HW 41 - Independent Research

This wedsite  is about  the process of adopotion  and  who gave/ giving brith  that would like to adpote.
http://staging.americanadoptions.com/

An adoption story: A women name Cherly was not able to ferterilze due to many atamps with her husband.  Cherly always thought about adoption  but her husband wanted to creat an creation of his own and not someone elses. But this began to change when Cherly wanted a child.. So they went to look for adoption.  They waited for about  six years to have a child. And they finally had a boy name  Chase.

"Once Cheryl completed their last round of infertility treatments without success, she knew that was it – she had had enough. She had no issues moving from infertility to exploring the prospects of adoption. Craig, however, wasn’t as keen on the idea as was Cheryl.

“The hardest part for me was deciding to adopt. I was opposed to it from the beginning,” Craig said.

Craig, like many other men who have dealt with infertility in their marriage, was against adoption because he didn’t want to raise “someone else’s kid.” Naturally, Craig wanted to continue his bloodline.
( http://www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/story_view/testimonial_id/231)


Thsi article is about women who felt the need to adoption because they were froce and told they couldnt be mothers  -
Dr Hames said the mothers were not allowed to bond with their children, were often heavily drugged with medication and had barriers placed between them and their babies.

"They weren't told the sex, they certainly weren't allowed to see or touch the baby,'' he said.

"Many of these women have not gone on to have children. They have been so traumatised.''

Dr Hames said the apology was not about compensation for the mothers or a criticism of parents who adopted the children.

"What they (the mothers) say to me is not that they want compensation. It is that they want to have somebody recognise that what happened to them was wrong and, hopefully, will never ever happen again,'' - (.http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-government-apologises-to-unwed-mums/story-e6frg14c-1225940839634)

HW 59 - SOF Prom 2011

If you participate in prom this week, please write up a 2-4 paragraph analysis of how the experience you and others shared relates to what we've learned. Which ideas or observations from the course resonate with what you noticed in real life? Which ideas or observations seemed off-base in light of Thursday night? What insights seem more available to you as a direct-participant rather than just a student of the ritual? What costs and benefits did you notice from having thought about the topic in a scholarly way before experiencing it for yourself? Did prom feel magic & transformative or did those expectations strike you as hype?

Going to prom, was a fun night. It went the way I planned to have fun and not be self-conscious . I felt nice and well dress that day and I didn’t care much what people thought.  People even brought their friends and it was not a big deal to have a date or not.  My boyfriend enjoys himself too (I was hoping he did because he did not know anyone) and it was welcoming. The way prom was set up and the value of our school made prom seem a comfortable event. We all supported each other to go; it was not to get drunk or laid, but to have a good night. And for those who did not go, should not feel guilty but to think there will be another event in their life they will enjoy.  I don’t think anyone felt the need to feel like a celebrity.. Yes people came in limos but it’s not even like anyone paid mind. It would have been different if we were all in a bigger school and there is a prom king & queen which put pressure on the students.  Yes I wanted go because it was something to  do and a day to dress nice but I did feel like if I did not go it will be a night that I missed.  Not magical but sweet night, everyone made sure they had a good night.  That day all the guys dress up and ladies get to see them in something different, as well the ladies to feel special in a school event. Our unit of prom did not change my mind set of prom because I did not grow for prom to be a night to lose my virginity, drink or mini wedding. But to be part of a school event.

Hw 56

Leticia,

I like the way you offered a summary of the tale. I think your connection to the death unit is valid. It is important for us to look at this unit as a way to interpret our own fears and wishes for ourselves and those that we love. I know that my own recent experience with my Grandmother's death was bittersweet. She died at age 94, in her sleep. Her wish was to finally be with my grandfather who died nearly 25 years ago. It was a profound experience for me, as often times, it is through a person's death that we find the most meaning in our own lives. i know you enjoyed "Tuesday's with Morrie" and I wonder how you might connect this film to that text and the experiences and different point of view that the author had in contrast to this lesson.

Here are a few questions to think about: Do you think that it is human nature for people to find ways to survive, even under the most stressful situations? Why do you think the story-teller use a father-son relationship? Would it have been less touching if it would have been friends or strangers? Can you think of another book or movie that uses non-relatives to tell a story about survival?

Why do you think it is significant that they were able to share a meal together and that made the son think that everything would be ok? What is it about a family meal that offers comfort to people, even in a dire situation?

Melissa .

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for commenting my blog,  =)

In Tuesday with Morrie, I like that fact they had a connection for years, it was like nothing could have broken there bond. It was important for Morrie to stay in touch with Mitch, and through their conversations and their own experience, they both taught each other what it feels like to have somebody grow emotionally and mentally for years. Morrie being sick and not afraid of dying, made things ease for him, but for Mitch a friend/ father/professor figure.  They both have such positive influences in on each other, which make one look after the other. In the Road, The father did not want to get comfortable or have a sense of hope, like the son. He wanted his son to not be emotionally weak. To be prepared to kill someone or to act aggressive, but the son felt since everyone is in the same conditioned there is no need for negativity.  Morrie taught Mitch to be aware of his feelings and to talk about whatever is on his mind.  In The Road, The father taught his son about the things he never thought he had to face, Killing and fighting for survival. It was important for them to have good meal time even if it was a piece of bread or a big meal, it was a time for both the father and son to forget/ remember able moments, dinner time was a time for them to be great full. Which how it is for my family we enjoy the food that’s given to us.  In Tuesday with Morrie, Tuesday was a special day to have lunch and it affected them for a life time. In Tuesday with Morrie and The Road, both explain the difficulties to lose someone close to you.   For me that’s what I am most afraid of. Each Character had to face the reality of someone’s death.  I think it explains the importance of having relationships with people, it feeds our souls. Meeting people teach us how to eat, think, value things differently.   It’s also very intimate and personal. When things become personal it becomes harder to break and it just keeps growing.

HW 58 - Prom Interviews

Mitchel 28
leticia: Heyyyy
Mitchel:  whats up letty
Leticia:  So can I ask you some thinngs about prom?
Mitchel: sure
Leticia:  What is prom to you?
Mitchel:  Prom.. I think its suppose to be  and could be a special event. The reason why I say that because  media and my friends talk about its like if its a big deal. They told me they had a good time, but I didn't go because I did not have date.  But I do wish I went...
Leticia:  if you went,  it would have been rite passage/an adult?
Mitchel: No,  it would have made me feel like I was part of something. I do go out to partys and look formal when I have too. But I was really mad that all my friend had a date, but me. So I just went to the after party, because at parties it would have not matter if came With some one or not.. It would have just been a party. But prom is different its not just a party, you are gathering with students from school that travled and grown with for a couple of years.
Leticia: If you went, what would have happen?
Mitchel: I think I would have a good time, with the girl of my dreams or not. I just wanted to go with a girl
Leticia:  So you regate not going to prom?
Mitchel: I do.. Thats why When i have kids, i will support them to go, even if they going with a friend.. why not?. just have a good time.

Brideget 18:Leticia:  Bridget!.. Have not seen you since you moved to long island
Bridget::  Hi, omg Leticia. Thats how it started, later into the converstation  I ask.
Leticia:.  How was your prom?
Bridget: It was crazy, There were cops a fight happned, my dress!!.
Leticia: Cops!, right, your dress?.. details.
Brideget: Well let me frist tell you that I spent about 800 dollars on my dress.. I looked like a queen, That was out theam at my school.  Fairy tale.  I was also  the prom queen and my boyfriend was the king.
Leticia: You must have been excited, was there any hensitation about you going to prom?
Brideget: No, I was so happy that I was prom queen, I had to go. I was really nervous.
Leticia:  So nothing could have changed your mind?
Brideget: Nope, If my boyfriend & I broke up.. I could have went with another boy. .. Maybe a pimple would have stoped me... I was really hopeing I did not get my period.
Letica: Is there anything you would like to change?
Brideget: No, I really did enjoy my prom.. Im glad I went, I would have still gone if I was not prom queen.
Leticia:  Was there any regret?
Brideget: Nooo, I did drink after .. but I do remeber somethings and I had fun with my boyfriend .
Leticia: So you think following the American triadation of prom, is imporatnt?
Brideget: Yes, but I do aslo think that everybody should have a prom no matter what background. Its a thing to enjoy. Some adive, dont think to hard, just let the night flow.
Leticia: Thanks Brideget.. This was a great conversation, we should meet up soon.

HW 57 - Initial Thoughts on Prom

When I think of prom , I just think of a whole bunch of students from Sof looking really nice and enjoying each other company.  I actually was not thinking about prom until about 2 months ago, my friends kept talking about it, so I started to think about it more. I was not sure who I wanted to go with, even if I do have a boyfriend.. but I wanted to go with someone else, but no one had the balls to ask me out.. & I figured everybody in my school and class was already paired up with someone, so I ask my boyfriend to come with me and he was cool with that.  I am excited because I will be in a different environment with the students in my school, I will be not another at prom, not just because its prom but because outside of school, I can say I’m different.   This also a chance to see people in other situations and not just in school, which I think is pretty interesting.  We have different characters once we are not in school.  I feel like mine is not going to be a fairy tale, I know it’s not going to be. I am not taking a limo but a cab, I just in special occasions when I have too, I spend my own money, so i choose wisely on what I going to buy.  I do want the night to go well, just like any other night.  I look forward to seeing people there. 

  Prom List for me:

1. I can't go crazy because my teachers are going to be there

2. I am going to have some heals on, don’t want to bust my face open

3. I don’t want to mess up my dress.

4. I just would like to have a good time A question I have , is how do the people who get to go twice feel?.. Is it a different feeling or the same?

Do people really lose their virginity on prom night? And why?

Having prom does it cause people to become closer? Is there a difference?

Can prom really have an impact?.

xc - COTD2. Watch "Harold & Maude"

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are - Cat Stevens

Harold:

Does not take death serious... He would fake his death all the time. He is very sarcastic and gets pleasure of faking it, it’s kind of like he playing with his mother emotions. He takes casual visits to funerals. I think Harold does this to get attention, because funerals and death are ways people come together to think about the good times they had with this person. Harold is his mother only child and they are wealthy, this could be a way for Harold to show his mother, his way of communicating.   Harold meets Maude at a funeral and they become good friends.  He questions her why does she do wrong things to people... she says people can’t get attach to things to it’s the right thing to do. Ever since they met, he wants to live life the fullest.  I soon discovered that his death obsession happened when he was in boarding school, in science class, a fire happened   everybody in the school thought he died. He came home but his mother did not know he was home; the police came and told her that Harold he was dead. His mother reacted in such sad way, which trigged him to enjoyed acting dead.  When he told Maude the story she said “People enjoy being dead, but they are alive”.  After a while his mother became immune to his behavior, even though she does not enjoy it.  His mother wants to help him, so she thinks taking him  to the army will help, When his mother sent him to meet the Sargent, he faked  acting mad  towards killing someone,  Maude showed up .. and She fell into a “hole”. Now he does not have to go to the army.  When Maude died, he felt very sad for couple of days, but he coped with her death by making his car jump over the cliff, and playing Cat Stevens

* Every one as the right to make an ass out of them, can't let the world judge you all the time

*He meets sunshine, and she is actors, he plays a death joke on her.. But she acts along, so it does not work.  She was not fooled by his actions.

He propose to Maude and she tossed it in the river, she told him.. She accepted and she is happy, so there is no point of having a ring.   Their marriage is in her house in a room full of the same flowers, but  I do remember  her saying  that  she does not want to be like everybody else, but she gets married? He told her, he loved her, she said go lover some more.

Maude:

An older woman about (79) also is obsessive over deaths/life, she makes visits to church and funerals, and they meet at a church. She is a wild women, does what she wants breaks the rules, steals people cars.  She says people don’t need to attach to things but, in her house she holds things she likes.  "She does not want to be a daisy because they are all the same" They spent the whole day together and did crazy things.

* I like to watch things grow, change and bloom. And turn into something else.

*Take life as it is. Don’t hold on to things, when change comes it would be even better.

*IF you want to be free, if you to be me, and if you want to be you be you. There is a million things to do.

Harold mom:

Seems to traditional mother, having people over for dinner most of the time, she dresses proper her attitude cares of what people think.   Harold mother dealt with Harold behavior for a while, she does not react in a way that she cares but does not wish he does that, so she send him to a psychology.  She wants her son to be "normal", she sets up dates for him, while he plays death jokes on them, and he smiles.  His mother drafts him to the army.

I thought it was weird how her reactions to Harold behavior were normal, but then again she wanted to help him. She did not tell him to stop, she ignored his actions.  I think that’s why he continued with his death behavior. I also think the reason why Maude became friends with Harold was because she needed help coping with her own feelings, and Harold fell in love with her, even though in her mind she was not looking for that. When she turned 80, she took a dose of a drug, she wanted to die, even though she explained to Harold life goes on.. So then why she wanted to end it?. She said she was happy?, but by her coping with her own feelings, she also helped Harold with his own.

HW 55 - Culminating Project - Care of the Dead

The Road

"A post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible. "-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/

Movie Trailer:
http://youtu.be/hbLgszfXTAY

The Road is about a father and a son surviving for their life every day, this seemed to be the most important thing when the "world ended", the people that survived is facing everyday tackles.  As the father and the son, live each day their appearance change, eating habits change and their morals change.  Both try to survive for food and emotional strength.  There was a scene in the movie, they entered a home and thought they no one was in the house, as they search the house looking for hope, the herd noises down stairs.  The dark room, had people in eating each other and crying for help. Once the father and son saw this, they ran upstairs and hid in the bathroom, where they saw other people body parts and bath full of blood.  At this point the father freaked and pulled out a gun to kill his son because, he did not want him or his son to die, due to people eating them alive.

I think this movie relates to our care of the dead and illness unit, both father and son has seen people die in front of their eyes. The father is very ill and the son lost his mother when the world ended, they both struggle emotional, while the son feels he is the only young boy and wants everything to better for him and his father; the father does not feel the same. The problem of this survival is that the father is very sick; he wants to reach to their desire place, where things are much better. But due to his sickness his son might make it alone, and he reminds his son every day that they could die. They want to believe that things could be better for them, try to keep a happy mind set, but due to no food they might not make it alive. There was scene in the movie, and they found abandoned house with a whole bunch of food and a place for shelter, the son was very delighted and felt that they will survive because of this new place they found. The father did not want the son to get too comfortable because this will not be place where they will be staying. As they both snacked on food they hadn't had for couple of months, this is something that helped with their emotions by having all this food, it was like hope.   The son was tired of just having a piece of bread and sharing between the two and that will be their only meal. As this is going on the son does not realize that he so far just sink and bone, he knows that he gets hungry but does not notice his outer appearance while his father does, when the son saw an image of himself, he got scared and ask his father was that really him and why is he so skinny the father responded, you always been skinny.  As days go's by the son notices that his father is coughing blood and is getting  weaker, they soon walk to a beach, this made the father happy as though this what he was hoping to see, a peaceful ending for him. They stayed for about a couple of hours and the father is near his death. The son is heartbroken, the only friend and caring person is leaving his life, they both survived through many things and now his father will not be there no more. This part of the scene when his father dies and takes his last breath was something that trigged my heart, the only close person to him, the person he looked up and spoke to everyday have died.

I think it’s sad and beautiful how the father died, he died by the beach, it seemed this is where he thought it would be peaceful for him to die due to the condition they were both in, but what was  that his father real death wishes?. What if the movie made it where the son survived and spoke about him and his father survival? Did his father died because he was already sick or because lack of food.  This movie made me think about the people close to me, and how if they were to die I want it to be, how they wished their funeral to be.