Easiest Way to Switch between My Blog and Yours

If you are using WordPress, please follow these instructions carefully. It will make the whole process easier. (I recommend printing this out or copying it into a Word document so that you can refer to the instructions after you begin.)

1. Login to your WordPress account.
2. Click on My Dashboard at the top of the screen.
3. Click Manage.
4. Click Links.
5. Click Add New.
6. Type “English 1301″ in name and http://egoldfarb.wordpress.com in Web page.
7. Click Save.
8. Click “Visit Site” next to your blog name at the top of the screen.
9. On the right side of your blog, under blogroll, you will now see English 1301. Click on it. It will take you back to my blog, but your menu will still be visible at the top of the screen.
10. Read my prompt and click New Post at the top of the screen.
11. Once you have written your response, click Publish on the right of the screen. This will post your response on your blog.
12. You will be redirected back to my blog. Now you can read another prompt and post another new post.

Blog 1: My Greatest Influence

No matter how much we might detest the idea and fight against the reality, most of us turn out, at least in some part, like one or both of our parents. In addition, we have other people in our lives who strongly impact who we become. These people may be family members or friends, a teacher or spiritual leader, or someone you met in passing who happened to say the right thing at the right time. I would like you to blog about the person who has most influenced you and how you define yourself. Describe that person. Make him or her real to the reader. Tell us something that makes us feel as though we know the person. Above all, explain how that person influenced you.

Blog 2: A defining moment

We have all had moments about which we can say, “That is when everything changed.” They are major turning points (or minor turning points) that have been pivotal to getting us where we are now.  If we had done something different at that moment, or if something different had happened, goodness knows where we would be now.  For me, I know that when I moved to DFW in 2002 my whole life changed. It put me on a path that completely changed in me in wonderful ways. For others, the moment may not be so pleasant. One of my best friends identifies when her father was diagnosed with cancer as a major turning point in her life. What about you? What is your pivotal, defining moment? How did it change your life? Where would you be now if that moment had not happened?

Blog 3: Traveling to a New Perspective

Travel forces us outside of our normal routine and comfy shell. It can be exhilarating and at times downright transformative.  If you are lucky, you can travel to a place where people live differently than you. At the very least, you step outside of your daily norm and experience a short escape from stresses that you left at home. For this entry I would like you to write about a trip you once made that gave you an entirely new perspective on your life. Describe where you went. Use your five senses. What did you discover about life? How did it change the way you view your own life? Were you changed for the better or for the worse?

Blog 4: A Scent of History

Did you know that smell is more evocative of memory than any other sense? Just one whiff of a familiar scent and you can be transported to a time in your past.  Sometimes these sudden memories can be shocking or frightening, bringing you to tears. At other times the memories are sweet and happy (which might also bring you to tears). Describe a memory that is particularly vivid, paying particular attention to your sense of smell. What scent do you associate with that time, person or place?

Blog 5: If only…

We have all made decisions that we later questioned, opportunities that we wish we had taken, or things we wish we had never said. Suddenly, they become our “If only’s.” “If only I had said this…” or “If only I had stayed home” or “If only I had taken the chance.” Think of one of your “If only’s” that you still beat yourself up over. What would you do differently? How would your life be different if you had? Can you create a new opportunity to make up for the missed one? How can you learn from the choice and move on?

Blog 6: If I were brave…

The first step for this blog is to visit another Web site. I would like you all to go to http://www.myspace.com/janastanfield and listen to “If I Were Brave.” Of course, you are welcome to listen to all of her songs, but listen to “If I Were Brave” for this blog. You will have to scroll down in the music player to find it. Once you have listened to the song, answer the question: “What would I do today if I were brave?”  

Blog 7: On self-destruct

I have a good friend who tends to self-destruct when she is upset. Unfortunately, she is not alone. Most of us have self-destructive behaviors that only come out when we are feeling low. It might be as simple as spacing out in front of the television for an entire day (you know, until the drool starts running from the corner of your mouth), or eating an entire quart of ice cream (I would have said pint, but most people can do that regardless of how they feel), or picking fights with the people we care about just so that we can feel vindicated when we start to yell. When was the last time you went into self-destruct mode? What set you off? Did you realize what you were doing? Blog about it.

Blog 8: In the news…

Since we are talking about news stories this week, I thought it would be an appropriate topic for the blog. One night this week, watch the news (either the local or national news). What story captured your attention? Why? Do a little more research on the story. What did you find out that wasn’t in the newscast? Why do certain stories impact us more than others? Looking back over your life, what one newstory stands out to you and why?

Blog 9: When I grow up

My friends and I often talk about the fact that there are times we still don’t feel like adults. Even now, I wonder if I will ever feel “grown-up.” And yet, the outside world looks at us and says we are adults and thus should act “responsibly” or “maturely,” and it is time that we “put away childish things.” The human brain and spirit does not necessarily work that way, and it can actually be helpful to think like a child. Limits don’t exist for children until adults impose them. When I was a child, I didn’t dream of being a fire fighter or astronaut or even a superhero. I dreamed of being an opera singer. Odd, I know. It was when I was a teenager that I let the doubts of adults stop me from pursuing that dream. What did you want to be when you grow up? If it changed, when did it change and why? Is there a way to bring some aspect of that dream back into your life now (perhaps as a hobby)?