W.E.X entry #3

Advice, 05/20/09

"Be honest with yourself", said my mom as she paused the t.v.
"Out of all the advice you have given me before, why is this piece the most important?", I inquired.
"Because being honest with yourself truly gets you places. You cannot live your life without being honest with yourself. You have to stop and think, am I doing what makes me happy or what I think is expected of me?
"You have to be there for yourself, because in the end or at some point in life, you aren't going to matter to anyone else". I could see the truth in her eyes as the smell of my grandmother's cooking flew through the air. It smelled somewhat sweet; like sugar added to something bitter, maybe a lemon.
"Thank you", I told her.
"Your welcome, now go improvise with what i have given you and let me get back to watching CSI, you stopped me right at the good part.", she said impatiently but kindly.
"Alright, but it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. The whole giving me advice thing.", i replied.
"You're right, and I am glad I have advice to share with you, but you should have asked me after the show."
"Well, i'm glad you're being honest", I replied.

W.E.X. entry #2

Judging, 05/14/09

As she walked in, she was walking with confidence. She looked a bit bored, as she sat quietly around people she didn't know. I could see in her eyes that she might be wondering about the type of people that are around her. Like, "what's their story?". [I did not know if i was right, but it seemed that way]. As 1st period ended, we finally were switching classes. As she approached the door i decided to introduce myself. She seemed like a friendly person, so i could not find the harm in doing so. She also seemed like an open minded person. As she came closer i asked, "Hey, what's your name?"
"Sonora, what's yours?", she replied.

W.E.X entry #1

Job, 05/05/09

"Your job and your child's job". That is what the poster read as I walked by. At first I didn't really think deeply about it. I mean, it made sense, that is what is, "keeping us going". "But then it came to me, like there was a light bulb above my head that suddenly just turned on. "It's a cycle", I thought. In order to survive here, everyone has to go through that cycle. That same cycle whether you attend UCLA or a small college in Georgetown, whether you become a psychologist or a carpenter. Then I thought about the word "child", I mean it was hung up near an elementary school, but those were not the only people who could view it. As I was walking, I missed a step and tripped over my foot, then it hit me! Ishmael says that school is just there to keep more competition out of the job market; but what did they mean by the poster. Were they trying to get across that those are the steps? Maybe they were trying to inspire the kids. At their ages, they want to be like their parents. All I could think about was that poster, but once I arrived at the park for the Cinco De Mayo celebration my thoughts disappeared and I was in awe. I became flabbergasted when I saw all the pinatas and the little kids running around having a blast. I did not think there would be so many people. From political thoughts, to this cultural celebration; these experiences made it an interesting day.

Making Guacamole

Ingredients:
3 avocados
1/2 an onion
1 tomato
1/2 a jalapeno
1 cayenne pepper
1/2 a bunch of cilantro
1 and a 1/2 limes
tablespoon of salt.

Step-by-step directions:

First, wash the perishable ingredients.
Then you need to wrap the cilantro in a wet towel.
Chop the onions, jalapeno, tomato, cayenne pepper, and the cilantro into very small portions.
You then grab a big bowl, and put all the avocados into it (do not discard the seeds of the avocados).
You then add all the ingredients to the avocados
(add the avocado seeds to keep it from getting brown, if desired).
Add the limes and the salt, then mix well.
AND ENJOY!

This I Believe-Inspiration

Here are three personal essays that have inspired me:

Elie Wiesel- Elie's essay has inspired me because he went through a very personal experience and was able to strongly write about it, and what he believes in.

James- James' essay inspired me because it has a strong connection to an issue that others are debating as well. His essay is strong, and powerful.

Van Jones-Van's essay inspired me because he believes in change, and believed in himself. He not only believes in himself, but he also has a strong believe in his father. He did a great job in making this essay personal and professional.

Inspiring Recipies

Click here to see the Mango-Pomegranate Guacamole recipe.

&&

Click here to see the Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce recipe.

Three Recipies

1. Salsa

Ingredients

2 cans of stewed tomatoes
12 Cayenne peppers
1 bunch of cilantro
1 bunch of green onions
1 tablespoon of dry oregano
ground pepper
salt

Instructions

First, blend the peppers with around a quarter of a cup of water.
then add the tomatoes
then, you put that into a bowl
chop the cilantro, the green onions, and the oregano
(it is preferred if you do not use the stem of the green onions)
then add them to the bowl
add a pinch of ground pepper
and a pinch of salt
then stir it well.


2. Rice

Ingredients

2 cups of rice
2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 tablespoons of butter/margarine
3 tablespoons of onions
4 cups of chicken broth
1/2 a bunch of cilantro
1 cup of green povlano peppers

Instructions

put the oil in a pan
add the butter or margarine
then fry the rice, but do not brown it
chop the onions then add it to the pan
smash the garlic then add it to the pan
add the chicken broth
let it sit there until it begins to boil
meanwhile you can chop the green peppers,
wash the cilantro and chop that as well
then you add the green peppers
add the cilantro to one side of the pan
then let it cook until it is done
you can then remove the cilantro, or leave it in and mix it.
(even if you remove it, the flavor stays with the rice)

3.Guacamole Dip

Ingredients

4 avocados
1/2 of an onion
3 tomatoes
1 bunch of cilantro
2 green Serrano peppers
3 lemons or 4 limes.
(whichever you prefer)

Instructions

Peel the avocados and cut them into squares
chop the onions and tomatoes into squares as well
chop the cilantro (really fine)
chop the peppers
place everything above into a bowl
add the lemon juice
add salt and pepper (as much as desired)
you then can mix it, mash it & mix it with a spoon and fork, or smash it.

Farmers Market- Interview with Tobias

Questions:

1. Why do you choose to work for a company that grows organic foods?

Well, the way I see it, is that this world has made a living on organic foods a lot longer than living on foods that are sprayed with perservatives. I also think that a lot of people are not informed of what these perservatives can do to us.

2. How long have you been involved with this company?

About half a year.

3. Are there any benefits you get from doing so?

Well I get healthy food, I get good relationships with other vendors, and I also get to not only learn from them but we also trade.

4. Have you been spreading the word about going organic?

I don't feel that it needs to be spread, because there are a lot of places that grow organically but I do share some information, about it, with friends.

The Gardeners Survey!

Enter this address into your address bar, to take our survey!::
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wxWMc2kVVuSCCmoH4F_2fQsw_3d_3d

Ecological Intelligence

1.Ecological intelligence is being able to understand the deeper meaning of our local choices and the global environmental concequences that come with them.

2.How does this article connect to our project’s Essential Questions?

The two essential questions are, "why don't people live more sustainably?"; "how can I convince them to do so?" This article relates to these questions because, the writer is trying to convince us to think about going green. He is informing us with information and sources, to show us different ways to live more sustainably while convincing us to do so.

3.How high is your ecological intelligence? Give an example of ecological intelligence in your life.

I would say that my ecological intelligence is well balanced. I know simple ways to go green, and I know plenty of information about the subject. But I cannot say I know everything there is to know about it.

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1884779_1884782_1884776,00.html

Data Analysis- The Gardeners

What struck you about the data?

The fact that people see the advantages of gardening and think other people should do it, but they don't garden, strikes me.

Were you surprised by any of the results? How so?

I was surprised to see that most of the people who took our survey who garden, do it for something other than a food.

What were your expectations? Were these met or not?

I did not think that many people who took the survey gardened, but twenty-six people out of fourty-seven said they garden.

Based on your findings, what type of ad campaign will you run? Will you being to educate people? Encourage or coerce people? Embarrass people? What is your angle?

I think that the ad campaign should be full of encouraging and positive energy. I think this is the way to do it because most people need to be convinced that it is not just up to them, that there are more people out there who want to help our planet/environment. I also feel that we need to educate them about how it not only helps them, but also how it will affect future generations. I want to give people a positive view on this subject, without making them feel pressured or embarrassed. If people can see all the good affects that gardening your own food has, then I'm pretty sure they will consider it and get other people to do it as well.

The Gardeners-L.U.L.S project

Click here to see our project description for L.U.L.S

1.What strikes you about their movie?

Many simple things strike me about their movie. Simple things like, how they enjoy practicing horticulture, and the fact that they sell a portion of what they grow to neighbors and local chefs. It also surprises me that they are living a very sustainable life by doing this.

2. What do you think the Dervaes’ family Needs vs. Wants sheet would look like? Why?

I think the Dervaes' family Needs vs. Wants sheet would look very organized and simple. It would look organized and simple because they only buy a few things that are necessary to their needs, like clothes and things they cannot grow, and they harvest their own food.

3. How does the Dervaes family fit into what we are studying in My Ishmael?

The Dervaes family fits into what were are studying in My Ishmael because Ishmael says that we need to learn to live more sustainably. The Dervaes family lives very sustainably, and they believe that everyone should learn to do the same. It also connects when Ishmael said that the certain species would not change unless another species changed, and that species would not change until another one changed and so on; in the video one of the family members said that people do not change unless they see other people changing. But he pointed out, that we need to realize that change starts in every single one of us, not in the person before us or the person after, and this is what I think Ishmael was also trying to get across to us.

4. Overall, what are your thoughts on the way this family lives and works?

Overall, I think that the family lives very sustainably. They live very sustainably because not only do they grow their own food, but they also try to use different ways for transportation instead of using cars as often as they can, and they support each other. They also love and enjoy what they are doing, and that is what truly matters in the long run.

If you want to check out more about the Dervaes family, click on the link(or copy it into your address bar) : http://www.pathtofreedom.com/

My Ishmael Q&A #2

1.Anthropomorphism is an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics. What I think Ishmael is applying it to, is how animals are different than humans. What I mean by this is that, we differ when it comes to our "territory". Ishmael says that non-domesticated animals do not see anything as their territory, they simply leave their scent somewhere, specifically where there are resources that they both want and need. But once the resources are gone, they leave the area whereas humans stay, look for resources and bring them back to their territory. He also says that humans misunderstand what animals do because we personalize it and put it into human terms instead of putting ourselves in their shoes. He says,"'They carve out a piece of real estate and say, 'This territory is ours, and we'll defend everything in it'". We all (as humans) look for some place to call our own, whereas animals move from place to place and do not care for territories.

2. In this chapter Ishmael leads us through the evolution of the Awks on planet Calliope. They start out as Awks and then some evolve into Bawks and then a few evolve into Cawks. These Cawks live in tribes and have a cultural heritage. They practice the strategy of ‘Erratic Retaliation’.

a. How does Ishmael define ‘Erratic Retaliation’? How does it work in the case of the Cawks?

Ishmael defines 'Erratic Retaliation' as a peacemaking strategy. He says this works in the case of the Cawks when they learn to settle their differences. They will learn to do this once other species do so, but those species also wait for another species to do the same before them.

b. Why is Erratic Retaliation a peacekeeping method?

Erratic Retaliation is a peacekeeping method because their is no violence, it simply is when a species settles their differences and learns to live in peace.

c. Why don’t the Cawks just annihilate each other instead of just doing the occasional attacks?

They do not annihilate each other because of their strategy of Erratic Retaliation. Both tribes know that if they attack the other will retaliate, and if they kill them it would defeat the purpose of it.

Ishmael Q&A

1: What are Ishmael’s two general rules on how to identify people from our culture? Do you agree with Ishmael when he says that people from all over the world are part of the same culture? Why or why not?

Ishmael's two general rules on how to identify people from our culture are, to see if they see themsleves as a flawed and doomed cluture or if all their food is owned, in other words, under lock and key. I do agree with Ishmael when he says that people from all over the world are part of the same culture. I agree because although people seperate themselves into different "groups", we all have the same fundamental goals and beliefs.

2. Ishmael disagrees with Mother Culture’s voice that says that humans are inherently flawed. After reading through page 66 of My Ishmael do you agree or disagree with him? Why?

After reading through page 66 of My Ishmael, I have to disagree with Ishmael and say that humans are inherently flawed. I agree with Mother Culture because we believe that everything has to be done the right way. If we find a way to do something and get comfortable with it, we immediatly forget about other ways to accomplish things; if we see some way that is different we immediatly judge it as bad or wrong. We do not see that it is simply just different, and just as normal.

3. Ishmael uses a parable of Tunes and Dancers to explain his idea of Takers and Leavers. Who are these Takers and Leavers and how do they relate to American culture?

I think the Leavers are the average people of america. The Leavers are people who just do what they have to in order to slide by in the society. In other words, they just dance as little as they have to, but still get a sufficent amout of their necesities. And the Takers are the people who take "dancing" more seriously and put all their effort into helping their society and try to get a much of their necesities as possible.

Blog Post Assignment 2/23/09

To live sustainably means to support yourself and to provide yourself with all your necessities. It also means to maintain, or to keep something up.

As a fourteen year old, I do not have much freedom or independence in our society. I do not have a lot of these things because I am still very young, and I still have many things to learn and I do not fully understand everthing going on in today's world. Although we do not have all the freedom and independence that most adults have, we still have a good amount of them.

As a fourteen year old I can currently live my life more sustainably by doing many things differently. I can eat healthier, excersise, keep myself busy, and do my best in school. Doing all these things can help me live a healthy life with less problems. Doing my best in school can help me get into an excellent college which will be a benifit when it comes to getting a job and becoming successful. It is simple things like these that can make a big difference when trying to get better at living your life more sustainably.