My name is Iman. I came from a big city in Saudi Arabia called Jeddah. I use o think about my country as it is like any country else. However, when I came to the USA and met people from different countries like China, South Korea, Brazil, and the American themselves, I start to think that we as Saudis have a distinctive and unique culture in many ways. This uniqueness is better sweet matter for me. I plan to get my PhD from any good American University. so I may spend five years here. I believe that in the future when I go back to Saudi Arabia I will think about these years and this experience as the best experience I ever had regardless of many difficulties  and obstacles that I already encountered or may face in the future.

The best lesson my grandparent (or parent or any relative) ever taught me was..

When I think about the best lesson that my mother taught me, I find myself confused due to the fact that I really learned a lot from her. She was and still is the best tutor I ever had. Billy Graham (2013) said "Children learn from us how to live, both from our words and our example." However, I think that the most amazing lesson that I have learned from my mom is her courtesy and generosity with people in general, and with family and friends in specific. To explain, she continuously emphasize on the importance of being connected with friends and relatives. For example, her house is always open for guests, and she always invites others to have a dinner with us. Also, she visits them when they have any occasion. 

            In addition of face to face connection, she always calls and checks on her friends and relatives, and does whatever it takes to help them when they need. As a result, she is not only the favorite for everyone around us, but also everyone love her and run to help her if she needs it. 

In short, I believe that the best thing I have learned from my mother is staying close to family and friends, and giving them the maximum support.

 

Reference:

http://kdhnews.com/living/religion/parents-can-help-adult-son-learn-to-be-responsible/article_91e1814c-387e-11e3-82fc-0019bb30f31a.html

 

 Note: I commented on: Celia, Hui, and Drew

 

2.)  Write about your life now at as a student  MEI in all positive descriptions. Write about the same subject but write only facts, and write only positive statements.  Include as many details as you can, make them all positive, include as much as possible.

       When I came here I was nervous, but when I met the faculty members and the other students every bad feeling start to change. The friendly people and the smiling faces help me a lot.



3.) Stretch: Write about the same subject using completely different information. Do not repeat ANY of the previous information.  It can be negative or positive.
       By analyzing my experience in MEI, I found that there are many gains of this life experience. I think I learned a lot here. I still remember my first essay that I wrote in the first replacement test. It was week and full of mistakes. Because I had clear instructions and constant help after just two month I started to write an organized essay. In addition, I want to talk about how MEI make me fell welcomed…...    

Do You Like Being Alone?

Do You Like Being Alone?

How many times do you just want to be left alone and do you wish that you live in a place where no one knows you, and you have no responsibility at all. In this modern world, sometimes we feel stressed, overwhelmed, and tired, and we tend to have a desire to be alone. Therefore, people in our society have a tendency to live alone. Emily Alpert (2013) said "living alone made up more than 27% of American households last year — a marked increase over the 17% who did so in 1970." However, I believe that either living alone or with others have both advantages and disadvantages.

            To begin, if we examine the situation of living alone, we will find that People who live alone have the full control of their life. They have the freedom to do whatever they want without consulting or considering anybody. In addition, they enjoy their personal space, privacy, and self-realization. In contrast, there are some negative sides of living alone such as the financial burden in terms of the rent and grocery.

            On the other hand, living with others like friends or family has several gains, too. People in this condition are supported emotionally and financially by their family or friends. In addition, they feel much more safe and secure. However, every position has its own pros and cons. In this case, the cons will appear in the lack of control and privacy in some aspects.   

            To sum up, both living by yourself or with company have their benefits and drawbacks. What this shows is that the best choice for any person is depends on his personality, preference, and priority.       

 

 

References:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-living-alone-20130828,0,5735939.story

 

 

Note: I commented on: Sara, Pedro, and Drew

   

Blog 1

Describe your idea of a perfect world. Include as many details as you can think of.

I always wonder how it feels if we live in a perfect world. It must be a great feeling, but is there such a place? Moreover, what is the perfect world? It is commonly believed that there is no perfect world no matter how hard we try, it just a utopia and theoretical thoughts which are impossible to apply on the real world. However, I believe there are several factors that can help human race to create their perfect world.

First of all, in the perfect world all people have their basic human needs. According to Abraham Maslow's pyramid (1943) people need to fulfill their basic needs to survive like food, shelter, and clothes. Next in order the need for safety and security. After that comes the need for love and belonging. Finally the need for respect of our fellow's and for self-respect. In the perfect world all these desires are guaranteed to all. Everyone has the right of living in a peace and nobody should live in fear of war or famine as well as no place for unemployment.

Other equally important point is all people are equal regardless of their beliefs, creeds, nationalities, social statuses, religion, or race. In addition, all various classes in a society live together under the umbrella of social justice. Furthermore, the perfect world has clear lows that organize and protect people's rights. In this world, racism, bigotry, and segregation do not exist and absolutely no one above the low.

My final point is education should be free and accessible for every person in general and it should be mandatory for children due to the fact education enlighten the minds and hearts. Likewise, all people should be free. They should have the full right to practice the religious freedom, intellectual freedom, and the freedom of speech. In this perfect world all people have the courage to speak up their opinions.

To conclude, providing the basic physical and psychological needs, equality and social justice, as well as education and freedom are essential when it comes to a complete world. Human kind can built a perfect world if they consider all these elements. So, what should people do? They should stay optimistic and work with their governments to transfer the dream to a reality.       

 http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/psychology/maslow_pyramid.html

I commented on: Rana. Nada, and Stephanie
 

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