Tuesday, February 17, 2009

New Topic for Research Analysis Paper

I have chosen to spend the next 5 weeks researching what schools are doing in order to educate students on green issues. I may target elementary schools, but I might change it to TCU in order to make my research more feasible. I chose this topic for several reasons. Since I began at TCU, my first sociology professor really opened my eyes to serious environmental issues like pollution, food scarcity, deforestation, water quality, and the list goes on and on. Being more conscientious of consumption is very important and in my Religion and Environmental Ethics class we discussed ideas that have an impact on these kinds of issues. Education, I feel is fundamental to learning how to change an inappropriate lifestyle.

In all honesty, I want to see how important these issues are to the Fort Worth or universtiy school system. I am very much aware that the intensity of environmental education depends on which region of the world it is being taught. So, my expectations are not that high for either sector I choose to investigate, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Latest Author's Note

This is my final draft and I am very happy that I can say that. After visiting the Writing Center and having it checked for mechanical errors and typos, I feel good about the paper I am about to email to you. My satisfaction stems from the fact that I really can't think of anything else to add to the paper, and also that a professional checked my paper, so I feel pretty good. I am a bit worried about the requirement for using the senses to describe. I described my location (Central Market) to the best of my ability, but applying the sensory factor here I don't think works very well here.

I also wanted to remind you that my annotated notes are not on my blog because for some reason the computer in the classroom would not receive anything from my flash drive so Marian and Mason read my notes on the computer and I commented on Mason and Marian's notes (Marian had a hard copy). I will also attach the peer revisions of my paper to you, but either Mark Brown or Matt Palombo did not save his commented version like you had wanted, but I wanted to let you know so that he gets credit and you know who reviewed my paper.

I believe this is everything so... Enjoy!

Kanika Nevers

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Workshop Feedback on draft 1

To be honest, I did not believe that my first draft would result in pretty positive comments. As I have said in my first blog, I am not generally confident in my work as a writer, but the feedback has boosted my confidence, for a short while, with this assignment. I was initially worried that my thesis would not be clear, but this did not happen. On the other hand, the flow of my description and my ability to convey the actual flow of Central Market needs work, which I knew. My group members did not make mention of this, but I KNOW I need help with punctuation.
I plan to arrange the layout of Central Market in way that can be easily understood by readers who have never visited CM and allow those who have shopped there to remember certain parts of the store and take notice of things they had not seen before. I was also given the suggestion of elaborating on the history of CM so I will do that as well, along with adding more of my observations that I omitted. I had a great serendipitous experience with these 2 women I met and I want to find a way to incorporate that.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Author's Note for Public Analysis

This is my first draft of my public analysis of Central Market. As of now, I know this draft is certainly ROUGH. Each paragraph needs significant work, but I need help on the flow and organization of my work. I really have 2 main arguments, but I am not sure if that is apparent. I have a lot more examples to add in, but I just wanted to get the main outline out and get that out of the way for now. What I am asking everyone who reads this analysis is PLEASE HELP ME WITH PUNCTUATION. This has forever been my Achilles' heal and I need help, BAD! Please add any comments, but of course be kind. ;)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Central Market's Meaning to Fort Worth

I think Central Market adds a unique flavor to Fort Worth, first by its architectural structure with the large, chocolate, barn doors that frame the entrances. On my last visit, I noticed that they sold homemade TCU Horned Frog purple soap. Although Texas is most known for "Everything is bigger and better in Texas" attitude, and Fort Worth as "Cow Town", environmentalism, eco-friendliness, eating healthy and 'normal' sized portions, I believe Central Market provides people who care for these issues with a place to find them. CM's original intention was not this when it began in Austin in '92, but rather to give food lovers a limitless choice of quality grocery items and make grocery shopping a joy rather than a chore.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Arguments in Fact and Definition in My Public Space

My space of interest in Central Market and the price argument can go a long way in this situation, but one that I found is an overarching theme in Central Market is the products sold there. From the flowers they sell, to the soap you can buy everything there is in some way related to health consciousness or a more "upity" type of product that you definitely wouldn't find in Wal-Mart. They are arguing that these products are worth so much that H-E-B can make a store completely focused on health food and consciousness and expect people to come, buy, and embrace this type of lifestyle. It's a great argument they make and God knows many people including myself fall for it.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Central Market is the Coolest Place on Earth- I am making it official!

So I did it........ I went to Central Market TWICE and didn't buy anything. Besides completing the observation portion of the paper, that was a huge feat that I accomplished. People that shop there know what I am talking about :)
As I suspected, the crowds on Friday night (I decided to switch Thursday to Friday because I wanted to ensure I would get a parking spot when I came back to campus) were so much smaller and relaxing than today's (Sunday) crowd. The parking lot on Friday was nearly empty at 7pm. I was initially wrong in my assumption that I would find a lot of young singles there looking for food to cook for a date. Instead, what I found were many families and older married couples shopping. The atmosphere was so relaxing and the Central Market employees were so much more apparent and helpful (because you could actually find them). On one occasion, an employee asked me if I needed help picking out some wine. I find this hilarious because in no way, shape or form do I look old enough to buy wine- I've actually been mistaken for a 10yr old one time. On both visits, and future ones I expect too, that from the workers to the customers will continue to be genuinely friendly and polite. Which certainly adds to the greatness of this store.

This is what I will say for now because I don't want to give too much away, but strongly encourage everyone, even if you have been before, to go to Central Market and just people watch or better yet introduce yourself to strangers and you will be presently surprised. I did and it was one of the best serendipitous moments I've ever had.

Thanks for reading :)