Just think...

Just think…
At age 37 I decided to go college to improve myself for the next 37 years. The first day in class is always the best day, because everybody in class is an A student until the first assignment is graded. Before this class I had not written an essay since high school and computers forget about it unless Atari counts. So when Mr. Gasparo strolled into the class room looking much like a student himself I was surprised because I expected someone a little older. He introduced himself to the class and stated, “If you do not like computers it would probably be a good time to look for another instructor and drop this class.” Well the way he put was a lot nicer than the interpretation. At 37, I realize that a good challenge and change is good for the blood stream, but it did cross my mind to drop this class.
As the class moved on and the essay papers piled up Mr. Gasparo seemed to help every student find their own voice with writing. If you’re looking for a good teacher in English 111, this is the man. There will be a lot of papers to write, a lot of critiquing, blogging, and e-mailing but between all the comas a lot of laughs. Don’t get it wrong idea He is serious about class time and class work but he also has a sense of humor at the same time. Mr. Gasparo made English 111 bearable and fun for my class. Overall I am glad that I did not drop this class.

111-60-Diagnostic Essay Revised-Eric-Powell-doc.

Eric Powell

Diagnostic Essay Revised

English 111

26 November 2009

My Favorite Vacation
The cruise to Nassau, Bahamas is my favorite vacation. It is a little known fact that I’m sort of a stay at home kind of guy. We just had a family vacation at Sea world and I was tired, plain and simple. So when I found out that my wife was planning a cruise, I was wondering how and with what energy was this going to happen? My beautiful wife informed me that this vacation was my birthday present, shocked and surprised was not my only feelings. And this vacation was going to be without the children, what? Only parents can really understand the meaning of those words. I was ready to party and get the show on the road; we had only one problem the accommodations, which we upgraded.
At the airport I was already flying on cloud nine and I was still on the ground. Airport security was a bit extreme due to 911, but could have striped searched me I would not have cared, we were on our way to paradise. The flight seemed sweet and short as the plane landed in Miami home of Tony Montana. My wife and I boarded a bus full of strangers and by the time we reached the cruise ship everyone was well acquainted.
As we boarded the ship we started to feel giddy like school kids, this was a new experience that we was sharing together. Photographers seemed to be at every end of the ship eager to take our photo with waiters ready to take our orders. We mingled and laughed with the other passengers as the big ship began to move we were on our way, Miami appeared small in the distance as the ocean seemed to be swallowing it up. As we made our way to the suite, we were amazed by the décor of the inside of the ship, with neon, chrome, and vibrant colors setting the mood. It resembled a grand hotel and casino. The suite had all the elements of comfort; King sized bed, jetted tub, walk-in closet, wet bar, and balcony.
Nassau, Bahamas was nice with good people, colorful buildings, reggae music, and good food. We toured the Atlantis resort and walked the streets of the shopping plaza. We made our way back to the ship for the trip to Miami, and we were not tired in fact we was ready to party. As the ship set for sail we laughed, we danced, and we mingled with other couples to late into the night. But the best part of that vacation was not the destination it was the journey. Standing on that balcony day or night viewing the horizon as the baby blue sky kissed the indigo blue sea was phenomenal.

Eric Powell
Diagnostic Essay
English 111
Tuesday 1, 2009
My Favorite Vacation

My favorite vacation to date would have to be my cruise to Nassau, Bahamas. Of course the little work alcoholic and the big penny pincher in me did not desire a second vacation in the same year. My attitude quickly changed when I found out that my beautiful wife planned this vacation as my thirty-sixth birthday present; no children just the two of us. Three fantastic nights and four fun filled days on the Carnival Imagination cruise ship. At first it was just the regular cruise package, but I asked my wife to upgrade our accommodation to a suite with balcony. Usually I’m frugal when it comes to spending our money, but this might be the only cruise we ever go on in our life. We flew from Norfolk to Miami and boarded the cruise ship. We stepped onto the upper deck of the ship and we were instantly giddy like school children. This was a brand new experience that we were sharing together. Photographers seemed to be everywhere wanting to take our picture and the waiters wanted to get the first of many beverages in our system. As we made our way to the suite, we were amazed by the decor of the inside of the ship. It resembled a grand hotel. The suite had all the elements of comfort; a king sized bed, jetted tub, walk-in closet, and a wet bar. We felt movement and this large floating grand hotel was on its way to Nassau, Bahamas.

Nassau, Bahamas was nice. We toured the Atlantis resort and walked the streets of the shopping plaza. We made our way back to the ship for the return to Miami. As the ship sailed we laughed, we danced, and we mingled with other couples to late into the night. But the best part of that vacation was not the destination it was the journey. Standing on the balcony day or night viewing the sky and the indigo blue sea was phenomenal.

Image source can be found here