Bristol Community College Fall River Online @dlomaxsmalls11@bristolcc.edu

Hello my name is Desdemona Lomax-Smalls, Dessy for short. I am currently enrolled to work towards receiving my associates degree in human services. This is my first semester working towards my college credits. I was enrolled last year but the classes I took were classes to work towards getting into college classes such as this one(English 101). Due to the fact that I haven’t been in school in so many years. I was quite rusty so those courses helped freshen me up. The last English class took which was English 090. I was completely in love with. Which made me very excited to move forward to English 101. I can’t say that I am the best writer but I do take pride in my work. I do have flaws such as differences between using certain words at certain times that have certain meanings. Like Yours, you’re, and your. I always misuse them in someway. I want to say that I have a hard time comprehending certain things but that has always been on of my weakness with school. Taking this course and future courses I hope that I will finally turn that weakness strong.

In my first essay was a personal piece. I wrote about my son being diagnosed with Autism and the positive and negative affect that it had in our lives. I selfishly thought about all the worst things before I thought about the greatness that having Autism holds. I felt like this is a great topic to write about. Especially with the high rate of Autism now. I want people to not just se the negatives of Autism but to also see the beauty of it. I wanted to educate some folks who aren’t familiar with Autism. I think I did a great job on this essay but there’s always room for improvement. My professor did ask for more details in regards to my son disorder which at first I didn’t have. She also stated that it was more information about the disorder and very few about my son and our experiences. which probably made me sound like an information pamphlet on ASD. So I then revised it added more details into our personal so that the audience can have some insight into our lives and wrote a great essay.

For my second essay I wrote about my internship at a nursing home. I talked about how well organized the establishment was. The professionalism from the staff and the great joy it was to work with the elderly also known as the residents. I did struggle with this essay. I didn’t provide enough of the information my professor had asked for. I thought I gave great examples on the décor and residents. But I was still missing a lot of key points that she’d asked for. I also made a couple of grammar mistakes which I had acknowledge when my professor had brought it to my attention. Writing this essay gave me some insight on areas that I need to work on to become a stronger writer.

I also wrote a essay based on how people are blaming fast food restaurants for their obesity which was an argument piece. This essay was my actual first Argument essay. I did good with my argument. I did a good amount of research on both sides and put every thing that I found in my research into my essay. However I didn’t do so well as to providing my sources of what and where I got my information from. I am now in the process of revising this essay so I plan on providing the information that was missing.

My experience in this semester was amazing. I feel like I am becoming a stronger writing. I am also using my brain and thoughts in ways I haven’t before. I am also expanding my vocabulary which is a huge plus for me. Though I am weak in certain areas with such as grammar and the appropriate use of words. I can say I have more positives then negatives and there’s always room for improvement. Taking an English class online was a little difficult for me because of my comprehensive skills. I take instructions better face to face. This is a lesson for me to take my future English classes on campus rather then online because it does work better for me. Overall I did love the class and the thought of having a blog for the first time was very exciting to me. It also make you want to do great work because anyone can read what you wrote so you want to give them something good to read about. I can say that I feel like I am better then when I started. I plan on growing wiser as I continue on my educational path. I’m also looking forward to what English 102 has to offer.

Sincerely
Desdemona

I came across a topic about fast foods restaurants taking too much blame for people with obesity. It even has gone so far as to people suing fast food restaurants claiming various things, all of which amount to an accusation that these fast food firms are creating an environment in which people are “encouraged” to eat poorly, thus acting as a main cause for obesity. One argument against this is that fast food companies are “misleading” customers, by making them believe they are eating something healthy when they are not. Which This is false. The majority of fast food restaurants I have been inside list nutritional facts on top of the trays you eat on if you was to order the food for dine in. If they don’t have it listed, you can request it from the company, or go online to Nutrition Data or even to the fast food website to see exactly what the nutrition facts are.

It’s possible that people can become addicted to eating fast food, similar to the fact that people can become addicted to smoking cigarettes and everything else in this world, such as working out, picking their scabs, watching porn but the question here is, is it really consumers fault or the people who are addicted for not being able to control themselves. I myself find myself to be addicted to froyo (frozen yogurt) but am I going to blame the person who came up with the product and sells it? I would have to say no because it is up to me to make that decision to continue to purchase the froyo to began with. Just like people who eat fast food. Its not like a hamburger walked into their home with a gun and said ‘Hey you better eat me now or else’. So what valid excuse do the people really have to blame fast food due to the fact that they’re obese? People stated that if “you was to watch the movie Super Size Me and read the book Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America, you would get real facts about what McDonalds and other fast food restaurants do to make you eat their and make you think about how “healthy” their food is.” but that goes back to people having weak minds. If you honestly believe that greasy, fried foods are healthy then be my guess and eat up. Yes there are salads and yogurts that are healthy at the fast food companies so eat that. Eat the items that they list as being healthy products. Don’t eat the fatting foods then say that you were tricked into eating unhealthy food because they made you think that it was actually healthy. If you can read then you will be able to see what is and isn’t healthy in the establishment.

Why does any company choose to sell a particular product? Because people are demanding it. It’s not as if fast food companies spontaneously decided that it would create a large number of unhealthy, affordable foods to manipulate peoples minds and forced them to eat their products. They saw what the public liked and decided to make a profit from it just like anyone world who’s trying to get rich. It’s called Supply and Demand America. The public have shown that they want fast, cheap, affordable food, with large portion sizes without worrying about the nutrition facts. Its easy for them to just grab and go. The best part about it is that they didn’t have to lift a finger. I get it sometimes cooking for a family or even for yourself is tiring especially after along day at work or even spending all day in the doctors office and grabbing something to eat so you wouldn’t have to lift a finger is so convenient. But then it goes back to that decision being your decision and not the fast food companies fault. People have a choice to do there own thing. The lifestyle we live and the choices we make often affect our appearance. If you chose not to brush your teeth then you might not have many later on in life. The media can advertise many things and make things look better than they are, however no one is busting down your door with a gun to your head saying “order the big mac.” People need to grow up and take responsibilities for their own actions.

Take this one guy for instance “Caesar Barber, 56, a maintenance worker who weighs about 270 pounds and stands 5-foot-10,claims McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and KFC jeopardized his health with their greasy, salty fare. He filed a class action lawsuit due to him being obese and because he suffered injuries. Injuries which include him to having two heart attacks and is diabetic because he chooses eats to there four to five times out of the week. His argument was “They never explained to me what I was eating,”. Barber’s lawsuit is the first known legal action to claim that the fast food industry has contributed knowingly to the problem of obesity in America”- ABC news. There have been a few lawsuits with fast food restaurants but it was for reason where they were truly at fault. Here are some examples that I also read in the ABC news article- McDonald’s just settled a $12 million lawsuit and apologized for wrongly describing its French fries as vegetarian. A similar lawsuit was filed against Pizza Hut for allegedly using beef fat in its Veggie Lovers’ Pizza. Another class action law suit claims that the makers of the corn and rice puff snack food “Pirates’ Booty” under-represented its fat content by more than 340 percent. Those lawsuits make perfectly good sense because Yes they are at fault. For this guy Caesar Barber to try to sue fast food industries due to him being obese and having certain health injuries that are listed above and his only argument is-“They never explained to me what I was eating.” I’ve heard 5 year olds with better excuses then that. It’s called educate yourself. If someone told him to eat a bomb would he have done it even without being explained to on how dangerous it is to eat it? after doing more research on the case of barber lawsuit it turns out the judge didn’t rule in his favor. McDonald’s released a statement calling Barber’s lawsuit frivolous they’re not the only one who found this lawsuit to be frivolous and my guess is that the judge also felt the same way. A McDonald’s spokesman in the United States told CNN in a telephone interview that “this is one person’s opinion(Caesar). Eating McDonald’s food can easily fit into a balanced diet. I eat its food every day and I’m perfectly healthy.” Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, President of the American Council on Science and Health tells Minyanville, “Obesity is a very complex problem and people always want simple solutions. Blaming a food chain is a very simple solution. I’m horrified, frankly.”

So is it really fair to say that fast food is here to blame or are the people that choose to spend their hard earned money on fast, cheap poorly made food to blame? I honestly have to say it’s the peoples fault. I understand that it’s so easy and convenient but so is making a Pb&j sandwich or even a regular ham& cheese sandwich. There are so many healthier things people can choose to eat but they don’t. There are salad bars in markets which is way cheaper then any fast food meal along with salads being at just about every fast food establishment. So instead of blaming others for your poor actions realize that it’s really no ones fault but your own. Yes the commercials look very tempted but that doesn’t mean you have to cave in and go out and buy a burger and some fries. If your not going to blame your relatives for their unhealthy cooking habits that they feed and have fed you with. Then don’t go blaming organizations that choose to make a profit out of your poor eating habits. There are just about the same amount of healthy eating commercials(working out, organic eating) as there are unhealthy commercials(fast foods, junk food). If you want to say that you’re addicted to eating then choose to be addicted to healthy eating. If that doesn’t work there’s always rehabs or groups you can go to work on a better healthier you.

Works Cited

ABC news article (Caesar Barber) –http://www.nber.org/bah/2009no1/w14721.htmlhttp://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=91427&page=1“> http://www.nber.org/bah/2009no1/w14721.htmlhttp://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=91427&page=1

Interview- (Dr. Elizabeth Whelan President of the American Council on Science and Health ) – http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/obesity-tort-law-tort-class-action/10/29/2010/id/30852?page=full#ixzz48CH5Fi63

News article and Interviews(Cesar barber, McDonalds spokesman)- http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/obesity-tort-law-tort-class-action/10/29/2010/id/30852?page=full

News article and Interviews (McDonalds, pizza hut & Pirates’ Booty lawsuit) – http://money.cnn.com/2003/01/22/news/companies/mcdonalds/

location: Nursing home

It was seven in the morning when I  first walked through the door. You can smell the fresh bake muffins and coffee, it smelled like as if you were walking into a Starbucks. The place was extremely warm. It felt like sitting in front of an open fireplace on a cold winter night. The atmosphere was very peaceful and so different compared to nursing homes I’ve visited in my younger years. The setup was like a college dorm/frat house. The walls were white with beautiful pictures of flowers and old buildings. There were also pictures of the owners, managers and staff. All the floors were tile except for the living room. The living room had this lovely burgundy carpet with brown sofas, a television, a radio playing jazz music on low, end tables and one seated chairs for residents who prefer to sit by themselves. The staff were very professional and welcoming. Any questions concerning the residents and establishment were answered. Like where the hand wash room was because you had to wash your hands after every client and before you walk around the facility due to germs. They also showed us where to get clean towel, blankets, toiletries and whatever else it was that was needed to care for the residents. They addressed the residents by Mr. or  Ms. or by the name the residents preferred to be called by. The staff were also very patient with the residents. Some residents are hot tempered especially when requesting for things they are not allowed to have so you have to be very patient with them and know how to handle the situation. The staff did an awesome job when those situation did occur by using reinforcements that usually work with the resident. I arrived there right before it was time to serve the clients breakfast. So we had to get them ready for their busy day. Some residents preferred to just eat in their rooms and while others enjoyed to eat inside of the dinning room. There was a few residents who knew how to get themselves ready for breakfast. The only assistants they needed was for staff to get them the wash bucket and other toiletries then they were good to go. Then there was the clients who needed help with washing up and getting dress. We called them residents instead of clients because the nursing home was home for most of them.

I will always remember this one particular resident (MR. A). He was new to the facility he came in overnight so just like me everything was new to him. We had a connection right away, in some ways he reminded me of my grandpa. He had these blue and grayish eyes just like him and his hair cut was exactly like my grandpas bald in the middle with hair on the sides of his head and in the back. He also had a great sense of humor but the one thing he had most was that same smile the smile that will make you want to smile just because he’s smiling at you. We talked for awhile and even though I had other patients to work on I just wanted to spend the whole day with him. I notice that no one else really paid him any attention maybe that’s why I cared so much to give him that attention. He didn’t join the others in the dining room so I made sure he got his breakfast after we spent half the morning grooming and bonding.

There was another resident who was Irish and Indian. She was one of the residents you had to groom and give a bed bath to because she was not able to wash herself. She had this beautiful long soft hair that felt like cotton and you can just sit there and brush it for hours. She talked about where her ancestors were from which was Ireland mostly. She also spoke about how her sister is the only family she has left. She was on top of her beauty products she joked about making sure she looked good for the men in the residence. She had such a great sense of humor. That was one the best part of the visit everyone had a personality that you can just fall in love in. Great sense of humor

Walking into the crowded dinning room felt like I was walking through a high school cafeteria (Without all the wild behavior). You had your table with the very talkative group of folks that talked about any and everything from knitting blankets to the proper way to making a shepherds pie. Then you had your table with some guys talking about sports and jeopardy, then there was the don’t eat meat table. The table with wallets full of pictures with their grandchildren. Then there were just a bunch of quite tables of people who just didn’t want to interact. There was also residents who wanted what was on someone else plate but couldn’t have it due to there diet. There was definitely a couple of attitudes because of that reason but it never got out of control. Some residents weren’t able to eat certain types of meat due to not having teeth if given the wrong plate of food there’s a huge possibility that they can choke. So you had to be very caution to not make that type of mistake.I enjoyed listening to the war stories and people talk about their grandchildren. I cant forget the residents who talked about stores and markets that’s been closed down for years like Ames, Bradley’s, and Woolworths. I even told one of the residents that those stores were closed but she told me that they cant be closed because she was just there yesterday.( which she wasn’t) but of course I didn’t dare tell her she was wrong.

There were a lot of residents there for different reasons, such as they have no family or they do and their family doesn’t want to be bothered with them(which I think is just sad). Then you have the residents who do have family but put them in the home because they’re not able to look out for them the way they need to be looked out for. But throughout all of those reason none of it matter because they made friends amongst each other and grew to know one another very well. Some residents can tell you who will want to be bother with certain things and who will not. Things such as activities or even watching television in the day room. It was beautiful the way they looked out for one another and knew the likes and dislikes of the other residents in the facility. There were these to residents who treated each other like sisters. They constantly checked on one another and made sure that each other was ok and that one another ate. If one of them needed something the other one will make sure she got it ASAP. It was a beautiful thing to see two strangers have that type of compassion in their friendship.

There was also residents who weren’t staying there for long. They were only staying there to recover from the hospital like my guy (MR.A)or a different situation. Then there were the ones who was in there for the long run. You was able to spot most of them out because they were the ones who rooms were set up like it was their actual home. their rooms had flowers, drawings, different curtains from the rest of the rooms with matching bedspreads. Some had little flat screen televisions. pictures of their families hanging all around their rooms and the best part is they didn’t have to share with anyone. Not all but most I guess that was for the residents who paid good money for that type of luxury. Then the rooms for people who were just there to recover was very plain with white walls, a dresser with a television on top and a bed. All the rooms had bathrooms and most of the showers had chair for the residents to have a seat while they wash.

The warmth feeling you get from being around the residents is very hard to come by these days. You can get lost in a place like that and wouldn’t even care because your going to be surrounded around a bunch of lovely and caring people, including the staff. There’s so much for them to do there and its such a comfortable place to be if your not allowed to live on your own anymore. The activities they have for the residents such as arts and crafts, dinning hall for them to eat, living room for dancing or to watch television. They even have certain days where they take the residents out to go shopping. Which I think is the best perk of them all. Oh and we cant forget the set-up outside its so relaxing. It was like a page in a home makeover magazine. Fresh cut grass, plenty of places to sit. A little pond. This residence was just peaceful. There was even a smoking area for the residents and staff who smoked.

The hardest part of the visiting this nursing home was leaving. You meet these people and just like that they have this hold on you where you want to know them forever. These people walked the earth, fought wars, did marches, all so we can be where we are today. Spending the past three days with these wonderful people who all come from different backgrounds, and are in this nursing home for different reasons. But they are all the same kind, sweet, joyful, beautiful souls. Being around folks like them and the establishment made me understand the beauty of volunteering more. I say that because people work at places like that for money. Interning or volunteering in that establishment will make you leave feeling great.. You’d wouldn’t care if you didn’t get paid to be there. You will just love and enjoy being in their presence and help out any way that I can. On my last day there my favorite guy (MR. A) I went to tell him that I was leaving and wont be coming back because my internship was up. He just looked at me and said please don’t leave as tears rolled down his eyes. I would never forget that moment we had I felt happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I know that I made an impact on someone’s life in only three days and sad because I couldn’t do what he requested. I gave him what felt like a ten minute hug and told him not to worry I will see him again. As for the other residents they waiting for us in the dinning hall and they all said good bye to us and thanked us at the same time. It was beautiful moment and experience one could never forget.