Senior Update #3

For my senior project I have done a lot of research concerning the animal testing and animal cruelty. I have also found out the maximum and minimum sentences for those who neglect or abuse an animal. People have done really hateful things to animals such as cut them in pieces alive, starved them, and even let them live in their own feces and urine. I am going to connect this with my paper by giving examples of different cases in the past and the present cases. Even the cases in animal testing can relate to my paper or the actual project.

For my reading in this class I read a book which is related to my senior project and that is the movement towards the animal movement. This book will help me on my research paper because that’s the topic it is on and I have done some research for it. Also I can refer back to my book and include it in my works cited. My paper is going to be related to the animal rights movement so it is perfect for it.

I have not yet done my community hours but I plan to do them over winter break since I have enough time during the day to actually go do work instead of being at my house and getting lazy. I have been informed that the only thing that they do in volunteer hours is walk dogs so I might just do half my hours at the shelter and then the other half I want to go somewhere where I can actually work with the animals and make life a little easier for them.

For my visual I want to create my own SPCA so I have to create a set of rules and organization techniques for it and I want to make a actual SPCA out of wood to give an impression of how it’s going to look. I am planning on putting many different types of animals but mostly house pets and farm animals so the outside can be animals such as horses and the inside can be cats, dogs and such.

For The Love Of Animals <3

In my book For The Love of Animals: The Rise To The Animal Protection Movement is about how the movement to animals treatment in England started. They used to beat and use the animals for brutal entertainment like killings and matches. It focuses on many many research and cases on which how animals used to be treated. Like for example in one case they used to teach elephants how to dance by putting hot irons underneath their feet .so it could look like they were doing a type tap dance on the floor. Things like this influences the people of England to not care about the animals and use the same tactics as the people abusing their animals. Abusing and neglect was a everyday thing for the poor animals.

One case that was in 1739 that a french inventor designed a machine duck that dis everything that a duck could do except for conceiving more ducks. Soon the people where confused on the real ducks and the machine ducks. They called them beast machines die to the confusion if they were just a piece of machinery or a monster made out of skin and blood. People believed that they did not have a soul, wisdom, life or reason.

Soon after a Renaissance writer name Michel de Montaigne write about the relationship and closeness that animals have to humans. The duchess did not agree with his opinion and denied everything that he said but Montaigne argued that a simple time playing with his cat he saw how it interacted and knew that he was playing around. He observed many animals around him and saw how they showed different types of emotions. One of his observations stated that dogs and parrots could be trained to act like humans the most . They used body language to communicate their emotions and passions and they were made out of the same cells that we are.

Senior Project #2

For my senior project so far I have completed my interview but I have not gotten able to get my contract sign due to my mentor not having time to sign it. I should have had it the day I was supposed to turn it in but unfortunately I forgot to tell my mentor about the contract. This week hopefully he will be able to meet with me so we can get that done and turn it into Mr. Gilbert. Other then the mentor contract I am on track with my schedule for my project.

This week I will be going into the pet shelter so I can sign up to volunteer and hopefully be able to work with the animals instead of just walking them for an hour or two. I want to be able to care for the animals like give them activities and also have human contact even if they are in the shelter. Another place I want to help to volunteer would be at Petco where I help the animals find a home for them so they can live a better home for them instead of living in a cage or box.

 I have also started on my research paper by looking up information about my subject and my mentor has given me a more of an insight of animal treatments and how they are seen by the law. I am also going to make an appointment with my mentor to learn about the body language of K9’s and how to properly react to them. On that stand I can compare and contrast humans with animals at this point. Hopefully during this week or next week I intend to go to the public library and search books on the animal protective movement and how it advanced during the centuries.

Something that I would like to do on my own for my project will be to have my friends and family to donate food to animal shelters. For this we can have people donate coupons for stores and go out and get them or just a simple donate at a store when people shop. Another idea I have would be to have the experience with not just household pets but also exotic animals and out of the ordinary. For example her in Napa they rescue birds or deer and with that I can have a view point of different reactions to their lifestyle.

A Change Of Heart About Animals Responce

Dear Rifkin,

            I have read your article “A Change of Heart about Animals” and I think that you make very good points. Many people believe that animals are objects and not creatures that feel emotions and are alert of their surrounds. I also have a strong belief that animals are much like humans in many ways. All animals might not have all the abilities as humans but they do acquire some. Everyday people mistreat animals and don’t pay attention to them as they should start recognizing their abilities.

            As your subtitle states, “many of our fellow creatures are more like us than we have ever imagined,” I believe the same. In your article it shows some examples on how different types of animals have certain human qualities. For example in the study of with pig funded by McDonalds at Purdue University, they found that if pigs are isolated they become depressed. The key word would be depressed. Depression is a loaded word that humans used in many situations but not always used in the correct sense. Another word that could have been used is sad or lonely but yet, there is still a possibility of depression. This links to feelings of a human being which also links to pain, happiness, and the whole nervous system.

            We can also link humans to how we see ourselves and think ourselves like you expressed in the study of the orangutan Chanteck. As humans on an everyday basis we groom ourselves and dress ourselves every day. When Chanteck viewed himself in the mirror he straightens himself up and fixed his sunglasses as we would also if they did not look correct. Self awareness is an everyday factor in human life that is proven to be in the animal species also. If an orangutan can realize that his sunglasses are on wrong and that he needs to get cleaned up there are so many more abilities within them.

            I believe that it is wrong killing off animals but at the same time it has been a part of our nature to do so. The only factor that disturbs me is that some do it in a cruel way when it should be painlessly and fast. Some people even do it intentionally for their own enjoyment and satisfaction. Humans and animals should be able to live a life where they are free of pain and have limitations as in having laws to express what is wrong and right. I think that many people do have to change their view of animals and treatment in many cases. Everyday a human and animals get abused and that is not right at all. We should appreciate the creatures surrounding us and the things they do in order to protect us. It might just be a dog saving your life next time. The world works in wonders.

            Sincerely,

            Alejandra Hernandez Bolanos

Senior Project Post

My senior project is based on animal rights and how an animal is supposed to be treated. These days many animals are neglected and treated in a manner that is unethical. They get beaten, starved and performed tests on the animals eyes and whole body.They deserve to have rights like humans do because they have feelings also. They have a bit of rights but they do not have many. These rights let them be broken and the animals suffer.I have gotten my mentor but I have not yet completed the mentor contract or the interview. I am waiting for the person who recommended him to me to give me his number so I can contact him myself because she had told me not to contact him until she instructed me to. I will be volunteering in the humane society for my community service hours. I am hoping that I would actually get to work with the animals and be able to learn on how they work. I also want to research on how to properly set up an environment for different types of pets and what are their necessities. I will aslo study their behaviors being in the humane society and how they use their body movements and facial expressions just like humans do. This will allow me to compare and contrast the aspects of humans and animals. I want to do this project because I’ve always had an interest on animals and protecting them in every way. I used to have fights with my father because he did not believe that animals are something that should be treated equally and I was. To this day I still believe that a person should make an animals life better not make it worse or even be born into an unstable place as would a child.

Into The Wild Final Discussion

Question #1:

Chris's mistakes before he went into Alaska were many. First of all, he did not know anything of Alaska in order to survive in those circumstances. Also he did not have any supplies with him to travel. He should have had an accurate map, tools, and common sense before going. He relied on his "dumb luck" throughout his journey. Also considering the facts that he would go back to the city he did have ways to survive surrounded by people. It might have not been people that would be seen working but they did help him out. Whenever he needed the help or money somehow a job would appear for him. Chris might have been book smart but definitely not street smart. Maybe if he would have used his books to learn about Alaska he might have gotten help again.


Question #3

In my opinion Chris's decision to leave his family was justified. He had lived his whole life pleasing his family with the average Joe type of life which he attended college and was extremely smart on his studies. Soon he found out the lies which he did not like and wanted to get away from civilization not just his family. McCandless did not exactly direct his pain toward them particularly towards them but everyone.  After all  he was going to achieve his dream of going to Alaska and he did make it. Chris might have not survived but he past away at his finish line. The only person whom I did not understand why he left contact with was his sister because he had said that she was really important to him. It might have been for the better but I felt her pain in not having him even speak a word to her while he was on his journey.

Obesity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZXQGAbnfsaVaHjxoz0N12NXjMaX8VYwr1SQ0QSEUJz4/edit

Obesity Comment Article

Disney’s Junk Food Crackdown

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/06/10/disney-s-junk-food-crackdown.html

Gotten from the blogger b7blogger this article was about how television has been a cause in obesity. The advertisements have persuaded young children to go and eat fast food or persuade their parents to take them out to eat in a fast food place. Disney has been trying to lower the consumption in placed were they have high fat and sugar along side Michelle Obama and her campaign.  They say that kids spend too much time infront of a television while multitasking with a phone or his/her laptop. I knew that many kids watch a lot of television but I did not know that they spent so many hours on it. In my young ages I used to be outside playing in the park with my friends all day until the sun went on but many have changed so much over the time. What I did not know was that it was recommended only two hours a day to be infront of a television set and that it actually makes you gain weight. Including the snacks that children eat while watching television has a big impact on obesity and being on the track to getting type 2 diabetes when little kids are supposed to be out healthy, active and loving life.

Obesity

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2012/0925/Too-fat-to-fight-Is-childhood-obesity-a-national-security-threat

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/health/research/obesity-and-type-2-diabetes-cases-take-toll-on-children.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/36073283

Influential Rap

There has been many influential rap over the past years especially in old school rap. They did not talk mostly about sex,drugs, and alcohol but on the hardship they have gone through over their years and their experiences that they had to face in order to be sucessful on life. Most started out in the ghetto like the bronx in New York. Most of many appear to be african american. Some examples may be 2pac, Nas, Ice Cube and Notorious B.I.G. that have true stories to tell and have great songs to explain what people go through and let them know that they are not alone. They also explain the hood life and social issues like the famous rapper common which also raps about relationships and spirtuality. Many might think that they are just ghetto people who do bad things in community but in reality they are just exposing the truth and letting people relate to their stories.

Greenhouse Essay

This is my essay on "Going for the Look" stating my opinion on Cohen's statement.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_rZJiD-8XdEgTLVOQpXnxWCfVpzGeuDvOrTLaOuoYTE/edit

Going for the Look

Many companies in these days create a certain look for their company. From comfy clothes to the most elegant dresses they decide on how the people working for them portray themselves. In the case of a company of Abercrombie & Fitch that's how they obtain their staff. They look at the people entering their clothing store and if someone looks like they would fit their look then they offer them a job without even knowing if they have any experience in retail or not, they simply have to have a certain image. 

In many ways this is wrong because someone can have a very bad background and they hire their just by their look. If they keep hiring the people who are attractive then if they get over staffed they will have to fire the less attractive people. Also it is a ruthless thing if they do hire less attractive people and they just throw them to the back of the place to do the stock and in a place where no one will be able to see them. 

Everyone should have an opportunity at a job if they know what they are doing and have a great interview and not just be looked at for how they look. People might not have the body to fit their look but they can promote their clothes in other ways also. They are just discriminating against people. By just choosing people with a certain hair, race or skin color they exclude them just because of that. It has also became a part of how society is turning now and that is not a good thing. People need to learn what is on the inside is what is important not what they appear like.

Me,Myself & I

My name is Alejandra known by Tana by my family. I am the middle child of three children. I have an older sister who is turning 20 and a younger brother who is 14.  My family is the most important to me and I try to keep in contact with everyone as best as I can. I was born in Napa, Ca but raised in Vallejo, Ca (http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/GovSite/) until the end of freshman year I came to live in Napa for the first time not knowing anyone but 3 of my cousins. I want to move back to graduate with my friends that basically became my family this year but unfortunately I can’t because my parents say its “ghetto”.

Personality wise I am shy at first, unless I’m in a very happy mood, but once I warm up to someone I am very loud, giggly, and random. I like to make people smile and happy but the things I tend to blurt out and have conversations about. I tend to show my “ghetto” side when I’m not thinking of what I’m saying or when I’m talking to my little brother.

The things I am passionate about are animal rights, dance, and music. At this time I am currently in a hip-hop dance team out of the school(http://imagedancestudio.com/index.php) and I absolutely love it. It gives me a way of distressing myself while doing a bit of exercise. On animal rights I have always fussed, fought, and argued with my dad. For this is one of the reasons I want to become a vet in the future. Music has always been a part of my life and to many other different people. Its there when I need to relax, get my mind off things or to just set my mood for the day. 

When I'm older i want to pursue a career in veterinary. This will take me ten years to complete if I pass all my classes and don't mess around. I want to start out in the Napa College and move my way up to UC Davis(http://www.ucdavis.edu/). I am determined to do this and make it possible. Even though it is a lot of years I think that if i have enough determination and support I will soon be working in this career field.

On my free time I usually spend it with my best friend Kelsey , go to Vallejo to see my old friends, or go out with my family. Most of the time I tend to be with family or at least out but there are times where I just stay home and be comfortable at home. My favorite thing to do in my free time is be with my brother. We are always messing around with each other and play video games but I always end up losing really bad. 

But that's just a little about me.