Kmart, Walmart, and Target, how different are they really?

I agree with some of what the writer has to say here. In reading this essay I really have some distinctive memories of walking into Kmart as a child, and hitting dead on to the popcorn counter. Always hoping my parents would buy some popcorn and a soda for us, the same feeling I would get at the local Sears. Walmart and Target are simple the Kmart of yesterday. The carry the same products, the prices are very equivalent and they have similar layouts. The only difference in my opinion is that Kmart is old, older buildings, and they have less money. I shop all three from time to time, usually which ever I am closer too. I have found all three to be dirty at times, unfriendly associates, and the same clientele. To label Kmart as the worst I disagree, however I will say that Target does keep a bit cleaner than the others. I think Kmart serves it's purpose, specifically those shopping on a budget. I am sure that Kmart will wither away and the other retail giants will take over, it is the nature of the beast. I do however think it is a stretch to claim that only yelling, spanking parents and bad children reside their shopping at Kmart, that you will find everywhere. Off the top of my head the one difference I notice in the three is that Target keeps a much cleaner bathroom, the other two are seriously lacking in that area. For their shopping purposes I find the products pretty comparable; however happen to live the closest to Kmart. I do wonder if I would ever step into a Kmart if I lived next to Walmart or Target. Perhaps Kmart still exists for those shoppers like me that like the convenience of Kmart being close to them. Either way a little good competition never hurt anyone, especially the retail world. In my opinion an ironing board is an ironing board when you buy it at these three places so it really doesn't matter.

"The Monument and the Bungalow" response

During the first 5 minutes of reading "The Monument and the Bungalow" I could not help but wonder how and when the title would introduce itself into the essay. In my opinion, the essay had a slow start. However I discovered later on, this beginning paved the way to my understanding of this complex yet interesting way of viewing what others, including myself, take for granted daily. Accorording to Lewis, although some do posses a natural talent, anyone can be given some proper education in order to open their eyes to read everyday landscape. While Pierce did give excellent pointers on how to better read landscape, truly reading landscape is so more detailed than I could ever have imagined.

It is true how Lewis explains that people at first glance see the memorial and show little to no interest in the historical value. “Just another war memorial, what’s the big deal?” (Pierce Lewis) I also found it interesting how he describes earlier in the essay that “Informal education, where most of our students get most of their ideas, says very clearly that looking at landscape isn’t something cool people normally do.” (Pierce Lewis) I agree that early on most young students will not have the same maturity as older students required to see history and natural beauty for what it is. Although I can look at a monument and understand it’s historical worth, I too needed his depiction to truly see how reading landscape properly can educate one to a point that I was intrigued.

Lewis seems to want to point out that using your eyes goes much deeper than looking. He also explains that we should trust our eyes and be non-judgmental. I have always been captivated by the beauty of nature, but I have never been able to see things to this depth. One can now see how many roles play into the creation of such a monument, history, politics, emotions, and even how an era molds the creation physically. Hopefully now I can take a second, closer look at life around me particularly the details that lie within what I see on the outside.

Me, Myself, and I!

Hello to all! I would like to introduce myself, my name is Kelly Henderson. I am a 33 year old working mother of three whom has decided to re-enter the college world in hopes of broadening my mind and career.



I am very excited to be back at SRJC and look forward to stimulating my eager mind. English was always a very fun subject to me; I look forward to getting back into writing and verbal expression. While juggling the crazy life of being a mom I also work part-time for Kaiser and plan to one day go to nursing school here at SRJC. While that is a bit in my future I plan to have fun in the meantime, and explore my career options through gaining my general education.



With the loving and endless support of my beautiful family, here I am. I have always viewed life as an opportunity to challenge myself, in all aspects. While I took some time off to raise my children I feel that it is never too late to learn and better myself, which in my belief will better my children as well! Since the diagnosis of my son's diabetes I have gained a special interest in childhood diabetes and hope to specialize in the field. Until then I hope to discover my hidden interests, and to accentuate those I already have. In addition, I look forward to the experience of taking this course online.

Kelly