....Blog...Blog...

At the beginning I was dreading having to blog. Not only because it was something that didn't have to be turned in personally but because I never really blogged before. Blogging wasn't all bad I will admit some of the blog entries were actually quite interesting and I enjoyed reading what others had to say, especially about a controversial topic. It is good to get a discussion going and learn where others stand on a topic or to read about someone else's past experiences. Although I do not think I will continue to blog I do think it its the kind of thing an individual should try at least once in their life. Who knows maybe they'll like it. For me personally I am not great at keeping online items up to date and that is why I do not intend to continue blogging, but for others it may just be their right cup of tea. Some last words for my classmates... You are all very funny people and I enjoyed class when everyone was able to say what was on their mind and people being able to laugh freely. I hope to have a class with you in the future.

Art You Can Take A Ride On :)

What to think about Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA? Hmmmm.... I believe the roller coasters operating at Six Flags have such a wide variety that it is very difficult to go to this theme park and get bored. Well that is if you like roller coasters. The  variety in roller coasters ranges from roller coasters that are traditional and lie on a wooden track, roller coasters that turn 360 degrees while in motion, and many more. For example the ride X2 at Six Flags takes technology to the next level. This ride has flips, loops, and falls. All of which the rider experiences while having their seat spin 360 degrees while in motion. Another ride that I find takes things to the next level is Tatsu. Tatsu is what is called a flying roller coaster, meaning that once you board this ride it rises so that you experience it while laying on your stomach. The thrill this ride gives you is very different than other rides, it causes the adrenaline to rush through your veins. Especially about half way through the ride when they flip you from your stomach to your back in an unexpected giant loop. 

The many engineers and architects that have worked together to make this theme park possible really took into considerations people’s interest and brought them all together not only with the rides’ designs, but also by the rides’ themes. Some themes incorporated into these dare devil machines are popular characters such as Batman, The Riddler, Superman, Terminator, and many more. Six Flags Magic Mountain is the perfect place for families and teenagers who are looking for adventure and an all time adrenaline high. Although people who just “don’t like” the rides or are too afraid to admit it are quick to criticize these masterpieces of art, I really believe they should give them a try before they cross them off of their bucket list. 

Bad Food Nation!

Honestly reading Fast Food Nation has had its ups and downs for me. I find it weird that sometimes I'll be reading it  and instead of being disgusted I'll start craving some french fries. This only happened in the beginning of the book when the author, Eric Schlosser was talking about the success stories of McDonalds, Carls Jr, etc. As the book progressed I stopped craving and started staying away from fast food places for the majority of the time. As a matter of fact just a couple of days ago I went to dinner at Outback and ordered a steak, it wasn't until my steak got to the table that I started thinking about how cows are slaughtered. I'm not saying I'm turning into a vegetarian anytime soon but I do think twice about eating fast food or just out in general, especially when cow meat is involved.
To me hearing about how mostly all food has "natural flavoring" is what started making me think about what I eat. Reading about how the cows are slaughtered brought it home and grossed me out. Although it is gross I think about it how I think about the movie Supersize Me. I stayed away from McDonalds for about three months after watching that movie, and I will probably stay away from it again after reading this book. Unfortunately once time passes and I stop thinking constantly of how food is processed I will probably run back to the nation's addiction.

School School School....

How I would describe this semester is like a roller coaster. It starts fast and I work hard to keep up with everything. after a while there are loops turns and falls. All this still applies to school. There is a lot more going on  and with new tasks being added it is a lot more stressful now. Although online work is quite simple it is difficult to remember to keep up with it. The deadlines creep up on me and before I know it a deadline has passed.
What I like about getting my work done is the satisfaction that it comes with. It might be hard to get everything done right now but it makes me happy when I see that even with everything I have to get done I can still do most of my work for my classes.  The ultimate pay off from all this work is knowing it’ll lead to a better life later. After getting home from a long day of work I’m always tired but my motivation is knowing that if I get all my work done later I won’t have to work so hard for such little pay.
This leads me to what drives me, which is architecture. I really want to accomplish my goal of designing roller coasters and  I know if I keep on working hard I can get to where I want to be. Most people say that going to college and investing your time and money in an education pays off in the long run and I am a strong believer in that. Another thing that motivates me is my family. I want to make them proud and show them that it is possible to come out successful against all odds. Finally although it is stressful and takes time I think it is worth it to stick with school and I try my hardest to stay on track.

Who Said Love Had Rules?

When it comes to same-sex marriage many people aren’t afraid to voice their opinion. In most cases it is because they are against it and find it to be unconstitutional. People are afraid of change and allowing same-sex couples to get married is a big step in our society. In my opinion everyone should be able to be happy in the way they see best fits them. We all have the right to the pursuit of happiness but why is that right taken away from same-sex couples? Their happiness might come from being married to the person of the same sex that they love, yet they can’t legally be “with them.” The divorce rate is increasing rapidly and this is between heterosexual couples. If it is not working out between heterosexual couples, same-sex couples should also be given the opportunity to  get married and see if maybe their marriage can work.

One of the main points people use in their opposition of same-sex marriage is religion. If supposedly God made a woman to be with a man and he also created everything and everyone wouldn’t that mean that he also made gay people and the issue of should they be allowed to marry each other? Nobody really knows what God is thinking; therefore they should not come out and speak for him/her. All the obstacles they put for same-sex couples to get married just make it that much more obvious that they should be allowed to marry the person they love regardless of their gender. They speak and fight for what they believe and if they are willing to stand against all odds just to be together then they have earned their right to a happy marriage. If someone is willing to do everything in their power to be together they should be allowed, who is it really hurting?

Wendy's Baby!

I always thought the fastest way for a teenager to mature and care for someone other than themselves would be with a surprise pregnancy. Growing up from someone else’s pregnancy had never even crossed my mind until I was placed in the middle of this situation. It all started at Wendy’s when my sister, Milagros, and her boyfriend, Hector took me outside because they wanted to have a “talk” with me. Thinking I was in trouble, while we walked outside I was mentally preparing myself to be yelled at. It was the middle of January and the air outside felt cold, which didn’t make me feel any more comfortable with the talking situation. Once outside both of them just stared at me as if they were waiting to see if I would come clean about a crime I didn’t know about. Finally Hector spoke and said,”How do you feel about this? You’re going to be an aunt!”

            At this point I was speechless and I didn’t know if I should be glad I wasn’t in trouble or be concerned or angered by their news. I decided I was ecstatic about the news and congratulated them, but I will never look at a Wendy’s the same way. The easy part for Milagros was now over and the scary part was about to begin. How to tell my aunt? Well, I can say that for that one I didn’t want to get involved, so she was on her own. After hearing the news my aunts exact words were, “I told you to go on birth control!” She wasn’t very angry that it happened because she knew on some level my sister wanted it.

Ring Ring Ring. I thought to myself, “Who could possibly be calling me at five in the morning?”

            On the other line I heard my sister calmly say, “I’m at the hospital I started having contractions.” Her serenity surprised me, I would’ve thought that by the time she got to the hospital she would be in a screaming frenzy just how it is shown on soap operas.

Still half asleep all I said was, “Wait what are you talking about? Right now?”

“Yes can you please come,” she replied. An hour later I walked out of the cold outside into what seemed to be an even colder atmosphere inside the hospital. I walked along the blue walls and entered the metal box that would take me to my sister’s floor. Apparently a lot can happen in an hour because all I heard when I opened the door was my sister yelling, “Hector this is your fault you did this to me!” I couldn’t help but laugh at how my sister turned to blame her boyfriend for something that had to have taken two people. My first impression of my sister that morning was how her hair was out of place, her face as red as a tomato, and her voice piercing through the air. It did not take long for my mood to change from excited when I received her call to completely terrified after seeing her. I had never seen my sister in such a vulnerable state and I felt powerless seeing how I could not take any of her pain away.

The next few hours seemed to go on without end and my sister screaming, “I can’t do this” didn’t help the situation. As I waited in the waiting room the only thing that crossed my mind was the repetition of the color blue, blue walls, blue carpet, blue chairs, blue tiles, and blue frames.  This color only made me feel more uneasy and nervous. Although the chairs had cushion they were still hard and uncomfortable causing me to feel awkward and toss and turn in them for hours. At around one Hector came outside and told me to come into the room. A few seconds later the doctor proclaimed the arrival of a baby girl. Filled with joy I looked at the little baby girl that had caused so much commotion in a matter of a day. After being examined we were told she was perfectly healthy and a sigh of relief was heard from everyone in the room. Suddenly the room didn’t feel so cold and eerie anymore, now it was warm, comforting, and filled with joy.

As soon as I carried my niece, Joanna, I felt something different inside of me. All of a sudden I felt a new kind of love that I had never felt before. My sister was 18 years old when she became a mother and I was 16 when I became an aunt. I would have never guessed that this little life would teach me so much and change me. I have seen how much my sister has grown and matured since becoming a teenage mother. Stereotypes are not always true and my sister is proof of that she has proven everyone wrong. She is making something of herself in life all while taking care of a child, household, and working.

As for me this event had such an impact in my life that I grew up from it in the sense that I realized you don’t have to have a child yourself to care about someone’s life more than your own.  Although I don’t take care of my niece I still feel that she is my responsibility, and it is up to me to make her proud and set an example for her. I am now more motivated than ever to pursue my dreams, so that when she grows up I can be someone she looks up to and is happy to call her aunt. I always knew I would love my niece but I never through it would be this much. She is now two years old and I can say she came into our lives to change everything. Not only did I learn a lot from this experience but I also received hope that even in the worst of times something good can always come along and surprise you to make your life better. In a way I could say that my niece came along when I most needed someone and without even having the ability to speak she saved me and gave me new reasons to live on and move forward from the events of the past.     

           

"Love Kills"

The person that I have interviewed is Liliana Rodriguez. Liliana was born in Oxnard, CA and in simple words she can be described as funny,organized, and outspoken. She also is very driven and is pursuing a career in nursing. Once she leaves Oxnard College she plans to transfer to Cal State Los Angeles and also reside there. What is driving her to go to college is her ambition to become rich and to move away from Oxnard. Throughout her life her role model has been her mom because she is the one that pushes her to be the best Liliana she can be. In her spare time Liliana likes to party, drink, and dance. Although Liliana is a free and cheerful spirit she has been dissappointed and let down by the people she loves, which explains her tattoo that says "Love Kills."

Liliana's blog: http://lilly-itsmeetime.blogspot.com/