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.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
"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.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
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.
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