https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ntD58Z2kJdYaj-CrZEqLP-LwdWucNFXKvNxrV6kUPwU/edit?usp=sharing

Being from Southern California, visiting Mexico is fairly easy and has always been a fun spot to go to since I was young. There have even been times when I’ve taken day trips with my dad just to get some good food. Two years ago, my dad and I went on our first ever cruise together. We went to Catalina and then made our way to Ensenada, Mexico. We were able to spend the whole day there, so we did a tour that would let us engage in fun activities. We stopped by a winery, a historical museum, vendors, and La Bufadora. La Bufadora is a geyser that shoots up water into the air. People are lined against the railings to be able to see this tourist attraction. Right next to La Bufadora, there are shops and restaurants lined up. My dad and I walked into this bar that also served as a mini zoo. We were not expecting to see all of the animals that we did. We were able to play with lemurs and a baby tiger, which I definitely did not expect to do that day. The lemurs were very playful and were not afraid to jump on my, or my dad’s, shoulders. The baby tiger was also playful, but in a different way. I remember being really scared because it bit my leg. It didn’t necessarily hurt too much, since it was a baby, but it did make me very cautious for the rest of the time we spent together. Even though I was only able to spend one day in Mexico, I was able to experience so many new and exciting things. I would definitely recommend visiting as that trip was paradise. But usually, instead of going to Ensenada, I visit Tijuana. Not even that long ago, my dad and I went for lunch as we were craving tacos. My dad’s grandma is from Mexico City, Mexico. Therefore, he grew up with authentic recipes that tasted like heaven. I grew up also eating a lot of Mexican food and it is very important for my dad and I to have good-tasting tacos. And nothing gets better than authentic food coming straight from its country of origin. While tacos are great, there are also burritos, chorizo con huevo, tamales, enchiladas, taquitos, and so much more. I know that there are many places available all over the US to get Mexican food from, but if ever given the chance to go to Mexico, I would recommend that you take it and indulge in all of the food that they offer. And don’t forget to finish some of the many attractions they hold for tourists. Mexico is a very lively country, and can be very fun, especially for people around our age. Hopefully I can take another day-trip down there once I visit home for Thanksgiving break.

When being told that you’re unable to do something, there’s two things that can occur. Either you’re brought down and become unmotivated, or you use that negativity to fuel the strength to keep you going. “Sí Se Puede” and ‘Rosie the Riveter’ are two examples of encouraging messages that have kept people fighting for a cause that they believe in. These commonplaces have become so impactful that they have become widely popular and are still referenced today. They’re able to uplift individuals in troubling times, resonating and connecting with people. Along with understanding the time in which these phrases first grew their popularity, we’re able to see why people have become so fond of this phrase and poster. “Sí Se Puede”, similar to ‘Rosie the Riveter’ has empowered individuals to feel confident in their identity so that they can create change that would make them feel more comfortable and free in their environments. 

Outline: 

Intro

• Thesis: “Sí Se Puede”, similar to ‘Rosie the Riveter’ has empowered individuals to feel confident in their identity so that they can create change that would make them feel more comfortable and free in their environments. 

Paragraph #1

• Analyze “Sí Se Puede”
• Background / Origin 
• Analyze through the representation lens 
• Analyze ways of establishing trust (ethos, pathos, logos) 

Paragraph #2

• Analyze ‘Rosie the Riveter’ poster
• Background / Origin
• Analyze the Rhetorical Situation 
• Analyze through identity rhetoric and criticism 

Paragraph #3

• Contrast the two artifacts
• Analyze the effectiveness of both commonplaces
• Show how they both reduce inequalities

For this week, we’re staying in Europe and moving over to a country I had the pleasure to live in and experience last summer. Two years ago, my mom moved to Spain and I visited her for summer and winter break. This was my first time visiting Europe and I loved every second of it. I stayed in Madrid during my time there, which is a very big and popular city so I had a lot to experience. One of the biggest things that I remember from my trip was celebrating New Year’s Day. I was able to indulge in different traditions, which was such a cool and unique thing to do. While in the US, people usually watch the ‘Ball Drop’ in New York; In Spain, most people will tune into tv channels recording “The Plaza Mayor” where there are fireworks and the bell rings 12 times. For each bell toll, people who participate in this tradition will eat a grape. While eating the grape, you make a wish that you hope will be fulfilled for that year. But be warned – the bells are faster than you might think! I was shocked the first time I tried it out, but overall thought it was so fun and couldn’t wait to see what the new year held for me. I decided to continue this tradition for 2023 and so far these two years have been pretty ‘grape’! Next to “The Plaza Mayor”, there is a mall with tons of shops called “Gran Vía” for everyone to enjoy. My personal favorite store is “Primark”, a very popular European store that to me, basically feels like the equivalent to Target. I spent most of my summers here shopping. If you‘re anything like me and you love amusement parks, then El Parque Warner should definitely be on your bucket list! It’s a theme park with ‘Warner Brothers’ inspired rides. My personal favorite rides are ‘Lex Luther’ and ‘Superman’. And if you love water rides, ‘Cataratas Salvajes’ leaves everyone drenched with their big drop. For a more scenic place to visit, I would recommend “Sabatini Garden”. The third picture shown below only captures a fraction of its beauty. I recommend taking a stroll through the whole garden, especially during fall/winter. It is one of the most beautiful places that you wouldn’t want to miss. I guarantee you that there’ll be museums, art galleries, and more amazing places to explore while in Spain. I felt as if I could always find something new to do; even if it was something simple like sitting down at a park for a picnic. There is so much to see, especially with all of the architecture flooding the cities. Although my mom has moved back to Peru and no longer lives in Spain, I hope to go back to see more and explore the rest of the country, like Barcelona.

While all of the speeches that were presented were great, I was especially intrigued by Sarah’s speech on unconscious bias. I specifically was really engaged with her introduction. She immediately started off with a question that stumped the class (or at least me), grabbing our attention and keeping us interested throughout the whole speech. The speech was well organized and flowed really well. I could tell that she really connected with the topic she chose and I was able to relate to her with similar experiences. I thought that using different examples of unconscious bias was very helpful and allowed the audience to better understand where she was coming from. I also appreciated the call-to-action towards the end. I think that it would be important to describe where stereotypes come from and how unconscious biases form. That way we have a better understanding of how they start to come up with new ways to stop them from spreading. While I am constantly trying to be aware of unconscious biases that I see around me, this pitch really made me think about different stereotypes that I am unaware of exhibiting. The riddle at the beginning of the speech left me shocked to realize that I was so blind to not realizing that the doctor was his mother. I believe that there is still a lot that we can learn about unconscious biases and I am excited to see an even more-in-depth analysis of this later on. 

The UK has fascinated me for years. Pictures that I had seen online had enticed me to want to visit this country. During the summer of 2022, I was fortunate enough to spend a week there for an educational program I attended at the University of Oxford. Immediately, I was in awe of the architecture around me. The buildings that I stayed in and that surrounded me were breathtaking. While it took a bit to get used to the drivers being on the other side, each new place that I visited made me fall in love with this city even more. For one week, I lived in the Oldham dorms and studied at the Corpus Christi branch of Oxford University. I went on tours of different college branches; they were equally as great. My personal favorite was the college across from us, Christ Church. This location is particularly very popular as it is where scenes of Harry Potter were filmed. The stairs were used in the first film where the students are being introduced to Hogwarts. The dining hall in the movie is even based on the one currently held at Christ Church. Another branch used for filming is New College. The lawn is recognized as the place where Draco turned into a ferret in “The Goblet of Fire”. For Harry Potter fans exploring outside of the university, another place you would want to visit is the Bodleian Library. Also in “The Goblet of Fire”, McGonagall teaches the students to waltz for the Yule Ball at this filming location. And when taking the stairs to the level above, you’ll find the restricted library of Hogwarts. Ironically enough, this place is barricaded off to visitors; This makes the “restricted library” a reality. And if Harry Potter isn’t your thing; no worries! There are plenty of things to do that are unrelated to this franchise. If you prefer plays to movies, there are Shaksperian tellings of his work out in front of the ‘Oxford Castle and Prison’. Or you could skip the plays completely, and take a tour inside where many have lived in or been incarcerated in. But be warned that the steps are ongoing and require a lot of caution. The stairs were intentionally built very steep to punish prisoners, and if a prisoner wasn’t careful then they would fall to their death or have a horrible injury. For something a bit less morbid, there’s always the local mall. More modernized than the rest of the city, there are many shops and restaurants to stroll through. Or take a walk through the 340 year-old ‘Ashmolean Museum’. There are beautiful art pieces from a wide array of artists from different age periods and different countries. Additionally, visit one of the many libraries. My personal favorite is called “Gulp Fiction”, located inside one of the markets. And last but not least, make sure to visit Radcliffe’s Camera. While entrance is only allowed to students, even the outside is a beautiful and widely recognized place. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit so many places in such little time. There truly is so much to do in this city that is enjoyable for everyone. While I have only visited one of the many cities in the UK, I hope to go back to see what else the country has to offer. 

During the 1960s and 1970s, farm workers were faced with harsh working conditions and were not being paid a fair amount. They went on strike and boycotted California grapes until they were granted better conditions through their contracts. Two of the most influential people during the United Farm Workers Movement were César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. Together, they coined the phrase “Sí Se Puede”, which is Spanish for “Yes, it can be done”. While this phrase was very meaningful in the time of this civil movement, it has remained influential by inspiring Latines to this day. The phrase was once again used during the ‘Immigration Reform Act’  in 2006. This phrase has been used with many other civil and activist groups. It keeps its original meaning, uplifting Latin individuals to create change by reducing inequalities they face. This phrase has been drawn by replicating the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ poster, another commonplace used to reduce inequalities. I would argue that this shows that Latines are not different from anyone else and want to be treated equally. I would analyze this phrase through the ‘representation’ lens, showing how effective the commonplace is when shining light on the discrimination of Latines. While this phrase may not connect with people who don’t speak Spanish; for those who do speak the language, it is a very empowering message that makes them feel seen. In a time where speaking their own language is seen as disgusting and incorrect, it allows them to reclaim the language that brings them together with their culture and overall identity. Thank you.

Sources

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/si-se-puede/

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.lj8LnwRlfVBkLkRo0Y-olQHaE7&pid=Api 

I fell in love with traveling at the age of 3. The first time I ever left my home in Dallas, Texas was to visit my family in Lima, Peru. Throughout my life, I have visited Peru three times and have been lucky enough to explore this beautiful country that has so much to offer. With my first two visits, I stayed relatively close to the capital, Lima. One of the first places we’ll talk about is the city of MIraflores, which brings together the beautiful sights of the ocean with shops the whole family can enjoy downtown. Restaurants, stores, and even an arcade take over for people of all ages to engage in. There are many opportunities for people to dig into Peruvian cuisine. From lomo saltado to ceviche, papas a la huancaina to inca kola. And although some may not be up to try cuy (guinea pig), there’s tons of other foods to try, including my personal favorite dessert, lucuma. Many people consider Peru to have one of the best cuisines in the world, so it is definitely something you wouldn’t want to miss out on! And even if you can’t fly all the way to Peru, there are many Peruvian-owned restaurants in America that still contain the well-known dishes on their menu. Another well-known attraction that excites people with its colorful and magical show is El Parque Agua. Although the title directly translates to “water park”, this attraction is a water show that projects lights and images connected to music. There is also a zoo called “Parque de Las Leyendas”. This zoo is divided into 3 different parts: the mountains, the jungle, and the coast. Each area is represented by animals you would find in that relative place in Peru. And if those three things aren’t enough for you, there’s a small theme park called “La Granja Villa”. While Lima has so much to offer, the main reason why people visit Peru is to see one of the seven wonders of the world. Less than 700 miles away from Lima, you land in Cusco, home to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is an Incan city in the mountains, perfect for hiking. There are many walking tours to follow, but you can also explore the land by yourself. There is a lot of history that dates back to the 15th century for people to see. And although it might be a long and tiring walk at some points, the views and llamas make up for it. The sights are absolutely beautiful and although I may be biased, it is definitely one of my favorite places that I’ve ever visited. While I’ve already listed many different things to do in Peru, the list goes on for even longer. So if you ever get the chance to visit, make sure to try out as many things as possible. My mom currently lives there with her family and I’ll be returning in December over winter break. In just a few months, I’ll be able to indulge myself in this beautiful country once again.

I am Peruvian-American. My mother was born in Lima, Peru and moved to America in her 20’s. A few years after that, she had me. I was raised in a household that celebrated my Peruvian culture and I was constantly surrounded by love from my Peruvian family members. As a little kid, I was always proud to be Peruvian. However, it wasn’t always easy. In elementary school, I was the only Peruvian kid, let alone one of the only Latinas in my school. I could feel myself slowly slipping away from my identity, especially when some girls in my grade were making fun of my mom’s accent. What was once pride, turned into shame. As I grew up, I realized how wrong this was and quickly became devoted to once again being connected to my culture. I talk with my relatives often. I learned how to speak Spanish. This has turned into becoming very passionate about being connected to my culture and identity, along with being more aware of discrimination and prejudice that immigrants from all of the world face. I also contribute to connecting with my ethnicity by traveling to Peru often. I am very passionate about traveling. The first time I traveled internationally was when I was 3 years old, so it has become a very big part of who I am. I enjoy being able to immerse myself in different cultures that I am not familiar with and indulging in new experiences that are far different than what I’m used to. Two ideas for my passion blog topic would be advocating against the discrimination immigrants face and a travel blog dedicated to exploring new places around the world and what they would have to offer. 

“The Happiest Place on Earth”. Right off the bat, even if you don’t recognize what place I’m talking about, you’re automatically intrigued to visit this so-called “happy place”. Whether you’ve personally visited yourself or you see the constant advertisements playing during commercial breaks, you would recognize this slogan being attached to Disneyland. For all of the kids watching TV or YouTube, they often stare wide-eyed in excitement at the montage shown of kids on rollercoasters with mickey-shaped balloons and hats that resemble Disney characters. For younger kids who don’t truly understand the concept of money, of course they are enticed to want to visit Disneyland. They have fun rides with the possibility of meeting your favorite Disney characters. To some, that truly is the happiest place imaginable. For kids or for even adults reliving their childhood dreams, Disneyland is no doubt a fun place. However, the costs would worry some parents or adults trying to go. What is “the happiest place” for roller coasters, characters, and food is actually the most disappointing place for people’s wallets. But that doesn’t stop many from visiting this place. For some, the cost is worth enough to see a bright smile light up on their face or their childrens’ faces. This is one thing that Disneyland does really well when advertising; they pay attention to their audience. They cater to kids by showing how much fun other kids are having. They bring up the question if those kids also want to have fun. If they do, go to Disneyland! Their slogan reminds everyone of how happy they are to be there and how much fun they have when they’re immersed in that place. Even as a 17-year-old, watching those commercials still makes me nostalgic and reminiscent of my memories there and makes me want to go back. People from all over the world are so invested in how much joy this theme park could truly bring individuals. They’re invested so much, that Disneyland keeps having full and crowded parks, making them the theme park that makes the most revenue. And they’ve even expanded this, by making Disneyland’s all over the world. So whether you’re in California or Florida, or maybe you’re out of the country in Paris or Tokyo, there are still theme parks that you could visit throughout the world. And additionally, each theme park has its own individual taste, making Disney lovers want to travel the world to see what other parks have to offer. One of the main issues that was brought up a little earlier was the money aspect. However, Disney’s advertisement team tries to lighten this up as they include “deals” in the commercials to make everyone watching think they are saving a lot of money. And to some, saving as much money as possible, truly does make it a happy place. Then comes constraints and people who aren’t fond of Disneyland or the Disney company in general. Even with people who don’t want to go, there’s still many people who are tempted to visit a place of joy and fun. I mean after all, who doesn’t want to be happy? If you do, then you’re one of the millions or billions that will visit “The Happiest Place on Earth”.