “Time Flies” I think it’s true. I cannot believe my first semester of University is near the end and I am (hopefully) moving on to English 1110. For someone who usually finds English dry and boring this course has been exciting and has changed my view on English courses. During high school I dreaded poetry, and knowing I had to do it again in University made me want to quit. Surprisingly, I now find it interesting as I now notice the critical elements that make a poem come to life. My favorite part of the course was by far the spoken word poetry. I never knew there was such a thing. I loved the spoken word poetry and found it hilarious, especially Dave Chappelle. The number one thing from this class that helped me develop my writing skills were the essay writing workshops. It showed me everything from strong thesis statements to proper works cited pages. These workshops not only helped me get a better mark on my essay but also developed my writing skills. Another thing that helped develop my writing skills was this blog. It was better than the journal writing that most teachers ask you to do. The blog helped me develop my writing skills, computer skills, and creativity all at the same time. I had an awesome time doing this course, with an awesome prof and I would recommend this course to anyone who is unsure about English. Well this is it, I’m sad to leave English 1080, but I’m happy to be moving on to further my education.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read my blog. 

AJ

Week 12 Entry

My mom’s homemade cranberry sauce

Ingredients

16oz of fresh cranberries

1 large sweet apple

1 cup of white sugar

1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves

Steps

Step 1: Wash and drain cranberries and place them in a medium sized pot. Peel and dice apple and put it with the cranberries. Put the 1-cup of sugar in the pot with the cranberries and the apple.

Step 2: Simmer the covered pot on low for 20 minutes until cranberries are mushy. Step 3: Stir the sauce.

Step 4: Simmer the covered pot for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Step 6: Let the sauce cool, and transfer to a dish.

The cranberry sauce is now ready to serve with your delicious turkey dinner. Cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Week 11 Entry

Meme

Week 10 Entry

Quotable

“Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.” – Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson perused his career as an American author and Journalist. He was most well-known for his novel Fear and loathing in Las Vegas (1971) and for his major journalist works. The quote is self explanatory saying, if you’re going to do something, do it right. The reason why Thompson’s quote is one of my favorites is because it’s a quote my mom made reference to no matter what I was doing throughout my life. It is also something I think about whether I am at hockey practice or doing my English blog. If it’s something worth doing you do it right putting all your effort into it.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

Well if you don’t know who Wayne Gretzky is you aren’t a true Canadian. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky was known as the best player to ever lace up the skates and he holds the majority of the National Hockey League’s (N.H.L.) records. Not only does Gretzky’s quote relate to hockey, it also relates to everyday life. In order for something to happen in life you need to take a shot at it for it to happen. Without taking that shot nothing’s going to happen. The reason I like this quote is well first of all I like Gretzky, but the quote is also motivational. Life is similar to the game of hockey; you need to shoot at your goals for them to happen.

  “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino

Og Mandino was an American author. Mandino was recognised for many books he wrote, but was most recognized for his book The Greatest Salesman in the World that sold over 50 million copies. The significance of this quote is if you’re determined enough to do something failure will not overtake your determination. Instead you will keep going until you reach the final goal. The reason I like this quote so much is because it relates to life. One of the most feared things in life is failure. If you try once and you fail do you give up? Or do you let your determination overtake that failure and try again. If you are determined enough for something to happen chances are it will happen.

Week 9 Entry

Flash Fiction

Robbery

Smash! The glass case crumbles; I reach my hand in grabbing whatever I can. There’s so much adrenaline running through my body I cannot feel the glass penetrating my hand as I reach in. Red blood instantly covers the snow-white display.

“Stop him!” Yells the clerk in panic. I take off.

The security guard’s chasing me down the stairs of the Avalon Mall, my heart is beating out of my chest. “AJ, AJ, come on, run faster!” Yells Steve from the entrance. I can’t catch up to him, he runs out the front door. He hops in the rusted stolen car waiting for us out front. I sprint toward the door, the getaway car right in front of me. Thump! I’m tackled to the ground by the mall security guard.

“Drop it, DROP IT,” he screams in my ear.

The diamond ring slips out of my hand and falls on the cold mall floor.

“Put your hands behind your back, anything you say can or will be used against you in the court of law.”

I keep my mouth shut. I can hear the sirens outside the mall. I’m scared. The police rush in and grab me, dragging me across the mall floor through the crowd of spectators that I have drawn. The officer grabs the cruiser door handle and tosses me in the back of the police car.

Week 8 Entry

Funny Letter

Dear Moldy Cheese,

Did you have to hide in the back of the fridge for months where no one could see you? Were you just waiting for an innocent person like me to find you? I didn’t see your beautiful green colour through the plastic container. I was not paying attention when I took a large bite out of your once beautiful orange side, which was now half green with mold. It would have been nice if you could have given me a heads up, about your new moldy friend. Your newest addition didn’t taste or look as good as the rest of you. It may have been the worst possible thing I’ve ever tasted. In fact you were so bad that you came out through my esophagus faster then you went down. I was surprised the toilet didn’t throw you back at me because you were that foul tasting. I guess it was my own fault for trying to eat you, but you’re so hard to resist… you did a good job turning me off from loving you.

Sincerely,

Your ex lover,

AJ

Week 6 Entry

Toronto Maple ‘Laughs’ Newest Addition                                                                             October 7, 2014                                  

                                                         By AJ ROONEY  Sports Reporter

Leafs sign Justin Bieber
(George Pimental/ Getty Images)

Toronto, Ontario—The unexpected announcement came with shock and disappointment to many Toronto Maple Leaf fans today. The club signed 20 year-old forward Justin Bieber to a 5-year contract.  The high profile music sensation is going to make his first appearance in a Leaf’s uniform at practice today. Many of the Leaf’s players spoke out against the signing in a media conference following the signing. Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said, “This is an embarrassment to the sport, let alone our team.”

Now if the team wasn’t embarrassed enough from being one of the worst teams in the league, then they would be after the signing of Bieber. Most of the Leaf’s players have quit out of protest and due to embarrassment to the organization, or requested trades. The only remaining player is assistant captain Phil Kessel, and the rumor has it this is due to a secret crush he has on Bieber. We caught up with Bieber following the signing for a few words, “Yeah man, I heard a few of the players quit. Yeah they’re all haters. Me and Kessel are really gonna have a fun year.”

The Leafs were having trouble recruiting players to replace the ones who quit. The GM of the organization said, “It’s been tough to find players willing to play with Bieber for opening night tomorrow, but I’ve think we found some.” The Leafs have called up 15 players from the girls Toronto Peewee “A” team, who were ecstatic, not to play with the leafs, but to be able to play with Bieber.

The Leafs square off against the Canadians tomorrow night at 7:30 E.T. on TSN.