blogging and whatnot

The first time I though of this class being online, I thought, simple piece of cake. But when I learned that we were using the site blogger as our homework tool I instantly wanted to vomit. I became overwhelmed with anxiety, But after the first blog I wrote I got over it. Millions of people are online depicting their life in some way over internet social networks around the world, how bad could a little blog be? A lot of the things we had to blog about were not very hard and I did enjoy doing most of the work. I really enjoyed the free posts we got because it kind of let you make your blog a little more personal to fit your style. I really enjoyed class time as well. Overall this class was very informative and entertaining :D

Blog entry Wk 15.

Traveling has always been an interest of mine.  In my childhood I would travel to Mexico with my parents once a year. I would be so excited when traveling by plane because I got peanuts and soda: silly things  like that. But nothing compares to traveling by car. Weather it is  an exotic journey to a European country or just within the state. One of the best times I have had recently was going on a road trip to visit Salvation Mountain near the Salton Sea. Salvation Mountain is an art installation piece  that a man named Leonard Knight created and is currently still working on; it is a mix between land and various shades of paints. With this creative piece of art Leonard would like to send a message that : “God Is Love.” I am not a religious person and I am nearly spiritual, but when I came up this man-made land and art mix; I got a tear in my eye. The drive there was very long and somewhat stuffy, but we made it there safe and sound. On a hot Saturday afternoon we stepped out of the car onto the dirt pits of what some of the locals would call, Slab City and joined the many other people that where there visiting that day as well. I was very fortunate and had the chance to meat Leonard himself. He is a very thin man with sunburned skin and he just warms your heart with all his positive energy. This is a trip I will never forget.

III

    The single most important person who has greatly affected not only who I am today, but who I want to be is; my dad. A great, stern , and stubbly man who was always creating amazing meals in the kitchen or whistling a soft tune while fixing his bike. When I was little me and my  “papi” would wake up super early on weekend mornings and scope out the local yard sales in the neighborhood. My dad was also very fond of herbal remedies, which is something I am slowly getting into. He always told me to stand up for myself and never let anyone get me down and I am doing so to this day.
    I remember the first time I saw her, she was sixteen, tall and blonde (not naturally btw) and I was merely five years old. She had just gotten of the Amtrak and we were picking her up so she could spend the weekend with us. Her name was Lydia and she is my older sister who lives in LA. Ever since I can remember I have always looked up to her. Lydia had to grow up without my father or her mother around, she kind of raised herself. To this day she is doing great in her life working as a nurse and raising her three children. My sister has overcome so many obstacles and challenges, she became a teen mother way before it was a cool show on MTV. Me and my sister keep in touch and I try really hard to visit her, I take comfort in knowing that I can text her whenever I am having a bad day or when I am having a really good one.
    In my wallet I carry a small photo booth sized picture of this powerful looking woman wearing an army uniform. This woman is my aunt Hortencia who I love so much. She enrolled in the Mexican armed forces and served her country for many years. She faced a lot of adversity when she was in the service for being one of the few woman in the army. My aunt not only served her country but she did it up until the day she was asked to retire. After working for her country for so long my aunt discovered she had cancer. She has been going through bouts of chemotherapy and various other methods and medicines to cure her of her sickness it as an everyday struggle for my aunt as she is not ready to leave this earth. I believe she will get through this as she had many more things to accomplish.

The Importance of a Preschool Education

 

               Education, the gateway to success, some of Americas top leaders in today’s world are in their respectable positions thanks to the help of higher education. But where would the stepping stones be without preschool? Although it is not a legal standard for one’s child to attend there are many reasons why children ages three through five should go to preschool. To strengthen the persistence and to foster a love of learning one must remember that just like an infant tree needs watering a child needs education to achieve greatness and grow. Socialization; children will get to meet other children of various cultures and backgrounds. They will learn very important concepts such as sharing, compromise, and respect. Preschool provides children the necessary social skills to develop healthy relationships with their peers. Another important aspect is reading skills, that is not to say, that your child will be expected to open a book and know what the characters or words mean but rather many different planned activities will teach and give your child the necessary tools for emergent reading skills such as ; story time, talking to their teachers, and playing with blocks To help kids learn language and strengthen pre-reading skills, for instance, teachers might play rhyming games and let kids tell stories. Preparation for kindergarten, unlike preschool, kindergarten is mandatory. To better scaffold a child into the loop of education why not start early and enroll your child. Children will have a better understanding of school and what is to be expected. A child that is not ready for school will most likely fall behind and most commonly develop a fear for learning and education. Although it is ultimately the parents choice as to weather or not their younger learner attends why not enrich a life today and offer your child an early education.

           

           

        

My Thoughts on Fast Food Nation

    The book was a very interesting read, I really liked how Schlosser expressed himself and his style of writing. I learned a lot from this book but unfortunately wont be taking too much information to the grave, the fact of the matter is YES! Fast food is very bad for you, and I know many people have come to that conclusion but day in and day out there we are at the drive through again ordering the number two with large fries and drink. The information given in the book is very helpful to understand that fast food is not only just food anymore but vast conglomerates who are using the most advanced sciences to keep us hooked on this food. The chapter that was very overwhelming for me was “What’s in the meat?” the two stories of the innocent little children that died because some dumb company wanted to get rich and spend less on making our food safe makes me angry and sad as well as scared. What if this had happened to me? Or someone else’ children? What then? Fast food is delicious but what is the price we have to pay for these burgers? I hope to someday completely eliminate fast food from my life and never having to eat those delicious burgers again but who am I kidding, I'm craving a burger as I type ahaha.

so far this semester.....

Fall 2011 Semester

    My fall 2011 semester started off with five courses; English, Math, Geography Lab, Cross-cultural Experiences, plus Sex and Gender Roles. But now I am down to four classes and currently employed which I was not at the beginning. My level of stress and anxiety seems to fluctuate from week to week as the assignments from each class pile up. Math  is the only class I am worried about for the moment, I am currently enrolled in math 11 for the third consecutive time in hopes of finally passing the class with a C or better at this point it does not really matter to me what grade I get in the class as long as it is passing. The work load for this semester has been a bit overwhelming. There have been many nights where I stayed up well past two am working on something. It would be really easy to drop all my classes right now and put a stop to all my worries and stress’, but, when I think of all the semesters I have completed already and all the hard work that has taken place, that would just be a dumb idea. So for now I will keep on going with my four classes turning every assignment in and staying up late going over countless math problems, English essay’, Labs and other projects. What keeps me motivated is the graduation itself, the ceremony with people cheering you on and being the first person in my immediate family to graduate. All the hard work will pay of in the end not only through education but conscious development.


PS. MY TRUTH IS THAT I ABSOLUTELY HATE WEARING SOCKS

Truth, secrets and lies.

1. I like washing the dishes.

2. My favorite food is fried fish.

3. I love drinking coffee

4.I stay up really late every night

5. I hate wearing socks

6. I don't have a job

Tencha

    This beautiful tough looking woman before you is my aunt Hortencia, or as my family calls her “Tencha.” As a young lady she decided to honor her country and join the Mexican Military. Throughout her career  she experienced sexism and oppression for being a woman, but she overcame all that . She believed in herself and was able to achieve many impressive military achievements She has told me so many interesting stories of her time serving, and has practically traveled through all of Mexico. My aunt has no children, but makes up for it in Godchildren; I being one of them. I really love my aunt and look up to her and hope to some day make her proud, just like she made my family proud. :D

No Regrets here, No Tv's either.

       

        Television, our way into the future, communication tool and our universal entertainment. As a child watching countless hours of television is what made me the happiest. Sitting on my comfy couch with it’s fluffy pillows, remote resting on my leg sun shinning through my window, the volume turned up all the way. What is there not to love? At times my parents and I would argue over the exact time it would be turned off. My day revolved around the time my shows would start and end. But no more! I have changed my mind, down with T.V.! So many people spend large amounts of hours glued to the front of their set’ day in and day out, another one of those constants in life. Parents take advantage of children programs and use the television as a  babysitter for their small children. Some of the things broadcasted are in fact useful, however, we have been tricked by strategic marketing to be cheated of our favorite thirty minute sitcom and only end up watching about twenty minutes of the show with a ten minute bonus of commercials telling you what perfumes to wear. What clothes to buy, who to buy your groceries from. I guess what I am trying to communicate is that a couple of years ago society prospered without the television. People still got their dose of daily news without the screen. Why is it that all these luxuries are what most comforts people. When asked most people will tell you they hardly watch T.V and only turn it on at night to lull themselves to sleep. I don’t think I’ll ever look back at my decision to stop watching television and have any huge regrets in retrospect I think I have given myself about four hours of time out in the world.

       

Classmate Interview

Born in Oxnard, CA, as the youngest of three children, Jonathan Fregoso is of Mexican descent, but has an Italian last name or so he says. He is motivated to attend college because he has many goals, to obtain a career and have a better life. There is no doubt in my mind that Jonathan is a hard worker currently he is attending school full time as well as working at a local bank. He is very busy most of the week but still finds the time to spend with his girlfriend that lives in Santa Barbara. His oldest sister is the person he most looks up to as she has graduated from a university and he hopes to do some day. Decribing himself as shy, motivated and determined. In ten years he hopes to have graduated from a university be married with children. His philosophy on school is “Work before pleasure.” Jonathan is a very smart guy, I hope him all the success in the world. check his blog out out if you have a chance.

http://jawkneee.blogspot.com/

What family?!

Family




What determines who your family is? Is it really all about blood, genes and DNA?

My parents came to the United States a long time ago from Mexico. They were the first and only people in both of their families to migrate here. Outside of my small three people family; there is nothing, no one else. Growing up it never really bothered me that there was no cousin or aunt or even grandmother around. But as I have grown older, a hollow spot for family memories has developed in my heart. I long for Christmas Eve with my big family. Not just for the holidays but just hanging out with someone that carries my name.

Today I do have a new family; my friends. I spend the same amount of time with my best friends as people do with everyday family members. These friends have been here for me through thick and thin. I have tried to visit real family members but the wait and money is too much and too long for me. I call my friends family because they are there for you no matter what. There is no higher name that I can give anyone else other than my sister and that is one of my best friends. I know in the future it is up to me to make a new family for myself and I hope that my children do not have to wonder where their family members are. Growing up on the opposite side of the border than your family is not right, you can visit all you want and for as long as you want but it is not the same as living a couple of doors down. I love both my parents but if they made any mistake was me being on this side. I love all my family but never get to see them much and that will probably never change. And that is why I have my friend family.

My first job (getting a job)

Brenda Sanchez
Professor Croker
27 September 2011
English 101

ESSAY I
My First Real job

    Seventeen years old, fresh out of high school, and I started working a minimum wage job at Denny’s. Not interested in education after four long years of cruelty, making money was all I cared about. I did not get the chance to walk the line with Pacifica High Schools Graduating Class of 2006, and honestly I did not care. I enjoyed my job a lot more than I had high school. I met a lot of new people all the time who were interesting and unique in each their own ways. The hours were good and my employers laid back and caring. I was making my own money and having fun, no longer dealing with petty high school business. The only person that was not happy was my mother. My mother was the only person at the time who insisted that I go to college after I had received my high school diploma.
I finally gave in to my mother’s wishes and enrolled at Oxnard College. I was not too sure what exact subject to accept as my major so I began with just general education classes. Starting college with no secure transportation and working was beginning to interfere with each other. People at work were constantly getting fired or calling Denny’s saying they were sick or just canceling their shifts all the time. I was asked to cover those empty shifts left and right, day shifts turned into double shifts. Sometimes I would ditch class just to sleep in. My mother was very disappointed she constantly would remind me of the struggles she went through in her life. I eventually stopped showing up to school all together and kept on working. I ignored my mother and went about life just working day in and day out.
Not going to school and devoting most of my time to work, seemed like it was progressing well for me at that moment of my life. Just when I realized everything was working out smoothly, my work environment began to turn for the worse. My fellow employees constantly made mistakes at work that would deeply upset the customers. The management started slacking off as well. Multiple times they forgot to input food orders to our producer and for a whole week some menu items would be inaccessible. Then one day, everything changed, this small older woman walked in through the door and announced she was the new manager. Four foot two, evil look in her eye, but she meant serious business; had been sent from upper management to fill the manager’s position after several complaints from customers.
Doris was bossy and crude, she made everyone around her presence feel inferior. She especially had an eye out for me and whenever we were in each other’s vicinity it was made clear; I was no good. My scheduled work hours started decreasing leaving me working only two days a week. The other workers being to also be rude, following Doris’s footsteps . At first I was upset, then I felt abused. The company that I was so loyal to betrayed me, and I had enough. I started showing up to work late and not caring about my appearance, which by corporation standards, was complete and utter defiance. We were arguing all the time about silly things that had no importance in the restaurant business. The more we argued the more I contemplated this path in life. Did I really want to work a low paying job my whole life and struggle to overcome? Or did I want to get an education work hard and get a better job? The more I thought about it, quitting my job was sounding like a really good idea.
Our last and final straw was on Halloween night, not only had I asked for the night off and not gotten it, but instead had to work well into the morning. I was outraged, I showed up to work one hour late to show that I disapproved. Ten minutes into my shift Doris started in on me, asking me why I was late and why I looked so unkept. I ignored her and went about my work, thirty minutes later two more workers came in, making us six workers in total. The restaurant was nearly bare except for this couple that sat in the back. I could not believe that I had to work on Halloween with six other people in an empty restaurant. I decided I was going to walk out, when Doris went in to talk with the night cooks I clocked out for the night and ran out the door. I was filled with instant happiness as I made a break for it through the parking lot, reminiscing about all the good and bad times working there.
Looking back now, I know that was a coward move on my behalf. How could I have just walked out on a job. I do believe that I was very Immature at the time and have learned so much between then and now. Leaving that job was in fact, the best thing for me. After I was able to find another job working in a retail position. I have jumped around from position to position but there is one thing I have not stopped doing is attending college. My mother is right, and in my eyes will continue to be right. Going back to college is and will still be the best thing anyone can do. Why not train for a career you love and earn a diploma saying you are proficient in education. That is the best reward anyone can earn other than an hourly payment.

TXTMSG

Texting, is that even a real word? One of my old professors once told me that the grammar and vocabulary in modern day text messaging is atrocious. A lot of older people are just now getting into this generations ever growing fad. To me is the ultimate secret, only you and the person in conversation know what is being said. You can text anywhere and everywhere, you can text groups of people at a time and swarm peoples phones with text bombs. But what exactly is it and how does it work? I know you go to your phone and pick a contact and start typing press send, but is that it? where do the words really go? I love to text. the average person usually always uses one-word answers when in conversation with someone else. Sometimes I hate it because some people have bad reception and do not get their message till later. In the future we will probably be able to send our homework through text message. It might be something strange that we have yet to understand but it is the ultimate tool in communication and I think so many people are hooked on texting.

DOWN WITH TELEVISION!

Personally I hate television, my childhood was spent, mostly, on a couch or playing outside, but usually I picked the couch. My favorite shows to watch were: Rugrats, Doug, and Ah! real monsters.Now a  days sitting in front of a black box for a couple of hours sounds the least bit exciting to me. There is so much one can do other than watch television.  I know a lot of people will not agree with me as many of you are avid television watchers. As far as reality television shows are concerned the acting and actors could be better, but that is not the reason people watch. It’s all about the drama!, weather it’s real or not is up to you but usually people are drawn to reality TV shows because they promise to be packed with tons of drama. For example: my mother is obsessed with watching Spanish soap operas also known as “novelas.” She is so strung on these shows that anyone that so much as talks to her during, will be ignored completely  and if you are lucky, you might be shushed. This programs are full of never ending drama by the way. Me and my mom always argue because I tell her she watches too many of these “novelas” and one day she is going to be able to jump into the TV and be in them.

Television is not like what is used to be, it has become a lot more graphic. Watching shows like “Teen Mom” is good and bad for society. Young girls get to see that having children at a young age is not  as “cool” as they thought it was,and get an in depth look at how many young women today handle and cope with becoming a young parent. Jersey Shore is also another popular program of our generation and about the only show I will watch on TV because these people are living the dream, at least I think so. A couple of normal people (maybe) live in a house and are allowed to party all the time and drink at all times of the day, and I am sure they get paid for it. Currently our reality celebrities are in Italy on an all expense paid drunken party spree woo! They have already gotten into a couple of fights and have succeeded to make complete fools of themselves while intoxicated. When I say these people are living the dream I don’t really mean that. I know drinking alcohol everyday is not cool I know that hooking up with random people is slutty. But these young people are able to get their five minutes of fame as well as an honest buck all while drinking directly from the bottle on national television, times have changed.

Someone is bringing me Inn n Out.

As I type this one of my good friends is bringing me some Inn n Out. When I was young my parents hardly allowed me to eat "fast food" my dad made all the food, and everyone enjoyed it. He was so talented he would make Chinese food from scratch or any plate he could think of was always delicious. I remember going to McDonald's with my dad and getting a BIG MAC, I thought that burger was so delicious, and that restaurant was the coolest thing ever. But my dad always made it clear, to me and my siblings that hamburger restaurants were for lazy people. As I got older and had allowance money I would always go to McDonald's, or ask my parents to take me. I really liked going there because my parents were so opposed to it, but since I would buy it with my own money my parents couldn’t do too much about it. I then learned about all the other wonderful places one could go to enjoy some fast food. I would save up all my allowance and go to those places every weekend. I would also drink a lot of soda with my meals, we were never allowed soda at home. I would try to drink coke with every hamburger meal.

I am aware that fast food is bad for you, but that doesn't make it any less good tasting. I wish I could say that I no longer indulge in a good burger, fries and coke, but that would be a lie. I try to eat many healthy meals between my week, I eat a lot of salads and drink plenty of water.  I would in the future eliminate all fast food from my diet but for now I try to eat as healthy as I can, and be conscious of my intestines. We do live in a society where people still think eating a Mcdonalds meal at 5:00 pm is considered having dinner. More money is being spent on fast food then anything else, the meal that I eat today will be delicious, but who is going to prosper from me having a burger, fries and a coke? I watched that movie “SUPERSIZEME” you know, this is real. People raise they’re kids on this stuff. I always wonder, what makes this food taste so appetizing? Why is it so cheap? I once saw a story on the internet about a teacher who kept a cheeseburger for ten or fifteen years and it still looks the same. What does this food do to our body’s? I think fast food is in many peoples lives today, and it will continue.

One of my first memories, was me as a toddler trying on my moms shoes. I can say I had fair childhood. Played outside everyday with my older sister, ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. My parents weren't the best but I've grown up to be more responsible because of them. I attended a lot of different schools and learned to adapt to changing environments.


I am a full-time student here at Oxnard College, it isn't always easy, but I value my education and work hard. I have met a lot of cool people as well as some really interesting instructors, while attending. I know I have gained a whole level of consciousness from higher education. I am currently focused on continuing my education and hope to one day become a preschool teacher.

In the future I want to be happy working doing something I love waking up to every morning, I hope that all my hard work earns me everything I need and more. I want to one day move to Mexico and teach children English and visit all the states in Mexico and see the biggest tree in the world El arbol de Tule. I want to be proud of myself and make my parents proud as well.