1. What difference did you notice in your choice of topics in the first part of the class versus the topics found in the texts My California and Train Go Sorry?
The topics that I chose for the first part of the semesters class were topics about California's history and culture. Some of the topics that I chose related to me directly such as my city choice of San Francisco and others did not, such as the California missions. In the texts My California and Train Go Sorry the topics were more of a personal testimony. The books both related to California, however it had more to do with things that happened to the people in the stories directly.
2. What difference did you notice when you read your classmates work regarding the same topics versus your own opinions? Did their works make you think of something different?
I think that anytime I read or see someone else's work it always makes me interpret it differently. So, yes when me and my classmates wrote about the same topics they made me think of something different as I read their stories. It was fun and interesting because we all have our own experiences and our own visions. Even when some of our facts were the same, what we learned and what we felt may not have been.
3. How would Freire and the idea of dialogue and scaffolding play into your answers?
Freire's non-traditional way of teaching includes interacting through dialogue. He feels that the teacher must be ready to present his or her ideas to the student as well as being open minded to hear different ideas from students. This is exactly what we did in Humanities through our blogs. The dialogue that we wrote and read about each others topics and our interpretation of them is what I think Freire means by dialogue and scaffolding.
4. What was your overall experience with these topics?
My overall experience with these topics as well as with this class has been very informative. I learned a lot about not only California's history and many things that are in the state that I had no idea about before, but I learned about people's own experiences with the state and there love for the state of California. I also learned about deaf culture and how the deaf community struggle and survive in the hearing world. This is not something that I have ever really thought about because I have never been directly affected by it. However because it exists than I am happy to now have some knowledge of it. I really enjoyed this class and the topics, it has been a fun journey.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
5bReflection
http://katyhuman7.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html
I learned from Katherine that deaf people view themselves two different ways. If they speall deaf with a lowercase “d” they view themselves as belonging to the hearing society and do not feel they are of a separate culture. If they view themselves as Deaf and use a capital "D" to spell the word then they view deafness as a culture identity rather than a disability. This allows them to separate their culture and identity while maintaining them both. When I read this I thought it was a very interesting fact. I wondered how it could be possible that both the uppercase and lowercase letters had two different meanings? I guess every culture can and probably does have their own way of interpreting things differently and this isn't any different.
http://jennifer-humanities7.blogspot.com/2009/04/assignment-5a-train-go-sorry.html.
In Jennifer's essay she states that "many hearing people think Deaf would want to hear and regret loosing the sense. However, the Deaf think it is just a trait they have and live with and most love themselves for it. Learning ASL is just like learning to speak English or another language."
As I read this it made me think of the people who are born deaf and people who loose their hearing at a very young age. I know they must feel very differently about their disability. I think that people who are born deaf know nothing other than being deaf so it becomes as natural to them to learn ASL as one one learns to speak the English language. However if you know how to hear and later loose your hearing, I can only imagine what a significant loss that would feel like. I feel sad for those people.
http://racer-humanities7.blogspot.com/2009/04/5a-train-go-sorry.html
A fact that I read from Lori's essay that I didn't remember reading was that American Sign Language was not accepted as a legitimate language until the 1950's. Prior to that it was considered an inferior language and a sloppy english language substitute, and people who promoted oralism, felt that signing actually brought people to the level of animals. It's amazing how far ASL has come and how much it has opened up so many doors and possibilities to many people in the deaf community. I can't every imagine thinking of someone using ASL as being thought of as animals. My children are not deaf and I have been using some sign language to communicate with them since they were babies. I am glad that we as a nation have come so far to see signing as just one more incredible way of communication.
I learned from Katherine that deaf people view themselves two different ways. If they speall deaf with a lowercase “d” they view themselves as belonging to the hearing society and do not feel they are of a separate culture. If they view themselves as Deaf and use a capital "D" to spell the word then they view deafness as a culture identity rather than a disability. This allows them to separate their culture and identity while maintaining them both. When I read this I thought it was a very interesting fact. I wondered how it could be possible that both the uppercase and lowercase letters had two different meanings? I guess every culture can and probably does have their own way of interpreting things differently and this isn't any different.
http://jennifer-humanities7.blogspot.com/2009/04/assignment-5a-train-go-sorry.html.
In Jennifer's essay she states that "many hearing people think Deaf would want to hear and regret loosing the sense. However, the Deaf think it is just a trait they have and live with and most love themselves for it. Learning ASL is just like learning to speak English or another language."
As I read this it made me think of the people who are born deaf and people who loose their hearing at a very young age. I know they must feel very differently about their disability. I think that people who are born deaf know nothing other than being deaf so it becomes as natural to them to learn ASL as one one learns to speak the English language. However if you know how to hear and later loose your hearing, I can only imagine what a significant loss that would feel like. I feel sad for those people.
http://racer-humanities7.blogspot.com/2009/04/5a-train-go-sorry.html
A fact that I read from Lori's essay that I didn't remember reading was that American Sign Language was not accepted as a legitimate language until the 1950's. Prior to that it was considered an inferior language and a sloppy english language substitute, and people who promoted oralism, felt that signing actually brought people to the level of animals. It's amazing how far ASL has come and how much it has opened up so many doors and possibilities to many people in the deaf community. I can't every imagine thinking of someone using ASL as being thought of as animals. My children are not deaf and I have been using some sign language to communicate with them since they were babies. I am glad that we as a nation have come so far to see signing as just one more incredible way of communication.
Monday, April 27, 2009
5a-Train Go Sorry
"I am a hearing student assigned the book Train Go Sorry in my Introduction to Humanities Class. Other readings assigned in this class include several essays from the book My California. In both books, we examined the cultures of California that form a microcosm of the U.S. In this essay, I will incorporate 4 required questions."
1. What does Train Go Sorry mean (who in the book is this referring to; there is a specific person, include his name and his outcome. Remember that good college writing assumes no one has read the information and you must present it or 'teach' it by giving us details.)?
The title Train Go Sorry means "missing the boat". The book portrays how the people in the deaf community and the people affected by them have at times missed the boat through failed opportunities, failed relationships with friends and family and failed everyday interactions with the hearing world. Although I feel that the title can relate to many of the characters in the book, I think it is referring to one person inparticular, a boy named James Taylor. The book explores two people specifically, a Russian girl named Sofia Normatov and James. They both attend Lexington School for the Deaf . Sofia has to learn both English and sign language to be able to attend the University. James comes from a rough neighborhood and had a mother who lacked what she needed in order to give him a proper home. He had no positive support from the people around him and was determined to continue his education and not let his handicap affect all that he had to offer. In chapter 12 titled Train Go Sorry, James waits sitting on a curb, for the third time to visit his brother who is incarcerated. As he sits he thinks about why his brother is in jail and revisits in his mind the night his brother Joseph and his friends held a woman up at gunpoint. This was the last day James saw his brother outside of being incarcerated. As James waits to visit his brother on this third visit a guard addresses him letting James know that Joseph was in court (meaning he could have no visitors), and that James could wait for the bus back in the reception building. James feels that he has just "missed the boat", once again. The author describes James life as being the story of missed connections, the train that has left the station, the boat that has set sail without him. (Chapter 12, pg. 188) This to me is why this book is referring to James because he understands that just as on this day his life has been filled with, missed opportunities and once again in his head he refers to the three words, "train go sorry."
2. What pair of 'shoes' do you think the main person in the book is walking in and what did she learn? In other words, who or what culture does she want to belong to and why?
Leah Cohen is the main person in this story. She is someone that hears normally but desperately wants to walk in the shoes of someone who does not hear. She was born into a hearing family who worked and lived at Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City. In this book, she explores her connection to the school through the stories of her grandparents, who were both deaf, and her father, who was at the time superintendent of the school. Leah wanted to be a part of the deaf community she wanted to understand it. It was a struggle because she was someone that could hear and her parents wanted her to act as such while she wanted the opposite; to learn sign language and one day be an interpreter.
3. What is one image you won't ever forget? Draw us a picture in words to explain this. What chapter is it in?
The image in the book that I wont forget is that of a deaf person struggling to just get through each day and be understood. In chapter 5 titled Words Left Unspoken, Leah Cohen describes the troubles and triumphs of her deaf grandfather, Sam Cohen. Leah talks about her grandfather saying, "In all my life, I never heard him speak a word I could understand." (Chapter 5, pg. 66) I think it must be so devastating to not truly be able to communicate with someone that you love and care about. I also think it must be so terribly frustrating for the person who is deaf and who with everything that they have want you to understand them. Sam died before Leah was able to learn sign language and able to communicate with him in the way that he most understood. Sam is a perfect example of the struggle that the deaf have with the hearing world. As an adult he struggled to find a job because he had no skills that he was taught in school. Sam's father was told by the principal of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes, that Sam "was one of the boys who wasted an enormous amount of time," and "we have never been able to make a worker of him, and unless he learns to work harder he will have trouble." The man spoke specifically of Sam's poor speech and language skills. (Chapter 5, pg. 74) These were the type of people that many deaf people came in contact with. Unsupportive and negative. This type of reaction continued until Sam's death. As he was lying on his death bed, his family was desperately trying to get the hospital to provide and interpreter so that Sam would know what was going on with him medically and also so that he in turn could let them know what he was feeling and needing. After days of going back and fourth with the hospital staff, Sam's son
(Leah's father) was denied access to Sam. When Fannie, Sam's wife went to the hospital to visit her husband and check his progress she too was given the run around. She was told that Sam was not a patient, however she knew that he was. Nobody was there to interpret and she was having trouble communicating as she too was deaf. Finally someone came to talk to her and while struggling to read this person's lips she understood that what they were telling her was that her husband had died. The family was devastated and they couldn't understand why there was no interpreter to help Sam communicate with the staff and they couldn't understand why they weren't called and told of his death right away. Sam's struggles are a perfect example of the deaf being unable to communicate with the hearing world. I will never forget this chapter because it depicts the struggle so perfectly I couldn't imagine not being able to communicate with my loved ones and being denied as Leah was the opportunity to learn something such as ASL to make that communication happen.
4. What are 5 facts about ASL or Deaf culture you think everyone should know after your reading of this book?
I can honestly say that I didn't know much about the Deaf culture before reading this book. There still is probably so much more that I could learn. There are a few facts that I found interesting that I think that people should know about the deaf culture. The first is that this culture has their own language. ASL(American Sign Language), was created for them to communicate with each other as well as others in the hearing world. I think that it is important that we all try to learn a little bit of the ASL language just in case we ever come across someone who is deaf. If those of us in the hearing world were able to communicate just the basics, I'm sure this would put them at ease.
I also had no idea what a cochlear implant was. I learned that it is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Leah discusses why she thinks the deaf community sees no use for cochlear implants. She also points out how they can harm the person who has received the implant by eliminating any hearing that they might have. They are extremely controversial because once the implants have been placed in the ear the surgery cannot be undone. Doctors say that the implants work best when they are implanted at a very young age, however many will argue that they should be implanted as adults who can decide on their own if this is what they want done.
One of the main arguments in the deaf world when it comes to children is mainstreaming vs. special education. Although I can understand how it would be important to mainstream these children so that they can feel no different than other children, I also see the importance of special education. The handicap of being deaf is something that needs to be a focus and these children need to learn how to deal with the handicap because unfortunately it is true that it will affect them in their everyday lives.
Deaf people are just as capable of doing everything that hearing people can do.
What I mostly want everyone to know that people with handicaps such as no hearing are people, and we all need to treat everyone with respect and kindness.
1. What does Train Go Sorry mean (who in the book is this referring to; there is a specific person, include his name and his outcome. Remember that good college writing assumes no one has read the information and you must present it or 'teach' it by giving us details.)?
The title Train Go Sorry means "missing the boat". The book portrays how the people in the deaf community and the people affected by them have at times missed the boat through failed opportunities, failed relationships with friends and family and failed everyday interactions with the hearing world. Although I feel that the title can relate to many of the characters in the book, I think it is referring to one person inparticular, a boy named James Taylor. The book explores two people specifically, a Russian girl named Sofia Normatov and James. They both attend Lexington School for the Deaf . Sofia has to learn both English and sign language to be able to attend the University. James comes from a rough neighborhood and had a mother who lacked what she needed in order to give him a proper home. He had no positive support from the people around him and was determined to continue his education and not let his handicap affect all that he had to offer. In chapter 12 titled Train Go Sorry, James waits sitting on a curb, for the third time to visit his brother who is incarcerated. As he sits he thinks about why his brother is in jail and revisits in his mind the night his brother Joseph and his friends held a woman up at gunpoint. This was the last day James saw his brother outside of being incarcerated. As James waits to visit his brother on this third visit a guard addresses him letting James know that Joseph was in court (meaning he could have no visitors), and that James could wait for the bus back in the reception building. James feels that he has just "missed the boat", once again. The author describes James life as being the story of missed connections, the train that has left the station, the boat that has set sail without him. (Chapter 12, pg. 188) This to me is why this book is referring to James because he understands that just as on this day his life has been filled with, missed opportunities and once again in his head he refers to the three words, "train go sorry."
2. What pair of 'shoes' do you think the main person in the book is walking in and what did she learn? In other words, who or what culture does she want to belong to and why?
Leah Cohen is the main person in this story. She is someone that hears normally but desperately wants to walk in the shoes of someone who does not hear. She was born into a hearing family who worked and lived at Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City. In this book, she explores her connection to the school through the stories of her grandparents, who were both deaf, and her father, who was at the time superintendent of the school. Leah wanted to be a part of the deaf community she wanted to understand it. It was a struggle because she was someone that could hear and her parents wanted her to act as such while she wanted the opposite; to learn sign language and one day be an interpreter.
3. What is one image you won't ever forget? Draw us a picture in words to explain this. What chapter is it in?
The image in the book that I wont forget is that of a deaf person struggling to just get through each day and be understood. In chapter 5 titled Words Left Unspoken, Leah Cohen describes the troubles and triumphs of her deaf grandfather, Sam Cohen. Leah talks about her grandfather saying, "In all my life, I never heard him speak a word I could understand." (Chapter 5, pg. 66) I think it must be so devastating to not truly be able to communicate with someone that you love and care about. I also think it must be so terribly frustrating for the person who is deaf and who with everything that they have want you to understand them. Sam died before Leah was able to learn sign language and able to communicate with him in the way that he most understood. Sam is a perfect example of the struggle that the deaf have with the hearing world. As an adult he struggled to find a job because he had no skills that he was taught in school. Sam's father was told by the principal of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes, that Sam "was one of the boys who wasted an enormous amount of time," and "we have never been able to make a worker of him, and unless he learns to work harder he will have trouble." The man spoke specifically of Sam's poor speech and language skills. (Chapter 5, pg. 74) These were the type of people that many deaf people came in contact with. Unsupportive and negative. This type of reaction continued until Sam's death. As he was lying on his death bed, his family was desperately trying to get the hospital to provide and interpreter so that Sam would know what was going on with him medically and also so that he in turn could let them know what he was feeling and needing. After days of going back and fourth with the hospital staff, Sam's son
(Leah's father) was denied access to Sam. When Fannie, Sam's wife went to the hospital to visit her husband and check his progress she too was given the run around. She was told that Sam was not a patient, however she knew that he was. Nobody was there to interpret and she was having trouble communicating as she too was deaf. Finally someone came to talk to her and while struggling to read this person's lips she understood that what they were telling her was that her husband had died. The family was devastated and they couldn't understand why there was no interpreter to help Sam communicate with the staff and they couldn't understand why they weren't called and told of his death right away. Sam's struggles are a perfect example of the deaf being unable to communicate with the hearing world. I will never forget this chapter because it depicts the struggle so perfectly I couldn't imagine not being able to communicate with my loved ones and being denied as Leah was the opportunity to learn something such as ASL to make that communication happen.
4. What are 5 facts about ASL or Deaf culture you think everyone should know after your reading of this book?
I can honestly say that I didn't know much about the Deaf culture before reading this book. There still is probably so much more that I could learn. There are a few facts that I found interesting that I think that people should know about the deaf culture. The first is that this culture has their own language. ASL(American Sign Language), was created for them to communicate with each other as well as others in the hearing world. I think that it is important that we all try to learn a little bit of the ASL language just in case we ever come across someone who is deaf. If those of us in the hearing world were able to communicate just the basics, I'm sure this would put them at ease.
I also had no idea what a cochlear implant was. I learned that it is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Leah discusses why she thinks the deaf community sees no use for cochlear implants. She also points out how they can harm the person who has received the implant by eliminating any hearing that they might have. They are extremely controversial because once the implants have been placed in the ear the surgery cannot be undone. Doctors say that the implants work best when they are implanted at a very young age, however many will argue that they should be implanted as adults who can decide on their own if this is what they want done.
One of the main arguments in the deaf world when it comes to children is mainstreaming vs. special education. Although I can understand how it would be important to mainstream these children so that they can feel no different than other children, I also see the importance of special education. The handicap of being deaf is something that needs to be a focus and these children need to learn how to deal with the handicap because unfortunately it is true that it will affect them in their everyday lives.
Deaf people are just as capable of doing everything that hearing people can do.
What I mostly want everyone to know that people with handicaps such as no hearing are people, and we all need to treat everyone with respect and kindness.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
4C-World Cities component
1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?
Classmate Alfredo, World Cities component, San Francisco V.S. San Diego
2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?
Alfredo and I had a few similarities when we talked about San Diego. We talked about the history that the city has to offer as well as the many cultural activities that the city offers. We also talked about the hot weather that the city has most of the year.
3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?
When I wrote about San Diego I talked about the exciting night life that the city always has. I also talked about how well known San Diego is for it's military lifestyle. Alfredo discusses the sporting events that the city has. Also, in our reflection area Alfredo asks why people that live out of California are so interested in the city of San Diego and what is it that attracts them to visit the city, whereas I wanted to know what people that live In San Diego do daily for fun?
4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?
I think for the most part Alfredo and I's ideas were similar. However, I read his blog and it reminded me of how much people stereotype the city of San Diego as Alfredo puts it, "a city where the beaches are the only thing going on." I think this is probably very far from the truth and I hope that people who visit this city take time to research everything it has to offer besides beaches.
Classmate Alfredo, World Cities component, San Francisco V.S. San Diego
2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?
Alfredo and I had a few similarities when we talked about San Diego. We talked about the history that the city has to offer as well as the many cultural activities that the city offers. We also talked about the hot weather that the city has most of the year.
3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?
When I wrote about San Diego I talked about the exciting night life that the city always has. I also talked about how well known San Diego is for it's military lifestyle. Alfredo discusses the sporting events that the city has. Also, in our reflection area Alfredo asks why people that live out of California are so interested in the city of San Diego and what is it that attracts them to visit the city, whereas I wanted to know what people that live In San Diego do daily for fun?
4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?
I think for the most part Alfredo and I's ideas were similar. However, I read his blog and it reminded me of how much people stereotype the city of San Diego as Alfredo puts it, "a city where the beaches are the only thing going on." I think this is probably very far from the truth and I hope that people who visit this city take time to research everything it has to offer besides beaches.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
assignment 4b
REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT OF My California
1. Dawnyel and I both had the same group 3 readings. It sounds like we had similar ideas of our interpretations of the first story,Bienvenidos a Newport Beach . The fact that the home the family moved into was part of a planned community, and that this was a new lifestyle for the family is what we thought the focus of the story was about. Something that stood out to the both of us was the cost to replace the pool key which was $100. I believe that the pool was a symbol of freedom and fun for the family and I didn't read that it symbolized that same thing from Dawnyel's point of view. I also think the story is from a young boys point of view where she wrote that it was from a girls point of view. The second story, Cotton Candy Mirrors we also agree that the story was about how much fun a child can have on there summer vacation and how much you can learn about yourself. The third story titled Berkeley we also both agree is about a man who is in love with the crazy, wild town that he lives in and wouldn't change or trade it for the world. And the final story, California Honky Tonk we both agree is about some wonderful memories created by an old folksinger.
http://4agroup3.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-3.html
2. In group 1 readings I learned from Sierra in the story The Big Valley how much pride a farmer has for what they do. I think that many of us take for granted how much hard work is put into farming and this story seems like a reminder of that. In the second story Transients in Paradise I was reminded by Sierra of the stereotypes of Beverly Hills. I was reminded that a lot of what I hear about Beverly Hills is true at least from many people's perspective. This author "despises" Beverly Hills because of the fake, rich, snobs that live there. I chuckled as I read this because this is exactly how the town is stereotyped. In the third story Showing Off the Owens Sierra describes two men leaving their busy lives in L.A. to go on a fishing trip and become one with nature. I learned that sometimes people don't like the busyness of city life and are much more happier with nature. In the final story The distant cataract about which we do not speak I learned that people actually go out to rivers and study the animals of the water. I can imagine that this is something very passionate to some people as it is to the couple in the story.
http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-1.html
3. I read Jennifer's group 2 readings. In the first reading “Montalvo, Myths, and Dreams of Home,” I learned that the Spaniard’s fell in love with the myth of California. I also learned that as time went on, the mystery and mythology associated with that infatuation carried on to modern times. Jennifer says that in the story Steinbeck talks about how the myth has evolved and is different things to different people. It would be interesting to hear a few different points of view of what those differences are. In the story “Ode to Caltrans,” the author talks about his relationship with the freeway systems of Southern California. I didn't know that you could have a relationship with the freeway but I guess it makes sense In the story because each part of the freeway is a representation of some part of the authors life. “The Last Little Beach Town,” I learned that Seal Beach has remained the last small town beach in the greater Los Angeles area. In the third story “Surfacing,” she describes this story as being about the surf culture of Half Moon Bay and one surfer wiping out and getting right back up on the waves. I think that is so brave and like Jennifer I did not know that Half Moon Bay was a whaling town.
http://gicgott.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-2.html
1. Dawnyel and I both had the same group 3 readings. It sounds like we had similar ideas of our interpretations of the first story,Bienvenidos a Newport Beach . The fact that the home the family moved into was part of a planned community, and that this was a new lifestyle for the family is what we thought the focus of the story was about. Something that stood out to the both of us was the cost to replace the pool key which was $100. I believe that the pool was a symbol of freedom and fun for the family and I didn't read that it symbolized that same thing from Dawnyel's point of view. I also think the story is from a young boys point of view where she wrote that it was from a girls point of view. The second story, Cotton Candy Mirrors we also agree that the story was about how much fun a child can have on there summer vacation and how much you can learn about yourself. The third story titled Berkeley we also both agree is about a man who is in love with the crazy, wild town that he lives in and wouldn't change or trade it for the world. And the final story, California Honky Tonk we both agree is about some wonderful memories created by an old folksinger.
http://4agroup3.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-3.html
2. In group 1 readings I learned from Sierra in the story The Big Valley how much pride a farmer has for what they do. I think that many of us take for granted how much hard work is put into farming and this story seems like a reminder of that. In the second story Transients in Paradise I was reminded by Sierra of the stereotypes of Beverly Hills. I was reminded that a lot of what I hear about Beverly Hills is true at least from many people's perspective. This author "despises" Beverly Hills because of the fake, rich, snobs that live there. I chuckled as I read this because this is exactly how the town is stereotyped. In the third story Showing Off the Owens Sierra describes two men leaving their busy lives in L.A. to go on a fishing trip and become one with nature. I learned that sometimes people don't like the busyness of city life and are much more happier with nature. In the final story The distant cataract about which we do not speak I learned that people actually go out to rivers and study the animals of the water. I can imagine that this is something very passionate to some people as it is to the couple in the story.
http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-1.html
3. I read Jennifer's group 2 readings. In the first reading “Montalvo, Myths, and Dreams of Home,” I learned that the Spaniard’s fell in love with the myth of California. I also learned that as time went on, the mystery and mythology associated with that infatuation carried on to modern times. Jennifer says that in the story Steinbeck talks about how the myth has evolved and is different things to different people. It would be interesting to hear a few different points of view of what those differences are. In the story “Ode to Caltrans,” the author talks about his relationship with the freeway systems of Southern California. I didn't know that you could have a relationship with the freeway but I guess it makes sense In the story because each part of the freeway is a representation of some part of the authors life. “The Last Little Beach Town,” I learned that Seal Beach has remained the last small town beach in the greater Los Angeles area. In the third story “Surfacing,” she describes this story as being about the surf culture of Half Moon Bay and one surfer wiping out and getting right back up on the waves. I think that is so brave and like Jennifer I did not know that Half Moon Bay was a whaling town.
http://gicgott.blogspot.com/2009/04/4a-group-2.html
Friday, April 3, 2009
4a Group #3
1. bienvenidos a newport beach by Firoozeh Dumas
2. This story is about a family who moves from their home in Whittier to a brand new home in Newport Beach. The whole story is told from the point of view of the eleven year old son of the family. The family is Iranian and the boy describes how there is nobody else in the neighborhood who looks like his family. This move is a step up from their old home and he describes the families fascination with all of the fast food places that they see, and more importantly he describes his new home which is part of a "planned community." He is fascinated by the fact that all of the houses look the same, there is no garbage on any of the lawns, only standard trashcans were allowed and all garage doors had to remain closed. The boy talks about all of the other rules that are implemented as a result of living in a "planned community." One very important rule was that they could not lose the swimming pool key. It would cost $100 to replace. The family all made sure that they kept the pool key safe. The swimming pool became a place that they spent a lot of time at, especially the boy. This new Newport Beach home was everything that they didn't have at their old home and it made them feel important and free.
3. "We had two pool keys and they cost one hundred dollars each to replace. We never lost ours. Lord knows there was more of a chance of my parents losing me in Fashion Island shopping center than them ever losing those pool keys." (pg. 91) I thought this was funny. It's hard to tell when you read this if the keys are so important because they don't want to pay the money to replace them if they are lost or if they just love the pool so much that they don't want to lose the keys. I think it's a little of both.
4. What stands out a lot to me in this story is the boys description of the houses in Newport Beach and how they are run by a "planned community." This made me think of when I first started searching to buy my first home. I remember that all I saw were track homes everywhere that were run by a "planned community." They are now called homeowners associations. I did buy one of those homes and I chuckled at reading this story because I remember all of the rules that they had for this home and I remember feeling so excited to live in it. Now I am much happier with a home that doesn't look just like my neighbors.
5. Before reading this story I didn't know that Wienerschnitzel was a hot dog place. It's funny how universal fast food places are.
1. cotton candy mirrors by Devorah Major
2. Cotton candy mirrors is about a group of kids who find fun things to do during their summer vacation. They describe the hours they spend in the wooden cavern box that was the Fun House. The children talk about how they may not have ever had enough money for the rides and often had to pass on the sugar treats but they always had the fun house. Although there was a lot to do in the fun house the children mostly filled their time in the hall of mirrors laughing as they looked at their reflection in these mirrors and as they saw themselves transform to monsters and clowns. They made a game out of the mirrors and the mirrors were their fun. They taught them a lesson on how not to take reflections too seriously.
3. "It scared small children, irritated adults, and fascinated those in the middle like us." (pg. 97) I love this sentence because I can remember feeling all of these things at one time or another inside of a fun house.
4. This story made me think of how free children use to be. When I was growing up we were allowed to play outside and walk down the street to the store or park or to a friends house. Now I think that parents are so afraid of everything that they constantly have to watch their children 24-7 fearing that something bad may happen to them.
5. Before reading this story I didn't know that soda was once three cents. It's crazy to me that once upon a time things were really inexpensive.
1. Berkeley by Michael Chabon
2. Michael Chabon writes a story about the town of Berkeley and his love for it. He talks about the eccentricity of the people in the town and the craziness that is always going on. He also talks about how much there is to do there and how much opportunity the city has to offer all kinds of people.
3. "I can't imagine living happily anywhere else. And all of the things that drive me crazy are the very things that make this town worth knowing, worth putting up with, worth loving and working to preserve." (pg. 108)
4. This story made me think of how lucky we are to be living in Northern California. There is so many opportunities here and it's such a wonderful place to raise a family. The towns of the bay are right next door with even more opportunities to offer us and we truly are lucky.
5. Before reading this story I didn't realize all of the things that make Berkeley so wonderful. I liked hearing the authors perspective of the town and all of it's greatness.
1. california honky-tonk by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
2. This story is about four folksingers who weren't a professional band but loved performing. They performed in a honky-tonk biker bar, a night that stuck with one of the singers for years to come. The author tells stories of the good times they had in different bars performing for different crowds. Some crowds loved them and others did not. She talks about the good friends they made along the way and some of the experiences they went through together.
3. "The only real injury I sustained was a black-and-blue thigh, not from being dropped on my butt by a four hundred-pound biker, but from hitting myself, over and over again in the same spot, with a rhinestone-studded tambourine." (pg. 120)
4. When I read this story it made me think of everyone who has a passion about doing something they love. Maybe it's singing or dancing or whatever it may be, but the story made me think of how brave it is to just keep on trying to achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve no matter how hard or difficult it may be.
5. Before I read this story I had no idea who Jimmy Buffett was, nor did I know that a song called "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw?" existed.
2. This story is about a family who moves from their home in Whittier to a brand new home in Newport Beach. The whole story is told from the point of view of the eleven year old son of the family. The family is Iranian and the boy describes how there is nobody else in the neighborhood who looks like his family. This move is a step up from their old home and he describes the families fascination with all of the fast food places that they see, and more importantly he describes his new home which is part of a "planned community." He is fascinated by the fact that all of the houses look the same, there is no garbage on any of the lawns, only standard trashcans were allowed and all garage doors had to remain closed. The boy talks about all of the other rules that are implemented as a result of living in a "planned community." One very important rule was that they could not lose the swimming pool key. It would cost $100 to replace. The family all made sure that they kept the pool key safe. The swimming pool became a place that they spent a lot of time at, especially the boy. This new Newport Beach home was everything that they didn't have at their old home and it made them feel important and free.
3. "We had two pool keys and they cost one hundred dollars each to replace. We never lost ours. Lord knows there was more of a chance of my parents losing me in Fashion Island shopping center than them ever losing those pool keys." (pg. 91) I thought this was funny. It's hard to tell when you read this if the keys are so important because they don't want to pay the money to replace them if they are lost or if they just love the pool so much that they don't want to lose the keys. I think it's a little of both.
4. What stands out a lot to me in this story is the boys description of the houses in Newport Beach and how they are run by a "planned community." This made me think of when I first started searching to buy my first home. I remember that all I saw were track homes everywhere that were run by a "planned community." They are now called homeowners associations. I did buy one of those homes and I chuckled at reading this story because I remember all of the rules that they had for this home and I remember feeling so excited to live in it. Now I am much happier with a home that doesn't look just like my neighbors.
5. Before reading this story I didn't know that Wienerschnitzel was a hot dog place. It's funny how universal fast food places are.
1. cotton candy mirrors by Devorah Major
2. Cotton candy mirrors is about a group of kids who find fun things to do during their summer vacation. They describe the hours they spend in the wooden cavern box that was the Fun House. The children talk about how they may not have ever had enough money for the rides and often had to pass on the sugar treats but they always had the fun house. Although there was a lot to do in the fun house the children mostly filled their time in the hall of mirrors laughing as they looked at their reflection in these mirrors and as they saw themselves transform to monsters and clowns. They made a game out of the mirrors and the mirrors were their fun. They taught them a lesson on how not to take reflections too seriously.
3. "It scared small children, irritated adults, and fascinated those in the middle like us." (pg. 97) I love this sentence because I can remember feeling all of these things at one time or another inside of a fun house.
4. This story made me think of how free children use to be. When I was growing up we were allowed to play outside and walk down the street to the store or park or to a friends house. Now I think that parents are so afraid of everything that they constantly have to watch their children 24-7 fearing that something bad may happen to them.
5. Before reading this story I didn't know that soda was once three cents. It's crazy to me that once upon a time things were really inexpensive.
1. Berkeley by Michael Chabon
2. Michael Chabon writes a story about the town of Berkeley and his love for it. He talks about the eccentricity of the people in the town and the craziness that is always going on. He also talks about how much there is to do there and how much opportunity the city has to offer all kinds of people.
3. "I can't imagine living happily anywhere else. And all of the things that drive me crazy are the very things that make this town worth knowing, worth putting up with, worth loving and working to preserve." (pg. 108)
4. This story made me think of how lucky we are to be living in Northern California. There is so many opportunities here and it's such a wonderful place to raise a family. The towns of the bay are right next door with even more opportunities to offer us and we truly are lucky.
5. Before reading this story I didn't realize all of the things that make Berkeley so wonderful. I liked hearing the authors perspective of the town and all of it's greatness.
1. california honky-tonk by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
2. This story is about four folksingers who weren't a professional band but loved performing. They performed in a honky-tonk biker bar, a night that stuck with one of the singers for years to come. The author tells stories of the good times they had in different bars performing for different crowds. Some crowds loved them and others did not. She talks about the good friends they made along the way and some of the experiences they went through together.
3. "The only real injury I sustained was a black-and-blue thigh, not from being dropped on my butt by a four hundred-pound biker, but from hitting myself, over and over again in the same spot, with a rhinestone-studded tambourine." (pg. 120)
4. When I read this story it made me think of everyone who has a passion about doing something they love. Maybe it's singing or dancing or whatever it may be, but the story made me think of how brave it is to just keep on trying to achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve no matter how hard or difficult it may be.
5. Before I read this story I had no idea who Jimmy Buffett was, nor did I know that a song called "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw?" existed.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
3C Inland Areas-Sacramento/San Jose
3C Inland areas
Sacramento and San Jose, CA
http://www.homesparadise.com/homes/california/northern/inland/sacramento/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento,_California
http://www.sacramentocvb.org/
http://www.sanjose.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose,_California
The city of Sacramento as well as the city of San Jose both connect to my study of humanities because they are located here in Northern California, which is my home. Both cities offer a lot of diversity and many cultural activities such as art, entertainment, music, theater, museums and sports and recreation. Both cities are also a big part of California's history and everyone can learn something by learning about these cities, thus they can both connect in some way to everyone's study of humanities.
1. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location:
I am not to sure about how these cities are stereotyped but from what I have heard, I think that people stereotype Sacramento as being a very hot place to live and also a very inexpensive place to live. I think that people stereotype San Jose as being overpopulated with a lot of bad areas to live in.
2. List 3 things that make each location similar:
a. Both cities are in Northern CA.
b. Both cities have been the capital of CA., San Jose the states first in 1849 and Sacramento in 1879 to the present day.
c. Both cities are home to a major college or university.
3. List 3 things that make each location so different:
a. Sacramento's weather is much more humid than San Jose.
b. Most people think that Sacramento is a much more affordable place to live whereas San Jose is more expensive.
c. Sacramento is bigger and has a larger population.
4. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point
5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point
I learned from Elizabeth a little about Huntington Beach. I didn't realize that like Bodega Bay, Huntington Beach was in different films and movies. I also didn't know that American Indians inhibited both beaches before European settlement. That is an interesting fact to know about two of our states beaches because it contains historical context.
http://lizhuman7.blogspot.com/2009/03/assignment-3b-beaches-bodega-bay-vs.html
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