Friday, May 27, 2011
HW 59 - SOF Prom 2011 & DSPs
Prom was kinda what I expected it to be, but not fully. I actually had fun which I didn't expect to have. People pre-gamed and were a bit drunk but not super wasted, everyone looked nice. There was lots of dancing and everyone was happy to be with everyone even if they didn't normally hang out. The only thing that surprised me was that there wasn't a slow dance, mainly because the DJ only played hype music which was more fast pace. Afteprom was also what I expected it be, but also not entirely, people got really really wasted, everyone changed and were in less formal clothing. At first it was kinda dead and boring because most people were so tired from prom, and than we got better speakers and the party of louder so people started dancing and had fun. Th partying ended at 5AM and we all hung out till 8, so we basically partied and chilled for more than 12 hours. It was chill, and I had a good time, I can say seniors next year and the years to come will enjoy it.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
HW 58 - Prom Interviews
For this assignment iI interviewed many students who are about to attend prom their ideas, and views on prom, and asked two simple questions, in order to get a bunch of peoples answers in hopes of getting different responses and answers. I asked "What do you think prom will be like?" and "What are your reasons for going or not going?".
"i dont expect much from prom, because my grade is kinda weird. i think its gonna be like a barmitsvah or a sweet sixteen with a lot more meaning i dont expect much from prom, because my grade is kinda weird. i think its gonna be like a barmitsvah or a sweet sixteen with a lot more meaning" - Sasha Z.
"its gonna be like science class but with fancy dresses I am going because my friends are going and I don't want to regret not going In all honesty though I am looking forward to the day after prom more than the actual prom itself, it has become way more stressful then it needs to be." - Sarah L.
"prom will be fun, but it wnt live up to the expectations that people hold because of the movies but i went because who doesnt go to their high school prom thats so sad." - Sarah H.
Everyones end reason as why they're going to prom is because they don't won't to regret it later on and feel bad about it.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
HW 57 - Initial Thoughts on Prom
Prom is a night high school seniors have a final moment, to be together before graduation. People dress formally at prom, the reason as to why can be a number of reasons. One can be that people like being thing they aren't, or dress like they're part of some elite, and want to stand out. Before prom people make tons of decisions and prepare months and some a year in advance, some people wait their whole lives for it. Some key factors in prom is a tux, prom dress and prom date.
In a couple of days I'll be experiencing prom, I wasn't excited and, I'm still not that excited about it. I don't have a date though, one of the reasons is because I waited last minute to even ask anyone, and when I did they were either taken or rejected me. Which didn't upset me, I personally don't see why any of this matters. My friend Matt the other told me "you don't care about not having a date now, but at prom when everyone is dancing with their dates you're going to feel bad". He's probably right, but again It's not a total life changing experience, well trchnically everything is life changing, but for me I'm not too sure.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
xc-COTD3
Six Feet Under 101: Season 1, Episode 1, June 3rd 2001: The Pilot
The first episode of Six Feet Under starts with a man named Nathaniel Fisher talking on the phone with his wife smoking a cigarette, his wife was suspicious of him smoking and told him to stop. He than after getting off the phone with her, decided to light another one, causing him to cross an intersection and get hit by a bus. Most movies when ever someone does something that can impair their driving you already get the message that something bad is going to happen, because the camera angle focuses on the window of the car to let viewers see the problem coming. When the husband was hit by the bus, his wife accidentally cut her finger; I think the director did that to symbolize something wrong. Some can argue that when the husband lied about not smoking and than promising he wasn't anymore, he had sinned which caused him to get hit, or it was a freak accident that could of been avoided if he wasn't on the phone or smoking. The other symbolic thing was when the wife cut her finger, and felt a feeling of worry, after that. Can be seen as metaphysical symbol, many believe that when our love ones die, we'll sense something because of a spiritual bond of some sort.
After that scene, you get to see the whole family and what they all do for a living. Surprisingly the fisher family works in the funeral industry. When starting this unit I assumed that funeral directors or anyone who deal with dead people, can handle death better, and live their lives a bit differently by not fearing death. But like anyone, it's hard for anyone to recover from a lost of relatives. For example one of the visitors, who came in the other say, took a 3-day break from work (funeral directing), after his mother passed away. Like most things in life, it's hard to understand how people feel, until it happens to us.
Six Feet Under 101: Season 1, Episode 2, June 10th 2001: The Will
The episode starts out with a family at a get together around a pool, people are talking and socializing etc. Chandler Swanson (the person who’s going to die in this episode) dives into the pool, and drowned, leaving behind a wife and baby daughter. The episode switches back over the Fisher family where Nathaniel Fisher's had a will left for his family read by his widowed wife to get money, stocks and insurance money. And the funeral business is passed on two his two sons Nate & David. His wild and experimental daughter received college tuition, but chooses to trade it in for cash. Nate (the eldest son) wanted to help out the widowed wife of Chandler Swanson, because of the debt her husband had left her with, and started learning a few things about the funeral business.
After watching two episodes of Six Feet Under I got pretty hooked on it, for many reasons. One of them is that it’s really well written; it deals on many different types of deaths, and family issues that are so common to many and not so much to others. It also show’s how there’s no such thing as a “normal” family, because every family has their own problems, the fishers have a lot of secrets from Mrs. Fisher cheating when her husband was alive, their second son David being gay, their eldest Nate who recently decided to come back because he sees that his family is broken up, and their youngest child and only daughter Claire who’s a confused girl and doesn’t know what she wants in life (typical young adult) who experiments with drugs. One of my worries is Claire dying; she seems really easily pressured and doesn’t handle things to well. The show also does well at showing the different reactions people get when they hear of a death of a loved one, some of the reactions were calm, but than they freaked out, some freaked out and than calm down, some kept calm, but stayed calm but in a docile manner.
xc-COTD2
Harold & Maude is one of those movies that are witty, clever and serious. It’s also has a peculiar way of making viewers have different opinions on what the message of the movie was, and it’s also one of those films that has to be watched beginning to end, and carefully watched to get it. I first watched Harold & Maude last year when I had to watch and read different literatures on existentialism, which has been a great help in this death unit. When I watched it last year my conclusion of the movie was that it showed two different age periods in life, youth and elderly. The beginning of the movie started out with the protagonist Harold faking suicides and seemed very interested in death, a bit too interested more or less obsessed, causing me to believe that he was suicidal. He than later meets a woman named Maude, at a funeral. At first when Harold & Maude spent time together talking about people, cultures, dreams, questioning, basically talking about life. I thought Maude was a mentor to Harold; as the movie progressed you saw the transition in Harold’s behavior, he was more happy around her, and embraced death, almost as if he were the same age as her (79) and soon about to die as well. He turned the Porche his parents bought him for his birthday into a hearse. Harold’s family, a wealthy one wanted Harold to choose a career to follow, they’ve attempted to have him meet generals doctors, anything that was a bit high class they wanted him to do, but he always blew them away by doing something weird, like faking a suicide, his parents tried to get him a girlfriend (young attractive women) he also blew those off as well, and only instead wanted to hang out with Maude. Those were when the tell-tell signs that Harold was very interested in Maude we’re becoming obvious. Harold later on in the movie kisses Maude after talking by a pier, and seeing she was a holocaust survivor, and slept with her. Full of joy he asks her to marry him, and than she breaks out that she poisoned herself, Harold rushes her to the hospital, but it was too late Maude wanted to die for a long time because it was “her time”. Harold panics, causing viewers to believe he was going to kill himself you see him drive his Porsche hearse towards a cliff, and than the car crashes straight down a cliff to the bottom by the water, he appears on the cliff playing the banjo, wearing colors. That was significant because it showed how Harold, decided to throw his views of death away and enjoy his life while young and get old, until that day comes.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
HW 56 - Culminating Project Comments
Sam's Blog:
Sam,
I liked your blog because you had a really clear beginning that was interesting and had good points, which made reading the rest of your blog easy to read. One thing i found interesting about jewish faith is that it's more natural than christianity, for example things such as kosher. There's also some similarities between the two, for example they both believe that the dead will resurrect. I personally believe the reason people believe that is because its a way for people to cope with a death, by believing they'll come back, but there's a contradiction with that, all the people who believed that before they died and than they're relatives when they died kept believing that, meaning that many generations are due to resurrect. Other than that you had a great blog, good work.
- Rigel
Here's a link to Sam's blog.
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Sam,
I liked your blog because you had a really clear beginning that was interesting and had good points, which made reading the rest of your blog easy to read. One thing i found interesting about jewish faith is that it's more natural than christianity, for example things such as kosher. There's also some similarities between the two, for example they both believe that the dead will resurrect. I personally believe the reason people believe that is because its a way for people to cope with a death, by believing they'll come back, but there's a contradiction with that, all the people who believed that before they died and than they're relatives when they died kept believing that, meaning that many generations are due to resurrect. Other than that you had a great blog, good work.
- Rigel
Here's a link to Sam's blog.
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Stephen's Blog:
Stephen,
Your blog had a lot of god info, facts and personal knowledge (you can think for yourself.) Which andy yesterday said is a good perk to have, and it is. The ending of your blog was good because your right funeral homes should acknowledge the fact that, they cost a huge deal of money. Like most industrialized things, once they become successful businesses it's only natural for them to lose their morals, about the customer first. Besides that Good job.
- Rigel
Here's a link to Stephen's blog.
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Matt S.'s Blog:
Matt,
I hang out with you all the time at school, but damn when it comes to your blogs, your not only on point, but are a completely different person. You go in depth, you analyze what you're talking about and you give personal insights which makes this read even more engaging. You should pursue a career in writing and giving speeches, cause you're a natural. You're blog related to my elevator speech about how we're our own person, except I didn't have enough time to go in depth in my speech, one of the examples and topics I wanted to talk about was how people believe that our loved ones spirits protect us and, from their the cycle occurs, but i believed that we are all connected and we're constant flowing energies, and if spirits and reincarnation exist, and we live on through our children, how would we know? I'm sure you feel connected with your relatives, but do you experience everything they do, and most likely the answer is no, because we are our own individuals. Again great blog, I always look forward to your next ones.
-Rigel
Here's a link to Matt's blog.
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Matt B.'s blog:
Matt,
You have that deep voice that gets peoples attentions during your speeches, and the topics you talk about, are interesting, which is another plus. I think the transition from you in the beginning questioning life and death, and you having your own ideas of life and death is what really matters in this unit, using what you learned and now know to achieve your own ideas, is the best thing anyone can do. Because like most peoples views, especially traditional ones such as ones that are made from their religion, we all have our own interpretation on everything, so i like that you have you're own say. You're blog had a lot of good facts, that i didn't now about before, and you used own personal idea to define what you believe. Good job, and i'm interested in reading your next to come.
-Rigel.
Here's a link to Matt's Blog:
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From Alix:
Rigel,
Your blog was pretty good I like how you analyzed what life and death really is by focussing on how technology plays a role at keeping someone "alive", and how we view of life and death should be updated. You had a lot of strong points, such as open heart surgery, because 100 years ago that was something a bit fictional, and now it's done only regular basis with positive results. Their's a few things about your blog I was a bit puzzled about one being, you didn't go in depth on some of the topics your brought up, also I think you had many good ideas and thoughts, but rushed them and got lazy. For your next blog you should give it your all and enjoy it so it's more engaging, proof read as well, other than that not bad.
-Alix
Your blog was pretty good I like how you analyzed what life and death really is by focussing on how technology plays a role at keeping someone "alive", and how we view of life and death should be updated. You had a lot of strong points, such as open heart surgery, because 100 years ago that was something a bit fictional, and now it's done only regular basis with positive results. Their's a few things about your blog I was a bit puzzled about one being, you didn't go in depth on some of the topics your brought up, also I think you had many good ideas and thoughts, but rushed them and got lazy. For your next blog you should give it your all and enjoy it so it's more engaging, proof read as well, other than that not bad.
-Alix
xc-COTD1
...it'd be wrong if i made a joke.
Washington Cemetery Panorama facing Bay Parkway.
Brendan on the right, me in the middle, Chris on the left and Christian on the camera.
I went on a small trip with my classmates Brendan, Chris and Christian to the cemetery to observe what we saw, and the ideas we got from our visit. I visited two cemeteries; of two different religions two compare and contrast what I noticed. I went to the Trinity church cemetery (Christian) on city hall, and the Washington cemetery (Jewish) on Bay Parkway and Ocean Parkway (it’s huge). When I went to the trinity church cemetery it was pretty peaceful but it being in city hall made it a bit annoying to be, so many tourist, cars, and tight space, it seems a bit un-peaceful for the dead. One somewhat obvious observation was that the trinity cemetery, is very old, some of the gravestones date back all the way to the 1840’s and older, Thomas Jefferson has a tombstone in the trinity, but his body isn’t buried their. The good thing about the trinity is that there is a lot of historical aspects to it, like most of lower Manhattan because its one of the earliest, parts of Manhattan and New York City when it was forming. The Washington cemetery was much, much quieter than the trinity; one of the reasons is due to the area, less people, and more rural neighborhood. Another difference is that the Washington cemetery is mainly for people of the Jewish religion, meaning that every decease person in the cemetery was buried following Jewish tradition, buried in 24 hours, no embalming, etc.
Some similarities that were interesting was that both cemeteries, uses tombstones, they can be made by however way the person’s family choose it to be so they’re not all the same, some have pictures of the decease, some are glossy (marble material) some are hard concrete, etc. The only small difference is that in trinity and most catholic cemeteries there’s a cross, and for Washington cemetery, they use the Star of David, which I thought was cool and interesting, shows each religions emblem. I my little trip to the cemetery, for a few reasons, first one being I pass cemetery’s all the time, I was never scared of them but never found them interesting, but after all this it’s a bit interesting it’s more or less like a trip to a park, but with organize concrete figures, lots and lots of them. I think everyone should go to a cemetery for two reason’s even if the people in the cemetery aren’t related to you, you’ll notice how different and how similar all dead people and their families are. They all die, grieve move on, like everyone else.
Monday, May 16, 2011
HW 55 - Culminating Project - Care of the Dead
For a long time I’ve always found life to be an interesting topic, because of the events that take place from beginning to end. I always found it interesting how when a mothers is pregnant that’s when life starts, or is it. Like any experience, everyone’s is different, causing people to have different ideas about things. One can argue that life doesn’t truly start until you can start communicating and others can say it’s the moment you’re born.
Both birth and death share similarities, because they both deal with existence. Scientifically we know that when a person is born it’s due through the process of sexual reproduction, and when one dies it depends on whether the person has a pulse, caused by the heart; or if their brain is functioning. One reason people are so focused about death is because after someone dies, many believe that there is a continuation of some sort, an afterlife. One of the reasons people believe this is because before a person was born they didn’t exist. The definition of the word existence is; a obsolete: reality as opposed to appearance ,b : reality as presented in experience. (Merriam-Webster). Basically if people knew one existed was visible than they existed, but there’s a contradiction to that. Mainly because it’s based on whether a sperm existed or an egg, which is constantly being created, so technically everyone that could have been exists or existed, if it was created. To go even deeper some of the building blocks of life are nutrients, and when someone dies, their remains break down and become nutrients. Depending on how a person is interred they’re remains naturally breaks down.
With technology playing a role in helping people survive when ill or damaged, there are ways to help people stay alive through major situations. Situations such as open heart surgery, or a coma. Remember one of the main factors that describe someone, as being alive or dead, is the state of their heart and brain. If people went with those factors than technically any person in a coma/vegetable state or are being helped by an artificial heart to stay alive is dead, which is why with every new breakthrough the definition of existence is requisitioned and gains a new definition.
I personally believe that birth and death are connected more than people think. The fact that everyone who is born will eventually die, is pretty remarkable. At the same time I think birth and death are closely connected, because of energy. Before we’re born we’re energy that is forming based on our parents our ancestors our environment (surroundings), what we eat, everything. And when we die, I don’t think we’ll consciously continue in another realm knowing the same people and will be able to see future generations to come. And when we die we become energy again, our body breaks down, becomes nutrients or is burned, and we’re constantly being used. One of the reasons I believe the idea of a afterlife such as heaven is non existent, is due to the fact of when we die and how. What if someone had Alzheimer’s when they died, would that person suddenly start remembering things again, and what about the age someone died, would they be that same age.
Citations:
John, Dinolo. Medline Plus. New York City: Medline, Web..
William, Kevin. "The NDE and Religion." Research Conclusions 2010: n. pag. Web. 16 May 2011..
Both birth and death share similarities, because they both deal with existence. Scientifically we know that when a person is born it’s due through the process of sexual reproduction, and when one dies it depends on whether the person has a pulse, caused by the heart; or if their brain is functioning. One reason people are so focused about death is because after someone dies, many believe that there is a continuation of some sort, an afterlife. One of the reasons people believe this is because before a person was born they didn’t exist. The definition of the word existence is; a obsolete: reality as opposed to appearance ,b : reality as presented in experience. (Merriam-Webster). Basically if people knew one existed was visible than they existed, but there’s a contradiction to that. Mainly because it’s based on whether a sperm existed or an egg, which is constantly being created, so technically everyone that could have been exists or existed, if it was created. To go even deeper some of the building blocks of life are nutrients, and when someone dies, their remains break down and become nutrients. Depending on how a person is interred they’re remains naturally breaks down.
With technology playing a role in helping people survive when ill or damaged, there are ways to help people stay alive through major situations. Situations such as open heart surgery, or a coma. Remember one of the main factors that describe someone, as being alive or dead, is the state of their heart and brain. If people went with those factors than technically any person in a coma/vegetable state or are being helped by an artificial heart to stay alive is dead, which is why with every new breakthrough the definition of existence is requisitioned and gains a new definition.
I personally believe that birth and death are connected more than people think. The fact that everyone who is born will eventually die, is pretty remarkable. At the same time I think birth and death are closely connected, because of energy. Before we’re born we’re energy that is forming based on our parents our ancestors our environment (surroundings), what we eat, everything. And when we die, I don’t think we’ll consciously continue in another realm knowing the same people and will be able to see future generations to come. And when we die we become energy again, our body breaks down, becomes nutrients or is burned, and we’re constantly being used. One of the reasons I believe the idea of a afterlife such as heaven is non existent, is due to the fact of when we die and how. What if someone had Alzheimer’s when they died, would that person suddenly start remembering things again, and what about the age someone died, would they be that same age.
Citations:
John, Dinolo. Medline Plus. New York City: Medline, Web.
William, Kevin. "The NDE and Religion." Research Conclusions 2010: n. pag. Web. 16 May 2011.
Monday, May 9, 2011
HW 53 - Independent Research A
With Poem, Broaching the Topic of Death
By Ben Daitz, M.D.
Many cultures all around the world have their own way of dealing with death and views. This article mainly focuses on the culture of the navajo, in their culture when one dies it's bad luck, and there's a fear that it'll bring you death. Ms. Begay, a navajo is trying to change the way most navajo's portray death and wants them to accept it as something normal.
Before reading this article i always assumed native americans were the least superstitious when it came to death, and would handle it better than dominant religions such as christianity. But reading this shows how most cultures in society are puzzled by death, and are scared to face it.
Citation:
Ben, Daitz. "With Poem, Broaching the Topic of Death." New York Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 9 May 2011.
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Dance, Laugh, Drink. Save the Date: It’s a Ghanaian Funeral.
By Sam Dolnick:
In most cultures when their is a death, we mourn in total sorrow and make the process of recovery harder for us, because of our dominant social practices. One of the things we do that make it harder for us is us worrying about being judged or our religious beliefs. We sometimes hide our emotions like laughing or crying and having conversations casually at a funeral because it's not the average "norm"/normal way.
This article counters the first article because it's showing, how some cultures accept death better than others, in fact it was the total opposite, the first one was about how in the navajo culture people don't even talk about the deceased, while in the ghanaian culture they have an actual party. When i found this article i was stunned because coincidently i was looking for something that would counter my first read and i got lucky. After reading this I was a bit inspired, because I always told people when talking about death, I always mention that I want my funeral to be happy, not the typical all dark and quiet look, i want people to talk, socialize and do fun things as much as possible, even if its hard and when they're sad and the best way i think that would be possible is if everyone releases the true emotions and says whats on their mind.
Citation:
Sam, Dolnick. "Dance, Laugh, Drink. Save the Date: It’s a Ghanaian Funeral.." New York Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 9 May 2011. "
By Ben Daitz, M.D.
Many cultures all around the world have their own way of dealing with death and views. This article mainly focuses on the culture of the navajo, in their culture when one dies it's bad luck, and there's a fear that it'll bring you death. Ms. Begay, a navajo is trying to change the way most navajo's portray death and wants them to accept it as something normal.
Before reading this article i always assumed native americans were the least superstitious when it came to death, and would handle it better than dominant religions such as christianity. But reading this shows how most cultures in society are puzzled by death, and are scared to face it.
Citation:
Ben, Daitz. "With Poem, Broaching the Topic of Death." New York Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 9 May 2011.
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Dance, Laugh, Drink. Save the Date: It’s a Ghanaian Funeral.
By Sam Dolnick:
In most cultures when their is a death, we mourn in total sorrow and make the process of recovery harder for us, because of our dominant social practices. One of the things we do that make it harder for us is us worrying about being judged or our religious beliefs. We sometimes hide our emotions like laughing or crying and having conversations casually at a funeral because it's not the average "norm"/normal way.
This article counters the first article because it's showing, how some cultures accept death better than others, in fact it was the total opposite, the first one was about how in the navajo culture people don't even talk about the deceased, while in the ghanaian culture they have an actual party. When i found this article i was stunned because coincidently i was looking for something that would counter my first read and i got lucky. After reading this I was a bit inspired, because I always told people when talking about death, I always mention that I want my funeral to be happy, not the typical all dark and quiet look, i want people to talk, socialize and do fun things as much as possible, even if its hard and when they're sad and the best way i think that would be possible is if everyone releases the true emotions and says whats on their mind.
Citation:
Sam, Dolnick. "Dance, Laugh, Drink. Save the Date: It’s a Ghanaian Funeral.." New York Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 9 May 2011. "
Sunday, May 8, 2011
HW 52 - Third Third of the COTD Book
On the middle portion of the book, I talk about other burial alternatives, one being reef balling. Reef balling is the process when a decease is cremated, tan their ashes are put in a cement ball, that is than sunken to the sea, for aquatic life to flourish on. The purpose of this is so families feel and put their body in good use, and when it's being used in a way where colonies of fish, bacteria and algae or growing on it, which are some of the early building blocks of life, so it makes a person feel like they're apart of life.
“Carrie would have preferred to inter John in one of his favorite diving sites off the Cayman Islands." (Harris, 92)
"By placing material like rock, concrete, ships, and fabricated reef balls on our part of the seabed, we're trying to create structures that will serve as aquatic nurseries where there are none" " (Harris, 97)
"No sooner has the crane begun winching up the cable hen the plank reaches its tipping point, and the two tons of concrete and five pounds of human ashes that is John V. Slowe memorial reef shoots down the wooden slide and , with a crashing sound that the boat hull, splashes into the Atlantic." (Harris,
Reef balling to me isn't a bad idea, and has a lot of environmental benefits. One thing about reef balling is that I feel that it's mainly for people who aren't that religious, because there isn't that many religious significant to reef balling. Their are some problems with reef balling to me, one of the them is the fact it uses 2 tons of concrete, that's almost more than what the average tombstone uses, which isn't that economical. My favorite part about reef balling is that to me it seems better than just spreading ashes over a body of water and it floats and spreads around. While reef balling stays in one place and will eventually home fish and sea plants. I imagine that years into the future, divers will go down and see the reef ball extract it and the ash and bring me back to life, like some sci-fi thing.
“Carrie would have preferred to inter John in one of his favorite diving sites off the Cayman Islands." (Harris, 92)
"By placing material like rock, concrete, ships, and fabricated reef balls on our part of the seabed, we're trying to create structures that will serve as aquatic nurseries where there are none" " (Harris, 97)
"No sooner has the crane begun winching up the cable hen the plank reaches its tipping point, and the two tons of concrete and five pounds of human ashes that is John V. Slowe memorial reef shoots down the wooden slide and , with a crashing sound that the boat hull, splashes into the Atlantic." (Harris,
Reef balling to me isn't a bad idea, and has a lot of environmental benefits. One thing about reef balling is that I feel that it's mainly for people who aren't that religious, because there isn't that many religious significant to reef balling. Their are some problems with reef balling to me, one of the them is the fact it uses 2 tons of concrete, that's almost more than what the average tombstone uses, which isn't that economical. My favorite part about reef balling is that to me it seems better than just spreading ashes over a body of water and it floats and spreads around. While reef balling stays in one place and will eventually home fish and sea plants. I imagine that years into the future, divers will go down and see the reef ball extract it and the ash and bring me back to life, like some sci-fi thing.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
HW 51 - Second Third of COTD Book
When our loved ones dies, depending on the deceased's culture is what was determined on what would happen to the body. A death on average can be the second most expensive thing a family will spend. In the united states many people have funerals, at cemeteries. Person dies, body is embalmed to last, than buried, and depending on a persons income, the better quality burial. The perseverance of a corpse is become a booming business, and a fad.
“Holy Savior insists that a vault be used to think the ground from sinking into the grave when the casket eventually collapses and creates a depression that mars the uniformity of the grounds and makes mowing difficult” (Harris, 32)
"Pounded out in the factories of an industrializing North, the sturdy metal coffin promised the dead greater protection from the elements" (Harris, 43)
I think it's a bit funny how people find ways to make money off people, from products as simple as food to coffins. Before reading this book, I thought the process of death was, person dies, gets put in a fridge in a morgue or something, funeral service open or closed, than buried. And I thought the coffins just stay there with no problem, and the body decays in it. It's a bit like all the other units we did before this, we think these simple things have a simple process, but it's more complicating than it seems. It's funny how like most things in life the higher quality/price of a coffin wil determine how well protected someones body is, it's like a modern day sarcophagus almost like what ancient egyptians did, so the richer/more money someone spends the more you can be buried like royalty.
“Holy Savior insists that a vault be used to think the ground from sinking into the grave when the casket eventually collapses and creates a depression that mars the uniformity of the grounds and makes mowing difficult” (Harris, 32)
"Pounded out in the factories of an industrializing North, the sturdy metal coffin promised the dead greater protection from the elements" (Harris, 43)
I think it's a bit funny how people find ways to make money off people, from products as simple as food to coffins. Before reading this book, I thought the process of death was, person dies, gets put in a fridge in a morgue or something, funeral service open or closed, than buried. And I thought the coffins just stay there with no problem, and the body decays in it. It's a bit like all the other units we did before this, we think these simple things have a simple process, but it's more complicating than it seems. It's funny how like most things in life the higher quality/price of a coffin wil determine how well protected someones body is, it's like a modern day sarcophagus almost like what ancient egyptians did, so the richer/more money someone spends the more you can be buried like royalty.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
HW 49 - Comments on Best of Your Break HW
My comments to my Thinking/Writing groups:
Sarah's blog:
Sarah,
I really liked the fact that you interview your aunt, and your friends mothers as a change of "norm", it made reading your blog more interesting to read. I found it interesting how for your aunts family (also your family) they believed in an afterlife, and that ones life continues in a different realm. The reason i said in's interesting is because, I find it interesting, that in most cultures, and majority of people on this planet, believe in an afterlife or some sort. But i wonder why we believe that, is it an unexplainable feeling? or is it a belief that's been imbedded in us? For your mom's friend I thought it was a bit heart wrenching that she had to see her own dead parent, I don't know how i would handle seeing one of my relatives, and I wouldn't know what to do with their corpse. But for your mothers friend to cremate her fathers corpse I thought it was an interesting option, because that's someone you knew and to turn their body into ash, I think is pretty bold. Before reading grave matters i had already known that funerals were expensive, so i thought that the main reasons people cremated their loves ones for two reasons, won to keep a physical part of them at their homes or wherever, and second because it's cheaper. Anyway, your blog was a smooth read, and interesting most of all, I don't have anything negative to say, except for good job, and look forward to the next to come
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
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Anthony's Blog:
Anthony,
your blog was an interesting read, it had very good comparisons and stories. You interviewing a grown woman, and a child was what made reading this interesting. The first person you interviewed is obviously very dedicated to taking care of the deceased, but a question that came to mind when reading this is, is she superstitious? because you said she prays over the body, once every hour. For your next interviewee, I can tell he's like most people in our generation, we accept death because we know it affects everyone. For feedback though, your second interview (the kid) wasn't long enough, you just ended it, and i feel like you could of said more. Other than that, not bad, and i look forward to your next blog.
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
---------------
Felipe's Blog:
Felipe,
first I'd like to point out, your blog page makes me keep thinking that there's a glitch, cause it looks like my blog site, but i like how your blog page is in reverse, first time seeing that so neat background. Now for you blog, very in depth, short, good topic/points. I like how your blog analyzed the process of taking care of the corpse than the care of the already embalmed. One of my favorite quotes on your blog was "The idea of the dead accepting their own death is rarely something you hear about", because people believe that the dead go to another realm/afterlife, so do they think about their own death. I just thought that was a good statement, gives people something to think about. Good blog, do more homework, so i can read your next blog.
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
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Jess C's Blog:
Jessica,
your blog made me reflect a lot back to mine, the way you described how funerals go, and what they mean is the way my mother described it for my homework 48, people gather, rekindle, and go back to a home or hall and eat and etc. Not a big deal but for me it struct me because i've never been to a funeral, so i cant imagine eating at one, and to hear that food plays a role surprises me. One of the things i liked about your blog was that it was short, and went straight to the point, which are my favorite type of things to read. One feedback I'd give you is use more capital words in the beginning of each sentence, so that way it'll be more of an organize read, and will flow. Other than that good job, and look forward to reading more of your blogs to come.
-Rigel
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Comments on my blog:
My Uncles Comment:
Rigel,
your blog was a decent read, but was mostly a quoted story, rather a narrative story with your thoughts and ideas using quotes, or even an interview. One of the reasons it wasn't too bad was because your questions to your mother, got you a long story, which gave me all the info to understand her experience. Which is what made your blog good, the reason 'm a bit disappointed with it is because it lacks what your title says it would be about "your families perspective", you didn't say what your moms perspective on the care of the dead was. Other than that not bad, but i look forward to a better blog next time.
- Alix
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My little cousin's comment:
I liked your blog because it told me the story about great grandmas death, and i was amazed to read how much our family bonded and was all together, more than it is today. It's almost like most things in life, people only come together after a tragedy, I guess that's how people heal emotionally, and once we get better we go on with our lives, until the next emotional wound. The only feedback I would give you is the same as uncle Alix, so next time focus on the main topic. Good job though.
-Nick
Sarah's blog:
Sarah,
I really liked the fact that you interview your aunt, and your friends mothers as a change of "norm", it made reading your blog more interesting to read. I found it interesting how for your aunts family (also your family) they believed in an afterlife, and that ones life continues in a different realm. The reason i said in's interesting is because, I find it interesting, that in most cultures, and majority of people on this planet, believe in an afterlife or some sort. But i wonder why we believe that, is it an unexplainable feeling? or is it a belief that's been imbedded in us? For your mom's friend I thought it was a bit heart wrenching that she had to see her own dead parent, I don't know how i would handle seeing one of my relatives, and I wouldn't know what to do with their corpse. But for your mothers friend to cremate her fathers corpse I thought it was an interesting option, because that's someone you knew and to turn their body into ash, I think is pretty bold. Before reading grave matters i had already known that funerals were expensive, so i thought that the main reasons people cremated their loves ones for two reasons, won to keep a physical part of them at their homes or wherever, and second because it's cheaper. Anyway, your blog was a smooth read, and interesting most of all, I don't have anything negative to say, except for good job, and look forward to the next to come
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
---------------
Anthony's Blog:
Anthony,
your blog was an interesting read, it had very good comparisons and stories. You interviewing a grown woman, and a child was what made reading this interesting. The first person you interviewed is obviously very dedicated to taking care of the deceased, but a question that came to mind when reading this is, is she superstitious? because you said she prays over the body, once every hour. For your next interviewee, I can tell he's like most people in our generation, we accept death because we know it affects everyone. For feedback though, your second interview (the kid) wasn't long enough, you just ended it, and i feel like you could of said more. Other than that, not bad, and i look forward to your next blog.
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
---------------
Felipe's Blog:
Felipe,
first I'd like to point out, your blog page makes me keep thinking that there's a glitch, cause it looks like my blog site, but i like how your blog page is in reverse, first time seeing that so neat background. Now for you blog, very in depth, short, good topic/points. I like how your blog analyzed the process of taking care of the corpse than the care of the already embalmed. One of my favorite quotes on your blog was "The idea of the dead accepting their own death is rarely something you hear about", because people believe that the dead go to another realm/afterlife, so do they think about their own death. I just thought that was a good statement, gives people something to think about. Good blog, do more homework, so i can read your next blog.
-Rigel
Their are a few typos, all of the times i meant to type "your" my phone put "you're", freaking auto-correct, ignore them, thank you.
-----------------
Jess C's Blog:
Jessica,
your blog made me reflect a lot back to mine, the way you described how funerals go, and what they mean is the way my mother described it for my homework 48, people gather, rekindle, and go back to a home or hall and eat and etc. Not a big deal but for me it struct me because i've never been to a funeral, so i cant imagine eating at one, and to hear that food plays a role surprises me. One of the things i liked about your blog was that it was short, and went straight to the point, which are my favorite type of things to read. One feedback I'd give you is use more capital words in the beginning of each sentence, so that way it'll be more of an organize read, and will flow. Other than that good job, and look forward to reading more of your blogs to come.
-Rigel
---------------------------------------------------------------
Comments on my blog:
My Uncles Comment:
Rigel,
your blog was a decent read, but was mostly a quoted story, rather a narrative story with your thoughts and ideas using quotes, or even an interview. One of the reasons it wasn't too bad was because your questions to your mother, got you a long story, which gave me all the info to understand her experience. Which is what made your blog good, the reason 'm a bit disappointed with it is because it lacks what your title says it would be about "your families perspective", you didn't say what your moms perspective on the care of the dead was. Other than that not bad, but i look forward to a better blog next time.
- Alix
----------------------
My little cousin's comment:
I liked your blog because it told me the story about great grandmas death, and i was amazed to read how much our family bonded and was all together, more than it is today. It's almost like most things in life, people only come together after a tragedy, I guess that's how people heal emotionally, and once we get better we go on with our lives, until the next emotional wound. The only feedback I would give you is the same as uncle Alix, so next time focus on the main topic. Good job though.
-Nick
Saturday, April 30, 2011
HW 50 - First Third of Care-of-the-Dead Book Post
Greave Matters is a book about the embalming of peoples love ones, and goes in depth about the effects of an average burial, and gives readers insights about green burial. This book isn’t trying to change peoples minds on how to embalm themselves or their love ones when they pass away, it’s sole purpose is to inform people, and hopefully change the way people normally do things.
Grave Matters by Mark Davis is a book about the business of the embalming of the deceased. When I pre read the book at first I thought it was interesting because of the many facts it gave about funerals, the price, the materials, its affect on the environment, etc. At first I thought the first chapter would be a bit like the Omnivores Dilemma where it gave a short catchy story, than gave a lot of good facts, and points, but instead Grave Matters, gives personal stories, which is relevant to know, but to me is a bit dramatic. For example the first chapter was about this couple who lost their 18 year old daughter and all this is being explained in just three sentences, so when pre reading learning all these facts, you expect to see more interesting facts but instead, you get hit with a depressing story. This book like every other book we’ve read this year for all our units gives a “nicer” alternative to something that’s because nightmarish and creepy, or exploits people to make money.
Grave Matters by Mark Davis is a book about the business of the embalming of the deceased. When I pre read the book at first I thought it was interesting because of the many facts it gave about funerals, the price, the materials, its affect on the environment, etc. At first I thought the first chapter would be a bit like the Omnivores Dilemma where it gave a short catchy story, than gave a lot of good facts, and points, but instead Grave Matters, gives personal stories, which is relevant to know, but to me is a bit dramatic. For example the first chapter was about this couple who lost their 18 year old daughter and all this is being explained in just three sentences, so when pre reading learning all these facts, you expect to see more interesting facts but instead, you get hit with a depressing story. This book like every other book we’ve read this year for all our units gives a “nicer” alternative to something that’s because nightmarish and creepy, or exploits people to make money.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
HW 48 - Family Perspectives on the Care of the Dead (Read This One)
My interview with my mother:
“What was the first death you experienced?”
“My friend Patrick who died of leukemia, when I was 16.”
“How did his family care for his death?”
“He had converted from catholic to Islam, the day after he died there was a wake, and it was open casket. The next day was the funeral; there was no open casket, because his mother was upset about having him exposed again. His head was facing east so the casket was moved a certain direction, because of religious purposes. People said their prayers than his casket was being buried, as that was happening his mother had a horrendous scream, which gave everyone chills and everyone started crying and so did I. He was 18.”
“What was your first experience with a death in our family?”
“My grandmothers death (my great grandmother). I was a sophomore in college when my roommate had gotten a call from my mother, when I got to my dorm and my roommate told me the message I did not believe her and was upset with her. The next day I flew back to New York from D.C. When I got to home it was hectic, because family from all over were coming in, staying at different relatives houses, there was a dinner and people were crying and rekindling. I had missed the wake because it happened the day I found out. The following day (the third day) was the funeral/church service, which hundreds of people came to. My grandmothers body was in the front of the church and it was an open casket, everyone went near to say their goodbyes, I stayed in the back, and was still able to see her body, but didn't want get close to it. After all that the casket was closed, and was carried into the hearse, and was taken to the cemetery, which people drove to as well. People said their last words, and the body was being buried, which is when I and many others and I broke down. After that a lot people went back to my great grandmothers house talking about her and stuff, but because their were so many people the family ended up renting out a hall. During the time people we’re talking about my grandmother and their memories of her, I stepped outside the house, because I couldn't take listening to any of peoples conversations, and I was getting annoyed with questions such as "how do you feel?" Which I thought was a stupid to ask. While I was outside and thinking to myself I was barely able to breathe from the anger I felt. But later that day I realized how much people loved my grandmother by the amount of people in the house, which made me feel a bit better.”
My mothers experience with her grandmother’s death, and my friends experience with their parent’s death, has many similarities. Such as they hated questions like "how do you feel?" "Do you feel better?" because no one ever fully recovers from a lost of a love one. Another similarity is that, at first when they got the news they didn't believe it at first, and weren't fully affected until after the funeral. The last similarity is that the whole process occurred in a 3 day span mourning, wake & funeral.
“What was the first death you experienced?”
“My friend Patrick who died of leukemia, when I was 16.”
“How did his family care for his death?”
“He had converted from catholic to Islam, the day after he died there was a wake, and it was open casket. The next day was the funeral; there was no open casket, because his mother was upset about having him exposed again. His head was facing east so the casket was moved a certain direction, because of religious purposes. People said their prayers than his casket was being buried, as that was happening his mother had a horrendous scream, which gave everyone chills and everyone started crying and so did I. He was 18.”
“What was your first experience with a death in our family?”
“My grandmothers death (my great grandmother). I was a sophomore in college when my roommate had gotten a call from my mother, when I got to my dorm and my roommate told me the message I did not believe her and was upset with her. The next day I flew back to New York from D.C. When I got to home it was hectic, because family from all over were coming in, staying at different relatives houses, there was a dinner and people were crying and rekindling. I had missed the wake because it happened the day I found out. The following day (the third day) was the funeral/church service, which hundreds of people came to. My grandmothers body was in the front of the church and it was an open casket, everyone went near to say their goodbyes, I stayed in the back, and was still able to see her body, but didn't want get close to it. After all that the casket was closed, and was carried into the hearse, and was taken to the cemetery, which people drove to as well. People said their last words, and the body was being buried, which is when I and many others and I broke down. After that a lot people went back to my great grandmothers house talking about her and stuff, but because their were so many people the family ended up renting out a hall. During the time people we’re talking about my grandmother and their memories of her, I stepped outside the house, because I couldn't take listening to any of peoples conversations, and I was getting annoyed with questions such as "how do you feel?" Which I thought was a stupid to ask. While I was outside and thinking to myself I was barely able to breathe from the anger I felt. But later that day I realized how much people loved my grandmother by the amount of people in the house, which made me feel a bit better.”
My mothers experience with her grandmother’s death, and my friends experience with their parent’s death, has many similarities. Such as they hated questions like "how do you feel?" "Do you feel better?" because no one ever fully recovers from a lost of a love one. Another similarity is that, at first when they got the news they didn't believe it at first, and weren't fully affected until after the funeral. The last similarity is that the whole process occurred in a 3 day span mourning, wake & funeral.
Friday, April 22, 2011
HW 47 - Peer Perspectives on the Care of the Dead
For this assignment i interviewed 2 friends of mine on their prospective on death, based on their experiences. One of my main focus is the effect of one losing a really close relative, and all of my interviewees lost a parent. One of my friends dad died when she was 5, and the other died just last year when he turned 17. The first thing I asked was "how did you recover from that experience?" The answer I got from both wasn't a shock, which was "you never recover" but they basically said, you just keep doing what you normally would do, but you'll always remember that your short of a parent. My second question to them was "What was you're first reaction when you found out about your dad?" Jacey (the one who's dad passed when she was 5), said she knew her father wasn't feeling to well, and was sent to the hospital, but was being told everything would be fine, until he died of a heart attack their. But she was traumatized because "nothing went fine". But she said that over the years her trauma from that has basically recovered, because her father has been gone for most of her life, but she still wonders what life would of been like if he was still around. For my friend Chris, his father died of a kidney failure on a business trip in Brazil, but when he found out about his dads death, he didn't believe it at first, because he saw his dad two days before his death. But the fact of his fathers death, hit him the day he was suppose to come back home, and instead his body was flown in, and the funeral. Even 8 months later, he still forgets his "dad is gone, but knows he is."
My third question to them was "How long did the whole process take (funeral, burial, etc.)? Jacey's dad was buried within four days, but normally they have a funeral and burial within 2 days. For Chris's father, took 6 days, because his body was flown from brazil, than a wake took place, than a funeral.
My third question to them was "How long did the whole process take (funeral, burial, etc.)? Jacey's dad was buried within four days, but normally they have a funeral and burial within 2 days. For Chris's father, took 6 days, because his body was flown from brazil, than a wake took place, than a funeral.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
HW 46 - Initial Thoughts on the Care of the Dead
Many things come to mind when I hear the word death, or think about death. Death to me is probably the most mysterious events next to if earth is the only planet that has human beings. One of the reasons I believe people analyze death so much is because we don't know what happens when someone dies, we have many ideas. Some think that we reincarnate, some think we go places that dont exist in the real world, such as heaven or hell, and some think we become non existent and life is blank. I personally don't have a specific belief, mainly because my argument against those theories is "where were we before we were babies?". All these theories are based off the idea of existence, which basically means something that we can see or know is there means it exist, but what about the unknown existence. Every now and then we hear things such as "a new discovery" in the media or etc. But if it was discovered than that means it was all ready there, so it always existed but we just never knew.
The reason I think understanding the idea of existence is important when talking about death, is because as human beings we are so fascinated with life and don't like when things we're used to disappear or die, but if we look at history so much has changed and died, in a way death is good, and for many reasons. If people and things constantly existed than their wouldn't be room for anything new, and there'd probably be less discoveries. I always think about these type of things mainly because I haven't dealt with much death in my life, I think one if the reasons is because my family is so broken up, so I have a lot of "distant relatives". Which makes it seem like a have a small family and less news goes around, which is why when I hear such and such had a baby, or died it's like hearing a stranger had a child or died, and I feel good or bad depending on the news. If a baby is born great, a new person in the family, someone died that's tragic, then again the way someone dies makes a difference as well. For example if someone died of natural causes at an age of 97, it's sad to hear, but we make ourselves feel better, by thinking they had a long life, but if someone died at 10 or 20 we'd be devastated, because they didn't live a long life. I could go even deeper with the idea o what a good life is, but to get you (the reader) thinking what if the person who was 20 lived a life that the 97 year old wish they had and considered that a good life or vice versa? Also as we get older we forget certain things that occurred early in our lives, what if someone who died young remembered happier moments in their life, while it was still fresh in their memories? Never the less, like anyone else I think it's devastating to lose a love one, and I don't know what I'd do in that situation. But I think we should all enjoy our lives, because we never know what's to come.
The reason I think understanding the idea of existence is important when talking about death, is because as human beings we are so fascinated with life and don't like when things we're used to disappear or die, but if we look at history so much has changed and died, in a way death is good, and for many reasons. If people and things constantly existed than their wouldn't be room for anything new, and there'd probably be less discoveries. I always think about these type of things mainly because I haven't dealt with much death in my life, I think one if the reasons is because my family is so broken up, so I have a lot of "distant relatives". Which makes it seem like a have a small family and less news goes around, which is why when I hear such and such had a baby, or died it's like hearing a stranger had a child or died, and I feel good or bad depending on the news. If a baby is born great, a new person in the family, someone died that's tragic, then again the way someone dies makes a difference as well. For example if someone died of natural causes at an age of 97, it's sad to hear, but we make ourselves feel better, by thinking they had a long life, but if someone died at 10 or 20 we'd be devastated, because they didn't live a long life. I could go even deeper with the idea o what a good life is, but to get you (the reader) thinking what if the person who was 20 lived a life that the 97 year old wish they had and considered that a good life or vice versa? Also as we get older we forget certain things that occurred early in our lives, what if someone who died young remembered happier moments in their life, while it was still fresh in their memories? Never the less, like anyone else I think it's devastating to lose a love one, and I don't know what I'd do in that situation. But I think we should all enjoy our lives, because we never know what's to come.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
HW 45 - Reply to Other Peoples' Comments
My response to Matts comment:
Thanks Matt, and I completely agree with your comment about me focusing on single mothers more. When I did this blog I sort of lost tract on what I was talking about, and didn't have one main idea, because i had a few. This whole unit alone is pretty interesting to me, so i tried to cram as many things that i researched into it. Thanks so much for reading my blog, and be on the look out for more to come.
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My response to Javons comment:
Thanks Javon, you're right about that part of my blog not elaborating more about what i meant about men today lacking responsibility, and i regret that, like i told Matt I tried to cram a lot of information and my thoughts in my blog, but I also rushed it a bit. I appreciate your feedback, and have taken it to mind, and will apply your tips to my next blog. Thanks again, and I hope you read my next blog.
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My response to Jessicas comment:
Thanks Jessica, as I can see everyone who's read my blog wants me to give more personal examples on my blog. you got it. I'll elaborate more on the examples i give, because I admit that i didn't give enough detail which is a crucial part in any paper. Thanks so much for reading my blog, and I hope you read my future blogs to come.
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My response to Deans comment:
Thanks Dean, I'm glad you enjoyed my blog, and found parts of it to be interesting. Since you have such a positive comment, I hope you'll read my next blog, also if you have any feedback on what you'd like to see on my next blog that i didn't put on this one, let me know. Thanks again, and stay posted for more blogs to come.
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My response to Stephens comment:
Thanks Stephen, I re-read my blog after i had done it and thought the same thing as your feedback, but was figured "eh, it's late it's not too off topic, where it'll throw a reader off, so f-it". But trust me my next blog, i'll be on point throughout the whole thing, but I hope you read my next blog, and tell me what you think about that one to come. Thanks again for reading my blog.
Thanks Matt, and I completely agree with your comment about me focusing on single mothers more. When I did this blog I sort of lost tract on what I was talking about, and didn't have one main idea, because i had a few. This whole unit alone is pretty interesting to me, so i tried to cram as many things that i researched into it. Thanks so much for reading my blog, and be on the look out for more to come.
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My response to Javons comment:
Thanks Javon, you're right about that part of my blog not elaborating more about what i meant about men today lacking responsibility, and i regret that, like i told Matt I tried to cram a lot of information and my thoughts in my blog, but I also rushed it a bit. I appreciate your feedback, and have taken it to mind, and will apply your tips to my next blog. Thanks again, and I hope you read my next blog.
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My response to Jessicas comment:
Thanks Jessica, as I can see everyone who's read my blog wants me to give more personal examples on my blog. you got it. I'll elaborate more on the examples i give, because I admit that i didn't give enough detail which is a crucial part in any paper. Thanks so much for reading my blog, and I hope you read my future blogs to come.
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My response to Deans comment:
Thanks Dean, I'm glad you enjoyed my blog, and found parts of it to be interesting. Since you have such a positive comment, I hope you'll read my next blog, also if you have any feedback on what you'd like to see on my next blog that i didn't put on this one, let me know. Thanks again, and stay posted for more blogs to come.
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My response to Stephens comment:
Thanks Stephen, I re-read my blog after i had done it and thought the same thing as your feedback, but was figured "eh, it's late it's not too off topic, where it'll throw a reader off, so f-it". But trust me my next blog, i'll be on point throughout the whole thing, but I hope you read my next blog, and tell me what you think about that one to come. Thanks again for reading my blog.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
HW 44 - Comments on Other People's Projects
My comment on Matthew S. Blog:
Hey Matt, I'd like to start out by saying great blog. Now to your blog, I think what you did really well on your blog that most people, including myself didn't do as much is give a cultural thought process women go through, for example yours was the lack of birth knowledge Latina women have. Which I wasn't aware of, because of the many stereotypes and experiences I've seen, such as summer school as you know. Was that, because many Latina women have children at early ages they were the most knowledgable, when it came of birth. The other great point you made was the lack of birth knowledge in Americans in general, because since childhood we've been taught sex, baby shower, hospital birth. Most Americans probably think that home births, is prehistoric. You also filled in a gap I never asked myself, which was the way Latina american have children, which is basically the same way all americans have their children, the hospital. Besides that you're blog was superb, besides a few typos, and I would of liked to see you're personal conclusion about birth, all in all again, great blog.
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My comment on Jessica C. Blog:
One of the main reasons I choose to read your blog Jessica, is because your topic of choice was abortion, which we didn't talk much about in class. One of the things you did really well in your blog, is getting me to understand, and leave after reading your blog know a lot more about it. For example I thought abortions was free checkup as long as you had health insurance, the other is that I didn't know that abortion rate was so high, 25% of the world, that's about 1.8 billion women, crazy. The other good thing you did in your blog was addressing what we learned in class, to show why you're blog is an important topic. I only have two things of feedback I'd like you to take into mind, one is that before reading your blogI didn't expect much, because the first thing I noticed was the lack of uppercase letters. Which isn't a big deal, but formatting, does so much to the appearance, making readers more interested to read anything, and I feel that your blog is too important to not appear revealing. All in all great blog, and i look forward to reading more of your blogs to come.
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My comment on Chris M. blog:
What made your project unique was that it wasn't an essay throughout out the whole thing, but an interview. Which to me is more interactive, especially after reading 3 other blogs, which don't get me wrong, were good. But it was nice to see something a bit different. To start off I think you had a really lucky interviewee, to have both home and hospital birth is pretty unique, i'm surprised she even did a home birth with the lack of knowledge of home births. Based on what we've learn in class and my knowledge from research, I can see why the mother wanted to have a feel of both births. Which also doesn't surprise me that she liked the home birth more. I never wrote or said this on neither my blog or in class, but I believe that the reason many women who have hospital births don't feel automatically connected to the baby as soon as it's born is because hospital births are made to tire the mothers out. It only makes sense, because they're on the spot and are constantly being sub textually rushed. But in a home birth since it's in the comfortable familiar environment of their home, and they're not rushed, it gives the mothers more time to focus on herself and the baby than other people, and after the baby is born they're more connected, because of the focus and will power she had to deliver it. Besides that you had a superb blog, and congratulations.
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My Comment on Deans Blog:
Hey Dean, I saw you left me a comment on my blog, so I thought I should return the favor. To start off you're blog thought me a lot about OB/GYNs every time i heard that word, I always thought "What the hell is that?". You gave clear and thorough examples and statistics about OB/GYN's, and the reasons people become OB/GYN's. Another thing you did great on, were your sources, which i thought were pretty interesting. One thing I think you could of done a bit better on, was making your blog a bit longer, because you have so many good sources which could of helped expand it. Also in the beginning of your blog to stall time, you should of given and example about what an OB/GYN is and the definition, I feel like you focussed too much on statistics more than their jobs. Other than that, great blog, and I'll look out for more of your blogs, great work again.
Hey Matt, I'd like to start out by saying great blog. Now to your blog, I think what you did really well on your blog that most people, including myself didn't do as much is give a cultural thought process women go through, for example yours was the lack of birth knowledge Latina women have. Which I wasn't aware of, because of the many stereotypes and experiences I've seen, such as summer school as you know. Was that, because many Latina women have children at early ages they were the most knowledgable, when it came of birth. The other great point you made was the lack of birth knowledge in Americans in general, because since childhood we've been taught sex, baby shower, hospital birth. Most Americans probably think that home births, is prehistoric. You also filled in a gap I never asked myself, which was the way Latina american have children, which is basically the same way all americans have their children, the hospital. Besides that you're blog was superb, besides a few typos, and I would of liked to see you're personal conclusion about birth, all in all again, great blog.
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My comment on Jessica C. Blog:
One of the main reasons I choose to read your blog Jessica, is because your topic of choice was abortion, which we didn't talk much about in class. One of the things you did really well in your blog, is getting me to understand, and leave after reading your blog know a lot more about it. For example I thought abortions was free checkup as long as you had health insurance, the other is that I didn't know that abortion rate was so high, 25% of the world, that's about 1.8 billion women, crazy. The other good thing you did in your blog was addressing what we learned in class, to show why you're blog is an important topic. I only have two things of feedback I'd like you to take into mind, one is that before reading your blogI didn't expect much, because the first thing I noticed was the lack of uppercase letters. Which isn't a big deal, but formatting, does so much to the appearance, making readers more interested to read anything, and I feel that your blog is too important to not appear revealing. All in all great blog, and i look forward to reading more of your blogs to come.
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My comment on Chris M. blog:
What made your project unique was that it wasn't an essay throughout out the whole thing, but an interview. Which to me is more interactive, especially after reading 3 other blogs, which don't get me wrong, were good. But it was nice to see something a bit different. To start off I think you had a really lucky interviewee, to have both home and hospital birth is pretty unique, i'm surprised she even did a home birth with the lack of knowledge of home births. Based on what we've learn in class and my knowledge from research, I can see why the mother wanted to have a feel of both births. Which also doesn't surprise me that she liked the home birth more. I never wrote or said this on neither my blog or in class, but I believe that the reason many women who have hospital births don't feel automatically connected to the baby as soon as it's born is because hospital births are made to tire the mothers out. It only makes sense, because they're on the spot and are constantly being sub textually rushed. But in a home birth since it's in the comfortable familiar environment of their home, and they're not rushed, it gives the mothers more time to focus on herself and the baby than other people, and after the baby is born they're more connected, because of the focus and will power she had to deliver it. Besides that you had a superb blog, and congratulations.
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My Comment on Deans Blog:
Hey Dean, I saw you left me a comment on my blog, so I thought I should return the favor. To start off you're blog thought me a lot about OB/GYNs every time i heard that word, I always thought "What the hell is that?". You gave clear and thorough examples and statistics about OB/GYN's, and the reasons people become OB/GYN's. Another thing you did great on, were your sources, which i thought were pretty interesting. One thing I think you could of done a bit better on, was making your blog a bit longer, because you have so many good sources which could of helped expand it. Also in the beginning of your blog to stall time, you should of given and example about what an OB/GYN is and the definition, I feel like you focussed too much on statistics more than their jobs. Other than that, great blog, and I'll look out for more of your blogs, great work again.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
HW 42 - Pregnancy & birth culminating project
Birth and pregnancy is the act which a woman, adds another member to their family and life. Throughout the years birth and pregnancy has evolved much like the way we live. The way we celebrate birth, they way a baby is born, how the child is going to be raised all that has changed and is still changing. Because of the many cultures, and practices every woman has their own way of having a birth. When pregnant women have different experiences, and situations, such as baby showers, friends and family helping them out, working throughout their pregnancy, etc. One of the main focuses throughout this unit has been the way women give birth in the United States, such as homebirths and midwives versus hospital births and doctors. In my previous blog I did some research about the experiences the average single mother goes through, and the role the United States government plays. The other topic I was interested in was the father’s role during birth.
I was particularly curious on doing a project based on single mothers birth experience, because my mother raised me being a single mother. So i choose to go more in depth to understanding, the experiences and process single mothers go through. Years ago being a single mother was rare, and when it happened it was because of a tragedy of some sort. Today single mother parenting is very common; according to statistics 3.5 percent of women in the United States are single mothers. One of the reasons is the lack of married couples, in the past couples who were married didn’t divorce as much as couples today. Which is why in the past if a couple had children the father was in their lives. The other reason is lack of responsibility in men today, in the past men were brought up to work, get married and start a family. Today that ambition isn’t as popular; with so many distractions and new things in today’s culture it only makes sense why the value of family isn’t as high. Some single mothers have it easier than others, such as mothers who were once married, and later on got divorced, because it’s easier to have the father by law take care of the child. Another reasons in the past couples stayed together much longer than they do today, is because the amount of children they had. Today the average amount of children per household in the United States is roughly 2, compared to the early 1900’s, which was 4. One of the reasons that is because of finance, the price of living is much more than in the past, which is why less people have children. “The post-1960's expansion of college education and professional opportunities for middle-class women, and the growth of jobs (especially part-time jobs) in the new service industries and in light manufacturing for their working class sisters gradually transformed the post marriage career paths of the average woman. So did the greater effectiveness of birth control and the new, more tolerant norms surrounding its use.” – (Garland 83) Because of the cultural changes that gave women the opportunity to focus more on education and working, and not focus on getting married and having children, set new paths and views on how children would start being raised.
Every culture has their own ways of handling a birth, the most common in the past were home births, which always involved a midwife. In the beginning of the unit we had a few visitors who spoke to us about their birth and pregnancy experiences. Jeanette Plaza, one of our guest speakers spoke about how in the past traditional Puerto Rican families the woman after giving birth, would rest for 40 days while her family took care of her and the newborn letting her rest and not have to do a thing, which was common in many cultures in many parts of the world. Ms. Plaza, also spoke about how most jobs only give women 6 weeks off after giving birth, which to her felt like it wasn’t enough. I asked different women if they thought 6 weeks was very little, and if they felt that having a limit to recover a bit morally wrong, and they all said yes. Which relates back to the illness and dying unit, when we watched the film Sicko. In it a French person spoke about their illness story and explained how in France you’ll get paid for all the days you’re gone for, until you feel well again, and he said “I don’t understand how any country allow someone to have a limited amount of sick days, you can’t put a date on an illness”, which one can agree for birth as well. One of the many other things that has changed in birth is how a baby is born, the delivery. When having a natural birth there are many positions that can be used to do so lithotomy, squatting, kneeling and all fours. Almost all these positions are normally used with midwives, except for lithotomy, which is mostly common in hospitals. One of the reasons midwives, allow women to use any position is because midwives or mostly all for natural births, so they allow the mother to do anything that makes her more comfortable to deliver the baby as safely and natural as possible. In hospitals the reasons lithotomy is more common is because the doctors, want to ensure that the baby is well, so it’s easier for the doctors to see what’s going on. The other method of birth is caesarean section, which is when the baby is delivered through the woman’s stomach. One of the reasons this method is use is when the mother’s health or babies is at risk in order to safely deliver the baby. In the past caesarean was rarely used, but today it’s risen. In this unit we studied about the rise of caesarean, and tried to understand why it’s becoming more popular. One of the reasons is that it’s faster, the other is that it’s safer, according to some doctors, and women who’s had a successful caesarean. One of the other reasons is because of the nightmarish and industrial way we live, because pain is something many people in society try to avoid because of medication when a woman is giving birth, mainly at a hospital they’re asked if they want an epidural. Which is a shot that numbs the woman to feel less pain, which is injected near the spinal cord, one of the disadvantages is the fact that the woman is numb and can’t feel anything so it’s hard to push. So later their asked if they’d like pitocin, which helps the woman push the baby out, but gives them more pain, and than they’re injected with more epidural, and after too much time in later they’re asked if they’d like a caesarean, which again is rare, but in those cases a caesarean is most likely.
In the end how a woman chooses to have a child or raise it is entirely up to them, and their situation, because everyone’s life is different. Whether a parent chooses to feed their child breast milk or formula, get married or stay single, hospital birth or home birth. What really matters is the fact that they had a child, and they’re taking care of it, and as long as the decision they make is at least a safe bet than, they’re doing their job as a mother.
--------------------------------------------
Citations:
Garland, David. The culture of control: crime and social order in contemporary society. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2001. 83. Print.
Gilbert, Virgina. "Preparing for Motherhood." Pregnancy Today 29 December 2009: n. pag. Web. 5 Apr 2011.
"The fathers role during pregnancy." The father's place in the family. mustele.com, Web..
Hughes, Pattie. "The Pregnant Single Parent." Pregnancy Advice 25 May 2007: n. pag. Web. 8 Apr 2011..
M, Jay. "Pregnancy and tradition in Kampala." n. pag. Web. 10 Apr 2010..
Deonmme, Sara. "Let's Talk About the Cultures of Childbearing." Pregnancy Advice (2007): n. pag. Web. 6 Apr 2011..
"How Many Single Mothers are in America?." answers.ask.com. N.p., 08 October 2010. Web. 6 Apr 2011..
I was particularly curious on doing a project based on single mothers birth experience, because my mother raised me being a single mother. So i choose to go more in depth to understanding, the experiences and process single mothers go through. Years ago being a single mother was rare, and when it happened it was because of a tragedy of some sort. Today single mother parenting is very common; according to statistics 3.5 percent of women in the United States are single mothers. One of the reasons is the lack of married couples, in the past couples who were married didn’t divorce as much as couples today. Which is why in the past if a couple had children the father was in their lives. The other reason is lack of responsibility in men today, in the past men were brought up to work, get married and start a family. Today that ambition isn’t as popular; with so many distractions and new things in today’s culture it only makes sense why the value of family isn’t as high. Some single mothers have it easier than others, such as mothers who were once married, and later on got divorced, because it’s easier to have the father by law take care of the child. Another reasons in the past couples stayed together much longer than they do today, is because the amount of children they had. Today the average amount of children per household in the United States is roughly 2, compared to the early 1900’s, which was 4. One of the reasons that is because of finance, the price of living is much more than in the past, which is why less people have children. “The post-1960's expansion of college education and professional opportunities for middle-class women, and the growth of jobs (especially part-time jobs) in the new service industries and in light manufacturing for their working class sisters gradually transformed the post marriage career paths of the average woman. So did the greater effectiveness of birth control and the new, more tolerant norms surrounding its use.” – (Garland 83) Because of the cultural changes that gave women the opportunity to focus more on education and working, and not focus on getting married and having children, set new paths and views on how children would start being raised.
Every culture has their own ways of handling a birth, the most common in the past were home births, which always involved a midwife. In the beginning of the unit we had a few visitors who spoke to us about their birth and pregnancy experiences. Jeanette Plaza, one of our guest speakers spoke about how in the past traditional Puerto Rican families the woman after giving birth, would rest for 40 days while her family took care of her and the newborn letting her rest and not have to do a thing, which was common in many cultures in many parts of the world. Ms. Plaza, also spoke about how most jobs only give women 6 weeks off after giving birth, which to her felt like it wasn’t enough. I asked different women if they thought 6 weeks was very little, and if they felt that having a limit to recover a bit morally wrong, and they all said yes. Which relates back to the illness and dying unit, when we watched the film Sicko. In it a French person spoke about their illness story and explained how in France you’ll get paid for all the days you’re gone for, until you feel well again, and he said “I don’t understand how any country allow someone to have a limited amount of sick days, you can’t put a date on an illness”, which one can agree for birth as well. One of the many other things that has changed in birth is how a baby is born, the delivery. When having a natural birth there are many positions that can be used to do so lithotomy, squatting, kneeling and all fours. Almost all these positions are normally used with midwives, except for lithotomy, which is mostly common in hospitals. One of the reasons midwives, allow women to use any position is because midwives or mostly all for natural births, so they allow the mother to do anything that makes her more comfortable to deliver the baby as safely and natural as possible. In hospitals the reasons lithotomy is more common is because the doctors, want to ensure that the baby is well, so it’s easier for the doctors to see what’s going on. The other method of birth is caesarean section, which is when the baby is delivered through the woman’s stomach. One of the reasons this method is use is when the mother’s health or babies is at risk in order to safely deliver the baby. In the past caesarean was rarely used, but today it’s risen. In this unit we studied about the rise of caesarean, and tried to understand why it’s becoming more popular. One of the reasons is that it’s faster, the other is that it’s safer, according to some doctors, and women who’s had a successful caesarean. One of the other reasons is because of the nightmarish and industrial way we live, because pain is something many people in society try to avoid because of medication when a woman is giving birth, mainly at a hospital they’re asked if they want an epidural. Which is a shot that numbs the woman to feel less pain, which is injected near the spinal cord, one of the disadvantages is the fact that the woman is numb and can’t feel anything so it’s hard to push. So later their asked if they’d like pitocin, which helps the woman push the baby out, but gives them more pain, and than they’re injected with more epidural, and after too much time in later they’re asked if they’d like a caesarean, which again is rare, but in those cases a caesarean is most likely.
In the end how a woman chooses to have a child or raise it is entirely up to them, and their situation, because everyone’s life is different. Whether a parent chooses to feed their child breast milk or formula, get married or stay single, hospital birth or home birth. What really matters is the fact that they had a child, and they’re taking care of it, and as long as the decision they make is at least a safe bet than, they’re doing their job as a mother.
--------------------------------------------
Citations:
Garland, David. The culture of control: crime and social order in contemporary society. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2001. 83. Print.
Gilbert, Virgina. "Preparing for Motherhood." Pregnancy Today 29 December 2009: n. pag. Web. 5 Apr 2011.
"The fathers role during pregnancy." The father's place in the family. mustele.com, Web.
Hughes, Pattie. "The Pregnant Single Parent." Pregnancy Advice 25 May 2007: n. pag. Web. 8 Apr 2011.
M, Jay. "Pregnancy and tradition in Kampala." n. pag. Web. 10 Apr 2010.
Deonmme, Sara. "Let's Talk About the Cultures of Childbearing." Pregnancy Advice (2007): n. pag. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
"How Many Single Mothers are in America?." answers.ask.com. N.p., 08 October 2010. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
HW 41 - Independent Research
Government support for pregnant women and mothers in poverty - if you're poor and becoming a mother in NYC what programs could help you and how would you apply?
Being a single parent anywhere is tedious, but for women it can be a lot harder or a bit easier depending on their situation. Most single parents in the United States always have the option to apply for government assistance, depending on their situation. The situations most Americans have to be in when applying for government assistance, is that they have to make a certain amount, which is normally minimum wage or below the poverty line, the other is the amount of children they have, another main one is disability. It’s great that in the United States people can get support from the government, but at the same time it barely helps everyone or make the parents situation easier. If someone has a college degree, and is a single parent, and is middle class that person may not be eligible for government assistance because of what they make, when in reality what they make barely helps them make ends meet, because of bills, school loans, taxes, etc. While someone who’s below the poverty line has a subsidized rent and pays less on their taxes, still makes ends meet because they can’t make over a certain amount or else they may lose their benefits. But why is that, why must single parents have limited opportunities in order to make just ends meet? When someone is on public assistance they’re recertified every quarter in order to keep their public assistance, until they get a job and are settled. Once someone on public assistance gets a job, they’re public assistance ends. One of the reasons the government doesn’t let anyone get public assistance is because they’re worried too many people would get comfortable and not work, and for the people who have jobs and could use the extra help because they have a job, and the policy is that when one is working they’re not allowed to be assisted than they won’t be eligible.
Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4693124_government-assistance-single-mothers.html
Being a single parent anywhere is tedious, but for women it can be a lot harder or a bit easier depending on their situation. Most single parents in the United States always have the option to apply for government assistance, depending on their situation. The situations most Americans have to be in when applying for government assistance, is that they have to make a certain amount, which is normally minimum wage or below the poverty line, the other is the amount of children they have, another main one is disability. It’s great that in the United States people can get support from the government, but at the same time it barely helps everyone or make the parents situation easier. If someone has a college degree, and is a single parent, and is middle class that person may not be eligible for government assistance because of what they make, when in reality what they make barely helps them make ends meet, because of bills, school loans, taxes, etc. While someone who’s below the poverty line has a subsidized rent and pays less on their taxes, still makes ends meet because they can’t make over a certain amount or else they may lose their benefits. But why is that, why must single parents have limited opportunities in order to make just ends meet? When someone is on public assistance they’re recertified every quarter in order to keep their public assistance, until they get a job and are settled. Once someone on public assistance gets a job, they’re public assistance ends. One of the reasons the government doesn’t let anyone get public assistance is because they’re worried too many people would get comfortable and not work, and for the people who have jobs and could use the extra help because they have a job, and the policy is that when one is working they’re not allowed to be assisted than they won’t be eligible.
Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4693124_government-assistance-single-mothers.html
Monday, March 28, 2011
HW 40 - Insights from Book - Part 3
The Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent, is a great to read if anyone wants to understand more about midwifery and birth. From beginning to end to end the book explains different scenarios of birth stories, which answers every birthing question one may have. Vincent once being a midwife, is what I think makes this story really detailed, because it's different when an author actually had the experience of what they're story is about, and when an author writes about something they've heard. Ms. Vincent working at a nursery hospital was also a bit unique , because most midwifes have to get certified and work independently, but i think because she worked at a hospital she has a broader view than most midwifes.
What i like about this book is when she quotes the things mother think, say or do when they're in labor, because normally it's not always as dramatic as television portrays it. "I felt that curling-over at the top as my uterus began to bear down like giant tooth paste tube being emptied" - Pg. 136. One of the many odd things I've heard to describe labor, but at the same time it's unique. During this birthing unit we watched a film called the business of being born, and it was very similar to the baby catcher, but didn't show many details, when it came to what the father or men thought during the whole process. From what I've seen the father always wants to help and do something, and tries to be supportive, but always seem a bit stunned. "The sudden spurt of blood shocked Joe" -Pg. 145. What stuns me sometimes is when the mother is in labor and deals with it really well, while everyone else is panicking asking if she's "ok" or if she "needs anything" and the mothers answer is "I'm not afraid, i'm fine, this is just really really interesting" - Ph. 216 and than the mother pushes the baby out and all done.
By the end of the book, Peggy Vincent doesn't try to change peoples mind about where to have their children or how to have them, but she helps lengthen readers knowledge about the myths about what midwives do, and what the experiences may be. What makes this book accurate, is because their are enough stories and scenarios, to show readers everyone that every experience is different.
What i like about this book is when she quotes the things mother think, say or do when they're in labor, because normally it's not always as dramatic as television portrays it. "I felt that curling-over at the top as my uterus began to bear down like giant tooth paste tube being emptied" - Pg. 136. One of the many odd things I've heard to describe labor, but at the same time it's unique. During this birthing unit we watched a film called the business of being born, and it was very similar to the baby catcher, but didn't show many details, when it came to what the father or men thought during the whole process. From what I've seen the father always wants to help and do something, and tries to be supportive, but always seem a bit stunned. "The sudden spurt of blood shocked Joe" -Pg. 145. What stuns me sometimes is when the mother is in labor and deals with it really well, while everyone else is panicking asking if she's "ok" or if she "needs anything" and the mothers answer is "I'm not afraid, i'm fine, this is just really really interesting" - Ph. 216 and than the mother pushes the baby out and all done.
By the end of the book, Peggy Vincent doesn't try to change peoples mind about where to have their children or how to have them, but she helps lengthen readers knowledge about the myths about what midwives do, and what the experiences may be. What makes this book accurate, is because their are enough stories and scenarios, to show readers everyone that every experience is different.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
HW 39 - Insights from Book - Part 2
The Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent is an autobiography that illustrates the average midwifes experience. The book explains many birth scenarios the author witnessed as a midwife. The book does a good job explaining what each mother felt, said and how their experience went. In the second one hundred pages the book talks about the different birth experiences women have, and so far most of them have been positive. For example for some of the births Peggy Vincent talks about how some women have un-painful, births but rather pleasuring. Pleasuring, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, because the women felt a sense of relief and happiness to release a part of her and a part of something off to the world, so it didn’t affect them much physically. Vincent also talks about the joy she gets being a midwife, because she sees the mother’s true feelings. That sort of reminded me of Janet when she came to our class and spoke about her birthing experience and how after she delivered her baby she wasn’t automatically attached the first time she held her daughter. Which I than compared to many of the midwife births we’ve seen in the business of being born, the mother tends to seem very happy and content with their birth, and seem to be happy to see their baby for the first time, which to me seems like a connection. But I feel that mothers, who have babies in hospitals, seem to have an industrial nightmarish vibe when birthing children. And because hospitals make women work harder to give birth to the child the mother is more exhausted than a mother who has a child at a birthing center or at home, causing her to be less interested. Another key point which we learned about, was how births in the 70’s during the hippie movement, were trying to re bring midwifery, but during that same time hospitals technology improved, causing a boom in hospital birth, causing a less popular trend of midwife births.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
HW 36 - Pregnancy & Birth Stories
I interviewed three relatives about their birth experience at a baptism family dinner event. One of the reasons i choose to do it at that time, is because baptisms are seen as a newly born child's beginning of a religion, and also there's a lot of mothers. Each mother I interviewed had different experiences, but all shared a common emotion of feeling attached to their baby, while pregnant. On the bottom, is my interview witch each mother.
First Interview:
Name: Lynne Boisrond (Mom)
Number of children: 1
Age you gave birth: 21
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“Physically, I didn’t gain much weight, I only gained 24 pounds, because I exercised everyday.” “Emotionally it didn’t affect me at all, but I felt very connected to my baby, I couldn’t wait to see you.”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
"I played bob Marley for you, it calmed you down whenever you we’re moving (while in the womb)” “I read pregnancy books, and I changed my diet, I only ate vegetables, my mother used to make me vegetable juice like carrot juice, fruit juice. I never ate or drank those things when I wasn’t pregnant. I didn’t eat or drink anything with preservatives, I didn’t eat red meat and I stopped smoking once I found out I was pregnant.”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
“My mother helped me a lot which made my pregnancy more joyous, my mother went with me to lamas classes with me, she was my lamas partner”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“I always wanted a baby, because I love babies, and it kinda happened”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
“The pain from labor for 2 hours, I pushed you out early, I was 4cm dilated when it’s suppose to be ten, because I couldn’t take the pain”
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Second Interview:
Name: Kathia Boisrond (Aunt)
Number of children: 1
Age you gave birth: 27
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“I was extremely busy during my pregnancy, I danced, I worked I had two shows, but I noticed when I saw Kleenex commercials I cried” “I didn’t feel connected to the baby until my 5th month of pregnancy, when I saw my stomach to show”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
"I got a few pregnancy books; I tried to eat 300 more calories a day, because I read that in a magazine. So I ate breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between that.” Almost every Saturday I exercised”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
"My friends were excited so it was always joyous, no one really gave a negative attitude.”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“Oops” “Hahaha, it just happened, but I didn’t really mind the thought of becoming a mother.”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
"It’s so funny, up until I saw my cousin giving birth, I appreciated my labor more, so yeah…good times, but I don’t know how long I was labor not long”
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Third Interview:
Name: Lisa Boisrond (Aunt in law)
Number of children: 2
Age you gave birth: 34 & 36
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“I gained weight and rested more, since Max (My Uncle) did most of the house work, because he wanted me to rest for the baby”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
“Worked, slept, relaxed. Actually pregnancy has given me more of a chance to rest, and relax than when I’m on a normal vacation, because I’m always trying to find something to do, but when I’m pregnant I focus on my and my babies health”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
“It’s joyous because max, doesn’t let me do anything, and does everything” “Believe it or not, the most challenging thing was getting used to being relaxed and not having much to do.”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“I’ve always wanted a child, so when Jenney was born, I was excited. And when Kai was born it felt like a re-run of Jenney’s birth, but I felt very lucky and happy to be able to have two children.”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
“Of course the pain, I don’t think anyone who’s given birth to a child will forget that. But I remember the joy in Max’s eyes when both Jenney and Kai were born, having a child is probably one of life’s greatest gifts.”
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After those interviews, I wanted to explore when a woman finds out their pregnant, when they start a new transition. Such as eating healthy, trying to be more relax and when they start feeling connected with the baby.
First Interview:
Name: Lynne Boisrond (Mom)
Number of children: 1
Age you gave birth: 21
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“Physically, I didn’t gain much weight, I only gained 24 pounds, because I exercised everyday.” “Emotionally it didn’t affect me at all, but I felt very connected to my baby, I couldn’t wait to see you.”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
"I played bob Marley for you, it calmed you down whenever you we’re moving (while in the womb)” “I read pregnancy books, and I changed my diet, I only ate vegetables, my mother used to make me vegetable juice like carrot juice, fruit juice. I never ate or drank those things when I wasn’t pregnant. I didn’t eat or drink anything with preservatives, I didn’t eat red meat and I stopped smoking once I found out I was pregnant.”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
“My mother helped me a lot which made my pregnancy more joyous, my mother went with me to lamas classes with me, she was my lamas partner”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“I always wanted a baby, because I love babies, and it kinda happened”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
“The pain from labor for 2 hours, I pushed you out early, I was 4cm dilated when it’s suppose to be ten, because I couldn’t take the pain”
--------------------------------
Second Interview:
Name: Kathia Boisrond (Aunt)
Number of children: 1
Age you gave birth: 27
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“I was extremely busy during my pregnancy, I danced, I worked I had two shows, but I noticed when I saw Kleenex commercials I cried” “I didn’t feel connected to the baby until my 5th month of pregnancy, when I saw my stomach to show”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
"I got a few pregnancy books; I tried to eat 300 more calories a day, because I read that in a magazine. So I ate breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between that.” Almost every Saturday I exercised”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
"My friends were excited so it was always joyous, no one really gave a negative attitude.”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“Oops” “Hahaha, it just happened, but I didn’t really mind the thought of becoming a mother.”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
"It’s so funny, up until I saw my cousin giving birth, I appreciated my labor more, so yeah…good times, but I don’t know how long I was labor not long”
-------------------------------
Third Interview:
Name: Lisa Boisrond (Aunt in law)
Number of children: 2
Age you gave birth: 34 & 36
1. How did pregnancy affect you physically, emotionally, or in other ways?
“I gained weight and rested more, since Max (My Uncle) did most of the house work, because he wanted me to rest for the baby”
2. What did you do, while pregnant, to prepare for giving birth?
“Worked, slept, relaxed. Actually pregnancy has given me more of a chance to rest, and relax than when I’m on a normal vacation, because I’m always trying to find something to do, but when I’m pregnant I focus on my and my babies health”
3. What actions and attitudes by specific other people made your pregnancy and birth more joyous? More challenging?
“It’s joyous because max, doesn’t let me do anything, and does everything” “Believe it or not, the most challenging thing was getting used to being relaxed and not having much to do.”
4. What thoughts and feelings influenced your choice to make a baby?
“I’ve always wanted a child, so when Jenney was born, I was excited. And when Kai was born it felt like a re-run of Jenney’s birth, but I felt very lucky and happy to be able to have two children.”
5. What feelings come back to you when you remember labor and giving birth?
“Of course the pain, I don’t think anyone who’s given birth to a child will forget that. But I remember the joy in Max’s eyes when both Jenney and Kai were born, having a child is probably one of life’s greatest gifts.”
------------------------
After those interviews, I wanted to explore when a woman finds out their pregnant, when they start a new transition. Such as eating healthy, trying to be more relax and when they start feeling connected with the baby.
Friday, February 18, 2011
HW 35 - Other Peoples' Perspectives 1
I asked 3 children between the ages of 8 and 12, their insights on birth. Two of them we're my younger cousins and the other being my friends younger brother. They all understood that birth is what brought them and everyone around them into existence, and that women are the one who give birth. My eight year old cousin, Raphael understood the basics of birth, because he's asked his parents. One of the questions he asked me was "why do women give birth if it hurts?" That question struck me, because i remembered i asked my mom that question when i was younger. So I gave him the answer my mom told me "Some women don't think about the pain, they think about the end reward". He seemed to understand that answer because he replied, "because mothers love their children". My friends younger brother Charlie, who's 10, said "without birth nothing would exist". Which i thought was absolutely correct. My 12 year old cousin Nick, said "When women give birth, they keep life going, by bringing more people, which continues a cycle". Each of child understood the general basics of birth, that everyone understands. Birth is simple and complex, it's simple because everyone in the world gets the point, and knows that they were born. It's complex, because it's a turning point in someone's life, and affects almost everyone's life.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hw 34 - Some Initial Thoughts On Birth
Everyday a child is born, and everyday a parent thinks that they created a prophet. But when does that baby become a regular person? In certain cultures you become an adult at 13 or in others 21, but eventually that person who was once a baby, once something special might have their own child who they think is special. All in all birth is the start and sometimes the highlight in peoples life.
Friday, January 21, 2011
HW 32 - Thoughts following illness & dying unit
This unit made me think a lot about a simple thing yet complicating subject, illness and dying. Doing this unit made me think a lot about pass deaths, and illnesses of people i know, which gave me a lot of thought about things in my life. One of my thoughts was not taking life for granted, because illness and death is very complex. For example when someone is ill and goes to the hospital, they still can die. Something that most people don't think about, because almost like the food unit when we we're reminded and taught that our food doesn't come from a farm that's like those in story books. This unit also made me think back about the food unit, like the commitments i made during that unit of taking care of myself by always eating right and being active. The reason i was reminded about the food unit was because just like we learned in the food unit about how corporations try to save as much money as possible, and make as much money as possible, everyone's well being is not in their best interest. So if we want to better our lives we have to make our own decisions, so in order to lower my chances of getting sick i take care of my body, by eating well and doing well for myself. This unit made me build off many of my peers thoughts about illness, and death like Matthew S. who spoke about alienation, and how it's something we somewhat naturally do because we think we know what's best for that person, when in reality we're just alienating them because they're almost non existent, and what i built off from that is that the many "regrets" and "feelings", which a lot of my class mates spoke about. Are due because of alienation. The only thing that i thought was the most nightmarish and dominant practices, was not how surgery's are done and all the complex things doctors do to help save one's life, was health care. Talking about health care made me really think about the culture we live in, where some believe that health care is a "privilege" and i think the amount of selfishness in that is really nightmarish. The American culture is built off of selfishness, "sick days", "medical bills", why do we limit peoples lives and make it harder just for someone to live, these things aren't privileges or rights or any of that it should be just plain sense of community as human beings, of having the goal to survive. And what i found most nightmarish is how other countries such as Canada, U.K. and France, don't limit peoples well being, but the united states, the "superior super power" and greatest nation in the world can blatantly in front of us limit our "rights" and do a good job fooling Americans into believing that this country is the best, even though we go through hardships. Other than that this unit has been by far one of the most interesting ones, and I like the pattern that we're following from food to illness, because they go deeper than one's health.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
HW 31 - Comments 3
Sam,
Agreeing to what Amhara said i really enjoyed you're style of writing, I apologize about the way i write my blog i have a bad habit of rushing what I'm trying to explain. Reading your blog made me want to better what I'm writing since people are going to read my work, so i thank you. Now to your blog, you did a really good job at comparing and contrasting the senior center grandfather's house. It created a new view of what a senior citizens home really looked like, because I've never been to one I've always had this view that it was this homey hospital looking place. It might be for some but maybe for not the Hallmark one. Most of all you had a really good ending for your blog, instead of having just a catchy ending, you asked questions, and answered them which flowed and carried on to become this catchy ending. So Good job.
-Rigel
------------------------------------------------------
Amhara,
You're blog was really insightful, I really enjoyed the opening statement where you talk about what younger and older person would think about when knowing that their mortality is very slim. And I agree with what you said, a younger person would feel like they haven't done enough with their lives and need to experience life to it's fullest, and someone who's much older would regret about things that they wish they did or did. Which i found interesting because they're both regretting that they haven't done enough, which gave me a question. When does one live life to the fullest? I personally think that the answer to that question would be hard to answer, considering that everyone has their own way of living their life, but I'd like to hear your answer, because i can see that you have a lot on your mind which again I'd to like to hear, so nicely done.
Rigel.
------------------------------------------------------
Matthew,
I think out of everyone in the class you spoke about the best topic, I believe alienation is a major part of our culture when dealing with the sick. It's one of those things in life that are right in our face, and we know it's their but we do such a good job ignoring the fact that we are alienating people on a daily basis that, it becomes second nature. Now here's I think why you're blog and topic is really important, everyone's blog all focused on the effects of knowing that someone we care about is so ill and can die is heart wrenching and when they die we get sad and try to remember them. At the same time when these people were and are alive, we try to avoid seeing them because we believe they want their space to enjoy their last moments, and when they die we hold a lot of regrets, and i believe most of that regret isn't because we wish that it was someone else, but mainly because we know that we didn't spend "enough time" with them, which is another way of saying we alienated them. Perfect job, perfect topic, perfect job.
-Rigel
-------------------------------------------------------
For my blog:
Amhara R:
The fact that most societies ways of handling death connect to one common worldly theme is mind blowing to think about. Especially because the common theme is so insightful: We all want to believe that we will still be apart of the world after we die. It's a beautiful thought. It is also interesting to see the many different ways humans have accomplished to fulfill this want. Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Religiously. I like the thought that all societies can have commonalities while staying true to their individuality.This makes me wonder about the other universal themes that have been expressed and repeated throughout history. I'm curious about them because they must have been so prominent for a they are agreed upon ideas.
Sam J:
Rigel,
You have really good ideas here that show a great deal of depth and understanding, but your grammar mistakes and poor wording in some parts were killing me. They took away so much credibility from your piece because the little mistakes you are making do distract the reader from the message you were trying to get at. I understand what you are trying to say in terms of the various ways of dealing with death and how your culture deals with that. I think that if you focused on one aspect of a "cultural" death, and wrote about that, then you would have a more logical train of thought that would be easier to follow.
Good start though,
Sam
Agreeing to what Amhara said i really enjoyed you're style of writing, I apologize about the way i write my blog i have a bad habit of rushing what I'm trying to explain. Reading your blog made me want to better what I'm writing since people are going to read my work, so i thank you. Now to your blog, you did a really good job at comparing and contrasting the senior center grandfather's house. It created a new view of what a senior citizens home really looked like, because I've never been to one I've always had this view that it was this homey hospital looking place. It might be for some but maybe for not the Hallmark one. Most of all you had a really good ending for your blog, instead of having just a catchy ending, you asked questions, and answered them which flowed and carried on to become this catchy ending. So Good job.
-Rigel
------------------------------------------------------
Amhara,
You're blog was really insightful, I really enjoyed the opening statement where you talk about what younger and older person would think about when knowing that their mortality is very slim. And I agree with what you said, a younger person would feel like they haven't done enough with their lives and need to experience life to it's fullest, and someone who's much older would regret about things that they wish they did or did. Which i found interesting because they're both regretting that they haven't done enough, which gave me a question. When does one live life to the fullest? I personally think that the answer to that question would be hard to answer, considering that everyone has their own way of living their life, but I'd like to hear your answer, because i can see that you have a lot on your mind which again I'd to like to hear, so nicely done.
Rigel.
------------------------------------------------------
Matthew,
I think out of everyone in the class you spoke about the best topic, I believe alienation is a major part of our culture when dealing with the sick. It's one of those things in life that are right in our face, and we know it's their but we do such a good job ignoring the fact that we are alienating people on a daily basis that, it becomes second nature. Now here's I think why you're blog and topic is really important, everyone's blog all focused on the effects of knowing that someone we care about is so ill and can die is heart wrenching and when they die we get sad and try to remember them. At the same time when these people were and are alive, we try to avoid seeing them because we believe they want their space to enjoy their last moments, and when they die we hold a lot of regrets, and i believe most of that regret isn't because we wish that it was someone else, but mainly because we know that we didn't spend "enough time" with them, which is another way of saying we alienated them. Perfect job, perfect topic, perfect job.
-Rigel
-------------------------------------------------------
For my blog:
Amhara R:
The fact that most societies ways of handling death connect to one common worldly theme is mind blowing to think about. Especially because the common theme is so insightful: We all want to believe that we will still be apart of the world after we die. It's a beautiful thought. It is also interesting to see the many different ways humans have accomplished to fulfill this want. Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Religiously. I like the thought that all societies can have commonalities while staying true to their individuality.This makes me wonder about the other universal themes that have been expressed and repeated throughout history. I'm curious about them because they must have been so prominent for a they are agreed upon ideas.
Sam J:
Rigel,
You have really good ideas here that show a great deal of depth and understanding, but your grammar mistakes and poor wording in some parts were killing me. They took away so much credibility from your piece because the little mistakes you are making do distract the reader from the message you were trying to get at. I understand what you are trying to say in terms of the various ways of dealing with death and how your culture deals with that. I think that if you focused on one aspect of a "cultural" death, and wrote about that, then you would have a more logical train of thought that would be easier to follow.
Good start though,
Sam
Saturday, January 15, 2011
HW 30 - Illness & Dying - Culminating Experiential Project
How does culture affect peoples views on death?
Every culture in the world has their own way on dealing with illness and death weather it's using a religious figure such as a monk or a priest or going to the doctor and hospitals we all have our own ways on dealing with illness.
In the united states we ignore illness and death because we have the perception that the united states in the world and every American is powerful compared to people in other countries, but statistically speaking the average American does live longer than someone in a "third world country". In this unit we learned a lot about health care and how it works, and have spoken and read many passages about stories dealing with illness, and in every single source just like the food unit everything we see on tv or in the movies about how a person deals with illness and death is not like we imagined, when someone is sick and goes to the hospital does not mean that they're going to come out that hospital feeling better or even alive.
In other countries and cultures health care and the say someone is taken cared of is different and sometimes better than the way we take care of our ill, for instance in Canada, the U.K. and France their health policies are much different than ours the doctors make almost the same amount of money an american doctor would make but every single citizen in those countless is not denied care, which doesn't mean that people don't get sick and die, but means that atleast they'd be taken cared of regardless. Some cultures believe in natural healing weather it's through prayer or using natural resources such ad herbs and etc.
When one dies in the united states they can have the choice to how they want their body to be preserved whether it was bring cremated, hurried, frozen, or turned into diamond, they get the choice to how they die. In some other cultures some would lay the dead wrapped up in a cave that's been use for hundreds of years as a burial ground, and others they'd put a body on a raft to drift down a river steam or whatever. The idea of preserving the dead or disposing them in nature, has been going on for years for example 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt leaders would he mummified and their organs would be stored, and to this day their bodies are well preserved.
No matter where people are from are thief cultural beliefs people when they die want to be remembered and be laid to rest when they die to stay in contact in the world by being physically attached to it, even though their bodies won't move again or be able to do anything.
Every culture in the world has their own way on dealing with illness and death weather it's using a religious figure such as a monk or a priest or going to the doctor and hospitals we all have our own ways on dealing with illness.
In the united states we ignore illness and death because we have the perception that the united states in the world and every American is powerful compared to people in other countries, but statistically speaking the average American does live longer than someone in a "third world country". In this unit we learned a lot about health care and how it works, and have spoken and read many passages about stories dealing with illness, and in every single source just like the food unit everything we see on tv or in the movies about how a person deals with illness and death is not like we imagined, when someone is sick and goes to the hospital does not mean that they're going to come out that hospital feeling better or even alive.
In other countries and cultures health care and the say someone is taken cared of is different and sometimes better than the way we take care of our ill, for instance in Canada, the U.K. and France their health policies are much different than ours the doctors make almost the same amount of money an american doctor would make but every single citizen in those countless is not denied care, which doesn't mean that people don't get sick and die, but means that atleast they'd be taken cared of regardless. Some cultures believe in natural healing weather it's through prayer or using natural resources such ad herbs and etc.
When one dies in the united states they can have the choice to how they want their body to be preserved whether it was bring cremated, hurried, frozen, or turned into diamond, they get the choice to how they die. In some other cultures some would lay the dead wrapped up in a cave that's been use for hundreds of years as a burial ground, and others they'd put a body on a raft to drift down a river steam or whatever. The idea of preserving the dead or disposing them in nature, has been going on for years for example 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt leaders would he mummified and their organs would be stored, and to this day their bodies are well preserved.
No matter where people are from are thief cultural beliefs people when they die want to be remembered and be laid to rest when they die to stay in contact in the world by being physically attached to it, even though their bodies won't move again or be able to do anything.
Friday, January 7, 2011
HW 29
For many years the United States government has always had it's way at convincing Americans that it's the top country in the world and everything we have is the best in the world, best government, best rights, and best services. One of the main services and major topics that come up almost everyday when you read or watch the news is our health care. Health care in this country is probably one of the most confusing topics in this country, and the biggest joke in the planet, health care can be seen as many things in the united states a "privilege", a "right", a "scam", and many other things. In most countries in the world health care can be seen as a right, but in our culture because so many people are confused about what health care is, and how it works it's only normal that people don't know what to call it. One of the main reasons health care was formed is because people get sick, no matter who you are everyone has and can or is sick. One of the main reasons health care is confusing in our country is because of insurance. Insurance was formed hundreds of years ago when Babylon’s used to go through desserts and always lose items when dust storms came and wrecked their shipments, or were robbed by bandits, and many other dangerous obstacles occurred, and in order to not lose fully insurance was formed in order to insure any lost items and have their money returned to them. and for hundreds of more years insurance started to grow entering many fields such as the slave trade when slave traders would sink salve ships and make money off every dead slave, and all the way up to health insurance. Today almost 3/4 of Americans have health insurance, which sounds great but not all health insurance is the same, which is where things get confusing.
In Michael Moore’s movie Sicko, Moore explains how health insurance companies have different policies of what covers what or who can be covered such as pre existing conditions, and if someone had or has a pre existing condition than they might not be allegeable for health insurance. Than Moore compares the United States health insurance, to Canada, the U.K., and France where health insurance isn't a privilege it's something everyone has because they understand that people get sick and need care, and they don't care about pre existing conditions.
The thing about the united states is that not only is our government stubborn but so are it's people, one of the reasons our government doesn't want universal healthcare is because it’s seen as being socialist, and American citizens believe that as well, but you would think that Americans with crappy health insurance companies or who don’t have health insurance would be for universal health insurance. President Barack Obama, tried to bring that to Americans, and it took him a year for him to make it happen because people we're against it.
In Michael Moore’s movie Sicko, Moore explains how health insurance companies have different policies of what covers what or who can be covered such as pre existing conditions, and if someone had or has a pre existing condition than they might not be allegeable for health insurance. Than Moore compares the United States health insurance, to Canada, the U.K., and France where health insurance isn't a privilege it's something everyone has because they understand that people get sick and need care, and they don't care about pre existing conditions.
The thing about the united states is that not only is our government stubborn but so are it's people, one of the reasons our government doesn't want universal healthcare is because it’s seen as being socialist, and American citizens believe that as well, but you would think that Americans with crappy health insurance companies or who don’t have health insurance would be for universal health insurance. President Barack Obama, tried to bring that to Americans, and it took him a year for him to make it happen because people we're against it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
HW 28 Comments 2
For Matthew S., Damn, this blog was a tough read. Reading your blog made me realize how normal and unreal death is, and how much you think you may know someone. The first thing is that your aunt and uncle are really strong even after losing 4 sons, which is a lot to begin with, and the second is that knowing you all these years Matt never did i ever think you had a lot of deaths in your family because you're so optimistic. I think you're almost like your aunt because you move on even when something hurts. All in all your blog was powerful, and made me learn something new about you, the only thing i can say for your next blog is spelling you had a few typos, see you later man.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
HW 28
"I really like the contrast between family and age, it really commented and contrasted issues about how in life we stigmatize those who are older because they seem like they're useless. But when one takes the intiative to get to know their older peers they learn that their isn't much of a difference between the both of them." - Mason
Saturday, January 1, 2011
HW 27
My great grad aunt is 94 years old, and for the past several years she's been getting slower and slower, when she walks or cooks, or anything she used to do normally but now at a slower paste, but it's obvious that she's aging. When i talk to her she always gives me the same answer "I'm living, but my body is getting weary, but what can you do?" which to me is an honest answer to saying I know I’ve been around for a long time, but i don't know how much longer i have. My great grand aunt reminds me of Morrie a bit from Tuesdays with Morrie accepting that they don't have a long time left, but instead of thinking of death, they both enjoy the moments they have/had while still living, and mentoring people who are younger than them. Over the years I’ve gotten close to my great grand aunt and every time we see each other we talk about things in life, friendships, relationships, family history and I've learned a lot. Because of my grandaunt i realized life has not changed much, when it comes to conflicts and situations. As a child I’ve always had this stigma of old people being in the same category as people with autism, because they we're almost useless in our society, but not in a bad way but as if they've always been old, even though i knew we all get old, but I judged based on what i saw at that present time. When i speak to my grandmother and she talks about her life as a teenager and other times in her life like her marriage and etc. I realized two things, she's been around for a long time, and that I’ll probably someday be that age talking to my grandchild or someone younger than me influencing and lecturing them about moments of my life, and they'll realize that life is a constant flow of moments, and that people go but life keeps going. Getting closer with my great grand aunt made me realize that when the day comes I'll be hurt and miss her because I got to know her, and talk and sit down and see them. This year there's been a few deaths, which has been a turning point in my life, because before that i never heard of any deaths and if i did it was no one i knew so i felt bad for their families but didn't know what to think. A couple of months my good friends father died, 3 days after i hung out at his house, and when i saw his father i shook his hand and said a few words to him and he was fine, and three days later he died during a business trip to brazil from kidney failure. And that struck me, because i actually spoke to the man, and felt him is what made it almost unreal, because I had literally just seen him, and to hear like that how someone can just die is what made me realize that life is fast paste, sometimes things can hit hard. And if that can happen to my friends dad than it can happen to anyone when one day, someone dies without any warning, but at the same time that experience with my friends dad somewhat go me ready for the unexpected.
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