1. Beans are from Mexico, Pop Tarts from the US and tea is from Britain, why? It could be because the geographical positioning of Mexico allows beans to grow. Maybe because the US is such an industrial country that pop tarts have become some type of trademark. Maybe tea is simply a custom in Britain culture. Whatever the answer to "why" is, one thing is for sure, humans eat food and food is like a mother nursing her child. We value food and create customs from our values. Customs create stories.
2. The three E's of teaching
Engage: Students are present and participating in the activity.
Explain: Students are intrigued by the activity and are able to accept explanations.
Evaluate: Students understand the concepts and explanations. They can be evaluated on their growth.
3. The World Food Crisis
The food crisis has a lot to do with why I choose the Operation Yum Project as my TIOL topic. This project excited me and mostly because it showed this crisis. When I see a problem with the world I become excited thinking of possible ways to fix it.
The world food crisis involves people all over the world, children and families dying from lack of food. These people go through unexplainable torture. Its not just in Africa or Haiti, it is in the richest countries of the world. Why? Because they know whats going on and aren't doing enough about it.
4. Inequalities
An inequality are two thing that are not the same, that have distinct circumstance. A great example is money. A rich person might not feel the frustration that a poor person might. Though they can be compassionate and imagine it, they wont ever know how it really feels because they are an inequality.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Jonestown
Today our teacher talked to us about the Jonestown conspiracy. She did a monologue from the perspective of Annie Moore (one of the lost souls from the event). Its ironic she brought Jonestown up today (May 13, 2008) because today May 13 is Jim Jone's(the "master" mind of Jonestown) Birthday.
I learned a few things from Jonestown today. One is that people in this world truly need someone to listen to them, and another is that you should never stop asking questions (the words from my teacher).
Leaders are there to guide their followers, not to manipulate them for the selfish desires. I have to admit, Jim Jones was a wicked smart man. How else could he have pulled such an atrosoty off. But I also have to admit that Jim Jones taught us all an incredibly valuable lesson, he showed us the aftermath of hurting those whom are already bleeding inside. It is not our responsibility to go out of our way to save someone from their self destructive lives but it certainly wouldnt hurt to give a few encouraging words. A simple compliment could help a bleeding heart repair itself. Even if it doesn't make a miraculous effect I can assure you it will help ignite the revolution. If you are one of those bleeding souls don't ever let yourself be controlled, your never alone.
info on Jonestown
http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/
There is always help!
I learned a few things from Jonestown today. One is that people in this world truly need someone to listen to them, and another is that you should never stop asking questions (the words from my teacher).
Leaders are there to guide their followers, not to manipulate them for the selfish desires. I have to admit, Jim Jones was a wicked smart man. How else could he have pulled such an atrosoty off. But I also have to admit that Jim Jones taught us all an incredibly valuable lesson, he showed us the aftermath of hurting those whom are already bleeding inside. It is not our responsibility to go out of our way to save someone from their self destructive lives but it certainly wouldnt hurt to give a few encouraging words. A simple compliment could help a bleeding heart repair itself. Even if it doesn't make a miraculous effect I can assure you it will help ignite the revolution. If you are one of those bleeding souls don't ever let yourself be controlled, your never alone.
info on Jonestown
http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/
There is always help!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My Character
His name, Comet.
Comet is a 15 year old boy living in an advanced world. This world is somewhat like a Utopia. It is environmental, has extremely tall buildings and flying cars. Apart from these wonders, it has secrets.
Comet is very independent. He runs errands for his parents in the big city. After school he picks up packages and signed papers and sends them to different places in downtown. He usually stops in the public malls or by the sea port just to ponder, wonder what is beyond the horizon of the ocean. Often he hears music in his head, kind of like a soundtrack of his life. He is confused, he has not explored and has a burning desire to see what it is that calls him.
He meets a few people that show him things that confuse him even more.
Comet is a 15 year old boy living in an advanced world. This world is somewhat like a Utopia. It is environmental, has extremely tall buildings and flying cars. Apart from these wonders, it has secrets.
Comet is very independent. He runs errands for his parents in the big city. After school he picks up packages and signed papers and sends them to different places in downtown. He usually stops in the public malls or by the sea port just to ponder, wonder what is beyond the horizon of the ocean. Often he hears music in his head, kind of like a soundtrack of his life. He is confused, he has not explored and has a burning desire to see what it is that calls him.
He meets a few people that show him things that confuse him even more.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What would I do for food?
Food prices are rising. It was tremendously hard for starving people in poor countries to afford food back then, imagine how hard it is now. I have been hungry before and that was just because I hadn't had dinner. I cannot imagine the feeling of not eating a real meal for more than a week. There are people in this world to whom not eating a proper meal for a week is just life.
What would I do for food if I was in those people's situation? I have no absolute idea. I have never experienced such a horrid feeling in my life. I imagine I might do something unlawful like stealing, only from rich people though. I might go into a field and pick for salad, some type of grain, water or rice. If it got serious I would definitely consider the trash. But if I really had no alternative I would scream for help at the top of my lungs.
What would I do for food if I was in those people's situation? I have no absolute idea. I have never experienced such a horrid feeling in my life. I imagine I might do something unlawful like stealing, only from rich people though. I might go into a field and pick for salad, some type of grain, water or rice. If it got serious I would definitely consider the trash. But if I really had no alternative I would scream for help at the top of my lungs.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I am a hunter gatherer
Its snowing! I can barely walk against these winds and it seems that the snow is covering the deer tracks. I cant stand it anymore so I will put this scarf over my face just under the eyes. I see some movement in the distance so I begin to run. I am so cold it seems there are millions of knives stabbing my face but I am much more hungry than in pain so I will run even faster! It stopped... I will stay still and throw my spear at the count of three. One, two, *THROW*.
I HIT ITS FOOT! Oh no, its running away but slower. Gotta catch it! WOOW! Its a blizzard! I will get through it. I am pushing with all my force. I think I am about to freeze into ice and fall dead on this mound. NO! Gotta keep going. I CANT DO IT ANYMORE!
*falls*
What the? I am falling still and everything is black and warm. *thump*. Where am I? There is a candle near by and I can hear the clinks of forks. FOOD!!! I am running towards the dim light at the distance. I can smell it already. It smells like beef with some other type of food. I don't know what it is, it smells sweet. It might be pig meat. Nahh, its too sweet. Whats that other smell. It smells like a rosemary bush on fire. Who would eat that?
I am finally here. Its a wide room with big flickering candles. FOOD! I run to the table and pick up the beef. Oh it taste so good! Wait a minute, what is this? Its some type of sphere, its red and shiny. Smells sweet. *bites* YUM!
"Its an apple" said an unfamiliar voice. I got scared and turned around. Its a young English boy and his family, they stare at me with confusion.
"You like it? We've got tons of them in the cellar" said a little red haired girl.
I HIT ITS FOOT! Oh no, its running away but slower. Gotta catch it! WOOW! Its a blizzard! I will get through it. I am pushing with all my force. I think I am about to freeze into ice and fall dead on this mound. NO! Gotta keep going. I CANT DO IT ANYMORE!
*falls*
What the? I am falling still and everything is black and warm. *thump*. Where am I? There is a candle near by and I can hear the clinks of forks. FOOD!!! I am running towards the dim light at the distance. I can smell it already. It smells like beef with some other type of food. I don't know what it is, it smells sweet. It might be pig meat. Nahh, its too sweet. Whats that other smell. It smells like a rosemary bush on fire. Who would eat that?
I am finally here. Its a wide room with big flickering candles. FOOD! I run to the table and pick up the beef. Oh it taste so good! Wait a minute, what is this? Its some type of sphere, its red and shiny. Smells sweet. *bites* YUM!
"Its an apple" said an unfamiliar voice. I got scared and turned around. Its a young English boy and his family, they stare at me with confusion.
"You like it? We've got tons of them in the cellar" said a little red haired girl.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Fighting, Helping
I don't like distance. It sucks. I hate it I hate it I hate it. Why cant this world be like video games? Yeah, the type of video games where you just click a spell, spend a bit of energy and suddenly teleport to your desired destination. Yeah, that would be cool. Then we could teleport ourselves to where all the action is and be part of the fight. But then again, most of the action is useless. It would be touching if I could find one fight that was truly meant for the good of humanity. War over money, land ETC. 
Poor soldiers, I hate the government. But then again, there are some good fights. What of a mothers fight to raise good children. What of a fathers struggle to put food on the table or of the good type of government that overworks to find solutions to our problems.
Maybe this world isn't so bad after all. When I think of it actually, this world isn't bad enough for me to complain about. If I look outside my window I see a blue and fresh sky, green grass and clean, paved streets. The houses are beautiful by the way, but then again some of us aren't that fortunate and that changes everything.
I came up with this theory during one of these incredible trainings I go to with and awesome woman called Helice Bridges(aka, Sparky). The theaory is that "my idea of an ideal world is one where people with power help the ones without it". My friends, if you open your eyes and look around you at the beauty of your home, yourself and your family, the way things simply click in this microcosm of yours, you will realize that you have power. Use it.
Poor soldiers, I hate the government. But then again, there are some good fights. What of a mothers fight to raise good children. What of a fathers struggle to put food on the table or of the good type of government that overworks to find solutions to our problems.
Maybe this world isn't so bad after all. When I think of it actually, this world isn't bad enough for me to complain about. If I look outside my window I see a blue and fresh sky, green grass and clean, paved streets. The houses are beautiful by the way, but then again some of us aren't that fortunate and that changes everything.
I came up with this theory during one of these incredible trainings I go to with and awesome woman called Helice Bridges(aka, Sparky). The theaory is that "my idea of an ideal world is one where people with power help the ones without it". My friends, if you open your eyes and look around you at the beauty of your home, yourself and your family, the way things simply click in this microcosm of yours, you will realize that you have power. Use it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The start of photography
Thanks to a media project we are doing in school I have been introduced to the wonders of photography. After cursing at laggy computers, being disappointed at the outcome of my photos, I have come up with a few disappointments and the same time treasures.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Mulan
Mulan is a very fulfilling movie. Its a roller coaster of fantasy, life lessons and joy. The many dragons and Chinese themes throughout the movie are up lifting and warm to the human spirit.
The movie Mulan shows many of the Chinese/ American values. The grandmother and her superstitions at the beginning of the movie give her a warm, humorous Chinese grandmother feel. There are other values shown such as war, beautiful geisha like woman, and men. Some people debate about this movie portraying China as a sexist country. Its hard not to since its a fact that in the past most of the world was sexist.
The movie Mulan has great morality. It shows the struggle of a woman, a woman who proved wrong the perspective of society. Mulan did not do it for pride, she did it because it was the right thing to do. Regardless of what they said in the end Mulan was the one to make the decisions which is how it is supposed to be.
On the whole, Mulan is an incredible movie, the type that can make you have a happy day. I hope the morales and lessons the movie teaches are stamped into its viewers.
The movie Mulan shows many of the Chinese/ American values. The grandmother and her superstitions at the beginning of the movie give her a warm, humorous Chinese grandmother feel. There are other values shown such as war, beautiful geisha like woman, and men. Some people debate about this movie portraying China as a sexist country. Its hard not to since its a fact that in the past most of the world was sexist.
The movie Mulan has great morality. It shows the struggle of a woman, a woman who proved wrong the perspective of society. Mulan did not do it for pride, she did it because it was the right thing to do. Regardless of what they said in the end Mulan was the one to make the decisions which is how it is supposed to be.
On the whole, Mulan is an incredible movie, the type that can make you have a happy day. I hope the morales and lessons the movie teaches are stamped into its viewers.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Poor boy
Just heard of another one. Saw it on the news as I skipped to my room with the biggest smile on my face. A guy's body was found in such damaged conditions he was hard to identify. I just wanted to go upstairs, I just said to myself "That does not happen" how could this world be so dark? A guy like you, like me, like a friend of yours, a guy like your brother with a life. That could have been you. My point is this is a human being, a person that thinks, that loves, that has a desperate family mourning and feeling the utmost horrid, stupid, ugly horrendouse STUPID STUPID and firing feeling. Dont you just wish you could change time. Dont you just wish we could click a shiny colorful green button that said "FIX" in big bold letters and suddenly this guy, Dane Chandler Williams would come alive. Dont you just wish we could stab death to death, lock it in some type of forbidden box that no one would ever touch? Dont you ever wish that people wouldnt suffer? This song is saying "Sunlight's on the way" and I dont know if its true. One thing is true though, accepting this world as it is wont get us very far, acting will. The truth is we cannot hide death in a forbidden box, or push a shiny button that says "FIX" in big bold letters but we can certainly act, we can help the world. After all, what would we all be withouth those we have? I have no idea where my passed away grandma is, I have no idea where my angel dog went once she died, I dont know where Dane and all the innocent human beings, friends of ours went. I dont know if they simply poofed away, if they are in heaven with the man, if they are spirits roaming earth. I dont know for sure but one thing I refuse to deny is that they just disappeared. Somewhere up there, somewhere in here or in them, those people live.
Dont cry, the world is not as cruel. There will always be someone, I assure you. My friends, keep one thing in mind though, this world wont change on its own and I cannot change it single handed, it all depends on us. Good luck and I hope to see you on this journey.
Dont cry, the world is not as cruel. There will always be someone, I assure you. My friends, keep one thing in mind though, this world wont change on its own and I cannot change it single handed, it all depends on us. Good luck and I hope to see you on this journey.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Our past (and hairspray)
Many times the world dwells in what seems to be our future. We think of global warming, of crimes in streets and dscrimination. We fail to notice the good of our world, the progress of humanity. Though it seems we are in a pithole, we are much higher than before. I am sure all of you have heard of slavery, segrigation and hate crimes committed unnoticed. Have you ever looked around and seen they way we have progressed. We ow it all to those people behind the scenes. Those heroes wether it is the famouse Martin Luther king, the brave Rosa Parks or the detirmined Harriet Tubman, we dwell in a world shaped by those before us. As the past worried for our present, lets worry for our future. The world does not have to be a dry plane of toxic waste and harmful fumes. Our future does not have to be one where it is common to be hated for the way you are. Everyone makes a difference wether it is a little tinzy bit, your actions matter. Think of our ancestor. How is it be possible that from an extremely stubborn country the United States took an abrupt turn to a free land. Think of those who fought, who somehow left a philosophy though they were not credited. Our heroes did not do it alone, we cant do it alone.
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