Magazine Reflection 3

What did you learn?

I feel my writing has improved mostly by making my message clear at the start of my writing. I focused on emphasizing on the "so what" aspect, because I feel that idea is what I am usually lacking in my writing. I wanted my writing to have a point, that was easy to relate to, interesting and clear. I learned that by using personal narratives, which I chose to do for my writing, this was easy for me to accomplish. It was better writing because my writing had a purpose, rather than a bunch of words formed together to create a sentence. I learned how important and useful critiques can be, if you use them to your highest advantage. Although you don't have to do exactly what the critiques say every time, you can use them as a place to revise and edit.

How did you learn it?
I learned new things by applying as much of what I already knew, to what I was beginning to learn. I learned what my strengths and areas of improvement are, and did what I needed to improve in all areas. I learned it by drafting and revising, editing, and constantly looking over my work. Writing skills isn't something you learn by understanding the concepts, it's something you learn by practicing and applying your skills.

Why is this important?
Writing skills are essential for any job. Although I personally want to pursue a career in journalism, knowing this basic skills I could apply them to anything. It is important to know how to be able to find your strengths and your weakness, and to learn how to work towards your weaker areas.

Magazine Reflection part 2

1. Overall, when you think about the big picture of your writing, what improved? How did it get better? Why?

Throughout this entire project, from the early stages of writing, to the advanced stages of copy editing and layout, I feel my writing has improved mostly by making my message clearer. I focused on emphasizing on the "so what" aspect, because I feel that idea is what I am usually lacking in my writing. I wanted my writing to have a point, that was easy to relate to, interesting and clear. I learned that by using personal narratives, which I chose to do for my writing, this was easy for me to accomplish. It was better writing because my writing had a purpose, rather than a bunch of words formed together to create a sentence.

2. Overall, when you think about the big picture of your writing, what still needs work? What do you think will help you improve? Why?

Although I feel that I improved in all aspects of my writing, one way I could further improve would be to fix my sentences in more than one way, each time. For example, instead of taking three drafts to find the -ing words, turn my writing from pancakes to concerts, and use the third draft to add verbs, I would like to be able to turn my sentences into all three of those things, in one or two drafts. By doing this I feel that my sentences will be stronger, and my "so what" point will become clearer. I won't be changing the message and sentence structure in every revision.

3. Specifically, show us something that improved and describe the path it took to get better. You can quote your article, your drafts, link to evidence, etc.

I worked towards making my writing stronger, with the words I chose, the structure of my writing, and the overall message. The thing I focused on specifically, was my -ing words. I changed sentences like, " I wanted to know if I am better at working with a group or working individually within a group," to sentences like " I wanted to know if I am a better worker with a group or individually." This helped condense my writing, simplify it, and say my messages sooner. I started manipulating this sentence by changing "working" to " better worker." Once I did that, I felt like I was very repetitive, and that my sentence ended weak. "Working with a group or working individually within a group," How can I make this part better? I realized that I didn't need the last within a group. Overall, once I made all of my changes, I felt my sentence improved in the three main aspects I was looking for.

4. Describe something specific (or a few things!) that you learned about writing.

Before this project, I didn't realize how powerful my writing could be if I didn't use -ing words. I used them frequently, and as a way to minimize the number of words I used, thinking this would make my writing simpler. To me, it sounded better to say, " She was outside playing," rather than " She went outside to play." At first I personally didn't see the difference, but once I changed all my -ing words, and reread my sentences and paragraphs, I noticed it made my sentences and meaning stronger. I also noticed this changed my writing from pancakes to concerts, which I wasn't hoping to do till my next draft. This provided an example for me to use when I changed my other sentences to start and and strong.

Ampersand: The Magazine

1. What went well for you during the process of creating this magazine?

Throughout this entire process, I was aware of my deadlines and the amount of work I knew I had to do. Because of this I was always prepared in advance. This enabled me to help my classmates if they needed the help. I was able to use all of my resources, such as the other teachers that came into class, to further the quality of my work. I was always asking for ideas, sharing my own, and taking their ideas into my own perspective. Instead of doing exactly what they told me to do, I modified it, starting with their idea, and ending with something that also shows my ideas.

2. What challenges did you face as you moved from an early draft or idea to a final product?

At the beginning, I knew I wanted to submit my internship mentor interview. The problem was, my interview was 8 pages long, and I was having a hard time condensing it so that it still made sense. Instead of subtracting parts, I decided to start all over and submit a different article. It took me a while to think of something to write about, but once I had an idea to do a personal narrative, it was clear to me what I should write about.

3. What other examples of work—student and professional—stood out as exemplary and served as a good model for your own work?

I based most of my layout, and writing skills off of published work that I saw. I read many magazines and catalogs, such as National Geographic and Anthropolgie catalog, to see how they balanced their words and pictures. Also, I used Unboxed, the HTH graduate school's publication, as an example as well, because it was easy to get my questions answered.

Internship Immersion Photo Essay

Throughout my internship immersion at Katz and Associates, a public relations agency focusing on government projects, I’ve learned more in detail about their core values within the work that they do; Communication, Public Outreach, Media, Environmental Concerns, and Striving for Success.




My experience during internship changed the way I view the world, and the way I see things. Working on various projects gave me a different perspective on issues throughout San Diego County. I am more educated on different issues we should be concerned with, more aware of the diverse areas within the communities, and more motivated to work towards a better San Diego. I shared my knowledge of what I know to other co-workers within my office through my experiences, and what I have learned at High Tech High Media Arts. I was also given an opportunity to share my opinion with one of our clients about what I feel works best, not as a Public Relations intern, but as a member of San Diego. I brought different ideas on ways to communicate to large amounts of people, particularly using social media as an effective way of communication. Since I’m not as familiar with the typical public relation ways, I gave a clear point of view to ensure clarity, precision and efficiency.




A lot of the work that is done involves communication with the public, either through letters, door hangers, phone calls, printed or emailed newsletters, or attending public meetings. It’s important to be organized with your contact information and with your excel spreadsheet. I learned quickly how important it is to be confident while speaking on the phone. You need to be direct, speak loud and clearly so that your message can be delivered efficiently. Sometimes you have only a moment of their time, and making sure your message is understood, and you leave an impact on them, and hope they understand the importance of what you’re saying. It is also essential to show sincerity within community concerns. Doing your best to address community concerns will result in a successful project.




With hard work comes rewards and recognition. Although you start a project not intending to be given an award, receiving such recognition is a way of judging your success. The clarity, efficiency, number of complaints, and satisfaction of your clients are all measures of success. In public relations, there isn’t always a final product, making it hard to measure the success of your effort and work. Working with the media is crucial in promoting your project. You want the new stations, radio, websites, and newspapers to help promote and raise awareness of the issues being tackled. Using these resources can help. The media can also be a burden rather than assisting during a project. False reports can influences the opinions and choices being made. Specific ways to get around this burden is to publish the information yourself, write your own news story, or contact the media to share your issue.




Being environmentally friendly, and choosing environmentally friendly options such as using soy ink, recycled paper and wind powered machines for paper handouts, and mailers is a way to increase environmental efficiency. Simple tasks like printing double sided, using the backsides of used paper for note taking, and emailing meeting agendas instead of printing them are all trouble-free ways that overtime help improve the quality of our environment. When dealing with large quantities of handouts, by decreasing a three-page handout to a two-page handout can sometimes save hundreds of pieces of paper. Most of the projects are involved with protecting our environment. I worked on projects working to raise the size of dams to increase the amount of water San Diego can accommodate, and to repair water main pipes to avoid disasters. Realizing how important our environment is, and doing what we can now to protect our environment will help us in the future.



“No matter what the situation or crisis is today, you are going to survive it, and next year it will be in the past. You can’t take your job so seriously that it’s consuming you. You have a life as well and that is important,” says Joseph Charest, an associate who has been involved in Public Relations for over 30 years. Balancing your time while working on different projects is crucial. There are many directions to turn when working on a project. To create the best final product, and to accomplish your goals, map out the different areas and paths that may be taken. Figure out the best way to balance your time, and your efforts. Move on from each project, learn from your mistakes, and use your knowledge to accomplish new projects.

What I am bringing to the Magazine

1. What article(s) would you like to write for the magazine? What photography could you contribute? Art? List three different ideas for your major contribution.

- My Internship Interview. I was really proud of the way my interview turned out, I was able to condense it into a manageable and easy to read and understand piece of writing. I really like question choices and the answers I was given.

- Captions from my photo essay. I could use just the captions from my photo essay as paragraphs of what I learned and how I learned it. Since my captions aren't directly related to my images, and could be self standing, these paragraphs could be a good description of what I learned.

- A single image of my photo essay. I could incorporate one image that was used from my photo essay to provide balance to the words on my spreadsheets.

2. Possible titles:

- Internships: Experiencing work within a students life.

3. Suggest a topic for an article that you were personally like to read in a magazine inspired by the internship semester.

I would personally like to read about personal experiences my classmates have had at their internships. Every internship is different and unique, and were not able to see all of the interesting things that happen at each site. The more personal, and the more we describe our experiences of each article, the more unique and interesting our magazine will be as a whole. Each article will be different, and provide a different perspective.

Internship Immersion

How could immersion impact your experience as a student?

Internship immersion completely changed my view on internship. I went from thinking of internship as a task to do twice a week, another class, and another assignment, to something that was a major part of my life. It became something that I planned for, and it changed the way I prepared for the day and the things that I thought about. I had to add time for traffic, to look professional, and make sure I didn't overbook any meetings. As a student, all I thought about was getting to school on time, and completing all of my homework. I didn't plan as much as I did during immersion. Since the hours were different all the time, and I would be going to internship in different locations, I had to plan ahead and know what time, where, what I was doing, and how long I was going to be there beforehand.

At internship, I was expected to always be professional, but I felt I had to be even more professional because I was a high school student. I had to earn their respect, and show them that I can produce high quality pieces of work. Internship Immersion was the perfect chance for me to do that. I was given more projects to work on, which means I had to organize and balance my time, and be aware of all of the deadlines, and also plan ahead for unsuspected tasks that may come my way. By showing everyone that I was capable of doing this, they were able to see what kind of student, as well as what kind of worker I am.

Internship Imersion

1. What are you most excited about in regards to your immersion experience? Why do you feel this way?
I'm excited to be at internship for a longer amount of time. I'm going to be given the opportunity to attend meetings that I wouldn't have been able to, and attend more brainstorming sessions. I will also be able to work on different projects which I enjoy very much. I'll be able to connect more with my mentor and other employees at my internship. Since I'm not there for very long, and everyone is in the office at different times, I don't know everyone, or what they do.

2. What are you most concerned about (what causes the most stress) regarding immersion? Why do you feel this way?
I'm most concerned about not having enough interesting tasks to do, and since I have a lot of time there, I will be stuck doing jobs I don't want to do. I've been very fortunate with my internship to do a lot of projects that benefit other jobs, and tasks that aren't tedious tasks. I've done a lot of writing, and research. I'm concerned that since I will be there for so long, I might get bored. Seven hours a day is a long time to be at internship. I really enjoy being at internship and because it's so much time, I'm worried I will loose interest in it.

Outstanding Blogs

While looking through my classmates blogs, I found a few that stood out to me.

Ana Forsythe's Blog: Economic advice to Barack Obama

This graph shows the rapid increase in the number of "Green Jobs" from July 2005 through July 2008. The steady increase, in my opinion, shows that Americans want sustainable jobs and know that "Green Jobs" can provide security in an unpredictable economy.

One thing in Ana's blog that I really liked is how she showed evidence through a graph. The graph supported what she was proving, and served as a visual. I really liked how Ana included this because it's unusual and helpful for the viewer.

2. Amanda Alipio's Blog: Literary Analysis

Later on in the book this event foreshadows and shows the effect of the living conditions that change within the family members. It states chapter fourteen

"They had played the game and lost. Six years more of toil they had to face before the could expect the least respite, the cessations of the payments upon the house; and how cruelly certain it was that they could never stand six years of such a life they were living!"

The foreshadowing event makes the family so that they have to keep working so that they can pay the rent. If they miss rent they would be evicted causing them not to be homeless.
I feel that Upton Sinclair did a great job using literary techniques to establish a theme. Not only was it used to establish a theme but it was also used to provoke feeling. When reading The Jungle you can't help but feel sorry for the family trying to survive in a capitalist society. I highly recommend this book because I feel it provides an example of how it used to be in earlier US history.

Amanda uses quotes from the text to show the different literacy devices. She also is straight to the point, and very detailed. I also like how Amanda shares her opinion on why she enjoyed this book.

Aaron Rucinski's Blog: Historical Writing

The Election of 1896 was the turning point of our country; it was the begging of a new way of thinking. It was advancements and changing political views that brought these gears in motion forcing this election to be very important. This turning point was brought about because of the United States struggling economy, the populist part and military ventures across the seas.

I really like Aaron's introduction to his honors history blog because he relates current issues to the historical issues. He shows exactly what he is going to talk about in the rest of his blog entry.

Ashley Matthew's Blog: Evidence and Sources

Hi Mr Obama,

Recently you have decided to cap of a salary CEOs to $500,000 but i honestly think it should be less than that. Not only do they make more than you and their job isnt nearly as important but they get paid more than doctors, teachers, firemen,and people fighting in the war. And here are people monopolizing the industry having people below them do work while they just move money around. And when its time for a bailout they use the money frivoliously as everybody else panics.

I think your stimulus plan can be going towards the right direction as long as you keep it on track and create jobs for people that provide a lasting economic impact as japan has taught us. The economical crisis we are in now even puts us at a state of financial instability just like the last ones in 1873 and the 1930s. Too many people are left jobless.

Also please take in mind the federal reserves act which was " to establish a more effective supervision of banking in the United States, and for other purposes." what happened to that? who was watching our money, make sure you check over the people looking over our money. Please mr.obama dont just give the money to executives that dont need it. I think your being to friendly cap them at 200,000 thats more than enough! the money needs to be distributed amongst small businesses that help the environment and economy as a whole. not just the top.


Sources:
"What is the president's salary? - Do You Know at GovSpot.com." GovSpot.com: US government, state government, Congress, government jobs & more.. 13 Feb. 2009 Medical Student Resource Guide. 13 Feb. 2009 PayScale - Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Wages. 13 Feb. 2009 Job Search Made Simple | SimplyHired. 13 Feb. 2009 .

"What's it pay to be an Army of One?." Business, financial, personal finance news - CNNMoney.com. 13 Feb. 2009 Editorials - Opinion - The Board Blog - NYTimes.com. 13 Feb. 2009 .

mean, “change in inflation rate” do you. "About that deflation risk - Paul Krugman Blog - NYTimes.com." Economics and Politics - Paul Krugman Blog - NYTimes.com. 13 Feb. 2009 .

up, the early 1870s the large inflows of European development capital into the USA were drying. "New York and the Panic of 1873 - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com." Metro - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com. 13 Feb. 2009 .

"Panic of 1873." Travel and History. 13 Feb. 2009 Lone Star College-Kingwood Library Home Page. 13 Feb. 2009 .

ANDREWS, EDMUND L.. "For Job Losses, No Sign That Worst Is Over - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 13 Feb. 2009 The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 13 Feb. 2009 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 13 Feb. 2009

I really like how throughout Ashley's entire blog she is adding links, sources and pieces of evidence. She is really utalizing the online aspect, instead of your typical paper with only the sources at the end.

Charles Darwin and Modern Day Science

Charles Darwin, an avid scientist and thinker. He is best known for this theories behind "Origin." The responsibilities we have as humanities students for the understanding of science is all responsibilities. As the next generation, we need to retest old theories and write new theories, so the evolution of our society can continue to grow. We have the responsibility for making connections within new and old discoveries, for testing new theories and for connecting them to modern society. Scientific inquiry should play an important role in society. The more we question, the more we can research, the more we can know. Science is used a lot throughout history, to cure diseases, to make nuclear weapons and much more. Without out science, we would not know about the galaxy and our solar system, the human body and much more. We should use science to influence our decisions, laws, and culture by learning from what we already know, and using science to fast forward through the brainstorming faze. The more we can use science, the more we understand the problem at hand, and we can make decisions and laws to go around it.


Sources:
JUDSON, OLIVIA. "Op-Ed Contributor - The Origin of Darwin - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 11 Feb. 2009. 15 Feb. 2009 .

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a novel that addresses many issues. Scott Fitzgerald develops the theme using literacy devices such as symbolism, character description and historical evidence through the book.

The main symbol used through out the novel is the reference to the green light. The green light represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future. Gatsby reaches towards his goal with a guiding light. Gatsby's quest for daisy is similar to the American Dream, the ideal situation. "I realized by some unmistakable sign that an intimate revelation was quivering on the horizon," the green light.

As apart of the theme of The Great Gatsby, there is a huge conflict involving love, and affair. With different characters loving those who they shouldn't, this time period was an era of moral values. Characters were married, but in love with other people."I don't like mysteries, and I don't understand why you won't come out frankly and tell me what you want. Why has it all got to come through Miss Baker (Page72)" Due to diverse social classes, Jay Gatsby could never be with Daisy Buchanan. He didn't make enough money to support the materialistic lifestyle she had been accustom to.

The great Gatsby takes place in America in the 1920's, in the midst of the great depression. Money is an issue between Daisy and Gatsby, and their relationship. The sociology of wealth is question through judgment. " I've got a man in England who buys me clothes.He sends me over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall." This quote said by Daisy is very diverse from a quote said by Gatsby. " I was in the dug business and then I was in the oil business. Now I'm, not in either one." This shows the diverse social classes, and the struggle of acceptance.

Obama's Economic Advisor Part 2

If I had a chance to interview Barack Obama about the current financial crisis, my interview would include:


-In 1933, President FDR started his presidential campaign in the midst of the depression. What tactics or decisions did he make that you will use in your economic plan?

- In your Washington Post article, you said, " People everywhere are worried about what tomorrow will bring." In your opinion, what will tomorrow bring?

- How can you use your popularity to get us out of this recession?

- At what point will you announce that our recession has turned into a depression?

- What are the main differences between our recession now between The Long Depression (1873-1896)? The Great Depression (1929-1939)?

- What specific actions can we take now to ensure we don't end in anything worse than the great depression?

-How are you handling the pressure put on you to fix the economy?

-What are your fears on what will happen if you fail at fixing our economy?

- What measures will you use to judge your success?

- How do you think the economy is affecting our troops in Iraq?

- What plans can we implement in order to end our recession?

- In your 2009 stimulus plan, your officials announced that they would like Congress to direct 40 percent of the stimulus bill toward tax breaks aimed at businesses and middle-class workers. What are you hoping to accomplish?

- Some businesses would "receive incentives to create jobs and make equipment purchases more affordable." What would some of these incentives be?

- What is there so much urgency after eight years of the Bush administration's do-nothing attitude? How could this effect the quality of America?

- "Given the concerns that we have over the size of this package and all of the spending in this package, we don’t think it’s going to work,” the House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio said. What are your reactions to this? What can you do to persuade them into accepting your idea? How does their disapproval change or alter the stimulus plan?

- Senator John McCain said “We need to make tax cuts permanent, and we need to make a commitment that there’ll be no new taxes. We need to cut payroll taxes. We need to cut business taxes.” How is this different from your economic stimulus?

- Lawrence Summers, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, states that “The next few months are, no question, going to be very, very difficult and it may be longer than that." What are you hoping to accomplish?

- How much faith and trust do you have in our American Government to stand by you and follow after your lead?


-Republicans, who never hesitated to spend hundreds of billions of dollars into the Iraq war, are hesitant about spending an equivalent amount to help us face this awful crisis and invest in the future?

Resources:
"List of recessions in the United States: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and much more. 6 Feb. 2009 .

"Barack Obama - The Action Americans Need - washingtonpost.com." washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines. 6 Feb. 2009.

"The Progress Report: Obama's Stimulus Package." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. 5 Jan. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009 .http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-progress-report/obamas-stimulus-package_b_155279.html

OTTERMAN, SHARON. "Republicans Are Resistant to Obama’s Stimulus Plan - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 25 Jan. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009

Alpers, ron. "Letters - The Showdown Over the Stimulus - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 9 Feb. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009

Part 1:
If I had a chance to interview Barack Obama about the current financial crisis, I would ask him:

-In 1933, President FDR started his presidential campaign in the midst of the depression. What tactics or decisions did he make that you will use in your economic plan?

- In your Washington Post article, you said, " People everywhere are worried about what tomorrow will bring." In your opinion, what will tomorrow bring?

- How can you use your popularity to get us out of this recession?

- At what point will you annunce that our recession has turned into a depression?

- What are the main differences between our recession now between The Long Depression (1873-1896)? The Great Depression (1929-1939)?

- What specific actions can we take now to ensure we don't end in anything worse than the great depression?

-How are you handeling the pressure put on you on you to fix the economy?

-What are your fears on what will happen if you fail at fixing our economy?

- What measures will you use to judge your succeess?


Resources:
"List of recessions in the United States: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and much more. 6 Feb. 2009 .

"Barack Obama - The Action Americans Need - washingtonpost.com." washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines. 6 Feb. 2009 .


Internship Interview:
My interview will take place on Tuesday February 10th, 2009, at 4pm in my mentor's office. I will use my mac laptop and garage band to record my interview.

Interview Design Principles

Sydney and Ana

1) Flexibility: To be able to adapt to the answers given. To be able to not feel forced to ask all of your questions in the order they are prepared. But rather ask questions to go more in depth within a topic.

Professional Published Example: Matt Lauer Interview with Michael Moore.

Lauer: "The Weinstein brothers of Miramax bought the film back. And now Harvey Weinstein is a Democratic organizer. He does fund-raisers for John Kerry."

Moore: "Yeah."

Lauer: "And you've hired a couple of seasoned Clinton politicos to handle publicity and marketing for the film. So at this stage on, will you concede, it is now a sharply political movie with a very definitive point of view."

Moore: "It definitely has a point of view, that's absolutely correct. But I'm not a member of the Democratic Party. If you know anything about me, anybody who's followed me, I'm the anti-Democrat. I have railed against the Democrats for a long time. They have been a weak-kneed, wimpy party that hasn't stood up to the Republicans. They let the working people down across this country. I rallied against Clinton when he was in office. I didn't vote for him in ‘96. I didn't vote for Gore in 2000. This is not a partisan issue with me, this is not me trying to –"

2) Personable: To be able to have a professional interview, using conversation to keep a relaxed environment. Keeping it interesting by talking back and forth instead of a question, then answer, and then new question. Also, let your personality shine throughout the interview.

Professional Published Example: CNN interview with Angelina Jolie

Damon: There are reports out of Hollywood that... (laughs)
Jolie: Oh don't. Stop it. (Interrupts I had to ask) Stay true to your tradition. You're CNN. Don't do it!
Damon: I know that's why I have to... (Laughs)
Jolie: But I don't have to answer. OK?
Damon: No you don't. I completely and totally ... you're right and will not press the matter.
Jolie: Thank you.

3) Description: Interviewer asks question which lets the interviewee answer descriptively and in detail. From the question asked, the answers provide room for my questions to be asked. The answers also respond to the question fully.

Professional Published Example: CNN interview with Sarah Palin.

CNN: And the plans that you mention take time, you have to go through Congress. If you guys win, you'll both most likely be working with a Democratic Congress. It's gonna be a slow process. What I'm trying to find out from you -- from John McCain as well, day one, people want a difference, to make a difference in the economy, as we're seeing daily, swings in the stock market, houses going foreclosed on --

Palin: Mm-hmm. Well, day one, you bring in everyone around that table, too, you bring in the congressional leadership, and, assuming that there will be, certainly, Democrats, at that table, that's good, too, these are gonna be bipartisan approaches that must be taken, I have that executive experience also having formed a cabinet up there in Alaska that, you know, we've got independents and Democrats and Republicans whom I have appointed to our administrative positions to that, we have the best of ideas coming together in order to best serve the people. John McCain, too, he's been known as the maverick to take on his own party when need be, to reach over the aisle and work with the other party also. Now, Barack Obama has not been able to do that, he's gone with, what is it, 96 percent of the time with Democrat leadership. Not having that, I think, ability or willingness to work with the other side. So as an executive, we need to create that team that is full of good ideas and not let obsessive partisanship get in the way, as we start taking the measures to shore up our economy, which already Congress is working on with the rescue package, with some of the bailout packages, the provisions in there that can work, too, but it's gonna take everybody working together.

An Interesting Interview.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie gave an exclusive interview with CNN's Arwa Damon while visiting Iraq to draw attention to the refugee crisis in the wartorn country. Here is a full transcript of the interview:

Damon: First of all thank you obviously for your time. What is your main aim in this visit -- what are you trying to acomplish while you are out here?

Jolie: Well I came to the region about 6 months ago, I first went to Syria because I work with U.N.H.C.R. and there are 1.5 million refugees in Syria alone from Iraq and while I was there, I went inside and met with some internally displaced people. And this trip is to get a better picture of the internally displaced people and to discuss with the local government, with our government, with the NGOs and with local people, the situation and try to understand what is happening, because there are over 2 million internally displaced people and there doesn't seem to be a real coherent plan to help them and there's lots of good will and lot's of discussion --but there seem to be a lot of uh -- just a lot of talk at the moment and a lot of pieces need to be put together. So, trying to figure out what they are.

Damon: What kind of a sense have you been able to get so far in terms of how severe the crisis is and what actually needs to be done to help out? Watch CNN's exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie »

Jolie: Well, I in my research before I came here, I looked at the numbers and there are over 4 million people displaced and of the 2 million internally displaced it's estimated that 58 percent are under 12 years old. So it's a very high number of people in a very, very vulnerable situation and a lot of young kids. So far the different U.S. officials I've met with and different local people I've met with all have shared concerns and very, very strongly you know they have spoken out about the humanitarian crisis but um, but there seems to be a block in.

I'm not good at policy and fixing all this and saying what's wrong but I do know that for example U.N.H.C.R. needs to be more active inside Iraq. In order for that to happen, they need they feel strongly about having some better protection ... better security in talking with the U.S. officials, they're willing to give that security to the extent that they can give it.

And so you know I don't have the answers but I know that this is one thing that needs to be addressed and solved because there does need to be a real presence here to help count the people and register the people. Also even just the government here needs to empower the prime minister ... here needs to empower the government that deals with migration and displacement to be able to address the concerns for these people and that hasn't happened in a significant way yet.

Damon: Do you think that the global community has a responsibility to address that?

Jolie: Well I think the global community always has a ... has a responsibility to any humanitarian crisis. And I think it's in our best interest to address a humanitarian crisis on this scale because displacement can can lead to a lot of instability and aggression and you know pop. We don't ... we certainly we just don't want that we have.. A lot of people feel it's a little calmer now ... this is the time to really discuss and and try to get these communities back together. But if these communities don't start coming back together properly, if we don't start really counting the people ... understanding where they are ... what they need ... making sure the schools are being built ... making sure the electricity the water and all these needs are being met and also understanding that a lot of the people that will return are going to come back to houses that are occupied or destroyed and bombed out and we have to we have to have... It's going to be a big operation to understand the needs ... to address it to help people put the pieces of their life back together and return to their communities. So it's really just putting kind of ... getting the plan together ... getting the group together and everybody actively focused on helping the IDPS and the refugees.

Damon: What would the message that you would want to carry out of here back to the States or even the message that you would want to get out internationally in terms of what's happening here ... the refugee crisis ... how serious it is and the consequences that could happen in the future if it's not properly addressed?

Jolie: I always hate speculation on the news, so I don't want to be somebody who speculates. Um but I think it's clear, I think, I think you know a displaced unstable population is you know is a very what happens in Iraq, and how Iraq settles in the years to come is going to affect the entire Middle East. And a big part of what is going to affect how it settles is how these people are returned and settled into their homes into their community and brought back together and whether they can live together and what their communities look like, so it does have broad implications.

Damon: On a personal level why is this so important to you ... you willing to come here and risk your life?

Jolie: Uh, what about you (laughs) why are you here? (laughs) It was an easy choice to make. I've uh, I felt I had to come here because it is very difficult to get answers about especially the internally displaced people. It's as I said even U.N.H.C.R. who I traditionally work with -- they are not able to be inside at the moment and so I was very frustrated and just getting a bunch of ideas and papers but not knowing what's really going on, so so today I'm able to talk to all different people from our government and their government and really get some answers as to what is holding up the processes to really really assist these people properly.

Damon: Do you think that you in your position can try to push this process forward put ... pressure perhaps on the U.S. government to let more refugees into the U.S. to address the situation within Iraq and of course address the situations in Syria and Jordan?

Jolie: To put pressure on the U.S.?

Damon: On the U.S. or to try to just put pressure in general create awareness?

Jolie: (interrupting) I think certainly creating awareness. And I think you know what I found is there is... I spoke to the State Department today about meeting our goal, you know the U.S.'s goal of 12,000 people and they still intend to reach that goal and they have and you know there are many different people who can be cynical or say well how are they going to do it, and I will ask them how are you going to do it and is there some way we can help to ... you know ... is there some thing we all need to understand more is there ways we can help to process different people in different countries better is there because uh because we do need to get those people and we do need to in eight months get as close to 12,000 people as possible we should and I have to believe that there are people working towards that goal so.. So at least that and um, what was your other question?

Damon: Why is it so important? What do you think needs to be (interrupted) Why is Iraq important?

Jolie: Well as I said, if it is not stable it can affect the entire Middle East and that will effect our entire world. If you don't simply want to look at it as of course it's important because there are human beings living here .. I don't see borders and I see lives and I see children and this is you know an environment where there is a war but there is a humanitarian crisis. And they have to be addressed simultaneously. We can't wait for one to end to then finally take the time to address the other, it has to start right now.

Damon: There are reports out of Hollywood that... (laughs)

Jolie: Oh don't. Stop it. (interupts I had to ask) Stay true to your tradition. You're CNN. Don't do it!

Damon: I know that's why I have to... (Laughs)

Jolie: But I don't have to answer. OK?

Damon: No you don't. I completely and totally ... you're right and will not press the matter.

Jolie: Thank you.

Internship Interview Questions

1) What College or University did you attend?
2) What major or degree did you earn?
3) How did that help you develop skills that you use for your job?
4) What skill/quality do you use the most for your job?
5) What skills did you have to acquire once you started your job?
6) What type of job did you have before working here?
7) Is this your ideal work environment?
8) How does your job use co-worker interaction?
9) Are most of your projects individual or group projects?
10) Whats the most important thing you've learned from your job?
11) What do you do outside the office that pertains to your work?
12) How often do you communicate within the members of your office?
13) What have you found is the most efficient way to communicate with co-workers?
14) How has your job changed your personality?
15) How long have you been working for the company?
16) Did you start working with the company in the job that you are in?
17) Is there room for advancing within the company?
18) Is this what you will do for your career?
19) Does working with this company have any advantages that working with a similar company?
20) How well is constructive criticism taken at the company?

First Day of Internship :)

For my internship, I am interning at a PR Firm that works with public organizations. I was very nervous but also very excited. Since I found my own internship had met my mentor and several other employees before so I wasn't nervous about meeting them for the first time, I had already gone through that. After I drove myself to internship, I took the elevator to the 6th floor, and entered the offices.

When I got there, the receptionist recognized me, and took me to my mentors office. Once I got to his office, he showed me to my cubicle, where I have my own desk and my own computer. After that he brought me to the Human Resources Manager's office, where I was introduced to her. With her I received all the information I need to work my computer, filled out some liability paperwork, and read through the company code of conduct. After I was done with that, she introduced me to everyone in the office; The owner of the company, the vice-presidents, the secretaries and the two other interns. She showed me how to use the copy machine, fax machine, the coffee machine and how to answer the telephones properly.

After that I went back to my desk to set up my computer. I logged onto their internet help site, and someone instructed me on how to set up my outlook email, and log on to their inner-office instant messaging system. After I was all set up, I went to my mentors office where we went over different projects I would be working on. I then looked through old paperwork on two of the projects I will be working on, and researched them briefly on the internet. Then I started my first assignment! I was to take a 12 page data paper into a one page letter. I used a lot of my revising skills from class, and it really helped. After that I saved my work, filled out my time card, said goodbye to my mentor and went home for the day.

Today was really successful and I have a really good feeling about my internship

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's First Inagural Speech

March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural speech to the citizens of America. Within his speech, he spoke to Americans with a sense of hope and encouragement. In 1933, America was in a time of need; “Taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen… the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone.” Citizens were unaware of where to turn, and with America hitting rock bottom within the first month Roosevelt took his oath as president, “ We must act and act quickly.” The concerns of first inaugural speech of Franklin Delano Roosevelt can be compared to those of present times, full of loss of jobs, bank foreclosures and the overall quality of our economy causing America to be in a state of panic.


When millions lost their jobs and unemployment was at 25% of Americans, Franklin D. Roosevelt created the “New Deal Plan” in order to end the Great Depression. The New Deal Plan was a sequence of programs from 1933 to 1936 that provided “relief to the unemployed, reform of business and financial practices and the recovery of the economy.” The New deal brought real relief to most Americans. With the current situations, some say Barack Obama should learn from Franklin Roosevelt’s failures as well as from his achievements. Franklin Roosevelt’s “greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously.”
The New Deal plan “ wasn’t as successful in the short run as it was in the long run, the institutions Franklin Roosevelt build have proved to be both durable and essential.” With programs initiated to reconstruct the job market, current day job issues can be resolved.

At the start of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency, 11,000 of 24,000 banks have failed, helping destroy the American economy. State officials then shut down every bank, and every bank account was frozen; Americans were unable to get a bank loan, cash checks or get at their deposits. October 29, 1929, the New York Stock Market officially crashed and marked the beginning of the great depression. Prices for stocks were higher then they were worth, and Americans who had borrowed money intending to sell their stocks in order to repay the banks, went bankrupt. In present times, major banks such as Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch have failed, causing other banks to take over. If those other banks crash, Americans will not have access to banks yet again.

Similar to the situation of Roosevelt, Barack Obama and his economic team will face this economy crisis within their first month of office. Their more urgent financial problem is an “immense new wave of losses at banks and other lending institutions.” In these situations, the government should simply take control of the banks and try to rescue them. Referencing decisions made by Franklin Delano Roosevelt will assist our government and stop our recession from becoming a depression.


"FDR's First Inaugural Address Declaring 'War' on the Great Depression." National Archives and Records Administration. 22 Jan. 2009 .

"Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Thesaurus and hundreds more. 22 Jan. 2009 .

"New Deal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 22 Jan. 2009 .

"Obama Has No Quick Fix for Banks - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 22 Jan. 2009 .

"Op-Ed Columnist - Franklin Delano Obama? - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 22 Jan. 2009 .

Obama's Inauguration

QUOTE:
"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end."

1. Why did you choose this section?
I chose this quote because I feel like it is showing Obama's message the best, Change. He talks about change, and hope and in this quote I feel like this is an example of how America will change. He addresses issues that Americans are struggling with, and issues that Americans are constantly thinking about. With the state of our economy, our future is something to keep and mind, and what our future has in store for us. We're unsure of whats going to happen, and Obama's quote show us how its a simple answer. If the answer is yes, were going to improve and keep going forward with that, if the answer is no we will take the necessary actions in order to discontinue this.

2. How do Obama's words relate to the everyday life that you know and understand?
Obama is a very relatable speaker. You can tell by the way he talks, and the words that he chooses that he picks them in order to convey his messages best. He talks to Americans as a whole, and not to specific types of people. In his speeches, Obama talks about issues that Americans want to hear and talk about. The war, the economy, the state of America are all important issues to Americans. Americans want to hear about these issues and what our new president will do to improve them.





Obama , Barack . "ABC News: FULL TRANSCRIPT: President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address." ABC News: Online news, breaking news, feature stories and more. 20 Jan. 2009. 20 Jan. 2009 .

Artist Statement (Revised)

Comparison: Where the Sidewalk Ends ( By Shel Silverstein) and The Image of Slavery in the 1600's.
Quote: " Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends."
Image: Slave from the 1600's full of depression and sadness.
Thesis: Where the Sidewalk Ends and the historical event of slavery connect and reflects on the path taken to end slavery in America.

" Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black." Ending slavery in America was an ongoing process. Ever since the beginning of slavery, immigrants brought from Africa were never given a free chance. Where the Sidewalk Ends and the historical event of slavery connect and reflects on the path taken to end slavery in America. The poem discusses going to a place that is different, and leaving the place and your surroundings. On the sidewalk, the smoke blows black, which represents a deep and sad vibe throughout the area. This can be compared to how the the vibe was during slavery. For the slaves, this was not a happy time. They slaves walk at a measured and slow pace as they work. They know they are in this area with dark streets until they arrived at the place where slavery ends, which is represented by the place where the sidewalk ends. The road of slavery wasn't easy, and they had many winds and bends, as represented in the poem, and the slaves were put through a lot. They followed what they were suppose to do and followed the arrows until they arrived at a better place.

Shel Silverstein is a children's poet, who uses basic words to provide a clear message,as well as a hidden message. His poems are known for writing about events that children imagine about, and events that happen in a child's life. He uses historical events, and historical information and creates an entertaining yet educational poem.

Over time America has adapted and changed with different advocates for freedom, and people who have done honorable things in order to protect peace. When slavery started in 1600's, people survived brutal passages from Africa, and slavery went on for 12 generations before anyone did anything to end it. Around 1830, Slaves fled their homes, in order to leave the unfair life they were given. While leaving, they went down different paths in order to get to the same place. The slaves were looking for freedom, and freedom was found, where the sidewalk ended.

Resources:
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends (25th Anniversary Edition Book & CD). New York: HarperCollins, 2000.
"Slavery in America." Slavery in America. 16 Jan. 2009 .

Artist Statement Outline

Introduction:
Comparison: Where the Sidewalk Ends ( By Shel Silverstein) and The Image of Slavery in the 1600's.

Quote: " Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends."

Image: Slave from the 1600's full of depression and sadness.

Thesis: Shel Silverstein's poem is connected to slavery in America with its imagery, ( adnf) and (a dhusi).

The poem, where the sidewalk ends, and the historical event of slavery are related in the sense that the poem is a reflection on slavery. The poem discusses going to a place that is different, and leaving the place and your surroundings. On the sidewalk, the smoke blows black, which represents a deep and sad vibe throughout the area, and shows how the the vibe was during slavery. They slaves walk at a measured and slow pace as they work. They know they are in this area with dark streets until they arrived at the place where slavery ends, which is represented by the place where the sidewalk ends. The road of slavery wasn't easy, and they had many winds and bends, as represented in the poem, and the slaves were put through a lot. They followed what they were suppose to do and followed the arrows until they arrived at a better place.

Resources:
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends (25th Anniversary Edition Book & CD). New York: HarperCollins, 2000.

President Bush

With President George W. Bush's final term ending soon, we look back to what he has accomplished for us citizens and for the United States of America. Within what he has done, we can look at laws he passed, what he has done within the iraq war, and what he has done for the environment in America. Depending on who you will ask, you will get a variety of different answers. The articles, " Bush's Seven Deadly Environmental Sins" and " Bush to Protect Three Areas in Pacific" are a perfect example of this. Within these articles they have one common subject, Bush and the environment, but they take opposite approaches on the issue.

In the first article, " Bush's Seven Deadly Environmental Sins," author Katherine Mieszowaski shows the readers seven mistakes made by Bush as well as President Elect Barack Obama's mission to change these mistakes. One of the major mistakes made while Bush was in office was the failure to regulate green house gases in America. The Environment Protect Agency (EPA) refused to regulate the greenhouse gas, Carbon Dioxide, as a pollutant until the Supreme Court ruled that it must be regulated. " The most shameful thing we've done of all is to walk away from the international debate on climate, which has crippled the debate and caused everyone else in the world to think that we're hypocritical and deluded," says Bill McKibben regarding global warming issues.

In the second article, Juliet Eilperin takes the opposite approach. She shows the positive influences George Bush has had on our environment. As of Tuesday, January 6, 2009, Bush will create three new marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean to help preserve sprawling sea and island ecosystems. These areas with total 195,280 square miles of protected land. Many environmentalist say it is too early to judge the impact of the new protections. " It has taken 137 years, since the creation of America's first national park in Yellowstone in 1872, to recognize the unique areas of the world's oceans deserve the same kind of protection as we have afforded similar places on land, " Joshua Reichert said.

By the end of his term, President Bush will have protected more ocean than any other person in history, and will match the record of some of the Nation's most conservation-minded presidents. By far, Bush is not thought of as environment friendly. He has had issues in developing clean energy sources, abandoning endangered species, the craving of oil and gasoline in America and our clean air standards. Seeing both of these articles makes me realize if he is protecting so much ocean in order to draw attention away from the damage he is doing to the rest of the environment. Sure, we will have a lot of protected ocean space, while the atmosphere and land around us is slowly being destroyed. We need to look at all aspects of what he has been doing for our Country. " For a president that's not very green, ironically, this is going to be his largest legacy. (Enric Sala)"

Internship!

1. What do you hope to learn or discover about the "adult" world of work while you are at your internship?

At internship, I hope to learn and discover about how different the "real world" is from the world I have grown accustom to here at school. Since I've never had a job, and I don't have a lot of experience working only with adults, I am interested to see if what I am learning here at school is related, and helped ease the transition into the adult world. I'm also interested in learning about what specific personality traits and qualities are a positive attribute when working in the adult world.

2. What do you hope to learn or discover about yourself and your identity while you are at your internship this semester?

Throughout this semester, I hope to learn a lot about myself as a person, as a learner, and as a group participant. I want to see if the skills I apply daily at school are needed and useful in the adult world. I want to know also if the work I produce at school is high enough quality to be published in the real world. Also, I'm curious to learn if when put in an environment where everyone is pulling their own weight, do I still go that extra mile to complete the project. I want to know if I am better at working with a group or working individually within a group. I also am curious to see what work I can come up with when I am assigned a specific project to do.

3. What goals do you have for yourself for your internship experience?

- To produce high quality work that my teachers, mentor, the company I am interning for, as well as my self are proud of.
- To balance and manage my time wisely so all of the work needed to be done can be completed on time and in an efficient manor.
- To keep a positive attitude throughout my internship experience, regardless if that reflects the way I am feeling.
- To make the most out of my internship by asking questions to my mentor and also to others working in the building.