Monday, October 15, 2007
Religion
I've had many experiences dealing with religion, both good and bad. I'd say my most recent experience was my confirmation into the Catholic church. This was about the time I was questioning my faith but against my wishes I was confirmed. So the whole point of being confirmed is to CONFIRM that you believe the catholic faith. My dad was a youth teacher and my mom helps with the special education at the church. That and because I am the oldest of four I was in a way forced to be confirmed. As of now I wouldnt consider myself religious. I would consider myself exploring.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Bill Wittliff Photos
In this picture, there is a scruffy old man sitting on a rocking chair on the porch outside of I think his house. You can tell he's a real cowboy! He's got his white dirty cowboy hat, white button up shirt, dirty jeans and suspenders. He's also got gloves and boots up to his knees, showing that he's not just being a fashionable cowboy but he does his dirty cowboy work. He's got a pretty cheery expression, to me this symbolizes him enjoying the simple country life. And his gaze seems like he is looking far far away, maybe he is enjoying the sunset. This picture to me can either be an all american cowboy shot, or being of mexican descent, it reminds me of a house and my great great-grandfather outside a little town in Mexico.
Beauty and the 'Stub' (Paper 1)
Angelica C. Casas
Micah Robbins
ENG1310.126
1 September 2007
Word count: 690
Beauty and the ‘Stub’
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the tragic death of a spirited young man. . .” Funerals are horrible. The worst ones of all, though, are the ones where you know that if that person had a little more time, he or she would’ve changed the world. Tears begin to fill my eyes, the priest’s voice begins to turn into an ambiguous murmur, and I start to reminisce on how I first met this astounding man.
“And now I’d like to introduce another speaker who’ll introduce to you the category of mock trial, Mr. Aaron Gonzales.” There’s some applauding, some moaning, and, as I look around the room, all I see is faces of other 9th grade students just as bored and sluggish as I am. We had been listening to speeches all day about how this National Hispanic Institute will help us in the long run, and all the components that go along with it. As I continue to look around, I can practically read the minds of the peers around me: “Whoo another exciting speech,” we all sarcastically think. The young man begins to speak and get comfortable. “Hello, I’m Aaron. I’ve been in the program four years. I can tell I’m going to like this group, so ya’ll can call me ‘Stubs’,” he said with a grin. Just then he took off his suit jacket and, for a moment, the room was in complete silence. He kept talking just as confident and articulate as before, acting as if he didn’t notice the outburst of whispers and concerned faces. You see, Stubs has only one arm. Well, technically one and a half! He was in a horrible car accident when he was twelve and was forced to have his arm amputated.
For the next two years, Aaron and I were inseparable. I was a young naïve freshman, and he helped guide me in most major aspects of my life. He was my hero, my best friend, and the most beautiful person I’ve ever known. Not only was he wise way beyond his years, but his determination was endless. He had always loved music, but after the accident he stopped playing. When I met him, he was then seventeen; he had mastered the piano, drums, and trumpet! He was constantly bursting with advice; “Always keep your head up, kid” or “Strive for the best, it’s what you deserve” were guidelines he continuously gave. Stubs expanded my views in many ways. He never imposed on me what he believed but always showed me there were different thoughts out there. His way of life and character is what defines beauty.
“Mija! Mija! Angelica, it’s over.” Suddenly, I’m shaken awake from my memories, and reality rushed to greet me. The mass was over. Now it was time for me to go see him for the last time. I walked up to the casket to see him laying there. He looked so handsome. His suit jacket was off, and his white button up was rolled up at the sleeves to his elbows, just like it always was at our mock trial meetings. His tattoos, always a “form of expression,” were showing, his pride and personality glowing within them.
Being forced to cope with the death of one of my best friends has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to bear, but knowing that people like him exist is the most beautiful thing in this world. He had a way of inspiring people, not just through his story and hardships, but through his enthusiasm and love of life. People who could give up and become bitter, but instead embrace life and use their life to inspire others are truly beautiful.
Micah Robbins
ENG1310.126
1 September 2007
Word count: 690
Beauty and the ‘Stub’
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the tragic death of a spirited young man. . .” Funerals are horrible. The worst ones of all, though, are the ones where you know that if that person had a little more time, he or she would’ve changed the world. Tears begin to fill my eyes, the priest’s voice begins to turn into an ambiguous murmur, and I start to reminisce on how I first met this astounding man.
“And now I’d like to introduce another speaker who’ll introduce to you the category of mock trial, Mr. Aaron Gonzales.” There’s some applauding, some moaning, and, as I look around the room, all I see is faces of other 9th grade students just as bored and sluggish as I am. We had been listening to speeches all day about how this National Hispanic Institute will help us in the long run, and all the components that go along with it. As I continue to look around, I can practically read the minds of the peers around me: “Whoo another exciting speech,” we all sarcastically think. The young man begins to speak and get comfortable. “Hello, I’m Aaron. I’ve been in the program four years. I can tell I’m going to like this group, so ya’ll can call me ‘Stubs’,” he said with a grin. Just then he took off his suit jacket and, for a moment, the room was in complete silence. He kept talking just as confident and articulate as before, acting as if he didn’t notice the outburst of whispers and concerned faces. You see, Stubs has only one arm. Well, technically one and a half! He was in a horrible car accident when he was twelve and was forced to have his arm amputated.
For the next two years, Aaron and I were inseparable. I was a young naïve freshman, and he helped guide me in most major aspects of my life. He was my hero, my best friend, and the most beautiful person I’ve ever known. Not only was he wise way beyond his years, but his determination was endless. He had always loved music, but after the accident he stopped playing. When I met him, he was then seventeen; he had mastered the piano, drums, and trumpet! He was constantly bursting with advice; “Always keep your head up, kid” or “Strive for the best, it’s what you deserve” were guidelines he continuously gave. Stubs expanded my views in many ways. He never imposed on me what he believed but always showed me there were different thoughts out there. His way of life and character is what defines beauty.
“Mija! Mija! Angelica, it’s over.” Suddenly, I’m shaken awake from my memories, and reality rushed to greet me. The mass was over. Now it was time for me to go see him for the last time. I walked up to the casket to see him laying there. He looked so handsome. His suit jacket was off, and his white button up was rolled up at the sleeves to his elbows, just like it always was at our mock trial meetings. His tattoos, always a “form of expression,” were showing, his pride and personality glowing within them.
Being forced to cope with the death of one of my best friends has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to bear, but knowing that people like him exist is the most beautiful thing in this world. He had a way of inspiring people, not just through his story and hardships, but through his enthusiasm and love of life. People who could give up and become bitter, but instead embrace life and use their life to inspire others are truly beautiful.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Success, Education, and Crime
The similarity in Stand and Deliver and "Still Seperate, Still Equal" that I found the most disturbing is the fact that these lumped minorities feel invisible in the community and the effects of this mentality. In "Still Seperate, Still Equal" a girl from New York was quoted saying if herself and the students and/or the entire community surrounding her were to magically "disappear" the rest of New York would be relieved if they had noticed at all. Very much the mentality of the Hispanic students at Garfield H.S. in Stand and Deliver. If there is never any positive influential factor, like a teacher or organization, to motivate and help students realize their potential they will continue to feel unoticed and unimportant. From first hand experience I truly belive when you feel unimportant it seems like you actions matter less. So doing something wrong or against the law seems like no big deal. Thus creating a pattern, between this mentality and crime and success (or failure). I believe that money does have an influence on your education but only in relation to the faculty and availability of help and support around you. The lack of experienced and motivated teachers, or support from the community, is the most inflential factor that determines the success of a student or not.
The First video is a URL that I recommend you seeing, shows how a motivating factor can change someones life and how living an underpriviledged life is hard to FIND that motivation. The second video is Ernesto Nieto the founder of the National Hispanic Institute an organization that was my life saving motivating factor. If you liked the teacher from Stand and Deliver you will love Ernie. He is talking about the 3 realities we have as underprivileged minorities and at what stage most of us are. These videos show the link between motivation and success.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9l9ZWYyD1k
The First video is a URL that I recommend you seeing, shows how a motivating factor can change someones life and how living an underpriviledged life is hard to FIND that motivation. The second video is Ernesto Nieto the founder of the National Hispanic Institute an organization that was my life saving motivating factor. If you liked the teacher from Stand and Deliver you will love Ernie. He is talking about the 3 realities we have as underprivileged minorities and at what stage most of us are. These videos show the link between motivation and success.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9l9ZWYyD1k
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