Reflection 5B

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?
EXAMPLE classmate Liz, component a My California authors blank blank blank

Classmate Carly, component a My California authors Waldie, Haslam, Do.

2. What is something this classmate said about the choice that relates to any of the assignments in projects 2-3?

Carly explains the story written by Waldie, in which she states that Waldie describes his life growing up in the Los Angeles area. Los Angeles was one of the cities that was used quite a bit in our classes comparisons of California cities. Carly writes that Waldie states that "the houses were so close together that everyone always knew each other's business." There are many stereotypes about suburbia in Los Angeles, but as Carly explains that although living in poverty ridden areas is hard, not everyone is always dissatisfied with their situation.

3. What is something different this classmate said about their choice that you did not realize before when you completed projects 2-3?

Carly states in her study that during 1960 in Lakewood California, almost forty percent of the population was under fourteen.

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?

Freire had a strong effaces on the exchange of ideas and opinions. We all view and approach subjects in a different way based on our own personal experiences. Carly approached her study of this short story in a much different way than I would have, therefore with the collection of my ideas as well as hers, the reader can see a full picture. I find specific pieces of Carly's study much more important than my other classmate might, but that is how we learn. We see and understand what is important to another and focus on what interests us. A perfect reflection of Freire's ideas at work.

5. How has project 2-3 helped you with the readings of the textbook?

When I read I rarely take notes, but I have found that taking foot notes as I read is very helpful. Also focusing on what I consider the most important sentence and paragraph is very helpful. I helps me understand and analyse the story in more depth than I have been able to do in the past. Reflection with my classmates is very important, because although I have not read the same stories they have, I feel as though I know the significance of the story from reading their reflections.

5a group #1

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

The Line written by Ruben Martinez

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Martinez uses his own personal experiences with being a Mexican minority in the state of California to illustrate the oppression and abuse that the Mexican people have undergone. According to Martinez in the past the Mexican American boarder in Tijuana was not the same as it is today. In the past it was a line that was easily broken and did not inflict fear on people. During the deep recession of the 1990's Governor Pete Wilson focused his frustration towards the Mexican people who he blamed for the poor economic conditions. He will forever been known as "pito" or better known to the Mexican people as "penis"Wilson. Pete Wilson began a war on immigration that has affected immigrants until today and is reflected in the perceptions of the American culture. The new wall that was built at the boarder has only made the journey for immigrants a much more dangerous and lonely journey.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"The border wasn't a border. The line was broken. It was an idea, not a thing," (129).

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

My parents were both immigrants when they originally came to this country. Ever since I was young my father in particular would tell me stories about crossing the boarder as a child. They were more like horror stories as a child and I never really understood what my dad wanted me to get out of these stories. I now know that my parents wanted me to appreciate everything that I have and understand where I came from. My father has now become a citizen and my parents own their own home. This story reminded me of the stories my father used to tell me because it represents the struggles that the Mexican culture has suffered.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

Before reading this story I did not understand why Pete Wilson was referred to as "pito". My mother has actually called him that in my presence before and I did not understand why she called him that. I find it interesting that he has become the personification of our struggles and our difficulties in this country of opportunity.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

909 written by Percival Everett

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Everett writes this story in which he describes the town where he lives. A town the tends to be very quite close to the loud Los Angeles area. He talks about what is valued in his town and how those values differ from those that are valued by the people in Los Angeles. Known as the Badlands the town is the space between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Everett talks about how when he wants to get away he mounts his mule and rides him up the mountains where there is no one for miles. In the far distance all you can see is the multitudes of traffic, and people waiting to get from or to Los Angeles.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"Technically, the Badlands is chaparral. The hills are filled with sage, wild mustard, fiddleheads and live oaks,"(122).

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When I read this story it reminded me quite a bit of the town I grew up in. The town of Cotati is very small and covered by farmers rather than people. I grew up next to a pumpkin field and down the street from an old dairy farm. At heart I have always wished that I could live on a farm and for my retirment that is what I plan to do. Cotati also was a town that you would go through only in an attempt to get elsewhere. The town of cotati and my home in paticular also oversaw the highway. It is very funny to look out and see all the busy highways from a quiet and peaceful place.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

Everett talks about the weather in the Los Angeles area when he states that in August the temperature will hit that of one hundred and eight degrees. I did not know that it got that warm in south California that early in the year.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Waters of Tranquility written by Carolyn See

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Carolyn See is an interesting writer, I have read a number of different pieces written by See and she never fails to use her very descriptive and eclectic language. This particular short story is regarding a personal place that See visits near her home. She and her husband love Lake Shrine and all of its scenery and religious displays. When See's husband was ill and decided to die at home See would visit Lake Shrine regularly to escape the stress of her life with her dieing husband.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"Everything else can wait, but our search for god cannot wait,"(144).

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

My grandfather is very sick and this story definitely reminded me that life is very short. My family is very family orientated and therefore I can really understand why some one would rather die at home. Even though it is very painful for a family to endure watching a loved one die slowly I would rather have them with me than not. See has a way of making us think of the smallest things in life and therefore this short story can be very moving.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

At the entrance of the Rose gardens are monuments for religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Flirting with Urbanismo written by Patt Morrison

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Morrison explains what differentiates the city of Los Angeles from other cities. The suburban areas are an outlet for people of like races, ethnicity's and class level to cling together. The down town areas are as fake and phony as plastic. The industrialization and law enforcement in the city do nothing to help alleviate the situation. Some how Morrison loves and enjoys the confusion of the city.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"The demographics of other cities were poor, foreign, working class, immigrant. New York's tenements, Chicago's crammed with Jewish and Irish and Polish newcomers, clinging to those of like culture and language,"(136)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When I went to Los Angeles for the first time this year I encountered the worst culture shock ever. I hated everything about the city that Morrison seams to love and enjoy about the city. This story made me think of all the things that I saw and disliked about the city when I first encountered it. I do not enjoy loud cities, bumper to bumper traffic or large crowds of people. I find it difficult to feel as though I can breath in a city like LA. But obviously there are people who enjoy everything that makes me scared.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

The central library in Los Angeles was restored after the fire of 1986, caused by arsonists.

4C Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?
EXAMPLE classmate Liz, component a World Cities, San Francisco...

Classmate Leilani K. Ako, Component C Inland cities, Fresno.

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?
EXAMPLE Liz and I both focused on blank

Leilani and I both agree and commented on two aspects of the city of Fresno: It's incredibly high temperatures and that the city is stereotyped with having a high amount of violence.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?
EXAMPLE Liz and I have differing opinions on blank

Leilani compared the amount of "white" or Caucasian residents of the city, while I compared the amount of "Hispanic" or Latin residents of the city.

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?

In my opinion when one takes a look at a city from an outsiders point of view, we think of a way in which we can relate to that city. I was actually born in Fresno and therefore I wanted to know more about Hispanic and agriculturally based information regarding the city. That is the only way I know how to relate to the city since I do not currently live in it. Leilani looked at the "white" population, but I chose to look at the "Hispanic" population. This just displays our difference in perception and the way in which we individually approach a subject. Connecting both of our data together is the only way to get a clear picture about an inland city like that of Fresno, because there are many ways in which we can approach a research project and many results in the end. Freire encouraged dialogue and learning from each other, I consider analyzing others work just that.

4B Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?
EXAMPLE classmate Liz, component a World Cities, San Francisco...

Classmate Christophe L. Allen, component B beaches, Goat Rock State Beach.

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?
EXAMPLE Liz and I both focused on blank

Christophe and I both focused on the fact that many beaches like that of Goat Rock are not safe or pleasant to swim in. When you think of beaches in California everyone thinks of surfing and swimming. To the contrary, Christophe and I both agree that Goat Rock's wheather and water conditions do not allow for any type of surfing and or swimming.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?
EXAMPLE Liz and I have differing opinions on blank

Christophe and I have differing opinions of the attractions to Goat Rock. For example he states that 0ne of the main attraction to a beach like Goat Rock is its resident seal population. I on the other hand have never gone to Goat Rock to sit and watch the seals, as a matter of fact I think one of its main attractions is the rocky landscape, perfect for hiking and climbing.

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?

In my opinion Christophe took more of an insider look at Goat Rock park while I concentrated on the physical and the obvious. When you combine both of our researches of the park you have an outsiders and an insiders perspective. The way we look at a subject reflects our own personal perspective, but if you combine multiple perspective it allows for a more conclusive look at a subject. Freire promoted dialogue and an inter exchange of ideas. By looking at Christophe's project I gained much more in site on ways I can approach a subject for future reference. I learned that looking at the physical is one way of looking at a certain subject, and that putting yourself inside that place, reflects a much deeper analysis.

4a Group 1

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

"The Distant Cataract About Which We do not Speak" by Mary Mackey

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

This short story describes the life of author Mary Mackey and her get away in the middle of Sacramento. The American river provides an almost fantasy like paradise in which she and her husband find themselves at on much of their free time. They spend quite a bit of their time at the river and have found themselves in the middle of wildlife as well as a numerous of religious and ethnic traditions. Sacramento seems to be quite a diverse and large city in which all of the cultures take full advantage of the natural treasure that the American river is. Mackey describes the different occasions in which the river has brought people together and the beautiful ceremonies that have been performed there. She also mentions the fact that the river is only twenty minutes from the University of Sacramento and a five minute drive from their home. The American river is quite special to her and her husband in that when her and her husband are there they ignore the rest of the civilized world and pretend they are on a far away island. The distant cataract is the civilized world and while they are at the river they rather not hear it.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"Once, during a January when it looked as if the levees might break, my husband and I came upon a pile of candy wrapped in gold foil, pinapples and oranges sliced in half, several beheaded guinea fowl, a pack of matches and handful of popcorn-traditional offerings made to the goddess Oxum by devotees of the African-Brazilian religion Candomble. On another occasion, we went down to the river to launch our canoe and found the parking lot occupied by a Russian Orthodox priest and his congregation. The priest appeared to be blessing the river with incense. A precession made it way the edge of the river bearing banners painted with holy icons. I believe their prayers were in Old Slavonic,"(49).

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When I was growing up my family worked mainly in the agricultural business. My oldest and fondest memories are of my whole family getting together on the weekends to go to the river. Most of the agricultural work in this area is close to the Russian river and that is where you can find us every weekend. My mother recently told me that when we first move to California we actually lived in a pickup truck parked to the river for a hole summer as well. I remember many different kinds of people being at the river and enjoying just being with my family. When I go to the river now it brings back those memories and this story made me revisit them as well.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

From the story I learned that seventy five thousand Russians live in Sacramento county, many of which are Baptists.