This semester of school has been a really fun one for me. I've been around byu for a couple years now, but have decided on pushing back my freshman writing until this semester! Alongside writing I've spent the semester engulfed with art classes and with more programming. And although my figure sketching has been the most fun class for me during my stay at BYU, writing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Back throughout middle school I was good at writing. Though with those classes if one was able to write one's name on a piece of paper it was passed with an A. But in high school I was bumped into an honors class with the worst teacher in existence whose only goal was to fail me in all aspects of my writing, and sense then I've avoided it at all costs.
This class has helped me reach heights that I've never shot at before. Before hand if a page was to exceed a length of three pages it was too much for me. I would want nothing to do with it. But the class then threw a ten page assignment into my face. Though it worried me for weeks, I put much research into the topics. And by the end of my research I was somehow not only able to reach the required amount, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to restrict myself to ten pages!
On top of that I also had the opportunity to better myself in identifying more aspects of writing. And I was able to more better analyse other people works. For me my writing class has giving back a confidence to my writing that I have long lost before. As well as set me up to better succeed in the future as well!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Research on Name Change
For my research topic I decided to look into the subject on why people decided to change, and the benefits of doing so. The reason this topic intrigues me is due to the fact that my ancestors changed their name from Larsson to Tangren. At first I thought that I'd look into why immigrants decide to change their name, but my studies widened out to name change in general.
I discovered that my family did not change their name upon moving to America, like I thought that they did before. But it was changed a couple centuries before hand. Sweden had a problem with having repetitive surnames. One's surname did not stay the same from generation to generation, but changed each time. When one was born, their surname was their father's first name, added with either Son or Dotter, meaning son or daughter. Lars, who had a son, gave the son a surname of Larsson. But soon half of Sweden was having the same surname.
Sweden had to abandon the patronymic system of creating a surname. And many of the inhabitants were given a new name by the government, especially if that someone was in the military. And by doing so instead of losing one's identity, when was more given one.
But then outside of Sweden many immigrants found favor in changing their surnames. This gave great benefit when integrating into a new society. Studies have actually shown that when immigrants migrated to a new country, those who decided to change their name had a greater success with both getting a great job and earning more money than those who decided upon keeping their surnames.
The subject goes into great depth, and their is still defiantly much that I do not know about it. But it was a really fun subject to study as a crafted together a research paper. Not only did get to read from experiences from immigrants, but I also received more knowledge on my own ancestry and why I have the last name that I do. Though writing research papers isn't the most fun thing to occupy my time, I was entertained with diving into the research itself.
I discovered that my family did not change their name upon moving to America, like I thought that they did before. But it was changed a couple centuries before hand. Sweden had a problem with having repetitive surnames. One's surname did not stay the same from generation to generation, but changed each time. When one was born, their surname was their father's first name, added with either Son or Dotter, meaning son or daughter. Lars, who had a son, gave the son a surname of Larsson. But soon half of Sweden was having the same surname.
Sweden had to abandon the patronymic system of creating a surname. And many of the inhabitants were given a new name by the government, especially if that someone was in the military. And by doing so instead of losing one's identity, when was more given one.
But then outside of Sweden many immigrants found favor in changing their surnames. This gave great benefit when integrating into a new society. Studies have actually shown that when immigrants migrated to a new country, those who decided to change their name had a greater success with both getting a great job and earning more money than those who decided upon keeping their surnames.
The subject goes into great depth, and their is still defiantly much that I do not know about it. But it was a really fun subject to study as a crafted together a research paper. Not only did get to read from experiences from immigrants, but I also received more knowledge on my own ancestry and why I have the last name that I do. Though writing research papers isn't the most fun thing to occupy my time, I was entertained with diving into the research itself.
Is Your Name Swedish?
Everyone has heard of Sweden, right? Swedes are those people with really goofy accents, with large muscular viking girls, and their Ikeas, and not to mention their mountains of meatballs. We've heard of these things, but then no one really knows where it's located. And they speak Swiss, don't they? Actually it's Swedish :P But what people really may not realize as well is that many of us have Swedish ancestry, and Swedish names. Is your name Swedish? How can can you tell? While it may be difficult at times here are some very common surnames in Sweden.
The most common follow the patronymic system. Surnames weren't that common in earlier times, and people would be refereed to by their fathers name. If you were a boy, you'd be referred to as your father's first name, plus "Son", for son. Same goes for daughter, but instead of son it'd be "Dotter", for daughter. That's why we hear a lot of Larssons and Johanssons. Because they were Lars son, or Johans son. If your last name ends with son then it's Swedish.
Sometimes Swedes were referred to by the place they lived. If you were a farmer people might now you by the name of your farm. Maybe your famous for something you did in the military, and they gave you a name based on location. Swedes eventually got to the point were too many had the same name, half the place was Larsson. So it was common that the government or military gave you a new name. But these can be very difficult to track down, as they are named after places around the world.
But more commonly again is simple Swedish words in names. A list of common words you'll see in surnames may be
gren:branch
berg:mountain
strom:stream
felt:field
svard:sword
My surname is Tangren. I'm from the branch of tan. Actually tan doesn't mean anything, I'm still researching into that. But "gren" throws up a flag indicating that it's Swedish.
There are many many more names that can be identified as Swedish, but this serves as a good example on how names sometimes tended to work in Sweden!
The most common follow the patronymic system. Surnames weren't that common in earlier times, and people would be refereed to by their fathers name. If you were a boy, you'd be referred to as your father's first name, plus "Son", for son. Same goes for daughter, but instead of son it'd be "Dotter", for daughter. That's why we hear a lot of Larssons and Johanssons. Because they were Lars son, or Johans son. If your last name ends with son then it's Swedish.
Sometimes Swedes were referred to by the place they lived. If you were a farmer people might now you by the name of your farm. Maybe your famous for something you did in the military, and they gave you a name based on location. Swedes eventually got to the point were too many had the same name, half the place was Larsson. So it was common that the government or military gave you a new name. But these can be very difficult to track down, as they are named after places around the world.
But more commonly again is simple Swedish words in names. A list of common words you'll see in surnames may be
gren:branch
berg:mountain
strom:stream
felt:field
svard:sword
My surname is Tangren. I'm from the branch of tan. Actually tan doesn't mean anything, I'm still researching into that. But "gren" throws up a flag indicating that it's Swedish.
There are many many more names that can be identified as Swedish, but this serves as a good example on how names sometimes tended to work in Sweden!
Flooding the Earth!
In a speech Elder Bednar, an apostle and leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, challenged the faithful members of the church to use social media as a means to reach out in extending the gospel to all the corners of the Earth. This was a great talk and my opinions of it are that social media is a door that opens the gospel to a tremendous amount of people.
Individuals of the world today spend far more time on devices. The world has been made available at a touch of a screen. Knowing that people may spend more time staring at a screen than the outdoors it makes sense that we can reach out to more people if we spend more time in chat rooms. Also are reach is far greater. Imagine the thousands of people that may look at a single blog that you write. The chances of people hearing what you have to say is far greater on social media than it is by walking around the street of your block.
Also my thoughts are that youth who are engaged online, and now how to navigate with ease, are more comfortable online. While this may have it's negativeness, it also means that they will have an easier time sharing the gospel. They will be more confident in approaching a friend. Not to mention that the time that they can write something is never limited. One can easily spread one's thoughts in the middle of the night, and then have it later seen by another.
But it is not only the youth who should be using Social Media, Bednar also encourages the older generations to use it as well. This may mean that they have to learn how to use their computer. Or in the case of my own dad, learn to open up a little trust to the internet. The older generation can't use their age as an excuse not to use social media. After all if us younger generation has to step up and do ancestry, then they can create a Facebook account :P And with the more people online, the more people that will be reached out to.
Again social media is the way to reach out to millions of people. People are constantly online. And as we as faithful members get used to using social media we will have the means to flood the earth with Christ's gospel!
Individuals of the world today spend far more time on devices. The world has been made available at a touch of a screen. Knowing that people may spend more time staring at a screen than the outdoors it makes sense that we can reach out to more people if we spend more time in chat rooms. Also are reach is far greater. Imagine the thousands of people that may look at a single blog that you write. The chances of people hearing what you have to say is far greater on social media than it is by walking around the street of your block.
Also my thoughts are that youth who are engaged online, and now how to navigate with ease, are more comfortable online. While this may have it's negativeness, it also means that they will have an easier time sharing the gospel. They will be more confident in approaching a friend. Not to mention that the time that they can write something is never limited. One can easily spread one's thoughts in the middle of the night, and then have it later seen by another.
But it is not only the youth who should be using Social Media, Bednar also encourages the older generations to use it as well. This may mean that they have to learn how to use their computer. Or in the case of my own dad, learn to open up a little trust to the internet. The older generation can't use their age as an excuse not to use social media. After all if us younger generation has to step up and do ancestry, then they can create a Facebook account :P And with the more people online, the more people that will be reached out to.
Again social media is the way to reach out to millions of people. People are constantly online. And as we as faithful members get used to using social media we will have the means to flood the earth with Christ's gospel!
Atonement Lets Us Rise! (A Highlight From General Conference)
It is a great opportunity that we have to listen to modern day apostles and prophets speak to us each time general conference comes around. And it was a special treat to have Easter Sunday on the same day as well. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is centered around Christ's Atonement! Many talks hit the subject of the atonement. And one that I really enjoyed came from Holland.
Holland is one of the twelve apostles of the LDS church. He has devoted many years in the service of the Lord, is very intelligent and a strong mouthpiece in declaring the gospel to the world! Being in the position he is, and having the knowledge and wisdom that he has he has much authority in speaking.
In his talk he talk a quick jog alongside Adam and Eve. How they lived in a Paradisaical world that knew not death, nor birth. When they stomped on God's commandment not to eat of the forbidden fruit they were cast out, but were able to bear children and also introduced death.
God foresaw this, and as part of the plan gave the world his son. That through his Son's death and sacrifice mankind has been freed from the death's grasp, and also has the opportunity to triumph over the penalties of sin.
Also Christ arose from death, his tomb is empty! That is what we Christians celebrate on this most holy day of Easter. The meaning of the gospel is to rise! If not than the whole plan of salvation would be destroyed. And as Christ arose, we, his children and adopters of his name, will arise also! The fall has no effect on us. And we have much to rejoice in that! Why do we fall? So that we may rise again! (Batman)
The question is what will we do because of this? It's true that death will have no hold on any single person during the resurrection. But spiritual death, sin, can still apply on us. It is important that we accept the name of Christ and be adopted into his flock so that we may throw off those chains as well! It's up to us if we wish to do so.
Holland is one of the twelve apostles of the LDS church. He has devoted many years in the service of the Lord, is very intelligent and a strong mouthpiece in declaring the gospel to the world! Being in the position he is, and having the knowledge and wisdom that he has he has much authority in speaking.
In his talk he talk a quick jog alongside Adam and Eve. How they lived in a Paradisaical world that knew not death, nor birth. When they stomped on God's commandment not to eat of the forbidden fruit they were cast out, but were able to bear children and also introduced death.
God foresaw this, and as part of the plan gave the world his son. That through his Son's death and sacrifice mankind has been freed from the death's grasp, and also has the opportunity to triumph over the penalties of sin.
Also Christ arose from death, his tomb is empty! That is what we Christians celebrate on this most holy day of Easter. The meaning of the gospel is to rise! If not than the whole plan of salvation would be destroyed. And as Christ arose, we, his children and adopters of his name, will arise also! The fall has no effect on us. And we have much to rejoice in that! Why do we fall? So that we may rise again! (Batman)
The question is what will we do because of this? It's true that death will have no hold on any single person during the resurrection. But spiritual death, sin, can still apply on us. It is important that we accept the name of Christ and be adopted into his flock so that we may throw off those chains as well! It's up to us if we wish to do so.
Kebab Pizza!
When I lived in Sweden for a couple years I had my experience of the food their culture enjoys. Many times when others have the experience of traveling outside their home country they try many exotic things that we normally would not consider touching! But honestly in Sweden there wasn't any of that. They enjoy simple things, not too much and not too little. There was a tremendous amount of potatoes and meatballs that I ate. Meatballs everyday of the week! But one food that stood out from the everyday meat balls was the kebab pizza!
In many ways the kebab pizza is similar to the pizza that we have. It has a round crust, tomato sauce, and cheese. In difference it is thinner than the average american pizza! Though thinner it is not by any means less. Most places I went to served so much that even I had a struggle getting it all down! It was amazing!
Also they do not put on the sausages and pepperoni that we do. Instead they use Kebab! Kebab is a large chunk of meat that they put on a spit and have turned over a fire. Then they use a cutter to slice off thin amounts of meat that get stacked on your pizza. It is said that it is lamb meat, though I'm not sure if that is always the case. Also is is not from Sweden, nor Scandinavian, but more so the middle east. But Sweden has sure adopted it, and now it is a favorite dish throughout the country!
It was one of my favorite things to eat, so much that I made a point to go out a couple times a week to eat Kebab. Also it is not strictly kept to pizzas. Sometimes it's wrapped up like a burrito, and sometimes it's simply placed over fries, being drenched in signature kebab sauce! Anyone who visits one of the Nordic countries must try one of these!
In many ways the kebab pizza is similar to the pizza that we have. It has a round crust, tomato sauce, and cheese. In difference it is thinner than the average american pizza! Though thinner it is not by any means less. Most places I went to served so much that even I had a struggle getting it all down! It was amazing!
Also they do not put on the sausages and pepperoni that we do. Instead they use Kebab! Kebab is a large chunk of meat that they put on a spit and have turned over a fire. Then they use a cutter to slice off thin amounts of meat that get stacked on your pizza. It is said that it is lamb meat, though I'm not sure if that is always the case. Also is is not from Sweden, nor Scandinavian, but more so the middle east. But Sweden has sure adopted it, and now it is a favorite dish throughout the country!
It was one of my favorite things to eat, so much that I made a point to go out a couple times a week to eat Kebab. Also it is not strictly kept to pizzas. Sometimes it's wrapped up like a burrito, and sometimes it's simply placed over fries, being drenched in signature kebab sauce! Anyone who visits one of the Nordic countries must try one of these!
Power of Thesis
To be perfectly honest the research paper scared me to death! I've never enjoyed writing research papers all that much, and the limit to them was 3 pages for me. Anything more was not going to happen! But I lived through the assignment and gained much more experience and confidence with writing.
The research that I choose for the subject was why people decided to change their surname. At first I thought it was going to only hit the subject of immigration and how the change of name helps one to integrate into society. But as I studied more on why my ancestors changed their name, in Sweden, it led to more than just immigration. And like teachers and librarians say I was soon engulfed with so much information that the thought of keeping it only to 10 pages was what was going to be a nightmare! But I survived.
The thing that saved me the most however was having a strong Thesis. My love for thesis paragraphs has dramatically increased! The thesis helped me to connect together points that I would not have been able to do without. It gave me an amazing construction for my paper. And honestly most my time was put into gathering information and figuring out an outline for them. Once I had my written thesis and information the actual writing took little time. I was able to sit down and knock out all the pages within a couple hours, and was easily able to do that because I already now my outline.
Their is nothing that can compare to a well written thesis in a research paper. And again I love the experience that I gained from the research assignment! It was able to remove a mental block that I've carried for many years that prevented me from writing all that much!
The research that I choose for the subject was why people decided to change their surname. At first I thought it was going to only hit the subject of immigration and how the change of name helps one to integrate into society. But as I studied more on why my ancestors changed their name, in Sweden, it led to more than just immigration. And like teachers and librarians say I was soon engulfed with so much information that the thought of keeping it only to 10 pages was what was going to be a nightmare! But I survived.
The thing that saved me the most however was having a strong Thesis. My love for thesis paragraphs has dramatically increased! The thesis helped me to connect together points that I would not have been able to do without. It gave me an amazing construction for my paper. And honestly most my time was put into gathering information and figuring out an outline for them. Once I had my written thesis and information the actual writing took little time. I was able to sit down and knock out all the pages within a couple hours, and was easily able to do that because I already now my outline.
Their is nothing that can compare to a well written thesis in a research paper. And again I love the experience that I gained from the research assignment! It was able to remove a mental block that I've carried for many years that prevented me from writing all that much!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)