5c

In the beginning of the class, we all came together and shared out philosophical ideas about Mr. Freire, and that led us into other discussions and ideas about how he would have done things, or at least would have liked to have seen them done. Now with the two books that we have read, and the amount of Critical reflection that has gone on with blogging about each others learning’s, I feel confident in saying that I have learned a lot from this class; Not only about Mr. Freire and the books that we’ve read, but about how to observe and reflect on a classmates work to add to their ideas, and make it my own.

Like I mentioned above, reading my classmates work, and their reflection makes me think deeper, and harder about what I had read, and make me see it in a different light. Most times I find that I have missed numerous things, both big and small that I would have never know had I not read their ideas, and comments.

Group learning is so much better than individual busy book work,. Its real world, progressive, and you actually learn something rather than just go through the motions. I think Mr. Freire would have thoroughly enjoyed this course, and its special style, not to mention all the information it had to offer.

This is my first semester with online classes. It has been a surprisingly pleasant experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all my peers’ work and thoughts and connecting with them on a deeper leave, getting into their heads if you will, and I hope to have these same experiences this summer. I have enrolled in two more online classes for summer semester, to help further myself along for transfer.

5B

I chose to read Elisabeth's, Maria's, and Alfredos' Blogs.


Whils reading Elisabeth's blog, I learned that Leah Cohen, A woman that secretly wants to fit in with other deaf people, forms a romantic relationship with her deaf tutor, after a session of private ASL lessons.


From Marina i learned that the Deaf community kept a close eye on James Taylor. They watched over him. Even going as far as checking up on him one day when he missed school.

From Alfredo, I gained the knowledge of looking at the title differently. he states in his essay. "Train go sorry is like missed opportunity or missed connections with another individual. " I never thought of it that way. It totally makes sense. He also says that "Deaf people are no different than anybody else" I both agree and disagree with this statement. Yes they are no different, and should not be looked down upon by the society for having a disability that they couldn't control, but that's not said to go without saying that they are not the same as we are. They have a life changing disability that is a constant struggle to cope with everyday. We know nothing of whats that's like.

Assignment 4c

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

My Classmate is Jennifer, and I’m comparing Beaches (Assignment 3B)
She wrote about the beaches in Malibu, CA, and I wrote about Johnsons beach in Guerneville, CA.

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?
We both said that our choice was beautiful, and that they had their own special qualities about them.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?
The major difference in our postings is the size, and popularity of the beaches. One (Johnsons) is nestled in a small town, and Malibu, has its own major city and year round visitors and tourists come from all around to sit on its white sand.

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?

One idea that I think I came to the conclusion of is that no matter where a beach is, as long as there’s sand, and water the people will come. I think we are both in agreeance of that. If there a sunny day, the beach just start calling your name no matter how big or small. I always thought if it was a beach no one knew about or had never heard of before they wouldn’t bother trying it. I was wrong.

Assignment 4B

1)As for someone who did the same reading group as myself, I started to read Megan K Mullen's blog from last week, and i realized how similar our views were. We got a lot of them same ideas from the readings. One of the main differences that i noticed, was that the only thing that we greatly differed on was at the last section, where we had to share what we had learned.

2) One person that wasn't in my group was Jennifer Sylvester, and i chose to read her blog.
She read the authors Dumas, Major, Chabon, Kamen Goldmark.
After reading the summaries of the stories I learned the following about the following authors

Dumas: I learned that there are actually rules that go along with a home owners association. Also that if you break the rules a hefty fine is mandatory. also, just because you can afford to live in a nice neighbor hood, doesn't mean you will like it.

Major: I learned that kids value their summer vacation A Lot more than I thought they did.

Chabon: I learned that Berkley is proud to be its self, and different than the rest.

Kamen: I actually read this essay before. It is wonderful. Its main point is that there are NO RULES when it comes to music, and self expression.

3) Another person that i learned from that was in the third unique group was Frank Dragun.
He read the authors Arax, Liu, Jefferson Parker, Mackey
After reading the summaries of the stories I learned the following about the following authors

Arax: I Learned that Tulare, California, was home to the biggest farm equipment show in the world.

Liu: I wasn't aware that poverty, and homelessness was such a problem in Beverly Hills. This was astonishing to me.

Jefferson Parker: ?Kind of confusing?

Mackey: I learned about the gigantic Russian population in Yolo county, and the surrounding areas, and I wasn't aware of that.

4a Group #2

Ode To Caltrans
By: Hector Tobar

This essay is about fond memories of the LA freeway. At first he talks about how the whole freeway is going backwards, and i didn't quite get a meaning, but after a closer reading i got that this piece was a piece of great reflection, and thought about the change in time of something so massive and great as the freeway system in Los Angeles.

"the suburbans race in the direction of their tail-lights" (pg 51)
The reason I chose this quote, was I thought it was a GREAT metaphor for going back in time, and showing the fast, yet subtle regression of time.

Honestly reading this piece made me remember how much I love Southern California, and how much I miss the hustle and bustle of life in the big city.

I didn't know that the LA freeway used to be so small.

Montalvo, Myths, and Dreams of Home
By: Thomas Stienbeck

The way that I interpreted this piece, may differ from the rest. I believe that this is a creative piece. It portrays California as a Mythical Utopian land, that is everything anyone could ever want, because it is what you make it. There are such big things going on here, and its just how you choose to interpret them and how you choose to use them to your benefit. This essay is about a man describing his dream land, and to me from the way he describes it; It can meet any ones ideals of a home.

"What remains so remarkable about the origin myth of California is that, for a great many people at home and abroad, this romantic indulgence still holds water."(pg 64)

This essay opened my eyes. It really teaches you that everything is what it is, only in the way that you perceive it.

The Last Little Beach Town
By: Edward Humes
This is a story about Seal Beach. I would say it is one of the most interesting pieces I have read thus far in this assignment. It has a sort of draw to it, it just makes you want to read more about it. It is about a beach town that has things going on all around it. New things construction, things that aren't good for a beach, or the beach goers. While the beach failed to become a tourist attraction, it still flourished today with it's bungalows all the way up to it's million dollar mansions.

"Confusion about Seal Beach's identity, and location, is key to its survival" (pg 71)

Reading this makes me want to go to a certain spot on the Russian River up in Healdsburg, and just relax in the sun. I miss small beaches. they are becoming fewer, and further between these days. I'm glad to read about one that is still keeping its "small town charm", if you will.

I didnt know Seal Beach Existed.

Surfacing
By: Matt Warshaw

This piece is about a small group of determined surfers from Santa Cruz that surf pillars point, or Mavericks in Half moon Bay. It's a story about a kid, Jay, of 16, who tells his story about almost dying at Mavericks when the surf pulls him under, and his board snaps, And his level of determination to get right back up grab another board and go right back out surfing the waves.

"Moriarity watched the first wake track across the distant part of the reed, which swerved as a kind of anteroom from maverick's-bound swells" (pg 81)

It's kind of funny that I am reading an essay about mavericks when only this week the official maverick surf contest was called off due to not big enough swells. I think the writer was trying to demonstrate Jay's boundless courage by getting right back up and going right back out to surf, after he almost drowned in the very waters he was just having fun in.

I didnt know that mavericks had such big waves.

3c Inland Areas

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

1. The comparison of inland cities, pertains to the study of humanities in the way of showing the researcher how and what goes around inland areas, compared to what’s happening in the costal regions.

What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
When I think of Fresno, I think of a big city, almost San Francisco, and when I think of Bakersfield, I think of hick people in big trucks that think global warming is a crock of bull.
List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Fresno is the largest city in the U.S. that is not directly linked to an Interstate highway
2. Bakersfield is the second-largest city in the U.S. that is not directly linked to an Interstate highway.
3. Residents, and tourist’s both agree that both towns have a “small” town feel.

List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

1. While Fresno, has a small town feel, it has it’s neighborhoods that mimic a big city feel.
2. Bakersfield is a mainly a farming, and livestock community.
3. Bakersfield, has the lowest average of adults with out a college education, even though both towns boast California State University’s within their city limits.

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

1. I would like to get more information about the statistic that Bakersfield has the lowest average of college educated adults in and city in California.

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

1. I learned from Lindsey A Logan that there are no more seals at seal beach, and that there isn’t really a reason for them to leave.

Sources:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresno,_California
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_California#High_Schools
• http://lindsey-lindseylogan.blogspot.com/2009/03/3b-beaches-seal-beach-mavericks.html

3B Beaches

3. Studying beaches pertains to the humanities in the way that it, confirms and elaborates on the gereralized stereotype that California has a lot of beaches. Not just surfing beaches, but attractions and historical landmarks that are key to the overall mantra of California.

Johnsons Beach-
One big stereo type that I have heard time after time about Johnsons beach is that because the beach is in Gureneville, it would be predominately occupied and frequented by gay people, and also that it was a nude beach. Upon arriving to the beach for the first time I realized that that stereotype was completely false, and it was inhabited by all types of people, all with their bathing suits on (haha).

Santa Cruz-
I have been the Santa Cruz many times. A good majority of my family lives there, so I have frequented the beaches since I was a tot. One assumption that I hear all the time from fellow Californian's and people from other parts is that all people frm Santa Cruz are beach bum hippies that just smoke pot, and surf all day. I have been to Santa Cruz at least 5 dozen times, and I have never witnessed a hippie on the beach smoking pot, or really anyone actually honest to goodness surfing. Everyone tries, but the waves in most parts aren't big enough.

2. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. They both cater to a qide virety of tourists, and locals alike.
2. They both are conveniently located in small towns with friendly locals.
3. They both require some sort of bathing suit.

3. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

1. Johnson's beach has considerably colder water than the beaches in Santa Cruz.
2. Santa Cruz, is more of a tourist attraction for someone who wants a theme park along with their beach vacation.
3. Santa Cruz has a lot more tourist accommodation's, and hotels centrally located and within only a small walk from the beach.

4. Questioning:
1. I know the historical background of the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, but what other attractions or beaches are around. Or since the boardwalk, have they all basically melded together to form "Santa Cruz" as one big beach.

2. I know that the bridge in Guerneville is recognized as a nationally historic monument, but what I would like to know is who built it, and who was it named after?


5. While searching blog, I came across Lindsey A Logan's blog. She compared San Francisco to Boston. One thing that I learned, and was really surprising to me was that Boston has become a majority minority city, with blacks, Hispanics and Asians making up 50.5 percent of the city's 600,000 people.

~Sources~
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/johnsons-beach.html
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/scruz.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerneville,_California
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Beach_Boardwalk