5c GRAND FINALE

1. In the beginning of the class, it seemed like a lot of the topics we chose to write about were very broad. We did a lot of online research at websites like google and wikipedia. While this was very helpful, it was also a lot broader of a spectrum than the readings and posts from the books My California and Train Go Sorry. In the beginning of the class we dealt a lot with perceptions and stereotypes about certain places around the U.S, California in particular. The books we read were a lot more personal, with stories from authors about the places they lived to a story about a community that most of us sometimes forget about. Both components of the class meshed together to give us a broad, but also personal level about what California is all about.

2. Reading other classmates work provided a lot of different insight, since we all have different opinions about various subjects. I could always count on learning something new from reading the blogs of my classmates. Even though we were discussing the same topics, everyone seemed to have a different take on a different aspect of the issue. At the same time, I felt like a lot of us shared opinions on certain issues. Remembering back, I felt that a lot of the "stereotypes" we discussed about certain California cities were shared opinions by many, hence why they become stereotypes so fast. Even if we were sharing the same opinions though, I noticed I could still learn a lot from what other people were saying about the same issues.

3. Freire believed that without dialogue, scaffolding could not take place, and vice versa. You need both in order to constitute a proper learning of the subject. The diaglogue in this class was literally our blog entries; our thoughts transferred to an online source where it can be read by others. Scafforlding was the process in which we evaluated our own answers, and others answers, to learn and grow and put together new connections. I think that this is what Freire aimed for and I feel that we have successfully completed the idea in our class.

4. Overall, I feel that I had a very good experience with the topics that we blogged about. By inspecting several cities, beaches, inland areas and such, I got a better feel for what these cities really ARE about, and not just the stereotypes and perceptions that people have. California has a lot of different meanings to different people. Everyone takes something different by living and experiencing life here. Living in California should reflect who YOU are, and it's up to you to find the place in California where that can happen. An online experience is vastly different than personally going to see cities and places around here, but not in a bad way. You take different things from learning online, and I had an overall good experience with this online class!

5b Reflection

I decided to read Maria's blog first. I knew that the literal translation of "train go sorry" meant "missed the boat" but Maria informed me that it can also mean miscommunications. I also learned that the main charactor, Leah, had wanted to be an ASL interpreter to be part of the deaf community, which I may have overread in the book.
Next I read Thida's essay about Train Go Sorry. Thida also included that train go sorry can mean "includes the failure to recognize that deaf people are members of a unique culture." I also liked the Thida's recognized the quote in chapter eight. I also liked this quote and found Thida's take on the quote particularly interesting, including how she explained that we all handle life situations very differently.
Lastly, I read Alfredo's blog. I learned that the 1880's was the first time that schools were being built especially for hearing-impaired children, both in the U.S and internationally. Overall, I learned a few new details about Train Go Sorry by reading these three classmates work.

5a Train Go Sorry

I am a hearing student assigned the book Train Go Sorry in my introduction to Humanities Class. Other readings assigned in this class include several essays from the book My California. In both books, we examined the cultures of California that form a microcosm of the U.S. In this essay, I will incorporate 4 required questions.

The phrase “Train Go Sorry” refers to the ASL expression for literally, “missing the boat”. Consequently, it can also be used as a metaphor for the misunderstandings and miscommunication between the hearing and deaf world. The phrase gets meaning when James, a member of the deaf community, goes to visit his younger brother in prison, who was locked up for robbery (Rikers). After waiting for hours in the waiting room for his brother to show up, he then finds out that Joseph is in court. The second time he visits he is again unsuccessful at seeing his brother. He thinks to himself that he has “missed the boat” and also realizes that his younger brother may have “missed the boat” on life. Finally, on the third attempt, James is successful in visiting his brother. The differences between the two brothers make Joseph out to be the rebel, and James the prince. In the end, James finally starts to appreciate this different culture that he is “doomed” to. For once, James finally feels as if he has made the train in time.

Brought up in a world of the deaf community, Leah has always had a very different outtake on life. From living on-campus at Lexington, a New York school for the deaf, she has seen and experienced firsthand the life of ASL, the American Sign Language. Being constantly surrounded by people who cannot speak words, Leah has become accustomed to a whole new way of life. She is walking in the shoes of a deaf person, even though she is not herself. This experience is very weird and touching in a way that even though she is not deaf, she is being brought up in such a way that she almost might as well be, and almost wants to be. In the end she realizes that in order to fully understand the deaf community; everything around you must be silenced as well.

One part that vividly stood out to me was in chapter three. “While hearing students were learning how to pronounce the words Rapunzel and Rumplstiltskin, Lexington students were sitting in speech rooms learning how to pronounce their own names, with plastic sticks pressing their tongues into shape”. This image jumped out at me. It paints the picture of the vast differences that young deaf children have to go through. While simple five year olds think that learning to read a book is a big task, think about those who are five and just now learning how to read their parents lips. Along with every step that a “normal” child takes, there are a million little steps for a hearing-impaired child to take in order to get to the big step itself. People don’t sometimes realize how hard a normal, simple task can be for someone who isn’t given the same opportunities as we are.

Before reading this book, I had heard of ASL and American Sign Language separately, but never had put the two together. I now know that ASL is used all across the country and even in other countries as well. Another fact I learned about were cochlear implants. I learned that these can be helpful but can also be very dangerous as well. If the procedure is done wrong or incorrectly it can result in nerve damage to cells inside the ear, and therefore can result in a permanent loss of all natural hearing. Another fact I would like to get across is that deaf people in no way consider themselves mentally OR physically disabled. They are just as, if not brighter than the average individual and have learned to accomplish many things most of us will never have to deal with. They are people too, and have a culture of their own, which is very enjoyable to all. Many also think that deaf people would take their hearing back in a second if they could. But studies prove this common belief wrong – a lot of people questioned said that being deaf is a part of who they are – and they would not want their hearing back even if they could. I feel it’s very inspirational for someone to have such a sense of trust in who they are in order to say something like that. Lastly, the deaf community thinks of themselves as a minority, and often relates to other members of minorities as well.

4c Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

• My classmate is Frank, component category b: Beaches, we both talked about Half Moon Bay
  

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?

• Frank and I both mentioned the fact that both beaches we compared were on the California Coast, we also both talked about the fact that Half Moon Bay rarely has gorgeous weather, (apparently Frank mentioned there is a 69 degree Fahrenheit average)
  

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?

• Frank seemed to bring up a point that I may have missed - he presented the idea that the beaches are also a habitat for a variety of wild animals, and was wondering if sharks were a prominent problem in both beaches
  

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?
I think from sharing different ideas with your classmates you get a new understanding of the way that people think. By sharing/comparing/contrasting ideas, you realize how similarly you think like other people, but also how differently you can think. You can merge the two ideas together and get a whole new understanding and aspect of the topic you choose.

4b Reflection of My California

1. I chose to compare and contrast my ideas and thoughts with Katherine. We both read the same stories and had either similarities are differences in opinion. In the (4th) paragraph Katherine talks about home being " a home away from home". Sometimes you live in such a beautiful place you can almost escape reality and believe you are somewhere else. Katherine and I both seemed to believe that this was the main point the writer was trying to make. Places in your own backyard can become beautiful if you let them. Also, like Katherine, I was really surprised to discover all the different ethnicity and cultures that make Sacramento so diverse. 75,000 Russians live in Sacramento? My father commutes there every day and I was never aware of that fact until now.


2. Elisabeth Laxton wrote about the story by Tobar. This was different than the stories I had read because the writer had a fascination with something oddly strange - California freeways. Most of the stories I read were filled with descriptions of rivers, canyons, vineyards, farms. But strangely this writer was much more intrigured by man made, mechanical things. The writer appreciated the roads in CA because after traveling abroad, realized other countries freeway systems had no etiquette or proper rules. The next story Liz presented was by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck seems to believe that there are "myths" within California, the myth of nostalgia. It seems as if everyone has this dream or belief about what California is, and many are disappointed when they actually see what it's like. Lastly, Liz discussed Humes story. Humes lived and described Seal Beach, located in Souther California. I found it interested that apparently the city and area is slowly transforming into commercial development, due to money issues.


3. I chose to find something interesting about the stories that Lori read. Dumas wrote a piece about moving for the 8th time - this in itself, was different from the stories I read. The writers I had had grown up in the area, and described it as they knew it like the palm of their hand. This account was different - everything was new to the writer. Rules for everything? That doesn't sound like a fun way to live. It is apparent that this lifestyle was very different from those being described by others in the book. Major's story and Lori's description of the story sent me into sensory overload with reminders of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It sounds like we had similar memories of the games, rides, and funhouses. The last story by Chabon describes Berkeley, which was very interesting to me because I myself have never been there. I've always wanted to visit, even now more intrigued by the writers desciption of "And all of the things that drive me crazy are the very things that make this town worth knowing, worth putting up with, worth loving and working to preserve." Very intersesting.

3c Inland Areas

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points Reno News and Las Vegas News
   
2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points Reno, Las Vegas
   
3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point One article on the Reno News website described how a group of students from Austria began a two-week stay at Truckee Meadows. Their perceptions and first impressions were that they were impressed with how large the city they were staying in was, and they were glad that teachers are a lot more laid back and don't "yell at students". They also describe how the classrooms are more personal, and each teacher has their own room. (In Austria, they have multiple teachers that move from class to class.) On the downside, the students reported that classes here were much easier - they were used to the rigorous schedule of 15 subjects per year. Here in the USA, we seem to only take about half that. The students were also happy with how many radio/television channels there are to choose from, many more fast food restaurants, and nice and open people everywhere. This relates directly to the study of humanities because it relates to how other people view our culture, and how their first-hand first-time experience with our culture went. The students seemed to be very pleased with our cultural differences from their own, apparently people from Austria aren't very nice!
   
4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

1. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point Many people hold the stereotype that there is nothing very exciting going on in Reno. People expect that they get a lot of snow during winter, as Reno is a popular spot near Tahoe, very well known for good skiing/snowboarding. Las Vegas, on the other hand, is very well known for their exciting, fast paced, party hardy lifestyle. Showgirls come to mind - and I think it's a common stereotype that any girl in Las Vegas looks like a showgirl. People also assume that Las Vegas is the ultimate party scene. Many people travel here for their 21st birthday to have a good time.
   
2. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point 1. Both cities, are obviously inland cities, and therefore can't really rely on going to the beach to keep people occupied. 2. I came across something called the Red District Arts Show, in Reno. It seemed that the lifestyle of this event was very simliar to Las Vegas lifestyle. The event was described as a "night of risque fashion and body paint, and an afterparty with the Black Rock City Allstars". 3. Both cities appeared to be very interested in sports on their websites. The Reno News had a story about the Reno Aces, their local baseball team. Las Vegas had some featured articles about the NCAA tournament.
   
3. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point 1. Like previously said, Las Vegas is known for a very high paced lifestyle, while Reno is known for a more laid back, slow paced one. 2. The Reno news seems to be a lot less occupied with news about celebrities. Las Vegas on the other hand, had a lot of information about Hollywoods latest scandals. 3. Reno is known for getting a lot of snow during winter, but Las Vegas on the other hand gets cold, but never really gets snow in winter.
   
4. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point I know that both of these locations are very well known for being "touristy" spots, but I wonder what each place specifically has to offer to people of all age groups.
   

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point In Maria's blogger, I learned that La Jolla beach has a swimming area specifically for kids that is partially protected by a seawall. This relates to what I was talking about in my blog last week - the safety of kids in comparing North CA and South CA beaches. It seems as if the Southern Beaches provide a lot more safety for kids, and I wonder if Norcal beaches could ever do something alike "The Casa" to keep kids safe from the oceans waves. Maria's Blog

3b Beaches

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points: 3b Beaches
   
2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points Half Moon Bay News, Ocean Beach News
   
3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point: What do you think of when you think of the typical Californian lifestyle? Or have you ever seen one of those commercials promoting to come to California? It is commonly seen that the beach is a big part of our Californian culture. Being the "lazy bums" we are, all we do all day long is sit on the beach, get tan, and surf. Of course, this is a common stereotype that is true to only 5% of Californians. Although it's safe to say many of us do love to visit the beach every once in awhile, we do not spend the majority of our time there being lazy. But still, it is perceived in other places that part of our culture is being a beach bum. I also believe this is one of the reasons California is so often envied. Going back to the "California" commercial, the people in the commercial keep talking about how everyone thinks life in CA is one big vacation. The actress then says "It's really a lot of work." We get up early, it's a long drive to the office, we have board meetings (physically showing a surfer on a surf board), LOTS of board meetings. The irony of this commercial is that all these actors are saying how "hard" work here is, but yet they're being shown doing the things that they love - riding bicycles, surfing, mountain climbing, basically playing around. WE are the ones who are putting out the "lazy" stereotype that others perceive us as, via commercials like this! (See the commercial here)
   
4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

1. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point: I think the paragraph before this goes into more detail, but to sum it up - people from out of state have the assumption/stereotype that we are Californians are just "beach bums" all day. Ocean Beach is located in San Diego, CA, so many people assume that the weather is always sunny and hot, there are always tons of people there, and the surf is amazing. All of these things could be true. Half Moon Bay Beach, which is located near San Francisco, probably has the same rep, because people think all beaches in California are typically the same.
   
2. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point 1. Both locations are prime spots for surfers. Even the Ocean Beach website says that "locals equate OB with surfing". And Half Moon Bay (besides maybe Salmon Creek) is one of the most sought out surfing spots in Northern California. 2. Both locations are obviously, in California. 3. Both locations have many spots near them for hotels and resorts, making them both a prime tourist destination. Ocean Beach has Ocean Beach Hotel and Ocean Villa Inn nearby, and Half Moon Bay has the Beach House Hotel and Half Moon Bay Inn.
   
3. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point 1. I think the weather is the biggest differential factor between these two beaches. In San Diego, the weather is known for being sunny almost year round. On March 13th 2009, the temperature in OB is 63 and sunny. Northern California beaches are known for getting quite cold and windy during most months of the year. On the same date, Half Moon Bay's temperature is 63, but windy and overcast. 2. Uses of the beaches. On Half Moon Bay's website they seem to talk a lot more about salmon, and how the shortage of salmon this season is hurting fisherman. On the OB website, I couldn't find anything about the salmon shortage. This makes me think that Half Moon Bay is a big location for our sources of food, while OB is mainly a "party" beach. 3. Fatality rates. On the HMB website, there is an article regarding the investigation of a surfer who died there. The body was found on Sunday, and although they are not sure how he died it's said the conditions the day he went out were windy and rough. The OB website did not contain anything to anyone who had died recently. It seems as if the big difference between these two beaches are the safety. OB seems to be more kid friendly, the sunny weather and easy going waves helping the situation. But Northern Californian beaches have a bad rep for being very dangerous - growing up here, one of the first things I learned was to never turn your back on the ocean.
   
4. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point: I discussed fatality rates in the differences question above - but I do not know the actual fatalities of each beach individually. I tried looking it up online, but could not find any specifics. I would like to know just how common it is to get pulled out to the dangerous ocean here in Northern CA beaches, and if Southern CA beaches are any safer.
   

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point: I learned from Cathy that Rome is also called the "Eternal City". I figure this is because it has such a beautiful history to it and a lot of past that can teach us about our future. This is an experience different from my own - I personally did not review Rome as a city and also have never traveled there myself - learning about this city is a very new experience for me. This is related to the foundation of our class and has a lot of do with the historical and culture context of THEIR country, Europe. Cathy's blog