Cecilia.FP.doc

Final Essay

Susie Huerta

English 104

Cecilia Flores

12/10/09

The End of the Beginning

El Pasado...The Past

“Regardless of our perceived differences in beliefs and values, we have a common future and this should inform how we can proceed, and how we can broaden the roots, mysteries, truths, memories, and stories of the past to guide us.” – Luis J. Rodriguez

This girl didn’t grow up having everything she wanted but she had everything she needed, her family. Although she seemed happy to her family, she was broken on the inside. If you were to ask this girl to recall a happy childhood memory, chances are she would lie to you or she would just change the topic. There’s so many times where she’s wished for a new life or a new beginning but she’s learned to accept the life she has whether she wants to or not. Coming from a home were being emotional or sensitive was a sign of weakness she had no other alternative but to hide her feelings and fake a smile. This girl was made fun of and teased for any little thing and she just couldn’t understand why and how people could be so mean, she was just a girl. Going through something like this, she was forced to grow up faster than she would have liked so that she could deal with the stress and not break in the process. Being at home wasn’t any better; the fact that her parents expect so much out of her and not her brothers added on so much stress. She was also the only girl in her family, everyday she would have to hear her dad speak his machista mind and at the same time hear him say repeatedly that I better not get pregnant. Everything she heard in school or at home was just so pessimistic. There came a point in her life where she couldn’t handle it anymore so she shut herself off from the world, keeping only to herself. She would walk around with her head held high and a smile on her face but it was all just an act. In reality she was depressed and so hurt.

There came a point where she got tired of feeling terrible all the time. She saw how happy other people could be and she desired to be like them. So she took it upon herself to be a happier person. She decided to no longer care about what other people thought or said about her. She was going to be herself and people were just going to have to deal with it. She was going to prove those who thought negatively about her wrong, including her dad. She was just so tired and fed up with having to deal with people’s remarks. From now on she was determined to always be happy. After all, all she’s ever wanted is to be happy.

Life in My Heels

“Feminism to me is about giving women and men the chance to live the life they choose, free of sexism, sex exploitation and oppression of every kind.” – Christina Libby

Being a female can have its positive and negative moments but things can be a bit different when you’re female and Mexican, like me. There are, of course, global stereotypes placed on both women and men on what they should or shouldn’t do and how they should act and behave. Those stereotypes do also exist for Mexican women but coming from a country where machismo overrules, those stereotypes can become a bit harsh. The majority of men, especially the older men, were brought up believing that women are put on this earth to have kids, clean the house, cook, wash clothes and wait on them hand and foot. The men on my dad’s side of the family are the perfect example of machismo. Some of the men in my family have lightened up but there are still a few uncles, cousins and even brothers that are still a bit machista.

However, if they were dropped of somewhere by themselves they would not survive. They don’t even know how to work a microwave or oven let alone a washing machine. I’m just fed up with having to deal with men who say and believe these things. They expect and want so much from us yet we get nothing in return.

All my life I’ve done everything I’ve had to do and you could say that I’ve been angel compared to both my brothers. For the past few years my dad and I have had the “license” fight. My dad’s been saying that I will get my license soon but he’s been saying that for a long time now. Every time I mention the word “license” my dad changes the topic or completely ignores me. He goes as far as telling me everything that’s wrong with the car and the way I drive. He even said that some women shouldn’t be allowed behind the wheel so the chances of me getting my license are slim. My dad has always been harder on me than he is with my brothers. When my older brother goes out he never gets an interrogation the way I do. “Who did you go with?” or “Who were you with?” are the two most common questions asked by both parents but mostly my dad. Every time I go out my dad automatically assumes that I’m with a guy and that I’m going to end up pregnant. It angers me so much knowing that unfortunately a lot of Hispanic men think the same way. Thank God for my mom, I have to say that she is the best. She’s raised me to be a strong woman like her. I’ve had a few people accuse me of being to harsh on men, or in other words a feminist but all I do is stand up and believe for what is right.

My Mom

"Ahogadas, escupimos el oscuro. Peleando con nuestra propia sombra el silencio nos sepulta." -Gloria Anzaldua

My mom didn't have it easy growing up. She was raised with five other siblings and a alcoholic abusive dad. All of her life she's grown up seeing the same type of men but never in her life did she think she was going to end up with a machista, but she did. Becuase of what she's seen and experienced my mom has gone out of her way to give me advice. She tells me to stand up for myself and never let any guy boss me around or to even let him think that he's above me. I pay attention and take note of what she says but at the same time it's still pretty hard to take in and believe when machismo is all I've seen.

Forming relationships with guys or at least trying to has been hard for me. Based on what I've seen and other personal issues of mine I want to believe that not every guy is like that but it's hard to get rid of a concept that's been drilled into my head. When I'm first getting to know a guy if I didn't like what they said or if it came of as machista I would just stop talking to them, that's the extreme I went to in order for me not to end up with a machista. But I do have to say that I've been improving and now I am less judgemental and stereotypical with guys.

My mom is the type of woman that doesn't let herself be bossed around by men and she doesn't back down from an argument. I have grown up to want to be exactly like her. Being the only two women in the family we have stuck together, she has even become my best friend. My mom has inspired me to become the woman I am today.

The Beginning

“Not to fall to the devil’s temptation of despair and darkness and these easy thoughts of hate and destruction, but to see beyond these and reach for the stars with the conviction of mind and soul that we, the human species, can only survive… when we have made peace within ourselves…” –Victor Villaseñor

All that I’ve been through and experienced throughout these eighteen years of my life have shaped who I am today and who I will be in the future. I don’t see these events as something negative but as something that I could learn and grow from. I have to admit that this process has been hard and challenging but at the end of it I am who I am. Because of what I’ve dealt with I feel like I’ve become a more independent and strong minded individual. I’ve learned to rely on myself, be more opinionated, but most of all believe in myself. I have come to accept who I am and I’m proud of what I see. I’ve overcome so much but I see it as the end of one chapter and the beginning of what’s to come...

Final Literature Circle Blog

Part 1

Part 5 of "Rain of Gold" starts of with Lupe and her sister Sophia not getting paid what they're supposed to because the men would get mad if they did. Sophia leads a strike that results in them not getting hired anymore or getting rides to work either. At the next payday when they are refused to get paid their full amount they earned again Sophia has had enough and she decides to lead a three day strike. This time a sense of accomplishment is felt by all the workers when they are finally paid what their owed. Lupe, Victoriano and Sophia get tired of watching their parents struggle on the fields so they decide to support them instead and let them rest at home. In part 4 Mark had asked Lupe to marry him but she didn't answer. Once again Mark finds her wanting answer but also comes to tell her the good news that his uncle is looking for a bookkeeper, Lupe's dream job. Dona Margarita says that she has "personal conversations" with the Virgin Mary each morning and that she gives her advice. Juan doesn't know what to think but he plays along thinking it's just her old age getting to her. One day as Juan drove up to Lupe's house he caught her practically destroying her home as she attempted to teach herself how to drive. Juan drove up not only to see Lupe but to teach her how to drive just as he had promised her. Lupe wasn't going to let a man tell her what she can and can't do. She surprised everyone as she drove through the field almost running over her own brother. After a lot of praying, Juan's brother Domingo comes back. He's the exact replica of his father and he brought company, his pregnant girlfriend Nellie. Domingo's hot temper soon leads to him fighting with his own brother only to later be made to apologize by their mother. Juan gets help from his good friend and tailor Harry to buy a diamond ring for Lupe. He ends up buying a $2,000 ring for $400 from a man that he later finds out was Harry's brother. Juan's dream of having his brother ask for Lupe's hand is soon ruined after finding out from his mother that Nellie is married and left her her three children to come here. Dona Margarita instead insists that he have the Priest ask for Lupe's hand. Juan finds out that Domingo has exposed his bootlegging business and ends up having to move to a different location. Juan is surprised to find out that Lupe wants to live alone with him and not with her parent's like she had originally said. Juan finds himself falling more in love with Lupe. The day that the Priest was supposed to ask for Lupe's hand he found him drunk and Juan gets drunk too on the way to Lupe's house. The Priest ends up rambling on for quite awhile before finally asking for Lupe's hand. As Juan drove up to the distillery house he is ambushed by Tom Mix and his racists cops. Domingo is handcuffed inside with a bloody unrecognizable face because he refused to talk, Juan soon receives the same beating once their in jail. Juan calls his lawyer and is soon led out but his brother is given five years in jail in San Quentin. It turns out that Domingo had met this guy in a bar and invited him to the house not knowing that he was an undercover cop. Nellie soon leaves hoping to get her husband to forgive her. Juan is mad beyond words when his own people refuse to let him borrow money but his white friend does. Dona Margarita worries for him after seeing his anger and gives him a lecture. Juan later on goes to confession so that he can give all of himself over to Lupe on their wedding day. Their wedding day ends up becoming the biggest celebration with happiness, forgiveness and acceptance.    

Part 2

1. What is the significance of education to Mexican immigrants?


2. What qualities, conditions or circumstances make Racial justice possible or impossible?


3. When is the meaning of feminism misunderstood? 

 

Critical Thinking

The article I will be discussing it "Kids Smuggle food for cents along war border" from CNN World. Kids as young as eight years old smuggle food across the Pakistan and Afghanistan border and are paid twenty cents or less. The journey between the two borders is long and dangerous. Along the way kids have to watch out for suicide bombers and/or getting beat by the border police. On one side these kids are risking their lifes and doing what they have to do to get their families ahead. They are putting their lifes on the line to put food on the table. Living in the most dangerous place on earth, jobs are at an all time low and their parents are struggling to find a job to support their family. These kids are doing this against their own will, but they do it to help out the family. On another side, I don't think that these kids should be throwing their life away. They instead should be going to school and getting an education so that they can get a good and most importantly safe job that pays well. This however is impossible to most kids becuase their parents can't afford to send them to school. Although UNICEF is making it possible for students to go to school they are threatend by the Taliban for going against Islamic rule. Parents can get a loan to start their own business in exchange for sending their kids to school full time but only three hundred children have been placed in school so far. Kids shouldn't have to live their life in fear or danger just to make twenty cents a day. It's good that their helping their families out but in the long run an education will be worth more.

Rain Of Gold Blog

After finishing reading the book "Rain of Gold" I would like to ask Lupe two questions:

1. What happened to Mark? Did he ever come back?
2. Would you still have married Salvador if you knew beforehand that he was a bootlegger?

Questions #1-7 from "The Men we Carry...

1. Sanders noticed that the men he grew up around all had the same physical characteristics . In paragraph three Sanders describes what they look like. He began by using the words twisted and maimed to describe them and then later went into detail. These men had scarred hands, missing fingers, bad backs, ulcers, bad knees, hard hearing, coughing and drinking. Basically these men worked so hard that they looked much older than they were, they wore down faster.
   
2. 
   
   Sanders characterized the other men, soldiers, as being lazy and kind of invisible. In paragraph four he uses words such as boredom, waiting and no say to describe them. They're kind of just there waiting for the day of war to come. Besides practicing for battle, all they do is wait because theirs nothing else left for them to do. They don't have a say in anything that goes on in the military base.
   
   
3. 
   
   Sanders couldn't imagine becoming one of these "successful" men because he grew up seeing the complete opposite. All he ever knew and saw was hard working labor so meeting these new type of men was not the norm for him. He found it impossible to become a man like that.
   
   
4. 
   
   Sanders father went from working in a farm to a tire factory to an assembly line and then finally to the front office. He was lucky that he got out of the slave labor but his body was quick to give up on him. Most of the young men he knew ended up joining the army, working at smoky plants or building highways. His father was persistent and he climbed up the latter to success. These younger boys didn't even try, it's as if they knew that they were destined for hard labor after all it's all they've ever known.
   
   
5. 
   
   Sanders learned that college men automatically thought that they would be leading a pleasureable life becuase of their family. Although he was baffled at the fact that women could be envious of a man's life he soon understood why they would but that didn't mean that he completely agreed. Sander's thought that women were the ones that had the better life. They didn't have to work or go to war, they were free to do anything they wanted and nothing was ever their fault. He envied their life.
   
   
6. 
   
   Sanders has realized that a lot of pressure has always been put on men. The low-class sees it as back breaking work, having to be tough and the fight to live and have territory. The high class women see it the same way only that it's a more sophisticated point of view. The men they describe are already wealthy but they still have to go through the same work that any other man would have to. 
   
   
7. 
   
   Sanders noticed that he had a lot in common with upper middle class college-educated women. They both wanted to have power and have a say in their future. They want to choose a job that fits them, live a peaceful life and be complete.
   

Summary Self-Evaluation

Writing this summary was pretty difficult for me because I have never written one like this before. Usually when a teacher asks for a summary it's usually just a couple of sentences, not a page to a page and a half. The hardest part was coming up with what to write in my own words and paraphrasing to make it my own. I also usually always have problems when it comes to coming up with a thesis and using transition words between different ideas. I always get stuck in the beginning process but once I know what to write I can easily do it. I was satisfied with getting an A- on the summary but I would've been more satisfied with a solid A. I got the grade I did because I followed the rubric. I had an introductory sentence, paraphrasing, no unnecessary detail or personal opinion which was really hard for me to do. I did what was asked and I got the appropriate grade to show it. I think that my biggest strength for this summary was paraphrasing. Until now I didn't know that I was good at putting other peoples words or ideas into my own words. For the next summary I should probably work on using transitions because I don't really use them, I just write. Instead of struggling with that on my own I could ask for help. Coming up with words to transition from one idea to the other is something that has always been a problem to me. For the next essay I will definitely improve on my lack of transitions and get an even better grade.  

Libby's Blog response

1. Feminist would be a dirty word for her students because they don't know the exact meaning or they've only heard the negative stereotype to the word. In paragraph two, one of the student's she interviewed used the words "hate, blame, radical women and bad" in their definition of a feminist. In paragraph ten the word " man-haters" is used in describing a feminist in a movie.
   
2. 
   
   Their aren't many self-identified feminist becuase they don't want to be associated with the word or they don't feel like they can call themselves feminist. They think that to be a feminist you have to actively participate in the whole feminist movement. Males don't consider themselves to be feminist becuase they aren't female. They feel like they don't belong or that they won't be able to contribute much to the cause.
   
   
3. 
   
   More people should be feminist becuase to be a feminist all you have to do is believe in the same ideas they do. Feminism isn't just for women, it's also for men. The whole purpose of the word femininism is to be able to have a choice, a say, a voice. It's about having equal rights and being able to live the life you want.

Memorization

When it comes to memorization I use different types of techniques depending on what I have to learn and how hard it is to memorize. I would have to say that the majority of the time I use rehearsal. I tend to read and repeat things over and over again whether its verbally or silently in my head. It works for me the majority of the time. I especially use rehearsal for math class since I have to memorize the many different equations given to us. Besides having to memorize the equations for math class this year, there is also extra information that I am required to learn, such as: negatives, infinite, real, rational..etc. Rehearsal is something that I have always done     for as long as I can remember, even as far back as elementary school where we were required to memorize poems and recite them in front of the whole class. Rehearsal doesn't work for everything, such as English. English is a subject that I have to take the time to actually sit down and study if I actually want to know and learn the material. To learn something for English I will usually do examples, or match up words with things I can remember or that will help me remember the meaning of what it is that I'm trying to memorize. I would have to say that Rehearsal is something that has worked for me. It's just easier for me to do because I've done it for so long, it just happens automatically. At times it might look like I'm talking to myself but I am actually memorizing the material, in other words I'm studying. Rehearsal has worked for me through grade school and hopefully it will continue working for me in college.    

Transfer Motivational Conference Blog

The Transfer Motivational Conference was the first time that I had ever gone to Sacramento. I was excited to go because I have never been there but at the same time in my head I was thinking that this was going to be a very boring trip. To my surprise, it wasn't that bad. I enjoyed learning the new and interesting information that the speakers provided to us. I especially enjoyed learning about Cruz Reynoso. His story was very inspiring to everyone, having gone from working in the fields to being in the Supreme Court. This made me realize that I can be somebody in life, that I can overcome any struggle and help other people along the way to. I also really liked the workshop I went to, Que toca la banda: Chicano Music. Our instructor for that workshop was great, he provided a lot of information and he made it fun. We learned about different musicians, such as Carlos Santana,   Selena, Rosie Hamlin, and many more. We also learned why this music came to be, the background that led to this type of music being produced. I also thought that the information we got on the UC's, CSU's and Privates were very helpful for the future. Some of the information they mentioned I already knew but some of it was new to me. They gave us websites we could go to for more information or to see our transfer status, if we have enough units to transfer to a 4 year university. We also learned about different types of internships that are available for us through the HACU National Internship Program. Overall I thought that the information I learned was very useful and helpful. What I liked most was seeing and realizing how many puente students there are. I was shocked to see so many people there. Some of the schools I haven't even heard of before. I would have to say that it was fun meeting other schools, they were all so friendly, nice and wiling to talk to other people outside their group. It was a good experience. 

Anzaldua Blog Response #2: The Anti- ...

 

  Most essays I've read usually follow a strict academic format but Anzaldua wrote hers differently although she does follow the academic format. Academic essays have three main parts: introduction, body and conclusion. Anzaldua starts her essay with a metaphoric example first and then the introduction begins after that. Throughout her essay she also has a variety of body paragraphs including music and the origin of the Spanish language. The conclusion is of course at the end of the essay. What I noticed that she did differently was that instead of using transition words to change from one main idea to the other she used quotes. The quotes are not in the paragraph, their in between paragraphs. She also wrote the essay using both English and Spanish, so it's Spanglish. By doing this she's aiming this essay at a Spanish speaking audience. She assumes that everyone reading this knows and understands Spanish. I think that she wrote this essay to educate everyone on the different Spanishes that are spoken and why and how they came to be. It teaches us about the past and present history of the Spanish language. I think that Anzaldua expresses why she wrote her essay the way she did with this quote "A language which they can connect their identity to, one capable of communicating the realities and values true to themselves--a language with terms that are neither espanol ni inlges, but both" (11). This quote expresses everything that she explains in her essay. The Spanish spoken today is influenced by other languages. As a result new words and languages are created. Although different geographic locations have their own versions of Spanish, at the end of the day it's all Spanish. For example, I'm Chicana, and i have to admit that I do make Spanish words by using English words as a base. My Spanish is choppy and definitely not perfect but other Spanish speaking people can still understand me. I like to call my Spanish Chicafornia Spanish. I call it that because my Spanish was influenced by the different cultures in California.

Anzaldua Blog "How to Tame a Wild Ton...

Anzaldua Blog "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Growing up I was thought two languages, Spanish and English. For my first 2-3 years in elementary school I was put in a bilingual class were the language mostly spoken was Spanish. Later on in fourth grade when I was finally in a all English class for the first time I remember one of my teachers saying "Don't speak Spanish in class, it's rude to those around you that don't understand or speak Spanish. You're in the United States, your supposed to speak ENGLISH!". I really didn't know what to do, it was the first time that anyone had ever told me not to speak Spanish. I was offended, mad and confused all at the same time. Apart from this incident, there have been other times as well. Random people on the street or stores would tell us not to speak Spanish. Specifically I remember the bus stop incident. After school we were waiting for the bus to come. The majority of the people waiting for the bus were Spanish speakers. When the bus finally arrived and old white guy came out of nowhere, cut in front of the line and said "If you Mexican kids want to speak Spanish you can go back to Mexico were you belong!". No one did anything to him,  he just said it. Other than that I have had a lot of people criticize my Spanish, especially when I go to Mexico. People always assume that I don't speak Spanish. When they find out that I do they tell me how bad it is, that I don't speak it correctly or that I don't have a Mexican accent in my Spanish (what does a Mexican accent sound like anyway?). I was raised in a dominant white culture where speaking anything other than English gave you dirty looks. I know that my Spanish isn't perfect but I know enough to the point where I know that I can communicate with my family, hold a conversation and survive in Mexico if I had to. To this day I don't know why someone would tell someone else not to speak their language. Spanish is something that I grew up with, it will always be in my life. But most important, it's part of my identity.  

CSI Extra Credit

Part 1

When I first got my results back I was happy to know that my profile described me pretty accurately. What I saw was basically everything I am even though their are a few things that I would like to change. I really liked that each section gave a definition of what it means. It also told me the percentage I got, why I got that score and recommendations on how to improve. The recommendations I got will definitely come in handy either now or in the future. Before this I didn't know that I had so many resources that I could go to get help or advice in. If I had the chance to change some scores I would. For example, I would raise the score of "Desire to Finish College" and "Family Emotional Support" because I feel that in my opinion they are too low. Finishing college is one of my top goals and my family supports my decision to go to college 100%. On the other hand I would like to lower the score of "Personal Counseling" because I am a private person and I would not feel comfortable sharing my life with a stranger. Other than that, every thing seems to be pretty accurate to who I am. 

Part 2

Section A: My grades in high school were pretty good. I got mostly A's, B' and C's throughout my four years in high school. When it came to studying for tests and finals I would usually start studying the day I got the review sheet or a couple of days before but it usually depended on the difficulty of the class. For quizzes I didn't study as much as I should have or would have liked. Studying is always something I have preferred to do alone. If I study with other people I would be tempted to talk to them, fool around and just completely get of track. It would end up being a waste of time so I'd rather study alone, that way I get more accomplished. I prefer to study in a quiet place. If it's not quiet I won't be able to concentrate on what I'm doing. A quiet environment is the only way that I can take in, focus and learn new information. Occasionally I will turn on the radio but that's only when I take a study break. To prepare for a test, I would usually keep reading over my notes and the book. I quiz myself to see if I know the vocabulary by covering up the definitions. If practice tests are given out I will do those to see how much I need to study. I usually study up to the night before the test and maybe some review before the test.

Section O: When I encountered problems with my friends or other classmates I usually dealt with them on my own or with my friends. I don't like asking for help unless I really absolutely need it. I don't think my school offered any personal counseling services, only academic counseling. Although the staff did say we could go to them if we ever needed to talk. When it came to school or some personal problems there was only one teacher that I would go to. It's the only teacher that me and my friends felt comfortable talking to. I am aware of the different resources that are available. I know that they will always be there but I don't know if I will ever use them. Besides taking a long time for me to get comfortable with someone, I'm a private person that does not like sharing her problems or feelings with other people. When I found out that I got a 71% on personal counseling I was surprised. That was the only question that I didn't agree on, it just didn't sound like me at all.     

 

 

Vark Activity

Read/Write

By reading Chapter three in the Focus Book I have learned that I learn at my best through reading and writing. Everything mentioned in the book represents everything I do. In order for me to learn I have to take a lot of notes and read the book. I study by going over my notes again and again. Sometimes I will even read the chapter again to get a better understanding. Reading and writing is the only way I know how to take notes and study. Diagrams, charts and a lot of speaking really wouldn't work for me.

Literature Circle Blog#3

How does sacrifice impact/influence pride?

In the book “Rain of Gold”, both families have made it safely across the border and are now currently residing in the Los Angeles area of California. Life for both families went from bad to worse. Even though survival was still a struggle, family was something that held both families together. “Money isn’t everything, our family, our blood, our dreams---these are the reasons that we’ve been struggling all these years; not money” (230). Juan had lived in Montana for the past six years were he had it good, surrounded by pretty girls while he made a lot of money gambling. He came to California thinking that his mom was dying only to find out it was all a lie. He stayed because of the promise he made to his mom. He went from having everything to being at the bottom again. Juan has always been a very proud man but the living conditions and ignorance from both his nephews and society bruised his pride. He lived in a “shack” and he experienced segregation for the first time. Living in that time period and under those conditions made it hard for anyone to be proud of anything. Juan worked in a rock quarry along with other Mexican immigrants. An un-warned explosion killed three immigrants and injured many more but nothing was done about it. Juan and the other immigrants decided to protest about it but nothing came out of it except disappointment. “All these years that he’d been away from his people---up in Montana among the Greeks and Turks---he’d missed them so much, but now he hated his people from the bottom of his soul” (262). Mexican’s have always been the type of people to stand up and fight for justice but now they can’t even speak up for what’s right. They have all lost their pride and now live under the fear of the “white man”. No matter what situation your in you should never let anyone think or speak for you, even though your in a different country you still have a voice.

Literature Circle Blog#2

What qualities, conditions, or circumstances create determination?
Determination is the firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end. In the book “Rain of Gold” determination is shown throughout the book. The story takes place in Mexico during the revolution. Lupe and her family are caught in a war in which survival has become a struggle. Ever since the Americans left, everyone in their town has also left to go up north and Lupe’s family is one of the few families left. Lupe’s family finally decided that going up north to the United States was their best option if they wanted to live. Family is one of the major reasons why they have made this choice. If they stay, the bandits will end up killing them just like the many men, women and children they have killed already. Sophia, the older sister, left to go up north but her ship overturned and she is now considered dead although her mother has a feeling that she is still alive. “And yes, one day, I swear it before God, we’ll find Sophia and the tree of our family will be mended, too!” (205). The main reason they want to go up north is to some day be reunited with their older sister. They want a better life for themselves but at the same time they still want to keep the whole family united. In this story, survival is definitely one of the reasons for determination. Low supply count and death would determine anyone to seek out a better life.

What would people be willing to sacrifice in times of hardship?
At one point or another we have all had to sacrifice something. In the book “Rain of Gold” Lupe and her family have to sacrifice a lot to survive. Friendships, family, pets and home are four of the things that they have to sacrifice. Lupe had to say bye to her best friend Manuelita. “Lupe and Manuelita cried together, feeling so scared of being separated…Lupe watched her best friend disappear down the overgrown trail into the vastness of the jungle” (207). Letting Sophia go ahead of them was also a sacrifice because by making that decision they could possibly never see her again. Lupe, like Juan from part two, had to let her pet deer go just too later on see people eating the deer. By leaving they had to leave their home and everything they knew behind. They were sacrificing everything they ever knew and owned for a better life. At the same time life could either get better or worse so it had to be a tough decision. All immigrants that come to the United States go through the same experiences. My parents sacrificed a lot to come here and give my brothers and me a better life. Both my parents left their parents behind including the only life they knew. All immigrants come here with nothing; they start at the bottom and hope to one day work their way up. In the story “Leave your name at the Border” people have to “Americanize” their names to be able to fit into society. Changing their name would almost be the same thing as sacrificing your identity, which you are. It would be leaving everything you are to become someone new. It’s a sacrifice that a lot of immigrants make to have more opportunities and to overall have a better life.

Technology Project

"Leave your cell phone at the Classro...

What causes digital immigrants to feel they are subservient or less than digital natives in a society?

      Immigrants who first come to this country are usually not up to date on their technology. They come from countries where computers and cell phones don't exist. When they come to this country they have to learn how use every type of technology to fit in with everyone else. Having to learn new technology, immigrants might feel like they are at a disadvantage because they don't have the same knowledge that a digital native would have. To them technology is a whole new world that they need to get used to in order to have more opportunities. Digital natives have the advantage because they were born into technology. To them it comes naturally, it's as if they were born with it. When someone doesn't know how to use a computer or cell phone a digital native won't understand and that might cause them to look down on them. Slowly but surely a digital immigrant will adjust to the fast pace of the technology based world we live in.

Literature Circle Blog#1

My first picture can be found on pages 120-125. I drew the scene where Juan missed the train that was to take him to the United States. He ended up walking but mostly running till he got to train stop where the families were camping out through the night. In my picture I drew the railroad tracks with the train going away. I also drew Juan sweating, with bloody feet, torn huaraches and the sharp rocks that caused him so much pain along the way. I also drew Juan next to his older brother Domingo because he was having flashbacks of the times where they would have running competitions to see who could run the fastest. These flashbacks became his motivation to keep going until he reached the train. I also wrote the word God on top of a cloud because during the whole way he would talk to God and ask him to give him the strength to get to his family. I also drew a puddle of water with an x through it because he had no water during the run and the heat waves teased him into believing that there was water up ahead but there wasn’t. I drew bugs because he could hear them at night and a jaguar because he had to protect himself from it when he mistook it for a deer. I drew the hills he had to climb, the campfires he saw and his mom who was waiting for him because she knew he would find his way too her. The last thing I drew was the sun and the moon to show the difference from the hot sweaty day to the cool breezy night.
I selected this scene because I found it to be really important. Juan has always been the troublemaker and the risk taker only this time his adventurous side separated him from his family. He ran all the way to his family and he never stopped until he got there. From this scene I learned that family and faith are really important to Juan. He never gave up, his family only made him stronger. If I got separated from my family I would also do whatever it takes to get back to them. I can relate to it because my dad’s side of the family is really close. They always communicate by phone or find a way to somehow physically see each other. Distance has never been an obstacle. A lot of families during this time were immigrating to the United States to escape the war and for more opportunities. My parents weren’t alive during that time but they did immigrate to the U.S. to give me and my brother’s better opportunities.
Family

My second picture can be found on pages 149-152. I drew the scene where Juan is digging up wood to sell so that his mom doesn’t have to beg anymore. In the background of the picture I drew the hills he climbed and I also drew the stars and the moon he could see at night. I drew a bush and Juan next to the bush digging in the ground for wood. I drew Juan in pain and crying because his finger nails have detached from his fingers and he is in a lot of pain. Next to Juan I drew a pile of dirt and a pile of wood that he has dug up. I also drew two bubbles over his head. One of the bubbles has the word God in it. Only that this time he’s mad at God for what his life and his family’s life has become, a nightmare. The other bubble has his mom in it. His mom is crying and begging through the streets.
I chose to draw this scene because I found what he did for his family to be courageous and overall the right thing to do. From this scene I learned that kids during that time didn’t really have the time to be kids. The things they saw and went through made them grow up at a young age. Just like Juan did, I would have done any thing to keep either one of my parents from begging. I come from a family that has thought me to never beg or steal. Never let anyone see your weaknesses or that you’re struggling. Only ask for help when you’re desperate and you know that there is nothing else you can do. I know that desperate times can lead to desperate measures but there are always other alternatives.
Faith

Reflection on Muñoz

What is the difference between assimilating and giving in to a new society?

A lot of immigrants that come to the United States come with their own culture, tradition, names and appearance. To them a new country end’s up becoming a whole new world that they never imagined. Some immigrants chose to completely dive into a new culture while others adjust overtime. Those who chose to nose dive into a new society are usually the younger immigrants. They will change their names and change their appearance. They will do anything to fit into society and make other people like them. These people are usually the one’s that are embarrassed of anything that has to do with their cultures. All of this might give you new and better opportunities but at the end of the day they will never be able to erase where they come from. Not all the people that give into a new society are like the one’s I mentioned before. Some have no choice but to give in because it’s the only way they will survive.
The people who immigrated here years ago are usually the ones that aren’t willing to give in that easy. They chose to keep their values and culture and slowly take in and absorb the new society they are now living in. These people chose to stick with what they grew up with but at the same time learn about the new society. They slowly get used to and adapt to their new lives without changing who they are. The kids born nowadays are born into the new society and it’s up to the parents to teach them about their culture. Some families do keep the tradition going by giving their kids native names but others chose to give their kids names that are more accepted by the new society.

What is the Digital Culture?

When I think of digital culture I automatically think of computers and cell phones. Computers have changed from slow and bulky to thin and fast. A computer allows us to communicate with other people at a faster rate and to look up information in just seconds through the internet. Nowadays the internet can even be accessed through a cell phone. The internet has created social networks, such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter that allows us to keep in touch with our friends and to make new ones. Almost everyone I know has an email account. Beginning in high school teachers have required us to send them homework or essays online. Now that I am in college some teachers assign homework for us to, for example, post up on a blog. I personally don’t mind because doing homework online is sometimes easier and we save paper at the same time. For example, this year part of my math grade will consist of doing practice problems, practice tests and quizzes online.

My Motivation to Attend College

From a very young age both my parents have told me that education plays a big role in how successful I will be. The more education I get the more successful I’m more likely to be. Both my parents have been very supportive of my decision to go to college, but especially my mom. My mom grew up in a home with six siblings, including her, in a not so stable environment. Her family was very poor so she had to work from a very young age just to get food on the table. No one in my mom’s family got the opportunity to go to school. They didn’t have the money to buy food or clothes let alone school send six people to school. My mom is very proud of me and everything I have accomplished because she never got the chance to do it. My mom doesn’t want me to end up babysitting or working some minimum wage job for the rest of my life. She doesn’t want me to struggle my entire life the way she has. My mom wants me to do everything she never got to do. My mom has been my motivation, inspiration and encouragement to do well. I’m attending college not just because my mom wanted me to but because I’m doing this to give myself a better life.
No one has ever pressured me to go to college. The decision to go to college has always been mine. I’ve known that I wanted to go to college since middle school and I haven’t changed my mind since then. The majority of my friends attend some type of college whether it is a UC, CSU, or community college. All my friends go to college so we can all relate to each other. The ones who don’t go are either supportive of me or they say it’s a waste of money. I don’t pay attention to the negative comments because I know that what I’m doing will pay off in the long run. Community college ended up being a good choice for me because I’m still undecided on what I want to do as a career. My head is all over the place and I’m constantly changing my mind. All I know is that I would maybe like to do something with nursing or social work. By taking Puente I do believe that hopefully this class will help me figure out what to do with my life.