Literature Circle Blog Responce #3

What qualities, conditions or circumstances create the need to sacrifice within a family?

While reading through chapters 14 and 15, this question is the main one that popped in my head. In chapter 14 Juan risks going to jail and pleading guilty because of family ($500 for his mother). He escapes from jail, makes good money, and goes back to his family, dispite their horrible living conditions he is there for them. This shows you his loyalty and sacrifice Juan makes for his family.
In chapter 15 Lupe and her whole family go to California for a better life/work. They start out with very cheap/hard jobs to support one another. Even though the work is hard, they know in order to put clothes on there back, shelter, and food on the table, they have to wor for the family to get by. They are a strong knit unit that are a suppot system for one another, they make sacrifices for "fammilia".

Nikki Giovanni

Literature Circle BLOG 2

A. The first scene I drew was in chapter 9 when Juan and his family are getting in the cattle cars, but Juan and a boy named Eduardo make a bet of who could last the longest without getting on the moving train. The train gains momentum and is faster than both expected, Eduardo gives up and heads back to town, but Juan knows his whole family is on that train. Juan never gives up and runs after that train for hours (until his scandals wear down). He eventually meets up with them again.
The Second scene I chose was in chapter 10 when Juan goes off to make some money by getting and selling wood. As he goes on and he finds a small bush and starts digging with his bare hands until they start to bleed. He falls asleep and he awakes he can’t carry his wood because he is so weak. He gets down on bended knee and starts to pray to God.

B. I chose these scenes because they show pain, and struggling. I have no idea why but these kinds of topics really interest me. These type of scenes really show you how a person really is (their true colors) do they give up and quit, or keep fighting for success? I think about if I were in those situations, and think what I would do, and if I could make it. It’s a very hard (poor) time for Juan and his family crossing over, a big risk/sacrifice financially and spiritually.

C. Scene 1: Pain/Heartbroken
Scene 2: Sad/Sympsthy

Leave Your Cell Phone at the Class Room Door

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

If I was a "immigrant" to digital culture I would feel subservient. the world is filled with so much technology now, and only advancing while I'm stuck in the past. Everyone has a cell phone, there's GPS and tracking, the internet is expanding, but you still don't know how to send a text message. Jobs are using a lot of technology, you would have a less of a chance getting it if you didn't know how to use a computer and certain applications. Technology is also a great way to communicate, if you wanted to video chat with someone half way across the world, you can (with certain application/devices). Technology is a great thing, it has its flaws and expences, but overall all people should know how to do something as simple as sending a e-mail. instead of feeling subservient, immbrace the tech and learn.

Reflection on Munoz

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

Different groups of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. all have their own beliefs and out looks on life. When one group does what the other group doesn’t accept, it is taught to one group that the other is “bad” because they do what is unacceptable to them. Like in the Munoz article the people coming from Mexico get prejudged because of there names for example a Mexican sounding name like: Juan, or Carlitos, opposed to John, or Bill. That’s why they “leave their name at the boarder (tweak their name), so they have a better shot at blending in with society. Their names “devalue” them; they are subservient due to what is “normal” in America. The other reason is in numbers, if one group is bigger than another and demands authority/order from the opposing group, it can create mayhem. An example of this would be the Holocaust/genocide between the Nazis and the Jews. If changing my name could give me better opportunities, coming from another place, I would do it; I’m not saying its right, but if it’s what I gotta do ill do it for a better future. I think the main thing people are afraid of is something changing their routine, despite the possible rejection; you need to continue on in what you want to do, even if you are being held back by something as a my name. that should be your motivation to proving this particular group that you are more than just you name, race, religion, or sexual orientation, you are a dedicated, hardworking “human being”.

Literature Circle BLOG 1

The scenes I chose were when Lupe first meets Colonel down by the creek, and instantly its love at first sight, he’s her prince. Lupe was a 6 year old in love with a guy in his 20’s. its funny to see this little girl thinking that this is her fairytale prince, and they will live happily ever after. But at the same time it shows how at such a young age, Lupe is so mature because of the environment she has grew up in. its funny and crazy to even think of a little girl in love, let alone with a man in his 20’s. I have had experiences as a little girl liking boys, but not love in first sight like Lupe. The second scene I chose was when Lupe climbs up the mountain and is hoping to see Colonel on his way back home, but discovers that old man Benito, Victoriano (her brother), and Dona Guadalupe (her mother) have found a mine of gold by the waterfall. But when they tell her she can’t tell Colonel or anyone about it, so she gets upset. I like this scene because it shows the fear of finding such a beautiful, and enriching thing can cause harm to the finders of it because of the revolution. Victoriano is also very mature for his age, he knows if Colonel finds out about the gold, they will not get anything out of it, it will go straight to the Americans for guns, etc. They all live in a difficult time of war, struggle, and greed. This gold can possibly help them financially, as long as no one finds out about it. These scenes show me tell me a little more about the people in Rain of Gold, they show me love, pain, struggle, and fear. That’s why I chose them.

My Digital Life

Life without technology would first be boring! Its apart of almost everyone’s everyday lives. We use it for entertainment, communication, school, work, home, even in travel. Typing up this blog right now is just a small thing in my life that technology allows me to do. I personally love it, it just makes my life so much easier, also there are a lot of cool things that technology allows you to do. If you go through your regular day and count all the times you have used technology, it lets you know how much you need it. In the morning I wake up to my cell phones alarm clock with my favorite song, I pop my iPod in and listen to music while getting ready, on my way to school maybe plug the iPod in the car, make a few calls and texts throughout the day, check and do my assignments on the computer, go online and search the web for info and gossip, check out my facebook and myspace, record my favorite shows to watch later, and is only of the few thing I do on a daily with technology. I have always been a high tech person with the cool things technology has to offer (iPod, laptop, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360, etc), so I’ve always been pro technology. Even though technology has advanced us in so many ways it has its draw backs. Many privacy issues with many people, it’s usually expensive and very delicate, and if were able to do the things were able to do imagine what the government and other people in higher places with different resources can do. I believe that technology is a great thing that allows us to various things simpler in life, but there is a boundary that should be enforced and protected.