So I've been thinking a lot about the discussions we've been having about the rhetoric used in the campaign ads. I am not really into political debates or political issues. I guess I should be because these issues could potentially and probably are affecting my everyday life right now. For that reason I'm glad we have been talking about the current candidates and what methods they are using to get people on board to vote for them. From the way we analyzed the ads it made every candidate seem silly and kind of desperate to get attention even if they have to make ridiculous exaggerations or attack other candidates in the running. It makes it really hard for me to trust anyone let alone take the time to actually listen to what they have to say. Eventually I'm going to have to sort through the sea of lies and pick out what I would like to think of as the truth. Whoever has the most of that, gets my vote I guess. At least that's the way I'll do it until they candidates start being blatantly honest (highly unlikely) or someone gives me a better way to do it....I still have like one hundred words to go....
So I guess I can talk about the Occupy UC Davis event. I was going going to save the for my next post but I guess I can use some of it for this one. So yeah...that was pretty lame spraying all those kids in the face like that. The cops using the notion that they were just following orders is a pretty weak excuse for way essthe were so..oh what's the word?...brutal, with the pepper spray. I wonder what I would do as an officer given the order to remove protesting students from a side walk?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Final Weeks!!!
Oh man this semester flew by soo fast! I only have one more visit to L.A.R.A to finish my volunteering program. I fell kind of bad not going back to see all the people I worked with again. I'm tempted to sign up for it again next semester, but that would be a terrible idea because I will be soo loaded with classes. I'm really gonna miss everyone there. They were soo nice and interesting to talk to. I loved hearing their stories. Each person had a fascinating story about how they came to the United States and why they were trying to learn English. This program really helped me see the Lafayette coming from another perspective. After having moved to Lafayette I've discovered that living here isn't enough if you really want to find out more about the poeple who live here or the social climate of the community, volunteering at community centers like this one is vital to process of getting to know your community members.
I really appreciate everything L.A.R.A. is trying to do for the community and all the resources it offers to the community members. I'm so happy I got to be a part of this program. At first I was upset that we were required to have service hours for this class but know I see the true purpose behind the hours. It was to get each student to realize the importance of service and how it connects the community on a personal level and teaches use how service is vital to a healthy community.
I really appreciate everything L.A.R.A. is trying to do for the community and all the resources it offers to the community members. I'm so happy I got to be a part of this program. At first I was upset that we were required to have service hours for this class but know I see the true purpose behind the hours. It was to get each student to realize the importance of service and how it connects the community on a personal level and teaches use how service is vital to a healthy community.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Beauty in the media and fashion world
OK.. so this blog has nothing to do with service learning, but I had to bring this up. So on Monday we watched a clip showing the transformation of a model from "normal" to "picture perfect" and then a few people made some comments about Beyonce's skin color changes for different magazine covers. I had to say something because this is ridiculous. But let me first say, I could care less what Beyonce does, not hating, I'm just not a big fan. On the other hand, when something like this happens it grabs my attention.
If I were a model making thousands of dollars for each photo shoot I wouldn't care what they did to my skin just as long as I could take it off. Let's face it, I'm sure Beyonce and tons of other models make a shit load of money for those photo shoots and the fact that their natural features are altered and society's perception of beauty is scewed is the last thing on their mind. I have made a personal choice not to wear make-up or straighten my naturally curly hair because I want people to see who I really am. I know, it's not what's on the outside that matters, instead it's your genuine personality that counts, but I feel more comfortable knowing that when a person sees me, they see what I really look like. I don't like the idea of my natural hair being straightened by chemicals or my face being covered by make-up.
Some people think that models used in make-up and fashion ads don't portray what the average person looks like and so average women are buying all these products thinking that they will eventually look like these models. It's very sad, but if I can look at these ads and still love myself and my God given beauty I think anyone can. So altering faces or making skin lighter or darker for the sake of a magazine doesn't change my perception of beauty. However, I cannot speak for all women in the world. I think that the more people find how the media changes a woman's natural appearance, the more people realize that that isn't true beauty and that you have to define what beauty is within yourself and not in a magazine. LOVE YOURSELF! and don't hide you beautiful face with make-up!
However, if I was a model, they could do whatever they wanted to me just as long as I could take it off at the end of the day, and I got PAID!
If I were a model making thousands of dollars for each photo shoot I wouldn't care what they did to my skin just as long as I could take it off. Let's face it, I'm sure Beyonce and tons of other models make a shit load of money for those photo shoots and the fact that their natural features are altered and society's perception of beauty is scewed is the last thing on their mind. I have made a personal choice not to wear make-up or straighten my naturally curly hair because I want people to see who I really am. I know, it's not what's on the outside that matters, instead it's your genuine personality that counts, but I feel more comfortable knowing that when a person sees me, they see what I really look like. I don't like the idea of my natural hair being straightened by chemicals or my face being covered by make-up.
Some people think that models used in make-up and fashion ads don't portray what the average person looks like and so average women are buying all these products thinking that they will eventually look like these models. It's very sad, but if I can look at these ads and still love myself and my God given beauty I think anyone can. So altering faces or making skin lighter or darker for the sake of a magazine doesn't change my perception of beauty. However, I cannot speak for all women in the world. I think that the more people find how the media changes a woman's natural appearance, the more people realize that that isn't true beauty and that you have to define what beauty is within yourself and not in a magazine. LOVE YOURSELF! and don't hide you beautiful face with make-up!
However, if I was a model, they could do whatever they wanted to me just as long as I could take it off at the end of the day, and I got PAID!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Blog #2
I really have to work on remembering to do these things. So for this one I guess I'll just talk about my editorial. I wrote about an article that was published in "El Gallito Luis" (direct translation, The Little Chicken Luis). It's a local community paper published here in Lafayette for, but not closed off to, the Latino community. Paper consists of ads for the local Latino grocery stores, local concerts, community events, L.A.R.A (Lafayette Adult Resource center), and Ivy Tech programs.
The article I chose to write about was written by one of the English teachers at L.A.R.A, Denise. In her article she talks about all the resources L.A.R.A has to offer, especially the English class she teaches for people wanting to start learning English. I tried my best to write something that looked like an editorial that supported the resource center and incorporated my own ideas about more Purdue students for other majors using their skills to volunteer there. So hopefully it turned out ok. I really wish they had a word counter on here so I'd know right when I hit 300 and then I wouldn't have to keep writing mindless nonsense.
Anyway, so I really do think that more students from different majors should come to help volunteer at L.A.R.A. I mentioned in my paper that they don't just help with people who want to learn English. They also have classes for people who want to pass the test to get there G.R.E. L.A.R.A needs math majors to come help people who want better themselves in that way. Aside from English classes they also have classes for people trying to improve their reading and writing comprehension skills and so they need English or literature majors to help people become better writers for themselves and to get to a higher level on their job.
So I think that's about 300, if not it should be right now, I just gonna add a few more words here to ensure I hit 300. I think that's it yep. I think I got it now. :)
The article I chose to write about was written by one of the English teachers at L.A.R.A, Denise. In her article she talks about all the resources L.A.R.A has to offer, especially the English class she teaches for people wanting to start learning English. I tried my best to write something that looked like an editorial that supported the resource center and incorporated my own ideas about more Purdue students for other majors using their skills to volunteer there. So hopefully it turned out ok. I really wish they had a word counter on here so I'd know right when I hit 300 and then I wouldn't have to keep writing mindless nonsense.
Anyway, so I really do think that more students from different majors should come to help volunteer at L.A.R.A. I mentioned in my paper that they don't just help with people who want to learn English. They also have classes for people who want to pass the test to get there G.R.E. L.A.R.A needs math majors to come help people who want better themselves in that way. Aside from English classes they also have classes for people trying to improve their reading and writing comprehension skills and so they need English or literature majors to help people become better writers for themselves and to get to a higher level on their job.
So I think that's about 300, if not it should be right now, I just gonna add a few more words here to ensure I hit 300. I think that's it yep. I think I got it now. :)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursdays at LARA
I am currently doing the rest of my volunteering service at LARA (Lafayette Adult Resource Center). It's a total of 20 hrs. of service. While there I work with native Spanish speakers who are trying to learn English. While working with them I also get to practice and improve my Spanish speaking skills.
The student I work with regularly is an woman in her mid to late- 40s from Guatemala. I wouldn't say she can speak broken English. It's more like Spanish with a few English words sprinkled on top. I don't mind that fact that she can barely speak English. I prefer it in fact because it forces me to use Spanish to explain things for her which then increase my vocabulary.
The instructor of the class is an extremely patient woman with a true talent for teaching. I only come to the classroom one day out of the week but each time I see how difficult it is to explain an aspect of English grammar using another language. You have to think on two different levels. On one level you have to understand why something is the way it is in English. It might sound easy to do because you speak English, but you just can't tell your student, "you say it this way because it sounds better". You have to explain the specific rule behind why something is said the why it's said.
On the second level you have to think of a simple way to explain the rule for English grammar but while using correct Spanish grammar so that your student can understand you. If you explanation isn't correct your student will be even more confused than they were before they asked you the question.
It's a serious challenge, but I will gladly take it.
The student I work with regularly is an woman in her mid to late- 40s from Guatemala. I wouldn't say she can speak broken English. It's more like Spanish with a few English words sprinkled on top. I don't mind that fact that she can barely speak English. I prefer it in fact because it forces me to use Spanish to explain things for her which then increase my vocabulary.
The instructor of the class is an extremely patient woman with a true talent for teaching. I only come to the classroom one day out of the week but each time I see how difficult it is to explain an aspect of English grammar using another language. You have to think on two different levels. On one level you have to understand why something is the way it is in English. It might sound easy to do because you speak English, but you just can't tell your student, "you say it this way because it sounds better". You have to explain the specific rule behind why something is said the why it's said.
On the second level you have to think of a simple way to explain the rule for English grammar but while using correct Spanish grammar so that your student can understand you. If you explanation isn't correct your student will be even more confused than they were before they asked you the question.
It's a serious challenge, but I will gladly take it.
Monday, October 10, 2011
My First Blog
So I'm finally posting my first blog. I really don't see the point of blogging for this class. It really just seems like a waste of time. I really don't expect anyone to comment or post on my blogs because my the extent of my writing will just be mindless boggle for the sake of getting points.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest I'll get into some mindless boggle about my service experience. For the first seventeen hours I volunteered at a no kill dog shelter. I really loved working with the dogs and they seemed eager to get out and stretch their legs after being in cages all day. The people who work there however didn't seem so happy to have me as a volunteer. I didn't take it personally, it just seemed like they were friendly people. There was an old man who looked he ran on nothing but cigarettes and monster energy drink. Judging by the heavy bags under his eyes and deep wrinkles in his face I could tell he had a hard life.
There was also a woman who is always there. I wouldn't say she 's old but maybe the lifestyle she had cause her teeth to fall out and her eyes to sink in.
When I first arrived to the shelter i was excited to be there, but my excitement soon turned to desperation, desperation for air as I stood inside the shelter inhaling clouds full of smoke from the cigarettes of the old man and lady. I stepped outside pretending that I was talking with someone on my phone while I was really sucking in fresh air. I soon realized that it would be a difficult feet to show up everyday in order to work with the dogs everyday while putting my lung health in jeopardy.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest I'll get into some mindless boggle about my service experience. For the first seventeen hours I volunteered at a no kill dog shelter. I really loved working with the dogs and they seemed eager to get out and stretch their legs after being in cages all day. The people who work there however didn't seem so happy to have me as a volunteer. I didn't take it personally, it just seemed like they were friendly people. There was an old man who looked he ran on nothing but cigarettes and monster energy drink. Judging by the heavy bags under his eyes and deep wrinkles in his face I could tell he had a hard life.
There was also a woman who is always there. I wouldn't say she 's old but maybe the lifestyle she had cause her teeth to fall out and her eyes to sink in.
When I first arrived to the shelter i was excited to be there, but my excitement soon turned to desperation, desperation for air as I stood inside the shelter inhaling clouds full of smoke from the cigarettes of the old man and lady. I stepped outside pretending that I was talking with someone on my phone while I was really sucking in fresh air. I soon realized that it would be a difficult feet to show up everyday in order to work with the dogs everyday while putting my lung health in jeopardy.
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