all things californian

"THE" Dream...

The greatest Californian dreams ranging from hopes for riches and fame to those who wish the impossible, these dreams are mostly put in the head of younger children and teenagers. For not being the individual that the society in California wants, for example, not being financially empowered or the unwilling of a young teenager to receive an education, the creation of a machine has been molded. These examples are just two of many more of how the California dream has been created to benefit a small handful of people. Who might those people be? It might be those men and ladies living in big fancy houses that look down on the blue collar working class. The idea that California should be represented as the greatest place has created a world where all the wrongs and bad things such as drugs sexual exploitation crime or basically anyone who is not the owner of the big fancy house. In California the idea that every individual is molded into being a college student is unrealistic, ok the world does need educational leaders but the same world does need just as bad the working class. From plumber’s landscapers and anyone who may fit in between, these where the creators of the great land of California and in a sense California has lost the backbone in which it was created on. The selfish California dream is the real reason to why many pursuit all the great things on this golden state. If you take a look around almost everyone at this time is out to get theirs in a sense, what I mean is that we all do what we do in a selfish manner and that what I do will better me in a way. A teacher might say that he is in it for students but in reality he or she might just be happy knowing that "I" did something and now "I" feel better. My California dream of survival in an injustice world :)

This is all I was able to write after having writers block so yeah. . . (P.S. not intended to be offensive either)

Student who works or Worker who studies?

There is an increasing number of working students in California. I am a student and an employee. Both roles are equally important for different reasons. One part serves as a means toward obtaining a better job; the other helps provide the essentials for surviving so that I may live to someday work at this “better job.” But there tends to be conflict between both roles. By limiting my work hours to accommodate class schedules means less money - for rent, food and other monthly bills – while increasing work hours can affect performance in school. Working a full time job and going to school at night was extremely difficult for me. The experience proved to be very unproductive since I ended up dropping my classes by the middle of the semester. This is often the case for many full time employed students. This year I am working part time and going to school full time during the day. I’m doing better in my classes, but now I find myself living paycheck to paycheck… How do we Californian’s balance work and our studies? And between work and school, when is there ever time to enjoy the greatness of this state or live the proverbial “California Dream?”

Close to Home

It was Friday  May 4th, 2007 afternoon I was getting ready to go home from work, when my sister called me to let me know that Olive Elementary school was  closed because there had been a shooting, I was so frighten for all of those parents that had children from k-5 and then right next to Olive there is Washington middle school. I felt bad and scared because i had my Lil brother and my other sister near that are they were in Maryland elementary, there school was on lock down. When i was going home  from work around 2:45 p.m. i passed by the street of Olive and Mel rose there was SO much traffic and the KUSI news were at the scene, so many parents parked in the  7-11. Its a scary thing to think that you live so close and things like this happen. California can be a nice place but it can also be really frighting just like I'm sure it was for those parents that went running terrified to school and check on there children and prayed that there were alright. Children should fell safe in schools and parents should fell and know that there children are safe. Children should fell secure, when they are going to school to learn and to have a better education not scared and terrified to go . At the end thank God that no children were hurt, but all the parents that were scared and all the children that witness all of those horrible things that were happening close to home. But no child or parent should have to go through what children's and parent's went through that horrible day.

Hensen's "Paradise Lost"

I found Hansen’s “Paradise Lost” a moving commentary on not only what he sees as the demise of the California that leads the country and the world, but more crucially the spirit of California, that desire to shape out today’s and to leave the legacy of continued dominance.

By stating our current and future projected inadequacies, Hansen is able to se the stage in a manner that the reader can both identify with and desire to understand out of necessity. At this point Hansen begins to take a path that could hold promise but the substance of which I have to disagree with.  He states “We can either water 30 million Californians to surfeit or continue to be the greatest food producer in the nation; we can no longer do both.”  My reaction after completing the entire test is “Why not?”

Hansen’s salient point is that “we” (today’s Californians”) lack the intestinal fortitude to master our today and our future.  Hansen sees us... “Now we dream and enjoy, rather than build”.  I submit that we can do both, we do dream and enjoy, but we must also be compelled to build our dreams and to shrug off our inaction and sloth.

Hansen’s accusations are for the most part correct.  We are parasites living of the works of our forefathers and the gifts of nature.  But the questions are really “Why?” and “How do we fix the problem?”

Let’s look at “Why?”  We continue to be a consumption based society, far beyond our needs.  It is this point that allows the rest to fall into place.  In order to keep the economic engine powered we must be locust, voraciously consuming everything.  However, like locust we have forsaken personal responsibility and accountability.  Today there is a belief that by existing certain rights are granted.

I would say to this “Bovine Excrement”, instead we should understand there is earned privilege. Some would postulate that we as citizens are not empowered; I say we are not engaged in the workings of our great republic.  We can lead, we can follow, or we can get out of the way.  This is our choice, our birthright and our destiny.  When we want, we can be the most engaged citizens; as Grey Davis can attest.  But mostly we are content to just set the cruise control of destiny.  Rather than bemoan our paradise lost; let us find our boundaries and then push beyond them like our forefathers. This is really part of “How do we fix this?”  We need water, let’s tap the oceans or find new ways to relocate from those areas that historically receive too much.  We can desalinate the Pacific or embark on creating new man made rivers from our neighbors to the north.

We mourn our freeways, our high fuel and electrical costs, and we do this from our beautiful single family centrally heated and air conditioned homes.  From the gridlock of fossil fueled cars (okay more often than not SUV’s or larger) in which we sit alone, and alone like just about every other driver streaming from the suburbs created by us to the profitable jobs we clamor for.  Seriously, who are we kidding? Can we fix this and maintain the lifestyles we have grown accustomed to, this is the real question.

My closing thought is this,

            Life as we envision it is our Arcadia, the world of our desires.  Our wants creates the Utopia that has social and environmental consequences.  And all this is the Californian of the 21^st Century, with the same resolute determination of our forefathers. The people who will not reach back for solutions of yesteryear.  No, we will be the masters of our future, finding new ways that will address our problems and reclaim our position as innovators, leaders and good stewards of our great state.

Health & Wealth for California Families

Child Obesity and saving for retirement are two concepts I never imagined that my third grade daughter would take an interest in and even teach me a thing or two.  My daughter’s school has found a way to educate parents through our children on the importance of making healthy eating choices and spending our money wisely and saving for retirement.

As part of the California Child Obesity Prevention Initiative (http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/copi/html/policies.htm,) you have probably seen those darling commercials where a child asks his parents if he can have some diabetes, another asks for a serving of cholesterol, or the other commercial where the adult thinks about how he became obese and ill and traces it back to his poor eating habits as a child; these commercials are cute yet heart stopping.  As a result of these commercials I am more conscious of what my children eat.  I take a more healthy proactive approach when buying their snacks and I now read labels and purchase more fruits and vegetables instead of chips and soda.

The California schools have also joined the fight against child obesity by serving age appropriate portions and healthy snacks and meals.  This school year the Vista Unified School District (http://www.vusd.k12.ca.us/cns/wellness.htm) has now strictly enforced their healthy snacking policy and is asking parents to stick to the policy when sending in snacks to share for their classroom.  Parents are given a wide range of snack options and ideas for different events like holidays, birthdays, and special parties.  Instead, they are asked to consider replacing food as rewards and use other means like spending extra quality time with parents or reading special books.

My daughter’s teacher, Ms. Morton, has adopted a rewards classroom project that not only nearly eliminates food but helps them develop life skills.  She has created bank accounts and their reward is fake money that they put into a pretend bank account.  Their rewards include participating in auctions and special field trips that they have to pay for with the money they earned.  In addition to spending she also covers topics of savings for their end of the year events and she connects this idea with saving for retirement.  Yes, my third year old is learning to earn, save and spend and how to manage a checkbook and a bank account.  Teaching our children the importance of saving money for the future has become one of our family’s goals and we make it a priority to prepare ourselves to become good role models for our children (http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Strategies-to-Teach-Your-Children-About-Saving-Money&id=457701 ).

As a result of these classroom experiences my daughter has become more cautious of our spending and has asked to have her very own bank account. California’s second leading cause of death is obesity, with African Americans and Latinos and Hispanics being the groups leading these statistics.  Our family both African American and Latino are now determined not to be part of this statistic while teaching our kids to save for their nest egg.  

Why Should I?

    Many children in California school systems are required to take Spanish as a second language. If such students do not pass Spanish, they will probably not graduate high school. I have never fully understood this concept. Many employers in California also require applicants to be fluent in the Spanish language, but why is that?

    I feel that if you wish to reside within the United States, you should take time to learn the language, which is English. Why Spanish anyway? I am aware that Californian's live so close to Mexico, but California is composed of more than just those from Mexico. People from all over the world come to the golden state to live their "dream". So why would we not be required to learn and fluently speak languages such as Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Italian, and so many more?

    People from other countries seem to learn English, so why can't people from Mexico do the same? When I visit Mexico, I certainly don't expect people who reside there to communicate with me in English. I understand how hard living in another country can be and trying to communicate in a language other than your own, I live in Japan. Just doing normal day-to-day activities in a country in which you do not speak the language is difficult, yet I do not expect the Japanese to communicate with me in English.

    My point is, students and job applicants should not be forced to speak the Spanish language, it isn't fair. I think that students who expand their education by learning a second language is wonderful, however, these students deserve a choice.  After all, California is such a diverse state, we should not be limited to only learning and speaking Spanish.  It is my dream that one day Californian's will communicate effectively with eachother in one language, but the reality is...that probably wont ever happen. So, for those in countries other than Mexico wishing to pursue their California dream, prepare to be speaking Spanish when you get there.

   

Engl 1753 Post

This post is to meet the Engl 1753 requirement for a first post.

This should be a great way to discuss and exchange information.

The "Nursing" Opportunity

In California, the professions of the medical field are booming.  I'd like to "school" you on nursing.  I've read many articles saying the same thing... claiming the SAME thing: that job opportunities in nursing are going to be abundant in the next 10 years.  WHY, you might ask?  First of all, there is a shortage of nurses forcing hospitals, for example, to hire traveling nurses or even foreign nurses to fill these vacancies.  Why not give this jobs to the people of California?

A lack of education and training can be to blame for that.  Maybe nursing is not for me?  There are many different aspects of nursing one can get into.  First there is Allied Health.  The kind of nurses that sprout from these programs are Certified Nursing Assistants a.k.a. CNAs, as well as Licensed Vocational Nurses a.k.a LVN's.  To be a CNA, you need to get certification.  LVNs need an associate degree.

Then there are Registered Nurses or RNs.  Now we're talking money!  You can get your Associate's Degree in Nursing or ADN through a community or private college or you can go all out and get your Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing or BSN through a university or private college, as well.

And in any of these positions you can work in home healthcare, nursing homes, skilled-nursing facilities, doctor's offices, or even at the hospital.  The opportunities are seemingly endless.  I figure anyone can find their niche in the nursing field.  Even those who don't want to work directly with patients can find comfort in management or teaching, but this usually requires a professional degree.  More school, yes.  More money, YES!  Hey, remember it's not all about the money... it's about helping people and enjoying what you do.  That's the same for any other job, isn't it?

This brings me to the discussion about financial aid.  If you really want to attain a certificate or degree in nursing, but thing you can't afford it... the state/federal government will help you.  Have you heard of the FAFSA?  And at MiraCosta College they offer a program called the Bridges Scholars Progam which is for student going into biomedical fields, possibly wanting to pursue a master's degree or even further their education.  One of the "bennies" [benefits] of this program is receiving a stipend every semester to off-set the cost of housing.  Sweet?  Oh, yes it is!  These are just a few examples of how to finance your education in nursing.

Even post 10-years from now, there will always be a need for nurses, from assistants all the way to professionals like Nurse Practitioners or NPs (they're like doctors, but still nurses) in California.  And the neat thing about being licensed in California?  Your license is honored in other places, like New York, for example... meaning you don't have to re-take the nursing licensure exam AGAIN for that state!

Nursing is the bomb... that's my philisophy anyway!  And in California, the opportunity is definitely there!  So take it, well, if you want to!

In California, the professions of the medical field are booming.  I'd like to "school" you on nursing.  I've read many articles saying the same thing... claiming the SAME thing: that job opportunities in nursing are going to be abundant in the next 10 years.  WHY, you might ask?  First of all, there is a shortage of nurses forcing hospitals, for example, to hire traveling nurses or even foreign nurses to fill these vacancies.  Why not give this jobs to the people of California?

A lack of education and training can be to blame for that.  Maybe nursing is not for me?  There are many different aspects of nursing one can get into.  First there is Allied Health.  The kind of nurses that sprout from these programs are Certified Nursing Assistants a.k.a. CNAs, as well as Licensed Vocational Nurses a.k.a LVN's.  To be a CNA, you need to get certification.  LVNs need an associate degree.

Then there are Registered Nurses or RNs.  Now we're talking money!  You can get your Associate's Degree in Nursing or ADN through a community or private college or you can go all out and get your Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing or BSN through a university or private college, as well.

And in any of these positions you can work in home healthcare, nursing homes, skilled-nursing facilities, doctor's offices, or even at the hospital.  The opportunities are seemingly endless.  I figure anyone can find their niche in the nursing field.  Even those who don't want to work directly with patients can find comfort in management or teaching, but this usually requires a professional degree.  More school, yes.  More money, YES!  Hey, remember it's not all about the money... it's about helping people and enjoying what you do.  That's the same for any other job, isn't it?

This brings me to the discussion about financial aid.  If you really want to attain a certificate or degree in nursing, but thing you can't afford it... the state/federal government will help you.  Have you heard of the FAFSA?  And at MiraCosta College they offer a program called the Bridges Scholars Progam which is for student going into biomedical fields, possibly wanting to pursue a master's degree or even further their education.  One of the "bennies" [benefits] of this program is receiving a stipend every semester to off-set the cost of housing.  Sweet?  Oh, yes it is!  These are just a few examples of how to finance your education in nursing.

Even post 10-years from now, there will always be a need for nurses, from assistants all the way to professionals like Nurse Practitioners or NPs (they're like doctors, but still nurses) in California.  And the neat thing about being licensed in California?  Your license is honored in other places, like New York, for example... meaning you don't have to re-take the nursing licensure exam AGAIN for that state!

Nursing is the bomb... that's my philisophy anyway!  And in California, the opportunity is definitely there!  So take it, well, if you want to!

Free preschool in California why?

Why do people in California think free Preschool is so important?

So important that preschool activists in California, during one of the last election runs, were pushing this prop so heavily through T.V. ads, and still are. Trying to make you believe that if your toddler goes to preschool, he or she will be part of some kind of super-human preschool race succeeding in life and education. But more seriously, the government shouldn't pay for preschool. California is already heavily burdened with a large amount of free social services, we don't need one more that we already can't afford. Preschool is just high priced daycare. Children don't need it. But when you watch those ads on T.V. they make you feel that if your child does not go to preschool, or you can't afford to send your child to preschool, you are depriving your child of what he or she needs to succeed in life, and are being a bad parent. What young children really need is for their parents to slow down from the rat race in California and spend more time with them. The public school system is already starving for more money. How can the Californian government afford to give free preschool without raising taxes? Aren't taxes high enough already? I work hard for my money and don't want to pay for someone elses child to go to preschool.

College For None

So, California's been lauded as having one of the best educational systems in the country. We have a wide range of colleges, from the mighty University of Californias to the numerous community colleges that range from the specialized to the general. California even tries to push college education for everyone, and largely succeeds -- except as of late. With the budget crisis forcing college students to either eliminate attending higher education or to postpone it to a later date, due to lack of funds or even a chance to get in. This means that a lot of potential students will spend time in the military (particularly down here in this niche of Southern California, where the Marine Corps presence is so prevalent) or working, and possibly coming back to the institutions of higher learning, or outright forget about it as the regular worries and demands of life force them to focus elsewhere.

And now the focus is on attending community colleges until moving on to CSUs and UCs, as most likely all of the readers of this blog are doing. However, I am merely attending MiraCosta college to earn my degree at Coleman College -- trying to work to get into a CSU or UC is akin to a systematic game of selected murder, where the applicant veraciously eliminates all opposition through a carefully constructed plan. Perhaps some might not see it this way; this could merely be my legendary cynicism striking down a once-great plan ("A cynic's eyesight is defective in that their view of the world is unobstructed"). Regardless, when did this state become ranked 47th in smartest states in the country? When states like Alabama and Lousiana, states stereotypically considered to be inferior to many others, outrank us, one has to wonder where things went wrong. So horribly, horribly wrong.