From Up Above

I grew up going to a Catholic church. I can honestly say I not once did I ever pay attention. I never had the attention span to listen. It came down to the point where I thought everyone in church were overly dramatic "praising" God and who went home. Before my Quincenera, I had to make my confirmation and HAD to attend church every Sunday. Once I received my confirmation I didn't step in church for a long time.

I came to college and I was struggling emotionally. I felt I needed church. It was a different feeling than what I had felt when I was younger. Since my family is Catholic I went to Catholic churches. But the problem of paying attention was still hard. Trying to be "faithful" to attend church every Sunday was hard. I probably went once in a whole semester. I thought maybe I'm "too tired" with all my school work. Excuses. . .

Once I got with Daniel, he and his parents invited me to his church. A Christian church. This was a different experience. I secretly liked it. I liked it more than I had ever liked one of my Catholic churches.

I criticized his church over littles things. "I hate when he yells in the microphone because it hurts my ears." I thought it was "wrong." I grew up Catholic, I'm supposed to STAY "Catholic."
I would see people cry and throw themselves on the floor praying so hard. It was something I had never seen before. The same thoughts I had when I was younger came back. "Are they being serious or over-reacting?" I just didn't understand.
His family would pray over each other. Everyone in the house would pray at the top of their lungs (some would even cry). I was freaked out.

As I got further in college, my problems never got easier. My relationship was rocky, my grades were low, I had no concentration. Something was missing from my life.

One day Daniel had a bible on the side of his bed. He was looking at it. He passed it to me and told me to start reading. I did and I liked it. It was like I was reading a Jodi Picoult book; interest just came naturally.

I remember my co-worker Terry saying at one point she attended church. So I decided to ask. She said she used to go. And I admitted to her that I was reading the bible and needed help understanding the verses. She said the one like that changed my life from there on and out:
"Oh my God Mari. I've been trying to go back to church and I didn't have anyone to go with. You're my angel sent to me. You're going to be the person to take me back."
Tears immediately filled my eyes. It was just the type of thing I needed to hear. I was going through so many emotional problems I didn't even know who I was anymore. She invited me to attend church with her and I agree I would go.

As soon as the worship team began singing, I began crying. I had NEVER EVER cried in church. It was a feeling of fulfillment. It was a feeling of relief. And then the pastor says to the people, "if you're a first time guest please raise your hand. Remember you're not here my coincidence, God brought you here." I have been different about God ever since.

I now go up to the alter raise my arms and cry as I pray. I now know it was never an overreaction. It was about connecting with God and understanding the power he has. I have been to Bethel every Sunday since. I have witnessed answered prayers and blessings since the moment I gave myself to God.

I am a believer.

The Past

We have been together for a year and eight months, soon to be nine. I could describe our relationship as, I suppose, a good one. We started out differently. We would constantly argue and disagree in the beginning, but it really turned out well. We have a connection that is stronger than it had ever been. It's kind of funny how it was so rocky but turned out so strong. Doesn't it normally go the other way around?

As we were having a good conversation, the past came up. The truth is, during our talking period, he was still seeing his ex-girlfriend. Of course to him it was not anything wrong because we weren't "official." But the TRUTH is, IT IS NOT RIGHT! There are certain things you don't do to people:

1.) YOU DON'T GO TO YOUR EX-GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE THEN TO "THE GIRL YOU'RE TALKING TO" HOUSE!
It is just not right! Now, knowing that he actually did that to me hurts me so much. I don't give a damn that we weren't together and I don't give a damn that it was in the past. How can you really do that to somebody?!?

Are my morals that different? The moment I knew I wanted to be with him, I cut everybody off. I made him my priority and the only guy who got my undivided attention. I can remember like yesterday waiting for the phone to ring and to see him name on the caller ID. I don't think I could have the heart to "play" someone.

I really do love this boy to death. He has helped me in so many ways. But I also know the things I stood up for got pushed aside for him. It bothers me so much. There are things I said I would never put up with and now I put up with. And it's not that I want to put up with it, but it's that I put up with it for him. Because I have let so many things slide, if I try and stand my ground, it turns into a bigger argument. . .

We All Share

As I walk through my dorm room, I gather different things around me. I grab a white Aeropostale shirt, a pair of American Eagle jeans, I grab a coffee cup with snowflakes all over it that my mother had received as a gift last Christmas, and last but not least, I grab a red Dooney & Bourke handbag that I had received for my birthday. I took the tag out of the clothes and flipped over the other items. I read the tags of each item, and to my surprise, the majority of the things I had picked up were made in China. Whether a person is buying clothes or going to grab a bite to eat, the product being bought or being consumed may in fact be produced outside of the United States. According to Cline, “the past three decades has shown that economic growth of developing countries is closely tied to the growth of their exports” (pg. vii). I believe that globalization has occurred due to the import and export of supplies between the world’s many countries.
It’s the middle of the day and I haven’t eaten all day. I go down Military Drive in San Antonio, Texas, look straight ahead, and see an Olive Garden. I look to the left and see a Rocky’s Mexican Restaurant. To the right I see a China Harbor Chinese Restaurant. No matter where a person is at in The United States, American restaurants are not the only restaurants being seen, there are many types of foods from different cultures. In Japan, Italy, and Mexico, they don’t only have Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food. They also have American food such as McDonald’s and Subways. In fact, according to NationalMaster.com, Japan has 3,598 McDonald’s restaurants and 103 Subways (Japan); Italy has 290 McDonald’s restaurants and eleven Subways (Italy); and Mexico has 290 McDonald’s restaurants and 262 Subways (Mexico). With American restaurants growing in other countries and different cultures’ restaurants growing here in the United States, it continues the globalization around the world.
I get in my white Dodge Durango SUV and turn on the radio full blast. As I switch through the stations, I pass some Reggaeton music, then I switch through the oldies station, even the local hip hop station. Everyday musicians that are heard on a local radio station are not all American artist singing. For instance, Daddy Yankee, who sings Reggaeton music, is originally from Puerto Rico. Or did you used to move to the beats of the Beatles back in the day? The Beatles are originally from Liverpool, England. Big fans of Lady Sovereign and her fast tempo hip hop music also know that Lady Sovereign is originally from England. Even if you don’t admit it, everyone has heard of Justin Timberlake, former NSYNC band member. According to Justin Timberlake’s fan site, he is currently performing his tour in Australia (Justin Timberlake). This is not only Americans sharing their music with the rest of the world, we Americans are also becoming familiar with other famous artist from other parts of the world.
People who attend Church every Sunday is not a surprise, neither is hearing about a person who must obey and follow accordingly to what the Bible has to say. Religion is a controversial issue that lies within society. But where does each Religion originate from? NationMaster.com reports about Catholics, Muslims, and Jehovah Witnesses within the United States, Japan, Italy, and Mexico. The religion Roman Catholicism was founded in Jerusalem, Islam traces back to Saudia Arabia, and Jehovah Witnesses originates from Pennsylvania. Statistics show that 63,188,000 Americans are Catholic; 4,140,277 are Muslim; and 1,035,802 are Jehovah Witnesses (American Religion). In Japan, 505,000 people of the population claim to be Catholic; 254,834 claim to be Muslim; and 218,262 claim to be Jehovah Witnesses (Japanese Religion). In Italy, 57,689,000 Italians are Catholic; 987,751 are Islam; and 234,795 are Jehovah Witnesses (Italian Religion). In Mexico 765,552 of the population claim to be Catholic; 318,608 claim to be Islam; and 593,802 claim to be Jehovah Witnesses (Mexican Religion). The three religions, Catholicism, Islam, and Jehovah Witnesses, have all originated from somewhere different in the world, but have grown in different countries as well.
Some girls who go walking around the city with diamonds around their necks feel more sophisticated than ever, while some boys feel like they own the world when they’re cruising around town in their Mustang convertible with some new rims. Some everyday accessories being bought for a more glamorous look or being bought to enhance the look of a car are not made in the United States. Since 2002, imports from South Africa to the United States have increased 85.5 percent. The United States has spent 947.7 million dollars on diamonds. The percentage rate has increased from 12.6 percent to 26.4 percent since 2002. The United States has spent 321.9 million dollars on automotive parts and accessories. The percentage rate has increased from 4.3 percent to 33.9 percent since 2002. United States exports to South Africa have been mutual. South Africa has spent 186.3 million dollars on organic chemicals, which has had a percentage rate since 2002 from 4.2 to 36.7. South Africa has also spent 153.1 million dollars on trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, which has had an increase in percentage rate from 3.4 to 22.8. And South Africa has spent 160 million dollars on civilian aircrafts, which has had an increase in percentage rate from 3.6 to 25.4 percent (Workman). These statistics show how accessories that are bought on an everyday basis are not all originally from the United States.
I now come to my conclusion and final thought. How can the rest of the world be replicating the American ways when, in fact, we are also taking in their music, religions and goods as well? If Americans are saying that other countries are following the American way, then it is fair to say that Americans are following other countries ways as well. The exchange of goods between the United States and the many other countries has caused us exchange cultures and heritages as well.

A Religion Issue Within Schools

Angela sits in her history class. Ms. Lockhart, the history teacher, begins talking about creationism. Ms. Lockhart states, “We are all here today because God created us.” Now, Angela grew up not believing in God, and hearing this upsets her. Angela’s mom asks, “How was your day at school?” “My teacher was telling us that God is the one who brought us into earth.” Angela’s mom becomes furious knowing that they had been teaching her daughter about God. Why did Angela’s mom get mad? One of the most controversial issues in the United States is the teaching of creationism and evolution in public schools.
What is the big deal about teaching evolution and or creationism in school? The Evolution Theory describes change in the properties of populations of organisms that transcend the lifetime of a single individual (Cline), while the Creationism Theory tells that the Earth was created in six days by God, as written in the Bible in the first book of Genesis(Linda). At Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee, Kansas, a Gallup poll found that 68 percent of those surveyed favored teaching creationism along with evolution in public schools; 40 percent favored dropping evolution altogether and teaching children only the biblical version of creation. The teachers are taking an effort to teach both theories and let the students choose how they think the world was created (Davis).
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…(Find)” The First Amendment separates church from state, but church and state always seem to collide. In the Epperson v. Arkansas (1968) court case, a 10th grade biology teacher taught students about evolution from a chapter from a school book, even though, in 1928, the State of Arkansas forbid teachings of mankind evolving from a lower form of animal in schools(Famous). The case ended with with the court deciding that, “The Court does not decide whether the statute is unconstitutionally vague, since, whether it is construed to prohibit explaining the Darwinian Theory or teaching that it is true, the law conflicts with the Establishment Clause" (Thomas). Should the issue of teaching creationism be this controversial? Should we just ban teaching of evolution and creationism from schools?
Some people think that evolution should be banned from school; others think creationism should be banned, and still others think, “Why not let the student choose what to believe?” Should a student have an opinion on what they are being taught in school? I took the initiative to ask students and teachers around Texas State University and John F. Kennedy High School, “What are your opinions on the teaching of evolution and creationism in public school?”
Alexandria Navejar, a freshman at Texas State University, responds to the question by saying, “As a Catholic, I do not have anything against the evolution theory, but it does not make logic sense. The majority of Americans are Christian/Catholic; it makes sense to teach Creationism.” Hallie Johnson, a senior at Texas State University, begs to differ. “I’m an Atheist, and I don’t understand why I have to be taught about the work of ‘God’ if I don’t even believe in one. The Evolution Theory keeps the school out of religion controversies and is based on the theory of science. Let’s just keep religion out of schools.” Ms. Stephanie Woollven, a 10th grade biology teacher at John F. Kennedy, has a different opinion. “I think the students should learn the Evolution and Creationism Theory along with the Big Bang Theory. The students should be exposed to all speculations on how the world may have been created. It is the choice of the student to choose which makes sense to them or goes along with their beliefs.” A Hindu student at John F. Kennedy, Dipen Bhakta, gave his opinion: “I’m Hindu and I don’t in ‘God’ and the whole thing on creationism. I have different beliefs. But to be honest, I do not mind the teaching of the Christian belief on creationism. It informs me on what other religions believe. I would only have a problem if teachers were saying 'This IS the way life was formed!' It amazes me how this topic is so controversial, since I am from a different religion and I don’t have a problem with it being taught in school.” Does the American society overreact on creationism and evolution?
So in the end, the question remains, should the Evolution Theory or Creationism Theory be taught in public schools? This controversial issue has not been resolved and will continue for years to come with the different beliefs in society. The Founding Fathers’ intentions were to separate Church from State, but it seems as though the two will always collide.

The Oblivious Empire and The War on Terroism

Does the United States think irrational? Does the United States put down all other countries? After reading The Oblivious Empire and The War on Terroism, I couldn't help but agree with Hertsgaard and Andreas. After the September 11 attack, the United States have attempted to to matters into "war". The United States have a reputation of always using weapons of masive destruction to "solve" problems. This is why other countries have an issue with the US.
Bin Ladden attacks the World Trade Center and, as he expected the US woul react, we take charge and bomb them. Exactly their point.
In my opinion, the United States needs to their priorities straight. Thousands were killed during the 9/11 attack and we grieved. Now we go bombing the Middle East and are killing thousands including children. Innocent lives. Does that make any situation right?

The Connection between [Babel] and [Under the Sign of Mickey Mouse & Co.]

The way the world works is crazy in general. Who would know that you can be in California and still know what is going on in Japan. What affects someone in Texas can also have a connection and affect someone in a totally different country.

The similarities between Babel and Under the Sign of Mickey Mouse & Co. is that even if we don't know it, there is a link that connects between everyone. Here in America, practically everyone is familiar with the movie, The Terminator 2, well in France, during the first month, it sold 5 million tickets! Without realizing, I bet you could establish a conversation with someone in France even if you were only talking about things that were going on in America, because more than likely they have heard of it too.

Doesn't it make you think that we underestimate people? Here in the USA, all on national television, we name all the thing we plan to do to Iraq, well in that case, don't you think that they might know?

I don't know, after Babel and the reading, it just got me thinking. . .

Deprived From Success

If I was not required to go to school, would I be the same person I am today? Would I be sitting in front of my laptop typing a paper about school? Would I be on the side of the road not knowing how to read or write? As much as I used to complain about waking up in the morning to go to school, I do not regret it. Not only do I believe compulsory education can sometimes disempower the American population, I believe it is what helps us shape out the rest of our lives. In some cases the government does not step in to help students further their education when necessary. I provide examples through my own life experience and through true story movies whom also experience financial difficulties.
I grew up in a low income neighborhood and went to a school that was not well funded. In elementary school, I was too young to know about our school’s financial status. When I turned 12-years-old, I moved to Bufford, Georgia. This school was nothing compared to the ones in San Antonio! Now I had at least three working computers in each class, new books with no graffiti, and desks that looked as if they had just came out of the manufacturing company. It was like nothing I had ever seen. The material they had in my new school was so much more help to my learning. The school had computer programs demonstrating step by step math problems and they had educational programs that helped us locate countries and continents. It was a great improvement in my education. By the time I entered high school, I had already moved back to San Antonio. I found our resources to be a disgrace. If we were luck, we had at least one working computer in each class, all our books, along with our desks,were tagged in. Our school had low TAKS scores and low attendance, putting our school at risk of suspension and disclosure. Some teachers and counselors were pushing us to do well on the TAKS while others were telling us that it did not matter to them because more than likely our school was going to be shut down and they were already finding other jobs. How does that encourage the student? If the teacher does not show a positive attitude and they are unwilling to help, then what makes you think a student is going to have an eager attitude to do better? As in the movie Stand and Deliver, Kimo, a calculus teacher, had to talk to the students and give them faith that they could do it (“Stand and Deliver” 1988 film). If the students don’t have motivation, they more than likely won’t motivate themselves.
According to Texas State Law, the government provides school with financial help according to how well students do on TAKS and other tests. Well think about it, if a school or district with a low financial status is already doing poorly because they can’t afford proper teaching materials for classes and students, how is depriving them from financial help going to make the students do better? Schools obviously need better materials to learn from. And in order to receive better material, schools need financial help from the government. In the reading “Still Separate, Still Unequal” by Jonathan Kozol, they show a perfect example of my theory. Take Mireya’s, a local high school student, dilemma for example; “I don’t want to take hairdressing. I did not need sewing either. I knew how to sew. My mother is a seamstress in a factory. I’m trying to go to college(Kozol, pg.253).” Mireya preferred to take AP classes to help further her education in preparation for college. She did not want to follow the family tradition of becoming a seamstress. But because of the school's low financial status, the school did not offer AP classes. This is where the governments is supposed to come in and help improve a child’s education.
I believe educators and administration have an impact on your education? In the movie Dangerous Minds, The North Carolina High School had a dominant race of Hispanics, and teachers treated the students as if they were nobodies and criminals. Luckily, in this movie, the students had a teacher who cared about what the students did with their lives. It was because of this teacher that the students had a different perspective of what their lives were about. In this particular movie, the Principal did not care how important a student’s situation was, if they did not knock on the door on his office door before entering, he would turn the student away and not listen to a word of their situation or problem. The Principal did nothing to benefit the students at his school. In the movie, Michelle Pfeiffer reports to the Principal countless times with her concerns and ideas, but like his students, he would ignore her(“Dangerous Minds” 1995 film). If the Principal does not make an effort to help students, then how are they suppose to improve?
Though the choice of a student impacts their education, financial assistance is required to obtain a higher education. A student can't pursue an education on their own. Whether mentally or financially, students need all the support they can get. So should the government have a school shut down because they do not have all the material to learn, or are they going to withhold learning material from the future doctors and lawyers?