Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Blog Post #10: Flipped

Flipped
 
1. When the movie changes viewpoints, sometimes the scene is changed. However, it just gives some background on why the characters might feel a certain way. For example, the snake scene with egg lets the viewer know why Bryce doesn't particularly like eggs. I also think when the view switches from boy to girl, there is a change in the emotional aspect. Julie seems to be able to connect with people more, and look at the bigger picture of things. Bryce seems a bit naive and focuses more on the superficial things.
 
2. Bryce's family seems the most uncomfortable out of the two. I think the main reason is because of their father. He is a bit narrow minded and insensitive to other peoples feelings. Since he is in a more dominant position he has a big influence on the way the Baker family is perceived. At some point they may be able to become more "neighborly" but the dad would need to change his thought process, and become a little bit more open minded and less ignorant.
 
3. I think that plot and character are equally important. On one hand, the plot is the story, and sets the viewer up for the conflict. On the other hand, characters make the story, and they allow connections to be made with the viewer. 


Sunday, November 23, 2014

Blog Post 9


How to write about Pitbulls



When writing about Pit Bulls, make sure that your cover page includes a picture of a graphic dog bite. Never have a picture of a Pit Bull cuddling next to other animals or small children. Include words like killers, aggressive, or dangerous, somewhere in your title.


In your text, assume every dog attack that has happened was done by a Pit Bull. Don’t fail to mention that they will attack pretty much anyone, and are dangerous especially around small children. Shame dog owners who have decided purchase this malicious breed. They are irresponsible, and have put others in their community at risk. Don’t look at statistics, and see how most Pits that attack have been treated by their owners. It is obvious they are killers and often attack for no reason.


When you are writing, do not include any facts about other dog attacks. Or the fact that their breed as a whole is not naturally aggressive. Continue to give misleading stereotypes that paint Pit Bulls as bloodthirsty animals ready to eat anything in sight. So watch out, because you might be next.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Blog post 8: Language of power and politics

Option 3:

Nelson Mandela's  background had an important impact on his work as a leader, president, and how his ideas were formed. Before his presidency, Mandela was a well known apartheid activist. He was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island for his fight to end racism and better human rights, along with several other activists. After his release from prison, Mandela still continued to fight against racial issues in South Africa. This background and drive to have a peaceful democracy with people supporting each other lead to his presidency. Throughout his speech, Mandela referred to the new South Africa as a "rainbow nation" and that they should be able to live in peace. His political background help to pave a new path for South Africans to end apartheid and unite as a country.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Blog post 7

Audience: Persuading a three year old to eat broccoli

-My ordinary style of language would change. I would associate eating vegetables with being rewarded, such as getting a new toy or something like that. I would also change my language to make vegetables appear more fun, for example singing about it. Giving toddlers choices also persuades them to do things you want.

-I might say : Jimmy, if you eat your broccoli I'll buy you a new truck *sing a truck song*

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Blog Post #6


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  1. My results were pretty accurate, especially since I got Minneapolis as one of the places with a language most similar to mine. Some of the words that may have determined that could have been kitty corner, roundabout, etc.
  2. I think someone would take a quiz like this to see the results. It could be interesting to see places that talk similar to you, or not so similar. It can also be interesting to think about how you pronounce words, and if that changes if you travel to different locations.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Blog Post #5: Children of immigrants


  1. American culture is a mix of many different cultures. Its hard for me to define it was one simple thing. The culture is very diverse in ideas and people as well. In the media, immigrants are not always represented in a positive light. It almost depends on where the person is from. For example, an immigrant from Mexico can face difficulties living in America. There are protests that people don’t want them to live here, laws that subject them to racial profiling ( The law in Arizona that allows a police officer to pull you over and randomly ask for documents and other things), and many other things. Through the media people see this and form negative opinions about certain immigrants. Children of immigrants aren’t represented in a negative way. They are just kids.
  2. In the photo I have chosen, there is an Indian American woman who is sitting near a countertop, she seems to be at a small diner type place. The picture reminds me of Jamaica, because there are a lot of different cultures in that country. Especially Indian-Jamaicans. This photo suggests that sometimes children of immigrants feel like outcasts, or they are made fun of by American kids. The quote underneath her picture talks about her being embarrassed to bring Indian food to school because kids would tease her. Another person could interpret this picture as her being a regular American and not really look at other aspects of her. The connections between these photos and The Garcia girls book, is that sometimes immigrants of children may lose their identity, or might not know how to identify themselves. Their parents have come from a different culture, but they are born into a new culture and have to adjust to both.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Blog Post #4: Storytelling


Last year, Penelope and I won our annual city doubles tournament during High school tennis season. That year had been really important for us, because Washburn had beaten every team in the conference, except for Southwest. We had been the second best team in the city, consistently getting beat by our rivals. This tournament was our last chance to beat Southwest, and claim the title for the city doubles championships. The first two rounds were held at Powderhorn Park. I remember Penelope and I were very nervous. All we could think about was getting past each round, which would bring us one step closer to the finals. Our first two rounds went very well, which we won pretty easily. It was getting dark, and one the High School coaches announced the two final teams which would play the next evening. Washburn versus Southwest. The Southwest team started cheering and high fiving, as if they had already won the tournament. Penelope and I were really excited, but it wasn’t until the next day that we felt nervous.

The next evening, the finals were to be held at 6. It was at the University of Minnesota. When we got there, our opponents were already there. There whole team was dressed from head to toe in Southwest paraphernalia. Finally, the coaches called our names, handed us three tennis balls, and showed us which court we were playing on. The anticipation was killing us. We practically ran down the steps to get to the courts as quickly as possible. It seemed like forever until we finally started playing. We had to play a full 2 out of  3 sets. Penelope and I had a game plan. Target one the opponents, and hit the ball as hard as we can. On match point, Penelope and I couldn’t stop laughing. We were so close to beating them! Match point went on forever, until I saw my opportunity and hit a volley winner down the middle. We crushed Southwest 6-1, 6-0. We ran and hugged each other. The girls from Southwest were very mad, and didn’t say anything when we shook their hands. Our parents were cheering, everyone was really proud of us. They had a small ceremony for us on the courts. Our coach handed us two, big, shiny trophies with tennis players on top. I was so proud of myself and my partner. Everyone had expected Southwest to win the whole tournament. However, we kept our heads straight, tried our best, and everything worked out in our favor. That was a very proud moment in my life, and a feeling I won’t ever forget.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Blog Post #3: What's Current Creates Currency

4. What makes music popular is the person that sings that song. When a person becomes a celebrity, the content of that song doesn't have to any particular meaning. However, because that person is liked by a majority of the population, a mediocre song can still become a hit. 

1. The values in MTV music videos have changed considerably. Watching it now, you see a lot of sexual songs and music videos, fame and lots of money. Also sometimes promoting the stereotype of certain social groups.

3. Popular music can dictate what others believe. Especially for younger generation. If there are songs that sing about drugs and money and kids like those songs, they may think its ok do to what their favorite singer is talking about. This also reflects on the cultural values on our society. When people sing songs that exploit women or talk about them in a provocative way, then people can think its ok to say those things, even if its inappropriate.

6. Music influences peoples ideologies by constantly singing about one thing, and then selling that to the public.

7. Music reflects cultural values in many ways. When someone really likes an artist or a genre, they will try to incorporate that particular lifestyle into their everyday lives.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Blog Post #2: Disappearing Languages

1. The languages that I chose were from Aboriginal Australia. The Aborigines have already lost several languages and, and they are continuing to lose more. Among them, the Magati and Amurdag languages have less than 10 people that can speak their language. I chose this because I remember watching a documentary on Aborigines losing their identity, and I thought it would be interesting.

2. Their languages are considered dying because hardly anyone speak them. The languages couldn't stay alive because many aboriginal groups were small and displaced due to historical conflict with settlers. After that it was difficult to preserve their culture and language.

3. Trying to maintain these languages would be very difficult to do. However,  gather the remaining speakers and try to define their language again. Also creating some sort of dictionary and educating other people about the language

4. SLANG CHART
- Term: What's poppin homie,  Translation: Hey how are you,  G. Generation: Why friend, how are you today?
-Term: Chill, Translation: You need to calm down,  G. Generation: Please sir, calm yourself

-Term: Cray cray, Translation:  That is crazy, G.Generation: Wow, that is very wild my friend

-Term: So swag, Translation: That is so cool, G. Generation: I find that very entertaining

-Term: Turn up, Translation: Time to party, G. Generation: Time to have a splendid afternoon

5. My generation can keep its language alive mostly through social media, and constantly adding our new slang words in the dictionary.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Blog Post #1

Blog post #1

There are several philosophies that I feel I can relate to. One that I always heard growing up, especially from my dad, was "Work hard Play hard." My dad has always been a big believer in working hard, and I think hearing him say "you work hard you play hard" Definitley had an impact on how I think about things, and how productive I can be. This philosophy motivates me as well, because it gives me something to look forward too. If I work hard and do everything I need to do, then I can enjoy my time and do fun things with no worries. There are a lot of philosophies that I believe in, but this one is one that has helped me, and I will confine to use is as a reference and bring me a step closer to being successful.