Sunday, December 7, 2008

Reflect back on this semester.

*Have you met anyone new who is important to you? Have you rekindled any old friendships that have made you stronger?
I have met soo... many new friends and they are all important to me. I am still in good touch with my old friends so I didn't have to make any major adjustments.

*Have you experienced any major changes academically or personally?
I have become more responsible in so many ways, and I am thankful for that.

*What is your one BEST or FAVORITE memory of this semester?
Meeting so many new people and laughing with them all.

*How will you live your life to the fullest?
I will be sure to have fun, but be smart about it. I will take all the opportunities I can get to try something new or meet new people. I work really hard in school so I will have no regrets. and I will be sure to be myself at all times.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

1) Reflect upon what you read in Chapter 11 of Thriving in College. What does this quote mean to you or how can you apply it to your life?
I am guessing you wanted us to pick a quote from the reading? "To be loved, be lovable" This is important in my life because I love having tons of friends and making new ones, so I always make sure I am lovable. Well, that sounds like I change, but I don't I just am always nice to the ones I care about so they love me just as much as I do them.

2) (Refer to page 380 of the text):
Are you a “Crisis Tickler,” “Withholder,” “Irritator,” “Blamer,” or “Gunnysacker?” Explain.
I am probably a crisis tickler because things do not generally bother me, but if they do instead of being a jerk about things then I will hint towards things getting done. But f it is something i can do myself the I will generally do it. Other, than that nothing is too big of deak to handle myself.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

1) What are you most stressed-out with at the moment? Why? Is your body re-acting to this stress? Devise a plan to deal with it.
I am the most stressed out about taking summer classes because I want to be able get into the radiology program by either next year or the year after. I am worried that if I don't then I will have to figure out what classes I can take to fill up my possible two or more years, I just don not want my time and money to be wasted.


2) FFN: Chapter 8 / This is a creative writing exercise! Read the following scenario and finish it based on your knowledge after reading Chapter 8.

You are "Raul" and have just immigrated to the American West illegally from Mexico. You brought your wife and two young children with you on a frightening and expensive 4-day journey in the back of a beat-up truck to arrive in Texas. You can't find work there and Border Patrol is cracking down, so you decide to migrate north a bit where you have relatives in Colorado. You are hired on the spot by ConAgra to work in one of their "beef processing" plants.

-Describe in sensory detail your place of employment. (What's it look like, what is going on, how do people act, what do you wear, what is your job? etc..)
It smells absolutely terrible and the work pace here is to fast causing to many deaths and injuries. The supervisor pressure me to go faster when I am physically incapable of doing so. If I do not sharpen my blade at night when I get home I could be one of those people who gets injured. My body aches but I can not stop working because I could be fired and then will not be able to support my family.
-How much $$ do you earn?
I do not earn very much money for the work I do and I can not complain because if I do Social Security could find out I am an illegal immigrant. I make barely enough money to support my family.
-How do your days go? What are your work hours and what do you do after work?
Work days are long and harsh, the pace we are required to work at is extreme and very dangerous causing deaths and serious injuries. When I a done with work I am still not finished I must sharpen my knives because if I don't, I may be seriously injured at work tomorrow and it could also cause serious strain on my body because I will have to put more effort into cutting meat from having a dull knife.
-Where do you live, what do you live in, how is your quality of life?
I live in a small run down neighborhood in a poor quality home because I can afford to have a nice home. I can barely afford to put food on the table and clothes on my family's backs.


Thursday, October 30, 2008

-how has college changed your life?
College has made me a stronger person, it helped me develope better study habits. I met new people made new friends and learned how to keep old ones. I feel like I have just became a better person in general, I learned new responsibilities. I could go on but that is all for now.
-are you still considering the career you have chosen at the beginning of the semester or are you thinking of something else?
No, I am still holding strong with radiology it is what I wanted to do and even though it may be difficult at times I am going to stick it pout because it will be worth it once I get my degree.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

1) Post your favorite lyrics, poem, or quote for this week.
" Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." My English teacher Mr. Cordes
"If you think negative, something negative will happen; think positive and something positive will happen." My Aunt Patti

2) Develop two reflection questions that you would ask your students at this point in the course if you were a UN100 Professor.
How sure do you feel about your future? Does it look good? Have your career plans change now that you have a better understanding of the requirements?

3) What are you passionate about? Why?
Life in general because it is too short, so you might as well fulfill it with everything you have, make the best of everything. Don't live in the shadows be FUN, so you wont have to think about the "what ifs" when you are seventy and talking to your grandchildren.

4) How are you going to finance your three years of the Radiology program? If you will be in debt from student loans at the end, calculate roughly how much you will owe upon graduation.
Well, it will probably take me four years because I am taking it slowly so I can get better grades. So on average about $44,000-$55,000 after I graduate. That is a whole years salary in a job of radiology!!!

5) Have you changed your mind or do you have any new concerns about your program of study after our guest speakers today (Dr. Foley & Joanne)? Are you thinking of a different major or are you dead set on Radiology? What behavior(s) will you maybe have to change in order to keep up with and make the cut?
I am not worried about it at all. I will try my best to fulfill all the requirements. Like they said you will get in eventually unless you are absolutely terrible. I love people, and I enjoy meeting new people, helping people, and I think I could do a great job in this field, so I am not concerned.

6) FAST FOOD NATION (You should be reading through Chapter 7 at this point)

Reflect upon the opening lines of Chapter 7:

"You can smell Greeley, Colorado, long before you can see it. The smell is hard to forget but not easy to describe, a combination of live animals, manure, and dead animals being rendered into dog food."

-Have you ever read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair? If so, how does it relate to FFN?
I have not read it, but it has a a little section of it in the FFN book, and it realtes by how they just don't care if someone gets their arm cut off or dies, they will do whatever it takes to save money.
-How high is the employee turnover rate in the meat industry and why don't the packing plants see this as a problem?
I am not 100% because I couldn't really find the exact answer. but if you are talking about how the meatpacking plant used to employ 40,000 but now employs 2,000 it is simply for gready money wanting reasons.
We discussed captive supplies of cattle versus regular farming. Reflect upon this quote from page 150:

"To supply the beef slaughterhouse, ConAgra operates a pair of enormous feedlots. Each of them can hold up to one hundred thousand head of cattle..During the three months before slaughter, they eat grain..The grain fattens the cattle quickly, aided by the anabolic steroids implanted in their ear."

-Do you think that these animals' emotions (fears, stress, anger) affect the meat we eat derived from them? How?
Yes, I do think it could have an affect on the meat we eat because when you are stressed or scared your blood flows differently, which changes your nourishment to your muscles, so I would think it could maybe have a differnt affect. I'm not one hundred percent, but it's an idea.

-How do you feel about eating steroids via consumption of "USDA Inspected" beef?
Ummmm.....it is NASTY!!! I thought steroids were suppose to be bad for you? Why would you want them in food? Hmmmm...? Come on Kelly, why would you ask "ME" that question?lol

I probably grossed you out - sorry guys, but knowledge is power! If you still don't see the connection between this course and Fast Food Nation -- let me know. Most of you are going into health professions and will be dealing with epidemics of cancer, diabetes, heart disease etc.. mostly based on the American sedentary and processed-food lifestyle. I am hoping you are thinking more critically about everything at this point.
1 comments

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Blog #5

What do you feel this course (UN100) should focus on? What do you need help in, specifically?
Well, I never was in the beginning of the year but I am becoming a procrastinator and that is not good. I have a really hard time studying for test and taking test. I just get really nervous and I second guess myself. If I am positive I know the material then I usually do a whole lot better. I am organized, but sometimes I get overwhelmed and forget to do assignments. When I have a lot homework it takes me a while to do it and I get really mad if I cant just take a chill for a while so that is when the procrastination kicks in. I like to relax and take naps so I have to manage my time well. I also do not really like doing homework on Fridays or weekends so on Thursday I am usually really stressed because I cram all my homework in in one day. Yeah, I know it is probably not a good thing but......? I feel I am doing decent in school right now but I could probably do better. I need to start kicking into gear on my math and get motivated because I cannot afford to fail that class, or any class. I guess the main thing I need super help with is procrastination.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Blog #4

Ø What is your plan to get involved on campus? What are your interests? Will you or have you joined any student organizations? Which two events besides UNITED & Career Major Fair do you plan on attending?
I plan to join Superior Edge, and I am already involved with our house government. I was not here this weekend so Shanin and I attended the last one about the genocide in Canada.

Ø Fast Food Nation - Chapter 6:

Ø What are some of the problems facing cattle ranchers?
There are now suburbs were ranches used to be, the storms wash out their land, one rancher had ten acres washed out from a storm. They also face rising land prices, oversupplies of cattle, increased shipment of live cattle from Canada and Mexico, development pressure, inheritance taxes and health scares about beef.

Ø What are “captive supplies” of cattle? (“The four major meatpacking companies now control about 20 percent of the live cattle in the U.S. through ‘captive supplies’” (138). (See also p. 142).
The five major meat packing companies are, Armour, Swift, Morris, Wilson, and Cudahy.Captive supplies are cattle that are either maintained in company-owned feedlots or purchased in advanced through forward contracts.

Ø What was the impact of the Chicken McNugget on the poultry industry?
It made the poultry industry grow into a manufactured value added product.

Ø How does the nutritional value of a McNugget compare to a hamburger?
They contain twice as much fat per ounce as a hamburger. YUCK!!

Ø How does the suicide rate for ranchers and farmers compare with the rate for U.S. citizens in
general? Why?
The suicide rate amoung ranchers and farmers is three times higher the rate of the national average. Once their traditional way of life is destroyed htey feel like failures. The land they once owned had a larger value than money and once they have lost that they feel lost.

Ø Do you feel as if there is any healthy fast food available to consumers? If so, where and why? Give specific examples of products.. Please be honest and support your opinions. For example, I feel that Subway's Veggie Sub is extremely healthy due to its freshly-cut produce, cheese, and fresh-baked breads. I actually talked to a friend who works at Subway and he said in MQT, they slice their own produce. (My fear was that it arrived pre-sliced and filled with preservatives). It's not organic, but it's a start.
I will have to agree with you because that is one of the only places I could think of. That is also true where I live in Hillman, MI, the Subway in my town cuts their veggies fresh too. I know this because my friend works there and she always coplains when she has to slice veggies. Maybe Quiznos has the same styles? But Subway and Quiznos I wouldn't consider "fast food" because you can actually see what is being put on your sandwhich and they also take the time to slice veggies. I doubt any other fast food place does that. Other than those two I don't think any where else could POSSIBLY be healthy!?!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Comment to McDonalds Worker

What was said about McDonalds was very disturbing. The first thing that bothered me was how the managers are rarely nice to their employees, but will be all cheery with you if you a mad about the way they made your food. Or how they don't even show up to work, but when they do they don't do anything. Now if your a manager of a restaurant shouldn't you have good work ethics? The thing that bothered me the most was, when he/she mentioned how they dropped the spatuala on the floor and was told not to clean it off because there wasn't enough time. If I was the "lucky" customer that got to eat that "yummy" burger, I would not mind if my burger was hmmm... two minutes late because at least you don't have the risk of eating your burger with a dash of dog poop from someone's shoe on it. I don't know what to think about the whole thing it is way to messed up and well, kind of NASTY! Thank you, for making me not want to eat McDonalds any more!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Blog #3

Ø Describe your ideal Instructor/Professor.
I would like a really energetic professor because they are fun to listen to. One that doesn't ramble and stays on subject. In fantasy land a professor would give you study guides and tell you what is going to be on the test.
Ø “I knew it when I studied it, but I forgot it on the test.” How can students study differently to prevent this from happening?
What I do is rewrite everything I study and make questions out of what I'm studying, or if I cant remember when it comes to test time, I read the other questions on the test hoping one of them will give me clues to the answer I'm looking for.

Ø How do you study for quizzes/tests?
Read above.

Ø What do you have trouble with on quizzes/tests?
I get really nervous and I start second guessing myself.

Blog #2

Reiterate a term or concept you learned in Anatomy this week.
I would love to, but I don't have that class.

Ø List a few pleasant events that happened during your first weeks at NMU.
I met new people and I did well on my first quizes.

Ø Where do you want to be (academically) in six months?
On the Dean's List Baby!!!

Ø List habits you already possess that make you successful in college.
I have a lot of ambition and try really hard to get good grades,

Ø List habits (timewasters?) you can change or modify, or need to lose.
Sometimes I feel going to the PEIF is more important than doing homework, and sometimes I dilly dally.

Ø Explain how you approach studying your a) textbook and b) notes.
I highlight the things I feel are important and make questions about the highlighted areas. I do the same with notes.

Ø Explain how you determine what to write down in notes during lectures.
Whatever is on the board or whatever they get really excited about, or what I noticed was in the reading.

Ø FAST FOOD NATION:
Ø Watch this short 1980’s McDonald’s commercial. McD’s reps have actually claimed they do not target children in their ads.. Pay attention to the tagline: “The Hamburglar is very clever and very sneaky!” Why is this ironic?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Ø List your own quote, favorite saying, song, or other expression of your feelings today.
"Don't worry about people from your past, There's a reason why they didn't make it to your future." and "Every story has an ending, but every ending is just a new beginning."

Ø Now that you made it to NMU – why are you here?
I like the enviorment, it's not to far from home but it'd not to close, the Radiology program and to meet new people.

Ø How did you choose this school?
I liked the environment and it has a good Radiology program.

Ø List initial observations of your new environment.
It seemed really safe and friendly.

Ø List initial observations of your classes.
My classes seem fairly easy, which is great. I think my UN100 class will be fun and easy. I really enjoy my EN111 also.

Ø What observations have you made about other students?
They seem really friendly and very approachable.

Ø About your instructors?
My CH105 teacher is hard to understand and my math teacher goes through lessons really fast. My UN100 teacher seems really nice and I think the class is going to be great. I also really like my EN100 teacher he explains things well and gives us a lot of time to do assignments.

Ø What do you think will be your biggest challenge(s) academically this semester?
My math class because I already have a hard time with math and our teacher does not explain things very well. Time management and studying will also be kind of an issue.

Ø Finally, name one goal (personal, academic, etc..) you have for yourself next week.
I just want to be able to keep up with all my classes and not fall behind. I would like to finish all my homework this week because I'm going home this weekend and I don't want anything to worry about.