Introduction- Caitlin Vassallo

1. I have always loved creative writing courses, because they provide me with the opportunity to express myself freely. I also enjoy history, because I like learning about the past and why things are the way they are today.

2. My final paper for A.P. Lit last year was about 9 pages long. It wasn't a research or factual paper, so there were no footnotes or endnotes or bibliography.

3. My favorite papers are the ones I get to write about myself. Not because I'm into talking about myself, but because my own mind is a topic that I know best, and it's easy for me to express my feelings through writing.

4. I used to be really into poetry, but since about junior year I prefer anecdotal pieces.

5. I prefer novels and read them frequently, so over the summer I decided to read a few plays instead. They were both by Shakespeare, and they were difficult to read but I enjoyed them both.

6. My favorite author is Arthur Golden. His attention to detail makes the story come alive on the page and just makes his work that much more interesting to read. My favorite book of all time is Memoirs of a Geisha, and the elaborate detail he uses throughout the book catches my attention and never lets go. I love it.

7. I've been doing pottery since I was about 8 or 9 years old, but unfortunately I was unable to take any studio art classes this semester. Besides that, I love to snowboard in the winter and play soccer every other season.

8. I don't typically read newspapers, I pay more attention to the puzzles in the back. Some articles that always seem to capture my attention, however, are those that describe heroic acts. I read one a few days ago about a fireman that was trying to resuscitate a kitten by giving it CPR, and accidentally inhaled it and swallowed it whole. Even though the kitten didn't make it, his attempt was heroic and pretty admirable.

9. The Women's World Cup last month really impressed me. Not so much the soccer, but the fact that people of all nationalities seemed to really bond over it. So many millions of people came together to watch the women preform, and it's amazing to see cultural differences pushed aside in order to connect over a sport.

10. Emotionally and mentally, there haven't been many major events that have effected me. However, monetarily, the poor economy effects me and my family every day. Who knew school was this expensive?

11. Reading the Shakespearean plays really broadened my love for literature. Being able to master the complex language and difficult structure was really sort of enlightening and gave me a great sense of accomplishment.