VARK activity

In this chapter i discovered that i learn best by readiing, writing, and kinestetic learning. This means that when i want something to stick in my head i either need examples like acting it out or showing me, or i read and write it down. I should take notes and read my materials throughly if i want to get stronger at this type of learning. For kinestetic I need to particate physically in the activity to fully understand what the material is. I think the surveys in the focus book are pretty accurate. Because I know that i dont retain the informatuion as well if i just listen and dont write down anything.

Lit Circle 3 Ch. 14-15

What causes certain groups to feel they are subservient or less than other groups in a society?

This has been happening since our generations split. It happened when Columbus came to Americas and he "the European" desecrated the Indians and their women. Raping and beating them giving them diseases. Because he had never seen their race and they weren't civilized like him he thought they were savages. Unfortunately the Indians could do nothing but be subservient to these Europeans. It happens in school, at work, everywhere especially in society. Of course no one wants to feel this way, inferior or belittled. Sometimes its the way we are raised to think that we are inferior or superior to another race, or culture. How can African Americans ever feel superior in this world when 200 years ago they were slaves, and our society will never let them forget that. That why we have things like affirmative action, and minority scholarships, and laws protecting our equal rights regardless of race. We continuously teach ourselves these differences and yet we teach ourselves not to forget them and move on. No we are to proud to forget and move on. The Mexican as well. I mean we have people that are employed and get paid to keep us out of the Americas. They are called border patrol and its 2009 and they still very much exist. When California used to Be Mexico, does that matter to anyone? Does it matter that the minority's are now the majorities. When are we going to Fight back? Like In the book when Juan made all his fellow Mexicans stand and strike. Against these "gringos", especially the one who promised him a job and was not enough a man in himself to follow through. What happened some of the Mexicans stayed by his side and other slowly went back to the quarry in shame, why because this is what they know. Or at least this is what they are taught. That the Anglo's have all the power, in that society anyway. Juan didn't see it as that, he had been in Montana where they thought he was Chinese and gave him a license that the Mexican would dream of in California. Montana holds a different society then California. Juan was pissed that his people didn't follow through. But yet thought the smarter decision would be to do nothing and move on. I think we know what we are taught and if your brought up thinking your inferior or superior to another race or culture no matter what society, its going to take some serious reprogramming to undo years of this lessons.

Lit circle 2 question 2

What is the difference between pride and ego?

Pride is what you feel inside of yourself. About your family and where you come from and what you find important to protect about yourself. i think ego is more something that you build upon yourself. Pride is with you form the start Ego can be about you being vain. I think pride is more important then ego because you can build good morals and goals for your life. Ego can get in they way of important thing. In the story where lupes father came back it was her pride that made her feel unattached to this man who had abandoned them, as where herr mother went inside and didnt let anyone know she knew who this was. Her ego caused her to go in and get dolled up for this man she hadnt seen in years. I know there has een times where my ego couldnt fit through the door so to speak. Especially when i became a massage therapist and i worked at this company for 2 years. and one day my boss asked me to do some work that usually the maintence does.My ego told me thats not your job thats beneath you. But thinking like that wouldnt help me in my situation and ultimatley could get me into trouble or i could lose my job. Is my ego worth losing my livlihood? Hell no. No matter how vain you are you need to distinguish whats worth your pride over your ego.

POWERPOINT NIKI GIOVANI

ROG BLOG RESPONSE 2

How does sacrifice influence/impact pride?

I have heard the phrase swallow your pride a lot in my life. I am a very proud person and sometimes i have to admit i let my pride get in the way of things, important things. Like when your fighting with a sibling, doesn't matter what for, your blood, and neither of you wants to say sorry. I think its pride that sometimes has to be sacrificed in certain situations. Like in the book when Juans mother Margarita, knew her family was starving and had to make a choice. She chose to put her pride aside and beg for her and her children. For their survival, and yes it hurt Juan but even though they're both hurt and embarrassed does that mean in the end he doesn't love her the same. If not more. Are they still the same family with that sacrifice she had to make for their survival. Of course they are. And just like when me and my brother fight i know in the end hes my brother and i love him and even if i think im right, i will swallow my pride and do the right thing. Which is tell him i love him and he the best big brother a girl could have. They love hearing that lol.

Lit Circle 1

Scene #1: I chose the scene where Dona guadalupe came to save her son Vicotriano from La Liebre. he was caught stealing so he was gong to be hanged. La Liebre had beat him senseless already until he was almost unconscious. She was willingto do anything even get klilled to save her baby/ with all the townspeople watching she was trying to be slick and cut the rope that tied his hands together. she had to slap him a couple of times for him to come to. she had been hiding a gun in her shaw and when the rops were cut she handed it to victoriano. she was going to leap back so he could run, La liebre seen thi and he was coming for them just as victoriano turned around he shit him right in the face! The next person who was in charge took dona Guadalupe as her son fled and the mayor to tie nooses around theyre neck. the townspeople had enough they untied to take these monsters down! They started singing and uniting and the soldiers seen they didnt have a chance! i love this scene because its graphic and it shows how hard the mexican people in that time had it and what they were willing to do for each other to save their lives. one word i would describe this as is BRAVERY. pages 86-91

sCENE #2: I chose the scene where juan is challenging his friends to who can stay the longest while the trains starts to pull away with his family his loves so dearly. He ened up losing and the train took off he was running so hard to catch it he slipped and fell and ripped his mouth open. He thought he lost his family forver. he chased the train until it was nighttime. HIs journey was a long one he thought of his older brother and cousin weho gave hime strength. and knowing his mother was on the trai up ahead somewhere he didnt give up. he walked and ran all day and night until his feet were bloody and swollen. he was so hurt and lost and pissed at himslef for the foolishness. in the middle of the night he came into a tussle with a jaguar. he heard his mothers voice call to him and say fight my son. and he did. the next morning he was half conscious and still walking not giving up. and then suddenly the train!! the train he had been looking for. he made it bloody swollen mouth ripped open he made it. i love this scene because it says a lot about juan character. not giving up and listening to his famlys words inside of him. but also learing a lesson about how foolishness can cause a lot of pain for everyone. pages 120-128

Leave the cell phone at the door

"Leave the cell phone at the door"

Q: What are the consequences of assimilating into a digital culture?

    Lets take me for example me. this year is my first year owning my own computer, and with that come a lot of responsibility. At time when I'm doing my homework i get easily distracted by my music or surfing the Internet or instant messaging.Before i know it two hours have gone by and i haven't done my homework yet. so when you have a computer or Internet you have to be responsible of your time. You have to know when is it appropriate time to surf the net and have fun. you have to weigh out your priorities. is it more important to talk to your friends who will be there when your done, or is it more important to study and get your stuff done as soon as possible? If you let the world of digital overcome you you may get lost in it. the Internet has so many things ABOUT EVERYTHING. I mean there are great sources to get your information but there are also predators. Sex predators looking for victims, horrible porn sites that have viruses, false accusations and information. So i guess some of the consequences of assimilating into the culture are running into trouble by not weighing out your priorities, falling behind in class, in your studies, viruses, etc. Also sometimes its hard to adapt when your so use to telephones instead of email or person to person conversations versus instant messaging. or the old fashioned way so to speak. Sometimes your more comfortable in that way. but itd always great to open your mind to new opportiunites and ideas to expand your mind. or you might fall behind in society.

Reflect on Munoz

Q: What is the problem with feeling inferior or inadequate?

I personally feel that if you how can you have belief, trust, or confidence in others if dont even have it in yourself. Confidence is so important. its so important to believe in yourself because in the end thats who you have to count on. Of course you have family, mom, dad grandpa whoever to help you over the bumps. And wherever it is that your from or who you grew up with thats your foundation for the person you become. But it is you, you who makes the decisons in your life. and those desicions always effect other people. so its important to make the best choice possible. and how do you do that. do you listen the people talking down to you and the negative that comes around? do you believe the person that says your not good enough, your different, you dont fit in? Or do you listen to yourslef. who know you better then you? whatever you put your mind to you can do. Reguardless of your race, name, weight. True it is more difficult for some then other but that does that mean the benefit arent the same that your hard work doesnt count for as much? hell no.. whether it be culture or trying to get a job or just in a circle of people. Be confident know who you are where you came form and where your going. Youll make the best desicion for yourself.

my digital life

i think that technology has come a very long way. i mean you cant go anywhere withgout seeing it. Cell phones, computers, digital billboard sign, etc. even at my job, i work at a high end gym with at least 50 trainers and 10 or more massage therapist and over 300 clients. and everyone there wants you to emial them. its like they forgot what a phone was. Email and twitter and blogging have now become the new way of talkng to each other. call me old fashioned but i prefer to use the phone. i find email to be way to unpersonal. until this year i didnt know what facebook and twitter was. i do think its a great way to communicate with people you havent seen in awhile. now that im back in school it seems i need his technology more then ever. i had to go bu a computer and set up the internet on it. im not going to lie sonce then i have been glued on the thing!! i definitely think technology imporoves and makes work a little easier, i personally think it is easier to type a paper then write one. ive never had a blog but i happen to like writing down my thoughts for others to ponder. i dont what i would do if i lost my cell phone all of my clients are in it and i can recieve and urgent messages or emails on it as well. i remember my first cell phone didnt even have color let alone pic messaging and email and shit even a camera!! so just in that shirt amount of time technology had improved even on cell phones. i think it will constantly evolve as we do a humans and we should be expecting more to come most definitely.

lit circle pre reading journal #1

1. what are your first impressions? Obviously victor worked really hard on putting this book together. i think it will be exciting and heartfelt because its a true story of him and his family.
2. What do you think of the length and subject matter? i do think that the book is long, but how can you possibly fits someones lifetime in a book. it would have to be somewhat long in order for you to gain a perspective or opinion.
3. do you know any stories from your family history? if anything i know more about my dads side of the family. i don't know mom moms that well. my dad is one of fourteen and all of them were born in Mexico. my grandpa and grandma are still together and alive and well. my dad came to America with his family when he was about 11 or 12. on one of the trips my grandfather was driving and a tractor came out of the fields suddenly and totaled their car. my dads younger brother, who was my uncle daniel, died in my dads arms. i learned of this recently when my dad wrote a paper on it in college. my older brother my dads first son was named after him.
4.how long have you and you family lived in california? i was born here so all my life, my mom was born in florida, and my dad in mexico. since they divorced when i was one i lived with my dad all my life till i was 12. i went with my mother from 12 to 15. and have been on my own ever since.
5. wheres your family from? my dads side is born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico. my mom is half yougoslavian form her mom and half nicaraguan from my grandpa. i dont know much about my culture it hurts me to say but im going to learn more.