CHANGE.org

Looking over the CHANGE.org website, I came across the Haiti Earthquake update, and I chose to write about the topic. As you see, the little boy's face says it all. The Haiti Earthquake affected three million people. Leaving most without food, shelter, and water. Surviver's beg for food, and water. Children without mother's or father's. Walking the street's with nothing. I look up Haiti earthquake pictures, and breaks my heart to see toddler's bloody, walking by themselves, other's laying on the street covered by a white sheet. All their surroundings are in shambles. You can feel, and see the pain the people of Haiti are going through. Millions of people around the world are donating money right now, and just doing what ever they can to help. Donating even a few dollars help's. The poor innocent victims. To learn more about the relief efforts, and make a change, visit CHANGE.org.

The Great Debaters

The Great Debater's is a inspirational film that show's, both the level of racism blacks faced during that time, and also what a debate really is and how it works. Racism is one of the major issues that still goes on in today's society. People are faced with it everyday. Blacks, whites, mexicans, native americans etc. During the mid 1930's racial tension between blacks and whites was a big issue. Being based on a true story, just goes to show that all the stuff you seen in the movie took place in real life. In Marshall, Texas, a professor, Mr.Tolson at Wiley College, inspired student's to form a debate team. They begin their journey, hardwork, begin focused, and having patient were just a few of the many tests the students were put through. As time went on, Mr.Tolson's team continued to win debate, after debate, after debate. University's heard all about them. Till finally, the team got the one in a lifetime chance. They recieved an invitation to debate Harvard University's team, national champions. Put aside all the debates, the teens had their own personal issues. Sexism, an arrest, a near riot, jealousy, and love affair wasn't going to tear apart the team. Even the loss of their debate coach did not stop them from quitting. In the end, the three students grew stronger, and were acknowledged for their ability to keep going when it seemed like they had nothing. The Great Debater's is a memorable, and moving film, and it taught me a lot.

Time Machine

Going to the past would be irrelevant. I've been there before and I wouldn't change anything that I experienced during that time. Everything I had been through in the past has made me the person I am today. A very strong individual who has learned many lessons, to be where she is today. I would invent a time machine to go to the future. Everything we are doing right now is quickly moving into the past.

Time travel is what captures the minds greatest thoughts of imagination. Seeing where I would stand in ten, fifteen years might help me prepare now, rather than finding out then. I want to wake up one day, and see myself at the age of thirty, to see what my lifestyle would look like. To see if all my dreams came true, if I lived in that huge house, with lots of money, being successful. If I made it through college, and began that career that I always wanted. I would want to see how many children I have, if married that boy I was inlove during highschool.

I picture myself in six years, in college, trying to get by. Living on my own. College would be my main priority. Hard work always pays off in the end. Because in the end, it's all going to be worth it. If I could make out how my life would be in fifteen years I would be wonderfully happy. I wouldn't want my life to be hard, and have it be difficult to get by every month. My children would be well taken care of, and give them all the things I didn't have growing up. I would want to marry that boy, who will one day become a major league baseball player. I would want that picture perfect life, that most people envy.

There are so many wants, and dreams to wish for, and they all can come true, if you work hard enough. I would go to the future see all the things I didn't have that I wanted, and apply myself now, and hopefully when I'm there, I will have it. Going forward with life, to see what people I have with me, and those who I lost will have a big impact on my life. You lose and find happiness.

Nothing is impossible. Happiness is all I would ask for. Going to the future, can make life alot more complicated, but it can also put you in a place where you never thought you would end up. Good or bad, have no regrets. Do all the things people never told you, you could do. Always give second chances. Never look to the past, always move forward, and look towards the future, because that's what is important.

Ancestory

I grew up as a little kid always hearing stories about where my grandpa grew up and all the things he experienced living in a small town with native americans, but I never took the time to actually listen and hear the stories. I believe knowing where you come from is very important. To this day I don't know who my ancestors were, and where they came from, or where they settled, but it's doesn't seem to make much difference in my life.

I may not know much now, but  I hope in the future I can learn who my great, great, great, great, great, great grandparents are and where I came up. It would mean a lot and maybe make somewhat of a difference in how I live my life. Through internet research, I learned that the name "Maestas" first orginated in Holland, in a province call Netherlands. Maestas name can also be Maes. Johan Philip Maes first settled to the United States in New York, 1709.

The picture at the top represents the Maestas coat of arms and armonial history. The coat of arms is the only one element of the full armonial achievement. The arms were first, just painted color(s). Later, they then began adding objects. Such as, birds, fish, flowers etc. The crest was usually worn on top of the helmet. It provided easty identification. Today both the arms, and crest are usually displayed together.

 My family does have a few traditions and one is, getting together on holidays at my grandmother's house. In December right around Christmas, all the girl's in the family including me, my mom, my grandma, my two aunties, and three little cousin's make food. Tamales, cookies,  posole, chocolate fudge, etc. It's one of very few traditions we have in our family, but when it's here I make the best out of it.

Not knowing where I come from is a bit hard for me to believe, but stories are just stories. In my honest opinion, I don't think knowing who my ancestors were are very important. That's just what I believe. It would be interesting for me to learn all about where I really came from. Just because I wasn't told very many stories when I was a kid, doesn't mean I don't know who I am. Maybe in the future I will learn about my family, and culture.

Starfish

The young man continued to throw starfish into the ocean knowing that he was making a difference. A few is better than none. Always give someone a chance that you know another might not get. In my opinion the story symbolizes opportunity, and giving. If you have an opportunity to make a difference you should do it. In the story the young man saw he had that opportunity, so he began throwing the starfish back in the water before it was too late. In life some people take the opportunities they have, even though they may not get any kind of reward out of it. Throwing the starfish back into the water shows how much heart and greatness the man had. He knew that he could of left the creatures there, but in his heart he would rather save them, and make that difference. You can make a difference by doing the littlest things, like the man in story. You may not be able to help everyone but helping a few always makes a difference.

Statue of Liberty

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

—Emma Lazarus, 1883

 

The poem to me symbolizes the strength, and independence the United States has. Statue of Liberty shows unity and faith. In my opinion this poem gives meaning to the Statue of Liberty. When I read the poem, I don't see any immigration. In the poem I get the message that it doesn't matter what race, or color you are, you are accepted. It has greeted all immigrants to stand under the flaming torch. It inspires hope, and shows freedom to our world. The poem holds justice and grace.

Diego Rivera Painting

Mujeres Peinandose is an amazing painting done by Diego Rivera. The water color painting was done in 1957. Two women on top of a hill, overlooking the rural area staring into the horizon. To me, this painting shows a special bond between a mother and daughter. The young daughter is learning to be like her mother. In the painting I can see that the mother is trying to teach her daughter a lesson, to be strong and responsible for all her actions in the future. I can see the mother telling her child to never let anyone put her down for who she is. Carry on tradition, and make the new generation proud.