My Research Project Research. =)

My research question is this: “How does the American Dream affect our morality?” This question interested me very much because I have always been interested in figuring problems out that exist in today’s society. And often it comes back to morality. We are on a moral decline and I would like to pinpoint how this affects our morality and vise versa. I am very interested in the moral aspect of the American Dream.
I am not one hundred percent sure what I will find in my research. I know that the pursuit of the American Dream has led to a decline in American’s values, but I do not want to be too biased going into this project. I want to have an open mind, as any good researcher would.
I will probably start my research online, honestly. I will check out websites like http://www.bls.gov/ and http://news.cnet.com/American-workers-Lazy-or-creative/2008-1082_3-5847422.html . I will then continue on into the library and interviews.
I do not have a backup plan because I am confident that this one will pan out. This will not backfire because I am very interested in the subject. I have always been a flaneur and this topic is one that I have observed steadily.
~Laurel May~

My Research Project

I am very excited to start this research project. I think it will be an educational paper to research and write. I will write about the moral aspect of the changes in the American Dream. Attitudes that circle around money, people with lazy attitudes, the selfishness of our society today, those who feel victimized by society, the changes in women in the workforce. These things will be some of the moral viewpoints that influence the AD that I will write about. I would like to touch on how America likes to push our perfect American Dream down on other countries, wishing to change cultures worldwide. I think that this will be of interest because the moral downgrade of our society is something that affects everyone.
Since this is a research project, I am becoming aware that I will learn most by doing a variety of research. I plan on spending time at the city library researching stories. I will use the internet to find statistics and recent news stories. I hope to conduct a few interviews as well, with some different age groups.
I would think that any good research project will give both views of the topic. I hope to erase any bias I have by talking with those who oppose my views, and researching the opposite topic online. I know that I must substantiate my points with different sources, because this gives the point much more credibility.
I am extremely excited to start this project. I will try to take on an attitude of a detective working on his most recent case. I have concern because I do not have a whole lot of experience writing a research paper, but I know I can, and will, get over it.
~Laurel May~

The Writings of the Paper

I got a late start on the paper assignment for this week. The paper was based on "The Working Poor". David Shipler is a very interesting person, and thus, an engaging author. I enjoyed writing the paper and tried to use previous constructive criticism to better my paper.
I had fun researching Mr. Shipler. I sort of felt like a detective, trying to discover what I can about the author. I did not have time to go to the library and research the author, even though it was part of the assignment. But I found plenty of information online, cross referencing the information for credibility. I used a lot of internet resources to write my paper.
I wrote the three sections together, trying to make them flow as I wrote them. I thought this approach would be more ideal, rather than writing each section separately, and trying to make them flow afterward.
When writing papers and the like, I tend to write too many words. If there is a minimum of 1,000 words, I will often write more like 1,600 words. Not in this case. I had trouble filling the 2 pages of the middle content! I thought this was interesting.
All in all, it was a good assignment. I like how Ms. Jordan graduates each assignment with more words and more thought processes.
~Laurel May~

Complications in Prgoression

Hmmm this is an interesting blog assignment. I love life and think it is one big, grand adventure. But, it is much easier to see the speck in someone else’s eye, vs. looking at the plank in your own.
This is hard for me, because I must define “progression”. To me, progression is moving toward forward in life, in a positive way. Sometimes I feel frustrated and relate to the song “Graduate” by Blind Melon. The song is about wanting to graduate and get yourself off the street. I am not on the street, but I feel that way many times. I feel like I have been going to college for-ev-er. But in reality, a few years of school will give you a life time of comfort. At least, that is what I hear.
Sometimes I feel flustered because there is so much I want to do in life. One of my favorite COS Instructors, Richard Flores, sometimes says “don’t let school get in the way of your education”. That makes sense to me because sometimes I just want to stop going to school. But I know that college still holds many opportunities for me and I love learning.
The main thing that I really want is to get married and have a family. I know that will come in time, but for now it is hard sometimes to see other happily married folks, while I remain single. But I do not become bitter, and I love seeing other people so happy because it, in turn, makes me very happy.
But on the bottom line, I do not really see complications that prevent me from progressing in my life. I have shared some of my frustrations and happiness, but I am a very optimistic person and do not see much holding me back at this point. I have so much to do in life, and so little time. I am excited at every turn and can’t wait to see what comes next in this Grand, shared adventure.

~Laurel May~

Scratch Beginnings-Attaining the American Dream

“Which one are you?” Those last three words brought Scratch Beginnings all together for me. This book was well worth the read and I am recommending it to everyone that I know. It was so unquestionably inspiring to me. I have saved money before. I finance much of my life. But there is so much more I could do! The minute I set down Scratch Beginnings, I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down some goals. Saving is difficult, but so worth it.
I am already somewhat aware of the culture of the lower class, just because of the area we live in. But it was eye opening anyway, to witness through Adam’s words, the poverty lifestyle. I agree with many of Mr. Shepard’s conclusions; people can climb out of poverty. Poor folks can save their way up. And America is the best country and we should never bet against this Nation.
There are so many people that just sit around and literally don’t do anything. There are many leaches of society, who take, take, take, but return nothing. I agree with using welfare as a step up and nothing more. I agree with taking advantage of financial aid for school. I agree with using food stamps, if needed. Why? Because, ideally, the people who use these hand-ups will someday return the favor to society. Someday, they should be in a position to help others who were in their position. At least, that is how it should be.
I will keep Scratch Beginnings, not as my “English 001 book”, but as a fine read that I can continue to look to and read for inspiration as I work hard to be who I was created to be.

~Laurel May~

The American Dream...According to Me

My American Dream


“Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!” -Friedrich Nietzsche

No, I am not living the American Dream (AD) according to the stereotype: married, two children, nice house, white picket fence, 2 vehicles and a dog. Honestly, to me, the AD is more in attitude. It is about being joyous in everything that you do. When I am asked if I am living the AD, I have no doubt that I am. Why? Because I am where I know I am supposed to be. Yes, I know someday I will get married and have kids, but I know that time is not now, so I am living my AD. Yes, I know someday I will be graduated from college, but for now I am a Student, so I am living my AD. Yes, someday I will maybe own my own business, but for now I will continue to be a consumer, so I am living my AD.


I appreciate the German Mr. Nietzsche’s quote very much. We all strive for adventure. We like it when things go awry, and it is up to us to fix it. We like to think of life, and everyday tasks, as adventures. It is built into our DNA as human beings and I am proud to admit that living my American Dream is a grand adventure that I live every day. Part of my AD is to not hold any regrets. To confront things with people as soon as issues come up so that bitterness and resentment does not build up. To love people and to live with others peacefully, as far as it depends on you. My American Dream is up to me and God. Others will come into my life and impact me greatly. Your American Dream is up to you, with impact from people who come into your life.


I have objectives in my life and am strongly self motivated. I will always keep striving for them, because that is part of the Grand Adventure. I can do anything! And guess what? So can you. “Be the change you want to see in the world”-Gandhi.


Yes…I am content. And that is my American Dream.

Hola, my name is Laurel May Henderson. I am currently a business major Student at the College of the Sequoias. Now, growing up, I was never a little girl who dreamt of becoming a “Business Woman”. I am interested in this now, however, in pursuit of opening a bakery. I want to do this with my Sister, Lacey. We have always loved baking and cooking and I learned so much of what I know from my Mom. I am going to transfer to Fresno State in Spring 2011.

I am in love with the mountains and any of God’s raw creation. It sparks something in me and I constantly can’t wait to “get back”. This is referring to getting back to the mountains. I believe there is something in all of us that wants to get back, whether we know it or not.

I love adventures. Adventures could consist of a road trip, a power outage, running out of gasoline, spending time with good friends, babysitting your nephew and/or nieces, getting on an airplane, your class being cancelled, etc. Life consists of adventures.

I am an artist, but I think that everyone is such. It is my opinion that every one of us holds artistic potential even though you are probably saying “I can draw stick figures!” or “I am not creative”. I believe that we were made in God’s Image, and He is, obviously, the Ultimate Artist, so we must carry this potential as well. But it gets buried. Buried in running around everyone and trying to do everything without stopping to smell the roses. I do this too.

I love my family and hold them in high esteem. I am very happy to have such a family and thank God that He gave me the ones I have.

I am very excited to take my first online class and love school in general. We take our country for granted and are lucky to have the opportunity to learn so much and to be a part in such a grand adventure. Look forward to meeting everyone!

~Laurel May~