1. In my readings of these same authors I found that Vicki and I also thought it must be extremely difficult for a family with different values and personalities from a different country to move to a new neighborhood where nobody else is like them, such as in Bienvenidos a Newport Beach by Dumas. An interesting point of view I didn't know of that Vicki said is when she chose a quote for Cotton Candy Mirrors by Major, she chose a quote about the Ferris Wheel that proves the Funland is in San Francisco.
2. Liz’s Blog:
Ode to Caltrans by Hector Tobar- I learned that as a young child many people view the freeways as a huge possibility, but as an adult, we come to view the freeway as a more dangerous place.
Montavlo, Myths, and Dreams of Home by John Steinbeck- Steinbeck thinks that California Myths, such as the Big Sur, has shaped California into the only state of its kind.
The Last Little Beach Town by Edward Humes-Seal Beach is one of the only family friendly beach towns left in Southern California, surrounded by lavish beach towns such as Huntington & Laguna.
Surfacing by Matt Warshaw- I learned that Santa Cruz was one of the first surfing spots in CA, but the most dangerous spot is Maverick’s.
3. Sierra’s Blog:
The Big Valley by Mark Arax-I learned that Fresno’s soil and land is perfect for farming and growing crops.
Transients in Paradise by Aimee Liu- I learned that even if someone live in the most perfect city in the country, they can hate is just as much as the most boring place in the world.
Showing Off the Owens by T. Jefferson Parker- Anyone who seems like they have the perfect career and seem happy, can still be ecstatic by just going fishing for a few days with a friend.
The distant cataract about which we do not speak by Mary Mackey- I learned that different religions use rivers as a form of religious enlightenment.
1. Bienvendios a Newport Beach, by Firoozeh Dumas
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 reading follows the life to the author during a move from Whittier, CA to Newport Beach, CA.When he tells his friends at school of where he is moving, they all comment on how rich he must be.Currently in Whittier, he lives in a rental with a view of Taco Bell, KFC and Wienerschnitzel.His neighbors also let their dogs run around everyone’s lawns and leave ‘surprises’ and they also leave ‘junky, rust cars and tires’ on their lawns.When the family moves to Newport Beach, they join a subdivision that has a homeowner’s association.Because of the homeowner’s association, everything is different than in his last rental home.Owners pick up the ‘surprises’ left by the dogs, have gardeners that make sure landscapes are perfectly manicured, and there is a private pool every dozen streets for the resident to use, which Firoozeh, the author, takes advantage of, more than anyone in the entire neighborhood.As an adult, the author’s parents still live in the same house in Newport Beach, and recently had their house painted Navajo White.
3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent
“Would it be painted eggshell, off-white, fawn or ecru? The Association decided. ” pg 90
4. What did the reading make you think of?.75 percent
The reading made me think of groups of home development that have homeowners associations and makes me wonder why anyone would want to move in to the area.The reading is happy because the family moves to a new area and gets to experience a new way of living, but it is sad because many people in the neighborhood think the family doesn’t belong because they assume the family is Spanish, when they are really Iranian. 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
I learned that there are many rules when you belong to a HOA.For instance, the outside of your house is regulated and you cannot make a change without asking permission first.Also there is no overnight parking on the streets, but many of the expensive cars rarely see sun anyways.
1. Cotton Candy Mirrors, by Devorah Major
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 story is about summer when a summer vacation lasted three solid months and you left as soon as you woke up and were not seen at home until the street lights came one.The story starts with one kid and tells of him and his friends crossing town to go to the Playland, or boardwalk.The Playland cost only 35 cents for a full day’s tuition, which could be found on the streets, was full of rides, carnival games, cotton candy, pink popcorn and a laughing sally, of course.The kids never had enough money for the less than thrilling rides, so the best attraction was the Fun House.The Fun House, never had a long line, and usually had a nice attendant who would let you in if you were a few cents short.The Fun House, was a house of mirrors, that would eventually have you running full force into a mirror andbecause of the lack of light, would have you guessing which way was out.The kids in the story love this especially because of the ‘metal disk’ in the last room, that about a dozen kids could fit on, and would start spinning.Some kids fell off right away, while others held on a bit longer, but eventually you would fall to the floor.After the silver disk was the wooden barrel that spun and while some would run across, others would try to stay on as long as possible.After the barrel, was the super wooden slide.You needed to take off your shoes and climb up 3 flights of stairs, where with a piece of burlap, you would fly down three hills of heavily lacquered wood, where your breath would be taken away.Even though the Fun House was torn down, summer memorys live on.Summer learnings included when to jump and when to stay still, far surpassed anything learned in school. 3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent
“Education was cheaper and safer in the day… Summer was the official educational institutions of our childhood.” Pg 102-3 4. What did the reading make you think of? .75 percent
The reading made me think of my summers as a child and how much fun I had with the neighborhood friends in the cul-de-sac of our street doing everything from playing in the sprinklers to playing hide and seek when it was dark enough.Even though summer seems to sneak by every year, it is my favorite season because of the memories of ‘those summer nights’. 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
I never knew how much kids value summer.Where I grew up, we didn’t take the bus anywhere and frequently relied on our own imagination for entertainment.I now know that even just having the luxury spending 35 cents can bring upon some of life’s best memories.
1. Berkley by Micheal Chabon
2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be sp ecific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent
This story is about the crazy city of Berkeley. The author describes the city in detail, as well as all the different people, ideas, professions and ideals that people assume as the norm, in a hilarious manner.In the beginning Chaben gives off the idea he dislikes the city, but in the end, he describes that he wouldn’t trade his city for any other town/city in the country.
3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent
“Laid upon her remarkable setting between hills and bay, less consistenly fine but at its best no less charming, is the built environment of Berkley.”Pg 109 4. What did the reading make you think of? .75 percent
The reading, obviously, made me think of the city of Berkley.Because of my trips to Berkley, I was able to see the different aspects Chabon was describing, such as the Berkley Brown Shingle housing type that so many residents love; also, I can picture the open market just down from the University, buzzing with all of the different people Chabon describes, interacting with each other in a way different than anywhere else in the US. 5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know ? 1 percent
I learned how much residents of Berkley value the diverseness of the city.I knew Berkley is a city in its own in a way that nowhere on earth is similar.I love this about the city.
1. California Honky-tonk by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
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 story focuses around four young folksingers, in a band called El Rancho Motel, who loved performing popular songs and often played at different bars, wherever they can get a ‘gig’.The band was their lives’. They spent all of their time making music and rhinestone studded costumes.They had a gig at a bar, that they assumed was a regular old bar, but when they go there, they realized the club was a biker bar.The owner of the bar and the group talked about their experiences at different bars. Overall, the story is about the group who didn’t ‘make it big’ in the music scene, but the group made memories that lasted for the rest of their lives. 3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent
“El Rancho Motel!It’s a perfect name for our band.You know, ‘third rate romance, low-rent rendezvous’ – as he sang, the chorus of the Amazing Rhythm Aces song we’d chosen to kick off our first set.So El Rancho Motel we became.”Pg 117 4. What did the reading make you think of? .75 percent
The reading made me think of a band I once saw at a a local coffee house.The band was awful, as they sang only country songs, and lets face it, the crowd wasn’t the country-type.By the end of the night, the crowd dwindled down to less than a dozen people, but the band left stage with smiles on their faces.They had had fun and that was all that matters, just like El Rancho Motel. 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
I learned there are not any rules when it comes to music.There is touring where you can get a gig and that is the ultimate goal.All you do is show up with the playlist, costumes, and an open mind.That to me is petrifying, but that is the music lifestyle.at hahhafeljksdlmks
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
This component relates to our study of humanities because we need to know everything we can about where we live.As we live only 2 hours away from Sacramento, we need to know what happens annually and the history of the city to better our understanding of where we live so we can make informed decisions about our lives.
What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
Sacramento:Many people know this is the capital of CA, so some assumptions are that the city is huge and modern.
Bakersfield:Many assume this is in the middle of nowhere and is in the heart of central CA.
List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point
Both have major universities that are commonly known.
Both are in central CA, and are quite far from any ocean, or mountain range.
Both were established as cities in the 1800’s.
List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point
Sacramento is one of CA’s largest cities, while Bakersfield is one of CA’s fastest growing cities.
Sacramento is known as four different areas, while Bakersfield is known as just one area.
Sacramento experiences frequent floods, while Bakersfield commonly has earthquakes.
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
I know Bakersfield is one of the highest ozone-polluted cities in the country, but I would like to know if Sacramento has a high rating as well because of it’s population.
Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student.
I read Leanne’s blog, comparing Bodega Bay to Seal Beach, from assignment 3b.I learned that Bodega Bay is an unincorporated village.I had always assumed that given the popularity and tourism level, Bodega Bay was in fact a city, or town at least.This regards the cultural context of our country, because you should never assume anything is anything, or take something at face value, because the truth will usually surprise you.
1. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points Malibu
2. 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
This component helps us understand our surroundings and grasp a better understanding of what humanities is throughout sub-cultures of the US. We can also understand what is different in different parts of the US and how we differ and are similar.
a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
Baker Beach: Many people think San Francisco beaches are very sunny and clear, just like the rest of California. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as most northern CA beaches hover between 40 & 50 degrees F. s
Malibu Beach: The most general stereotype is everyone surfs and lays in the sun 365 days a year in Malibu. The beach spans 21 miles of the Pacific Coast and although it is very popular in the summer & Indian summer, obviously the winter provides for a break from the beach.
b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point
a. Both are beautiful and span the Pacific Ocean. b. Both beaches are surrounded by mountains in all 3 directions. c. Both beaches have frequent ‘no swim ’ days due to sharks or the pollution levels are too high.
c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point
a. The location in CA- Northern CA vs Sothern CA b. The surroundings of the beach are very different. c. The popularity of the beaches are significantly different, as Malibu is much more popular.
d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? .5 point
I know Baker Beach allows partial nude tanning, but I would like to know if part of Malibu Beach is nude tanning as well.
5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. 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
I read Anthony Musetti’s blog from last week. He compared San Francisco and Los Angeles. I learned that Los Angeles is very industrial while San Francisco is more for smaller businesses and headquarters for fortune 500 companies. This is related to cultural context of our state and the different cultures that occur in major cities. Anothony's 3a
Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points
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
Both of these cities add a plethora of knowledge, influence and “standards” that make California not only so successful, research wise, politically and environmentally, but also as historically wealthy the state is.This state has been amazingly lucky with the history of its citizens and will only continue to flourish in the future.
What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
I have some assumptions about both locations.For the longest time, I always assumed that everyone in LA is blonde, naturally or by way of a salon.Of course now, as I have grown up and developed common sense, I know if course that it is just like any other city and is very, very diverse.Regarding San Francisco, I always assumed that for the most part, it is cold 365 days a year, in large part to the popular poem, “The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer in San Francisco.”I now know that SF has the occasional heat wave, but for the most part, my initial assumptions were correct.
List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point
Both are located along CA’s coast
Both are in large part very liberal
Very diverse cultures in both cities, with people from every part of the globe
List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point
LA is very spread out, while SF is very condensed, per capita
The beaches are very different, with LA’s sunny beaches, and SF has very cold & windy coasts
Proximity to different agriculture- SF is very close to the wine country and LA is very close to the central valley where many fruits and vegetables are grown
Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? .5 point
I learned that San Francisco was, for a very brief time, the capital of CA.I would like to know why Sacramento was chosen, as it is in the middle of nowhere, when LA is located in a prime spot for major political influence.
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
I read over Megan Mullen’s blog for assignment 2c.I learned that Walt Disney’s purpose and main goal of creating Disneyland was to create a place that adults and children alike could share in harmony. I am excited to have stumbled across her blog because I absolutely LOVE Disneyland!I love the magic inside the park where whether you are 9 weeks old or 90 years old, anything can happen!This is related to the cultural context of our country because it was the first amusement park unlike any other when it was built.
