Blogging......... oh how I will miss thee.....

Oh blogging… blogging… huh... I do enjoy blogging, however some of the subjects I had to really think about, and some were personally hard for me. I am a person who has a lot to say, and doesn’t always say it right. I would recommend blogging for future classes, however maybe a little more lenient on the subjects. I personally used to blog on MySpace about everything. It was a good output for my frustration. When I was little my step father gave me a notebook and told me to write what I was feeling, and no one would ever read it. Of course he forgot to tell my nosey mother and she read it and sent me to the shrink. So much for privacy! Blogging is good, I don’t however think I will continue the blog on blog spot, I haven’t decided yet. It is a good site, and after getting through the first two weeks it’s pretty easy to use. Maybe I will continue if I can get Betty to be my friend… lol! This maybe my last blog for our class, but you will never shut me up!

Mark Bittman... I think im in love.. lol

I watched the TED with Mark Bittman talking about “Whats wrong with what we eat.” The video was not only informative but also entertaining. I really enjoyed it, and most of the facts and points he brought up were true. There are too many cows because people eat too much meat. Cows inparticular, but realistically it’s the same with chickens, fish and pigs. We are greedy and don’t need to eat as much meat as we are supposed to. I loved Bittmans explination of organic. If a salmon is raised in a farm, and fed feed it would not normally eat, but the feed is organic… Is the fish still organic? If the salmon is originally from Chico and is caught and shipped to somewhere in the U.S wrapped in styraphome is the damage done by the carbon worth it? He calls it “Organic by letter, not in spirit” and I completely agree with it. This discussion has really impacted me, and I will be eating less meat. We don’t really need it? Just because it tastes good, is the damage really worth it. I don’t think I can do completely with out meat, but I will cut down.

Oxnard College Children Development Center (OCCDC)

The Oxnard College Children's Development Center



Child care is a concern for anyone with at least one child. Regardless if your child is in day care or public school the question is, is it the right school or daycare for your child. No matter where your child goes there is some expected problems or issues with other children, or teaching method's. My son is 3 1/2 and has gone to 3 different schools, and between the three of them the Oxnard College Children's Development Center (OCCDC) is by far the best one. The first school he went to was the OCCDC, then because the OCCDC was closed for the summer I had to find alternative child care. I tried a school called "The Farm School" which seemed like a pretty good idea, a small class with children of various ages, in a rural location that has animals. However there was no structure. The kids ran wild outside all day. There was about a half hour of educational teachings a day. The rest of the day the kids just played on the playgrounds, and power wheels. The woman who ran the place, pushed my buttons a couple of times and I pulled my son out of her school. After that I tried "La Petit Academy" I herd they were a nation wide corporation, that followed a age appropriate curriculum to get the children ready for Kindergarten. The first week my son was great, he loved it. After about a week my son wouldn't let me leave. He would cry, scream and hold on to my clothes for dear life!! He had never acted this way when I dropped him off at school, he loved school. It was emotional for both of us. After about a month I figured out what was making my son so traumatized. Since it was summer the classes were all mixed together. The five year old children were in class with my three year old, and apparently were being mean to him. Teasing and hitting is expected at certain age groups, but when I'm dropping off my son at his school and there are three five year olds calling him baby and surrounding him its not OK. I let the director know and told the teachers, but nothing was done. The mean children continued, and my son got worse. The school hired a new teacher, and my son liked her, so for the rest of the summer he wouldn't leave her side. Regardless of the room she was teaching in, he wouldn't go to anyone else. So my son spent the rest of the summer in the year to two year room. As soon as my son could go back to OCCDC he did. The first week that my son went back to OCCDC it would take me a half hour to get him comfortable enough to let me go with out freaking out. Now he is fine with me just dropping him off and leaving. Of course the OCCDC has its own problems as well. Since the OCCDC is a learning facility for people w ho want to be Early Childhood Educators sometimes there can be confusion, or a lack in communication between the volunteers, and student teachers. To avoid the confusion or communication issues I make a point to tell every teacher and the director if there is something they need to be aware of regarding my child. However since there are so many teachers, volunteers, and student teachers there are enough adults there to monitor the children to make sure there is no incidences like at La Petit Academy. The children are divided not only by age, but also learning stages. So there is no teaming up on younger, or children who aren't at the same stepping stone. I really hope that the OCCDC will remain open this summer so I don't have to find another school. The only good thing that came out of La Petit Academy which my son calls "the mean kids school" is that I can threaten my son with going back there. If he is a mean kid, he will go to "the mean kids school" and only nice kids go to the OCCDC. Not everyone will have the same experience I have with these schools. I can tell you as a mother, that there is nothing worse then to hear your kid screaming bloody murder just because the teachers aren't doing their job and watching the children.

changes... changes..

I think of myself to be a picky eater. I used to only eat chicken and beef. After reading this book it has made me think of the ground beef situation. That every time I hit a hard chunk that it isn’t just gristle but bone, butt or even worse bone and butt from a worker. Poop in my meat, and unsanitary conditions that no matter how burnt you get it, it’s still infected. E-coli and mad cow are also a concern. I haven’t yet changed my eating habits, but it is something that will be coming soon. I am part of the 90% of people that visit a fast food restaurant more than 3 times a week. More like every day we stop somewhere to pick up something fast. After reading this book , it has made me think twice and going the extra 20 minutes home to make something without meat. I am not a vegetarian, nor do I ever think I will be, but this book has given me second thought. I guess vegetables here I come, does anyone know how to cook tofu? I heard it is gross, but I have never personally tried it. So what is the safe meat to eat? PLEASE DON’T SAY FISH!

This Semester.

This Semester
Every semester there is a nervousness that returns at the beginning of each new semester. This is my third semester in College and I would have to say it has been the hardest. I started out with four classes this semester, but cut down to three because of the hours. It seems like all of my teachers have gotten together and decided to give me an overload of homework. It’s not just the workload given by each teacher, but my personal life sucked this semester as well. As for my personal life it started with my son have emotional issues, and only being able to stay at school till 2pm. This cuts my study time and class time sufficiently. During Labor Day weekend, we went to Knott’s Berry Farm for a visit with my son’s father. I missed one day that week, but made up the work. Keeping on track for the next two weeks, and then my son’s dad killed himself. Everything went to hell after that. I made up the work I missed for the week I went to Oregon for the ceremonies. However the quality of work was not what I normally put out, because of the emotional stress. So now I am trying to keep my grades up to at least a C average. Failing on top of everything would make me go crazier than I already am. It’s hard though. The emotions are a reminder that I have to do it. Regardless of my mental state no one is going to do it but me. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I honestly can’t wait for this semester to be over. Who knows what next semester will bring, but I know some events that happened in these last ten weeks cannot repeat themselves.

The truth is what we make of it.... but which one is it?

Tell me lies!
1. I’m scared of death.
2. When I was younger the cops came to my house and arrested me.
3. I was in choir for 3 years.
4. I’ve spent time in a mental institute
5. I want more kids.
6.I have a twin.

We all deserve to die!

Sweeny Todd.. MMM.... Pussy Pie's..

My fav movie..
lyric's
Mrs. Lovett:
A customer!
Wait! What's yer rush? What's yer hurry?
You gave me such a--
Fright. I thought you was a ghost.

Half a minute, can'tcher?
Sit! Sit ye down!
Sit!
All I meant is that I
Haven't seen a customer for weeks.
Did you come here for a pie, sir?
Do forgive me if my head's a little vague--
Ugh!
What is that?
But you'd think we had the plague--
From the way that people--
keep avoiding--
No you don't!
Heaven knows I try, sir!
But there's no one comes in even to inhale--
Right you are, sir. would you like a drop of ale?

Mind you, I can't hardly blame them
These are probably the worst pies in London,
I know why nobody cares to take them--
I should know,
I make them.
But good? No,
The worst pies in London--
Even that's polite.
The worst pies in London--
If you doubt it take a bite.

Todd:
Ugh!

Mrs. Lovett:
Is that just, disgusting?
You have to concede it.
It's nothing but crusting--
Here drink this, you'll need it--
The worst pies in London--

And no wonder with the price of meat
What it is
when you get it.
Never thought I'd live to see the day men'd think it was a treat
Finding poor
Animals
Wot are dying in the street.

Mrs. Mooney has a pie shop,
Does a business, but I notice something weird--
Lately, all her neighbors' cats have disappeared.
Have to hand it to her--
Wot I calls
Enterprise,
Popping pussies into pies.
Wouldn't do in my shop--
Just the thought of it's enough to make you sick.
And I'm telling you them pussy cats is quick.

No denying times is hard, sir--
Even harder than
The worst pies in London.
Only lard and nothing more--
Is that just revolting?
All greasy and gritty,
It looks like it's molting,
And tastes like--
Well, pity
A woman alone
With limited wind
And the worst pies in London!

Ah sir,
Times is hard. Times is hard.

Todd:
Isn't that a room up there over the shop? If times are
so hard, why don't you rent it out? That should bring
in something.

Mrs. Lovett:
Up there? Oh, no one will go near it. People think
it's haunted. You see, years ago, something happened
up there. Something not very nice.

opinion.....................

Jessica Garcia
English 101
You asked for it!
My opinion:
The controversy question: Should soda be excluded from foods food -stamp users can buy? In the article we were given their arguments were that it causes obesity and diabetes. Are you really thinking that if you take soda off of the list of to buy stuff that the people aren’t going to buy it still? That the rates of obesity will go down and people won’t be diabetic any more. You know that Food Stamps can’t buy McDonalds and the people using food stamps or cash aid still go there. Taking away soda isn’t going to make that big of an impact unless you take every junk food/fast food/ sugar juice away from not only the food stamp population but the entire population. Obesity and Diabetes hits anyone not just because their on food stamps. If you are going to take soda, it won’t stop, the “man” will continue to take foods away until the food stamp recipients are on Uncle Sam’s’ diet. The con article had a good point that food stamps should be able to be used at farmers markets, at cheaper rates so the food stamp population can afford to eat healthy. If obesity and diabetes are a high concern they should set up an awareness group that helps to inform people of healthy alternatives. Instead of placing the blame on the food stamp population they need to find another way. Soda is a high cost, maybe that can be reduced, or special prices for food stamp participants. I know that if you are on food stamps I’m sure you recycle, so the money you get back from cans is a vital part of your lifestyle. Maybe it’s that last bit of gas that gets you to your job, or your child to school. Instead of fighting what people are on food stamps eat, or drink we should find a way to help them either get off food stamps or get what they need while on it. Resources help too much when you are in a state that needs help. Food stamps were meant to assist, not depend on. However there are many families in this economy that depend on them. If they didn’t have food stamps they wouldn’t eat. Food boxes, food stamps, cash aid, and assisted child care is depended on by more people than you would think. Single moms, Grandma’s with young children, homeless, the sick, and many more depend on the assistance from the state. With budget cuts, and threats that these services will be the first to go we shouldn’t be looking at the petty “what people are eating” and looking at how to save these services that are depended on by many. I personally am a recipient of all the above. I’m a single mother of a 3 year old, and a high school dropout. I am the only one who can do anything for my son, and since I am in school there isn’t much I can do. If I didn’t have paid child care, I wouldn’t be able to afford child care, and I wouldn’t be able to do anything. Except take care of my child.

F.....Family....

Jessica Garcia
English 101
10-08-10
Family:
Family is a hard thing for me to describe. What family was when I was young is nothing like my modern day family. When I was young my family was close. Any reason was a reason to get to get together. Now we only get together for funerals or milestone birthdays.
My Father:
When I was a little girl I can remember spending a lot of time with my father. Driving golf carts at his work, fishing trips, camping, and of course yearly Mexico trips. As I grew into a young lady he required me to do more “women’s work.” Cleaning and cooking, or whatever he needed done. I rebelled, and told him “I was his daughter and not his slave.” He told me to get out or pay rent. I moved out and moved in with my boyfriend at the time. After I held a job and was on my own my father reestablished a relationship with me. We began racing nitro R/C’s and things were good. He helped my boyfriend and I realize we wanted more. My father helped us buy a house in Oregon. I got married and divorced in that house. After my divorce there were some hard times hit. I was knocked up and alone. So again life before my father didn’t want much to do with me. About 1 ½ years later I had to move back to California. My cousins and aunts all told me not to worry because my father would be the male role model my son needed Since I was leaving my sons father we could work out our problems and be close again. I didn’t know till I moved here that he was engaged to a woman who told my grandma she doesn’t like children. I’ve been here 2 years and have seen my father maybe 10 times. He has not stepped up to be a role model to anyone.
My Mother:
In short I’ll start with, my mother is crazy! Growing up I can remember mostly yelling from her. She was yelling at my father until they got divorced. Her yelling at me until I moved out. Everything has always been a fight with her. (This is where I get my psycho) My mother had a drinking problem when I was growing up, but she found peace in god. When I was 13 she married this controlling genius that sucked the life out of her. When I moved back to California she was the one who flew up and helped me rent and drive the truck. She can do anything but keep her opinion to herself. She tells everyone that she will support and help me raise my son, and all she wants me to do is go to school. Really the translation is that she has me pay rent, buy food, and I take care of my son when he is not at school. She is two faced, but I need her. We go to Wal-Mart and people think we are lesbians. It’s an odd relationship, but I have no one else.
It doesn’t matter if you’re blood anyone will turn their back on you. My family is what I make of it, and consists of myself, my son and my mother. Family to me is the same as the strangers in the classroom, I know who you are but we don’t talk.

A Significant time in my life:

A Significant time in my life:
My first car
I was eighteen when I got my license, and my mother bought me my first car. She had a client who had a 1991 Geo Storm that was reasonable in price. She told my mother that all services were up to date, and it was well taken care of. The only down side we could see was that it was a stick shift, and I didn’t know how to drive one yet. I learned very fast how to drive it, and had many struggles on the hills in Ventura. I also learned not everything people say is true, even if it is a client.
I was very excited to have my own car. There would be no more walking everywhere, or waiting for the bus. First thing was first, I went to Circuit City and bought a bundle stereo deal. It came with mids, tweeters, subs, the head unit, and even installation. For a cheap stereo system, it actually bumped pretty nice. I drove the car for about a month, and one day my car began to overheat. Being a new car owner I wasn’t sure why the steam was piling out of the sides of my hood. I waited for it to die down and then opened the hood. At the time I was pretty ticked off, late for work, and stuck on the side of the road. When I opened the hood the first thing I saw was water was leaking from the bottom of the car. I checked the radiator and called my boyfriend. All the water was gone, and I didn’t have AAA. I filled up a gallon of water, and put it in the radiator. I talked to a mechanic and decided to try to drive it to his shop. About every block I was pulling over to fill up the radiator. When I got to the mechanic’s, he checked to see what the problem was. He told me the water pump blew and told me the price to fix it. I later called my mother and learned that the reason her client was getting rid of the car was because she was moving out of the country. While the mechanic was fixing the pump problem, he did an overall inspection of the car. When I went back to pick up my car I found out that the water pump was not the only work needed on the car. The spark plug wires were corroded, and needed to be replaced. The entire suspension system needed to be replaced, and braking system needed replacing. I basically found out in one swift shot that my mother’s client had ripped her off. The mechanic let me know that next time I want to buy a car to bring it to his shop first and he would gladly look it over. I had the most important things fixed and continued to drive the car.
The car was not in the best of shape but it ran. With my exhaust leaking and stereo bumping I drove it for the next month. Then one day on my way home from work, I exited the freeway in Goleta. With a loud explosion my rpm’s went up and the car didn’t accelerate. I pulled off the freeway, turned it off. I turned it back on and tried to go in first gear. The car wouldn’t move, but was revving up. I changed it to second gear, and let the clutch out and it still wouldn’t move. The engine just kept revving up, but wouldn’t move. This was the time before everyone had cell phones, so I walked to the nearest business. Ironically the nearest business was a used car dealership. I called my boyfriend, and he called a tow truck. The car was towed to my boyfriend’s parent’s house. While I was waiting for the tow truck I looked at the used cars on the lot. I ended up test driving a 1999 Honda Accord, and fell in love with it. The Honda Accord was a stick shift a well, but it shifted so much easier then my Geo Storm. I could tell the 8 year difference as I drove the car more and more. I wanted it, and would have it. The tow truck appeared, and there was my boyfriend. We went home, and I kicked my stupid car. I vowed not to put any more money into that stupid car. I named that car “stupid car”.
The next day I returned to that used car dealership. My Honda sat there, waiting for me to return. I test drove it one more time, and went inside to sign the papers. My boyfriend put the down payment on his Discover card, and I drove out of there with my new car. My father couldn’t believe that I had already blew up my first car, and bought a new one. New to me, but it was used to the world. The car drove like a dream. The hoses were all new, the belts were tight, and the car growled when you hit the gas pedal. Shortly after I learned the closer you are to red lining the faster it goes. Again, first thing was first I needed a stereo system. I took my car to Audio Experts, and had a real stereo put in. I had the 6 disk CD player, Mb quart mids and tweeters, and two 12inch JL W6 subs in my trunk. I got my cold air intake and the growl from my acceleration got louder. My nephew used to say “make it sound like a motorcycle”.
After the whole situation blew over I ended up selling my Geo Storm for 100.00 to a friend who knew all the problems I had with it. I walked away broke, with a car payment, and a really cool new car. The experience I have had with this situation has taught me some well lived lesions in life. Never trust when someone’s trying to sell you something. Always have a mechanic look over your car, especially when you’re buying it from a private seller. AAA rocks and you should always have it! I can take care of myself if a situation occurs and I’m stuck. Financing a car isn’t the best idea, and I didn’t know about the price of insurance. Since full coverage is required for a financed car, it’s a lot more expensive than I thought. I kept my Honda for many years to come, till I got divorced. My ex-husband ended up getting it in the settlement, and sold it in Santa Barbara. I still to this day look at every grey Honda Accord to see if it is my old one. It was the most durable car I have ever had, and I would buy another one in a hot minute if I had the money.

To TEXT or not to TEXT??

To text or not to text

Texting has changed life as we know it! I am one of those who wouldn’t know what to do without it. It seems that I text more than actually talk on the phone. It doesn’t matter if it is a full conversation or just a short “hi, how u doing”. I can remember before cell phones had text. Texting on the pager consist of 07734 or 30414. The conversation was limited for sure! When texting first came out there was a charge for each word. Now it seems like everybody has an unlimited plan. Texting has changed drastically. Before all you could do is write, and now you can add pictures, video, voice notes, and you can even email. You don’t even need a cell phone to text one. You can instant message, or just email directly from a computer. Although technology is expanding there still are some people who don’t or can’t use a simple texting feature on their phone. This is a simple way to keep in touch without having to call, and avoid long conversations. Like I said, I don’t know what I would do without the ability to text. Life would be over as I know it! How about you?

Reality??

Is reality television good or bad for society? Some think it is a good thing, and some are disgusted that it is so accepted. There are so many a different kind of reality TV that I believe it is hard to say all reality TV is a good or bad thing.
I personally am a fan of certain shows like Survivor, Hoarders, Operation Repo, and LA ink. Where people are really competing or dealing with real issues. Survivor is a show where people all compete in challenges while living in a secluded part of a jungle or island. Hoarders show people who are mentally unable to throw away anything. Seeing how these people live makes me wonder about my grandparents whose house is getting more cluttered every day. In Operation Repo it is showing the life of a repo-man. Dealing with angry people who are getting their vehicles repossessed. La Ink is showing life from the eyes of a tattoo artist. I don’t like the reality shows that are a bunch of obnoxious people living together in a house. Dating reality shows aren’t in my top choices for reality shows either. When American Idol came out I was a fan, but now there has been how many seasons? There are so many plays off of American Idol, from so you think you can dance, to best dance crew, and American Idol for over 30. I really don’t understand how they can take a good idea, and warp it. Play it out to where everyone has some kind of version of it.
The reality shows I don’t understand are the let’s see how many kids you have, girls are just fighting or dating shows. It seems like now- a- days if you have an abundance of kids, a slutty attitude, or desperately want to marry you are allowed a major network television show. These are the shows that I believe are corrupting our future leaders. There not giving any examples of good values. Have kids you can’t afford, clothes that don’t fit, and marry someone you don’t know.
If these are the shows that are coming out now, what is going to be coming up in the near future? The vulgarity just keeps climbing. There are reality shows about whore houses, playboy bunnies, and prisons. What’s next? What could really out do these shows? We will see what the future holds, but I personally won’t be supporting them. What is going to be on the TV when my son is my age? Who is it coming up with these shows, and do they have any moral value? What do their parents think? Or do they approve it, and is this why they are making these shows?
I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m sure it will be escalating as it has for many years now. Things certainly weren’t like this when I was a child, and I’m sure it won’t go back to that. We will see, and I hope things change the way they are going.

Fast food and me.
When I was a little girl my mother and father never took me to a fast food joint. It was a once in awhile treat. I don’t know if it was too expensive, or if they just didn’t like it. Maybe twice a year we would go o McDonalds or Taco Bell. In my early teens, McDonalds had the .20 cheese burgers and $2.00 bucket of fries. My allowance wasn’t that much, so my friends and I bought a lot through the next few years. Then every fast food place came up with a “value menu” or “dollar deals”, so it was not only easier to eat fast food, but now it was cheaper. As I got older I ate more and more fast food. I kept eating fast food even when I moved on my own. I lived in a house with 15 people and there was one kitchen. There weren’t a lot of home cooked meals in that house. When I moved to Oregon I had to learn to cook. Veneta is the town I lived in, and the only fast food place was Dairy Queen. I really don’t like Dairy Queen. Even then, I would find an excuse to go into town at dinner time. Nuked hamburgers were definitely a lot tastier then my burnt cooking. Then I got food stamps, and sadly McDonalds doesn’t take food stamps. So I for the first time had to buy food to cook for myself. I grew an appreciation for the burnt taste, and now like my food “well done”. I got cook books and started experimenting. Found out very quickly that I like baking more than cooking. My taste for fast food faded as I stopped going to fast food restaurants. My life style had changed at this point, and I was now cooking for a family. I look back, when I was a child. Maybe that’s why we didn’t eat out much. It was too expensive for an entire family to eat out. One meal is a lot less expensive than five.
My lifestyle changed again, and I found myself cooking for one. For awhile all I ate was fast food. Three meals a day were fast food. Until one day I asked for a nutrition sheet from McDonalds. I was shocked to find out how many calories are in a salad at McDonalds. The snack wraps aren’t any better, and they’re supposed to be the healthy option to fast food. Now I try to stay away from it, but it’s impossible. There are situations that come up when you need to eat and there isn’t much of an option. Your miles away from home and your kids are hungry. Or your on vacation and don’t have access to a kitchen. That is what the industry is looking forward to. I don’t know how everyone would survive without the assistance of the fast food industry. So the convenience is good, but the nutritional facts aren’t. If only they could make healthy, cheap, and fast food. We would have a healthier future.

Past, Present and Future




I was born in Santa Barbara, California, Sept 1982. I am a single child, but I do have a half brother I used to see about once a year. When I was in third grade my parents divorced. My father stayed in Santa Barbara, and I moved to Fresno with my mother. We lived in a 5th wheel in the back of my grandparent’s house. When I was twelve my mother remarried and we moved in with him and his father. He was controlling, and later would lose his mind. I was grounded constantly and failed in school. When I was fourteen I stayed in a sanctuary for 3 weeks, and when I came home my step-father told me he was not ready to have me home. That same night I was on a train back down to Santa Barbara to live with my father. After living with my father for about a year he told me to pay rent or move out. I dropped out of school, started working full time and moved in with my boyfriend at the time. After renting a room in a house with 15 people; still paying 900.00 a month we decided to move to Oregon. Prices were cheap for houses, and we could afford to purchase one. After living in Oregon for a few years we got married. A year later we were divorced and I was knocked up with another man’s baby. I tried to make things work with my son’s father, but we were no good for each other I left him, and moved back to California to be close to my family.

Currently I am enrolled at Oxnard College, and until recently I was not sure of what I was studying for. I have recently come to the conclusion that I want to be a Dental Hygienist. I know most people think “why??” But honestly it’s a good profession. It is something that I can do, and financially support myself and my son. My main goal is just that, to live comfortably without the support of anyone else. So I am happy with my decision and know many struggles will lie ahead.

The future is a tricky one, every decision impacts our path. Hopefully I can make the right decisions and stay focused. Once I get my AS degree I will work full time as a Dental Hygienist, find a house that fits my family. If my mother’s health doesn’t get better, she will be living with me. I want to continue my education and move toward a BS, Masters and eventually you will be calling me Dr. Garcia. However, first things first…. Passing English!