The End.

People heal in many ways. Some exercise. Some break things. I write. I write every emotion that is going on in my mind to get it out of my head. Whether it be good or bad. I want it out. This way, I can go back and reflect on it. Reflect on the good. Reflect on the bad.
Prior to starting this class, a major turning point in my life occurred on December 31, 2009. I had just broken up with my abusive boyfriend, and was learning how to deal. How to deal with being single after a 4 year rollercoaster of emotions. How to deal with the emotions that he left behind like dust in the rearview mirror. How to deal with finding myself again, and thats what this class has done. Creative writing has made me realize who I am again after losing who I was. It brought me back to reality. Back to what was real. Back to what really mattered, and that was focusing on myself and my goals and my happiness. No one else's. It is hard to say goodbye because I have gotten attached to this class and many of the people in it. But, I know that it is the beginning of a new chapter for me.
My biggest challenge will be to continue to write when I dont have to anymore. To continue to write down every thought and continue healing when it is not assigned.
Thank you Potvin, for your class has helped me find myself.

My nemesis.

My nemesis is my anxiety. Ira Glass talked about deadlines, and to get through slumps, you have to continue writing in order to get through that slump. Procrastination fuels my anxiety. I put things off until the last minute. If I have something due in class on Monday, I'll do it Sunday night. I feel as if I work better under pressure. For me it works, but it is not for everybody. If I had to give a visual to my nemesis, it would be a little, sweaty creature because anxiety makes you anxious. Part of anxiety is nervousness. Being nervous makes you sweat. This creature is little because he is part of me everyday, but likes to come out at the most inconvenient times. Therefore, I know when he is there. He make his presence known. Ira Glass talked about growing as a writer, and reflecting on past pieces. At some point in my life, I would like to "outgrow" my anxiety- get it under better control.
I liked how Ira talked about how you have to deal with the crap in life to realize when you have something special. This really stuck with me and is very true in my life. In order to appreciate things, you have to go through the crappy parts. If there were no crappy parts, as humans, we would be numb. We wouldn't appreciate the special parts to its fullest. With this being said, if I didn't have my anxiety, I wouldnt be able to appreciate my life when my anxiety is on a lower level than usual.

Ira Glass

I like how he said that failure is part of becoming successful because when a lot of people fail, they get down on themselves. But, failure is really just a part of life. It's what you DO with that failure that matters. You either do it right the next time and learn from it, or you fail again. Also when he said that if you get in a slump, it's okay, but to push yourself to keep writing because the only way that you can get out of the slump is to continue writing. Sometimes, I get writer's block, or I'll have something due and I really can't focus on it until the night before it is due. Procrastination and myself are best friends. I work better under pressure, and Ira said to give yourself deadlines. Once a week or month, have something due and make it your priority to get it done, regardless if it's right away or at the last minute, the important thing is that you accomplished it and are then one step closer to success.
People do grow as writers and it is fun to look back at articles or stories you wrote, and think "Man, what was I thinking?" as Ira did on his article from 8 years ago. People grow not only in life, but in their writing abilities.

Open Mic Night

I liked the open mic night a lot more than I thought I would. I was not as nervous as I thought I would be either because I felt much support from the group and that we were all in it together. I would not recommend having it at the UC again because some kids were very distracting and rude. I dont think we should set a time limit next year either, instead say something like "reasonable" and not necessarily 3 minutes. Also, we should try and get other english classes involved next year as well. Maybe talk to their professors and give them extra credit if they attend. Everybody loves extra credit :)