Last Post! :) :(

As much as I'd like to say, "I'm going to keep blogging!" That just wouldn't be true. So yes, the time has come-- my final blog post. For my last post I just wanted to thank you all for such a fun semester. I really enjoyed our small class atmosphere and I liked the happy energy you all brought to the room everyday. All of you guys are so smart and I'm sure you're gonna kill it at whatever you choose to do in your lives;). Also I'd like to thank Sister Steadman for the spirit she brought to the class as well as teaching us how to become better writers. Love you all!

Favorite Christmas Movie?

The debate over which film is the best Christmas Movie ever made, is perhaps the most controversial, heated argument our nation has ever faced. It seems a little ironic that movies that are supposed to bring feelings of love, charity, and gratitude cause such a tremendous amount of tension.

Obviously I'm joking but I actually do want to know, what are your favorite Christmas Movies? My family has a tradition of watching "A Christmas Story" every Christmas Eve, so for sentimental reasons, that movie is very high on my list. However, if I had to give an opinion based off of which movie was the most entertaining/funny... I'd have to go with "Home Alone". That movie just cracks me up. I know there are you "Elf" lovers out there, and don't get me wrong, it's still a solid Christmas movie, but it's nowhere near "A Christmas Story" and "Home Alone." 

ALMOST TIME

Even though break just ended, I cannot stop thinking about Christmas Break! I can imagine some of you are in the same boat. This is the first year I actually bought Christmas gifts for my whole family (with my own money haha). I actually did something cute, I bought all of the guys a beanie of our favorite sports team, (niners, A's, warriors) and I bought my Mom and two sisters this necklace that makes a heart that says Big Sis on the left side, Mom in the middle, and Little Sis on the right side. The necklace breaks into three parts so they can all wear their own section and know that it connects to a heart. Cute or cliche idk but it only took me like ten minutes to find it so I'm happy with my decision. This is a picture of it.

Warriors

I don't know if you guys watch basketball, but this NBA season has been extremely exciting for me to follow. I'm from the Bay Area and the only basketball team you're allowed to follow there is THE Golden State Warriors. They are having a record setting year. Their record so far is 20-0, which has already broken the previous record for an undefeated streak to start the season by five games (and more to come;)). They are so exciting to follow and even have last years league MVP, Stephen Curry, who in my opinion, as well as the opinion of many others, is the best shooter to ever play. He has hit 101 threes in only 20 games which is unprecedented. He is changing the way the NBA plays basketball from an inside game to a 3 ball game. If you haven't heard of the warriors streak this year or of Stephen Curry, I highly suggest you go online and watch some highlights. I even give you permission to hop on the bandwagon;).

Why Am I Here?

Going off of my last post, here is a quick thing I wrote for my bio class at the beginning of the year.

Michael Anderson                                                                                                          Anderson 1

Professor Adams

Biology 100

September 3, 2015

Why Am I Here?

                  While I was walking through the Education In Zion exhibit it became very evident to me that I was attending a University unlike any other in the world. Like President Gordon B. Hinckley said in 1992, “This is a world-class university, a great temple of learning where highly qualified faculty instruct a large and eager body of students. These teachers impart with skill and dedication the accumulated secular knowledge of the centuries while also building faith in the eternal verities that are the foundation of civilization.” That is exactly why I came here.

                  Nowhere in the world can I learn outstanding secular curriculum that far exceeds the vast majority of other universities, while also being taught the doctrines of the restored gospel and understand them both by the spirit of God. And I believe this is the exact reason education is such a priority for the church. They want to teach us secular knowledge so we can be successful and have the means to start a family and fulfill our life on earth, while educating us of the eternal truths of the gospel. The Lord expects me in Biology class as well as all of my classes to apply myself both mentally and spiritually. My time here will help prepare me to build the kingdom of God because an education prepares me to be a missionary, a bishop or high councilman, or any other duty the church requires.

                  For me my faith really influences the way I learn and practice science. It makes me have so much appreciation for the detail and beauty of God’s creation. It excites me to see how life works together in such harmony and to know that it was all part of God’s plan.

BYU Food

Although eating at the Cannon Center and the Wilk everyday can be a little repetitive, I am thankful for the food we have at BYU. Some of my friends from high school go to schools that have a small cafeteria and vending machines as the only sources of food. Every time I catch myself complaining about BYU, I compare it to other schools and it always puts things back into perspective for me. There truly is no other institution in the world where you can gain as much secular and spiritual knowledge all in one place. Thankful!

The Positive Impacts Disease Has on the Family

Michael Anderson                                                                                               Anderson 1

Sister Steadman

Writing 150

October 24, 2015

Is Disease All Bad?

The Positive Impact Disease Has on the Family

            On December 28^th, 1961 my uncle Chuck Anderson was born at Utah Valley Hospital. Chuck was born with what appeared to be “popped blisters” on his knee, his hand, and his foot. The doctors thought these ailments were merely infected birthmarks so they washed him and dressed him as they would any other baby. By morning, his body was covered in water and blood blisters. Franticly the doctors searched for the cause of the problem because they had never encountered anything like it. After 24 hours of waiting in a panic, my grandparents finally received the doctors’ diagnosis. Chuck had a severe skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. Although they didn’t know at the time, this news would drastically change the course of their lives and give rise to countless trials and tribulations.

Background

            Epidermolyisis Bullosa (EB) is a very rare genetic connective tissue disorder that affects one child out of every 20,000 births, which means about 200 children are born with EB every year. (What is EB 1) It is characterized by fragile skin along with subsequent blistering, erosions, and scarring. (Lin 1) Both my uncle Chuck and my aunt Christine, born 16 years later, suffered from the most severe form of this disease. EB is caused by a genetic defect where the protein that connects the top two layers of skin is

                                                                                                                        Anderson 2    

missing. This is like having no “glue” to hold the skin together, which results in the skin tearing or blistering with the slightest friction. (Dures et al. 2) When Chuck and Christine were babies, their skin was so fragile that lifting them under their arms completely removed the skin. Pants rubbing on knees and the pressure of shoes caused blisters and sores. (Anderson 1) Try to imagine a person with wounds very similar to burns covering most of his or her body. However, unlike burns, these wounds never go away. Bathing was the most challenging part of their lives. Not only were the baths excruciating, but also they were long, lasting two to three hours. The bandages around their wounds had to be soaked off because they often stuck to the sores. Clorox water was then used to cleanse the wounds. Because towels caused too much friction, my grandma had to use a blow dryer to dry their skin. After this already exhausting process, she would then cover their wounds with antibiotics and bandages. The final step was a soft gauze wrap that covered their bodies almost head to toe. Another awful aspect of EB is the result of scarring. Children with EB have to have strict diets that consist of liquids and soft foods; otherwise scarring will occur in the mouth and esophagus. Scarring also causes the fingers and toes to fuse, making the hands like closed fists, which severely limits function. (EB Kids 1) There may be no other disease that brings more unrelenting suffering than that of Epidermolysis Bullosa. But in spite of the suffering that Chuck and Christine endured, they were amazing in their ability to find meaning and joy in their lives. Because of their incredible bravery, my aunt and uncle impacted my family and others in three significant ways: (1) they helped my grandparents see the good in

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mankind; (2) their courage strengthened and inspired my family and all who knew them; and (3) they inspired my grandmother to found the first EB research foundation.

Disease Reveals the Good in Mankind

            The time and money required to raise and care for Chuck and Christine was immense. My grandpa was originally considering becoming a professor, but had to abandon that option and put himself through law school because he knew they were going to need more money to raise Chuck. With my grandpa going through school and later working a demanding schedule, my grandma had to do most of the caretaking on her own. Raising two kids with EB was overwhelming and exhausting enough, but she had my dad and two other adopted children to care for as well.

Growing up was hard for Chuck and Christine because they couldn’t do the things healthy kids did for fun, such as riding bikes and playing sports. However, this didn’t stop them, especially Chuck. Even as a young boy, Chuck always showed astounding confidence. He was never afraid to introduce himself and talk to people. Because of this confidence, along with his debilitating disease, people were drawn to him and wanted to help. My grandparents witnessed countless kindnesses and accommodations on Chuck’s behalf that made his life more enjoyable. The staff at the Oakland Airport let him sit in the control tower and watch planes take off. Owners of fancy San Francisco restaurants welcomed his frequent visits and insisted on paying for his meals. A prominent radio talk show host brought Chuck on as a regular Friday co-host and often took him to dinner before or after the shows. And the Oakland Police Department even allowed him to ride in the police helicopter. Not only did people do these amazing things for Chuck, but more

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importantly, they befriended him and showed him love. The many gestures of kindness and compassion toward Chuck strengthened my grandparents at times when they needed it most, and they reinforced my grandparents’ belief that small acts of service can bless lives tremendously. Because of this, my grandmother began consciously seeking to help people in little ways. By looking beyond her own needs and problems, she found healing. In an interview with my grandmother she said, “I look back now and wonder why it took me so long to plug into the message of the gospel - - that we will find ourselves serving others.” Service was a therapy that caused the grief in my grandmother’s life to greatly diminish. Her discovery of this gospel truth helped to instill important virtues such as kindness, compassion and empathy in my own family. I see them expressed by my mom and dad every day, and I consciously try to incorporate them in my own life. I also recognize, however, I am nowhere near where I can and should be. I have to remind myself every day to pay more attention to the needs of others and to find ways to brighten their lives – as so many people did for Chuck and Christine. When I approach life in this way, it not only benefits those I serve, but also brings me greater personal peace and happiness.    

Courage Inspires and Strengthens the Spirit

            Even at age 12, Christine showed incredible strength and courage. When going to school, she would wince in pain while putting her backpack on over her shoulders. Her backpack caused awful sores and often tore skin, but Christine put on a brave face. My grandmother would beg Christine to let her carry it, but she refused because she wanted to fit in and feel like everyone else. Another example of Christine’s bravery was on her

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deathbed at age 14. My mother, my older sister (five years old at the time) and my older brother (one year old) went to visit her in the hospital. In excruciating pain, she removed the oxygen mask from her face before they got there so she wouldn’t scare my young siblings. Despite all of her suffering, she was more worried about frightening my brother and sister than she was about her own life.

Chuck’s and Christine’s examples of courage, perseverance, and steadfastness have provided me and the rest of my family with important perspective. In times of adversity or disappointments, we are reminded of how beautifully Chuck and Christine handled much greater struggles. Through it all, they were able to maintain a positive outlook and find joy and meaning in their lives. When we think of how much pain and suffering they endured, it makes the problems we face seem trivial. When I was a young boy I would cry and whine if I didn’t get to go to a friend’s house. When Christine and Chuck were little, they went to school with open wounds covering 75% of their bodies. I am thankful I have the perspective now to realize how unimportant the problems I have really are. Not only does it help me get through stressful times, but it increases my desire to help those who are facing far greater obstacles to overcome.

Another way Chuck and Christine strengthened my family was through their unwavering faith in God. Through all of the relentless pain they faced, it would have been easy for them to blame God. They never did.  They always knew that God loved them, that he was looking after them, and that they would someday return to him – healthy and pain-free. Their faith strengthened and comforted those around them. My grandmother said in an interview for a Mormon women’s website, “I think life with

                                                                                                                        Anderson 6

Christine and Chuck was a spiritual journey for all our family. Not one of us could have accepted the sadness of their lives had we not known there was a life beyond mortality where they would enjoy bodies free from pain.” The testimony of Chuck and Christine increased their own desire to fight, and it allowed my grandparents to feel joy that would have otherwise been impossible to feel. Because of the courage they showed during their lifetime, Chuck and Christine helped cement the gospel in my family today. I am sure that my family would not be as close, happy or successful without the influence of the gospel.   

The Foundation

            When Chuck and Christine were young, the DEBRA Foundation was the only organization directing its efforts to helping EB families. It was primarily a family-support group with very little funds being directed towards research. Although my grandparents admired the efforts of DEBRA, they wanted to completely eliminate the terrible suffering of EB patients. They believed the only way to do that was to start medical research foundation dedicated to finding a cure.

            My grandparents had always taken Chuck and Christine to St. Louis for treatment with Dr. Eugene Bauer, the only researcher of EB in the nation. In 1988, he became the Dean of the Department of Dermatology at Stanford University. (Stanford Dermatology) Dr. Bauer also had a great desire to find a cure for EB and had been focusing on research for a number of years before coming to Stanford. With his new leadership position at Stanford, he decided to attack the disease with a vengeance. He asked my grandparents to partner with him in starting a foundation to raise research funds. In 1991, they established

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the EB Medical Research Foundation, an organization directed solely to the research of Epidermolysis Bullosa. At that time, there were three doctors interested in EB research at Stanford. Because of the success of my grandparent’s foundation, there are now more than 65 people at Stanford working on EB research. The foundation has raised more than 15 million dollars for research. After 20 years of commitment, patience and the hard work of the Stanford scientists, they have received FDA approval for human trials for a gene-therapy treatment, and the first five patients have been successfully treated.  Although only small patches of skin have been treated successfully, and there is still a lot to discover before treating the full body, this is a huge step towards a cure.

            My grandparents’ foundation has not only helped them feel better through service, but it has provided hope for families that are suffering or have suffered from EB. Hope gives reason for people to keep on fighting.

Conclusion

My uncle Chuck passed away from skin cancer in 1988, at the age of 27. Christine died five years later of heart failure at 14. Even though they were only on this earth for a short time, they managed to leave a lasting and powerful impression on all of us. My family has been, and will continue to be, inspired by their faith and courage, and by the many people who befriended and served them with Christ-like love.  Despite the incredible challenges that my grandparents faced in caring for Chuck and Christine, this experience helped them to more clearly see the good in the world and the healing power

of service, compassion and empathy.  These principles have been passed down to me and my family and they influence our daily actions.

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Chuck and Christine also impacted my family by showing courage in the face of ceaseless suffering. They have given my family gratitude in health, as well as perspective on the important things in life. My aunt and uncle have embodied faith to me, and have strengthened my testimony. I have learned that my daily troubles are miniscule and that with God’s help I can be strengthened.

Chuck and Christine were the reason my grandparents created the EB Medical Research Foundation. This foundation has been extremely successful and gives hope not only to our family, but to everyone affected by this disease.    

I am so thankful for my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Christine. In their short lives they have made more of an impact than I could ever hope to make. I am amazed and inspired by their faith and their courage, and I will always try to maintain those virtues in my own life.

Forget Your Fear: The Rhetoric of General Patton

Michael Anderson                                                                                               Anderson 1

Sister Steadman

Writing 150

4 October 2015

Forget Your Fear

            On June 5^th, 1944, the eve of the Allied invasion of France, the troops of the United States Third Army were terrified and restless. They had little idea of the nature of the battle in which they were about to engage. Throughout history it has been shown that during times of great peril, the people look to a leader to guide them and lift their spirits. General Patton was the charismatic leader these soldiers needed. One of the most controversial generals in American history sought to motivate his soldiers to do their duty regardless of their overwhelming fear. General Patton implored his soldiers to do so by using the ethos in his personality, the way he dressed, and the way he spoke. He also affected his men with pathos by his use of profanity, developing a sense of camaraderie and belonging between the soldiers, and emphasizing hatred for the enemy. All of these tools empowered the soldiers so that their desire to fight honorably masked their fear.

            General Patton’s words and appearance were filled with a masculine ethos, which was by respected by his troops because they looked to him as a war role model. Because the 3^rd Army was composed largely of inexperienced troops they awed at the experience and confidence of the general. Patton deliberately put on a flashy, unique image to inspire his troops. During the speech, Patton sported his polished helmet, full dress uniform, gleaming riding boots, and would carry a riding crop to snap for effect. The general was

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also always accompanied with his infamous scowl, which he called his “war face”.  His exaggerated persona was admired by the troops. He encompassed all they desired to be; a

confident, masculine war hero who feared nothing, especially the “lousy Hun’s” they were about to meet in battle.

            Another way Patton was able to connect with and motivate his men was his extensive use of profanity. Viewed unprofessional by some of his other officers, this unorthodox way of speaking resounded exceptionally well with his men. By speaking this way, the men were able to view General Patton as “one of them” and not just a distant general. Perhaps in most environments this type of pathos would not work, but with young men about to fight for their lives, this language fired them up. Not only did these detailed insults put them in a fearless frenzy, but they were also was somewhat humorous, which eased their nerves. His troops were young and inexperienced so to have a leader connect with them by using their language allowed them to relax and take their mind off of the seriousness and brutalities of battle.

            Patton also used pathos to make his men feel like more than just one life in a war. He explains that an army is a team, and that all of the “individual hero stuff is bullshit.” He then goes on to say that every single man in the army plays a vital role. This gives the men meaning and purpose to fighting because not only are they fighting for themselves, but also they are fighting in a well-oiled machine where if one part doesn’t work then the other parts stop working. Everyone likes to be a part of a team because it’s something bigger than his or her self. It was vital that Patton made his troops feel important because

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in a scenario like war, many of them felt afraid and alone. These young men were far away from their families and they had nothing to cling to but each other. Perhaps one of

the most moving parts of the speech is when Patton describes the death of a fellow soldier. “When shells are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt from your face and you realize that it’s not dirt, it’s the blood and gut of what was once your best friend, you’ll know what to do.” By saying this not only is Patton developing a sense of camaraderie, but also anger and desire to fight. He is using the natural human instinct to protect what’s dear to them to motivate the soldiers and take away their fear.

            Patton also strengthens the morale of the troops by demonstrating his hate for the Japanese and Germans. Throughout the speech he repeatedly insults the enemies with vulgar terms and names. He reminds the men that the enemies are the reason their families’ safety back home and the security of the nation is being threatened. “We want to get the hell over there and clean the goddamn thing up, and then get at those purple-pissing Japs… The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. And when we get to Berlin, I am personally going to shoot that paper-hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler.” By reminding the troops of how evil the enemy is it puts them in a frenzy wanting to destroy the enemy without regard for fear. He lets them know that the quickest way back to the people they love is to kill the ones that threatened them. Insulting the enemy also takes away fear in another way. The General’s humorous insults and his comical approach toward the Japanese and Germans made them seem weak and insignificant. This takes away fear because he’s making his men subconsciously think that the enemy isn’t scary.

           

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Patton is arguably the greatest war orator of all time. He was able to connect with his troops in a unique way and implore them to do their duty regardless of personal fear. He delivered this speech extemporaneously and with raw emotion. With his natural ethos and using extreme pathos, the men listened to his colorful words in complete silence. They knew that even though these words and phrases were humorous, there was sincerity and seriousness in them. Although there is importance to every moment in war, the kairos of this speech could not have been better. On the eve of D-day, these men needed reassurance that what they were doing was right. They were about to fight the most important battle of World War II and General Patton was part of the reason they emerged victorious.

Post Presentation Post

It feels good to be finished writing for the semester... well, except for these blogs. I'm glad I got to get my oral presentation out of the way early! In my presentation I talked about the importance of finding a personal connection or interest in your writing. I think this is very important because it will help our writing be more detailed, concise, and creative. When we have an interest in what we're writing about our desire to talk about the little things will increase ten fold. Taking a topic we're already familiar with will also help us branch out and explore new depths that we haven't thought about before. I've seen this work in my own writing and it can work for you too!

Up the Right Road (Personal Narrative)

Michael Anderson                                                                                                         Anderson 1           

Sister Steadman

Writing 150

11/19/15

Up the Right Road

            “Hurry up!” Alexander shouted from the front door. “They’re already there!” I frantically copied down the rest of his answers onto my history assignment. The guilty feeling I had while finishing the homework quickly vanished as we ran out the door to meet our friends at Taco Bell.

“Did you guys finish the homework?” my friend Harrison asked while standing in line. My stomach tightened.

“Yeah,” Alexander said looking up at Harrison. “I had it done but Michael just finished copying mine.” I felt sick. Copying wasn’t a big deal to my friends, after all, they did it all the time. However, I had never copied anything in my life, and to my sixth grade conscience, copying was rivaled only by murder.

I devoured my crunchwrap supreme in silence, oblivious to the mindless chatter of my friends. I tried to rationalize. We worked together on it. She won’t catch it, right? I did it for a good cause. I’m having fun with my friends. None of my thoughts could rid the gripping feeling, but the shame was not strong enough to cause me to redo the assignment.

            I turned in the plagiarized assignment the next day at school and flushed it out of my memory. However, I enjoyed only 24 hours of peace before that familiar pit in my stomach returned in full force.

            Anderson 2

I listened intently, paralyzed with fear while my 6^th grade teacher Mrs. Charlie wandered the room speaking to the class. This however wasn’t her usual lecture. Today, she began class by talking about academic honesty. Every word was directed at me and pierced me like a spear. I looked across the room at Alexander and he flashed a cocky smile at me. HOW COULD HE BE SMILING AT A TIME LIKE THIS? It was then that Mrs. Charlie passed my seat and nonchalantly slipped a note on my desk. Whelp, there it goes, I’m done for. I stared at the note sitting face down on my desk. I knew what it said but I reached for it still.

“See me after class.” it read. Chills rushed down my spine. I’d been caught, plain and simple. I glanced at the classroom door and considered making a run for it. What was my mom going to do? Where will I run away? The rest of class inched by agonizingly slow and I spent the majority of it with my head in my arms. I occasionally looked up and watched the second hand stroll around the clock, but each tick filled me more and more with dread. Finally the clock struck 3:10 and the bell rang. My classmates excitedly grabbed their backpacks and flushed out the door, while I remained shamefully in my seat. I looked to my right and Alexander sat across the room with the same yellow note on his desk, but this time, his smile was gone.

“Come back here boys,” Mrs. Charlie said. I had trouble reading the tone of her voice. It almost sounded as if she wasn’t mad. We walked over to her desk where she sat squished in her seat.  “I think you guys know why you’re here, right?” she asked us.

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“Yeah,” we replied in unison, making sure she heard the sadness in our voices.

“Character is something I value above everything else,” she began,  “you have nothing if not your character.” Our eyes were glued to the floor. “I’m going to give you credit for the assignment.” Our eyes shot up and looked at her in confusion. “The score is not important. What I want you boys to understand is that nothing in life should be traded for your integrity. If I catch you again there will be consequences, but I’m giving you boys another chance. I know you’re good kids, now show me.” Alexander and I followed her remarks with a series of apologies and left the classroom.

“I can’t believe she let us off the hook!” Alexander exclaimed as we walked home. “You can’t copy word for word next time! That was so stupid dude.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I said with a relieved laugh.

            “Did you finish the math?” he asked, changing the subject.

            “No not yet, I’m gonna do it when I get home,” I replied.

            “Harrison and I are gonna do it at his house and then play tramp basketball if you want.” I thought for a second as we approached the turn to my house.

            “Nah my mom said I had to be home today,” I said, putting on a sad face.

            “Alright later!” he said as he continued down the trail that wandered into the dense trees. I turned right off of the path and walked up my street. A feeling of calmness enveloped me as I entered my home. My older brother sat at the dining room table doing his homework. I sat next to him and began doing mine.