He Will Always Be "The Man" To Me

14- Describe the man who had the greatest influence on how you regard men or the woman who had the greatest influence on how you regard women. What personal attributes attracted you to that person? Have you met anyone or had any experiences that have led you to question your original beliefs about men and women?

There is no doubt that one of the most influential men I have had in my life is my older brother Julio. Julio and I are six years apart and growing up together was a struggle. It was always a struggle because we were always at different stages in our life like for example he was going through puberty when I was still in my childhood and now he is an adult while I still am a teenager. Even though we have a big gap in our ages now that we are older we get along much better than when we were younger. I see my brother as a true man. He is what I look for in my boyfriends and future husbands. My mom always taught my brother what respect and hard work meant. My brother appreciates my mother for all she has done for us and sees the value in work. He is a man who values women and never would vulgar terms to refer to a woman. Julio is the kind a man who is very sociable, not afraid to try new things, and always optimistic about life. The qualities my brother has are things that I look for a man because they show me what a good father and husband really look like. These qualities are still what I look for in a man but are not limited to these I am open minded to other qualities too.

Literatures value on me

In high school the readings we did felt like they were given to us to fulfill public school requirements but in college the professors are given more freedom to what is taught in their course. I have noticed in my rhetoric class that almost all readings are meant to tell us to not forget where we come from, stand up for what we believe in as long as we have are able to back up our argument, and they are more relatable to today's lifestyle. In high school literature was so boring to me that I never seen the point to them but now I have found a new interest to it. I do not know if it comes with the whole college student package but I can actually read novels for my own interest now. I have found great value in my literature activities because in the end I feel like have gained more than just a grade. I learned a life lesson and not through my own personal experience but through the eyes of others who have put it down on paper. Literature to me will never be seen the same it has become important to how my perception of the world.

More Than A Woman

"Oh, girl Ive known you very wellIve seen you growing everydayI never really looked beforeBut now you take my breath away.Suddenly youre in my lifePart of everything I doYou got me working day and nightJust trying to keep a hold on you.Here in your arms I found my paradiseMy only chance for happinessAnd if I lose you now I think I would die.Oh say youll always be my babyWe can make it shine, we can take foreverJust a minute at a time.More than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, oh, oh, oh.There are stories old and trueOf people so in love like you and meAnd I can see myselfLet history repeat itself.Reflecting how I feel for youThinking about those people thenI know that in a thousand yearsId fall in love with you again.This is the only way that we should flyThis is the only way to goAnd if I lose your love I know I would die.Oh say youll always be my babyWe can make it shine, we can take foreverJust a minute at a time.More than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, oh, oh, oh."-More Than A Woman by the Bee Gees
This is the latest song that I have in my mind. I really like this song because it reminds me of my boyfriend and I. Him and I grew up together and just like the songs says he seen me grow up and did not like me very much at all. I just feel like when I hear this song I think of him. I really enjoy old songs like this because they talk of some of the same topics that we do now in our music but it is music with much more than just a catchy chorus.

The meaning of "Puto(a)" varies, based on gender

In spanish there is a word called "puto(a)" which has two different meanings depending on the gender it refers to. If a male is called a "puto" it is as if he was called a fag which can be a very offensive because ot puts down your sexual orientation. Unlike when you call a woman a "puta" it is like calling her a slaut. I really do not have an opinion towards these words but I find it funny how one word can have to different meanings varied by gender. Either way these words arevery strong words. Unlike Beverly Gross mentions that sometimes slurs can be used for kindness I never seen this word used with kindness. Puto(a) is seen as a derogatory word and holds a strong position in the list of many offensive words and phrases.

Who is the hoe?

There are certain words tend to be directed more towards women than men to me in specific is the word "hoe". Hoe to me is a person who goes around with various partners but never really being with one committed person usually involving sexual behavior. Women can be more easily classified as hoes especially when seen with various men constantly and suspicious of sexual behavior. On the other hand if a man is seen with various women constantly he is known to be a ladies man. Usually it is society that pushes these labels. This is a result of women still trying to break free from the traditional woman figure. With men it is accepted to be seen with various women but with women it is seen as if they have no moral values or education. Society outcasts women like this because they look down upon them on the other hand men are looked down upon on but never pushed away or labeled. I personally find it unfair how society is trying to have the whole "equal sex" thing but yet they are the ones who contribute to the gender labels.

I have realized what I have from what I have gained

I think the most important value that lies behind my literate activities is that I been able to elaborate on the readings on a more personal level compared to my high school readings. In high school you were taught to only discover the material that was expected of you to learn. On the other hand college teaches their students to explore all the possibilities as long as it can supported with the appropriate material and without it misrepresenting the author's intentions. Now that I am in college I can see a value in literature I had never seen before. I was not the kind of person who would just pick a book to read for my own personal benefit but now I read books outside of what is required. The quote "you never know what you had until you lose it" falls into play but reversed only that I have realized what I have from what I have gained.

My Long Lost Friend

When I was in preschool I met this boy named Gabriel he was my friend. Our mothers' had become close friends and we use to have play dates together. I remember our mothers always talking about how cute we looked playing together. Gabriel and I always followed each other in school. It was funny how ever since preschool we were always stuck with each other in the same class rooms. I remember one time he had a pool party at his house and I had forgotten my bathing suit but him and his brother threw me in the pool anyways. It was so much fun getting wet, I will never forget that moment. After graduation we went our separate ways and did not see each other again.
It was the first week of school when I had walked out of Walgreen's when I seen Gabriel's older brother Abram. It was a joyful shock who would have thought that we would end up in the same university. It was a very typical hello, we said our "how are doing" questions and exchanged our numbers. We have tended to keep touch here in there. Recently we talked and he told me that Gabriel is stopping by this weekend. I am so excited because for the first time in years I am going to see my long lost friend.

Gender Rivalry

Ever since I was in elementary school I have always noticed that males do not conduct themselves like the females. I could never quite understood why females out spoke the males nor why they tend to be better students in general. Even now that I am in college I notice that there is a larger population of women than there is of men. In class even the energy of females seems to be higher than that of the males because of their lack of participation. The front rows are mostly filled by females and males hardly ever tend to show interest in class. I do fill that being a female encourages me to participate better in class and do better in school because women are usually seen as the weaker sex and that just boosts me more. I think males are less active in school because their mind is easily influenced and they tend to move in directions that involve more hands on experiences. I do not think all me are like this but do believe that the majority are.

MidNight MadNess!

I am so excited for the weekend because U of I is holding a special event for the basketballs first practice of the season called Midnight Madness. I am not sure of exactly what it is but they say it is going to be historical. A picture is going to be taken of the stadium and since eveyone is going to wear these pink t-shirts in support for cancer it is said that it is going to be one of its kind. The t-shirt costs $7 and two dollars of that will be donated towards cancer. In this event there is going to be performances from the pom squad, the cheerleaders, and this one girl from my rhetoric class named Asia is going to perform. I am looking forward to seeing her dance. My boyfriend is going with me and I plan to have a blast! GO U of I !

My Stereotype Has Broken.

Now that I am more aware about the methods teachers use to teach I see how some teachers "dispense" knowledge into their students and how to spot out the others who broke my stereotype. I know this may make me sound like a brag but my teacher Lisa is someone who I see as a teacher who tries to her best ability to make sure all her students understand the material. I have noticed that her class is about something more than just learning the proper style in writing, it makes me question the world I live in and how to expand on my thoughts. This relationship with Lisa is in a sense awkward because I am not used to having so much aid offered to me. I have Lisa, my classmates, and Maryrose. There is no necessary wrong idea in this class as long as you understand the ideas the author is giving and you can back up your opinion then it is valid. But Lisa is not the only I see that breaks my stereotype, I enjoy my teacher from my psychology class. My teacher Steve gives my the impression that there is no teacher versus student but that in his class we are mutual. I get this impression because he always goes over the homework, quizzes, even exams... to see if we have any questions about it. When we want to suggest a strategy on helping understand the material better he is always willing to try it out to see if it works.
College has opened up a new world for me where as a student I see the different diverse teachers there is here. By this I mean that teachers have different ways to teach and all these different methods give various results. Some may work for certain students and it may not work for others. Knowing that my mind is expanding and I have all this knowledge makes me feel so powerful and confident. I appreciate all the teachers that actually give an effort to make a difference in student's lives.

I Do Not Feel Wanted

Lately I have been feeling like an outsider because in my apartment I have not been getting along with my roommates. Every walk in the door and find them talking its as if I ruined their day just through my presence. I hate feeling unwanted and unwelcomed in my home it is the worst feeling I have ever experienced. When I told my boyfriend what was going on he suggested to talk to them as soon as possible before things got worst but I was too scared. Now that I have had all my feelings bottled up my attitude is insupportable I can not stand to be in the same room as them. I know I speak soon but I can not do it, it us like someone is holding my mouth shut. My experience here is not like I thought it would be I love my school my I hate my home. I truly hope this does not have an impact on my chances to come back next year.
My roommate is supposed to be my friend and lately I do not feel warmth from her as if she has gone against me as well. This is one of things that hurts the most because I have been there for her when she needed me and now that I need her she is no around me. I know all of this can be resolved as long as I talk but this is hard for me. I have made it my goal to talk before I lose a friend.

I Think I know how to Play?

Over the summer part of the workout at my job was to play football with the guys since they outnumbered the girls. I am not usually the one to be a "pink lady" but playing football is a harsh game, but that did not stop me. I decided to give a try even though I do not know not one thing about the rules nor how you play. All I knew was to run and tackle my opponent. And every time I did that I fell and either scratched myself or my opponent. I must admit it was pretty fun it was more interesting for me because I did not know how to play so I did not take it seriously unlike the guys they got mad when their team did not score. So every time we did a play I asked the guys to explain to me exactly what I had to do in order to succeed in the game and they would explain to me. So now I still do not know nothing about football but I do know I enjoyed the game and it was a new experience for me.

I Know I Can Do Better

Man Last weeks paper was the paper I have ever devoted so much time to, I literally sat in front of the computer for about 11 hours straight. Now I know that may seem unbelievable but I did take bathroom and snack breaks. I tried to follow all the tips my teacher and T.A. offered and follow the things we had discussed in class but yesterday I got my paper and I did worst than I thought I missed a lot of details. I guess I over thought the paper and my teacher because as I reading through the comments she wrote it turns I am not that much of a bad writer and all I need is to tune up. Yes, I do have things I need to work on but who does not? I got a B- on paper and in my opinion is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Lisa said that I need to work on how I put my sentences together along with some other pointers. I am feeling a bit more nervous about this upcoming paper though because the article is a more difficult reading and I am not sure how will I do on this assignment. But I will give it my all even if it means to stay in front of his computer for 13 hours.

It Was College Enrollment Season

Think back to your senior year in high school and when you came across those two frightening essays your personal statement and the professional essay was it not one of the most confusion essays you ever had to do? The questions could not be in any more clear but to us or at least for me I was so nervous that I could not think of what to write I know that it was asking me things that I should know the answer to but I had to give the best impression anyone has ever made. So many thoughts went through my head that I did not know where to start I knew what I had to say but I did not know how to say it.
Becoming part of the University of Illinois was my priority and I had my mind set on doing whatever it took to become a student at this school. In order to do this I had to modify the I presented myself and my language. I could not just talk as I am accustomed to I had to put my best foot forward and so I did I talked about myself like I never had it almost seemed as if I was conceited. The office of admission had to see why they needed me to be part of their school and how much I can bring to the table. It seems like my hard work paid off because I am here typing in my room and part of the U of I student body.

The Mindset of a Freshie

As I enter my college classrooms it is no different than the routine I am used to; get there on time, greet your professors, and sit attentively. I do have to recognize that the mindset is different though because in high school some classes did not require my full attention because they were very laid back and I could afford to be distracted unlike my courses here I have to always be prepared to learn and focus. In high school and even grammar school I did not see the harm in a "C" sometimes even a "D" but now that I am in college and see how each and every grade I earn is a contribute to my goal I see the value in it and I work harder for it.
The mindset a student carries into any environment varies the results they bring. I had to learn the hard that when you do not bring an open mind to knowledge you lose a lot more than a lesson from a teacher you can lose a piece of mind and in my book that is worth more. Now that I am in college I look forward to every class eager to the new discussion in class. I have learned that my mindset affects my focus and the chances of getting a better understanding of what is being taught.
Mindsets contribute a lot to a class if every student did not have the mindset to learn in a classroom then there really would not be any point for the professors to teach anything for no one is willing to learn. As part of my new mindset as a college student I tend to sit front of the class to get the most out of my class and to. It makes a difference in the shape my life as a student takes and the course my classes take on me.

Remember Those Happy Days?

God I miss those good old days! Remember when we had no worries? I remember playing with Barbie dolls, playing house, and hide-n-go seek all those moments will forever stay in my head. I remember when I used to wish I was grown up so that no one told me what to do but now as I have gotten older I see why my mom always told me to never be in a rush to grow up. Do not get me wrong I love the things I get to do now that I am older but I miss having no worries about life. Living as if nothing ever was wrong or as they say in Spanish vivir la vida como si fuera color de rosa which live life as if it were in a pink shade(perfect).
As life gets longer I trip and fall harder and harder and it makes getting up all that more difficult. I know that I will be able to get back up but I just do not know when will be my last fall. When will I reach my fulfillment in life? Now that I have my niece and nephew I would want them to ever have to go through the hardships my brother and I had to go through as kids. I understand that they have to go through their own things but I just wish they would forever stay as they are, young and innocent.
I miss those days and I know that when I have my kids I am going to have them live those days like if there was no tomorrow. Let them eat ice cream until they throw up, ride in the tea cups until the world is upside down, and take them to Disney World. I will try my best to give those kids everything that I could not have. Now I know what they mean by your only a kid once in life, because after that you get older and older until your wrinkled and can not walk anymore.

We just could not fit together

I remember in grammar school during the seventh grade we got a new principal at my school and I didn't like him he did not know not one thing of how our student body and it felt like he just stepped into my community to shake things up. I understand that he had a job to handle and a part of it was not for us to like him but I would think that has to come with the package. The principal prior to him was there ever since I was in pre-school we had traditions that been going on there ever since I could remember like for example we had an annual assembly for Mother's Day where we would prepare dance routines for our mothers to come on in and watch with a beautiful dinner and dance afterwards, but then less and less of those types of events were being held thanks to the orders of the new principal.
Not only was the student body unsatisfied with the lack of student programs being runned but so were the parents because it seems as though at the P.T.A. meetings he was a very unreasonable man and was not open to changes or many of the ideas people from the committee had to say. The student body were not the only one's who noticed the lacked of experience of this new principal but the parents and school staff noticed it too. I personally think people like this should not be selected to work an environment full of kids because kids need someone who loves what they do and enjoy being around kids. I'll never forget how moody he was and how I never thought twice of saying hello to the man. I just did what I needed to do and did it.
Luckily a year or two after I graduated he was fired. It seems as though staff of the school system started noticing his lack of successful work in this school. Becoming part of a community is more than just being there it is getting the trust of those who are welcoming you and making sure that things do not drastically change to that of what they are accustomed to. Incorporating yourself to a new environment means being courteous to those who are already there and taking their years of experience into consideration. At a certain point everyone has to come and meet a common ground where they can meet half way that is how it works in any new relationship. One party can not just step in and take dominance that will eventually burst into a big puddle of misunderstandings and by then it might be too late for anything to be fixed.
Even though things did not work for the best I am glad that now my grammar school has a principal who is great with the kids, parents, and staff. This of great satisfaction tome now that my little brother attend this school because I know that he is in good hands and he is getting the most out of his education. My little brother deserves that and so do all the kids who attend this school and schools all across the nation.

Becoming a Godmother

Over the summer I became the godmother of a beautiful little girl named Gizele Alize that is only 1 year old. This little girl is my niece I am so proud to say that I am her godmother it is such a great honor to me. Not only am I her aunt but her godmother, I am looking forward to seeing her grow up and having her come to me with her first boy crush, her first school dance, and seeing her blossom into a beautiful young lady and help her be set off on the right track. This girl means a lot to me I love seeing how everyday she has learned something new. Now that I am at the University of Illinois I miss my family a lot but I am here to go home one day with a diploma saying "Graduate of Class 2011" and that is what motivates me. I hate to think that when I go back to see my little girl she won't be the same as I left her...I miss her saying "du du..du du du du", you see that is what she called her older brother Julian my nephew in the family we call him "Ju Ju" so she says Du Du. Being a godmother comes with great responsibility and I promise to be there for when she needs some advice and to wipe her tears when she has her first broken heart.

"High School VS. College this is my transiton"
As a freshman at U of I, I carry my past experiences with me because that is what shapes me into who I am although they are not always what I want to be defined by. As a student in high school I would do the work half way or it wouldn't hurt to leave things until the last minute because I knew I was learning the material taught in the class. As a college student I want to keep that habit out of my system because I know that here I can't get away with it that easily. In college you earn your grade and its your own loyalty to show that you put the sweat and tears for your own grades. I honor feeling pride in the grades I earn and for that I want to put my best foot forward.
In high school sometimes all it took was knowing the material and passing the classes not so much the method that you used. Because of this I never quite set a strong routine for my study skills or taking notes. Now that I am in college I regret not setting myself in a more strict atmosphere in high school because maybe if I would've done this sooner I wouldn't have such a hard time managing my time amongst my classes. Because of my experiences in high school I've learned from my mistakes that have taught me lessons that I will carry through out college life.
I am currently taking an introduction course to psychology where it involves a good amount of concentration especially because it involves reading a lot and I'm not a person who enjoys reading. This a course where knowing whats going on in class is not enough it requires a lot of the students participation at home for things to go by smoothly through out the course. For example if I don't read ahead of the professor when he does go over the chapter its pretty difficult to identify myself to the information given out rather than if I read ahead I'll have a better understanding of what's going on in the classroom.
Learning both content and method in a classroom is difficult but they are weights of the same amount that are needed to make the balance even, without one the other side will out weigh the other. Its like a horse and carriage you can't have one without the other. As a student its your obligation to learn content and method because in the long run of the course it will pay off. And as a student who is in search of learning how to balance it out its better to start early rather than the day after failing your first exam.