Janet Ramirez
ENG100 Hiraeth Narrative Draft#2 I remember the moment of saying goodbye to my grandma. I had mixed feelings. I was really happy because I was going to live with my parents but at the same time, I was really sad that my grandma wasn't coming with us. That day was unbelievable, I was leaving without her and I couldn't believe it was real. I didn't want to leave her. I remember that day in the airport, I only wanted one person with me, my grandma because she was my shoulder to cry on when I was sad and the most importantly she was the only thing close to a mother figure that I have ever know back then. The day in the airport was so emotional. When the time came to leave, My grandma knew what o say. She would know how to act and she would give me the strength I needed. At the moment, I was suddenly bombarded with silly yet mandatory questions, “ Tienes tu pasaporte? Tienes todo lo que necesitas? Cuida a tus hermanitas!,” she said: Got your passport? Got everything you need? Take care your sisters!. I couldn't believe this was happening. Finally, my flight was called. It was time. My sisters, grandma and I as a family began to make the short walk to the gate. I was thinking this is going to hurt. As expected, my sisters and my grandma were in tears. I couldn't resist and started to cry a little bit. We shared a genuine moment at the gate as we said goodbye and I was reminded how much my grandma loves my sisters and me. It was hard for her to let us go. I hug my grandma and I couldn't let her go. We didn’t know when I would see her again. She was devastated we were leaving. Saddlery, I began to crumble. I had remained strong throughout, but it was all getting a bit much. My eyes filled up, my lip began to tremble and I knew I was about to fall apart. But before I could, she interjected with some word “No estén tristes pronto estaremos juntas, las quiero mucho y Dios me las bendiga,” she said: Don’t be sad, we will be together soon, I love you girls and God bless you. Oh, my lovely grandma how I miss her. I worried that I would never see her good health again. Head down, passport and boarding, I took a deep breath and made a turn for the gate. My eye had been pushing back tears for the las few minutes. I couldn't keep them dry any longer. I looked back only once, to let out a forced smile. And then I turned the corner. It was done I had officially left. I have no idea when I will return. I left that home without knowing that it will be long time before I will see her again. I came to the United States because my parents have been living in this country for along time. They wanted my sister and me to have a better education and learn a new language in order to find big opportunities than we can’t find in my country because there are incredibly high crime and violence rates in Mexico, especially in the capital where I am from. My relationship with my grandma was the best and still is the best even though we are not together. My grandma is like a mother to me because I was raised by her for many years while my parents were far away. She took me with her every where she went and was proud to show me off and that she had such a good granddaughter. My Grandma was around for all of my firsts that happened as an infant. I think that most of them can be accountable to her. I was never hungry since she always kept me full and when it came time to walk and talk she was there. My grandma was the kind of person who made me felt better when I got in trouble or when I got sick. She was there whenever I needed a hug or chicken soup, and she tried her best to made me felt safe and happy. My grandma is a strong wise and worldly woman, who gave me countless pieces of good advice and always generous with her words. She is my mentor and my everything. My grandma matters to me because I learned through her that sometimes it is better to continue on forward instead of trying to repair the past, which is impossible to change. Also, I learned that nobody is born with bad luck, it is just something inevitable that can be changed through hard work and courage. I can remember to be a child, I wake up on Saturday morning in a big room at my grandma’s house. The room is quite big, there are two full beds and a giant closet. My sisters, cousins and I share the room where is full of memories. They try to wake up but it is hard for them to do it because we went to bed really late last night. We were talking and sharing haunted and paranormal stories. Scary stories are our favorites one, so because of that most of my cousins couldn't sleep well. However, I feel so excited because I know that today will be a beautiful and fun day for all of us. Nobody is going to school, it is summer and the weather is warm and beautiful. The sun looks happy and the sky has mesmerizing blue color. I know that my grandma cooks something really delicious because, at this time, the breakfast’s smells gets more intense as I walk to the kitchen. I see my grandma who already took a cold shower as always she does. She looks beautiful and fresh. She looks happy to see me. I realize that my grandma already went to El Mercado (supermarket) to buy the groceries and special fresh ingredients that she will use to make Mole ( a Mexican dish). I can’t wait to taste it. Previously, I run to my grandma’s arms and give her a big hug and kiss. I feel so bless to see her one more day. I thank God for everything and ask to care my parents who are in the United States. Then, I see on the stove scramble eggs and ham next to a pot of delicious hot chocolate. She asks me to get my sisters and cousins to the dinner room. “ El desayuno esta listo, a comer y a misa a la primera llamada,” she says: Breakfast is ready, to eat and to Mass once notice is given. We have to run as a crazy to the table if not grandma will be grumpy. I make my way to the dinner room, where there is a round big table with eight chairs. My grandma asks us to sit down. We seat while my grandma put the food on the table. As soon as we got our plates we start eating and sipping our scrambled eggs or hot chocolate. I am really enjoying my breakfast, the hot chocolate and my pan dulce (sweet bread) are delicious. Also, I can see my grandma really happy and thoughtful while she is looking at us eating. I ask myself, what is she thinking? Why is she looking us like that? Suddenly, “Cuanto deseo que sé quedaran conmigo para siempre,” she says: How I wish that all of you stay with me forever. Which I respond, I will stay with you mámi don't worry. I didn't know that I won’t be able to make my promise. During the breakfast, we are talking and planning what we will be playing when we finish it. But my grandma interrupts and says to us not before you make your bed and clean up your room. We get sad because we are not going to play right away. My grandma sees us and adds a comment, okay forget it, go to play but all of you will help me later to wash the dishes. We don't think twice and we run as a crazy. My Grandma was a lovely mother, she would do anything to make us happy and don't missed our parents. Now, I realize how much her love was and I really appreciate everything she had done for us. Since my journey in the United States began, there has not been a day or night for a long time that I do not think of back to my magic, extraordinary grandma’s arms one more time. Everybody has a fabulous and especial place or memory for many reasons; I do as well, I still remember my grandma’s place. I would dream of the day that I will back to see my grandma because of my situation I can return soon. There is a sadness at knowing that I won’t be able to return to the childhood but I still thought to walk to my grandmother’s kitchen and give her a big hug.
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Janet Ramirez
ENG 100 Film-Based Argument Draft #2 Three Ways to Eliminate Sex Trade In Slumdog Millionaire, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy shares the story of Latika and the two brothers Jamal and Salim who grew up in the slum neighborhoods of India and they became human trafficking victims. After they are orphaned and left homeless, the children are lured into forced begging. Jamal is determined to find his love Latika when the brothers escape this fate without her. He finds her in a brothel in Mumbai dancing for an older man, only able to save her when his brother Salim kills her exploiter. During the film, Latika is shown as a child forced into prostitution. She is part of a large sex trade operation. This is the first of many ways we see Latika trapped in the sexual and domestic servitude of a sadistic and corrupt man. One of the themes in the film explored the implications of the sex trade. Little girls are forced into prostitution at an early age. They grow up in a sex slavery environment that it is hard to escape. Many girls and women are enslaved in India, very continent, and in the United States. According to The National Human Trafficking Hotline, “7,500 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2016 and up from 5,526 in the previous year. California was the No.1 state with 1,323 cases followed by Texas with 670 and Florida with 550. All three states reported an increase in sex trafficking crimes”(Hotline Statistics). In America, the sex trade is a major problem that not many people are aware of. The American government can prevent the sex trade from expanding in America by raising awareness of the sex trade, training police and others about this problem, and creating strict punishment for criminals. First, by raising awareness of sex trafficking in the United States, the American government can prevent the sex trade from expanding in the country. They can create strong campaigns, websites and education programs. The United States Department of Justice estimates “14,500 people are trafficked into the country every year. These forms of modern day slavery have become one of the most commercial and most horrifying businesses in the world. Sex trafficking is the fastest growing source of income for organized crime and its third most important source after drugs and the arms trade” (Human Trafficking). As we can see, this is a huge epidemic which is growing really fast through the years and nobody has done something really efficient that helps to combat this big problem. I think the American government has to break the silence and taboos that human trafficking and prostitution are completely real in this country and it is getting worse. I believe that the government can combat this problem by raising awareness through campaigns around the country. In that way, people can have more consciousness about sex trafficking. I think that advertisements can run in English and Spanish on digital and traditional billboards and also on bus shelter sign space. In this way people can see them. Ithastostop.com and National Human trafficking Hotline are two organizations that lean to this kind of campaign. Another way to raise awareness is to create websites where people can find good information in order to help identify a potential trafficking victim. At the same time, victims know there is help available for them. As well, the government should create education programs for both young and older people. The education program can encourage healthy behaviors in relationships and reduce the demand for commercial sex. I think the program could educate people about what their human rights are and empowering them to do something about it. Raising awareness everywhere and any possible way about the risks of human trafficking and exploitation will help to combat this major problem in the United States that affects the lives of millions of youth everyday. Another way to prevent the sex trade from expanding in the United States, is for American government to train police and others for this particular problem. I think the police must have better training in order to combat the sex trade because nowadays it seems that we don't have enough skilled people for this problem. I think the primary goal to train police is to provide law enforcement officers and prosecutors around the United States. Law enforcement officers should learn to identify a victim of the sex trade, to assist victims who have been rescued, and to know what to do if they suspect sex trafficking. By training, they can more effectively identify victims, charge traffickers, and successfully prosecute sex trafficking cases. According to the National Association of Attorneys General, “Training is crucial for all government officials who may encounter victims, such as law enforcement, border control, airport officials, consulates where visas are issued, emergency room personnel, social workers, and labor inspectors to recognize the symptoms of trafficking” (NAAG). As we can see, police officers must be trained to recognize the sex trade in airports and on the streets when victims come to them for help. In this case, Human trafficking is a hidden crime; combating it is to identify victims so they can be rescued and helped, and bring the criminals to justice. DHS provides a web-based training course to law enforcement officials to train officers to recognize human trafficking and respond appropriately. Prosecuting traffickers would be the best way to end sex trafficking. In addition to raising awareness and training police to combat sex trafficking, I think the American government should create strong punishment for criminals of sex trafficking. I think the government has really weak punishment for these sadistic people. Because of the weak punishment, sex trafficking is growing and growing every year without anyone being able to stop it. I believe the jail time is really important in this case. According to the National Conference of State Legislature, “The bill defines trafficking as compelling a person into forced sex and labor by causing or threatening bodily harm. The penalty for this crime is a prison sentence varying from up to 10 years to life, depending on the severity of the offense” (NCSL). As we can see, there are stiffer penalties for selling people into involuntary servitude. However, what is not clear is the number of years for imprisonment. It can be from 10 years to possible life imprisonment for such violations resulting in death, involving kidnapping, sexual abuse or an attempt to kill. I think it shouldn't be hard to put a certain number of years for the criminals. I think if they are selling little girls and women for sex or anything else, that should be life in prison without any doubt. I believe if they are sick enough to exploit innocent girls and women, then they shouldn’t get the chance to be free. Otherwise, we are letting criminals operate again whenever they have a chance to act because probably they do not know what honest work is and they prefer to make easy money. I think we have to understand that these poor victims will have to live the rest of their lives in fear and will never be the same. Little girls should never be put in that type of situation. It is a shame that nowadays we still have this type of problem without any stronger punishment to make these criminals not act again. In conclusion, it is clear that sex trafficking is a huge issue that no one really wants to talk about in the United States. Sometimes the media portrays this horrible crime as something that only happens in other countries, but we have to open our eyes. We have to realize that this horrible act is not that far from home. The American government needs to start to work really hard in order to end this crime. Maybe it can’t be solved completely, but the American government has the funds and technology to prevent the sex trade from expanding in America by raising awareness of sex trafficking, giving better training to the police and others, and creating stronger punishment for those perverse sex traffickers in the United States. Works Cited "Hotline Statistics." National Human Trafficking Hotline. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2016. <https://humantraffickinghotline.org/states> "Human Trafficking." The United States Department of Justice. N.p., 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 21 Apr. 2017. <https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking> NAAG. “Human Trafficking: Enforcement and Training.” National Association of Attorneys General. NAAG, 2011. Web. 22 Nov 2011. <http://www.naag.org/publications/naagazette/volume-5-number-11/human-trafficking-enforcement-and-training4.php> NCSL. “Human Trafficking Enactments 2005-2011.” National Conference of State Legislatures. NCSL 2012. Web. 14 Feb 2012. <http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/human-trafficking-laws-in-the-states-updated-nov.aspx> 18) Student Choice:
Today I’m going to talk about the use of straws. Something that I’ve never thought about it until the other day that I saw a campaign on Instagram to make awareness. Since I work in a restaurant we go through boxes and boxes of straws weekly and I feel so bad for using so many. Plastic straws have a shockingly short lifespan, normally used once and then discarded. Like other plastics, they never biodegrade and take hundreds of years to break down. What also makes me feel sad is thinking on all of the straws that are being used and throw away at the same time all over the world. According to the NPS Commercial Services in the United States, "alone 500 million plastic straws are being used each day. To understand just how many straws 500 million really is, this would fill 125 school buses with straws every day." Can you imagine where all these straws are going ended up, it’s a sad reality. They’re so small that you would think they don’t hurt nobody, not like a plastic bag or a plastic bottle, but that amount of waste really adds up. I think it’s time to be more conscious and pay more attention to this small things that are hurting our planet. Sometimes, I feel like telling the costumers to refuse the use of straws or telling my coworkers to don't use so many and not wasting them or putting a sign on the front door so everybody can see it when they come in and they make a choice before they sit on a table. But I’m afraid my boss can get mad at me for telling the costumers what to do. I wish there were more campaigns to educate people about this serious problem, campaigns as big as the ones for plastic bags or plastic bottles. So, how can you help? For starters, like me, it’s as simple as asking for “no straw on my drink, please”. That can make a huge difference. Also concessioners in the food and beverage industry can implement and “offer first” policy, that way you can choose if to use the straw or not instead of making the straw usage the default. But the most simple and effective way to start is that next time you go out to eat and drink say “no straw please” and explain your friends why. 17) Student Choice:
Like a month ago I watched The Crown, a biographical drama television series for Netflix that shows the story about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This serie is a very eye opener. This is the first season and it covers the period between the Queen’s marriage to Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburg in 1947 to the disintegration of her sister Princess Margaret’s engagement to Peter Townsend in 1955. I found it fascinating because of the idea of having a little window to the Royal Family lives, despite what people thinks of this life of luxury, cars, palaces, vacations, servants and lots of money. It’s actually not that easy how I thought, especially for the Queen because she has to put particular attention to what she says, what she does or even what she wears. In the second episode, King George VI (Elizabeth’s father) died and she took the throne without even knowing what to do or how to be a Queen, but there’s lots of people on the Buckingham Palace that are there to guide her and help her. The Crown comes with lots of responsibilities. Nowadays, she is the Head of the State and the Head of the Church of England. Because of this, even her immediate family has to request a hearing in advance just to talk to her. Isn’t that crazy? One of the episodes that impressed me the most was the coronation ceremony. Queen Elizabeth’s ceremony was the first one ever seen on TV, before that nobody knew what happened besides the people that attended the ceremony. All of this thanks to her husband Prince Phillip, he was the one that push her to do it, after that and despite many people against the idea of televising the event, Queen Elizabeth insisted that her coronation had to be broadcasted on the BBC in order to make her subjects feel included, regardless of class. I found this series absolutely amazing and I totally recommended to all of you to watch it because this show brings some general knowledge to your life. 16) Student Choice:
For my student choice, I am going to write about how Mexican people celebrate Easter. We have a variety of traditional Easter customs around the country. However, I will write about my original place Mexico City. Each year at Easter in Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City we celebrate Semana Santa (Holy Week) with a grand passion play of the story of Jesus Chris. This is the best thing to do in Mexico. Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Mexico as well we have beliefs on Jesus. The story of Jesus takes a big place in the Catholic religion. During Semana Santa, we focused a lot on the suffering aspect in how Jesus suffered greatly for our sins. This week is a passion play, a reenactment of the week of the trial that Jesus went through at the hands of Jewish people and the Roman persecution. Basically, This week we reenact the entire story of Jesus Christ’s persecution from the beginning to the end. Friday is the day that Jesus has sentenced death and died on a cross. In Iztapalapa, we go through the whole motion. People put Jesus (a character playing Jesus) on trial and he carries an actually real heavy cross up a long, long hill while people hurl insults and throw things at him. Then, the monk crucifies the character who is playing Jesus by which they genuinely hang this person on a cross. They tying him up not nailing things into his body and that's the way we reenact and remember Jesus ’s crucifixion and the love he has for us. 15) Student Choice
On March 24 in my English 100 class my classmates and I had a middle conference with the professor Mr. Mangini who gave us advises how we can revise our work until the end of the semester. The conference began with a dialogue about what great I thought that I deserve on the class. I told professor Mangini that I deserved a C because I know my blog needs more work and effort on it but I would love to have a B. He seem to be agreed with me. During the conference, professor Mangini told me what he thinks about my blog, what is working well in my writings and what areas I have to reconsider revise my work. He also told me specific patterns of my Hiraeth writing how to compose my style and give more attention on it. I did like this conference because it was really helpful to remind me what and how I have to work on my following assignment drafts. 14) Student Choice
Chef's Table: Francis Mallman Question #1: How does this episode fit into the narrative mode? In Chef’s Table episode begins by Francis Mallmann explaining, narrating and remembering experiences and stories of his young life. I think Mallmann was talking about his experiences with the best and most inspiring way in order to show and let the viewers comprehend his stories. I saw and felt his passion about his dream and freedom when Mallmann said, “So my big draw in life since very young was freedom, the freedom of believing only in myself.” This is a narrative way to express his feelings and beliefs back then. Question #2: How does Mallman's story connect to the hiraeth story you are writing in this class? Consider his discussions about home and childhood. There is a Mallmann’s story that connect to my hiraeth story. It is when Mallmann described when he was eight and he was invited with his parents to have a much in a little restaurant under a tree. He talks about how the place was by describing the image which connect to my hiraeth story. In my hiraeth story I also described a scene of my childhood, having a breakfast with my family. Question #3: What major ideas/themes from this episode connect to ideas/themes from our composition course? Consider Mallmann's argument about composing a good dish, examining his life environments, and being productive. In this episode the mayor idea that connect to our composition course , it is Mallmann’s argument. Mallmann says, “You don't grow on a secure path. All of us should conquer something in life. And it needs a lot of work and it needs a lot of risk." He worked hard in order to be successful as a chef. As well, we have to work hard and make some mistakes in order to become a better writers. 13) Midterm Reflection
In the class, Composition is defied as putting ideas and thoughts onto paper. I have spent half of the semester in my English Composition class and so far its been hard and great in the same time. It’s been hard because as a non-English native writer, this class has been the most difficult. I always have blocks and I don't know what to write or how to organize my thoughts. Writing is not an easy task, it takes me a lot of work and correction to make my writings almost perfect. However, It’s has been great because I have explored and write about many topics that I have never heard about, for example, Hiraeth. I had never heard of the word Hiraeth, until Sabatino my professor talked about it at my English class. I have tried free writing for this class and I have found it actually helped to get my thoughts and ideas out on paper. In the class, Sabatino ask us to write so we can develop our thoughts and become better writers. In addition how hard and great has been the English class, at the beginning of the semester I wasn't sure about the blog and I was really nervous about it. I didn't understand how it would work. I wasn't confident in my blog assignments and I had gone so long with straight to the point that I was not clear if I would be able to come up with anything good. Now I can say that I feel a little bit more confident. I try my best to post all the blogs on time in order to be on the deadline. Even thought, I still have some difficulties to write my papers, I can come up with my ideas. I used my six-step and I believe it really helped me complete my assignments. As a writer in this class, I have improve my writing process. I learn that writing takes time. Thinking about how and what to say always took a large amount of time to me. I hope during the semester, I will continue to grow as a writer. 12)Film-Based Project Writing Reflection
Who did I work with to compose my project? Was this a good approach? I worked by myself but I had the help of the film and researches that I looked on the web. What was the most difficult part of my writing process? Why? The difficult part was putting words on my paper but the most challenging part of my writing process was figuring out exactly what I want to write. What did I do to overcome the obstacles? I find it trouble to explain what my point is and I feel that is my enormous obstacle every time that I want to write. When did I write this project? Good approach? I started a couple of days before I had to turn it in. I couldn’t finish my paper in the same day but the in the next day I continued to write it. It took me time o put my ideas together. Where did I write this project? Good approach? I wrote my paper on my living room the same day, as soon as I got home from work. I waited until my family went to sleep, then I had complete silence and I wrote my first paragraph . I think this was great approach because I had quietness and was able to start my paper. Why did I choose to write about my chosen topic? I chose to write about my chosen topic because it was the only topic that when I thought about that really gives me interesting feelings How will I adapt/revise my writing process for future revision of this project? I will attempt to use my six-step writing plan. I believe if stay on track, it will work out a lot better. I will try to take care of my work papers rapidly, I think this will help my time management skills. Janet Ramirez
ENG 100 Assignment #3: Film-Based Argument Due: Draft #1 posted to blog by 11:59 pm on 3\23 Two Ways to Eliminate Sex Trade In Slumdog Millionaire, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy shares the story of Latika and the two brothers Jamal and Salim who grew up in the slum neighborhoods of India and they became human trafficking victims. After they are orphaned and left homeless the children are lured into forced begging. Jamal is determined to find his love Latika when the brothers escape this fate without her. He finds her in a brothel in Mumbai dancing for an older man, only able to save her when his brother Salim kills her exploiter. During the film, Latika shown as a child forced to the prostitution. She is part of a large sex trade operation. This is the first of many ways we see Latika trapped in the sexual and domestic servitude of a sadistic and corrupt man. One of the themes in the film explored the implications of the sex trade. Little girls are forced into prostitution at an early age. They grow up in a sex slavery in an environment that it is hard to get off of. Many girls and woman are enslaved in India, on every continent, and here in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Hotline found that, 7,500 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2016 and up from 5,526 in the previous year. California was the No.1 state with 1,323 cases followed by Texas with 670 and Florida with 550. All three states reported an increase in sex trafficking crimes. In America, the sex trade is a major problem the not many people are aware of. The American government can prevent the sex trade from expanding in America by raising awareness of the sex trade and training police and others about this problem. First, the American government can prevent the sex trade from expanding in the United States by raising awareness of sex trafficking in the country. The U.S. Justice Department estimates that 14,500 people are trafficked into the country every year. These forms of modern day slavery have become one of the most commercial and most horrifying businesses in the world. Sex trafficking is the fastest growing source of income for organized crime and its third most important source after drugs and the arms trade. The American government has to break the silence and taboos that human trafficking and prostitution are completely real. As well, impeding conversation about sex slavery doesn't only cause the atrocities of sex trafficking to continue, they also incite this incomprehensible injustice to expand. I believe that the government should raise awareness of what human trafficking looks like and how to get help or report a tip. They should inform the people how traffickers use false promises of good jobs or even love to fool and seduce their victims. Once recruited, victims are forced to engage in labor or commercial sex through threats and other severe forms of abuse. The government has to make people aware, although poverty is one of the biggest risk factors, anyone can become a victim of sex trafficking. I think the American government can create websites where people can find good information in order to help identify a potential trafficking victim. As well, the government can create TV’s commercials in order to make people conscious of the sex trafficking. Raising awareness everywhere about the risks of human trafficking and exploitation will help to combat this major problem in the United States. In addition to raising awareness of the sex trade in the United States, the American government should also train police and special people for this particular problem. Training can make a big difference in sex trafficking. I believe that the police must have better training in order to combat the sex trade because nowadays it seems that we don't have enough law enforcement officials to investigate sex trafficking. Police must be trained to recognize the sex trade in airports and on the streets when victims come to them for help. In this case, Human trafficking is a hidden crime, combating it is to identify victims so they can be rescued and help bring their criminal to justice. The Blue Campaign has developed awareness and training materials to help increase awareness and educate on the indicators of human trafficking. DHS provides a web-based training course to law enforcement officials to train officers on recognizing human trafficking and responding appropriately. Prosecuting traffickers; this would be the best way to end sex trafficking. In conclusion, it is clear that sex trafficking is a huge problem in the United States. Maybe it can’t be solved completely, but the American government can prevent the sex trade from expanding in America by raising awareness of sex trafficking and giving better training to the police and others for this major problem in the United States. |
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