First Assignment

Hello, my name is Sarah Fulkerson. I'm from the small town of Mansfield, Texas, about 25 minutes south of Fort Worth. I am a sophomore pre-law Economics major with a minor in Political Science.

I came to TCU my freshman year because I wanted a small university experience, so I could get to know professors on a more personal level. Also I liked it because it is rather close to my home. I maintain good relations with my family so I like to visit often.

If I was made Chancellor of TCU, I think the first thing I would change is the way the dining plans are organized. Last semester I calculated that I spent about $17 every time I swiped my card to get into Market Square. I just don't eat $1800 worth of food every semester so it's silly that I should be mandated to buy a dining plan that costs that much.

I think a good teacher is always patient with their students, accessible outside of the classroom, willing to repeat or further explain an idea, knowledgeable about their topic, and always prepared for class. Good students are willing to put forth the effort to learn what they are being taught, always in attendance, and prepared for classroom discussion and tests.

If I could have dinner with any three living people, they would be my late grandmother, Coco Chanel, and Greg Mortensen. I would have dinner with my grandmother because I never got the chance to really ask her about her life and my mother as a child. Coco Chanel as well, because I admire her prowess as a business woman during a time when women were expected to stay in the home. Finally, my hero Greg Mortensen, who risks his life day in and day out to build schools for children in remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Hmm, what are three things you should know about me? Well, I tend to write quite a lot, in case you haven't noticed by now. I consider myself to be a good writer and I rather enjoy it. I really, really, really want to live in New York someday, and hopefully practice law there. Here's a random thing about me: I'm terrified of the ocean. I hate swimming in it unless I can see the bottom, and usually I don't even do that because I hate sand. And seafood. Just about anything even associated with the ocean I don't like.

3 things I'd like to know about you: Anybody here from out of the country? I love traveling! Does anybody else besides me love old movies? Gone With the Wind, North by Northwest anyone? And who else could care less about American Idol?

I decided to take this course because I've always found American literature to be highly organic and a true product of the American spirit, so I wanted to learn a little more about how it works and what the major themes are throughout our history.

Well inside the classroom I do a lot of reading for my political science classes, as they're simply reading intensive courses. Outside the classroom though I do try to stay up to date with what is going on in the world. One of the first things I do every morning is check the headlines, both national and international. I have a large interest in the Middle East, so I love books such as The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and 3 Cups of Tea. Like my parents, I also enjoy books in the fantasy genre, from authors such as R.A. Salvatore and Mercedes Lackey and novels like Wayfarer's Redemption and Medalon.

I don't do too much writing outside the classroom, and when I do it is usually bursts of creativity that I don't tend to expand upon. I've always wanted to write a book, so I'm kind of waiting for that one idea that I'll fall in love with and expand upon. I do it well when I do write, but I don't ever show it to anyone, for reasons known only to psychologists.

Though I at first wanted the color scheme of my blog to be black, I ending up choosing the one you see now. I always try to be a happy person, so I like to surround myself with things that exude positive energy. The humor I do use tends to just be a bit of dry wit now and then as I see appropriate, but usually I take no large steps to include it. I've started this blog out with just cut and dry information and tried to sort it out by question so that the reader can easily acquire the information that I'm trying to say. I am a well organized, efficient person, so I'd like my blog to reflect that.

For the benefit of Professor Irvin: I have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of the course syllabus. Thanks for reading.