Si Se Puede!!!

As an Irish Mexican-American, I have family members here who are not legal and the topic of immigration is one I contain the most passion for. I am so excited about an upcoming debate on immigration and I can't wait. I hope I am on the side that is for immigration because I really don't like debating on the side that I don't believe in. It would be like betraying my own race. So, I hope I can argue for the side that I agree with. For the past couple of years, this whole thing about immigration reform has been a very hot topic, and has caused a lot of main events that contributed to its support and supporters. For example, the walkouts from colleges and high schools around Southern California in supporting immigration reform. Although most students mainly participated just to get out of class, there were still a lot of high school and college students who really were there with passion and purpose. So what else do I know about immigration? I know that the stupid legislature (or some form of government) rejected the immigration reform bill. I just don't understand what the big deal is about letting people come here legally that migrate to this country. I know that there are the pros and cons about it, but overall we can accept these people and take them in instead of rejecting them. A lot of people who are against it, are against it because they want to "protect" American wages and jobs, basically our homeland security. They say that immigrants are taking all of the good jobs and the good wages. First of all, most of these people are just being racist because they know we, Mexicans, are the hardest working people on the planet. We work more for less because we have been raised with a strong work ethic. We take anything. Secondly, I really would love to know what "good jobs" these people are talking about because immigrants cannot get good jobs that support their needy families. What is their definition of a "good job"? Employers that have good positions will not hire immigrants because they are not legal in this country. You need a social security number, be a citizen of the U.S.. Immigrants do not have these basic requirements. Unfortunately as much as they try to apply for these good jobs, they won't get them until they are at least a guest worker or have a green card. I am all for letting immigrants become legal in this country no matter where they come from. To say more, it is not only Mexicans migrating to this country. Armenians, Italians, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Brazilians, Indians, Russians, Europeans and etc are migrating to this country as well as Mexicans. But why is it in California, which has the most diversity out of all the states, we concentrate on Mexicans only. A lot of people think Mexicans when they hear the term immigration. We also have other people on California ya know? The following song is about immigration and it is from a band called "Calle 13". The song is called "Pal Norte". The album is called "Residente or Visitante". The following are the lyrics. Look for the song and listen to it. I would love to bring it into my english class for people to listen to it because it relates exactly to this immigration unit.

CALLE 13 - Pal Norte lyrics
(feat. Orishas)

"Unas piernas que respiran... veneno de serpiente... por el camino del viento... voy soplando agua ardiente

El día a día ha comenzado entusiasmado y alegre

[ROLDAN:]dice... Pasaporte

[Estribillo:]Tengo tu antídoto... Pal' que no tiene identidadSomos idénticos... Pal' que llegó sin avisarTengo tu antílico... Para los que ya no est'n para los que est's y los que vienen (x2)

Un nómada sin rumbo la energía negativa yo la derrumboCon mis pezuñas de cordero me propuse recorrer el continente enteroSin brújula, sin tiempo, sin agenda...¿?
Por las leyendasCon historias empaquetadas en lata, con los cuentos que la luna relata aprendí a caminar sin mapa...
A irme de caminata sin comodidades, sin lujo...
protegido por los santos y los brujos...
Aprendí a escribir carbonerías en mi libreta y con un mismo idioma sacudir todo el planeta...
Aprendí que mi pueblo todavía reza porque las “fucking” autoridades y la puta realeza...
todavía se mueven por debajo' e la mesa...
aprendí a tragarme la depresión con cerveza...
Mis patronos yo lo escupo desde las montañas y con mi propia saliva enveneno su champaña...
Enveneno su champaña...
[ROLDAN:]Sigo tomando ron...

[Estribillo:]Rn tu sonrisa yo veo una guerrilla, una aventura un movimiento...
Tu lenguaje, tu acento...
Yo quiero descubrir lo que ya estaba descubierto...
Ser un emigrante ese es mi deporte...
Hoy me voy pal' norte sin pasaporte, sin transporte...
a pie, con las patas...
pero no importa este hombre se hidrata con lo que retratan mis pupilas...
Cargo con un par de paisajes en mi mochila, cargo con vitamina de clorofila, cargo con un rosario que me vigila...
suelo con cruzar el meridiano, resbalando por las cuerdas del cuatro de Aureliano...
Y llegarle tempranito temprano a la orilla...
por el desierto con los pies a la parrilla...
Por debajo de la tierra como las ardillas, yo vo'a cruzar la muralla...
yo soy un intruso con identidad de recluso...
y por eso me convierto en buzo...
y buceo por debajo de la tierra...
Pa' que no me vean los guardias y los perros no me huelan...
abuela no se preocupe que en mi cuello cuelga la virgen de la Guadalupe...

[ROLDAN:]Oye para todos los emigrantes del mundo entero... all' va eso... Calle 13

[Estribillo x2:]

(OFF) Esta producción artístico-cultural hecha con cariño y con esfuerzo sea como un llamado de voluntad y esperanza para todos, todos..."

This song is the bomb! I love it. If you don't speak or read Spanish, you can take these lyrics (copy and paste) to babelfish.altavista.com. You can take these lyrics and translate them. Also what you can do if that doesn't work, go to google.com and type in "Calle 13-Pal Norte Lyrics" and when the results come up for the websites, click on "Translate This Page" and it will translate them for you. Look it up and you will love it too for those of you who are for immigration reform.

'Til next time,
Katie

Wal-Mart: I Hope Your Company Dies!!!!

OK, so in English class we have been watching this Wal-Mart video that shows its negative side and how it contributed to globalization. I really hate Wal-Mart after watching this video and I hope they go bankrupt and out of business. A lot of things that were shown in the video were appalling and I had no clue as to what was really going on with this corrupt company. So the following in this blog is really about my reflection on the video and of the company. After watching this video, it really infuriates me that a company like Wal-Mart still exists. I was surprised at the ending when I discovered that so many communities around the U.S. have kicked Wal-Mart out of their towns. I was not aware that it was possible to do that. After this, I know that I will not be shopping at Wal-Mart anytime soon and I hope their company dies! The Walton family is the root of all evil with themselves and their money. Did you know that there are six members of the Walton family and each of them are worth $18 billion dollars alone. Even though they have so much money and say they give back to the community, they only give 1% of their earnings back to charity which is about $6,000. Whereas, Bill Gates, gives back 58% of his earnings back to charities. A few issues that stood out for me is the way that Wal-Mart thinks that women are useless and are not encouraged to reach for higher positions in management. I thought that was the most sexist thing a company could ever do or even consider. Secondly, this malicious company abuses and takes advantage of their employees in foreign countries while they work in haneous working conditions meeting the demands for the company. In the video, there was an asian woman who lives in one of the provinces of China and she went to the main city to work in a factory for Wal-Mart to help out her family. She did the video and she revealed the truth about what really goes on in the factories. She said that when an inspector from Wal-Mart came to inspect the working conditions, wages, and the overall workers well-being, they were told to LIE. The inspectors report back to the CEO and the company and none of the workers dare disobey their employers because if they revealed the truth they would either get fired or get beaten psychologically or physically. I didn't realized that this went on. The people in these factories are told to lie and say they work six days a week, they have time off, they are getting paid the legal minimum wage, and that they are getting treated fairly. Also, I wonder what had happened to this asian woman after doing this Wal-Mart video because she revealed the truth about what really went on in the factory. I wonder if there is a way of finding out. Most inspectors that go these factories in foreign countries know what's really happening. Im not sure whether they are that cold-hearted to not say anything or they just don't want to lose their job like this next person that awed me. In the video, they showed this man who worked as an inspector/director of the factories in Mexico, Central and South America. I don't recall exactly what his name was but I remember his face. This man was newly hired as an inspector for Wal-Mart and he went down to the factories and he was shocked at what he saw and horrified at what he discovered when he went down there. He came back to the U.S. to report what he saw and he was fired for telling the truth. After two weeks,( I think he said two weeks), of being an inspector for Wal-Mart, he was fired for telling the truth about what was happening in the factories. This is what shocked me most of all in the video. It infuriated that Wal-Mart does not care about their employees around the world who are making their business thrive. If it wasn't for them, they wouldn't have a company. This company is not a good company, yes they have low prices but how cheap can we be people? Can we be that cheap to not give a crap about what is happening to other human beings and their lives? How cold are we? The people here in America and people working in corporate America (and who are cold hearted) act like the whole world revolves around the United States. It doesn't. Why we are we so egocentric? That is the high cost of low prices everyday. Human beings.

'til next time,
Katie

It's Been A While

Hello everyone, once again. I know it has been a while since I last posted a blog and that is because I forget to, and I think once I just didn't know what to write about. I have found a solution to this problem that will help me in the long run. I am going to blog about what I think about what I read in the assigned readings and anything that comes up in my life related to what we talk about in English class. I think sometimes I might put up some juicy stuff that I personally like to write about. Well, I missed last class so I have no clue as to what went on because I was ill with food poisoning. I was watching the series premiere of America's Next Top Model, and Gossip Girl while recovering from some serious hurling throughout the day with my wonderful fiancee. He took care of me. How cute huh? Anyways, on Friday we have a writing assignment due, the final draft, on sweatshops and things like that. I have my first draft and I read it and need to make some serious changes. I probably have to write the whole thing over again! My paper sucked! Yes, even I have said it. I don't know what happened to my writing skills! I remember back in my senior year of high school I wrote the research paper that got the highest grade in the class not only for the topic, but my organization and format and citing sources and things like that. AND I WROTE IT TWO NIGHTS BEFORE IT WAS DUE! I still have that paper in my file cabinet at home because it was one of the best papers I had ever written. I don't know what's wrong with me. It really irritates me that I can't write well anymore. So, today's blog and tomorrow's blog will have enough words to make up for last week and this week combined because I didn't do a blog last week at all. Kind of embarrassing considering that I love this part of the class the most. So far, english is easy. I am up to date on my reading and I just need to conquer this writing assignment. This is a critical semester because it is my absolute last chance to do well because I am on contract probation because I didn't do so well last year because of more partying and less studying. Other family problems contributed as well but it was mainly my fault. I can't mess up this semester. I can't afford it. Well people of blogger.com and my classmates and teacher, that's it for today and I really hope I can impress you all with this writing assignment. I will not rest until I think my paper deserves an "A". It is important for me to get good grades on everything and it is my motivation to do well in school. No more partying. I have the rest of my life after college to do that. All you freshman please follow this advice from a sophomore who has experience, Party after you finish studying and did your homework. Make sure you get your stuff done before you have fun. Believe me, it's worth it in the end. nd most importantly of all, DO NOT GET CREDIT CARDS. Listen to whoever is telling you, I learned the hard way. Do not get them, especially if you aren't financially responsible. Like me. LOL. Have a great day and wish me luck on my paper.

Katiebear

Global Pursuit Quiz Blog

On Friday, we went over a global pursuit quiz that Ms. Sturgeon had assigned to us for homework that we thought was going to be due on Wednesday, but she didn't make us do it until Friday, which was cool, but I had spent a lot of time preparing to discuss the questions for Wednesday. I guess you could kind of say that I am an overachiever. The name of the assignment was "Global Pursuit Quiz" and it had random questions about the globe, it was a little bit like a trivia game but about the world. First, I looked at the questions to see how many I could answer without looking them up on the Internet, and after about ten questions that I couldn't answer I felt very inadequate because I wasn't aware of my own surroundings, about my own world. This activity made me realize how ignorant I was to the world and the accomplishments other developing countries have achieved. So, today in this blog I am going to review my quiz and share some questions and my personal answers to reflect back on this activity.

Q&A
1. Which quiz questions and answers surprised you the most?
I was surprised at the fact that most of the questions I couldn't answer without researching the answer on the Internet. I thought it was going to be easier than that. The questions are the type where either you know it or you don't. I apparently didn't. The one answer that surprised me the most was that there are female heads of state or females in high political positions in countries, and positions for that matter, that are mainly dominated by men. I never knew that there is a female president in the male-dominated country of Indonesia.

2. Why was (or was not) this information part of your regular cultural knowledge?
This was not apart of my cultural knowledge I guess because maybe my parents never were aware of what was going on in the world, or they just didn't think it was a big deal. Some of these countries I have never heard of until this activity came along. To them, it just wasn't important and they passed that mentality onto me until I realized, "Hey, I am apart of this world, why now know what's going on?"

3. Have these questions made you think of other parts of the world as familiar or unknown, as close to home or far away?
These questions have made me think that our world is one and there is no other. Yes, some countries were unknown to me but I learn something new everyday. Some of the countries and the answers to some questions were familiar and some unknown. But, the important thing is now I know.

4. How did searching for answers to these questions affect your thinking about the importance of being knowledgeable about the world?
Again, as I mentioned before, I felt inadequate and very unknowledgeable about the world. I think this activity made me realize that it is more important than I thought to know more about the world and the modernization that is going on.

Like I said, this activity that we did for homework was fun and interesting. I really feel like I should start paying attention to what is going on in the world because I don't want to be or feel like I have been left out from our world advancing forward, even the developing countries. Thank you Ms. Sturgeon for making our homework interesting because that's what motivates us to get it done.

Proust Blog

Well, on the first day of class, Ms. Sturgeon gave us a list of random questions that we needed to answer that were about our views and somewhat on a personal level. This was a very fun way to get to know my other classmates and better than the usual questions we ask when we are introducing each person to one another. In my opinion, they are better because you get to know the person a little better, than just seeing what's on the surface. So, I am going to blog about the questions on the paper and tell you what I answered. Here it goes!



1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having a career and sharing my success with my family.

2. What is your greatest fear?

Quitting

3. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Hilary Clinton

4. Which living person do you most admire?

My cousin Luis

5. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I deplore being so naive sometimes.

6. What is the trait that you most deplore in others?

Flakers

7. What is your greatest extravagance?

Clothes and shoes

8. What is your favorite journey?

The journey that I take when I dream

9. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience

10. On what occasion do you lie?

When it won't hurt somebody

11. What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My skin and nose

12. Which living person do you most dispise?

My supervisor at work.

13. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"Oh my God"

14. What is your greatest regret?

Getting credit cards

15. What or who is the love of your life?

My fiancee and my family.

16. When and where are you the happiest?

At home with my fiancee and when I am in class learning.

17. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To be more financially responsible.

18. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting into the Mount.

19. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

A bird so I could know what it feels like to fly.

20. What is your most treasured possession?

A rosary necklace made of diamonds and gold that my grandmother gave me

before she passed away last July of 2006.

21. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being addicted to hardcore drugs and alcohol.

22. Where would you like to live?

Santa Monica

23. What is your favorite occupation?

Waitressing

24. What is your most marked characteristic?

Being funny

25. What is the quality that you like most in a man?

Being honest and affectionate.

26. What is the quality that you like most in a woman?

Confidence

27. What do you value most in your friends?

Their loyalty

28. Who are your favorite writers?

James Patterson, M. Night Shamylan

29. Who is your favorite hero or heroin of fiction?
I love Spiderman
30. What is it that you most dislike?
Failure and change
31. How would you like to die?
Peacefully in my sleep
32. What is your motto?
"Live your life to the fullest because the clock ticks life away."

These questions were fun to answer and I hope all the homework from this class is this fun to do. I actually couldn't wait to do it. Especially subscribe to this blogger.com thing. Maybe its because I missed being in school because I was bored all day until I went to work. But I loved this activity and I can't wait for more of this class. Thank you Ms. Sturgeon for making homework fun.