30 Days- Living on minimum wage

1) What surprised you when watching this episode? Feel free to describe multiple surprises.
- What surprised me when watching this episode was, how much work a person(s) has to go through to get enough money to get by; if that person(s) is living off of minimum wage.  Morgan Spurlock had to work many different jobs, and one of those jobs caused his arm to get hurt.  Also, his fiancee, Alex, had to walk every day to her job as a busboy.  Another surprise for me was how much medical care is without health insurance.  During this 30 day period, both Morgan and Alex had to go to the hospital for care.  Morgan had to go for his arm, and Alex had to go to the hospital because she wasn't feeling well.  Each of their operations cost hundreds of dollars.  My last surprise during this episode was, how much it is to have children.  There was a man during this episode that Morgan interviewed, and he had 4 children, and he was living off of minimum wage.  I don't know how he can pay for everything he and his children need, and I think it's amazing how he can still stay sane even though it's really hard for him to get by. 

2) Do you think this was a realistic portrayal of living life on minimum wage? Why or why not?

- I do believe that this was a realistic portrayal of living on minimum wage.  I think it was a realistic portrayal because, Morgan and Alex needed to: work off of minimum wage jobs, not eat as much as they would want to, and become frustrated at various times.  A lot of people in America go through this type of situations (some worse than others).  In just 30 days, Morgan and Alex had gone from a couple hundred money, to no money, to just enough to get by.  Surely, many people are going through what Morgan and Alex had to go through.  

3) Overall, what did you learn from viewing this episode?

-I learned a lot about the ways many people have to live, when they are just living on the minimum wage.  Also, I learned that people who don't have enough money to do the things they want to do, have to really budget their money, in order to pay off: bills, food, and other supplies so they can live.  I learned that not everything comes easily, and all people have to work hard for what they want/need.   
 

Billboard Charts: 80's Music

Right now in G&T, we are focusing on a topic that really appeals to us as a person, for our Google 20% Project.  My topic is, Music From The 80's To Modern Day.  Recently, I have been looking at the Top 10 artists from the 1980's at Billboard.com, and also from other times between 1980-2012.  I've learned that many artists back then, I still listen to now!  It's amazing how many musical artists and songs, from more than 30 years ago, still appeal to the younger generation of Modern day 2012.  Now, I'm really just enjoying listening to some of the songs listed like: Call Me (Blondie, 1980), Every Beath You Take (The Police, 1983), I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston, 1993), and lots more.  This project is really great, because we get to pick what we're Google searching, and my topic really appeals to me. 
I will be sure to continue re-blogging on my project soon, with all new recaps, on what I have been listening to and researching. 

Portraits from the Congo

After skimming through the pictures from: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/portraits_from_the_congo.html. I really feel different.  I feel different, in a way that I can't even imagine what those people must have gone through....

• #7 Picture of kids- Whenever I see a kid, no matter how rich or how poor, I see such a sweet innocent person.  After seeing the pictures of those kids who are wearing tattered clothing and carrying some quite-heavy items, I just can't help but feel something.  Also, in the picture there is one boy who is smiling. I think it's amazing how kids can still be happy no matter their situation, and it just tells me again how young and innocent they are at their ages.
• #14 Friends- In this picture, two friends, who are no older than 10, have just finished leg surgery, because of leg deficiencies.  This was the result of a war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which lasted for 15 years!  We must give thanks for charities, like Stand Proud, who have nursed and operated on many children who have had devastating consequences from the war (including: Polio and Leg defects).
• #17 Music- People in places with no necessities (ex. food, water, shelter, electricity, etc.) have the hardest weight on their shoulders.  I think it's amazing that people there can still find joy in things, like Music.  In this picture, a man who lives in a place with no electricity, is playing an electric guitar.  

All the pictures in this website are very different and heart-warming.  It really makes you think about not just them, but yourself.  Personally, what I take out of these pictures is, how lucky I am.  God has blessed me with a family, home, food, and all the necessities that are necessary to live; and more. I now feel more thankful for what I have received and gave, to not just myself, but to all the people I care about also.

Reaction to Waste Land

Reaction:  After watching Waste Land Documentary, I feel really inspired.  Inspired, in a way that makes me feel like I can make a difference.  Whether it is changing my own life or changing other people's lives. I learned from this documentary, that anything is possible.  In Waste Land, almost everyone presented, was changed; Vik and all the people he had associated with came from a low middle-class, or very low class position, but art had allowed them to opened their eyes.  They learned that they can be something bigger than themselves; something better.


Thoughts (in the beginning):  In the beginning of Waste Land, I really thought this was just about a famous artist who was going to make art out of trash, and maybe meet a few people while working.  But, no, this story was about this man who wanted to show a story through his art (even though he may not have known he was doing that in the beginning).  He got to know these people, who in some ways, are like himself.  Vik had gotten attached to every single one of the people he came in contact with; all of their stories touched his heart, and because of that this story really touches everyones' hearts who watched this.


In what specific ways do you think Vik Muñiz help the people of Jardim Gramacho?-Did the film make you think about how much garbage you produce on a daily basis?Do you think you will change the way in which you consume and dispose of goods as a result of watching this film?:
Vik Muniz really helped the people of Jardim Gramacho.  He helped them by showing them, that they are not just pickers, not worthless, not lower than anyone else.  Muniz helped them open their eyes to the world.  Let them see that what they dream to come true, can come true.  He allowed them to think of the "impossible", possible.  This movie really showed me how much garbage is produced from each person everyday.  Also, how much I probably produce everyday..... which is alot; since it includes, food, tissues, and other products.  Truthfully, I don't think I can really change my amount of garbage/ consumption of food.  But, now I will be more alert of how much I take/consume and throw out.


-What other areas of society (American or otherwise) could be highlighted in Vik Muñiz's artistic way? 
Other areas of society that could be highlighted in Vik Muniz's artistic way could be, children who are working in horrible conditions.  Many of the pickers, did not become a picker by choice, and at times they were born into the work of picking.  I think we could highlight children who were grown into picking and learn their stories, struggles, hopes and dreams.... 

Passion Project

I am thinking about doing my Passion Project on Music.  I'm not sure yet, where I will go with my topic (music video, etc..).  But, I really want to know more about the history and more specifically rock/pop music in this day and age, and also years back.  I really enjoy 80's music, so I might just listen to some of the music at that time.  I'll see where my ideas bring me, and reblog what I think I will do with my research.  Wish me luck!!!

Terri Schiavo Case

The Terri Schiavo Case had been going on for 15 years (1990-2005), and the conclusion was, the husband won, and Terri Schiavo's feeding tube (which kept her alive) was removed.  Then, about two weeks later she died.  On February 25, 1990 Terri Schiavo collapsed at her home and was brought to a hospital with her husband.  She was then in a coma.  Schiavo's parents and husband had been locked in a legal battle since 1998.  This case had everyone; media, family, friends, Judges, governors,mayors, House of Representatives, and many more, look into this situation.  Then, on March 31, 2005 Terri Schiavo dies, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed.

In my opinion, I think that it was NOT justified to have remove Terri Schiavo's feeding tube because, we never really knew what she wanted/thinked, and maybe she would have wanted to stay alive longer.  I mean, miracles could happen, and I think they rushed into the decision of removing her feeding tube.

I agree with "The Right to Life," because, everyone deserves a chance to be alive on this earth as long as you possibly can, and when it is your time to die, you will.  Someone should not decide that your life must end now, and that is exactly what harped in this case.  Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed, which made her death ALOT faster. Also, being part of the Christian faith, one of the ten commandments is, "Thou shall not kill," and I think the people who decided to remove Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, basically, killed her.   

The Terri Schiavo case affected thousands of people around the nation, and I think that their conclusion on removing her feeding tube was a mistake.  Every human-being has a "Right to Life," no matter how bad their condition is.  No one should be deprived of the life they were given by God, and I think this cases' conclusion should have ended differently.

Links about the case:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4358877.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4398131.stm

Natal Spectrum

1. Natural Reproduction

2. Fertility drugs: Prescription drugs which increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant

3. Prenatal testing: genetic screening of fetus for genes that cause disorders

4. Carrier testing: Genetic tests of parents that show the risk of passing on a genetic disorder

5. Artificial Insemination: Insertion of sperm into female reproductive tract by syringe in a doctor’s office

STOP! I am choosing to stop the spectrum here because, each part of the spectrum from here, either, help the child, help the parents, or is natural. Natural reproduction, is just a yes, since it's naturally happening. Fertility drugs are good for women who are having trouble getting pregnant with their spouse. Prenatal testing is good because, you can check if there are any disorders in the genes that will be reproduced.  Carrier testing is also good because it shows the genetic test of parents that show the risk of passing on a genetic disorder. Artificial insemination, is my final one before the stop because, some women may not be able to perform intercourse with a man, and I guess, if a doctor can insert a sperm into a female reproductive tract it would help the women carry a child that she wants.

6. In Vitro Fertilization: Fertilization of sperm and egg in a Petri dish.  Viable embryos are chosen and inserted into the female reproductive tract via a syringe in a doctor’s office.

 7. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis for Non-deleterious Traits: Fertilization of sperm and egg in a Petri dish. Embryos are screened for genes of non-deleterious traits (such as hair color, height, sex).  Those with desired genes are inserted into the female reproductive tract via a syringe in a doctor’s office.

8.  Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis for Diseases: Fertilization of sperm and egg in a Petri dish. Embryos are screened for a certain genetic disorder.  Those without the defective gene are inserted into the female reproductive tract via a syringe in a doctor’s office.

9.  Cloning: The creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another.

I chose to order my list in this way: Natural Reproduction, Fertility Drugs, Prenatal testing, Carrier testing, Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilization,  Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis for Non-deleterious Traits, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis for Diseases, and Cloning.  I chose to order the natal spectrum in this way because, I highly believe that reproduction should just be a natural thing.  Then, cloning is a whole other thing because, you're just making an exact copy of a person.  Cloning, with our without consent, is just wrong to me, because everyone was born different.  If there are clones everywhere in the world, the world "unique" would become extinct. Everything in between, in my mind, should not be happening at all, but if it helps the person(s) who are part of reproduction, then I think they are acceptable.  To Conclude, Natural (YES), Cloning (NO).

Gattaca - Summary and Opinion

In GT1 we had just finished watching the movie GATTACA.  This movie was about how the world would be different when it was just based off your genetic code.  Your genetic code tells you whether you will succeed or fail, when you die, your special skills, everything about you.  During the movie, a guy named Vincent Freeman, tries to pursue his dream of one day riding on a spaceship and going out on space.  However, the only thing that stops him is his genetic code, which says that he cannot do anything that impressive and will die at a young age.  His father was never proud to have him as a son, but he loved Vincent's brother, Antoine.  Antoine, was destined for greatness, he would be the perfect son.  But, one day the two brother's had a race to see who can swim the farthest, and Vincent always won.  This lead to the realization of Vincent, that maybe "genetic code" is not how society should base our abilities on. 
Vincent soon finds the perfect specimen who will allow him to basically, take his life.  That person was, Jerome Morrow, who has a very high IQ, but got into a car accident which made him reside in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.  Vincent takes the place of Jerome, as a top position in Gattaca, a very prestige spaceport.  But, just as he arrives a murder case happens, and the main suspect is Vincent Freeman.  Now, Vincent has no choice, but to be Jerome, and he succeeds in this by exchanging: urine, blood, hair, and any other genetically coded part of Jerome.  While working at Gattaca, Vincent "Jerome", falls in love with a co-worker, Irene, who just like Vincent was told she could not accomplish her dreams, because her genetic code says she can't. By the end, Vincent succeeds and goes up into space, leaving his life and the life of Jerome Morrow behind him.  But, in a way he's just beginning a new life in the great beyond.

In my opinion, I wouldn't watch this movie for my own enjoyment.  However, it was pretty interesting seeing how much life would change, if the world was based on our genetic codes.  Also, I think it put the scenario, of the genetically coded world, in a bit of a too extreme way.  Some parts may have been a bit gruesome.  But, in the end I liked the way it all came together, and i really enjoyed watching the love story of Irene and Vincent.