The "Official" Post Your College Essay Thread

idk what happened with the font or w/e, but the essay starts at "I hate essays."

don't forget to post yours up

“Dude, this homework is so gay.” This horrid statement shows one use of a standard slang term in today’s society. Gay, meaning homosexual, has come to mean “stupid,” “annoying” or “ridiculous.” I am not completely innocent, as I have used the slang before. However, this derogatory word often hurts and embarrasses homosexuals, implying that they are “stupid,” “annoying” or “ridiculous” as well. Working at a gay-friendly store has helped me become aware of the pain and humiliation that is associated with this insulting phrase.

As stressful as the college search is, I am able to focus my search based on one quality: location. I know that I want a school that has the small town life that I have grown up loving, yet I also want easy access to the wonderful experience of city life. I was born and raised in a rural, western Massachusetts farm town of roughly 900 people. The close-knit feeling of the town is one of its main attractions. However, as I became older I began to take it for granted. I couldn’t wait to get out of town and experience city life. Cummington, however, has been one of the most important factors in my upbringing. Memories of going to the local general store with my father on Saturday mornings still burn fresh in my mind. Around 1999, the town was shaken by the news that the store had changed ownership. The previous owners, a local family, sold the store to some of the unlikeliest owners: two lesbians.

Beginning in the spring of my sophomore year of high school, I worked as a dishwasher at The Old Creamery Grocery Store. The store is known for its organic selection and its famous macaroni and cheese. However, it is known more for its owners. The store is owned by life partners Amy and Alice. These women are some of the nicest and down to earth people I have ever met, and, had my mom not convinced me to apply for the job, I probably would never have gotten to know them. When my mom encouraged me to give it a shot, I was petrified. My first thought was “Great, I’m going to work with gay people.” However, I soon realized that they were similar to many of the other people in this area. They listen to the same music and they have the same sense of humor as everyone else. I began to develop friendships with some of my co-workers. As these friendships grew, so did my respect for homosexuals. I started to understand how hurtful those derogatory comments were. I vowed to attempt to change my language, and to encourage others to do so as well. Due to my work experience at The Old Creamery, I have gained an enormous amount of respect for individuals who are not ashamed to be who they are.

The time that I spent in such a gay-friendly environment has allowed me to become sympathetic to those who suffer the effects of the offensive phrase. I have changed since then in that I try to refrain from using terms that may offend someone. Also, I have come to admire the people in this world that are not afraid to be themselves. It feels nice to be a part of a generation that is more accepting, and hopefully my kids and grandkids will live in an even more progressive time.

Kraft Dinner: Spoon or Fork?

If one is to partake in eating Kraft Dinner, one must first acquire the proper utensils to carry it out; for the issue of eating Kraft dinner with a fork or spoon is not a simple decision, but rather a complex matter. There are many assets that the spoon has to offer that the fork does not. The spoon offers a wide concave surface, whereas the fork provides a slender sharp form that is essential for jabbing and mobility. When choosing the correct utensil for eating Kraft Dinner, one must also closely examine the texture of the food, the amount it is cooked, and so on. One may base his or her decision on this essential factor. Lastly, a spoon is more suitable for consumers of all ages, as they do not have sharp and potentially dangerous points, unlike a fork. In this utensil debate, it seems that the spoon prevails.

                The broad and enveloping surface of a spoon is ideal for a comfort food, as it allows one to insert a larger amount of food into the mouth each time. Consumers who enjoy gorging find this method of eating ideal. In contrast, forks hold little amounts of the tube-like Kraft dinner pasta. Some users may find that the pasta falls off the fork frequently, making it impractical and time-consuming. Some of the less mature eaters find forks entertaining, as individual pieces of pasta can be slid onto the prongs of the fork. Overall, the spoon is the dominant utensil in this respect.

                Kraft Dinner is a food which can be prepared in a variety of ways, and is usually cooked by inexperienced chefs. Due to this fact, Kraft Dinner can come out undercooked, at al dente consistency, and it can also be overcooked. Both spoons and forks perform well in undercooked conditions; however, spoons are superior when the pasta is overcooked, as a fork would merely tear up the soft and deteriorating pasta.  It is evident that the spoon is versatile, and is appropriate for all eating conditions. Another enticing feature which the spoon bears is the ability to contain the cheese sauce. When extra milk is added for a creamier sauce, it can be eaten with the pasta, whereas the sauce would only drip through the hopeless prongs of the fork. As world renowned chef Emeril Lagasse once so boldly stated, “I don’t limit myself [to a fork].”

                An aspect that must be taken into consideration is that the easily made processed pasta is enjoyed by all ages, although, the two biggest target markets of Kraft Dinner are young children and college students. In the case of young children, the indented concave structure of the spoon, allows more food to spoon ratio for the less advanced eaters. Additionally, it does not have any sharp dangerous edges that could potentially harm its user. In 1999, a tragic incident occurred when a nine year-old boy, who had challenged motor skills, accidentally stabbed himself in the eye, which resulted in permanent blindness. This is just one occurrence which could be avoided with the use of a spoon over a fork. As for college students, the spoon is a necessary tool for making Kraft Dinner. Living in a dorm room, a very large concern is cleanliness and lack of utensils. Therefore it is incredibly important to be able to make Kraft Dinner with the least amount of dishes possible and the spoon can be used in all steps of preparing the meal making it the ideal form of silverware. From the stirring of the pasta, to brewing the cheese, and eventually enjoying the meal itself, the spoon is the superior instrument.

                When the two common household forms of cutlery are thoroughly analyzed, the parabolic shape, universal applications, and the easy to operate qualities of the spoon prove it to be the dominating utensil over the fork. The spoon allows the eater to consume more pasta at one time, while providing smooth comfort. The spoon has enough versatility to contain the pasta, no matter how it is cooked. The spoon is also the safest utensil to use, as it is smooth and has no sharp points, unlike the fork. The fork has many characteristics which are certainly useful in different situations; however, the spoon is the best choice when specifically eating Kraft Dinner. Be that as it may, one may wonder, what if one was to eat Kraft Dinner with a spork?