I really loved your essay, I think it is incredibly heartfelt and kind of makes me jealous that I've never owned a dog, and got to experience what you have experienced. With that said, I like all of the photos on your photo essay and I think using prezi was a good idea; however, I think at some points the pace is too fast (specifically when you have pictures of dante saying you took him on frequent walks). Since there are certain aspects of your prezi that have writing, you want your reader to be able to listen to you, while also reading what you have said within your prezi and relating the photos to what they're hearing. Also in the end when you have what you wrote to dante after he passed, I think it is incredibly sweet and sentimental, but you don't want your reader to get distracted and begin reading it while you're in the middle of your presentation. I think if you wanted to you could add that at the end of your presentation, or somewhere within the manuscript of your essay.

Since I couldn't hear your audio I think that as long as you slow down the pace of your prezi in certain areas everything will flow nicely. Also I don't think you having anything to worry about with the sound of you clicking to the next slide on your prezi. I don't think many people will make a big deal out of that, but if it bothers you a lot then you can try to lower the sound, but don't over think it.
Also if you're worried about the pace of your audio then delete it and present your essay in front of the class, that way you can dictate the pace in which you're talking to emphasize certain areas, and relate it to the photos. Overall I think your design for your prezi is very appealing, and organized perfectly to your essay, with the pictures depicting everything you've said. It's definitely original and there are no immediate errors that I can spot. I think you have a continuous theme throughout your project that shows how much you care about your topic, and I really enjoyed reading it and viewing your photos!
I hope this helped!!

I feel that I'm pretty much done with everything; however, I think that some things don't look as good as they could. Most specifically my photo essay. I like a majority of my photos but I'm not sure if the order accurately portrays what I'm saying in my essay (you'll most likely need to read the essay first, then go through the photos). I also want to make sure that everything flows nicely, which I don't know if it does or not. I like everything I wrote in my design plan, but unfortunately I don't feel like I accomplished it all (i.e the sound of the ocean playing within my slideshow). Essentially, I'm just nervous that I didn't do enough, and the things that I did do haven't exceeded my expectations for this assignment. 

Toms River, New Jersey to me is the best place on Earth; it’s the place I’ve called home for twenty-one years, and there’s no other place I’d rather be. In the summertime you can always find me on 7th Avenue in Seaside Park. There’s nothing better than that first day of summer when I’m able to put my beach chair in the trunk of my car and drive down to the island. Those first few weeks when I can sit with my feet in the sand before schools let out and tourists flock to their rented beach homes is the best time to take in the all of the wonders of the beach; when I can smell the salty air of the ocean and embrace the feeling of the hot sun on my skin.

Four months ago all of that changed when everything I loved about Toms River and Seaside was put on the forefront of a devastating hurricane. I couldn’t help but feel guilty that I wasn’t home trying to help with relief efforts. It was hard realizing that as much as I wanted to participate and help in any way I could, I had to put all my faith into my community. I had to believe in everything they were doing to help, and I couldn’t be more proud of the things that they did. That hurricane showed me how much New Jersey truly means to me, and all of the amazing people in it. In a time of pure desperation locals helped other locals, they put their needs behind them and worked to keep those around them in high spirits.

I was able to witness an example of this a few weeks ago when my mom and I took a drive down to Seaside Heights. My heart felt heavy as we drove down streets of debris, but at one point we came across a street where two neighbors were helping each other clean their homes. It was at that moment that I realized how important community was. I applauded the people on the news who were in horrible situations, and still pushed forward, putting other people ahead of themselves. The unsung heroes of the aftermath of the hurricane are the people that make up a community, the ones who help others not for recognition, but because that’s what people do when they're a part of something.

New Jersey has been called a lot of things, but what people don’t know is that behind our loud mouths and reckless driving, there is a big heart. Hurricane Sandy may have destroyed a part of my home, but it reinforced the love that all New Jerseyians have for each other, and what we're willing to do for one another. I’m proud of where I live and the people who surround me. The people in my community have and continue to demonstrate that no matter what happens, we can get through anything. As businesses rebuild, and families recuperate, a bond is forming that unites us all together. After everything that has happened it has only made us stronger, and I couldn’t be happier to call New Jersey my home. 

I chose a photo essay off of the Mother Jones website that was called "Portraits of Addiction." In this essay a photographer named Chris Arnade went around to different parts of the Bronx and spoke with 15 different people who were struggling with addiction, homelessness, and prostitution. He spoke with each person and took their photograph, after asking them how they wanted to be portrayed. In the essay the photos are not graphic, they simply show the person, what's dramatic about it is the detailed description of each person next to their image. Arnade spoke with each individual, and a short biography of their current situation is displayed to the left of their photograph. Each image in itself shows an average person; however, it is obvious that something is not right, whether it be that they look like they haven't showered in days, or their eyes are bloodshot, no one looks entirely put together. Arnade shows these people in their natural states, he is truly displaying the faces of addiction. 

What was really sad about this entire essay was that each person who was on the streets had a very traumatic past that led them to where they are now. No one decided that they wanted to do drugs just because, it was a result of something much bigger than that. The photos themselves tell a story in also; there seems to be no significant arrangement seeing that each person has a very different background. This essay is very striking and incredibly powerful, it does not leave you with any warm and fuzzy feelings but more so the feeling of reality, and that for some people this is their reality. I was able to change the pictures as I wanted therefore I could dictate the pace, which gave me enough time to read each persons individual biography. I feel that Arnade did a great job of showcasing these individuals for they are, not who I may have perceived them as. 

I love living in Toms River, New Jersey. To me it’s the best place on Earth; it’s the place I’ve called home for twenty-one years, and my favorite place to be. There’s nothing better than being able to put my beach chair in the trunk of my car on the first day of summer, and driving down to the beach before schools let out and the tourists flock to their rented beach homes. Those first few weeks mean the world to me when it’s just my beach chair, the ocean, and me on 7th Avenue in Seaside Park, NJ. 

Four months ago all of that changed when everything I loved about Toms River and Seaside was put on the forefront of a devastating hurricane. As I sat safely in my college apartment I couldn’t help but feel guilty that I wasn’t home trying to help with relief efforts. All I could do was believe in my community and everything they were doing to help, and I couldn’t be more proud of the things that they did. That hurricane showed me how much New Jersey truly means to me, and all of the amazing people in it. In a time of pure desperation locals helped other locals, they put their needs behind them and worked to keep those around them in high spirits. 

A few weeks ago my mom and I took a drive down to Seaside Heights. My heart felt heavy as we drove down streets of debris, but at one point we came across a street where two neighbors were helping each other clean their homes. It was at that moment that I realized how important community was. I applauded the people on the news who were horrible situations but rather then dwelling on it they were out giving relief to others. The unsung heroes of the aftermath of the hurricane are the people that make up a community, the ones who help others not for recognition, but because that’s what people do when their a part of something. 

New Jersey has been called a lot of things, but what people don’t know is that behind our loud mouths and reckless driving, there is a big heart. Hurricane Sandy may have destroyed a part of my home, but it reinforced the love that all New Jerseyians have for each other, and what were willing to do for another person. I believe that there is no greater feeling then being a part of a community that strives to make sure everyone is okay. I’m proud of where I live and the people who surround me. I believe in them, and I believe in us as a community of people coming together and supporting each other through the bad times and the good. We’re all in this together, and together we will strive to make what has been broken, fixed once again. 

The minute I sat down in class today and started to acclimate myself to my surroundings, I suddenly realized what I wanted to do my TIB essay on. As cliche as it sounds, it just came to me; however, the more I think about it the more I realize that it was in front of me the whole time I just never thought to write about it until now. Therefore, for my This I Believe essay I am writing about the fact that I believe in community. 
I have always loved being a New Jersey local, especially in the summer. I can't imagine my life without having the beach ten minutes away, or being able to go sit by the ocean in the winter and watch the sunset. There's nothing better than that one month before schools let out, and the bennys (AKA tourists) swarm to their rented beach homes, when I can relax on the beach all day long with no one around. There is nothing I love more than the first time I can put my beach chair in the trunk of my car and leave it there until the very last day of summer when I'm packing up to leave for school. 
Essentially, Hurricane Sandy took some of that away from me. The devastation is brutal, and even worse for the people who live on the beach year round; however, I have never been more proud to be a New Jersey, Seaside-going, beach-loving, local than after that storm because it reiterated everything I know to be true: New Jerseyians stick together, no matter what. 

To be entirely honest I haven't given much thought to my speech, mostly because I don't really enjoy public speaking or any form of oral communication. Outlined in this chapter was the phases of speech anxiety and I can say from experience that I have gone through every phase numerous times. Thankfully this chapter helped me realize a lot about what I want to say, and ways to say it without feeling like my heart is going to pound out of my chest while I do so.