5. Reflecting on the Research

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We finally turned in that Research Paper that we've been working on for so long to perfect! I'm so relieved that it's finally done. Even though I was a few minutes late, I'm just glad it's over. I woke up at 7:50 this morning so I wouldn't be late to class so I went to the Wilkinson Center and printed out the papers and got it all stapled. Afterwards I got some Subway because I had some extra time and I walked down to the Maeser Building where we normally had class. As I walked inside, the scariest thought came to my mind. It was Friday. On Friday's we had class at the JKB. My heart sank as I realized I only had two minutes to get there. I struggled to speed walk as my knee was restraining me from going any faster, due to the recent surgery I had done on it. But I made it and should only lose a few points so I'm not too worried about that.

Now that that is off my chest, I will like to talk about the actual research paper. It was so much fun to come up with all of this information that was easily accessible to me. At times I would just keep looking up more and more because, well, I like to learn new things. I can't wait to show my mom this essay so that maybe she will consider changing her mind. My favorite part was finding out how right I actually was. I knew that mulching grass helped the grass quite a bit, but I still had no idea to what extent it helped. Bagging grass now just seems so illogical. I find it fun to think about the processes that the grass undergoes to benefit the lawn.

In the end, I found it fun to do a research paper on something with so much science in it. I really enjoy these topics and will take any opportunity I get to write another science related paper for class, if it is an option. I like writing about chemical processes. I hope to do more and pursue my major, which is chemical engineering. I am excited for the rest of school. This Writing 150 class is starting to grow on me quite a bit. 

4. Klebingat's Perfect Talk

This last weekend, I was able to go to General Conference for the first time I can remember. It was quite the experience. Up in Salt Lake it was so interesting to see how chaotic the world was hustling and bustling around. People were playing music to attempt to earn some spare change, others were shoveling into the conference center, and others were driving cars to lunch in the midst of it all. It wasn't what I was expecting to see at all. But once we finally entered and got to our seats, it all stopped. All the chaos and calamities that were exploding about all ceased. The time was then given to the Holy Ghost to teach and uplift. The choir sang with more power than seen on television and the voices of the apostles stronger than I had ever heard them previously.

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Finally, the speaker that I had been waiting for, even though I didn't even know it myself at that time, walked up to the pulpit. I saw his name on the screen. Jörg Klebingat. I remember how interesting I thought it was, and how interesting I thought his voice was. I couldn't recognize the accent he had. But I dismissed these thoughts and began to listen. As soon as I did, he said something that struck me. He posed the following questions; "What thoughts come to mind if you had a personal interview with your Savior one minute from now? Would sins, regrets, and shortcomings dominate your self-image, or would you simply experience joyful anticipation? Would you meet or avoid His gaze? Would you linger by the door or confidently walk up to Him?"

Honestly, at this point I was a little bashful. I thought about everything that could possibly be counted against me at the last day. I thought about past transgressions and the disappointment I have caused others. I told myself that I would not be confident when approaching the Savior who suffered for me. Elder Klebingat then began to declare that those very thoughts about being a disappointment to Heavenly Father or being inadequate of Christ's atonement were thoughts planted by the devil himself. This brought me much comfort, reminding myself of all the times I felt this very same way. I decided at this point, the very beginning of his talk, that I would no longer allow these voices "to chisel away at [my] soul."

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He then gave six suggestions that he recommended we all heed. These were as follows: Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being; take responsibility for your own physical well-being; embrace voluntary, wholehearted obedience as part of your life; become really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly; become really good at forgiving; accept trials, setbacks, and surprises as part of your mortal experience. In each one of these suggestions, he gives blunt and straightforward information on how to live each of these principles. His frankness creates a sense of need of the listener. At this point, it was a great self-check to see what I need to improve in my life.

This talk was exactly what I needed. I was taught to "acknowledge and face [my] weaknesses, but [not] be immobilized by them." Our Savior expects us to keep His commandments, but on the occasions that we mess up, to utilize the atonement that He endured. Christ wants us to be confident when we come to Him at that day when we will have an "interview" with Him. Knowing this has helped me realize that I can be confident when I need the Savior. I believe in Christ, and I believe Christ.

3. The Grass is Greener on My Side

Thesis:
Grass growth is affected by the method of lawn mowing through factors that include moisture supply, mineral nutrient supply, and the soil aeration of the grass.

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Growing up as the youngest of the Blacks, times were often energetic due to the teasing that was constant in the home. Being the youngest, almost every ounce of teasing was focused on yours truly. But the nice thing about all of this was that I never had to do any of the heavy lifting. The older boys were always designated as the ones to do the dishes, clean the house, and move the giant furniture. But one thing that I had to do was mow the lawn. Every week, I would go outside and push the lawn mower up the big hill in our back yard. The worst part was that my mom had me bag it every time. I didn't see the point of this repetitive routine seeing that it added almost 20 minutes to my mowing time. Couldn't the grass which I had just cut, be used to nourish the grass that was still there? Wouldn't the moisture of the water from the cut grass help the lawn grow? But every time I ran these questions by my dear mom, she shot them down with as much fury as a bull about to charge in the ring. On the occasion that I pushed a little further, she would argue that the cut grass would suffocated the grass and deprive it from oxygen. 

Brittany -- Hahaha!  Nice description of your mom.  :)  I think you have a funny story associated with your thesis, and it would probably make a very interesting research paper.  Your question of how to make the grass grow better is a bit in opposition to your mother's aesthetic appeal of her front lawn.

That is a very clever way to lead into your research paper.  Your topic would be very interesting because I don't think  know anything about how to make grass grow better.  This means your topic has not been beaten to death, which is good.


This definitely catches the readers attention! I think the story you have leading into your research paper is humorous and makes for an interesting research paper. Have fun researching your question, because I know absolutely nothing about grass, so I'm sure you'll learn a lot of new interesting information!