Dreamers

America is facing a lot of issues these days. Some of the biggest one trending would be what it is happening with DACA and the Dreamers. These are people who were brought illegally to the country and that remain here because of the Dreamers Act. These people are mostly young adult, millennials who never chose to come to this country. Those decisions were made by their parents. If the President of the United States decides to abolish this act Dreamers would be send back to their birthplaces. The thing is majority of these people have never been back to their birth countries, they do not speak their native language, and have nowhere to stay there. It is like taking away all the life they have and putting them in an unknown territory. This is not fair. Schools, families, and people across the country have been supporting this cause by getting online signatures to get take them to the U.S. Legislators. They also have been posting and sharing their support to the Dreamers.

While listening to some of my podcasts I heard that there are news of some American comedians that were accused of rape and doing inappropriate things that were unwanted by other female comedians in a show. Since the accusations were really bad Hollywood producers deleted their names and everything that had to do with them and movies or shows they have been part of so they would not be involved. It was a really crazy matter and I am not aware of all the facts or names but I heard the producers are taking advantage of the situation and attracting all the attention to their new movies instead on doing something about the people.

Luddite or not Luddite?

I am totally not a luddite. I think change is good and if technology is brought to our jobs it is probably becauce it is going to help us instead of threaten us. I think every form of technology is great if it is used in the correct way, of course. I do not think new technology causes harm. People who do not use it properly do.

It might sound horrible but if in any way you feel technology threatens your job it might be because you could be a little out of date. Let’s say someone works at a bedding sheets factory. Now that there are machines that are in charge of sewing and creating the whole thing the company will require less people and workers would lose their jobs. The thing is that progressivism is coming among us and we have to be prepared. We have to adapt to all the changes and it will be hard for a lot of people (especially for those who choose to be conservative and cannot bare change).

It is better late than never, right? We have to do whatever we can to try to help others to adapt to this changing world. We can even start doing it with our grandparents! But we have to be patient because they have never been exposed to these types of scenerios or maybe they just refused to.

Anyways, I am not 100% sided to technology but I would not like to live in a world without it because it does make our living easier. I am not a luddite.

Look! Ballerinas!

First of all, thank you Ms. Hoggarth for persuading us to learn about ballet and dance history before the unit ended! I used all the resources you gave me to do my previous assignment. Thank you for letting be develop my abilities as a dancer and a person.

Throughout my years dancing in high school I had the opportunity to learn how everything started. I learned every dance serves a purpose and represents something whether is a ballet, a hip-hop dance, lyrical, etc. But what fascinated me the most about the history of ballet was that even royalty was involved in dancing. They had been dancers or artists themselves and opened school and academies to give others the opportunity to connect with their inner artist. Louis XVI, who was the King of France, the most powerful nation at that time, even produced a variety of ballet shows. These brought the people’s attention to his country and entertainment for everyone. He used ballet as a distraction in order to achieve his political desiries. So, basically, if he wanted to conquist more territory he needed to work on a ballet production to keep others out of his business.

Almost every other ruler or wealthy person used ballet to get their political activities to succeed and that is really cool but also dishonest. It would be like if my Mom would give me all the Dance Moms (my favorite reality show) seasons to watch so she could take from the me the clothes she likes. In a big margin, imagine the president of the United States having us focus in something that would get our attention while he raises taxes or uses citizens’ money to invade some other country. Crazy right?

Anyways, the history of ballet was super interesting for me and I never thought that such an admirable type of art would be used to other purposes. I guess the lesson could be to not get too comfortable or distracted bcause something can come up, or do not use other’s passions or weaknesses to do any wrong. I don’t know haha.

Dance was created to express ourselves and communicate what we think, and put into movement what we are not able to say in words. I really think ballet, and also other kinds of dances, are difficult because you do have to give the best you got and never give up just as every other thing you do in life, but the show must go on! Dance do not do stereotypes or discrimination. Dance unites us because we all share one passion.

Late night talks

Last night my boyfriend came to my house and I had this blog in mind so, I asked him what was integrity for him. He said it was to be honest. I asked him for an example of integrity, and since his wallet was stolen days ago, he told me that an example of integrity was someone finding a wallet and giving it back to the owner. But when I asked him what was an example of someone that did not have integrity, he could not answer.

This made me think we know perfectly what we are supposed to do when it comes to positive or good behaviors, but when negative actions come to us, we do not know how to deal with them. Do you get me? I mean, when politicians use money to build schools, highways, etc. we get really happy because we know that is what they are supposed to do, to look after their country or community. On the other hand, when they do not represent our needs, steal money, or used for other purposes like war, we get mad, yes, but we do not say a thing. You can say, hey I do protest about the misusage of my taxes but posting it on facebook does not really count.

If integrity was taught and put as an example since we are kids we would not have a problem. Kids need to know about values and being true to themselves and to what they believe. If you cannot be honest with yourself, how can you even be honest with others? Lack of honesty is present when you cheat on your test, when you altere or do not say the truth to your Mom, when you lie on your resume, etc. I truly think that if we change our habit of saying ‘’a little lie does not hurt anybody’’ we can make a difference. Because you are hurting someone, you.

Not saying the truth speaks a lot about a person and you can choose whether to give a good or a bad example to someone. How can you ask your kid to be honest about why he did not do his homework when he hears you on the phone saying you paid the bill but really didn’t. These are little things we do not focus on a daily basis but we should.

I include myself when I say this because I have not been true to what I know is right and just put it to the side of my mind, we are all guilty of that. Let’s take that bandage off from our eyes and see how we can make a difference in other generations by only taking that extra time to say the truth, to do what is right, to not put things to the side.

$30,000 ?

If you have read my previous posts, you might have noticed I want to be a teacher. Of course, if you have not, I will remind you, do not worry. (Happy face inserted)
Throughout my life and during all of my years in school I have had pretty great teachers but also some horrible ones. I strongly believe each one of my experiences, with both good and not so good instructors, had shaped me into the type of person that I am. For example, I am totally sure I do not want anymore kids afraid of asking questions, or with question marks all over their faces at the end of the lesson. I also refuse to let every parent not be aware of their kids’ needs and to not accommodate a classroom based on the students’ modalities which are some examples I had seen in my previous classes.
As a teacher I want to be able to provide an interesting, comfortable, and safe environment for my future students just as most teachers did for me. I think it is great that my teachers knew the way I learned and applied that to their lessons. They knew I needed that proximity with them so they could give me feedback and push me forward. I had a great performance outcome all the way from my reading and math to actually be a good citizen and person no matter my age.
My biggest desire is to sum all of my knowledge from being in classrooms and my prior learning experiences while adding everything I am learning and will learn so I can create and display the best scenario for children because what if they do not have safe surroundings? Or a loving, caring family? Most of the kids are diverse based on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and in order to get to the top we have to make sure every level is filled out, and if nobody can give that to the child, I will find a way to help him or her starting from the classroom and myself.
Another thing I did not know would give warm to my heart was when those kids call you teacher and pull your clothes staining them with paint, when they say they love you and you have been with them just for a few days, the way they pursue your approval and want to make you happy as well as their puppy eyes when they know they did something wrong. Don’t think it is only for the first few years or school. It is also visible when older kids try to get your attention and seek for your praise.
It is just crazy how teachers do so much and are willing to stay longer at school and get more work done at home and they are just paid about $30,000 or $40,000 average per year. Anyways, I am sure that the paid is not an outcome of the skills the teacher has, but whoever is accepting that paid has to be really in love with their job and must be really good at what they do.
All of this and more is why I want to be a teacher. All of my likes and abilities are captured in this profession like creativity, leadership, teamwork, etc. Therefore, I am sure I will do an amazing job!! I’m already loving it!!

Chica Ganadora

My childhood is probably a lot different from everyone else’s, Even thought most of the community were I live is hispanic and have mexican traditions and heritage, the difference with me is that I came to school in the U.S. until 9th grade started. I lived 14 years of my life in Mexico and of course, I never had the opportunity to fall in love with Doctor Seuss’ books during reading time, or to sing You Are My Sunshine on Mother’s Day. I mean I did read, and I did sing on Mother’s Day, but it is totally different.
When you walk into my Dad’s office, you can feel the mixed smell of cinnamon candles and old book pages. I would go every time and surround myself with readings from the Ancient Egypt all the way to the 7 habits of highly effective people, and every year, for my birthday, he would give me Cristina Alemany books, to teach me how to look for success as a young girl. As I grew up, I read but I also took time off it since I got overwhelmed when the book series were getting too long. Mom would tell me that habit was changing to be an addiction, and that all addictions were bad. I sort of get her point, because I would stay under the sheets with a tiny lamp until 2 am, but how could enrich your mind and acquiring knowledge hurt me? Dad would tell me we were a lot similar and I should go to sleep earlier to wake up earlier if I wanted to start my next chapter.
Don’t get me wrong, Mom was not a witch that wanted to burn our books, but her parents never read to her just as she did to me. I totally remember my mom buying interactive books that had questions at the end of every story, so I had to pay really close attention to the names and details from the book. I also had CD’s that matched the story in order for me to follow the words and punctuation. Before Pre-Kinder graduation, at 5, I knew how to read, and as I said in my last blog, I got my e-mail account. On the other side, Mom said she was too busy to read to my brother as a baby, and surprisingly, he does not like to spend his time reading at all.
Luckily, I have found friends who were as interested as I was, and introduced me to some other things, we exchanged reviews, and booktubers from all around the world helped me get familiarized with various genres. There are cons about reading in the dark and online all the time, I am blind, but I would become a grumpy girl if I had no place to imaginary travel, or situations to put myself into. I am blessed to have been introduced to literacy, and that teachers created a literate environment for me. It has increased my vocabulary quality and skills in both English and Spanish, and just my critical thinking overall. READING IS LIFE, TRY IT.
Until the next blog!

xoxo, Internet

When I was a little girl, well, about 5 or 6 years old, internet was barely getting out there to be known. My parents had one of these places where you could go and pay a significant amount to surf on the internet, I really don’t know how are those called.. Anyways, I can say I was pretty close to the web and always wanted to watch High School Musical videos and play online. My Dad promised that as soon as I learned how to write and read well, I could get my own e-mail! It seemed pretty exciting, and of course I reached my goal. I loved sending stuff to my family through e-mail, like e-cards, etc. So when my brother turned 5 and wasn’t interested in reading so he could get his e-mail to, I was sort of mad. I tried to get him excited about it but he was a little boy wanting to focus in his cars.
What I mean is that not everyone has the same interests, so, if you are one of those who lives in facebook and twitter, that might not be the other person’s way of having fun. But, during these days, it is almost impossible to stay away from the internet. All the way trough high school, most of our assignments were turned in by computer, if wanted to know your grades, they are posted in a website, have to present in front of the class? a slideshow is needed, if you want to apply for scholarships, applications are online, even when my brother got to 6th grade he was given a username and password to practice lessons online.
Of course, this internet subject has a lot of cons and pros, but if we make good use out of it, there is nothing to be worried about. Those bullies have the power of making you feel like poop with just a comment on your picture, oy what about those online predators? That is so scary. Crazy people can even steal your identity! That is why education is so important, but that is a whole new topic. Don’t worry there are a lot of happy things too! For example, there are pages like go fund me where people send donations to other in need, and if you want to know was is happening around the world, you can also do it with a click, and who doesn’t love those puppy videos?
In my personal experience, I have sold and bought stuff online, communicated with my dance class, or family, read tons of books that I could only find on PDF files, check my bank account, and I’m not going to lie, watch some makeup tutorials.
I love the internet and I do freak out when we have poor connection, but also, I strongly agree that we have to take a time off, and just really live in the moment. I have lived both good and bad experiences with the web, and I am still having those, like WEARING GLASSES, I’M BLIND, THANKS INTERNET … Until the next blog!

First timer?

I hate this font but I have no idea on how to change it, anyways. Welcome! I used to blog, or at least I did it for a few weeks…

My name is Alma Valenzuela, I’m 18, I am a college freshman, even though I look like I’m 15, and I am currently majoring in Elementary Education, I might do an emphasis in Early Childhood, but still not sure. I live in Arizona with my mom and brother Leo, but I go back and forth to Mexico because my dad lives there. My parents are divorced and I have two step sisters, Alexa and Rocio, who wish they could be like me and are always copying the way I dress. I love to spend time with my family! There is so much to do with them for example: volleyball and swimming with Mom, reading and goofing with Dad, video games and fighting with Leo, boy talk and gossiping with the oldest of my sisters Alexa, fashion and makeup with Rocio, the little one.

Both of my parents support me in my decisions, and I can say they are proud of me. They were there for me when I was crying for dolls and fantasy makeup at 6 years old, all the way when I was crying a few months ago because I was staying in community college instead of going to university. So, I want to give back everything they have done for me of course. I think a great way to give back would be getting my degree and being independent, showing them all I have learned from them.

Since I have always shown signs of wanting to be a teacher like, ask for a mini desk for christmas, babysit my nieces, or sitting my baby brother for hours and teach him about mathematics and dinosaur history, they agree when I say that is my passion. I truly want to become a teacher because I have learned it only takes one person to make the difference in a kid’s life, and I would like to be that cool teacher, and have kids excited to go to school everyday, and create that student-teacher bond, and support them on what they need, to make my classroom a safe and comfortable environment in case they don’t have one.

I will stop here, wouldn’t like to end up crying you know…

I bet there are over 400 words here haha. Until the next blog!

SONG OF THE WEEK: Every Breathe You Take – Sting & The Police

W E L C O M E

This blog is mostly for my English 101 class, but if you’re interested in knowing about me, feel free to read my next posts !