Blog 3

As a human development major, I am required to take a course in human physiology. Science classes have never been my favorite and I wasn’t sure what to think coming into the course. As it has progressed, however, I have become fascinating with the amazing complexity of our bodies. It is unbelievable that everything has a small or non-existent margin of error, yet we are all still functioning. Although I am only scratching the surface of understanding how our bodies work, I am in awe. Everything has to be exactly right all of it grows into place from a simple egg and sperm combining. In my Infancy and Early Childhood class, we are learning about each week of pregnancy. At only three weeks it begins to have a heartbeat. It grows and develops inside a woman until it is ready to come out into the world. I have always known this, but taking the time to really study it and think about it has made me consider the reality of what we so often take for granted. Trillions of processes have to be working right all of the time for us to function and survive. Our lives are a miracle and each person is an incredible creation. As I study for these classes, the facts that I know, but so often overlook, have hit me afresh and given me perspective as to how cool each and every person is.

Reading Response 2

Gloria Anzaldúa has powerful writing techniques. The way she meshed together personal experience, history and poetry create strong emotions and an intriguing work. It was especially cool how she used both Spanish and English throughout her work. As a Spanish minor, I was able to understand most of it, and it deepened her argument. In talking about the border, she was able to display the immense separation by using the two languages. It demonstrates the lack of understanding between the sides of the border, although in reality it is much more than languages separating the two. The use of two languages helps the reader to identify with the merging of the two countries. She describes, “Borders are set up to define the places that are safe and unsafe, to distinguish us from them.” Her writing style contributed to helping the reader grasp the separation imposed due to a border line, without any inherent significance. Not only did she use bilingualism as a literary device, but she also combined appeals to emotion and historical facts. By talking about the little boy being carried away, but also giving the details of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, she gives a comprehensive understanding to the reader. Her technique gives the reader a powerful image of the place she is describing.

Blog 2: Haiti

I have been following the news about the Earthquake in Haiti and the effects are devastating. The death toll is estimated to be 200000 people. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the infrastructure was already weak, and therefore the damage is catastrophic. People are still buried under the rubble, sending out desperate text messages, trying to be found. Orphanages are running out of supplies and the babies will die without formula or sanitary diapers. Medical facilities are almost non-existent and people need our help.

Years ago, my dad, a pediatrician and professor for UCD, went to do relief work after Hurricane Katrina. Many people were discouraged by the slow response and failure of the US government. He had a very different opinion. He was so impressed with the government’s response that he joined the National Emergency Medical Response organization and is very likely headed to Haiti soon. Our government has the ability to provide lifesaving aid and there is a lot we can do to help. As we see all the devastation around us, we shouldn’t feel completely helpless. Just texting HAITI to 90999 automatically donates $10 to the Red Cross for disaster relief. I wish I could do something more tangible, but at least it is something. We have the power to help save lives.

Reading Response 1

The readings on the University of California really helped me to understand the many layers of the budget crisis and fee increases. Originally, I thought the entirety of the crisis was due to the bad California economy. If that was the case, although the fee increases undesirable, it would be one of the few options in order to continue providing high quality educations. These papers, however, show that there is much more to the crisis and many layers of corruption and lies. We should have a say as to what the fees that we are providing should be used for. They should not be stored up for Wall Street or be supporting research for private donors.

One of my biggest concerns is that with a more privatized education system, the information taught will be less authentic and instead be serving personal agendas. Lisa Duggan describes privatization as “the transfer of wealth and decision-making from public, more-or-less accountable decision-making bodies to individual or corporate, unaccountable hands.” If students are not receiving a genuine education, the people at the top of companies will have the power to shape the minds of the rising generation. It is terrifying to think that such power is placed in the hands of few, instead of the original plan of having education public and responsible.

Blog 2

One of the most important parts of my life is my family. I love them all a lot and I feel so blessed to part of it. My dad is the professor of anatomy here at UCD and a pediatrician. My mom says at home and we take in foster children. I have an older sister who I am very close to. We both go to UCD and have even gotten to take a few classes together. She runs marathons, teaches Pilates and is very involved in Athletes in Actions. My 16 year is brother is also great. He is the top athlete of the family. He is on the high school soccer team we are all hoping that he will have the chance to play for UCD in the future. I have two even younger brothers that I adore. Michael is 6 and he is adopted. He is always happy and so much fun to be around. He is following Ryan in his love for sports. Ethan is 8 and in foster care. He has been through much hardship, yet he is tough and perseveres. I believe that family is one of the most important things in life and everyone deserves to be loved and accepted. It breaks my heart that there are children alone and helpless. It is our duty to care for those who cannot care for themselves. However, we must not only provide the necessities for love, but true love and care. I hope to have to opportunity to care for foster kids throughout my life.

Reading Response (diagnostic)

“Plato’s pharmacy” was complex, but interesting. In Demerrida’s opinion, a true text should not be easily read and understood. Good writing can be thoughtfully examined, yet still have more depth than has ever been fully understood. You may never comprehend the complexity of a true text, but there is a lot of room for different interpretations. In order to get the most out of writing, you must thoughtfully engage with the work. Comparing writing to a woven texture emphasizes its many layers. Once one aspect is understood, there are still many more layers of complexity to search for meaning. It is like a game in which people have to untangle the clues and logically produce an interpretation. There are not infinite interpretations, but there is also not only one correct interpretation. It will never be easy and will require risks, such as thinking differently from others, but really digging in is the only way to gain a solid understanding. I think this type of writing can be good, but I disagree with Derrida that this level of complexity is the only type of quality writing. I believe that another skill in writing can be the ability to write clearly and concisely so that everyone is able to understand the purpose of the work.

Introduction

My name is Stephanie and I am a human development major. Some of my hobbies are running and baking. I am unsure about exactly what I want to do in the future, but I am very passionate about foster care. I don't enjoy writing when the prompt is given to me, but I can enjoy it if it is something I am passionate about. Ask me to write about foster children and injustice and I will gladly put in my best effort and enjoy it. If I am going to take time to research and write, I want it to be meaningful and and have an impact on those who read it.