The Dude and a Thesis

The Dude, via this class, has taught me how difficult it is to write a thesis when writing about complex issues in life. Doing so is definitely a process, you brainstorm about something to write about and when you finally decide on a direction for you paper new thoughts or evidence arises that basically proves your thesis worthless. Unlike The Dude and his attempt to solve the case of bunny's kidnapping, I don't immediately go forward when finding out new information, I first have to go back and correct what is wrong. I appreciate the lesson but boy was it a pain to learn. Writing and strengthening a thesis is something that I will have to employ to do well as a student. All in all I think it's pretty cool to have learned a lesson about writing from a cult classic movie character.

Grand Finale

Without paying much attention, it is almost the end of the semester. Still remember the first day having class, I thought: “Wow that guy is my teacher? He’s so young; doesn’t look like an English teacher”. Later it proved to be that young teacher does teach in a different, young way- from the topic chosen to the teaching style. The movie we were focusing on during the semester was The Big Lebowski, a cult classic movie. I do watch quite much cult movies, not in English, but in Chinese. I was frightened at the first two classes watching the film that I didn’t totally understand what they were talking about, and base on that, I thought how I could write papers about the thing I didn’t know. But yes, things just happened like that. I have written 4 papers about The Big Lebowski, about 22 pages in total. This is amazing! I think, the conferences were the ones that really helped a lot. Unlike giving lectures, they are more individualized and focused. Dr. Borman were really helpful in making my theme more solid and logical. The comments he turned back really got the point. They helped me look back at my paper in a more professional way and know what to improve for my future writing. For a wrap up, I wanna say thank you to Dr. Borman, you really make mission impossible to be possible.

The Lebowski Studies

When I first learned that my English 106 course was based on "The Big Lebowski" I thought that this would be so boring and i was sure that i probably wouldn't pass this class. Well my thoughts were half true. The movie was funny but reading about the studies was boring maybe because I really did not understand what the writers of the "The Year of the Lebowski Studies" were writing about. They talked the most uninteresting parts of the movie. But my Professor being the smart intelligent man that he is, interpreted and discussed the essays to make it clear for me to understand. I was able to write papers about the big Lebowski and make pretty good grades. I couldn't believe that i was able to write a paper that made sense, because the movie didn't make sense to me at all. I am not saying that the movie was not funny because I did laugh at parts of it. I just had a hard time writing papers on it. Mr. Borman I think you've done an excellent job teaching this course and I have learned to not just watch a movie but pay close attention to everything that's going on and try to make sense of why producers added certain parts that really didn't fit in the movie. I enjoyed your class and the way you organized your lesson plan throughout the semester. I must say I learned alot and actually read more in this English class than my English class last semester. I actually liked having you as a professor and I will miss this class.

Channeka,

no ordinary Thanksgiving

As China to be too far to go back, my friends and I figured out Bahamas could be our destination for Thanksgiving. After got our visas at Bahamas Consulate General in downtown Miami, we packed our stuff and were ready to go. Although it was only few days ago, I cannot recall very clearly what we did for the first day, for the second day and so on, but just a general impression that we went to comedy shows, magician shows, and poolside parties and got off boat to Coco Kay and Nassau. There are so many places that I’ve been to but cannot remember exactly what the name of the mountain was, what date I went there etc. What is left in my mind is who I went with. So my travelling experience has been tightly connected with different people. I may not even remember where I have been as time passing by but the memory of being with my travel companions will never fade away. Alike with the buddy picture in The Big Lebowski, my friends and I were like a sisterhood picture. I have the feeling that whatever we did together, we had fun. Thinking of the buddy picture in The Big Lebowski, maybe bowling is not exactly what they like, but an occasion for Walter, the Dude and Donny to get together and hang out. It is the experience of being together get them to go bowling. Back to the cruise, there were way too many things to do than just simply a vacation. It was so much fun to be with my friends and whatever we did I enjoyed it.

A Final Reflection

I was pretty nervous when I had to sign up for an English class having no idea what the topic of the class was, or not knowing anything about the professor, since ratemyprofessor.com had nothing to say. Then, when I got the email in July telling me it was based on the film The Big Lebowski, I was more at ease but still hesitant. I am a huge movie buff. I love spending Sundays by the TV, and Netflix has officially changed my life. So, I was excited to have a class based on a film. However, I never saw the movie and did not know much about it, other than that it was on IMDb's Top 250. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was really comical and smart. The Coen brothers are movie geniuses and they lived up to their name with this film. I loved how on top of just being a really enjoyable movie, there was so much to analyze and discuss. Often in English, a lot of teachers overanalyze works so much that I begin to resent something I once loved. I was nervous this would happen with this class, however, I never reached that point. Everything we read about the movie was fun, light and interesting. And then our assignments were allowed so much freedom that I felt I was able to discuss what I wanted to, not what the teacher told me to. I am sad that this is the last fun English class I will take, considering English Lit is in sight for me for next semester :( I wish you the best of luck with the class, David. I would certainly recommend this class to anyone. It made English fun and I haven't felt that way for a while. Thanks.

Thanksgiving 2010

My Thanksgiving holiday this year was a blast. My day started early getting up around eight in the morning getting the kids up and dressed to start our day. The first stop of the day was a visit to my fathers house. There we meet up with my brothers, sisters, nephews and niece's had breakfast and drink mimosa's, the children really enjoyed being around each other because we they don't get to see each other often. After spending time with my father it was time to meet at grandma's house where the children performed a talent show and they also did karaoke. It was
very funny, i laughed so hard that my jaw muscles started to hurt. They danced, singed, even performed skits from their favorite movies and they coordinated everything themselves. After the show we had this huge tasteful dinner my mom prepared for us. We had fried turkey, stuffing ham just to name a few and five different cakes, fruit pies, sweet potato pie, and banana pudding. And of course after dinner the adults had a glass of wine, i don't know how we were able to get it down after that huge meal we had but after all i can say this year Thanksgiving was very special and the time spent with your family is precious. Hope next year would be as joyful as this year.

Okay last one for real this time...

So I guess we're supposed to write 5 blogs. Woops. Hah. Anyway, on with my REAL last blog...

I'd like to make this blog about my experience in this class and what it has done for me. David was joking today about how we wouldn't really need any of the knowledge we've attained from this glass (in terms of the film itself) but I think the film and our thorough examination of it has been extremely helpful and will continue to prove helpful. I've always thought that one is perceived as intelligent according to, not only how much knowledge you possess on academic topics but also how informed you are as far as pop culture goes. I think The Big Lebowski is a movie that most certainly defined a generation of men and women. The movie continues to inspire and spur a good atmosphere among friends with its comedic qualities as well as the fact that its a buddy film where friends can gather around, watch the film and quote away. Because of this class, the film has become a favorite and I make it a point to show all of my friends who have not had the pleasure of seeing it or taking this class. I think the movie is hilarious and I think everyone should see it. It's not what I expected and this course is certainly not what I expected it to be. I'm very happy with my performance in the class and have enjoyed writing papers on The Dude as a Rug, Failed masculinity in the film and Sarsaparilla. All of these topics are things I could have never explored if I had not seen the film or taken this class and I think I am more intellectual because of it all.

That rant ^ was extremely incoherent and probably hard to read but I really do stand by everything I've written on this blog and in this particular entry. I've had a great time being a part of this class and look forward to bragging to my friends about how I had an english class in college entitled: The Dude Abides.