ENGL 20503 Post #1

I can honestly say, not much of my perception of being an American has changed since reading the articles. I have always thought of America as one of the best countries to live and grown up in in this world. These poems hold that notion true, simply because each poem expresses a standard of how an American acts and is. I have always thought of Americans as strong, independent, self-fulfilling human beings and these poems shed light on just that idea, yet coming from several different people of different races, sex and times they hold true to the fact that America is home of the brave and free. I really like Langston Hughes and his belief as an American. He was suppressed from society, yet he knows that he too is a born American on this American soil and for him to be able to express that feeling is very important. He knows where he has come from and he wants to see the future brighter for those like him, but for now (in the time he wrote it) he will be strong and keep dreaming. That is what Americans do. We dream big and work very hard for those dreams to come true. We are brought up that way to aim for success and even back I the times when these poems were written they believed the same concept and that is what we now as Americans have built our foundation of strong leaders like them to guild us today and into our successful future.

First Post - TOMS Shoes

I just got back from hearing Blake Mycoskie speak tonight at TCU and let me tell you I feel changed. I feel changed in a sense that everything we should be doing in our profession, in our school work, in everyday life experience should be benefiting someone else all the time. It's amazing that his one thought, became a company dedicated for the "soul" purpose of caring for those around the globe. Amazing. I can see why now non-profit (even though TOMS is for profit - but in a sense not) organizations are really the "heart," so to speak, in the world. They keep people caring and moving and doing good for the greater humanity that not all of us can see everyday.
The event was truly a blessing in so many ways on my maturing process in life and a way to open my eyes to what I could potentially be doing as a career. I hope my God can create and help me guide a path that I can take to reach any potential I am supposed to reach.

Thanks
-GeGee