FYS Experience #5: A day out in Chinatown

On the weekend of October 8, 2009, a group of friends and I went to Chinatown and explored the heart of the city. We visited the small historic neighbourhood of Chinatown with its strip walls, international restaurants, and beautiful museums.

First, we went to the International Spy Museum, where it showcased over 200 various technological devices such as: buttonhole cameras, submarine recorders, bugs of all types and sizes. We learned about spies and their experiences as spies. It was very interesting learning about each of their experiences and the devices that they used to uncover things that no one else can see.

Secondly, we decided to eat at Wok and Roll, where we ate delicious chinese food. Although I am not a big fan of chinese food, I have to say that I really enjoyed the dish I ordered. My friends enjoyed their dinner as well. We also had dessert, I can't remember the name of it but it was a chinese dish. and it was DELICIOUS! I honestly don't think there has ever been a time where I have craved chinese food more in my life! After our wonderful meal, my friends and I went to the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. "WOW!" is all I can say, the art inside was spectacular! Everything was so beautiful- the paintings, the collages, the mosaics were just beautiful beyond words. I have never appreciated art up until I walked into the building. It's a definite must-see! We stopped at the Gallery Place, Washington Convention Center, Goethe-Institue and the US Navy Memorial. Our group really enjoyed themselves. So to top it off, we decided to hit the streets...

After we went into the museum, we decided to explore around the strip malls. The girls split up while the boys went to see the Verizon Center(How typical? Why is it that boys and sports MUST be in the same sentence?!) The girls and I went to American Apparell(A Canadian Favorite!), H&M, among other favorites. We had a great time, too bad our credit cards are now maxed out(just kidding but no seriously... it's THAT bad...)

Overall it was a wonderful experience touring around Chinatown, and seeing its historical buildings and learning more about them. I look forward to seeing more of DC with my friends soon.

Purdue Owl

As I was looking through the Purdue OWL website that was designed for students like myself, who like to write. I noticed that the website is beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. In some sections, I was able to point out some topics that we've already discussed in class with Dr. Wood. Although we have other reading materials such as the Lunsford et. al (2008) to help us, this is a great tool because it has a lot of necessary tools that we use on a daily basis. For example, one section explained about rhetorical analysis, thesis statements, and supporting evidence. Also they had an article for students who use English as a second-language, as for reading it, I felt that it would provide some assistance to some struggling students. The website itself was written in a clear manner, it provided a lot of instructions and examples which helped me see the message that was being sent out more easily. There was an article written specifically for professional writers, teachers fall under this category. The purpose of this article was to help these writers write persuasive, creative resumes, letters, memos, reports, etc. It outlined the concept of rhetorical awareness and self design, by supporting examples of individual ideas.

I really enjoyed checking out the OWL website especially when it comes to the examples. In this website, it showed how other people wrote their mistakes so that way we are able to look at it, and see for ourselves what is to be done and also prevent it from happening to us. It was very visual and helped me see what I could be doing wrong in terms of my writing. For example, I don't excel in writing essays that aren't personal. If I ever need help for the next essay I write, I wouldn't be surprised if I came back to the Purdue OWL website for some references. Even though I can't complain about Lunsford et. al 2008, it does a wonderful job at explanations but I feel that OWL is clear when it comes to explaining what to do, how to avoid making mistakes, etc.

Purdue OWL Website used various sources of evidence which was helpful to me because then it showed that they had enough research to have these accurate, helpful information in terms of writing. Evidence is always important to writers because we all need a reliable source, right? Well the OWL accomplished that very well. It also allows other viewers to compare their work with the OWL website. This section provides excellent readers' comments which could also be a wonderful way for the audience to use tips and apply it to their knowledge of writing.

As a student who loves to write, I have to say the OWL website would help many other students like myself to gain more skills in terms of writing, espescially Gallaudet University students. The rubric we use for our writing applies to this website, because both fall under the same categories- grammar, critical thinking, rhetorical analysis, organized thoughts and citations. Both sources share these important key points, I recommend this website to all writers out there in the world who could use a tip or two to improve their writing skills espescially my GSR-101 bloggers, this applies to you guys as well!