Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Becoming an Active College Reader

The reading assignment for my English Composition class has a few suggestions on how to be an "active college reader."  The author, Santi Buscemi, states the following:

● Preparing to read: Survey
● Reading and taking notes: Engage the text
● Writing an informal outline: Strengthen your grasp of the text
● Conversing with the text: Read it again
● Summarizing: Make what you have read your own
● Responding and Critiquing: Evaluate what you have read
● Synthesizing: Bring ideas together in a new statement

All excellent suggestions to help become a better reader, and eventually a better writer!  I do admit that these have all been suggestions, but never taken seriously during my early years.  This will allow me to see my reading in a different perspective!

OK, don't mind what I have next... these are some favorite "quotes" or tips that I liked in my reading of the assignment.

"Reading, like writing, involves discovery."

"Be skeptical; don't believe everything you read.  After all, even villains and liars have had their works published."

"Summarizing improves comprehension."

Writing

I started an English Composition class this week. My reading assignments consists of writing exercises that we will not be using as practice for class. Thus, I figured that I could use them every once in awhile as a prompt to use as a blog. I don't necessarily believe that I will find anything useful to put on here, but it's worth the try. I have always found "structured" writing as an intimidating activity. It has never been my strong point all through out my education. I always did best when it came to freewriting, but never a success when assigned a topic. Hopefully, this could be something to guide me as my education continues. *fingers crossed*

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Pinterest Experiment #2 and #3 ~ Ranch Mushrooms & Mini Taco Bites

I've completed my 2nd dish Sunday evening, the mushrooms. I did a trial sample, and found them to be OK. However, for New Year's Eve dinner, I decided to cut them in half, and put the temp for the slow cooker on high during the last hour. Turned out way better than the first try.

I also made the mini taco bites. I didn't find the wonton wrappers (square) as suggested. I went to a Filipino supermarket, and they only had gyoza wrappers (round) available.  I much prefer the round wrappers. I managed to shape them into a four-leaf clover shape inside the mini muffin tins. They were a bit difficult to fill with meat at first, but I quickly learned to fill them within the round areas.

Mini Taco Bites

Ranch Mushrooms