Updates from Melissa Castillo RSS Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Melissa Castillo 10:58 pm on May 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    This is crazy! I’ve been trying to get into this site for so long. UGHHHHHHHH

     
  • Melissa Castillo 11:33 pm on May 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    errrrrrrrrrrrr this thing is wackky
     
  • Melissa Castillo 11:33 pm on May 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I would like to write on my experience at the Sertoma Centre. I cannot leave this class and not mention my experience. I was so honored to volunteer at that Centre. I met people that have impacted my heart and has lead me to continue to volunteer. Are these really adults with disabilities? I think not. They work and complete tasks with much handicap and they don’t complain about it. I seen a woman working in a wheelchair using one hand to work. I couldn’t believe it. I stand here with cries and complaints and yet I’m walking and talking with ease. No one is making fun of me. No one is disregarding me. I’m being offered jobs and I’m not taking them, because I complain it isn’t good enough. I have a new respect for any human with disabilities. They deserve respect and they deserve anytime free time we have to help them. Not only adults, but children also. We can build up their spirits and help them achieve goals that we make everyday. I learn so much there and the staff was amazingly polite to me and my team. We were able to meet consumers that just smiled looking at us. We made them excited and all they did is want to tell us just a little story about them. I will work harder to be apart of something that can make a difference for someone else. My time can benefit someone else and at the end of the day I will feel good about myself also. I’m very pleased with the outcome and I have no regrets.

    Citation
     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:57 am on April 19, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I would like to talk about the video we watched about Ray Zahab trekking the South Pole. I thought this video was very inspiring to me. This man and his friends conquered so much to get to their goal. Pulling a sled up frozen drifts while students were tracking them via internet. Students would even pretend to trek in there school yard. Hearing about losing 8500 calories a day because of all the walking they do and then them having to eat butter and bacon to gain all that calorie back. They would have to inject needles to drain blisters. The amazing journey these guys had to endure to to get to a certain point to make it their goal. I’m so impressed with them and their success. We all have goals but are scared to achieve them because of the consequences we have to endure to get to our main goal. By just hearing this one speech, made me feel something inside. I have been working at my major for years. I have had many obstacles, mountains, and terrain to conquer to get to where I want to be. I’m not there yet and I’m not even close. I even have been set back again in school. But I will never give up. I have been striving this long and I see a light at the end of my tunnel. This was a great motivational speech. I hope the rest who has seen it made a difference in their decisions and mental attitude about life. “We can make the impossible; possible.”-Ray Zahab

    Zahab, Ray. “Ray Zahab treks to the South Pole.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Feb 2009. Web. April 19, 2012.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 12:33 am on April 17, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    Everyday Success 

    Everyday we walk to our classes, sit in our seats, and listen to our teachers. We finish our class for the day and get into our car or hop on the bus. We race to our jobs or we just go home to our families and relax for the rest of the day. Our only disability is not having enough time in the day to accomplish all we want to do. We complain about the smallest things that matter so much to us. We don’t care what other people have problems with in their life. They don’t matter to us. We aren’t around them to really feel their pain. Who cares? That’s their problem. But we are very blessed to have these simple problems we endure everyday. We are blessed to walk on two legs, to write with our fingers and hands, to see, to hear, to talk, and to have someone to always be there for us. There is a community out there that does not have that same love, mobility, strength, or opportunities like us. They are adults with disabilities.

    The adults with disabilities of Illinois are being cut from all there funding by eighty percent. We are the 50th state with the lowest funding rate for adults with disabilities. These adults with disabilities need to be out there working like us to survive. They are no different then us when I comes to bills, payments, and late fees. They need to live too!

    They are blessed with an organization called the Sertoma Centre on 4343 W. 123rd Street, in Alsip, IL. This center empowers them to get the training they need to get a well paying job so they can live on their own. They offer job training and education to build their resumes, so when they go out into the workforce they will be ready for whatever anyone throws at them. They also have an Autism service that focuses on adults with autism so they can teach them how to do everyday life routines, teach them how to set goals and make plans. Sertoma Centre also has another program called the Behavioral Health Services Program. It provides vocational training for high school students who are age 16-22 with developmental and behavioral disorders who are looking in on working. The Bridge program is to help senior over the age of fifty to bridge over from the day programming to community involvement. They take the consumers for walks, cooking, arts and crafts, and music.

    This organization focuses also on training on site, so consumers can learn while waiting on a position. They work inside Sertoma on an assembly line. Which creates a good sense of self esteem and independence, along with job training and a chance to achieve goals so the consumer can integrate with the community. This makes the consumer feel good about themselves and also they are learning skills at the same time.

    Sertoma Centre has a Community Integrated Living Arrangement called CILA. Consumers live in these quarters while Sertoma promotes independence to the consumers so they can be successful in life. This program offers religious programs along with the YMCA, library, shopping, and entertainment. Sertoma tries to meet the needs of their consumer so they can be successful when they integrate with the community.

    Sertoma Centre is a very good facility that helps many consumers and promotes independence. They just were cut from almost eighty percent of their funds from the state of Illinois. They help their consumers learn to take control of their lives no matter what disability they face. They organization loves and cares for their consumers and wants to help them in every way possible. When I called and talk to the volunteer coordinator she told me so much about the facility and it made my heart break for the consumers. I was told about the state of Illinois cutting almost all funds for the adults with disabilities. They are having fundraisers to survive and pay some of the consumers working on site. They have to get paid too. So, instead of me just volunteering for just three hours; I’m going to volunteer and become an advocate for them.

    I’m facing some disabilities of my own and it scares me to look into the future and know that I will be on my own. I have a back disease that will or will not put me in a wheelchair. I have been in a wheelchair and walker before and I had to have my children; which were toddlers at the time, help me with simple things we take for granted everyday of our lives. So, what will happen to me when I’m older? I will be in the same boat as the consumers at Sertoma that want to be independent and get the training to live on their own.

    I’m scheduled to volunteer tomorrow April 17th after classes and I’m so excited to finally meet the face behind all the informative calls and really get to know about the Sertoma Centre. I want to know what the consumers think and feel about their living situation and how they think their futures will be like. I want to know how they like their jobs and what they would like to change about the facility. I want to know if they have the same goals as us and how their disabilities help or are debilitating to them. I want to put a smile on their faces and I want them to know that there is people out there that care and are willing to help.

    For now I have to get finger printed and take a TB test so I can volunteer for fundraisers and also the special olympics. They need so much help and I want to help as much as I can. I also have a family member who is a firefighter that is willing right now to volunteer to cook some good grub for “The Big Event” and Bourbon Street. They are having a firefighter cook-off and will be raising money so they can support the consumers who are working at Sertoma Centre and also for materials. This will be a fun event. They will even have some famous judges there, judging the food.

    Serotoma Centre also has a thrift store (Good As New. Their consumers work there selling second hand items that are donated from the public. The items are gently used, but there are many brand new items there for purchase. This store funds programs for the consumers with disabilities. The thrift store provides retail sales opportunities to individuals with or without disabilities. The Thrift store also provides retail training to individuals with goals of gaining community employment. This store is located in Mateson, IL. I’m very impressed in how they utilize their situation and try to do for themselves instead of waiting around and waiting for the government to save them.

    Sertoma Centre will be a great experience for me and my team. I know this will open our minds and hearts for others less privileged as we are. I think this experience will effect out decisions and make us more soft hearted towards others. I was a little frightened about walking into something I have no knowledge of, but I know this is something that will be a life changing effect on me. I can’t wait to meet Laura Gardner and visit with the consumers at Sertoma Centre. I hope they are as excited as I am and I know I will build bridges with my new friends and when I walk out of there, I know I will be walking back in again to be of assistance. We do have the time to help others, but we just have to pan out a schedule so we can make time for someone in need. Hoping soon I can come back to this and revise it more and more and tell all about my wonderful experience at the Sertoma Centre.

     
    • Katie Murphy 10:21 pm on April 17, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Melissa,
      If it doesn’t affect you directly who cares right? Wrong! People are too busy blaming “society” (or everyone else) for problems. If nobody cares or does anything about it, why should I make an attempt? I’m just one person, I can’t make anything happen, or change someone’s way of thinking. Well that is one of the main reasons behind social issues, everyone thinks the same. It’s really, really hard to find individuality these days…everyone has to conform, if you think differently you’re weird. That’s the ways it has always been. I hate the word can’t. It’s like someone closing a door in your face. I can’t do that it’s impossible. I can’t help save children that are dying from starvation, that live across the planet, or help someone who’s homeless. People need to be more open minded.
      Every morning you wake, be happy to be breathing, walking, seeing, be happy to be alive. Every moment you have in this world should be spent with a smile on your face, because it’s a gift. I have a very good friend who unfortunately, suffers from a debilitating disease called cystic fibrosis. She shocked the doctors once again by turning twenty years old a couple months ago. Josie has spends a lot of time in and out of the hospital relying on machines to breathe for her. She doesn’t let that effect her, she’s an amazing energetic person everyone loves being around. When you mentioned the organization Sertoma Centre, and talked about the adults with disabilities I was interested in learning more. Autism is a devastating disease. I know how hard it can be to care for someone with autism. I’m majoring in psychology, and know about the effects of learning disabilities, it’s very important that an adult with a learning disability no matter its severity maintains a desire for independence. Everyone can contribute to society in some way. People have a tendency of taking that away from them, when they are simply not educated on the issue themselves. And I completely agree that it sucks the state is cutting the funds used to pay working adults with disabilities. That really irritates me, the state has also closed at least 6 mental health clinics and two mental health hospitals that also help adults with learning disabilities. As I kept reading you talked about the “big event and Bourbon?” what is that, I might be interested in volunteering. It was interesting to learn about the organization you volunteered at I want to learn more! :)

      • Melissa Castillo 2:09 pm on April 25, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        I’m sorry I resp0nded so late. You can contact Laura Gardner at Sertoma Centre @ Laura Gardner ;…she is a very nice lady and will help with anything you need. “The Big Event” http://sertomacentre.org/?p=998 ….check out this website

        • Melissa Castillo 2:10 pm on April 25, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

          I’m running out the door…if you need more info I will post it later.

    • John Dougherty 1:14 am on April 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I’m pretty sure it would be quite obvious if I copy and pasted your introduction to my paper. As much as I want to, I would most likely get in trouble. Your introduction is fantastic. It was a very unique way of starting off a paper that involves something we did volunteer work, but of course that is what every reader is looking for, something different. You start with describing a typical day in an average lifestyle. We complain about the simple problems we face, and we don’t care about the major problems other people struggle with every day. I think you successfully introduced the topic, which was adults with disabilities. You then go on to share a statistic about the lack of funding for disabilities in the state of Illinois. This is a very important piece of information in a piece like this because it helps the reader get a grasp on just how serious this issue really is.
      Of course, with me being in the same group, I happen to be quite educated on the place we chose to do our service with, which happens to be the Sertoma Centre. This place helps adults with disabilities get a proper job education and to eventually get a well-paying job. In your third and fourth paragraphs, you did a very good job of explaining the broad details of what people should know about the Sertoma Centre. They have many different facilities and they all serve different purposes. The handicapped that attend these places get hands-on experience with the work force and attend classes for basic skills. The next two paragraphs are you explaining the primary goals of the facilities. They are to help these people integrate with the community and to achieve interdependence. All of the details you give and the way you portray their goals are very well thought out and written about.
      Another thing that really helped your writing was the personal connection you made with your disabilities. You mention that you have some disabilities of your own that keeps you from doing things you want to do. You say you are scared that you might be put into a wheel chair, and fighting for your independence like the consumers we met at Sertoma. Obviously this is a scary feeling. Once the reader recognizes that you are, in fact, in a very similar situation as some of these handicapped consumers once were, they will be automatically drawn in to read more.
      Since this paper was completed before we did our volunteer work, it doesn’t share any of the experiences we had encountered. But once these details are put in, I’m certain this paper will carry the same flow and good writing voice that the beginning had. You said you were sure that this opportunity would be a great experience and that it would open our eyes to the less privileged. I think by participating in this, it did just that. If you stick with the same writing voice for the remainder of the paper, I think that it will turn out very well.

      • Melissa Castillo 2:12 pm on April 25, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thank you for the positive review. Yes, it will become a great paper…Now I have the experience and the tools to really give more info on the subject.

  • Melissa Castillo 11:49 pm on April 11, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    “There is joy laced with confidence in this music, and sadness, or pathos, that is as much connected to the Blues as it is to the huge yearning of that sound in Eastern music… Throughout the record, one can hear the melding of Third World music and mysticism with Western instruments.” – From Stanley Crouch’s original liner notes to Brown Rice. I was most interested in the song “Brown Rice.” I walked in a little through the song, so I didn’t quite hear it from the beginning. So I came home and played it to listen to what I missed. Well I guess now I didn’t miss much. I wanted to know what “Brown Rice” meant and what was Don Cherry trying to say through his music. I looked up his music and it was kind of hard for me to really find something that really focused on that work. So if you know of a site please tell me. Any-who! I went into a site and kind of got some in depth idea about it. I was wrong with what I had thought it was. I had thought it was about black independence and the feelings of one running and hiding for their lives. This song was a mixture of music and sound from all around the planet according to MustHear.com. They talked about a global explorer and the music being about adventure and traveling. The music is about the feelings deep within. A groove. They combined different music pieces of Middle-Eastern, African, and American music. When I listened to this song a few more times I can just feel the feeling of being hypnotized and trying to figure out what instrument meant what nation in the world. What did the words mean? Were they the collaboration of different languages? I’m not really a jazz girl, but I can listen to this.

    Cherry, Don. “Brown Rice” Youtube. Youtube, Feb 17, 2012. Web. April 10, 2012. Ballon, John. “Don Cherry-Brown Rice”. Music Hear. PodPress, Sept 18th, 2008. Web. April 10, 2012.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:35 pm on April 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Did you want us to hold off on doing the Self-assessment #3 and the Acton Project #5? I don’t want to misunderstand our homework at this time in the semester. Can someone give me any information? Thank you so much.

     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:37 pm on April 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I just finished reading chapter six in “Why White Rice.” I was felt a connection to the beginning of the chapter when Mike McGuire built his son a tree house in the yard and I also felt a connection to “Why I Like Mike The Builder.” I got a sense of myself in there. I can relate to the stories-the feelings of not being able to do something because you don’t have experience in it or no one has ever taught you how. I always say I can’t do something because it isn’t normal to me. It’s something I don’t do at all. I don’t like to write, but when I really get involved in something passionate I can really write my butt off. I felt I couldn’t do all these entries and research papers and now I’m getting all into them. Well not so much the writing, but I like the services that I have been learning about. I look around and admire these young teenagers with their vocabulary and I think to myself, “Man, I have such a minimal vocabulary.” But if I try and read I can build my vocabulary. I think it’s just ones will to want to excel and succeed in something they know nothing about. Troy Swanson says that he is mechanically inclined, but then he realizes that he can do it if he tries. You just have to have the will and drive to want to do it and stop telling yourself you can’t. We can do anything if we really want to. I admire this piece. Again, I feel like it was perfect for me to read. It really hit me hard and made me think. I can do it-I know I can.

    McGuire Michael, “Exstential Angst, Orgasm(s) and Jazz Recognizing that all Writing is Creative Writing.” Why White Rice? Iowa: Kendall Hunt Pub, 2010. 133 -135. Print.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:29 pm on March 28, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Just read “Your Mother And I”, and I thought it was funny, confusing, off the wall, and interesting all in one. I felt it was all over the place. I started thinking I was losing my place and jumped to another sentence. Then I thought “Oh wow, this is how I talk all the time.” This was a funny moment. My poor fiance has to listen to me talk off the wall all the time. Too funny. Well I didn’t understand this story at all. They helped the world so much and a man was telling his child about it? How detailed he was speaking of his past. There were a lot of funny moments, but I was in confusion most of the time. I’m hoping someone can explain it to me. I had a lot of visuals. I knew his tone of his voice when he would ask for something or think about something that popped in his head. Then he would take you back into that time. I’m assuming it is all fiction. I’m so confused with this story. For some reason I kept on and was more and more engaged. Were they all a dream that he was talking about? He described so much in so little time. He talked about genocide, windmills, jalapenos, cheese, Aids, lobbyists, electricity, curvy buildings, box cars, and he even talked about conceiving and sex harnesses. I’m still confused about painting the street red. But to some it up, I guess I enjoyed it for some reason. Beats me what I’m thinking about. LOL

    Edgars, Dave. “Your Mother and I.” How We Are Hungry.Random House of Canada Unlimited. Print, 2005. March 28, 2012.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 12:51 am on March 22, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    When I saw this video playing I thought it was another “Heal the World” kind of song. I was shocked I never seen this video. Well I guess I didn’t really concentrate in class, but I came home and played it again. I played it loud and in a place where I can really concentrate on the video. I thought the video was very good. I did see where President Obama was going with his speech at the time. Times have really changed. They have changed so fast compared to the past. Other ethnicities didn’t have rights, women didn’t have rights, if you were in a good school you could make it in life with no questions and you got a top job, and if you attended a school in the slums you wouldn’t amount to anything. Times really have changed and we are very lucky of it. Women have the right to work and to vote now, there is a black president,anyone can become successful in life, and we all live together sharing all things. I always doubt the voting participants and tell them “what can I do?” Since I have been in this class and see and hear about all the options we all have, it amazes me. I’m so lucky to have realized all these options I have and I want to use all my options up. I know we still have a lot to work on with our country and the people in it, but I believe we can do it and make the best out of it. YES WE CAN!

    Will-I-Am. “Yes We Can.” YouTube. YouTube, June 3, 2008. Web. Mar. 20, 2009.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 4:52 pm on March 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Professor or anyone else, can we do a peer review on anything or does it have to be a project?

     
    • Kristina Marynczak 6:28 pm on March 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      peer reviews are always for the last draft work summitted. Im sure he would love for you to do peer reviews in addition to that but for the grade of B must be 3 500-word each peer reviews on the last draft.

  • Melissa Castillo 1:20 am on March 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I was scanning over chapter eight in “Why White Rice” and how cool was it to read a page about not being interested in you class. At first I felt overwhelmed with all the work and all the other work I had to perform for my other professors. I found out that I am interested in this class, but just like the chapter talked about, you have to find something to amuse you or make you feel apart of the issue at hand. Getting into the work and really reading it will give us the foundation to start our work. I do find it much easier to speak on something I read compared to something that I have to make up from the top of my head. We can make it fun and change it up a little so our work can be more about our views. The chapter talks about being more original and even though it’s not what is asked for from the instructor, the instructor can tell that the student tried and it really became more the student talking. I would rather have some ideas to work with then try to figure out something from the top of my head. I do understand that I am in college and it’s somewhere where I chose to be. I’m paying money and receiving money and I should put more effort in as an adult and stop being lazy. I need to find what makes me interested and make it fun. Turn it into something that you know is my work and that I tried.

    Dow, Thomas. “Advice, Writer to Writer Answering You Frequently Asked Questions”. Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt
     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:36 pm on March 19, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    One Meal, One Life 

    I am a thirty-one year old woman from the Brighton Park area. I grew up in a neighborhood where you had to struggle for almost all you had in your possession. I was taught many values from my mother. I was taught to respect others, if they do not respect you then you turn away and be the bigger person, education was key, say please and thank you, yes sir and yes mame, and to value your family, etc. I tried to live by those values, but fell short a few times. Well more then a few times. I felt like it was all about survival in my neighborhood. We were always wondering what our next meal would be, but always had something to eat. In my head our poor neighborhood was in shambles and there was nothing we can do about it. No where else can compare to what I was experiencing. Then we moved away not to far, I grew up more and became more responsible, had a family of my own, and went back to school to continue my goal in life. I signed up to volunteer for a service project and was swept away by the pain and suffering I was shown and told about. Then I thought to myself, “How can you complain about so much you don’t have; when you have it all compared to those kids?”.

    I was given information that I was not aware of. The commercials weren’t explaining it all like the organization did. I always thought those commercials were a crock. I felt like they were only out for my money and that’s all. I thought my money or food I was paying for would never get to these kids. The organization was so thorough and brought to light the real problem and the affect from all the tragedy happening around the world. My heart sank to my stomach and I felt so guilty for being a jerk and not trying once to believe what I was being told on tv. I wanted to do much more for the kids that were living in dire straits. I’ve been sitting around and all I could have done was just give my time and a little cash and I could have helped the kids that are dying. I thought this was only happening in Africa and then to see it’s happening all around the world as a pandemic, shocked me. I didn’t know this was all over. Man are we spoiled and we are so lucky we have so many resources to help us when we are in need.

    Let me tell you about my trip to Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, IL. As I walked into the building I received this strong aroma of clay. Almost like the smell of broken up particles at the bottom of a pasta box from the dry pasta. I walked around and seen some soap and hand woven platters and hand woven bins that can carry produce or grains. I was reading all the products labels and noticed they were all hand crafted in the countries we were about to help. What beautiful craftsmanship? We were lead into a room with pews and had to put on a hair net. There was a gentleman there about to show us what we were about to do. He also showed us a picture of a young boy who was suffering from malnutrition and then the after photo of him and how he looked after a MannaPack. I was stoked and I couldn’t wait till I was packing those bags.

    We walked into the packing room and they made it seem to be fun. Music, yelling out who was done first, and meeting new people was what we were doing. Our team won! But as I packed these bags many things ran in and out of my mind. “Wow! I’m standing here packing seven days worth of food for one child in one bag. How can I be so selfish? How can I live throwing out food while others are starving to death? I’m so over weight and I laugh at the fact. Why is this Melissa? You are one lucky girl.” We were packing little tablespoons of chicken and veggies and packing one cup of rice and soy. This is disgusting. “How can one live off of this? I could never eat this crap.” I tell myself. So we pack and pack and pack at this fast pace. My back starts killing me and all I think is that I can’t stop. These kids have no choice but to starve. I have to move my butt and get these boxes filled. My pain cannot compare to their pain and suffering. So we worked hard and we achieved our goal.

    Walking out and seeing the pallet of boxes that we filled was such a happy feeling. We did this as a team. We took time out of our lives and filled these boxes to help another human life eat. What a great feeling that was. We all gathered around and said a prayer for the boxes to be shipped and brought to it’s place of destination safely. We all gathered for one last moment in the room with the tv. We were told all the boxes we filled can feed up to over 6000 kids in a year. Really? That’s a lot! So then they brought out a sample and I was sadden on how small the portion was and how unappetizing it was. I could never live off of this mess. Man am I blessed. I should bite my tongue more often. These poor kids have to eat this to stay alive? “You’re such a lucky girl for always having food Melissa.” I told myself.

    I wanted to leave there and change the way I eat. I came home and made sure what I ate was all eaten or definitely saved for the next days lunch. I don’t want to waste food when all these kids are hungry. I can see them in my head looking at me telling me to help them. So I shared my experience on Face Book and many of my friends and family want to help too. I was so amazed on how many want to participate in helping these children. I have a whole unit from Mercy Hospital wanting to help and my family and friends. I know we can give back and we can do it all together.

    I know that if we all work together and volunteer our time just once in a while we can make a difference in someones life. Telling others about our experiences may help them understand the goodness in what we have done and just explaining to them the goodness of the organizations. I know there are still many people out there with a heart and would love to help others in need. I would never change my situation. This service opportunity changed me and it changed my fiance. It made us both feel like we accomplished something good and we were honored to be the ones to bless others with food. I see me in the future rallying up a bunch of family and friends and taking an action in helping prepare more boxes and donate as much money as we can raise. I know we all can make a difference and who knows, my one day of service may change the minds and hearts of others and one day they will take it upon themselves to start another service opportunity with their friends and families.

     
    • Kristina Marynczak 7:41 pm on March 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      The tone and message your paper sends is strong and I really liked it. I really had little to no trouble understanding it. As a reader, what I understood was that you were naive and feel so guilty about having a lack of knowledge about the world’s starvation problem and after you volunteer experience you feel great and will continue to help. More was revealed then simply how this event affected you but how it affected the ones around you. Bringing in how you got friends and family to want to help is inspirational. Even though you go into detail if you just add a little more it would tie up some loose ends. Although the physical events themselves aren’t as important I am just curious about a few things. I understand you packed food into boxes that you think looked discussing but how? Did you scoop it in the boxes or a bag? Did it smell? Or was it just not appetizing?
      You took it as far into painting a great picture in my head as the reader in all other aspects. For example, instead of just saying you got people to help join and volunteer for this organization you went into detail of how you did most of it. (Through Face book) That gives me, as the reader, an understanding and gives you credibility. Your title in your paper was eye catching although I don’t understand it too much. One meal can save one kids life?

      Your paper had no run-on sentences or mechanical errors except one sentence in the first paragraph. “I was taught to respect others, if they do not respect you then you turn away and be the bigger person, education was key, say please and thank you, yes sir and yes mame, and to value your family, etc.” Maybe you can use semi-colons or double colons to join it together as a list instead or just commas.

      AS for your paper’s organization your body and conclusion is good and strong but maybe improvement on your introduction. The first paragraph in the introduction isn’t bad but the second one seems a little irrelevant or lengthy. Try and improve your transition between paragraph one and the second. You end off the first paragraph with possibly introducing a volunteer service project you signed up for and then go vaguely into commercials. It kind of confused me. All I got from the paragraph is that you felt bad for not giving money to a commercial. All that comes to mind is starving kids in Africa commercial so is that what you meant? I think you should just state your feeling and maybe ask the reader is they ever seen commercials that focus on helping starving people in the world because you have and never too them serious until recently. You go into stating we are lucky to have resources. Does that mean Americans that aren’t below poverty? Or does it mean you and your family? If you want to keep that paragraph in I suggest maybe relating it a little more to your audience or just combine the main idea with your first paragraph. It seems the second paragraph is as long as body paragraphs but with less important or interesting information. Overall, its pretty good; keep up the great work!

      • Melissa Castillo 6:51 pm on March 26, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thank you for your feedback. I will consider some of your suggestions and work on my paper for my portfolio. I do see the mistakes that I have made and I did feel like I was all over the place. It was very difficult for me to stay focused and really put together the pieces to this piece. I’m glad you did like some of it and I hope you do well, also.

    • Kyle Barczak 2:45 pm on March 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Melissa, I really enjoyed reading your paper. I felt as if I was able to you on many points. The first one being the values you learned from your mother. My parents have raised me to be the same way. Respecting others, being the bigger person, saying thank you, all simple things that I’ve always remembered throughout the years, but also things that seem to show the difference between a lot of people. In your second paragraph, I really, really liked how much this service project had seemed to affect you. I, for one, hate commercials that are along the lines of, “For just $5 a month, you can…” and so forth. The images they show are simply terrible, but as you had thought, I also never believed that my money would make it to them, or to a contribution for them.

      When you had mentioned the aroma of clay in the air, I was pretty intrigued for what that could have been, and at first, I imagined almost like a pottery class, which seemed to be pretty close. I find it very interesting that they display pottery made from other countries, particularly the ones you were able to be helping. It’s a nice way to spread a little bit of culture around.

      Your line, “yelling out who was first” made it seem like a very enjoyable experience. Not only are you learning a lot about other cultures throughout the world, but also you’re having fun and helping save lives at the same time. While there are a few things I could say that would be more enjoyable (which I’m sure we all could), this sounds like a genuine, great time; especially if you brought along some friends. You could even make it competitive.

      “You’re such a lucky girl Melissa.” That line seems to be, or something similar is throughout your paper, and I love seeing this. It seems to be that you really made a connection with what you had done and that you really had a firm grasp on what you were doing and how it was benefiting everyone in the end. And 6,000 children? That’s crazy! I wish you had described what the pallets or boxes had looked like so I could try to form a mental picture of what it had looked like, through your eyes.

      Your final paragraph, I feel, wrapped up everything very nicely. You told the reader what could be done to help with the cause, and said to simply share your knowledge to friends and family. This, I think, is key and very important to any cause. Once again, I overall really enjoyed your paper. It showed what that cause can really do for us, and for those we are helping. Your story especially seemed to show what good helping others could do. If we all were to be able to do something like this, maybe once a month, I’m sure we could make a rather large difference in families across the world.

      • Melissa Castillo 10:34 pm on March 28, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed reading my story. It was a very wonderful experience and I wish I could have given more. They said at the end if we can contribute with cash to send it all out and I had no money. I hope the next time I go with the nurses from Mercy Hospital, I will be prepared to donate. Have a good night and thank you again.

  • Melissa Castillo 9:38 am on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    This week I have missed class Tuesday and I will be missing today, but it didn’t stop me from doing my assignment to the editor. I thought at first this is really going to be hard. How am I suppose to write to an editor and have the editor take me serious? I looked at the requirements for our paper and I was feeling overwhelmed with it all. But when I started writing my letter it all came to me. It flowed all together. This letter really meant something to me. I feel so passionate about it. It felt really good inside to finally get my questions out there. I know there will be a response to my letter. If it isn’t right now at this moment; it will be soon. I also posted my letter to the editor on my Face Book wall. Just as I thought. There were very few responses to my subject about childhood sexual abuse. No one but three people clicked like on my wall. Are you serious? This is why there is such a huge child sexual abuse ratio. No one wants to confront the situation. I was very upset. I posted on my wall “This is why children are being abused, because no one want to hear about it!”. One person told me to not stop what I’m doing and to stand for what I believe in and they will support me. That one person made me feel like I was acknowledged. I never thought by being in this class would have me taking action on something so passionate to me. I thank the professor for having us do these assignments. I may not do it all on time, but it gets done and I learn more and more each day. Thank you Professor.
     
  • Melissa Castillo 9:45 am on March 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    Aren’t Children Important too? 

    Dear Editor,

    I was recently scanning through your opinion column in your paper. I noticed that there isn’t any subject about child sexual abuse. Why is that? Are people not interested on that subject? Are you aware that in the North America alone one in four girls and one in six boys are being sexually abused before the age of eighteen by someone they know, childcare provider, or a stranger? In Africa children are being raped every seventeen seconds. That’s sixty reports a day, not to mention the fifteen other cases for every case not being reported.

    This is a deep subject that I rarely hear talked about. We need to help others be more aware of the pandemic. Children are committing suicide, bringing guns to school, bullying, and keeping it in all to themselves. They don’t know how to deal with their situation and most kids feel at blame for their sexual abuse. Across the globe in Africa children are being gang raped at the young age of eight months old, by six men at a time from ages ranging from eighteen through sixty-six years old. Men are raping these babies and children, because they were told they can be cured of their Aids from having intercourse with a virgin. The children are going through extensive reconstructive surgery because of this.

    We need to take action for our lost children. We need to stop looking at them as the perpetrators when things go wrong and see them as the victim. They are innocent angels. This is a serious issue and we need to do more about getting awareness out to the public.

    Thank you for your time,
    Melissa Castillo
    melimel32@sbcglobal.net
    773.905.2171

     
    • Kristina Marynczak 4:28 pm on March 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Your subject is very tough and I respect you picked such a topic to bring to the editors attention. I do agree that children sexual abuse should be brought to the attention of others. Your tone of your letter seems like you really have a concern with this problem which is good for persuasion. The only concern with persuasion in your piece is I don’t know who your intended audience is. Who do you want to take action? Everyone or just bring the issue to light? In the beginning you ask the editor why isn’t there a section of child abuse in the paper. To me, as the reader, it sounds like you want a section dedicated to child abuse every paper and if that’s the case what are you referring to? I can’t imagine child abuse stories being broadcasted in the newspaper because these children are minors and I’m sure the parent/guardian would not approve. Or do you mean about the pedophiles? Or just mentioning child abuse cases in general as a story topic? Either way, as the reader, I am very confused by that so maybe you can change the wording around so there’s no confusion.
      This brings me back to your audience. After you establish your audience/goal with this piece how can we take action? You briefly touch base that there should be more awareness but there’s something more. I, as a reader, am aware of children sexually abused and how cruel and wrong it is but is there something more I can do? Where can the reader take some action? Maybe you can suggest an organization, website or just somewhere I can go to possibly help this issue.
      As far as your layout of the letter goes it’s good. It’s Well formatted and has minimal mechanical errors. You do throw some facts into your letter, which is awesome, but you don’t cite your sources. So me as the reader may think you are making up the Africa Stats. Since your sending this to a newspaper I would suggest maybe local statistics. Bringing Africa examples are good to show that the issue is worldwide but it may be more persuading to stick within our country. I say this because there are so many issues in Africa in addition to rape, such as AIDS and killings of children but there’s not much we can do; unless of course your purpose of this letter is to call out action to other countries instead or in addition to America. Citing your sources will help your letter gain credibility because I don’t know if you have a source. For example, Africans gang raping eight month year old babies is very hard to believe without knowing where that information came from.
      Overall your letter is good and on the right track. The main revisions you can do are cite your sources, maybe provide information that’s local, and give readers the specific action you want them to take.
      Keep up the good work!

  • Melissa Castillo 12:01 am on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I recently stood in front of the class and read my research paper out loud. It was about national and international concerns and awareness of child sexual abuse. I was not surprised on how some where looking very uncomfortable about the subject. In my head I felt like the class was not taking me serious. Then there is a story about medical marijuana and it’s all hands up. I know this is also a heavy subject and it will help other with the chronic pain or diseases, but I really need to emphasize the subject. Do children have lesser value then marijuana? Why do we respond to drugs and alcohol faster then a child being raped? Children are small and most of the time helpless and innocent. They need us to stick up for them and be their eyes and ears. We need to teach them to be aware of their surroundings and not be so ashamed when the subject comes up. We need to keep them safe and/or help those who have already been abused. They need to be praised for all their goodness and celebrate their healing. They don’t know what’s going on and we need to step up and support them. Look up sites, talk about it with your parents or siblings, try to find out what you can do to support or teach. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I was sicken by the amount of cases being reported and not being reported. Children need us to be there for them. What will it take for you to stand up and help them?
     
  • Melissa Castillo 2:07 am on February 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    The Monster in Their Closet 

    Did you ever wonder why the the kid in the waiting room was so disruptive?
    —- Little girl playing alone in the park?
    —- Bully out of control
    A. Did you ever think CSA?

    Why don’t we talk about this?
    —- Is damaged already done?
    A. Can we do anything about it?

    What is CSA?
    —- Interaction with a child under the age of 18
    —- Acts?
    A. Oral, Anal, Vaginal
    1. Touching, Kissing, Penetration
    B. Pornography
    1. Exploitation, Nude Photos

    The Victims
    —- Age, gender, race, community, country
    A. Good environment, bad environment, South Africa
    —- 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused
    —- 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused
    —- 85% of CSA are committed by someone the child knows

    —- 1 in 2 women are raped in their lifetime in South Africa
    —- 60 child rapes are reported everyday
    A. For every one report-15 are not reported
    B. Urban myth about HIV/AIDS cure
    1. Having sex with a virgin
    2. As young as eight-months-old has been gang raped
    —- Extensive Constructive Surgery
    A. Anal, vaginal, tracheal, and urinal systems

    —- Slave girls as young as six are doing pornography
    A. Drug up the child
    B. makes them perform intercourse with males and other children

    Perpetrator
    —- Fathers, Uncles, siblings, mothers, caregivers, friends, priests, teachers, and/or stranger
    —- 90% are male
    A. Withdrawn, lack of sex with partner or spouse, Alcoholic, Drug abuser
    —- Women
    A. Luring, Kind

    Signs of CSA
    —- Signs
    A. Bed wetting, mood swings, nightmares, crying and scared of certain person, lacerations, drainage

    Actions to Take
    —- Stay calm
    A. Seek support
    1. Call authorities, counselor, family
    —- Assure child it’s not their fault
    A. Thank the child for confiding in you
    B. NEVER blame the child

    Organization
    —- Stop the Silence Org.
    A. International training of awareness
    B. Program Queendom T.E.A.
    1. Life issues, self esteem, free counseling, etiquette, and decision making
    —- Train volunteers to reach out to public
    A. Schools, churches, community settings, countries, police, hospitals
    B. CSA awareness

     
  • Melissa Castillo 1:07 am on February 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I’ve been thinking a whole lot lately on my research project. Thinking about why is child sexual abuse so hidden and not talked about as much as FMSC or PETA? This is a serious global matter and what is really being done about this? Yes, we can help others be aware and educate them on how to react to the situation, but what is really being done about it? Are we only to support and console? Perpetrators are not getting punished hard enough for their crime. That’s why it keeps on happening. Proper counseling isn’t being subjected to the perpetrator. Funds are being cut right now as I write. Perpetrators are laughing at the government and planning their next crime even more cautious then the last that got them caught. In other continents the victims are being almost held responsible for the crime that has happened to them, the perpetrators are not even being arrested for their crimes. The scars of these children are more then mental scars. They are internal scars from being gang raped. Really? An eight month old being gang raped where the baby needs constructive surgery on its genital, anal, abdominal, and throat areas? I feel a deep sadness within. Why are their lives and lives of children not being honored? The politicians get so much praise for the crap they do, while these little babies are being abused, little girls sleeping; being woken up by their daddy’s touching them, little boys feeling confused, but they don’t know if they should feel like a man or a homosexual and not say of what has happened to them. I pray this all get’s the attention it deserves. These children need us and we need to help.
     
    • Melissa Castillo 1:09 am on February 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I wrote this in three separate paragraphs. I keep on editing and it’s not showing on the Splatter page.

  • Melissa Castillo 3:13 am on February 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    The Monster In Their Closet 

    The Monster in Their Closet

     
    • Kristina Marynczak 9:23 am on February 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      ur thing gave me a virus :/

      • Melissa Castillo 12:38 am on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        I don’t have any virus’. I was just an attachment from Microsoft word. Sorry if you got one tough, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t from me. My computer is a Mac and I don’t get any virus’. Sorry to hear though.

    • Katie Murphy 10:15 am on February 29, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      The topic you chose is very difficult, I give you a lot of credit for choosing child abuse, it is a devastating and horrifying crime people commit. You gave many forms of sexual abuse and the symptoms of abuse, information about predators and shocking and sad statistics. I had watched the video on Youtube…it made me tear up to be honest, the twenty five year old women in the video that now suffers from Dissociative Identity disorder or multiple personality, is unfortunately very common with sexual abuse victims. I have learned a lot about the disorder and a few other psychological disorders that are the aftermath of this disgusting crime. I completely agree with you when reading your overview of the social issue, society needs to understand the issue huge and people need to start taking part in stopping acts like this from going on. I think that you have a very good understanding of the subject, but It would help get the message across to the reader if you gave a little background information and maybe what someone can do if they suspect a possible child molester. another good thing to mention to you is that sex offenders have to be registered in the sate of Illinois, it’s illegal if they are not. A good way to see if there are any offenders living in your area for moms caring to know for the sake of their children or for those who look out for loved ones, you can go to the registered sex offenders website: http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Chicago-Illinois.html for the list of offenders in your area. Education and awareness are are some of the ways we can prevent terrible crimes like these from happening.

      • Melissa Castillo 2:00 am on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thanks, yes that would have been good to inform parents about the sex offenders near by. I don’t know why I didn’t include that in my paper. I’m always on that site looking for neighbors close by or even by my family members. Thanks for the extra info. I definitely will use it. Thank you!

  • Melissa Castillo 12:11 am on February 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I just got done reading this story Professor McGuire wrote on “The Social Side of Research”. I opened up to that story; being he wrote it and well because we will be handing in a research paper soon. I have kind of been struggling with what I will be researching on and quite frankly a little stumped with my research. I want to find something that I’m going to feel passionate about and have a connection. I’m sure many of us are feeling that way. But the story made that I read made a lot of sense to me. This research paper due soon doesn’t have to be all reading and feeling overwhelmed of information. We can go out there and interact with others about the subject – ask them questions about their organization. We can feel the pain, excitement, eagerness, passion, and love for what the other person you’re interviewing can give you. We can pick up the phone and interview on the phone. We can explore and find more out about the topic, then just sitting and relying on the computer to show us the way. It doesn’t always give us the information that we can get from being social. It can’t give us the emotional part of what the interviewee can give us. I’m not saying the computer isn’t useful; we can read so many articles from all over from many years ago. It’s just not the same as going out and talking to the source. So go out there and get your feet wet and talk to someone. It won’t kill you.

    McGuire, Michael. “The Social Side of Research: Talking with Experts”. Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt, 2010. 127. Print
     
  • Melissa Castillo 11:48 am on February 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I’m confused! What homework is due tomorrow on Splatter? What is due next Tues.?

     
    • Corey Gallai 12:09 pm on February 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I am not in your class but Reading/Research Journal Due Thurs. Draft due on tues: Service/Activist’s Guide To An Issue.

      • Melissa Castillo 6:33 pm on February 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Reading/research Journal to what? About what? I was late for class yesterday. Thanks

        • Corey Gallai 8:08 pm on February 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

          Reading/ Research Journal on any core readings , or chapter in Why White Rice.

  • Melissa Castillo 11:59 pm on February 13, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Does anyone know how to change the little picture that represents me?

     
  • Melissa Castillo 11:14 pm on February 13, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I was pretty sure I knew what activism and services were. After talking to some classmates we pretty much came to the same conclusion. Services is a physical involvement, hands on, helping people behind the scenes, but can also be activism. I believe both can be used to stand up and tell a story, fight for others or something, but mainly to me it means to get something positive done. I recently walked into you room and sat down and told my peer next to me that I didn’t vote. How can I make a difference in this devil infested world? How come the good people are being persecuted for everything they stand for and it’s okay to be a to swear and be naked on television and all over the internet? This is something that seems to keep on getting worse and worse. But I know my voice might just make a difference. I just seen your short film on 60min below and wow, what a piece. I admire that girl who started a petition on change.com. Look what she accomplished. I would have never thought that one person can make a stand and conquer what she believes in. Really, it inspired me and made me think twice about my answer above. We can make a difference. We just have to want and try.

     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:11 pm on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    I would like to say that my fiance and I had a great time yesterday volunteering at FMSC. It was a great and much sad experience. Great to know that well all just had made a difference and sad because I wish I could have helped more. I’m so very proud of the students and family members who came to support FMSC from Moraine. It’s very important that we don’t lose our love for others. They need our love and our support. If you can’t volunteer or donate money, please say a prayer for those starving children tonight. It’s so very sad how we have everything at our fingertips and they are reaching out to us. I pray that we can all come together and just give a little time and effort for them in need.

     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:01 pm on February 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Wow, the activity on “Who Should Survive” seemed to be fairly easy to me, until our group started discussing who they believed should stay alive. I was shocked how fast they can get rid of a mentally challenged child and keep a bitter atheist trouble maker, . Everyone who was kept was almost the same age. I thought the mentally challenged child could live a normal life with the little girl Mary White. It didn’t state that he was so far gone he needed any special treatment. He could have had a normal child and a normal life.

    I also tried to plea for Mr. Garcia, knowing that his skill level was advanced and had more hands on experience in the medical field. I’m sure he could find alternatives to medicine and use materials at hand; instead of the medical student who is fresh out of medical school and has no residency experience. Even though he had two heart attacks, doesn’t mean he was going to kick the bucket at any time. There is no set date of our death. He could have lived several more years or decades.

    Overall we all came together as a group. We spoke of our chosen and non-chosen people. It was kind of funny how we all explained our cases. It was huge accomplishment on how we came together as a group and came to an agreement.

     
  • Melissa Castillo 1:05 am on February 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Reading this article from McSweeney’s short stories, really had me thinking about the man they were describing. I know of the feeling of anger he had. I have watched so many news broadcasts and felt that sense of anger. I feel the pacing around was from wondering when will it all end. Why is our soldier’s out there dying? Can he make a phone call with concern to make a difference to the military or government? I’m getting from him that he is so pissed about one of our own men sitting there in the dust; dead; and no one around has the heart to go over and cover him or retrieve his body. Yet, they are taking pictures of the soldier.  They just let him lie there in humiliation. How can this be when we have a nation of so much concern for man, yet in other nations they have different morals and beliefs. How can he go about his normal day filled with so much freedom and our men are out there dying? I feel his anxiety may be of deep thinking of wondering why this is happening. I guess he has pride in his own people and just like how the others feel about us Americans; he feels for them. No love at all.

    Eggers, Dave. “What It Means When A Crowd In A Faraway Nation Takes A Soldier Representing Your Own Nation, Drags Him From His Vehicle and Then Mutilates Him In The Dust.” How We Are Hungry. McSweeney’s 2002: 17-18. “Splatter: The Messy Art of Writing.” Web. 01, Feb. 2012
     
  • Melissa Castillo 10:39 am on January 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

     
  • Melissa Castillo 8:39 am on January 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  


    Live? Die? Kill? 

    Letting go to the past to live for today came with a lot of humility and dedication. My purpose in life was to live for me and no one else.  No one mattered to me and neither did their feelings. People, family, and friends were all fake in my eyes. Everyone was a back stabber and was out to get only for themselves.

    (More …)

     
    • Kristina Marynczak 1:49 pm on February 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      First off, I love the mental picture that is put into my head when reading your paper. There are many good examples and imagery when you describe how and why your are who you are today. Being very detailed like stating your churchs name and almost step by step how you brang God into you life is the most memorable section of your paper. I definatly understood the meaning you are conveying in your paper and am personally excited you found your place on God’s path and have changed for the better. Because of your vivdness I can tell you changed for the better. The only thing I think that needs improvement is a few minor things. I am having trouble finding your thesis. At first I thought it was “Letting go to the past to live for today came with a lot of humility and dedication,” because if that was your thesis it would definatly fit your paper but may cause a little wondering off from the guidelines of the paper. The only other thing is I think you can improve is possibly strucuring your introduction a little bit with smoother transitions. Besides that your paper is very enjoyable to read.

    • Melissa Castillo 1:04 pm on February 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Thank you for you input. I will take all you comments into consideration. I really appreciate the time you took to read this and give me most positive feedback. Thank you for pointing out some of the points that seem to be a little confusing.

    • Anetta Borowski 3:41 am on February 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      First things first, I love how you come on so strong about mentioning your life back in the day. It takes courage to present yourself with such strong feelings and examples given admitting to living the wrong way. I also give you props looking up to our one and only God for help. A lot of people don’t give him a change or believe that he can truly help when its in need. You definitely succeeded in getting the help you wanted for the sake of your life from God. I believe he could change anyone he loves that is asking for forgiveness or for any kind of help. I greatly appreciate how you mentioned Jesus and what he did for all of us dieing on the cross for our sins. Shows a great example of how much he truly means to you. It shows how you would like to be and follow Jesus by how you would die for others as well for a great cause. I do agree with Kristina with trying to find your thesis. Its nice to start a paper off with a story and grabbing the readers attention, but it defeats the purpose of the writers knowledge to what the paper might be about. Others wise, great story. Grabbed my attention from the get-go. Thank you for sharing!

      • Melissa Castillo 9:54 pm on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thank you for reading and giving feedback. I’m really trying to figure out what to change. Are you both saying I should rewrite the introduction of the paper or the body? You both seem to agree, but I’m not sure what is really the problem. Can you specify and I will look in on it? Thank you so much again for your time and feedback.

    • Leoncio Salgado 4:19 am on February 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      After reading your work I can tell you’re very optimistic. I can see through your writing how devoted you are to your church and religion. I found your work to be clear and easy to read. Minor flaws here and there but not big enough to cause a distraction. Nothing that can’t be fixed with another look. Your opening takes off pretty quick and caught my attention. To me, the beginning should not have been split up with three separate paragraphs, but I don’t think it’s an actual error. As you move forward you state that everyone should have someone they would give their life up to. I found this interesting because many people are taken away from their loved ones, leaving them defenseless and often end up dying. Your work definitely made me think about myself. Maybe I am a little selfish thinking about my own happiness and not the happiness of others. It was a pleasure to read, nice work.

      • Melissa Castillo 9:59 pm on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Thank you for your response. I’m happy I hit a spot in your heart or mind. Believe me, I was out there and I was having the time of my life. None of that lasts long without a strong foundation. You are actually building that strong foundation by attending school and building it brick by brick. Just think about it; would you like to build a house on a foundation of sand or brick? We know your answer. You’re doing well and it will show in the long run.

  • Melissa Castillo 12:39 am on January 26, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    My assumption about ecological literacy is that we as a community have an awareness about our economy and is concerned about the all around sustainability of it. Knowing and taking interest in our economy to make it a better place to live, eat, breathe, drink, and to financially live. For example to recycle our plastics, paper, and aluminum; also to stop genetically modifying all the fruits, vegetables, and also live stock. I believe one can become literate to this subject by making themselves more aware by reading, research, and listening to others with more wisdom about this situation. Making changes in their own life to make a difference in their community. Ecological literacy is to understand and act in creating sustainability in our community. Being an activist for our world to protect it and to educate others with the proper information to help one to believe they also can make a difference. I believe I am ecological literate, yet lazy about it all. I do not know of the outcomes to most of my waste and I don’t try to find out. I do not carpool, nor do I drink from metal bottles and refill them with water. I do not recycle. I do hope that I learn more and have more compassion for our environment. Hopefully with a little more wisdom I can make better decisions. My change will make a difference.

    Capra, Fritjof “From The Web of Life”
     
    • Katie Murphy 8:52 pm on February 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I completely agree with you it’s definitely community awareness that would help with all aspects of bettering society as a whole. Education is the key to strengthening a community. It is truly unbelievable to see that most people are not interested in bettering the places they live….If you look at well developed societies they are well developed simply because the people living there care enough to learn and make a difference!

  • Melissa Castillo 4:08 pm on January 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    Is everything okay Prof. McGuire? Been checking since Thurs. and there hasn’t been an update on here. Praying all is well for you and your family.

     
    • Prof McGuire 4:11 pm on January 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Thank you, Melissa, for checking in with me. Everything is fine now. My wife had emergency surgery, but she’s home and resting now. I plan to be back in class this week.

      I’m in the process now of making the necessary adjustments to our course schedule, so we can get back on track. Thanks again for your concern. I truly appreciate it.

  • Melissa Castillo 11:33 pm on January 18, 2012 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

    The grading contract is very clear and thorough. I have no problem in getting an “A”. Glad to be in this class and I’m hoping to have a great and productive semester.

     
c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
l
go to login
h
show/hide help
shift + esc
cancel