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....