VARK Activity

For the VARK Activity I chose to do the Aural Activity. I wanted to interview my best friend Danielle because she's a very hardworking student and I want to learn some of her techniques to be a better student as well. I interviewed her over the phone and she gave some of her some of her favorite techniques. First of all she told me that her agenda as well as her cell phone is her life. Her agenda lets her know everything that she must do in one day. She also prioritises on stuff that must get done first. She manages her homework by seeing how much time something will take or at least give a good estimation on how much time she needs for an assignment to get done. If she has a midterm she studies most of the night and then drinks lots of Coffey to help her stay up till later. she takes pride in the work that she does so she does the best that she can. She's anal and a perfectionists which forces her to get anything done no matter what circumstances she's in. Danielle is not proud of being a perfectionist but she says that pushes her more and motivates her to do her work. She eats well and maintain a physically active throughout the day so that her lifestyle doesn't become boring. She gets involved in school activities so that her life is balanced. When the homework load gets to be alto she take breaks in between to refresh herself and her brain. All these suggestions are really good advice that I plan to follow.

Literature Circle Blog Response #3

Question: What would people be willing to sacrifice in times of hardship?
When people are struggling a human being is capable of doing anything it takes to survive. People may sacrifice something that they dearly love or even sacrifice one's respect or pride, and that is way deeper and emotional than sacrificing something materialistic. In the book Rain of Gold we met a young boy named Juan, who left his mother and family at a very young age so that he would take the blame for a fight he was never involved in. In return, his family would receive a lot of money so that they would never have to starve or struggle. He sacrificed his own freedom for the good and wealth of his family. After many years and being a bit more of a man, Juan reunited with his family and found that his sacrifice was not worth everything he went through. With his family still struggling he had to do something, once again, to provide for the family. Gambling and playing cards was the easiest and fastest way to make money in California. Even though he was young he sacrificed being a bit scared and timid and played the dangerous world of gambling like a man should for his family. "He was just ranking in his money, feeling good and indestructible, when the Filipino got up to leave, saying that he had to go to the bathroom." (pg. 234) Juan knew that this place was the other men's turf and that he could be in big trouble, but that's the sacrifice and challenge he chose to take on in order to try and alleviate the hardships that his family was going through. We all know what happens after the Filipino comes back from the bathroom, but the point is that Juan was willing to sacrifice his well being or even his life to give it all to his family. That's something that a mother and family can truly appreciate. So... What would people be willing to sacrifice in times of hardship? Depends, how far are you willing to go?

Extra Credit Blog

I found the College Student Inventory to be pretty accurate on how I'm feeling about life and college overall. I think its really neat how we can actually see an estimation of our feelings through this test. The one that surprised me the most was the estimation on how motivated I am in finishing college, it wasn't a high percentage. I know I want to finish college because that's the reason why I'm here in the first place. I don't like to start anything I cant finish, so then why the low percentage? I think to myself and I guess its low because my life and future is very unpredictable right now. In hindsight every body's life is, but mine is all over the place. I do want to finish college but its because my life is so unpredictable that I don't know where my decisions will take me in the future. I hate my life being so unpredictable because I'm a scheduled type of girl and i can't make any long term designs yet because I don't know how it will affect me in the future. Other than that one score, I'm pretty much in agreement with all the other one's. This was a cool activity. Thanks Voltaire.

Blog Response Part II

Question: What qualities, conditions, or circumstances create the need to sacrifice with a family? Many people can agree with me when I say that family almost always comes first. When one of the family members is need family is always that support that helps you even if you deserved what ever happened. Sacrificing for a better tomorrow is what families all over the world do every single day. In the book Rain of Gold, Guadalupe's family is very scared of living in the only place they've known their whole lives; Lluvia de Oro, Mexico. Times are getting rough for the family and now since Don Victor came back into the picture Guadalupe is tired of being the rock of this family. The food is very scarce and the war is getting worse they must do something about this. "One, we wait out the war here in the canyon, hoping that the bandits don't kill us; or two, we go to the United States and wait out the war there." (p.g 171) They're two choices are very common in what we still deal with today. It's so hard to leave the place where you grew up but in this case they must sacrifice in order to stay alive. It's not about what qualities, conditions, or circumstances makes a family sacrifice, but mostly it is the well being of your family no matter what needs to be done. If the family decides to go to the United States, just like Munoz they would be not just leaving their name at the border, but leaving they're hearts at the border.

Question:What is the value of family?
The value of family is recognized and felt differently in everybody. To some people their families mean the world to them, others can't stand them. Some people grow up as orphans and never get to really feel or see what a family is all about. In the book Rain of Gold, Its not easy at all for Lupe to accept her father as her dad. This man that's supposed to be her father comes in to her life all of a sudden to make decisions and change her moms world. he's a stranger. He doesn't belong in the family picture. "No!, you left us! You have no right to tell me what to do!" (p.g 180) Lupe resents her father because he wasn't there to help the family to provide and sustain his family like a man. Now that she's older and doesn't need much of him he decides to be a father. She doesn't feel like she should listen to this man who impregnated her mother a long time ago. As a girl who grew up without my biological father for a while, I completely understand her. I never got to live with my real dad but if he ever wanted to come into my life, honestly, I would feel like its too late. He already lost a lot of special moments in my life. I'm grown, my values and beliefs are already programmed into me. What do I need him for? The value of my family means a lot to me, but only to those who were in my childhood and showed that they were worth it.

Staying Active

Leave your cell phone at the classroo...

Leave your cell phone at the classroom door 

    Adapting to digital culture can have a really positive outlook on some one's life, but it also has its draw backs when people have demands on technology and can't meet the deadlines. My uncle for example always talk about how having a cell phone is a really good and bad thing. He likes having the liberty to text or call his wife and kids to know what they are doing or to ask any questions he might have. On the contrary he hates having a cell phone because that means any one can get a hold of him where ever he is at. If my aunt asks him to call her when he gets off and he doesn't, my aunt might get mad and that's the draw backs. When there's a paper due at a certain time (Voltaire and Susie's class) typing it on the computer is so much easier and faster. On the other side all the networks that we use as students to communicate with our teachers have the time and day. If I don't turn it in at the giving time I will be getting a lower grade for tardiness. Or even if I don't do on the due date, the teacher will always know. Is the digital culture a good or bad thing? You choose.

Reflection on Munoz

Even though I know my name does not carry the heavy accent of a Hispanic or Latino name; whether it is or not I am very proud of my name and wouldn't change it for the world. On the other hand I completely agree with names being the first impression of an employer. The United States is very powerful and diverse, but its still white dominant in most big businesses or "important jobs." I know I wouldn't change my name for the world but If I had to slightly pronounce it another way or conform it to get ahead in life I would do it without a doubt. That's what most people would do, but don't admit to. Being extremely proud of my name and having no job doesn't really leave me with much. Its being able to work intelligently and meet somewhere in the middle. Where I can show I'm proud of my name and heritage but also be at the level I know I should be in and belong to. I would never "try to fit in" I am who I am, but every single person can conform somewhat to get what they want out of life. Someone who is very proud of their name and is aggressive and defensive about it is not playing the game with all the smart hands dealt. You have to learn to meet somewhere in the middle. Your not leaving it at the border, but your also not putting it right on your forehead.

Literature Circle BLOG 1

1. "He sat there, thinking, figuring, looking up at the stars and heavens and then down into the darkness of the valley." (pg.96) Can't you completely imagine that man laying down completely confused on what decision to make? Don Pio was looking for a sign of God to reassure him, he was making the best decision to stay in that "good for nothing" land. As the suns rays come streaming through the sky Don Pio felt Gods presence within himself. He felt the peace of God with a beautiful brand new day. His eyes began to fill with tears because he knew this decision would support his family and generations to come. (pg. 96-97) I chose this scene because I thought it was very spiritual. I could immediately imagine the sun coming up, and it being such a magnificent experience for Don Pio. He was confused and he needed guidance. I also made the personal connection that I think everything happens for a reason, and that everything has a purpose. For Don Pio to see a normal morning and immediately see it as a sign from God because its so lovely is something I would of thought of also. The word I would choose for this scene would be Spiritual, because he's the only person that felt so strong and connected to that experience.
2. "Quick, we've got to get the cart back on the road and pick all the corn we can and get out before Cara de Nopal comes back out with his rifle!" (pg.102) Juan says this in a jokingly manner but he himself knows there's nothing funny about this. While Luisa and Inocenta are trying to pick corn on the prohibited field, they all know the risk they are running. They heard a story about a random little boy that was picking corn and ended up being hung by Cara de Nopal in the gates of the hacienda. His body was still hung as Juan's family were running by, to get away from Cara de Nopal. (p.g 102-103) In contrast with the first example of feeling spiritual; this scene has more to do with reality of the "real world" we live in, rather than based on spiritual connection or faith. I thought this scene was important to talk about because young kids today that grow up in a poor home steal or do stuff that they know will get them killed in order to provide for their families. Its so hard to believe that in our society today, something as simple as trying to feed your family can definitely cost you your life. I would summarize this scene as Truth, because if someone breaks the rules of people you can' play with, that's the end.

What is the Digital Culture?

When I think about digital culture I immediately think about the ipod, mp3's, cell phones, texting etc. We're in a very advanced generation where it's sadly to say has taken over our culture. Personally, I own an ipod Cd's are out of style and having an ipod with multiple songs and different genres of music is so much easier and quicker. I text a lot, more than I do talk on the phone. I know my mom or grandparents will tell me that its so much easier to say what you have to say either in person or over the phone, but texting makes it interesting. Digital culture has facilitated our lives in many ways. We can see t.v in high definition, see our families that live miles and miles away in seconds over the computer. This is a very good thing because in a way one can feel that your somewhat close to your family if they're far away, but in a way we have got "comfortable" with digital culture that the old let me go visit you for the weekend is not as common. It has its pros and cons but then again we always gain and or lose when we have want something.