Sources: Google Days and High School Ways

In high school, my interpretation of using sources meant using what texts I found in the school library or on Google that either helped me validate my point or adjust my original train of thought. There is a broad range of places where information can be gathered in college- through texts, journals, books, articles, film, music, and even pictures. Granted such sources existed while I was in high school, but my teachers didn’t expect students to utilize them. This is where I see a huge difference in college sources compared to high school sources.

I recently started a research project for my Intermediate Ballet class which required the use of databases, online journals, and other sources I was unfamiliar with. Keith Hjortshoj notes that college professors encourage and expect the use of such sources to enhance discourse and writing quality (139-140). Luckily, the university library home page is easy to navigate and gather information from. It has already proven itself to be very useful during the process of researching for the ballet paper I am currently working on. The web page also had easy steps and guidelines for formatting and citing a wide variety of sources properly. Thanks to the library web page and Hjortshoj's advice, the huge world of sources beyond Google seems much more promising and less intimidating to me.

Fierce Soulstar Goes Hunting Through Second Life

I went on my first real exploration through Second Life while doing a scavenger hunt of locations for my English 103 class. I visited my Professor Iggy’s Office on Richmond Island, Milky 9, Orientation Island, Montclair’ State’s Theorist Project, Sarah Nerd’s Freebie Paradise, Callihan’s Tropical Plants, Harlem, Dublin, Epiphany Island, and The International Air and Space Museum. It was a very unique experience to interact with other avatars and observe how they live their second lives. More importantly, I got a chance to see the educational advantages this virtual world presents.

I went to the International Air and Space Museum as a child but I really can’t recall much of the visit. So I went again in Second Life! I was surprised to see how “hands on” many aspects of it were. With a simple click on most objects, the option to accept or reject a note card or web site of information about the object appeared. I took time to learn about Mission Freedom 7 by accepting a note card full of facts about it.


That's my avatar Fierce Soulstar infront of the Mission 7 aircraft.

There was also an option to watch NASA Television live. I don’t know the actual cable channel to watch NASA TV at home, but I know where it is in second life!

I tried talking to people while I was in Milky 9, but I didn’t find anyone too friendly. I started having my doubts about a social life in SL until I went to Orientation Island. I met a SL resident named Violet. She started chatting with me! I complimented her boots which she claimed were coded so the shoe laces changed colors. I’m not that fashionable in SL yet. I was warned that just like in regular life, SL residents don’t appreciate being photographed without permission. I asked Violet if could take a picture for a project, she responded by saying “ Is your project called Sluts of Second Life?” I thought that was hilarious. She was helpful and gave me a “Newbie Note card” which listed tips for adjusting to SL. How kind of her! This encounter was a classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” moment because her extreme outfit would’ve intimidated me in real life. Check it out..



On my visit to Montclair State’s theorist Project I ran into a fellow class mate. Walking around with a buddy made second life a little more enjoyable. I had to stop for a moment when I realized that I felt happier now that I wasn’t “alone” in the world even though the world was virtual. Besides, I don’t want to have more emotion for my avatar’s experiences than she does!


While at the Theorist Project I found a space ship but I wasn’t authorized to fly it.


I met Sigmund Freud. I didn’t really need counseling but it was nice to lay on his couch. He was capable of answering questions as if you were truly interacting with him face to face.


Fierce Soulstar concluded the hunt by chilling out by an open fire near the Science School on the Air and Space Museum Island.

A Star is Born in Second Life

I recently entered a new world and became another person with the help of my PC. By creating an avatar in the virtual world of Second Life I became aware of a developing culture I didn’t know existed. Although intangible and sometimes very extreme in presentation- avatars fly and sometimes wear wings– I found that the world and avatars of Second life are very realistic. There are so many possibilities to personalize and characterize your avatar from appearance to the style of their stride or run. I had a very general cloud labeled “odd” floating through my head when I was introduced to second life. I thought that a virtual life was more of an adjustable fantasy that could become a distraction from real life.

When I went to explain what I was learning so far in college to my mom, I referred to second life as The Sims on Steroids so she could understand the advancement of the avatars. However, once I actually entered and explored second life, I realized that the advancements of this world not only apply to the avatars, but also to the architecture and landscape (this made me rethink the Sims comparison).

I named my avatar Fierce Soulstar. First name Fierce because the word fierce can be a strong characteristic in a person. I wanted my avatar to have a name that presented an image when it was repeated. I can’t predict what someone imagines when they say “Fierce Soulstar” but I think of something that is both confident and unique. I hope the future of my avatar in second life holds true to what I imagine it to be.

One Draft- Betrayal

The “one draft" method of writing a paper was my best friend when I entered high school. It was a relationship that didn’t require much time but usually had successful results. However, time eventually tested the strength of the friendship when I was assigned my first independent research paper sophomore year. It was a 3 to 5 page paper comparing a work of art and a poem of my choice. I underestimated the time and effort the project would take. The night before it was due, I found myself being stared at by the intimidating face of an empty, glowing Microsoft word document. Who else could I turn to besides my ever reliable "one draft" buddy to help me out? The paper was quickly done and handed in on time the next day.

Keith Hjortshoj warns us that "Occasionally, when we are extremely lucky, we can produce good writing easily and quickly, in a single draft. But more often than not, the best writing results from extensive revision," (63). Apparently I had exhausted all my "one draft" luck in the assignments previous to that particular research paper. Less than 2 weeks later I received both my barely passing letter grade and paper; red marked to the max and hardly recognizable. The back of the last page simply said, “Did you re-read this?”. Needless to say, I was betrayed by my so called friend that day!

In the many papers within the following high school years, I took a much more logical approach by making time for editing, revisions, and completion of the work. But occasionally my friend came in handy. I still don’t have the best time management skills for writing papers - which I know is a serious issue now that I’m in college. I expect that the shocking writing reality check I received sophomore year in high school is more common, more harsh, and more damaging to grades in college. I’m only a few weeks into college and I’ve already been assigned a 20 page paper. I’m sure it is safe to assume that my “one draft” friend will not be crossing paths with my new acquaintance, the 20 page paper.