Ritual is defined by sociologists as ‘that part of family life that the family likes about itself, is proud of and wants formally to continue.’ Another text notes that ‘the development of a ritual by a family is an index of the common interest of its members in the family as a group.’
What has happened to family rituals, those regular, dependable, recurrent happenings that give members of a family a feeling of belonging to a home rather than living in it merely for the sake of convenience, those experiences that act as the adhesive of family unity far more than any material advantages?
Mealtime rituals, going-to-bed rituals, illness rituals, holiday rituals—how many of these have survived the inroads of the television set?
Marie Winn, Television: The Plug-In Drug
Marie Winn, author of “Television: The Plug in Drug” feels that television has poisoned our minds by changing our view of rituals. I agree with Winn that our rituals have changed, but I don’t agree with Winn when she says that it is because of television. One of the examples that I personally experienced in ritual changed during holiday season such as Thanksgiving. When I was younger, for thanksgiving, my parents would marinate the turkey and prep the side dishes a week in advanced. We would invite our friends and families one month in advanced to let them know, what time they need to be at our house. And on top of that, my parents would always give them the, “no excuse, you better be there,” lecture.
Now that I’m older my parents would either order precooked turkey or sometime we wouldn’t even have turkey for Thanksgiving. We would have ribs or some type of meat ordered to go. Just whatever restaurant that would be open on Thanksgiving Day, is our dinner. I also notice how the one month advance becomes one day advance. But if our friends and families can’t make it, that’s up to them. No lecture was given. Not only does this happen for Thanksgiving, but all holidays. It’s sad how I can see, what used to be family gathering urgency during the holidays, is now not a priority.
Reason why I don’t agree with Winn, that television is the reason for our lack of rituals is because for incidence like Holidays. I cannot see why televisions would want to ruin rituals such as holidays, because I notice that this is where advertisement happens and it is also where they get all of their shoppers, is during the holidays. Whether it’s Valentine, Halloween or a holiday that I mention earlier is Thanksgiving. This is where television makes their money. I don’t know about other families, but with mine, it been because of work, financial problem, and other priorities. This entirely can cause a lot of stress. My families are trying their best to keep family ritual, but it’s not television that keeping us from rituals. To me its society that is making rituals hard for us to keep, things such as; credit card, mortgage, personals, etc.
Some of the consequence in situation such as mine, regards to holidays is we never see my cousins, aunts and uncles. For our family, that used to be the only time we see each other. Since society has gotten us so busy, this is what I notice that we sacrifice… are rituals during the holidays.
I think that some of the things that would help with rituals such as holiday’s is we need to find a way to set aside time for families and friends no matter how busy life get for us. We need to recognize that family is important and they won’t be with us forever, but materials, bills, stress will always be a problem, its part of life. Society cannot manage this problem for us, but what we can do is definitely change our busy life by managing our time wisely and take on only bills that we can afford, this way stress is not taking over our time, and we are not working 24/7 to where we neglect our family ritual.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Stolen Items for Sale (porfolio)
I forget my purse all the time on the coffee table, but I know that when I’m back, my purse is still there and nothing is missing. To me, home is a place where I can store my personal belonging without having to think twice. It is also a place where I can release my stress after a long hard day from work and it is known to be my sanctuary. The thought of something missing in my home when I get back from work truly pisses me off. I would hate it if each and every day I had to worry about whether today my home would be broken into.
Everyone works hard to have a place called “home”. It should not be vandalize by unwanted disturbance, for incidents such as neighbor’s foreclosure. Unfortunately, Slavic Village, Cleveland had their fare share of disturbance. Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer felt that after 800 homes have been foreclosed, crime seem to have increased. It seems to be that squatters and looters started to move into the empty home. Mark Wiseman, the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program, said that, “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” They would trash the vacant home, leaving the yard covered in garbage. It just seems to me that starting a neighborhood watch program can minimize the looters and squatters from staying in the empty homes.
A lot of people need to think to their selves, if their neighbor’s home is already being invaded, what’s stopping their home from incidence such as burglaries? I fore sure don’t want squatters or looters near my home. I would not like to be playing the guessing game of whether or not I will come home to missing items. Having this program in the neighborhood, burglaries are more caution when they know people are watching.
Homes being foreclosed attract gang members. Joe Krasucki, 78, died the next day after being badly beaten; he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings, making the homes nearly worthless. They take doors, moldings, appliances and pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes a lot of money and effort which is not worth it for buyers to purchase, leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur. I have 2 dogs that I walk during odd hours. I cannot help it if I see something unusual and not stare. I should not get beaten up for being curious or not being able to walk my dogs when I want to in my own neighborhood.
This is also hard on low income families such as myself. My parents worked hard to earn a safe secured place for us. They moved us out of the ghetto and into a decent neighborhood to help us stay out of trouble. My family already has to stress on mortgage. Why should they need to stress on the influence of the community, when that was the reason for them moving out of the ghetto? This is why we should put a stand in a good community by starting a neighborhood watch program where we can prevent the problem before it occurs.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He had a problem with foreclosed homes being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also risen. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaway use the empty homes as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wired to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink received a report about meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed home. I would not want to live next to a home that has meth labs. To me that just mean that it’s an invitation for crack addicts to the neighborhood. When I think of crack attics I think of drugs dealer and prostitutes. I would not like to walk down a street to get my mail where this kind of behavior is promoted.
Unlike unwanted communities, having a neighborhood watch, community would know who exactly their neighbor is. That means some community enforces background checks, according to Sheriff Mink. Background checks are not overly invading privacy; they just ask simple questions of employment and who lives in the household.
Ms. Daniel, a banker in Desoto and residents say “neighborhood is suffering from an increased in burglaries, decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures homes being vandalized. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it. There have been reported incidents of burglaries breaking into houses and stealing appliances such as furnace and air conditioners out of yards to resale and make money for themselves. Whether they’re buying drugs or alcohol, it is very difficult to have a safe neighborhood without the community pitching in to catch these unwanted disturbances.
Market to sale homes is difficult as it is. By having a Neighborhood Watch Program, neighbors can pitch in, watch the empty homes and help out by cutting grass or planting flowers just to make homes more inviting. Helping foreclosed homes sell quickly would not only benefit the real-estate agent but also the home value and with home selling quickly looters and squatters won’t have the chance to invade.
One of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is by starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries, robberies, crime, and strangers. With this program in place members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each other’s property by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
A lot of times people are discouraged by starting a neighborhood watch because they feel as if their noisy neighbor is watching them constantly. There’s no privacy; all there is with this program is giving the permission for noisy neighbors to watch their every moves. This is not true. I personally was help by my neighbors who gave me a description of a man. He was wondering around in his car looking very suspicious. It turned out that this man was keeping a little notebook spotted by my neighbors, his note kept a record of which house has what car, where the car is usually park and time of day the car is available. That helped me to keep a close eye on the man description and my car. Police arrest the man thanks to my neighbors. Neighborhood watch programs are for incidents to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Sources:
Les, Christie. "Crime Scene: Foreclosure." CNNMoney.Com. 19 Nov. 2007. 7 July 2008 http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/16/real_estate/suprime_and_crime/.
Mink, Ted. "Foreclosed HOmes and Their Impact on Neighborhood." Apr. 2008. 7 July 2007 .
http://http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html.
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning News. 9 July 2008
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 5 Mar. 2008. 5 July 2008 .
Everyone works hard to have a place called “home”. It should not be vandalize by unwanted disturbance, for incidents such as neighbor’s foreclosure. Unfortunately, Slavic Village, Cleveland had their fare share of disturbance. Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer felt that after 800 homes have been foreclosed, crime seem to have increased. It seems to be that squatters and looters started to move into the empty home. Mark Wiseman, the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program, said that, “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” They would trash the vacant home, leaving the yard covered in garbage. It just seems to me that starting a neighborhood watch program can minimize the looters and squatters from staying in the empty homes.
A lot of people need to think to their selves, if their neighbor’s home is already being invaded, what’s stopping their home from incidence such as burglaries? I fore sure don’t want squatters or looters near my home. I would not like to be playing the guessing game of whether or not I will come home to missing items. Having this program in the neighborhood, burglaries are more caution when they know people are watching.
Homes being foreclosed attract gang members. Joe Krasucki, 78, died the next day after being badly beaten; he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings, making the homes nearly worthless. They take doors, moldings, appliances and pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes a lot of money and effort which is not worth it for buyers to purchase, leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur. I have 2 dogs that I walk during odd hours. I cannot help it if I see something unusual and not stare. I should not get beaten up for being curious or not being able to walk my dogs when I want to in my own neighborhood.
This is also hard on low income families such as myself. My parents worked hard to earn a safe secured place for us. They moved us out of the ghetto and into a decent neighborhood to help us stay out of trouble. My family already has to stress on mortgage. Why should they need to stress on the influence of the community, when that was the reason for them moving out of the ghetto? This is why we should put a stand in a good community by starting a neighborhood watch program where we can prevent the problem before it occurs.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He had a problem with foreclosed homes being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also risen. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaway use the empty homes as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wired to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink received a report about meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed home. I would not want to live next to a home that has meth labs. To me that just mean that it’s an invitation for crack addicts to the neighborhood. When I think of crack attics I think of drugs dealer and prostitutes. I would not like to walk down a street to get my mail where this kind of behavior is promoted.
Unlike unwanted communities, having a neighborhood watch, community would know who exactly their neighbor is. That means some community enforces background checks, according to Sheriff Mink. Background checks are not overly invading privacy; they just ask simple questions of employment and who lives in the household.
Ms. Daniel, a banker in Desoto and residents say “neighborhood is suffering from an increased in burglaries, decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures homes being vandalized. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it. There have been reported incidents of burglaries breaking into houses and stealing appliances such as furnace and air conditioners out of yards to resale and make money for themselves. Whether they’re buying drugs or alcohol, it is very difficult to have a safe neighborhood without the community pitching in to catch these unwanted disturbances.
Market to sale homes is difficult as it is. By having a Neighborhood Watch Program, neighbors can pitch in, watch the empty homes and help out by cutting grass or planting flowers just to make homes more inviting. Helping foreclosed homes sell quickly would not only benefit the real-estate agent but also the home value and with home selling quickly looters and squatters won’t have the chance to invade.
One of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is by starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries, robberies, crime, and strangers. With this program in place members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each other’s property by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
A lot of times people are discouraged by starting a neighborhood watch because they feel as if their noisy neighbor is watching them constantly. There’s no privacy; all there is with this program is giving the permission for noisy neighbors to watch their every moves. This is not true. I personally was help by my neighbors who gave me a description of a man. He was wondering around in his car looking very suspicious. It turned out that this man was keeping a little notebook spotted by my neighbors, his note kept a record of which house has what car, where the car is usually park and time of day the car is available. That helped me to keep a close eye on the man description and my car. Police arrest the man thanks to my neighbors. Neighborhood watch programs are for incidents to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Sources:
Les, Christie. "Crime Scene: Foreclosure." CNNMoney.Com. 19 Nov. 2007. 7 July 2008 http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/16/real_estate/suprime_and_crime/.
Mink, Ted. "Foreclosed HOmes and Their Impact on Neighborhood." Apr. 2008. 7 July 2007 .
http://http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html.
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning News. 9 July 2008
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 5 Mar. 2008. 5 July 2008 .
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
reflection (porfolio)
I am embarrassed to say, but this is my second time enrolled in writing 101. I know that writing is a difficult subject for me. This is why I've been avoiding this class by taking other prerequisites until other prerequisites required writing 101. So here I am...
Writing 101 surprisingly turned out not to be as bad as I imagined. Not that I'm trying to score brownie points, but it all depends on who teaches it. We do a lot of activities that made me realize what my strength and weaknesses are. For example, Craig class we do peer review. I'm glad that it is on blogger. Blogger I can take criticism without feeling embarrass or want to kill the reader for making that comment. I’m beginning to love blogging. I used to hate internet and barely used it for my other class, but since it’s required in this class. I’m beginning to love it. I can decorate and write my comment to my peers in regards to their essay. Blog has also helped me with my essay by letting me look at what other ideas my peers came up with and their writing style.
Compare this writing 101 to my last. This one I can accept criticism because it’s on blogger, but my last writing 101 we had to read out loud in groups of five. I passionately hate that idea! I felt as if I was in an AA meeting where my peers felt pressured to make an opinion so instead of being honest and helpful. All they did was complimenting me to my face because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings. I felt that because of the compliments I received instead of helpful advice. I was still left with fustration and that made me not want to work or improve on my paper.
Some of my weakness that I learned from this class is whether I'm writing the topic I love or hate I still need to write it and get it done because I can always come back and fix it. So there's no reason to procrastinating. Essay 1 to be honest was not my favorite essay. The topic was Neighborhood Watch Program. I had the hardest time finding interest in this topic and yet I chose to stick with this topic because I procrastinated, so there's not enough time to change the topic. I wrote how I feel about the community needing to form a neighborhood watch for many reasons such as decrease in crimes, property value, and build relationship with neighbors that way everyone is more aware when a strange car or person is in the neighborhood. Because lack of interest I learned that it truly shows in my essay. I had trouble with "I say" in my essay. I gave many sources like Sheriffs, Real Estate agents, and director of Cuyahoga County, but not having much "I say" decreases readers interest.
My other problem that I have is I need to learn to be open minded with criticism and think of it as a positive thing. I need to think of it as a helping tool for success on my papers. When the essay was assigned, essay 3 topic was to write about whatever comes to mind. I started by having a lot of great ideas, but one of the greatest for me was my trip to Vietnam. Finishing my essay of course comes with peer review. I need to learn from my last essay and take criticism or any comments into consideration. I learn that writing is a progress and it is never perfect the first time around. Essay 3 had four comments from my classmates. They love my topic and details of my trip but my main problem just like the last essay is grammar and run-on sentences. I learn from the last that at least this time around I have a lot of "I say" just because its my trip so that made it easy for me and interesting for the reader.
My problem with grammar is I start talking as if it was in the past tense, then I jump to present. That causes the reader to be confused. In essay 3 where I mentioned "I am in Vietnam," as saying, "right now I am there at this very moment", but what I should’ve said is, "was," to show the reader that my trip to Vietnam was in the past. I also have a lot of problem with run on sentences. I just don’t know when to add a period to show reader that he/she can breathe or pause to start off a new sentence. Essay 3, I went from talking about my family and I, eating at a restaurant full of bugs crawling around the wall, to talking about how I felt sorry for the anorexic animals. Without adding a period’s or comma’s reader gets confuse that it is another subject I'm mentioning.
A lot of time what is on paper, is not how it’s bobbling in my head. This is a huge problem and I recognize that I need to work on. I need to read my papers out loud to see if what I want to say makes sense. I’m sure if I read my essay 1 & 3 out loud like I should, I would be able to catch the little mistakes that my readers notice. Such as when I meant “there” but I put “their.”
I’m proud to say I also recognize the strengths that I picked up along the way. I understand how to read my peers essay and be able to recognize and make comments on their mistakes. To also not worried about hurting their feeling because in the long run, I’m only helping them out, which is to improve by making them a better writer. Throughout this whole writing class I learn that it is okay to make mistakes and its okay to go back and fix it. I should always remember that criticism or comments from peer review only helps to improve my papers. I need to think more positively and use my time wisely.
Writing 101 surprisingly turned out not to be as bad as I imagined. Not that I'm trying to score brownie points, but it all depends on who teaches it. We do a lot of activities that made me realize what my strength and weaknesses are. For example, Craig class we do peer review. I'm glad that it is on blogger. Blogger I can take criticism without feeling embarrass or want to kill the reader for making that comment. I’m beginning to love blogging. I used to hate internet and barely used it for my other class, but since it’s required in this class. I’m beginning to love it. I can decorate and write my comment to my peers in regards to their essay. Blog has also helped me with my essay by letting me look at what other ideas my peers came up with and their writing style.
Compare this writing 101 to my last. This one I can accept criticism because it’s on blogger, but my last writing 101 we had to read out loud in groups of five. I passionately hate that idea! I felt as if I was in an AA meeting where my peers felt pressured to make an opinion so instead of being honest and helpful. All they did was complimenting me to my face because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings. I felt that because of the compliments I received instead of helpful advice. I was still left with fustration and that made me not want to work or improve on my paper.
Some of my weakness that I learned from this class is whether I'm writing the topic I love or hate I still need to write it and get it done because I can always come back and fix it. So there's no reason to procrastinating. Essay 1 to be honest was not my favorite essay. The topic was Neighborhood Watch Program. I had the hardest time finding interest in this topic and yet I chose to stick with this topic because I procrastinated, so there's not enough time to change the topic. I wrote how I feel about the community needing to form a neighborhood watch for many reasons such as decrease in crimes, property value, and build relationship with neighbors that way everyone is more aware when a strange car or person is in the neighborhood. Because lack of interest I learned that it truly shows in my essay. I had trouble with "I say" in my essay. I gave many sources like Sheriffs, Real Estate agents, and director of Cuyahoga County, but not having much "I say" decreases readers interest.
My other problem that I have is I need to learn to be open minded with criticism and think of it as a positive thing. I need to think of it as a helping tool for success on my papers. When the essay was assigned, essay 3 topic was to write about whatever comes to mind. I started by having a lot of great ideas, but one of the greatest for me was my trip to Vietnam. Finishing my essay of course comes with peer review. I need to learn from my last essay and take criticism or any comments into consideration. I learn that writing is a progress and it is never perfect the first time around. Essay 3 had four comments from my classmates. They love my topic and details of my trip but my main problem just like the last essay is grammar and run-on sentences. I learn from the last that at least this time around I have a lot of "I say" just because its my trip so that made it easy for me and interesting for the reader.
My problem with grammar is I start talking as if it was in the past tense, then I jump to present. That causes the reader to be confused. In essay 3 where I mentioned "I am in Vietnam," as saying, "right now I am there at this very moment", but what I should’ve said is, "was," to show the reader that my trip to Vietnam was in the past. I also have a lot of problem with run on sentences. I just don’t know when to add a period to show reader that he/she can breathe or pause to start off a new sentence. Essay 3, I went from talking about my family and I, eating at a restaurant full of bugs crawling around the wall, to talking about how I felt sorry for the anorexic animals. Without adding a period’s or comma’s reader gets confuse that it is another subject I'm mentioning.
A lot of time what is on paper, is not how it’s bobbling in my head. This is a huge problem and I recognize that I need to work on. I need to read my papers out loud to see if what I want to say makes sense. I’m sure if I read my essay 1 & 3 out loud like I should, I would be able to catch the little mistakes that my readers notice. Such as when I meant “there” but I put “their.”
I’m proud to say I also recognize the strengths that I picked up along the way. I understand how to read my peers essay and be able to recognize and make comments on their mistakes. To also not worried about hurting their feeling because in the long run, I’m only helping them out, which is to improve by making them a better writer. Throughout this whole writing class I learn that it is okay to make mistakes and its okay to go back and fix it. I should always remember that criticism or comments from peer review only helps to improve my papers. I need to think more positively and use my time wisely.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Trip (portfolio)
This year was the first year that our plan worked. You see, my parents have lived in the United States for 30 years and in that 30 years they have never gone back to their home country. Every year that our whole family planned on taking a trip home, something always kept us from the trip: grandmother passed away, my dog was run over by a car, we had to sell our house due to a bad mortgage loan...
But finally, our plan came together this year. I'm excited because I did not know what to expected. I heard a lot of good things like cheap food, clothing, great service for tourist, but also bad things like people trying to steal your luggage as soon as you reach baggage claim. Storys through other people's experience was nothing like what I experiece. It was interesting! Now I understand the saying “people take for granted what they have until they go somewhere where people have it worse.”
We went there in April, everyday was 110 degree's. As soon as we got out of the airport it was muggy and we were sweating like a pig. We first had to pass through the Visa Stamp stand before we were officially in Vietnam. My dad was hinted by the officer who stamped us to slip $20 USD in the passports or they wont let us pass without holding us there for another 3 hours of waiting for our luggage to be search. We didn't want that, not because we were worried about our luggage, but more like we were just out of a 17 hour flight. Too tired for that bullshit. So far I felt that Vietnamese citizen were scandalist.
We hurried and huddle to get our luggage. There was hundreds of people surrounding the baggage claim area who weren't even traveling but pretend as if they were so they can grab the others luggaged and leave. What they do with it...that I dont know.As soon as we were out of the airport we saw my dad's side of the family. He has 14 brothers and sister and they all have 4+ kids so just that alone filled up half the airport parking lot. We were tired and trying to find a bed near by, but our family insist us grabbing lunch with them and site seeing because its only noon their time and 20 hours of no sleep our time.
On our way to dinner...I did not like the view. There was barely any car on the road, people who had a car would be considered a millionaire. Majority of people there were on scooters, motorcycles and bicycle. Life seems rough for Vietnam citizen. Road was nothing but dirt no cement. You can see dogs out on the street with ribs clawing out of their skin.
Arriving at the restaurant. It was dirty! The chairs were plastic little kids chair. The table was lob sided. Their napkins table set is our toilet paper. While we were eating fly's, cockroach, mice, and gecko were very noticeable. I couldn't help it, but sneaky me had to give the poor anorexic cat and dogs my food. People in the restaurants would mugged me for feeding them. They don't treat dogs with the same kind of luxury as majority of people here in the U.S. My grandparents said that people that own this restaurants or little business out on the streets are all run by family regardless of ages. Our server was only 11 who quit school to help her family business. Her parents did not allow her to go to school, not because they couldn't afford school but because they think school is hopeless and waist of time
Arriving at our hotel. 5 star Vietnam is our Motel 6 here in the United State except for culture used of utility difference. There was bugs crawling all over the wall while we were sleeping. Majority of the toilets in Vietnam would have a hose and a drain right next to them because they don't flush. You use the hose in replacement of toilet paper and that's considered luxurious. Whats worst to me is professional businesses area's toilets are crotch down in the ground and there is a bucket of water in replacement of a hose to wash yourself. I never got the hang of the bathrooms even after a month.
Half the reason for our trip is because of my cycloid that was growing on the tip of my earlobe. Doctor's warn me if my cycloid gets any bigger, it can be cancerous. We went to visit couples surgeons in the U.S. and all quoted me $17,000. Health is important to me, but because of no insurance I could not afford it and at my age it is very hard to get that amount of loan so Vietnam was my only hope.
After visiting a couple high end hospitals, we couldn’t decide which so we settled for most cleanness and expensive and thank god for this, but the most expensive surgeon cost me $7.oo USD. Huge price difference! Experience is nothing likethe hospitals in the U.S. Arriving at the hospital I had to pay before taking a number and wait for my number to be called. It’s first come, first serve. No money, no service. They open at 8am, we were there at 7:30am thinking we were early but we were number 56. We waited 5 hours before getting service.
I never new everything was a fee in Vietnam. They try and make money any way they can. Doctor told me he needs a urine sample from me so I went on the elevator to us the restroom. Using the elevator cost me $1 USD thank goodness it came with a ticket that’s no extra charge to come back down. When you step in the restroom, cost $1. I needed toilet paper and what a surprise it cost me anther $1. It didn’t matter if you’re missing a leg or arm you still need to pay to use the elevator and wait in line for your number to be called. It was very sad. People in the hospital knew we were tourist that meant we had money. We were helped first because we slip the nurse $10 so we would have to wait couple hours but I was sad for the guy next to me who recently had eye surgery is now back due to a nasty infection. Sad to say but you can pretty much pay anybody to get what you need there.
My dad wanted us to experience what he experience in Vietnam to look beyond images. He wanted us to see the hospital we were born in and the village where we grew up. I felt sorry for them but yet I notice people there work hard for their money and yet their still poor, but some how relax and happy. Families were very close to each other. No matter how busy their life style is they always seem to manage to have family gathering and dinner at home every night but aside from loving homes they don’t get educated. Life style does not get better other than the same thing every day. Because lack of education, technology was very slow in Vietnam. We complain how terrible our medical is here in the U.S. but Vietnam it is 10x’s worst. I realized how good we have it here in the U.S. I came home feeling very humble and valued my family even more
But finally, our plan came together this year. I'm excited because I did not know what to expected. I heard a lot of good things like cheap food, clothing, great service for tourist, but also bad things like people trying to steal your luggage as soon as you reach baggage claim. Storys through other people's experience was nothing like what I experiece. It was interesting! Now I understand the saying “people take for granted what they have until they go somewhere where people have it worse.”
We went there in April, everyday was 110 degree's. As soon as we got out of the airport it was muggy and we were sweating like a pig. We first had to pass through the Visa Stamp stand before we were officially in Vietnam. My dad was hinted by the officer who stamped us to slip $20 USD in the passports or they wont let us pass without holding us there for another 3 hours of waiting for our luggage to be search. We didn't want that, not because we were worried about our luggage, but more like we were just out of a 17 hour flight. Too tired for that bullshit. So far I felt that Vietnamese citizen were scandalist.
We hurried and huddle to get our luggage. There was hundreds of people surrounding the baggage claim area who weren't even traveling but pretend as if they were so they can grab the others luggaged and leave. What they do with it...that I dont know.As soon as we were out of the airport we saw my dad's side of the family. He has 14 brothers and sister and they all have 4+ kids so just that alone filled up half the airport parking lot. We were tired and trying to find a bed near by, but our family insist us grabbing lunch with them and site seeing because its only noon their time and 20 hours of no sleep our time.
On our way to dinner...I did not like the view. There was barely any car on the road, people who had a car would be considered a millionaire. Majority of people there were on scooters, motorcycles and bicycle. Life seems rough for Vietnam citizen. Road was nothing but dirt no cement. You can see dogs out on the street with ribs clawing out of their skin.
Arriving at the restaurant. It was dirty! The chairs were plastic little kids chair. The table was lob sided. Their napkins table set is our toilet paper. While we were eating fly's, cockroach, mice, and gecko were very noticeable. I couldn't help it, but sneaky me had to give the poor anorexic cat and dogs my food. People in the restaurants would mugged me for feeding them. They don't treat dogs with the same kind of luxury as majority of people here in the U.S. My grandparents said that people that own this restaurants or little business out on the streets are all run by family regardless of ages. Our server was only 11 who quit school to help her family business. Her parents did not allow her to go to school, not because they couldn't afford school but because they think school is hopeless and waist of time
Arriving at our hotel. 5 star Vietnam is our Motel 6 here in the United State except for culture used of utility difference. There was bugs crawling all over the wall while we were sleeping. Majority of the toilets in Vietnam would have a hose and a drain right next to them because they don't flush. You use the hose in replacement of toilet paper and that's considered luxurious. Whats worst to me is professional businesses area's toilets are crotch down in the ground and there is a bucket of water in replacement of a hose to wash yourself. I never got the hang of the bathrooms even after a month.
Half the reason for our trip is because of my cycloid that was growing on the tip of my earlobe. Doctor's warn me if my cycloid gets any bigger, it can be cancerous. We went to visit couples surgeons in the U.S. and all quoted me $17,000. Health is important to me, but because of no insurance I could not afford it and at my age it is very hard to get that amount of loan so Vietnam was my only hope.
After visiting a couple high end hospitals, we couldn’t decide which so we settled for most cleanness and expensive and thank god for this, but the most expensive surgeon cost me $7.oo USD. Huge price difference! Experience is nothing likethe hospitals in the U.S. Arriving at the hospital I had to pay before taking a number and wait for my number to be called. It’s first come, first serve. No money, no service. They open at 8am, we were there at 7:30am thinking we were early but we were number 56. We waited 5 hours before getting service.
I never new everything was a fee in Vietnam. They try and make money any way they can. Doctor told me he needs a urine sample from me so I went on the elevator to us the restroom. Using the elevator cost me $1 USD thank goodness it came with a ticket that’s no extra charge to come back down. When you step in the restroom, cost $1. I needed toilet paper and what a surprise it cost me anther $1. It didn’t matter if you’re missing a leg or arm you still need to pay to use the elevator and wait in line for your number to be called. It was very sad. People in the hospital knew we were tourist that meant we had money. We were helped first because we slip the nurse $10 so we would have to wait couple hours but I was sad for the guy next to me who recently had eye surgery is now back due to a nasty infection. Sad to say but you can pretty much pay anybody to get what you need there.
My dad wanted us to experience what he experience in Vietnam to look beyond images. He wanted us to see the hospital we were born in and the village where we grew up. I felt sorry for them but yet I notice people there work hard for their money and yet their still poor, but some how relax and happy. Families were very close to each other. No matter how busy their life style is they always seem to manage to have family gathering and dinner at home every night but aside from loving homes they don’t get educated. Life style does not get better other than the same thing every day. Because lack of education, technology was very slow in Vietnam. We complain how terrible our medical is here in the U.S. but Vietnam it is 10x’s worst. I realized how good we have it here in the U.S. I came home feeling very humble and valued my family even more
Monday, August 4, 2008
Justice
As a student, I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my past such as procrastinating to where I failed my classes. I did not realize at the time how not being in school will impacted my life. I never took my life seriously until I’m at the point of being kicked out of school and noticed I had no career to rely on. Thank god for second chances I’m now taking my future seriously by attending school and planning out my future. It took lots of letters to the Dean’s office to convince her to give me a second chance, but it’s all well worth it.
This is why second chance should be giving to people like Juan Martin, who is now 30, living under the bridge of Miami because of a crime he convicted 12 years ago. A crime that Martin claims he did not commit. He was only 19 at the time, who flashes a 16 years old and spend 2 years in jail. He now has a criminal record that show sex offender, forcing him to call under bridge home. So how is flashing a teenage girl, when he is only 19 the same as child pornography, rape, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse? I feel that laws pertaining to sex offender should be revised to consider age of criminal and the offense committed.
In the state of Washington the law states that criminals who are convicted as sex offender at ages 17 and up is sentenced the same according to Spokane Sheriff’s Department (SSD). That means that criminal’s who are 19 like Martin was at the time is charge the same as he would if he committed this crime at age 30. This I disagree with because at age 30 you should know better. You have more life experience to know what is right from wrong. Washington legal age to be considered as an adult is 18. Dartmouth News study shows that scientists have learned and proven significant changes in brain structure continue after age 18 and does not start developing adulthood before age 18. So why not change the charges to broader age range to be fair, clear and serves justice. Criminal’s who has committed a sex offense crime receives this label on their record for life which is not fair to Martin who was 19 at the time. I feel that at age 19 it should be a lesson well learned. For someone like Martin who ‘s life was ruined and could not start over because society would not give him the opportunity base upon what is on his record and not even knowing what type or kind of offense he committed.
Pierce County Sheriff (PCS) websites says that there are 3 types of offense. There’s level 1 which states that they are a low risk to the community and the likely hood of them committing this crime again is minimal. Most of the criminal have successfully participated in a program and for some of them this is their first offense. Level 2 offenses is a criminal who has a moderate risk to the community and more than likely to reoffend if compared to Level 1. Some of these criminal have fail to attend treatment and won’t take drugs to change lifestyle so they can prevent this crime from happening again. Level 3 offenders are a threat to the community. Most have previous sex crime history and fails to seek treatment. Now if I did not look at PCS website I would never knew there was such classification.
PCS create a website by law they need to post pictures and the kind of offense, but not clearly stating what kind of offense besides the levels next to their pictures for citizens to beware who lives by them. But all of this is just levels of offense and not clearly stating the kind of offense and age during commitment. It’s sad to see that sex offender definition on PCS is so broad. It could be kidnapping, rape, child molestation etc. all label under sex offenders. PCS may charge each crime differently, but on criminal record it’s labeled under one category. If Martin criminal background check was stated differently besides sex offender then maybe he would be able to get a job and be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. People may take his offense lightly if they knew more about his offense.For me taking someone’s privileges away for life because of a crime they commit at a young age is harsh.
I feel that the law is just not fair to sex offenders. They do deserve to be punishing, but there should be a barrier between age and the type of crime is committed. The law needs to be revised to give opportunity for people like Martin to start over once they fulfilled their sentenced so that instead of living out in the streets because of a crime that they committed is not clear they can be given a second chance to get a job and afford housing to better themselves in society.
"Sex Offender Registration Program Information." Sex Offender Registration Program Information. 30 May 08. 4 Aug. 08. http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/sheriff/sexoffendersearch.htm>.
Knapp, Susan. "Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research." Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research. 6 Feb. 06. 31 July 08 http://http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html.
"Registered Sex Offenders In Spokane County." 2 Oct. 07. 31 July 08 http://scso.spokanesheriff.org.
This is why second chance should be giving to people like Juan Martin, who is now 30, living under the bridge of Miami because of a crime he convicted 12 years ago. A crime that Martin claims he did not commit. He was only 19 at the time, who flashes a 16 years old and spend 2 years in jail. He now has a criminal record that show sex offender, forcing him to call under bridge home. So how is flashing a teenage girl, when he is only 19 the same as child pornography, rape, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse? I feel that laws pertaining to sex offender should be revised to consider age of criminal and the offense committed.
In the state of Washington the law states that criminals who are convicted as sex offender at ages 17 and up is sentenced the same according to Spokane Sheriff’s Department (SSD). That means that criminal’s who are 19 like Martin was at the time is charge the same as he would if he committed this crime at age 30. This I disagree with because at age 30 you should know better. You have more life experience to know what is right from wrong. Washington legal age to be considered as an adult is 18. Dartmouth News study shows that scientists have learned and proven significant changes in brain structure continue after age 18 and does not start developing adulthood before age 18. So why not change the charges to broader age range to be fair, clear and serves justice. Criminal’s who has committed a sex offense crime receives this label on their record for life which is not fair to Martin who was 19 at the time. I feel that at age 19 it should be a lesson well learned. For someone like Martin who ‘s life was ruined and could not start over because society would not give him the opportunity base upon what is on his record and not even knowing what type or kind of offense he committed.
Pierce County Sheriff (PCS) websites says that there are 3 types of offense. There’s level 1 which states that they are a low risk to the community and the likely hood of them committing this crime again is minimal. Most of the criminal have successfully participated in a program and for some of them this is their first offense. Level 2 offenses is a criminal who has a moderate risk to the community and more than likely to reoffend if compared to Level 1. Some of these criminal have fail to attend treatment and won’t take drugs to change lifestyle so they can prevent this crime from happening again. Level 3 offenders are a threat to the community. Most have previous sex crime history and fails to seek treatment. Now if I did not look at PCS website I would never knew there was such classification.
PCS create a website by law they need to post pictures and the kind of offense, but not clearly stating what kind of offense besides the levels next to their pictures for citizens to beware who lives by them. But all of this is just levels of offense and not clearly stating the kind of offense and age during commitment. It’s sad to see that sex offender definition on PCS is so broad. It could be kidnapping, rape, child molestation etc. all label under sex offenders. PCS may charge each crime differently, but on criminal record it’s labeled under one category. If Martin criminal background check was stated differently besides sex offender then maybe he would be able to get a job and be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. People may take his offense lightly if they knew more about his offense.For me taking someone’s privileges away for life because of a crime they commit at a young age is harsh.
I feel that the law is just not fair to sex offenders. They do deserve to be punishing, but there should be a barrier between age and the type of crime is committed. The law needs to be revised to give opportunity for people like Martin to start over once they fulfilled their sentenced so that instead of living out in the streets because of a crime that they committed is not clear they can be given a second chance to get a job and afford housing to better themselves in society.
"Sex Offender Registration Program Information." Sex Offender Registration Program Information. 30 May 08. 4 Aug. 08
Knapp, Susan. "Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research." Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research. 6 Feb. 06. 31 July 08
"Registered Sex Offenders In Spokane County." 2 Oct. 07. 31 July 08 http://scso.spokanesheriff.org.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Justice
The law is create to give everyone fair justice, but is the law clear itself? Juan Martin is now 30 living under the a bridge of Miami because of a crime he convicted 12 years ago. A crime that Martin claim he did not commit. He was only 19 at the time, who flash a 16 years old and was sent 2 years in jail. He now has a criminal record that show sex offender. Forcing him to call under bridge home. How is flashing a teenage girl, when he is only 19 the same as child pornography, rape, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse? I feel that laws pertaining to sex offender should be revised to consider age of criminal and the offense commited.
The law stated that criminal who convicted a sex offense crime at the age 17 and up is sentenced the same according to Spokane Sheriff’s Department( SSD). That means that if a criminal who is 19 like Martin at the time is charge the same as he would be if he commited this crime at 30. That I disagree with. In the state of Washington the legal age to be considered as an adult is 18. Dartmouth News study shows that scientists have learned and proven significant changes in brain structure continue after age 18. And does not start developing adulthood before ages 18. So why not change the charges to broader age range. To be more fair and serves justice. Criminals of commited a sex offense crime recieves this on their record for life. Which is not fair to Martin who was 19. I feel that , at that age it should be a lesson well learned. Just like Martin who ‘s life was ruined and could not start over because society would not give him the opportunity base upon what is record is label and not know what type or kind of offense he commited.
Pierce County Sheriff(PCS) websites says that there are 3 types of offense. Theres level 1 which states that they are a low risk to the community and the likelyhood of them committing this crime again is minimal. Most of the criminal have successfully participated in a program and for some of them this is their first offense. Level 2 offense is a criminal who has a moderate risk to the community and more than likely to reoffend if compared to Level 1. Some of these criminal have fail to attend treatment and wont take drugs to change lifestyle so they can prevent this crime from happening again. Level 3 offenders are a threat to the community. Most have privious sex crime history and fails to seek treatment. Now if I did not look at PCS website I would never new there was such classification. PCS create a website by law they need to post pictures and the kind of offense, but not clearly stating what kind of offense besides the levels next to their pictures for citizens to beaware who lives by them. But all of this is just levels of offense and not clearly stating the kind of offense. Its sad to see that sex offender definition on PCS is so broad. It could be kidnapping, rape, child molestation etc. all label under sex offenders. PCS may charge each crime differently, but on criminal record it’s under label one name. If Martin crimal background check was stated differently besides sex offender. Maybe he would beable to get a job and to be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. People may take his offense lightly if they new more about his offense.
The law is just not fair to sex offenders. They do deserve to be punishing, but there should be a barrier between age and the type of crime is committed. The law need to be revised to give opportunity for people like Martin to start over once he fulfilled his sentenced so that instead of living out in the streets because his crime is not labeled clearly. He could afford to get a job and housing.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/sheriff/sexoffendersearch.htm
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html
http://scso.spokanesheriff.org/
The law stated that criminal who convicted a sex offense crime at the age 17 and up is sentenced the same according to Spokane Sheriff’s Department( SSD). That means that if a criminal who is 19 like Martin at the time is charge the same as he would be if he commited this crime at 30. That I disagree with. In the state of Washington the legal age to be considered as an adult is 18. Dartmouth News study shows that scientists have learned and proven significant changes in brain structure continue after age 18. And does not start developing adulthood before ages 18. So why not change the charges to broader age range. To be more fair and serves justice. Criminals of commited a sex offense crime recieves this on their record for life. Which is not fair to Martin who was 19. I feel that , at that age it should be a lesson well learned. Just like Martin who ‘s life was ruined and could not start over because society would not give him the opportunity base upon what is record is label and not know what type or kind of offense he commited.
Pierce County Sheriff(PCS) websites says that there are 3 types of offense. Theres level 1 which states that they are a low risk to the community and the likelyhood of them committing this crime again is minimal. Most of the criminal have successfully participated in a program and for some of them this is their first offense. Level 2 offense is a criminal who has a moderate risk to the community and more than likely to reoffend if compared to Level 1. Some of these criminal have fail to attend treatment and wont take drugs to change lifestyle so they can prevent this crime from happening again. Level 3 offenders are a threat to the community. Most have privious sex crime history and fails to seek treatment. Now if I did not look at PCS website I would never new there was such classification. PCS create a website by law they need to post pictures and the kind of offense, but not clearly stating what kind of offense besides the levels next to their pictures for citizens to beaware who lives by them. But all of this is just levels of offense and not clearly stating the kind of offense. Its sad to see that sex offender definition on PCS is so broad. It could be kidnapping, rape, child molestation etc. all label under sex offenders. PCS may charge each crime differently, but on criminal record it’s under label one name. If Martin crimal background check was stated differently besides sex offender. Maybe he would beable to get a job and to be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. People may take his offense lightly if they new more about his offense.
The law is just not fair to sex offenders. They do deserve to be punishing, but there should be a barrier between age and the type of crime is committed. The law need to be revised to give opportunity for people like Martin to start over once he fulfilled his sentenced so that instead of living out in the streets because his crime is not labeled clearly. He could afford to get a job and housing.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/sheriff/sexoffendersearch.htm
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/02/06.html
http://scso.spokanesheriff.org/
Monday, July 28, 2008
fair?
The law is create to give everyone fair justice, but is the law clear itself? Juan Martin is now 30 living under the a bridge of Miami because of a crime he convicted 12 years ago. Back when he convicted crime he said he didn't, he was only 19, who flash a 16 years old and was sent 2 years in jail. He now has a criminal record that show's he's a sex offender forcing him to call under bridge home. How is flashing a teenage girl, when you are only 19 the same as child pornography, rape, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse? Justice is just not clear.
fair?
Law should be clear on people sentence as sex offenders should have a barrier and age variation.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
All-the-way House
Wow, reading this story truely amazes me how one individual went out of her way to make a place call home for hundreds of teens. She had her degree in so many fields that can lead her to where she makes lots of money and stress is not as heavy, but instead she chooses to pretty much volunteer her time and effort to turn these teens life around. Truely amazing.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Victim's of Your Own Home
A place to enjoy my fortunes, and feel secure walking around naked is what I call home. So who do these people think they are to come and steal my hard, earn, belongings due foreclosed homes? Unfortunately, Slavic Village, Cleveland had their fare share of items being stolen. Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer felt that after 800 homes have been foreclosed, crime seem to have increased. It seems to be that squatters and looters started to move into the empty homes. Mark Wiseman, the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program, said that “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” They would then trash the vacant home, leaving the yard covered in garbage.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He had a problem with foreclosed homes being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rised. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There have been reported incidents where homeless person or runaways use the empty homes as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink received reports about meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed homes. This is definitely not what I want to here if I was a buyer. I don’t want to come home to what used to be a house and now it’s nothing but ashes.
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
Neighborhood Watch
Everyone works hard to have a place called home. It should not be taken away by unwanted disturbances due to the next door neighbor foreclosing their home. Unfortunately, Slavic Village, Cleveland had their fare share of disturbance. Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer felt that after 800 homes have been foreclosed, crime seem to have increased. It seems to be that squatters and looters started to move into the empty homes. Mark Wiseman, the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program, said that “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” They would then trash the vacant home, leaving the yard covered in garbage.
Homes being foreclosed attract gang members. Joe Krasucki, 78, died the next day after being badly beaten; he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings, making the homes nearly worthless. They take doors, moldings and appliances, pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes a lot of money and effort which is not worth it for buyers to purchase, leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur. This is especially hard on low income family’s that work hard to earn a safe secure place for their family by moving out of the ghetto and into the suburbs. Not only do they now have to stress on mortgage, but also worry about their children in what they thought was a safe environment.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He had a problem with foreclosed homes being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rised. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incidents where homeless person or runaways use the empty homes as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink received a reports about meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed homes.
Unlike unwanted communities, having a neighborhood watch, communtiy know who exactly their neighbor. That means some communtiy enforces background checks, according to Sheriff Mink. Background checks are not overly invading privacy; they just ask simple questions of employment and who lives in the household.
Ms. Daniel, a banker in Desoto and residents say that “the neighborhood suffers from increased in burglaries, decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it.There’s been reported incident of burglaries breaking into house and stealing appliances such as furnaces and air conditioners out of yards to resale and make money for themselves. Whether they’re buying drugs or alcohol, it is very difficult to have a safe neighborhood without the community pitching in to catch these unwanted disturbances.
Market to sale homes are difficult as it is. By having a neighborhood watch, neighbors can pitch in, watch the empty homes and helpout by cutting grass or planting flowers just to make homes more inviting. Helping foreclosed homes sell quickly would not only benefit the real-estate agent but also the home value.
One of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is by starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries,robberies, crime, and strangers. With this program in place members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each others property by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
A lot of times people are discouraged by starting a neighborhood watch because they feel as if their being watched constantly. There’s no privacy; all there is with this program is giving the permission for noisy neighbors to watch their every moves. Which is not true. I personally was help by my neighbors who gave me a description of a man wondering around in his car looking very suspicious. It turned out that this man was keeping a little notebook spotted by my neighbors on which house has what car, where the car is usually park and time of day car is at home. That helped me to keep a close eye on man description and my car. Police arrest the man thanks to my neighbors.Neighborhood watch programs are for incidents to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Les, Christie. "Crime Scene: Foreclosure." CNNMoney.Com. 19 Nov. 2007. 7 July 2008 http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/16/real_estate/suprime_and_crime/.
Mink, Ted. "Foreclosed HOmes and Their Impact on Neighborhood." Apr. 2008. 7 July 2007 .
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning News. 9 July 2008 .
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 5 Mar. 2008. 5 July 2008.
Mantell, Ruth. "Safeguarding Your Home's Value as Foreclosures Flood the Market." 8 May 2007. 8 July 2008.
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning News. 9 July 2008
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 5 Mar. 2008. 5 July 2008
Mantell, Ruth. "Safeguarding Your Home's Value as Foreclosures Flood the Market." 8 May 2007. 8 July 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Revison 1
Everyone works hard to have a place call home. It should not be taken away by unwanted disturbance due to next door neighbor to foreclosing their home. Unfortunately in Slavic Village, Cleveland Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer had their fare share of disturbance. He felt that after 800 homes been foreclosed, crime seem to have rise. It seems to be that squatters and looters start to move into the empty homes. Mark Wiseman who’s the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program said that “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” They would then trash the vacant home leaving the yard covered in garbage.
Home’s being foreclosure attracts gang members. Joe Krasucki whose 78 died the next day after being badly beaten, he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings making the homes nearly worthless. They take doors, moldings, appliances, and pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes a lot of money and effort, not worth it for buyers to purchase, leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur. This is especially hard on low income family’s that works hard to earn a safe secure place for their family by moving out of the ghetto and into the suburb. Not only do they now have to stress on mortgage, but also worry about their children in what they thought is a safe environment.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He has a problem with foreclosure home being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rise. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaways use the empty home as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink was reported meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed homes.
In regards to unwanted community, having a neighborhood watch, people know who is exactly their neighbors. That means some communtiy enforces background checks according to Sheriff Mink. Background checks are not overly invading privacy; they just ask simple questions of employment and who lives in this household.
Ms. Daniel, a banker in Desoto and resident says that “the neighborhood suffers from increased in burglaries, decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it.There’s been reported incident of burglaries breaking into houses, steal appliance, furnaces and air conditioner out of yards to resale and make money for themselves. Whether their buying drugs or alcohol it is very difficult to have a safe neighborhood without the community pitching in to catch these unwanted disturbances.
Market to sale homes are difficult as it is by having a neighborhood watch, neighbors can pitch in, watch the empty homes and helpout by cut grass or plant flowers just to make homes more inviting, helping foreclose home sell quickly would not only benefit the real-estate agent, but also benefit both sides home value.
This is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is by starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries,robberies, crime, and strangers. With this program in place members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each others homes by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
A lot of times people are discourage in starting a neighborhood watch because they feel as if their being watch constantly. There’s no privacy, all there will be with this program is giving the rights for noisy neighbors permission to watch their every moves. Which is not true. I personally was help by my neighbors who gave me a description of a man wondering around in his car looking very suspicious. It turns out that this man was keeping a little notebook spotted by my neighbors on which house has what car, where the car is usually park and time of day car is at home. That help me to keep a close eye on man description and my car. Police arrest the man thanks to my neighbors.
Neighborhood watch programs are for incident to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Les, Christie. "Crime Scene: Foreclosure." CNNMoney.Com. 19 Nov. 2007. CNNMoney.Com Staff Writer. 2 July 2008.
Mink, Ted. "Foreclosed HOmes and Their Impact on Neighborhood." Apr. 2008. 7 July 2008.
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning Neews. 7 July 2008
.
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 2007. 8 July 2008.
Mantell, Ruth. "Safeguarding Your Home's Value as Foreclosures Flood the Market." 8 May 2007. Real Estate Journal Archives. 7 July 2008.
July 2008.
Home’s being foreclosure attracts gang members. Joe Krasucki whose 78 died the next day after being badly beaten, he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings making the homes nearly worthless. They take doors, moldings, appliances, and pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes a lot of money and effort, not worth it for buyers to purchase, leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur. This is especially hard on low income family’s that works hard to earn a safe secure place for their family by moving out of the ghetto and into the suburb. Not only do they now have to stress on mortgage, but also worry about their children in what they thought is a safe environment.
Sheriff Ted Mink ran into the same problem. He has a problem with foreclosure home being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rise. Homes that are left for no one to watch are asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaways use the empty home as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily catch on fire. But worst, Sheriff Mink was reported meth labs, and vandalism in the vacant foreclosed homes.
In regards to unwanted community, having a neighborhood watch, people know who is exactly their neighbors. That means some communtiy enforces background checks according to Sheriff Mink. Background checks are not overly invading privacy; they just ask simple questions of employment and who lives in this household.
Ms. Daniel, a banker in Desoto and resident says that “the neighborhood suffers from increased in burglaries, decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it.There’s been reported incident of burglaries breaking into houses, steal appliance, furnaces and air conditioner out of yards to resale and make money for themselves. Whether their buying drugs or alcohol it is very difficult to have a safe neighborhood without the community pitching in to catch these unwanted disturbances.
Market to sale homes are difficult as it is by having a neighborhood watch, neighbors can pitch in, watch the empty homes and helpout by cut grass or plant flowers just to make homes more inviting, helping foreclose home sell quickly would not only benefit the real-estate agent, but also benefit both sides home value.
This is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is by starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries,robberies, crime, and strangers. With this program in place members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each others homes by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
A lot of times people are discourage in starting a neighborhood watch because they feel as if their being watch constantly. There’s no privacy, all there will be with this program is giving the rights for noisy neighbors permission to watch their every moves. Which is not true. I personally was help by my neighbors who gave me a description of a man wondering around in his car looking very suspicious. It turns out that this man was keeping a little notebook spotted by my neighbors on which house has what car, where the car is usually park and time of day car is at home. That help me to keep a close eye on man description and my car. Police arrest the man thanks to my neighbors.
Neighborhood watch programs are for incident to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Les, Christie. "Crime Scene: Foreclosure." CNNMoney.Com. 19 Nov. 2007. CNNMoney.Com Staff Writer. 2 July 2008
Mink, Ted. "Foreclosed HOmes and Their Impact on Neighborhood." Apr. 2008. 7 July 2008
Appleton, Roy, and Jake Batsell. "DeSoto Neighborhood Hit Hard by Foreclosures." 29 Feb. 2008. The Dallas Morning Neews. 7 July 2008
Gridley, Clinton P. "Foreclosed Properties." 2007. 8 July 2008
Mantell, Ruth. "Safeguarding Your Home's Value as Foreclosures Flood the Market." 8 May 2007. Real Estate Journal Archives. 7 July 2008
July 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Rough Draft
In Slavic Village, Cleveland Jim Rokakis, a Cuyohoga County Treasurer felt that after 800 homes been foreclosure crime seem to have rise. It seems to be that squatters and looters start to move into the empty homes. Mark Wiseman who’s the director of Cuyohogan County Foreclosure Prevention Program said that “It takes about 72 hours for a house to be looted after it is vacant.” Then they would leave trash covering the yard. Home’s being foreclosure attracts gang members. Joe Krasucki who’s 78 died the next day after being badly beaten, he was outside noticing gang members stripping aluminum sidings making the homes nearly worthless, take doors, moldings, appliance, pulling the piping out with a sledge hammer. Putting the homes back together takes lots of money, not worth it for buyers to purchase and leaving homes vacant for more crimes to occur.
Sheriff Ted Mink runs into the same problem. He has a problem with foreclosure home being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rise. Homes that are left for no one to watch is asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaways use the empty home as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily caught on fire or worst is Sheriff was reported meth labs, and vandalism.
Ms. Daniel a banker in DeSoto and others says that “the neighborhood suffers from increased in burglaries and a decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it.
There’s been reported incident of burglaries breaking into houses, steal appliance, furnaces and air conditioner out of yards to resale and make money for themselves.
The most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries and robberies. Members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each others homes by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
Neighborhood watch programs are for incident to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Sheriff Ted Mink runs into the same problem. He has a problem with foreclosure home being left unattended for months. His community crime rate has also rise. Homes that are left for no one to watch is asking for unwanted people into the community. There has been reported incident where homeless person or runaways use the empty home as shelter. There are also times when they attempt to rig wiring to get power to the house. This is dangerous because the house could easily caught on fire or worst is Sheriff was reported meth labs, and vandalism.
Ms. Daniel a banker in DeSoto and others says that “the neighborhood suffers from increased in burglaries and a decline in community spirit and unity.” This is all due to foreclosures. The community notices that if something is not glued down, squatters and looters are taking it.
There’s been reported incident of burglaries breaking into houses, steal appliance, furnaces and air conditioner out of yards to resale and make money for themselves.
The most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear is starting a neighborhood watch program. It can reduce burglaries and robberies. Members not only learn how to secure their homes but watch out for each others homes by reporting activities that raise their suspicions to the police and sheriffs.
Neighborhood watch programs are for incident to be reported immediately. There are not enough police and sheriff to patrol all corners of the street. This is when neighborhood watch program comes in handy.
Monday, July 7, 2008
My InTerpretation
This Shanghart picture I notice the family seem very close to eachother based on the drawing that are on the wall. Papers on top of the mirror says “love” which to me shows closeness. Parents seem like they are very hard working lower class people that are trying their best to give their kids the education and love that is needed. Doesn’t seem like there’s much room in their home that is why they are mutli-using their space. Turning desk table to dinning table when its dinner time and putting the kitchen stove right by their table. Having the three older boy’s share the top bed while the parents and the youngest share the bottom bunk. They don’t have the luxury for privacy, but they still seem happy. Its also very clear that this family is not materialistic and uses their imagination to create what they already have to use.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Neighborhood Watch (revised 2)
Bonnie Moreno is a long time homeowner in the Shaw Heights area. Moreno knew that her neighborhood was not safe to live in, but she stayed anyways because problem did not affect her. Until one morning Moreno woke up with her entire fence spray painted with gang graffiti. That's when Moreno had enough and decided to contact the Police Department in organizing a neighborhood watch. Ever since their neighborhood watch meetings and training, Moreno and her neighbor’s are now better at recognizing suspicious act and how to protect themselves. Crime is now less of an issue in Shaw Heights. I’ve always believe that you should get to know your neighbors because you never know when you need them. If Moreno had started this neighborhood watch a little sooner then she might have been able to stop the crime before it even happen.
Same thing happen in El Cerritio area of San Diego. Joanne McLogan one of the neighborhood watch community notice a suspicious car dropped off a man, the car then left driving up and down the street several times. That’s when McLogan contacted the police. In the mean time she gathered neighborhood watch group to spy on the suspicious suspect that was dropped off. They notice he was grabbing stuff in a hurry and shoving her neighbor’s belongings into their bags. As soon as the suspicious suspect left the front door neighbors notice police has not arrived yet, that’s when they yelled and chased him down the street. So without the neighborhood watch the police would not catch the suspect on time.
Similar incidents happen to me. I contacted the police and they specifically told me that, “if no one was hurt or injured the emergency can wait and they will get there as soon as they can.” Authorities can assist you, but sometime there are bigger issues that they need to resolve before they can get to you.In West Seattle numerous burglaries happen in a day. According to Karen, one of the West Seattle home owners said the burglary that she’s seen so far does definitely did their homework. What she meant by that is burglary would spend couple days watching people homes so that they can plan out a schedule to best rob houses. They would pay attention to home owner’s daily schedule when they will be heading in and out of their homes. So far Karen and her community had only come up with ways to keep each other updated information in their neighborhoods other than that they are trying to get volunteers to coordinate a neighborhood watch.
American today tend to believe that minding their own business is a way to live because it’s something less for them to think about in their busy lives. This is also a way for no one to bother them. But at the same time I believe getting to know your neighborhood for safety reason is a must, I also believe especially if you have children. You would want to have a safe neighborhood. I understand that finding volunteers and group meetings are very time consuming, but if they have had more courage, they could have decrease the crime in their areas by doing something about it other than informing which house was just robbed. They should be more proactive. Maybe getting the police involved a head of time or calling 911 as soon as they see something out of the ordinary would really make a difference.
In 1986, using questionnaires, observation of program and interview by the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that Neighborhood who participates in a crime prevention program showed a tremendous decrease in crime in their neighborhood. All it took was help of volunteer residence to go out of their way to get to know one another, be more alert and not be afraid to call the police if something goes wrong. They went from simply putting neighborhood watch signs up, to internet communication with police department. They all also raise fund for their community for everyone to take neighborhood watch programs in case of an emergency.
Over all I feel that without the neighborhood watch, certain crimes could not be held accountable for and according to neighborhood watch members, police department, and other authorities says that crimes has been decrease because of good Samaritan cooperation and communication. All working together will make a difference in our society.
Over all I feel that without the neighborhood watch, certain crimes could not be held accountable for and according to neighborhood watch members, police department, and other authorities says that crimes has been decrease because of good Samaritan cooperation and communication. All working together will make a difference in our society.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Neighborhood Watch (Revised)
Bonnie Moreno is a long time homeowner in the Shaw Heights area. Moreno knew that her neighborhood was not safe to live in, but she stayed anyways because problem did not affect her. Until one morning Moreno woke up with her entire fence spray painted with gang graffiti. That's when Moreno had enough and decided to contact the Police Department in organizing a neighborhood watch. Ever since their neighborhood watch meetings and training, Moreno and her neighbor’s are now better at recognizing suspicious act and how to protect themselves. Crime is now less of an issue in Shaw Heights. I’ve always believe that you should get to know your neighbors because you never know when you need them. If Moreno had started this neighborhood watch a little sooner then she might of stop the crime that happen to her before it happen.
Same thing happen in El Cerritio area of San Diego. Joanne McLogan one of the neighborhood watch community notice a suspicious car dropped off a man, the car then left driving up and down the street several times. That’s when Joanne contacted the police. In the mean time she gathered neighborhood watch group to spy on the suspicious suspect that was dropped off. They notice he was grabbing stuff in a hurry and shoving her neighbor’s belongings into their bags. As soon as the suspicious suspect left the front door Joanne notice police has not arrived yet, that’s when they yelled and chased him down the street. So without the neighborhood watch the police would not catch the suspect on time. Similar incidents happen to me. I contacted the police and they specifically told me that, “if no one was hurt or injured the emergency can wait and they will get there as soon as they can.” Authorities can assist you, but sometime there are bigger issues that they need to resolve before they can get to you.
In West Seattle numerous burglaries happens a day. According to Karen, one of the West Seattle home owners said the burglary that she’s seen so far do, do their homework. What she means by that is burglary would randomly watch your homes to plan out a schedule to best rob your home. They would know exactly your daily schedule before they rob you. So far Karen and her community had only come up with ways to keep eachother updated information in their neighborhoods other than that they are trying to get volunteers to coordinate a neighborhood watch. I truly agree that finding volunteers and group meetings are very time consuming, but if they have had more courage and time they could have decrease the crime in their areas by doing something about it other than informing which house was just robbed.
Over all I feel that without the neighborhood watch, certain crimes could not be held accountable for and according to neighborhood watch members, police department, and other authorities says that crimes has been decrease because of good Samaritan cooperation and communication. All working together will make a difference in our society.
Credits:
Article posted: October 3, 2007 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_3_20/ai_62710501?tag=content;col1
Accessed June 26, 2008
NBC San Diego. “Suspected Burglars Foiled By Neighborhood Watch.” http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15491336/detail.html?subid=10101561. Posted March 4, 2008. Accessed June 26, 2008.
Crime, Safety, West Seattle News.
Karen. “West Seattle crime watch: burglaries updated.”
Article posted: April 2, 2008 at 11:58
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6670
Accessed June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Neighborhood Watch
Bonnie Moreno is a long time homeowner in the Shaw Heights area knew that her neighborhood was not safe to live in, but she stayed anyways because problems did not affect her as much. Until one morning Bonnie woke up with her entire fence spray painted with gang graffiti. That's when Bonnie had enough and decided to contact the Police Department in organizing a neighborhood watch. Ever since their neighborhood watches Bonnie and her neighbors felt safe and crime was not an issue in their neighborhood.
Same thing happen in El Cerritio area of San Diego. Joanne McLogan one of the neighborhood watch community notice a suspicious car dropped off a man, then the car left driving up and down the street several times. That’s when Joanne contacted the police. In the mean time she gathered neighborhood watch group to spy on the suspicious suspect that was dropped off. They notice he was grabbing stuff in a hurry and shoving her neighbor’s belongings into their bags. As soon as the suspicious suspect left the front door Joanne notice police has not arrived yet, that’s when they yelled and chased him down the street. So over all without the neighborhood watch the police would not catch the suspect on time.
Neighborhood watch is not only coordinating in the U.S. but also in Iraq. It has been reported some tribe member called “The Taji’s Neighborhood Watch” which consist of 500 different tribe volunteer members. A group member’s of the Taji’s on
June 25, 2007 notice a suspicious truck driver moving through the rural village of Abd Allen al Jasim. The truck itself contained 24 mortar rounds, two rockets and many more. Truck driver was stopped by the Taji’s and turned over to the Coalition Forces and the Iraqi government to handle the rest.
Over all without the neighborhood watch, certain crimes could not be held accountable for and according to neighborhood watch members, police department, and other authorities says that crimes has been decrease because of good Samaritan cooperation and communication. All working together will make in difference in our society.
Credits: Heather Wood “Shaw Heights Neighborhood Watch”
NBC reports “El Cerrito Neighborhood Watch”
Randall Baucom “Taji’s Neighborhood Watch”
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
FreeWriting
What I'm mainly interested in learning in this class is, how to write down on paper about what I really want to say. My biggest problem is thinking of how to make sense on paper. A lot of times on an assignment, my instructor or peers would say that my topic doesn't make any sense. What is on paper is not what they are hearing from me. So ofcourse in my mind it all makes sense and my topic is related to the assignment. So I still don't understand what they are talking about. Last but not least thing that I notice is I tend to do a lot of run-on sentence which I also hope to improve in this class.
What I call MySpace, tell me what you see!
This is what I call "my own little Space."
I don't rent, I don't own, so I can not say that this is my house. What I do know is this is my little room that shows a little of me. I can decorate and add which ever color, the way I like it and no one can say much to me because it's my little space.
I love color as you can see. I love making my room as comfy as I can so that way I can love my surroundings.
Reasons why I took a picture of my bed is because I love to sleep. I take naps when ever I can and value sleep more and more as I get older. People do say..."your room reflects what kind of person you are" so from this picture you can't really tell, but I do paint my rooms to different colors every 3 to 4 months. : P
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