The Blog-a-day Challenge

Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 11/30/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

We've come to the last day in November and it's that time of the month when I reflect and look back at all the good stuff and all the bad stuff that has happened. The time of the month where I look see the great things I have accomplished and the things that I failed to accomplish. More importantly, this blog post will look over the content that I have been giving the site and what I should be doing to see better results. So without further a due its time that I reflect and analyze the things that I have done/need to do in the future.

November was one of the of those months that represents the brick walls that come up every now and again to see what your made of. Without a doubt November gave me a run for my money. This entire month was lost between finding members, preparing presentations, falling behind on work, and waiting for things to get better. I survived the collision, but not without a few scratch and bruises along the way. November was the wake up call I needed. It didn't push me further in the direction I wanted: members; but it forced me to wake up and do the things that needed to be done.

The blog posts themselves this month have evolved greatly. I've posted some controversial and deeply rooted beliefs I have about the dating world, morals, and education in the 21st century. At the same time a lot of sharing has been done in which I show some old work I might have done for AP English this week or an old essay I did and wish to get feedback on. No matter what the blogs serve as a great of looking back at the month of November.

Typically the blogs that are only text are the best ones. These are the blogs where I really write away my thoughts and express the things I really believe in. Something that I think I will try to incorporate more with my blogs will be pictures, videos, and other forms of media. I'm thinking of using other tools to make my blogs more attractive and appealing to the eye. Additionally, my blogs should get straight to the point. There's no point in speaking eloquently when there is no difference in the impact your making. The best ones are the ones that are concise and straight to the point.

Something I am concerned about are the relief blogs: the blogs where I complain about how things are going as I've planned and how I need to do something to make a difference. These blogs represent the dreamer side that seems to take over every so often. I'm concerned that the dreamer side of me prevents me from getting done the work that should be getting done. I keep hoping things will be getting better yet I haven't taken the necessaries steps to make these things happen.

Being the optimistic person I always am, I will continue to move forward and hope for the best. Life has always been tough and there's no reason to give up now. My goals might need an extension and I might have to reconsider some of things I've planned and still need to plan. Overall I need to remain focused and determined: diligent, earnest, and honest.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: 11/29/08
Official End Time: 6:00 p.m.

Another essay I had to do for my AP English Literature class; this time arguing whether the Patriot Act is a good thing or a bad thing. I wonder if we'll ever get the chance to do No Child Left Behind or any other government policies that need reconsideration. Tomorrow's the last day of the month and a progress report is long overdue. This one is gonna be different from the other one. I'm only gonna grab a few quotes that I will work into a very well written piece. Beside that I'm unsure of what awaits me and what I need to do to meet my goals.

The Patriot Act was put into action as a form of defense against the war on terror. After 9/11, America had issues maintaining security on the home front and many were worried that more needed to be done to insure a safer environment for citizens back home. The Patriot Act would be this protector that watched for the well being of the American people, checking every bag and passport that came its way. But something along the way went horribly wrong and instead of insuring a safer environment for its citizens, the Patriot Act began to resemble the ideals of a totalitarian government in which fear and injustice began to replace the rights of the people. Zara Gelesy’s article, “The FBI is Reading Over Your Shoulder” does a great job describing how the patriot act doesn’t insure a safer environment for its citizens but instead pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government that subjects the rights of the people before acquiring the necessary information.

The Patriot Act pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government. In a totalitarian government the rights of the people are constantly subjugated. The government instills fear in its people through the belief that citizens should give up certain rights in order to insure certain liberties according to Thomas Hobs. America however has a democratic government. The Patriot Act thus fights against the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Under the Patriot Act, the rights of the American people are subjugated. The government has the right to access any file and any information they feel would provide proof of terrorist activity. Nothing stands in the government’s way of acquiring information that the average person would wish to hold discrete. The theory is that if you have nothing to hide you should have nothing fear, but knowing that the government is always watching doesn’t make American feels safe at home but nervous that their next move could result them being on investigated.

The Patriot Act is often ill informed and rash to make a decision against an innocent individual. Under the Patriot Act, the government has the right to access any files they feel would provide proof of terrorist like activity. Any suspicious activities amongst citizens should involve further investigation; even if it means infringing the individuals’ right to privacy. Fear is what consumes the American people under the Patriot Act for they can no longer read the books they like or visit the web pages they please as they are constantly being watched. The initial goal of insuring a safer environment is hard to see when the people live in fear.

In conclusion, Zara Gelesy’s article, “The FBI is Reading Over Your Shoulder” does a great job describing how the patriot act doesn’t insure a safer environment for its citizens but instead pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government that subjects the rights of the people before acquiring the necessary information. The fear that consumes the American people under the Patriot Act contradict the act’s initial purpose of instill of a safe environment for citizens back home.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: 11/28/08
Official End Time: 7:25 p.m.

I've been doing a lot of thinking this holiday season and a scary thought has been creeping into my mind. One that I knew would eventually come but would resent to accept.

The last few days haven't exactly been the happiest days. The holiday season in my family typically brings more pain than happiness. The pressure and emotions that get accumulated in that week alone are strong enough to break apart any family today. Yet something continues to bring us back together.

Once the table is set and the food is ready, middle ground is met. We begin to eat and the peace begins to set in. Each bite eases away the pain but brings us closer to the everyday argument that makes life so "special". This holiday season there was no turkey. The reason shall remain unnamed but the affects were well felt. The unity and peace that Thanksgiving dinner usually brings to my home didn't happen this time. We grew apart. It was almost just another day; a day that I never wish had to come true.

We (me and my brother) had talked about it before. We knew the day would one day come as we grew apart and started to live our own lives. But there were still blanks that needed to be filled in. Would this mean the end to our family? Would we lose contact completely? I'd like to think that we would break apart into our own lives but remember where we came from. That we wouldn't forget the core that once held us together. But you can't have everything you want. Sometimes you have to sacrifice the things you value most. A phone call, an email, a text message may one day replace that dinner that brought middle ground.

I'd like to think that as you get older, things only get better. They do but something gets lost in the process. We get lost in our work. We forget those around us and who can blame us. We're fighting two battles when we barely have the energy to fight one. It all comes down to adapting to the changes that life throws your way and accepting the things you cannot change. Even if it hurts.

The light at the end of the tunnel is what will justify the sacrifices that were made. There is no perfect balance to this equation but I'd like to think that the ends justify the means and the sacrifices we make weren't made in vein.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/27/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Today is Thanksgiving; a day that celebrates the first feast shared between the Pilgrims and Native Americans after a year of hard work and strife. They came together and sat side by side. As they feasted they shared what they were thankful for. It was a joyous event and we continue to celebrate Thanksgiving; coming together and letting others know how grateful we are to have in our lives.

I love Thanksgiving and the whole idea of people coming together and sharing what they're grateful for. It makes light of the all the bad things in our world and reminds us that there are still things in this world that make life worth living. The harmonious family that Thanksgiving portrays brings warmth in the hearts of many whose family is quite the opposite. But we must grateful for the family we have and the people we've met. Turkey or no turkey, Thanksgiving is still Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has always been a joyous day in my family. Life in my family is typical known for the constant arguments and bitterness that makes us pull our hair out. The days seems numbered and everyday before Thanksgiving only builds the pressure in this wine bottle from popping. Words are said feelings of regret are only strengthened. The hours seem unbearable but when the Turkey is cut and the table is set peace is made. We sit down side by side and start to laugh. We laugh at the anger we had accumulated the last couple of days. We laugh at the silly mistakes we have made over the last few years. And we laugh that in a month or so we will be pulling our hair out once again; wishing that things would be different but in an odd way the same.

All families argue and one that doesn't just isn't natural. We need that mode of free expression in order to keep our sanity. At the end of the day we remember what it is that we are grateful for and what reminds us not to kill each other. We might not say it enough but we are thankful for the connection we share, the friends we've made, and the experiences we have been fortunate enough to take part of.

I wish everyone I have met, known or touched in some way a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope they will see life in the same light and remember to be grateful for the things they have today and will one day have tomorrow.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:20 p.m.
Date: 11/26/08
Official End Time: 11:57 p.m.

A recent essay I had to do for AP English in which I propose having people infected with AIDs wear white masks. Sadly so this does happen in a country in South America to a poor orphanage. Its horrible that they would do something like this but it would bring more awareness about the disease. You be the judge.

The autoimmune deficiency virus (AIDs) epidemic is taking over our planet more and more each and every day. Hundreds of people are dying and there is not much of a solution in sight. The disease can be easily transmitted from one infected person to another with something as simple as blood or bodily fluid. There is a solution that would stop the AIDs epidemic in its tracks and insure a better future for our children. I propose that we make individuals who are infected with the AIDs virus to wear a white mask to show that they have AIDs. By having individuals infected with the AIDs virus wear white masks one can reduce the number of people getting infected with the AIDs virus, provide our children with a healthier future, and set the stage for the prevention of other sexual transmitted diseases.

The number of people currently infected with the AIDs virus is astronomical. The number only continues to grow every day due to how easily the virus can be transmitted between people. Those who are infected often have no idea that the partner they are with has the virus. Therefore, it would make perfect sense to have people who are infected to wear the white mask and prevent the spread of the disease. Knowledge is power and by letting others know who has the disease, one can greatly reduce the number of people being infected and the number of deaths because of the virus.

The AIDs virus doesn’t just affect the people who are infected but also the children of these people. Those who obtain the virus often have less than a year or so to live. The children of these poor people then become orphans. By having people who are infected by the AIDs virus where white masks we can prevent the spread of such sorrow. Children should not be brought into a world without parents and it is up to society to take the first step in insuring our children a healthier future. Therefore, I propose we stop the AIDs epidemic in its track by prevent those with the disease from having children and continuing the spread of the disease.

Finally, by having those infected with the AIDs virus wear white masks, one can finally set the stage for the prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases. STDs are taking over the health of the human race and it is only a matter of time before no one is able to participate in sexual congress without the fear of being infected. Millions of people come across STDs not because they want to, but because they had no idea their partner had the disease. Having people infected with a disease wear a mask would thus eliminate this common mistake and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases all together.

In conclusion, by having individuals infected with the autoimmune deficiency virus (AIDs) virus wear white masks one can reduce the number of people getting infected with the AIDs virus, provide our children with a healthier future, and set the stage for the prevention of other sexual transmitted diseases. . Millions of people come across STDs not because they want to but because they had no idea their partner had the disease. Therefore I believe that knowledge is power and by letting others know who has the disease, one can greatly reduce the number of people being infected and the number of deaths because of the virus.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 6:11 p.m.
Date: 11/25/08
Official End Time: 7:00 p.m.

In the past society had a formal structure that kept order and balance. A person was born into a level of society that determined what their role was in society. The introduction of cultural diffusion and the sophistication of everyday life allowed man to disobey the formal structure that kept order and balance in the past. The concerns of the individual now had a greater significance with the elimination of past social structures and along with it came the creation of democracy, the fall of aristocracy, and the capitalistic ideas that revolutionized the social structure we have today.

The introduction of cultural diffusion and the sophistication of everyday life allowed man to create what we call democracy. No longer was the everyday man forced to live the life he was born into. The everyday man was no longer conflicted with living the life of a poor farmer; but could rise up and choose to live the life of a rich merchant. The rights of the common man had a greater significance. The government was responsible to make life better for not just those who were rich, but for everyone under their control.

With the elimination of past social structures and the reforms of new social structures to come, came the fall of aristocracy. Everyday men and women had new rights that were not determined by their financial abilities. Being rich no longer guaranteed you a pleasant tomorrow. Hard work and determination replaced the values the aristocrats enjoyed in the past. Political reforms made it easier for the everyday man to be successful and even harder for the aristocrat not use to the hard work and determination it took to be successful.

Democracy made life easier for the everyday man to rise up and break down the brick walls that stood in his way of living the good life. Democracy also inspires capitalistic ideas that revolutionized the social structure we have today. In many ways, the introduction of democracy helped more than 98% of the people who fell under the category in the middle class or lower. Democracy broke down the social structures of the past but has not provided the everyday man with a new social structure to go by. The everyday man is free to live his life whatever way he pleases; often not considering the life of the man next to him. People who cannot find their comfort zone in today's democratic world can be troubled by the number of people trying to be the best they can be. The socialistic ideals that previous social structures would have enforced in the past have been replaced by democracy and the idea that capitalism comes first.

In conclusion, the elimination of past social structure brought with it the creation of democracy, the fall of aristocracy, and capitalistic ideas that revolutionized the social structure we have today. Democracy has made it easier for the everyday man to rise up and live a better life. Democracy however lacks the ability to provide a social structure that would promote socialistic ideals that care for all citizens. Similar to previous social structures, democracy has failed to find a solution that insures everyone a good life and allows to them to be free with the decisions they make.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 8:30 p.m.
Date: 11/24/08
Official End Time: 10:00 p.m.

So today was the big day as we (Jay, Steve, and myself) confronted Tufts University and prepared our presentation for a class of students later that day. The experience was pretty cool but the ride there and everything else that happened was what really opened my mind to the things that surround me and the opportunities I have/might not have. It was a long day that gave me more information than I might have expected.

The day started around 7:30 as I got ready and waited for Steve to come pick me and Jay up. Around 8:30 Jay gave me a call and was ready to hit the road with Steve. Steve showed up around 9 and we met two Chinese partners that would be coming with us to Tufts University. One of our partners was Wuyan. Wuyan currently goes to UConn and hopes to major in business. Our other partner was Suri's mom who has been in America for about a month now visit UConn and other educational facilities to learn something about American teaching techniques.

The car ride there was bit awkward in the beginning as we weren't to sure how to start the conversation. Steve started by giving everyone the agenda for the day and what we should be expecting later today. Jay and I soon enough started to talk to Wuyan and ask her a few questions like what she liked to do to on her free time, what type of music she listened to, and what she hoped to do in the future after college. The conversation warmed the atmosphere in the car but wasn't exactly enough to kill a 2 hour ride to Boston.

As we started to get closer to Tufts, Steve started telling Suri's mom about all the stuff we've been doing on the website and how we're great students. He said that I should go to a school like Tufts and how Jay should go somewhere like Berkeley. He said that we would be millionaires by the time we were 25 and that we had a bright future ahead of us. The compliments were nice but the words sparked something inside me that made me look at the environment that surrounds me and Jay and something that I hope would never be the thing that labeled us.

We finally reached Tufts and met with our tour guide for the day. She was a bit nervous but more concerned with our lack of interests. It wasn't that we didn't care but that we had no prior knowledge of Tufts and what made the school so special. We did hit a few brick walls as we talk about nepotism and the rank of the school but we eventually moved on and where able to get through our hour long tour.

I thought the campus was nice and the library was pretty cool. The campus was rather small and like Suri's mom said, "I think I would need more information to take a better look at a school like Tufts". There wasn't a high level of enthusiasm about the school but our mission today wasn't to visit the school but to give a presentation to a class of students at Tuft.

The time finally did arrive and we started to set up for our presentation. The presentation went well but I imagined it being a longer presentation with me and Jay doing more of the speaking. The message we tried send to students wasn't well received in my opinion. They were more anxious to get out of there and see their families for Thanksgiving break. In the end it really came down to Steve and having him crack down on a class that questioned everything and basically criticized the Chinese government to it's political core. They did however have a tough time saying that to Suri's mom. This brings up a great point about how students and American's today are easily influenced by the media and quick attack the people of that country not realizing that they should be attacking the political leaders of that country. Furthermore, reasoning needs to be taken into consideration when a accusing someone of degrading their people and not providing them with the great opportunities America has to offer.

Many Chinese students and parents that I have come to met over the last couple of months admit that America does a great job of teaching their students how to think critically and creatively. But these elements are not what give results and therefore it is only an addition to a student's education and not a requirement.

We soon hit the road and started to drive to take a drive through Boston as we got closer to our destination. Wuyan was very pleased with the scenery in Boston and thought that it would be a great place to come and visit. We kept getting closer and closer home as we made stops for food and what not. Jay was hungry every 2 hours and couldn't stop eating. We finally did make it home; exhausted and ready to hit the hay.

In case your wondering Jay and I come from very rural neighborhoods and not to bright backgrounds. We aren't rich and our schools aren't exactly spectacular. We work hard and we're determined to rise above and make a difference. I often fear that as minority students who have taken it upon themselves to rise above we are looked as role models for other minorities in our situation instead of kids who took the initiative and made the difference themselves. I think its unfair to be labeled for something I've tried to escape so much and that instead I should be looked at by the follow through and work I have proven myself possible of doing.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 9:00 p.m.
Date: 11/23/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Its been a little bit over 4 months since I began my journey on helping the website grow and I think that's its about time that I be as brutally honest with myself and all the members of the site. If I want to be successful in what I plan to do and it's key that I remain honest with myself and honest with the people I am working with. The moment I begin to lie and dishonor the people around me is the moment I lose purpose in what I am doing. The incentive must remain pure and I should remain honest to the people I meet along the way and more importantly to myself. There's no point in going forward if I am only heading in the wrong direction.

Hopefully the answers to the questions listed below will give you a better idea of what I am doing and how it relates to the site. I hope that by doing this I can clarify what my role is on this site and what I hope I can help the site accomplish with the time I have.

Why are you working with students in northwest China?
I'm working specifically with students in northwest China because of the fragile and rich culture that exist there. Very few Westerner ever visit a place like northwest China and I believe that their is a rich cultural side to China that lays deep within the students, people, and scenery there. When you visit a place like northwest China you get a new understanding of the world we live in and the way life is pushing us forward onto bigger and better things; often sacrificing the age old traditions that made us the people we are today. Northwest China is at that fork in the road and by working with students in northwest China, I can help provide new opportunities to its students will keeping the rich culture that exists there.

What do you know about northwest China?
Northwest China is a place of rich cultural and environmental beauty. Contrary to places like Shanghai and Beijing, northwest China remains industrialized but has a certain respect for the ecosystems that already exist there. The scenery is almost paradise. The climate is temperate and the people are understanding. Many minority groups live in this region and share the space in relative peacefulness. I often use the phrase "city within the trees" to describe the rich cultural region that makes northwest China and the people who are almost indifferent to the changes society is undergoing.

Why is it important? Why should US students care?
The impact that a cultural exchange to northwest China has on US participants can be measured in various ways. The impact can be measured in the blogs and stories participants share after this experience. The impact can be measured in the initiative US students take upon themselves after such an experience. And finally, the change that students undergo after such an experience is another way of measuring the impact of a cultural exchange to northwest china. US students are given the opportunity to see a side of China that very few Westerners ever get a chance to see. They are welcomed into the homes of the locals and have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of these students. The service you are providing as a student is what makes this experience so important and valuable to US students.

What does it mean to live in a global society?
Living in a global society means having a general knowledge of the world around you. We are all members of this global society that shares and collaborates together. The connectivity we share makes it possible for US and Chinese students to come together and share cultural experiences in an educational fashion. Students have the chance to make new friends both far and wide. The connections that are made make it possible for students to take on new challenges and learn something along the way; accepting the responsibilities and meaning of life in a global society.

Why is globalization something you should care about?
Globalization is the next step after cultural diffusion. It can be a great thing that spreads new ideas and opportunities to a part of the world that is innocent to these things. But oh to often it can fringe on the cultural ecosystem that already existed there that made this place so unique. Therefore, moderation must be kept in mind and change must be acknowledge when you think of globalization. I plan to help bring new opportunities to China and its students while respecting the rich culture and heritage that makes China so unique. It is important to keep globalization in mind when looking at the incentive of our mission and the impact it will have on the students, teachers, and people of northwest China.

Is our current economic crisis just affecting Americans or the world?
The current economic crisis is slowly but certainly affecting the global economy. America is a global power and our economy is responsible for not only maintaining a safe haven for its recipients but a safe haven for other countries. Our economic crisis cripples America's ability to protect and serve the global community we have created. Thus, it is crucial we educate and motivate the future leaders of America and China to make a difference and establish a connection that corrects the economic crisis we currently have through project-based participatory learning.

What happens in China when we can't buy what we're use to buying?
The American economy works hand-in-hand with the Chinese economy. When America does well economically, China does well economically. When America is unable to buy the basic commodities that we're so used to, we can only predict the worst. The balance that once united America and other countries will be offset and will raise prices and only make life harder for the average man to get by. We must prevent this from happening and take the necessary steps to establish a strong connection between the US and China.

Will that cause any trouble for Chinese students?
It will make life not only harder for Chinese students but for Chinese citizens as well. Times are tough and its hard to make expenses that aren't absolutely necessary. The basic commodities we are so use to buying will slowly disappear and I fear that we will have to adapt instead of rise above in this situation. That is why I am driven to make it possible for good Chinese students to participate on the cultural exchange of a life time. I was fortunate enough to go on the cultural exchange of a life time and wish to give back to the community that has given me so much by making it easier for Chinese students whatever way I can; building a website, crossing a few bridges, or working towards the trip of a lifetime.

How does it benefit your local community in Waterbury for you to be involved in a global project of cultural and educational exchange?
Waterbury believe it not shares a lot of characteristics with northwest China. It's a "city within the trees" that is home to people who are diverse and at peace. Not a lot of opportunities are available to students in Waterbury and often it takes leaving the city and making it your own initiative to succeed and excel where others have failed. Being involved in such a global project of cultural and educational exchange has made it possible for me to see parts of the world that I probably would have never seen in my lifetime. It has given me the opportunity to make a difference in my community and in the community of others. And it overall has taught me to take the initiative and make the changes that I as a student wanted so badly. That instead of accepting things the way they are I should be taking the steps to making things the way they should be. This experience has molded my life tremendously and I hope that I can make a real difference in the life of Chinese students whatever way I can.

What I Believe the Site is Capable OfTo reiterate what has already been said I believe that the site is capable of something great and wonderful. The service we would be providing to hundreds of Chinese and Americans students is what makes my role on this site so important. I don't mind throwing in the extra hours and hope that my work will bring us closer to meeting that goal. That my work will give back to the community that has given me so much. Until then I will continue to work hard and I hope you will stand by me as I make my journey. The road ahead is unclear and I'm batting against the dusk.

425 today, 1000 tomorrow.
With your help I hope to meet my goal and many other goals that may come along the way. That's if I have I can count on your help and your support.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:00p.m.
Date: 11/22/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Youtube Live! was great and I really enjoyed seeing such a great collaboration of YouTubers. They came together from all parts of the world and helped produced a great show. Given that this was there first I can only predict that things will get better. What I like most about YouTube Live! was the idea of individuals coming together to do something great and wonderful. This is our future. The web is becoming more and more powerful and it is helping shape the world in front us. We doing more than sharing, were creating. We're working together to do things that usually take an elite team of people to do. And its taking form in all participants. You need nothing more than a computer and maybe a web cam. The real thing is purpose. The purpose we have behind these movements is what will make their impact that much stronger. Our wiill to dream and take the necessary steps to make these dreams possible is what makes things like YouTube so powerful. I can only imagine where we will be in next when we look at future generations and how they use things like YouTube and Ning.





Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 11/21/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

If there's one thing my ITR&D experience has taught me is that you need to learn how to take one for the team. That sometimes its best to pass up your idea and do what's best for the team. Additionally, its important to be modest. There's nothing gained in being a braggart, and in most cases it just makes you look foolish, arrogant, and someone people wouldn't want to work with. The most common reason for becoming a braggart is credit. You want credit for what you've done and praise for all your hard work. As a team player that doesn't really make much sense. Distinguishing yourself eliminates the idea of being a team player. I believe that the hard work will be recognized and the praise will be that much better. One will be respected and known for his work ethic. Additionally, you'll have a team that supports you which makes you even more valuable. Overall one needs to remember that in most cases the things you are fighting for are usually trivial matters that in a year or two will have no connection to you. Therefore I strongly advice those who are working in a team experience to remember these things: Never ruin a friendship over trivial matters, be earnest, and be diligent. I feel that these are very important rules when it comes to working with others and the elements that make you valuable and versatile in the future.

Rule 1. Never Ruin A Friendship Over Trivial Matters

I can't explain enough the friendships and relationships that were scarred because of trivial matters while trying to work as a team. Our egos come in the way and we become blind of the damage we are doing. We insult the person who have been there for us between thick and thin. We insult the people who believe in us and over something that we will have no relation to in a year from now. This image becomes transcendent and you become labeled as the guy who wouldn't budge. Friendships are tainted and things only go down hill from here. I therefore emphasize with all the power within me that when working as a team you remember to never ruin a friendship over trivial matters. It isn't worth it and only creates a rift in a relationship that never needed one.

Rule 2. Be Earnest

Being earnest is a great element to have in all things you do in life but it comes especially handy when it comes to working on team. People appreciate those who are earnest. They know that they can be trusted and are worth the time and investment. That this person is someone you would want to conduct business with in the future. The follow through and work ethic you show is what will make you valuable and versatile in the future. People just no longer look for the hardest work but the most versatile one; the one who is the most earnest. The one who they can count on for anything. This is both helpful when it comes to working on a team and later on in life.

Rule 3. Be Diligent

Finally it all comes down to diligence. Being diligent relates perfectly to taking one for the team. You have to work hard for the results you want. Even if it means working a little harder than the next guy. The karma will take care of itself. The good vibes will come your way. And all your hard work will be appreciated. There's no reason to becoming a braggart; to form a rift amongst friends, or to get lost in the moment. You just have to be ready to adapt to what life throws at you and continue being the honest person you always were.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/20/08
Official End Time: 11:24 p.m.

The world we live in is often perceived as a cold and horrible place. A place where no one is safe and its every man for himself. Our incentives lack purpose and oh to often we judge others before we even give them a chance. There's no logic behind this. We've gotten to a point where we've lost the childhood innocence within all of us. We see the world for literally what it is and have since abandoned the hope and dreams that once gave color to this place. I say we must keep this childhood innocence. We should keep the color in our world and make it even brighter for future generations. The karma will take of itself. There is no reason to believe that seeing the good side of a situation means being blind to the reality of the situation.

I for one am an optimistic person. I always try to look on the good side of the situation and give things the benefit of the doubt. I'm conscious of the consequence but am not going to throw in the towel just because there's a chance things might go wrong. If it were like that how would any of the advancements we have today be possible. We need to be daring. We need to look at all sides of the situation. And we always need to be ready for change. Ready to take whatever challenge life throws our way.

Seeing the world for what it is limits our ability to succeed. One can look at the world with all the dreams and ambitions that make it worth living and still see all the information that's out there. We can't deny reality nor can we stop and hope that things will get better. But being pessimistic and always guessing the worse will only stop you from reaching that level. We should be looking at the world as we would hope others would see it. A place filled with color and opportunity. A place that has potential and could one day resemble the paradise we have always dream of. A place that we would want to one day be the place we live in rather than the place we wish we didn't live in.



Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/19/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Its ironic in a society that promotes such good morals and beliefs that the people are more interested in the dark side of the situation than they are of the good side of the situation. We all want to be bad at some point in our lives and the reasons can be very simple. Being bad in a situation like this doesn't necessarily mean becoming the next cold heart-ed killer but someone that has no regard for society. Someone who has nothing that holds him back and is free to do what he wants. Nothing stands in his way and whatever does is quickly eliminated. It isn't really the bad side of the situation we are attracted to but more the power that this side gives us.

When your bad, nothing stands in your way. You have the power to confront your challenges with a clear incentive. Your purpose is your only goal. You're not here to make friends and form memories but complete your mission as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Being bad also shares a connection with being strong. Its common to imagine the badass inside all of us as the person who exaggerates all the features we wish we had. This persona has physical strength, mental strength, and isn't someone that's easy to walk all over. They have all the characteristics we had and wish we could obtain in this situation where others measure us up for something we're not.

The bad side isn't what we think of when it comes to the assassins and gangsters that Hollywood depicts. The bad side we love so much is the confident side we all wish we had more often. The ability to take charge and do the things that need to be done with no fears is what we all wish we could be able to do on a daily basis. But I think that confidence is found in other styles and is what makes people pursue these kinds of personas. We all want to be Mr. Confident but it's up to us to take the necessary steps to meet that goal.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 11/18/08
Official End Time: 11:55 p.m.

The life of a tragic hero is that of a wounded beast. When we look at a character like Beatty from Fahrenheit 451, we understand why he hates books so badly. He use to be a fanatic for god's sake. But the day they turned his back on him was the day he went mad. The one things he could trust all of a sudden had no answer for him in his time of need. They were useless and therefore they had to go. Beatty isn't the only tragic hero you can think of. Since the time of Socrates there have been hundreds of tragic heroes all of which share many familiar characteristics; probably the most important would be that they weren't always the person they are today. They weren't always this wounded beast that seeks revenge. Something changed these people into the beasts they are today. Their human characteristics of love and compassion have all been whipped away with the blinded rage that now consumes them. And who can blame these fallen heroes. Society has turned their back on them and they have no friends who can understand their sorrow. They are alone in this cold world and nothing holds them back from taking the world by storm.

Tragedies themselves are a great way of introducing literature to children and teenagers in their most primal ages of reading. This is the time that students make the choice between continuing the habit of reading that is so well enforced in their elementary school careers or abandon the practice completely. The reason tragedies are such a great way of capturing the attention of readers at that age and for years to come is because of the connection that is established. The reader is able to see and understand the tragic heroes reason for revenge. They are able to apprehend the anger our hero has inside him and why his rage is just. We all can see why someone who has been hurt so badly would want revenge on those who were the source of the pain.

Probably the greatest elements of tragedies is the use of dialogue and diction. The stories hold powerful words that speak deeply into the soul of the reader. The text is almost transcendent which motivates the reader to not only read more but make sure that something like this never happens again. That no one should have to feel this way. That in a perfect world we should all be working hand in hand for a better tomorrow instead of committing selfless acts that scar those who we hold close.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 11/17/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

We're half way through the month and its about time that I jump back on the horse. There's no sense in crying over spilled milk nor is there any logic in waiting for things to get better. If I want change, I'll have to work towards it. I need to engross myself in other social networks and remember to not infringe on their terms of service. The best method in my opinion would be to form strong connections with members of that social network and then ask them for help. People are more willing to help you when they know more about you. They see the act as an act kindness. Kindness that they know is appreciated. So there isn't much of a debate here. I just need to do it.

I'm getting started and organizing my thoughts on how to approach a better way of not only getting people to join the site but also join the site and help build the community. In the past I would add anyone interested in the website. Those who really cared about the site would visit it on a regular basis while those who could care less just moved on and didn't really give the site much attention. The members I've added recently do care about the site and are really starting to build on this community. My gratitude is owed to all of those who post pictures, leave comments, and visit the website on a daily basis. Their follow through is what will make this website successful and help us do great things in China.

Overall I have to remember that I need to work hard to meet the goals that I have set. I need to remember the incentive behind my goals and never forget the impact they can have if they become reality. With that I mind I need to start working more seriously towards my goals. I'm adding people to the site and building the community through group, photos, videos but I'm not really focusing on the big idea. I'm counting my eggs before they've hatched and I need to just the bull by the horns and confront the challenges that stand in my way.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 8:00 p.m
Date: 11/16/08
Official End Time: 11: 30 p.m.

I feel that its about time that someone address's the issues that face many students in the 21st century. The 21st century is a great place; a dynamic place that is evolving to the point where no one can predict what the world will be like in the years to come. Technology drives our planet and everyday we are getting closer and closer to finding the solutions to many of life's problems. Society itself is changing in the sense that there is no longer one road to success. The opportunities that are out there make it possible for the everyday individual to make a difference in his community with nothing more than the laptop in his book back and the diligence to make his dreams possible. The success of these individuals is largely due to the connectivity and will of the everyday man. The Internet is an open network where people share information that they feel would make life easier, information that would break down the walls that stand in our way. The issue being with all this information and students in the 21st century is that we are still living in the good old days. Our schools train us to pass but not to excel. Things like funding prevent schools from exploring fields that are revolutionizing our world. Our students are the ones who pay the price for living in a world that believes we can live in a world that ignores the changes being made. That in good time our students will learn to adapt to the changes and handle it all on their own. But that isn't the case. We are fighting two battles that are constantly racing to the top: one that promotes the simple life and the other that promotes change. Both sides have their pros and both sides have their cons. But something needs to be done. We have to find a way to teach our students the fundamentals while preparing them for a world that is driven by technology. Purpose and collaboration is all it will take to provide our students with the direction needed to be successful in the 21st century.

It's hard to believe but experiences is key to teaching students in the 21st century. As adults we can understand what these students are going through. We know what it feels like to be a student at that age and the adversities they face. Therefore wouldn't it make more sense to teach these students not to make the same mistakes we made as students. To teach them how to confront the challenges we once faced and what to do differently when that time comes. But in a world where money restricts what we are able to accomplish, it seems almost impossible to do this. Funding prevents the everyday school from promoting classes in fields that are revolutionizing our world. Funding stops our schools from having up to date materials. And funding is what will cripple the world we live in. An efficient solution must be found that eliminate the dollar sign that stands in the way of these schools, in the way of these students. Technology is one solution to this problem. The main purpose of technology is to invent something that provides a new or better way of doing something; something that is cost efficient and provides room for expansion. These are the tools we should be equipping our students with. It would provide them with the same education they are getting from the textbooks they are so used to. The books will continue to exist but will no longer be the only resource our students are exposed to.

The logic behind teaching students with technology in the 21st century is that technology appeals more to students in a world driven by technology. The average student knows what a computer is, is part of a social network of some sort, and has used technology to help them do something in their everyday lives. It would thus make perfect sense to use what they use so much as a teaching tool. Technology isn't just entertaining; it’s also educational. Hundreds of tutorials are out there and everyday new and better programs are being created. The people themselves who make these programs made them with the sole purpose of provide an easier, better way of doing something. They are inventors, engineers, and they're also teachers. They're people who saw a problem and found a solution. These are the type of people we should be motivating our students to be like. We should be teaching our student not to accept things the way they are but the way they should be.

Purpose is another crucial element when it comes to teaching students in the 21st century. The tools being used will have no effect if there is no purpose behind their use. Teaching in the 21st century is thus a dynamic process. There isn't a simple answer in terms of how to teach in the 21st century. It requires creativity and resourcefulness not found in the simple lifestyle we are teaching our students to live in. The purpose behind teaching in the 21st century would be to find easier, more dynamic ways of teaching students with higher goals and expectations. Motivating students to be the best they can be and showing them how to work towards that goal. That things such as money, fear, and doubts shouldn't be the reason to do the minimum but should instead remind us that as a student in the 21st century you should be well rounded and resourceful; ready to take whatever life throws at you.

As a student in the 21st century you have to remember that you do not stand alone; that collaboration is a key and very powerful element in this idea of teaching students in the 21st century with technology. As a driving force the possibilities are endless. The community aspect and project-based learning that comes with teaching in the 21st century is what will provide the huge turnout in students who excel not only in the classroom, but also in life. Collaboration is what makes this window of opportunity possible. It teaches students how to work together and provides them with real world experience. Collaboration helps a student see that the life isn't all about survival of the fittest but establishing connections and using the connectivity available to produce results and motivate change. This is what makes teaching in the 21st century with technology different from through the simple life and the belief that passing is more important than excelling.

Neither idea is perfect. At the end of the day it all comes down to the students. The information we provide and the influence we are able to make is what will ultimately decide what our students are able to accomplish. The use of technology and the implication of 21st century skills in a world driven by technology is what open windows of opportunities to students all across the globe. Students in the 21st century are well aware of the adversities they face; so aware that they would fear taking a chance and pursing fields where they might not measure up. Our schools push this idea forward instead of persuading students to pursue these illustrious careers. What students in the 21st century need is direction and change. We need real world experience that proves to that there is a way and that accepting things the way they are is accepting defeat.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 11/15/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Today was a progressive day. Mentally but maybe not physically. I got busy working on my mac and had switched up a lot of the icons. The picture below is what I was able to accomplish over the last couple of days. I was able to get a bunch of new application and cool icons for the ones I already had. I also became engrossed with finding ways to getting programs a lot easier. Using the right words to get what you want.



In terms of what made this day progressive, it had to be yesterday's blog post. The ideas didn't leave me overnight nor have they left me yet. I'm convince that I am resourceful and can find a solution that would aid my troubles. I believe that I am capable of doing something great and wonderful. That I can make a difference in my community. And that this project is only the first of many. That life will only continue to get harder and that I have to not only meet the bar but raise it. I have to prove that I can take the challenges that life throws at me. That this project isn't far from over and I will find a solution soon. It's only a matter of time.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 9:30 p.m.
Date: 11/14/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

The last few days have been horrendous. It seems like I can't get anything right and the horse I once rode so majestically has kicked me off and ran away. It wasn't even a week ago that I had members coming into the site by the hundreds and most elements in my life going they way I wanted them to. But now that the momentum has fallen and I am on foot I'm scared that I the light at the end of this tunnel isn't really there. That I'm trapped and have ran out of ideas to bring more members to the site and more importantly accomplish the major goals in my life. The brick walls are finally coming and boy are they hitting hard. Never before have I felt such disgusts. I've works so hard and yet I haven't worked hard enough. I didn't focus and now I'm paying the price. There's no way that I can meet my initial goal for this month and even more likely my goal for the end of the year. I have failed those I owe so much and those I promised so much to. But I am not defeated. I will prove that I am resourceful and will do my best to meet my goal and see the light at the end of this tunnel.


"If at first you don't succeed, redefine success." I know that the challenges that lay ahead are more than I can handle. That accomplishing any of these goals would have to be one of the greatest accomplishments I have ever made. But I must shoot for the stars and not limit myself to the restrictions that stand in my way. I believe that I am capable of doing something great and wonderful. That I can make a difference in my community. And that this project is only the first of many. That life will only continue to get harder and that I have to not only meet the bar but raise it. I have to prove that I can take the challenges that life throws at me. That this isn't just some idea composed of false ambition, but a dream as pure as the water we drink. An idea that would define a person's future and his ability to succeed or fail where others have tried. I will make the difference that stands in my way and make sure that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. That what I'm doing now is not in vein and has purpose. There's still time for many things to unroll and I can't jump to conclusions and call the game before all the points are counted up. I must remain positive and continue looking for the next big thing.

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/13/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Theme of Fahrenheit 451: Censorship

All humans have a calling in their life. The person must decide how to accept the calling and what they are willing to do to fight for it. Will that person be the one to make the difference or will they just accept their ignorance as a blissful escape from the cold truth they are living? What that person allows to happen is all up to him or her, but no one can be controlled indefinitely for eventually people perceive a solution to the problem. This kind of censorship is the theme of Fahrenheit 451, and with it the characters have to face why censorship exists, the ignorance that consumes people, and how one chooses to be indifferent.

Censorship plays a vital role in Fahrenheit 451. In the community that persists in this novel, things that can cause a disturbance in the community are censored. Books are one of the things on this list and the reason for this is to avoid the conflict that knowledge can bring. The authority figures control the community by burning books and trying to make everyone the same because they blame knowledge for people’s internal and external conflicts. A bar is then set for people to understand what is normal and what is not. This bar also prevents the people from questioning their authority and one day rebelling to reveal the truth that they seek. Man should do like Guy did and “just start walking today and see the world and the way the world walks around and talks, the way it really looks,” (Bradbury, pg161). Without censorship, man would be able to live his life without regrets for even today we question things, but hold back on our actions in fear that they might be wrong and a conflict may rise.

The phrase “ignorance is bliss” shows that if one does not know of something and just ignores it then it cannot cause him or her harm. Ignorance can destroy a person because humans have to be aware of the things that concern them, for if not their ignorance could destroy them. In Fahrenheit 451, the people are ignorant to knowledge and individuality because books are considered illegal and anyone who owns a book is arrested and taken away to avoid a disturbance in a community where what’s normal is the law and anything else is considered bizarre. Books provide knowledge and individuality, but if books are never to be read then life becomes predictable since the bar is never raised and everything stays the same. This kind of ignorance is derived from fear, fear from the consequences of an authority figure, or even fear that if one were to take the chance they could fail. Beatty derived his ignorance against books when his life went south and the one place he thought he could get an answer from did not give him one. Beatty says in this quote, “Oh, the words were there, alright, but they ran over my eyes like hot oil, signifying nothing. Offering no help, no solace, no peace, no harbor, no true love, no bed, no light,” (Bradbury, pg171). Man uses ignorance to protect himself. How long this ignorance can protect man is the question.

Humans are indifferent to things that can have consequence. Man fears actions that may lead to conflict even if the action could make a vital difference. However, there is only a certain amount of time man has until what he is ignoring approaches him face to face. In Fahrenheit 451, the people are indifferent to the burning of books and the control that has been put over the community. However, a select few see a future where knowledge is understood and individuality is not questioned or feared. These people are Montag and Granger who read books and memorize them in the belief that it’d be, “Better to keep it in the old heads, where no one can see it or suspect it,” (Bradbury, pg152). Only that person can make that difference and Montag is the man to do it. If Montag never got interested in books and decide to release himself from the ignorance, censorship, and indifference he had been living his entire life, then who would make the revolution he had? People can never ignore what affects them and only until they stand and fight for what’s right will a solution be made.

In conclusion, one always has control over his life and only he can make the difference necessary. Censorship plays a key role in Fahrenheit 451, and it still exists today and how humans challenge it is how we grow as people. How one fights for the righteous cause is what makes him accept his calling in life. Fear and ignorance are only there to hold man back from further pursuing the actions that can lead to the revolution people need. It is up to people to decide when they will break away from being indifferent to their surrounding and accept that only they can do what needs to be done to create a better tomorrow for everyone.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Will man ever come to the point where technology has abolished reading? I hope not. Fahrenheit 451 was a great book but one that you could only understand after you read it. Ray Bradbury's view of reading in the future at that time wouldn't be too far off as reading today is falling in popularity and many students have issue meeting proficiency in the reading section of standardized test. The only solution I can think of is to emphasize the importance of reading to new students and to make sure that good reading habits follow them throughout high school and their later years.

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/12/08
Official End Time: 11:55 p.m.

It's easy to write about doing the right thing and accepting the responsibilities that come our way. Writing about it however isn't enough to bring these ideas to life. It takes a follow through and commitment that reflects how much this issue matters to you. It's easy to get side tracked and forget to devote that hour or two to the success of your idea. It makes even more sense when there is nothing holding you back from dropping that idea and moving on with your life. But what does that go to show for the type of person you are? Does that just prove that in the face of adversity you are unable to make a commitment? That only when you have an obligation to something are you able to prove that you can accomplish something. It all comes down to the work ethic you possess as a person and the follow through you show on the commitments you make.

In my case its hard not to give up when your shooting so high. I want to see the website explode with members and for my ideas to become realities but certain factors I can't control still stand in my way. I'm unable to control the number of members that join the site and have a hard time just getting the people I know to join. They tell me that they dislike the idea of having to commit to a website that they have no real interest in and that it will probably just clutter their in box with messages that they will simply delete. Other website such as Livemocha provide a small but constant feed of new members. I however run into a brick wall when all of a sudden I can no longer log into my account or access the site. Its frustrating but I do not blame the people at Livemocha or the surveyors for not wanting to join the website. They have their rights and their rules and as a member I should respect the rights of the other members and not send them information they are not looking for.

This isn't the first time that Livemocha has done this to me. I had to create a new account only recently after having my first one "blocked". But being a fool I decided to add as many friends as I possibly could so that I could later ask them to join the website and help me push this idea forward. Soon enough (as in today) I ran into the brick wall of not being able to log into my account and having to figure out an alternative method through the use of Fire Fox (I had it remember my password in case anything like this ever happened). Now I'm stuck. Its only a matter of time before I'm unable to get into my account again and I have to create an alternative email and user name. This time however I will not spread the word of the website to its members unless I am speaking personally to that user. (I think it has something to deal with the report abuse button. If someone clicks it Livemocha probably blocks your account and prevents you from accessing your account from that point forward.)

The amounts of members I plan to have on the website this month is totally out of the question. I was aiming for 700 but with the lack of any support from Livemocha or other users I think I will have to conform with what I can get this month. It sucks because I had high hopes of staying on track and for the first time meeting a real goal for this month. Last month I came that close to meeting proficiency but was dishonor by 15 or so members. This month I feel I'll have to set a much smaller bar and hope that I can at least reach that.

Being optimistic however, I believe that a problem is just a misunderstood opportunity and that the turn of events can work in my favor if I'm clever enough. I refuse to throw in the towel after putting in so much hard work and plan to rise above and conquer the challenges I face. I plan to continue to add whatever members I can get my hands on but also ask the members that are already on this site to add someone they know to the site. In terms of LIvemocha, I plan to stop adding friends or sending out any comments whatsoever. Instead I will focus solely on learning Chinese and maybe God can see that I have learned my lesson and prevent them from blocking my account completely. I plan to work hard in all the commitments I have made even if that means spending less and less time messing around on the computer or socializing with friends.

It sounds tough but that is just what I'm gonna have to do if I want my dreams to become a reality. I need to buckle down and accept the fact that the hour or two I spend on YouTube can be spent building Moodle course and groups on the website. In order to see results I need to take the first step of many onto bigger and better things; accepting the man hood that stands in front of me.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 11/11/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

The human being is best known for his ability to adapt and survive. For his ability to dream, and for his ability to believe. To believe that there is something better, and that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. This ability to dream, to believe is what makes it possible for man to rise above and live the life he has yearned for so badly. That the world he was born into should not be the same world he leaves; it should be a better one. One that resembles a trickle of what he once imagined it could become. The ambition and follow through that man shows to fulfilling this dream is what makes that trickle happen. It's what make us believe that nothing is impossible and that with the right tools and the right amount of training we too can believe. That as humans we can dream of a world that fulfills our every desire, a paradise, that would only exist in a world of collaboration and commitment between the everyday man.

Collaboration is an essential element to the success of any major movement or project. As a driving force you have more power; power to get your ideas to become a reality and more power to expand your original idea so that it serves a larger community. The idea can be simple and require only a few friends to help bring it off the ground. Overtime popularity will grow. What started as a project amongst 3 friends will explode into a project amongst 100 friends all caring and determine to see this idea come to life. Not everyone will be on board with your idea. Not everyone thinks the same way that you do. But that should not be enough of a reason to stop you from believing that your idea has potential. As humans we have innate ability to dream. To imagine a world, an era that resembles a paradise in comparison to the world we live in now. This ability to dream and believe is what makes it possible for everyday ideas to make a real difference in our communities and in our world.

Commitment is another essential element to the success of any movement or project. Its great to have an idea that you think can make a real difference. An idea that could revolutionize the world in front of us. But without the right tools or the right amount of training that idea can be lost. The drive we had seems to fade away as the level of commitment and work top-els the incentive we once had. The idea now seems less attractive and less realistic. That by putting in the extra hours we are just fooling ourselves; we are only prolonging the day we realize that what we are working towards will never become a reality. This however should not stop us from pursuing our dreams. The commitment we show towards the dreams and beliefs we hold is what will reflect the success of our work. Nothing stands in our way beside the doubts in our head. Those who stand for what they believe is right and act upon it are those who reach the promise land. They may never set foot on the paradise they dreamt so badly of but die knowing that what they have done has set the stage for future generations. That their work, our work, the work of man is only a chapter in history that is waiting to be edited, revised and reprinted for future generations. This cycle is what keeps pushing the human race forward.

There will always be reason for us not to do something. For us not to pursue our dreams and dare to believe. However, once we stop believing and once we stop dreaming we become less and less human. We begin to lose the traits that separate us from the animals. Our ability to dream is what allows us to make these advancements. Our ability to believe is what pushes these advancements forward. With collaboration and commitment, the karma takes care of itself. The fears and doubts that typically hold us back will instead remind us of why we need to continue dreaming, believing, collaborating, and working towards a better tomorrow. The world shall always be our oyster and will shall always be the adolescent who continue to grow and evolve towards a better tomorrow that we have dreamt of so badly.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:20 p.m.
Date: 11/10/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Optimistic or Just Foolish?

In today's world that's consumed by the fears and doubts of the everyday man, its hard to be optimistic. Its hard to look on the up side of things and hope that better times will come. Often we become bitter. We lose all hope on life and lack the ability to dream and pursue the things that we once loved so dearly. We instead resort to doing the bare minimum. Doing what will insure us another day and not what will insure us a better tomorrow. In retrospect it makes sense. To live in reality and do the things that we will insure us success in what we do, but it prevents us from living to our full potential. This philosophy of doing what's right and expected of us often inhibits man from creating and finding new opportunities in his world; a world so dynamic and pure that continues to grow before our very eyes. Does it thus not make sense to pursue life for all its opportunities? To live life to it fullest and what our purpose is on this Earth. That while on this Earth we have a purpose and that everyday we spend on it is meant for us to build towards fulfilling that purpose.

It's easy to confuse the the detail that blur the lines between reality and insanity. As young adults the world is our oyster. We have all the chance in the world to succeed and excel where man has failed in the past. We have the chance that they didn't. And in a perfect world we have all the reason to continue the legacy these men have set for us. However we do not live in a perfect world. We live in a world of fears and doubts. A world that has been scared into believing that being optimistic means being a fool. A fool that lives in his head and is incapable to seeing the world as it is today.

However times have always been tough, and will only continue to get harder. There is no such thing as a world where all the fears, doubts, and obstacles that stand in our way no longer exist. These obstacles are there to push us forward. To remind us that we shouldn't accept world the way it is but the way it should be. Being optimistic means going out and believing in change. Being open-minded to new ideas and reforms that can open doors to new opportunities.

It's understandable that we fear change. That making an investment in something we cannot control can give us reason not to invest. But then where do we start? When is it that we take the first leap forward onto bigger and better things. The world as we know it has gone under massive amounts of change in extended periods of time. The things we have today didn't just come out of thin air but through people who took a chance and stepped out of the norm. No one expects us to be entrepreneurs or rogue scholars. At the end of the day it is up to us as individuals to decide if we will one day lead our people onto bigger and better things or just follow the path that has already been established for us. In both cases we will leave our mark and it will reflect if we saw the world for all it wonders (optimistic) or saw it instead for all the things that could have gone wrong. (pessimistic)

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/9/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

I have 3 weeks left to jump 300 members. Crazy right. But I need to meet my goal of 700 by the end of this month if I want to stay on track of meeting my goal of 1000 members by the end of December. I don't have much time. I need to do 100 members a week just to meet my expectations. And the crowd isn't exactly coming to me.

I need to come at a new angle. I need to come up with an idea that will help me get the members I seek. But I must remember to make it concise. To insure that the people I am getting to join are valued members who care about my goal and aren't just here for the ride. Sounds tough but I have gotten people to join the site before and I can do it again if time permits.
But that's the hard thing. I'm working against the clock and against forces I can't control. The time I have versus the time I have to add members and continue to build this community and future projects are running neck in neck. I have to manage my time better. I need to differentiate the time spent doing work and the time spent messing around. I'm still a kid but I need to work like an adult if I want my dreams to become a reality. No one else can help me do this. I have to accept the responsibility and expectations that will come along the way. I just have to get organized. I just have to figure out the steps I need to take to insure success. I need an elevator pitch.



I'm worried but I'm not defeated. I still have time to work and the will to work. If anyone wants to help I am more than grateful. I need to remember that this isn't a one man show but a group project. That whatever help I can get along the way I should accept with open arms. The fact of the matter is that I need to work twice as hard to achieve my dreams. That in the end friends will come and go; the legacy I leave behind will reflect the work and initiative I have shown thanks to the friends, partners, and acquaintances i have made along the way.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 11/8/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 11/7/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Maybe its the age vs the mentality I try to live with, but the dating world always seems so impossible. The environment that I live in sends a message that negatively reinforces the idea of pursuing a relationship at this time. Many relationships at this age last less than a few weeks. Thus, I ask what is the reason for such relationships? I imagine a "relationship" to be something with potential. Something worth investing time and work into. But when you look at a relationship that has lasted beyond the norm we run into the brick wall of teenage pregnancy. Why is this? Do we live in a world where pressure forces us to make such rash decisions? Decisions that jeopardize our chances to succeed. Or is just that I am over thinking the situation. That having not actually experienced such an experience has tainted my view of the subject. However there are just a few ideas, theories, that I believe provide the reason why we date who we date, and why certain relationships "succeed" while others "fail".

The Age And The Time

At my age the typical teenager is young and curious. He/she is still new to the world and has much learning to do. What better way to learn than to experiment. Experimenting can be a good thing but can also be a bad thing. It can teach you what not to do the next time. However it can teach you that the mistake you made that one time is what now forces you to be in the situation you are in now. Either way it's a risk and an experience you must eventually undertake. My issue is probably not understanding that most know these relationships and probably future ones are short and can end at anytime. That these people are enjoying the ride while they can and aren't afraid to let go if the time comes for it.

The age and the time is thus a major factor in the relationships currently taking place around me in my life. That as a newbie we are practicing and must remember to enjoy the ride while we can. I do not agree with this idea and feel that it is influencing our culture in a negative way. That this belief in "enjoying the ride while you can" is really just making it harder for future relationships to have a strong foundation to build upon. That we will eventually see all relationships this way and relationships will become just another phase in our agenda.

What We Look For In Our Partners

What qualities, characteristic, or elements do we look for when deciding who we want to date/not date? The answer is never a simple one but always one that strikes a sour note. We try be honest and pure saying we look for a partner that is caring, loving, and willing to sacrifice themselves for us. On the surface this is true but in reality we want what our human instinct has always wanted. We want what we can't have.

Women for instance will tell you they are looking for a nice guy who treats them like a princess and pretty much lives his life off her acknowledgment. They like the idea of getting flowers and having a sensitive guy to talk to about their problems. They want to date the nice guy, but can never seem to find a nice guy to date. Isn't that ironic in a world with such a large population and diverse demographic? The truth of the matter is that woman want the exact opposite. They want the guy that looks amazing, makes them laugh, takes a powerful role in the relationship, and initially defines the opposite of the nice guy they have always been looking for. This guy knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. This guy will treat the woman like anyone of other guys and never think twice about the decisions he has made. And it makes perfect sense. Women want a man who is confident and straight forward; they don't want another "girl".

Men on the other-hand are more direct with what they look for in a women. They want the hottest girl they can find. They want the one that is crazy, out going, and isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in. Here is where we run into the paradox of this mentality. As men we go after the girl who obviously has her mind set on someone else. She sees you as the back up guy; the one she will come to after her first choice has given her the slip. She will not come to you for a relationships but for a shoulder to cry on. Reason being you have put yourself in the "friend zone". Now you are stuck in a situation where the girl of your dreams comes to you to relieve herself and there isn't anything you can do about. Thus, as men it is our job to be quick with our motives. If we wait too long we will have passed up on the girl of our dreams. We must be confident and show no weakness. We have to make them believe that they are just a small moment in our everyday lives. That giving them anymore attention then we are already giving them would be too much of a hassle; a hassle we really don't need.

A middle ground does exist, but it only can exist after the relationship has been established. This middle ground is the combination of the nice guy and the player. A scenario in which the man is compassionate but also confident. He is willing to make sacrifices but hasn't lost the things that make him a man. What sucks is that this middle ground can only be reached AFTER going through the up and downs. That there is no simple solution and like I've said in the past: anything really worth doing will take hard work and diligence to accomplish.

Where We Fail/Succeed

Seeing the big picture this way seems easy in written text but not so easy when you have to face it in real life. As humans we want to jump from 0-100 in just a matter of seconds. We want to see ourselves in the middle ground stage of the relationship before we even said hello. We fail to establish the connection that adds foundation to our relationship. We fail to see what the person really has to offer. Instead we look at everything else besides the qualities, characteristic, and elements that make this person who they are. However this prevents us from making the mistake of holding on for too long. It reminds us to be realistic and let go when things get too far.

As always a balance of the two elements is required. As humans, as people, we need to remember to live life for what it is. To not add fluff to a world that already gives us things as simple as they come. That a "relationship" is different from a "fling" and doesn't come along till we have matured and evolved through experience and time. I definitely don't have the answer or solution to these problems but would hope that when the day (time) comes that I must find the right person, I do find the right person and avoid making the mistakes that so many others have.

Reflection

I've come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong answer to confronting the dating world. We must confront the world the best we can. We need to remember the time and the place. That the talk you have with the person should be different from the talk you would have at "school" or "work" or with "family" (I feel like I often make that mistake. That I lack the ability to differentiate a conversation between a classmate and a girl that I might be talking to). Most of all you need to be confident and daring. Saying the right things to impress the right person. With time and experience it will come as second-nature.

Hopefully my values are in tact and I will not get lost in the enjoy the ride theory before I find ms. right.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:20 p.m.
Date: 11/6/08
Official End Time: 11:51 p.m.

America is home to some of the most overweight people in the world. It wasn't always this way. There was a time when the weight issue that America is currently faced with didn't exist. A time in which eating at home everyday and in moderation made perfect sense. The times however have changed. Eating at home everyday just doesn't work with our busy schedules. Alternative solutions have been proposed but it has only complicated the situation. Instead of promoting moderation and discipline we spread the word of an easier solution. One that does not require us to compromise and give up that slice of pizza that is going straight to our thighs. I believe that we can have our cake and eat it too. That its all about moderation and discipline.

In moderation you should be free to eat what you like. Things like cake, pizza, and so on are all accessible in good moderation. Over eating is where you start to gain weight. With moderation you can eat what you want according to how you want. Judgement also determines the food choices you make and at what time. An afternoon snack can be something as simple as an apple. A snack is thus a small serving of food that is meant to settle your stomach until you have one of the major meals in your day such as lunch or dinner.

We are all composed differently. Some of us can go on for days without eating anything more than the granola bar we had the other day. Others on the other hand need a more substantial amount of food in order to maintain a healthy physic. We must find the middle ground that both pleases our food consumption need and provides us with the proper nutrition for that day. For instance, according to the food pyramid the average person should have at least 2-3 servings of dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) per day. For some, meeting this goal can be a hassle if they do not like the taste of milk. However their are other alternatives to getting the calcium you would get in such products.

Discipline is key in terms of gaining the vitamins and minerals that you need everyday. Eating right and exercising properly is the foundation for a good healthy lifestyle. No pill, surgery, or diet will provide a one step solution to the obesity problem that is consuming America. We need to revert to a more open and classic way of thinking. One that is less high paced and more well thought out. Your health isn't just another class that you read up on the night before the big test. Your health, your life, and anything else that you care about in your life requires time, diligence, and discipline for the ideal results.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 11/5/08
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Mesoamerican Culture: Looking Into The Past Through The Future

The postclassical era is distinguished best by the growth and expansion of nations such as those who inhabited the Mesoamerican area. Within this area (Mesoamerica) rose powerful empire that kept order while promoting cultural beliefs and movements that made them renowned around the world. The influence that these empire had on future generation of people to inhabit the area has been tremendous to the foundation that world history has today. The culture that the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya were able to establish created a scenario in which the cause of their empires collapse was not by the people who inhabit it, but by biological forces that they had no control over. The force of the epidemics that plagued the people of Mesoamerica left little chance of resistance against a growing global empire that would soon spread to engulf a world unaware of what laid ahead in the years to come.

The history of Mesoamerica dates back to 1200 B.C. through the Olmecs focused in San Lorenzo, Tenochtitlan and La Venta in Tabasco. The Olmecs were famous for the colossal heads found over most of southern Mexico. Although it is not sure what is the significance of the structures, it can be concluded that the heads may have represented past kings or athletes in Olmec Society. The Olmec Empire grew to 200,000 people and finally came to an end at the end of the 7th century but not without spreading their influence to future civilizations that would inhabit Mesoamerica.

The Mayan people were next on the list to inhabit Mesoamerica and spread their influence to future civilizations to come. Originating in Mesoamerica around 250 C.E. the Mayans were famous for their rich culture and large empire that spread across the continent. Innovation was fundamental in Mayan society making them a major influence to civilizations in the years to come. The Mayans were able to develop a calendar system consisting of 365 days, the number zero which today helps distinguish place values, the value of pi, and countless other achievements in the field of academics. What makes these developments so remarkable is that the Mayans had no previous example to base these developments upon. Over in the Middle East civilization such as the Umayyads and the Abbasids had the records of the Greeks to make advances in the field of science and math contrary to the Mayans who had no records from the Olmecs to fall on according to an online article written by Phillip Landmeier.

The Mayan empire by itself was remarkable in size and structure. Huge temples and altars dedicated to the gods infested Mesoamerica as the Mayan Empire grew. Religion was a major driving force in Mayan culture, maintaining order and providing reason to expand and flourish in such an isolated area. The fall of the empire finally came in around early 10th century due to overpopulation and the lack of resources in comparison to the number of mouths that had to be. What is peculiar about the fall of the Mayan empire is the fact that the people were not completely responsible. In comparison to civilizations of the classical era where the reason for the fall of the empire was the betrayal of the people, the fall of the Mayan Empire was more due to the lack of resources and expansion to the point where the empire collapsed on itself.

Soon after the fall of the Mayans came the rise of the Toltecs. The Toltecs were a group of nomadic people that settled down to establish the great city of Tula, a large city that today lays in ruins. The Toltecs were believed to have been the first heavy believers in Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent god that followed many Mesoamerican cultures in the years to come. The Toltecs were your basic Mesoamerican civilization being expert temple builders, very religious, and powerful in combat. Most Toltec history is known from record of years after the empires collapse. The reason is not evident but it may have something to do with a dark age that prolonged the documentation of these events for centuries. The disappearance of the Toltecs is as well a mystery. The legend has it that his evil brother, Tezcatlipoca tricked Quetzalcoatl, the current ruler at the time, into having sex with his own sister. Tezcatlipoca had done this to teach the people of Toltec to be grateful of their once so great ruler, Quetzalcoatl. Without a ruler the Toltecs faded away but not without leaving room for the rise of the Aztecs.

One of the last and best of the Mesoamerican cultures would be the Aztecs. Coming to power officially near the 12-13th century, the Aztecs have had the greatest influence on Mesoamerica and the early development of America itself. Rising as a nomadic group amongst Mesoamerica, the Aztecs flourished as a tributary state acquiring conquered territory across the continent making them a major driving force in the current history of Mexico and other Mesoamerican countries. The Aztecs were a very religious group of people, so religious that they would perform human sacrifices in honor of the gods to insure a pleasant tomorrow. Many view this ritual as barbaric, but it is a way of ideology in which you sacrifice what is most important to you to achieve the best results.

As the Aztecs grew so did the empire, flourishing in all different directions. Specialized workers, innovation, and improved forms of battle were just the first of many items on a list of Aztec advancements. Little stood in the way of the Aztecs and their empire held together by the calpulli. The calpulli kept unified an empire of more than 5 million people in which each division acted as their own city-states connected to one central point of congregation. However the fall of the Aztecs would come soon, but not by the betrayal of the people. The fall of the Aztecs would be by a force of uncontrollable destruction. The epidemic that hit the Aztecs left the population defenseless and would soon spread across Mesoamerica until the world saw the full wrath of this sleeping giant.

Similar to the Aztecs were the Incas. Although the Incas were further south they still remain to be a major link in the history of Mesoamerica. The Incas originate on the western coast of the South American continent and spread across the continent slowly and surely. The Incas were socialist that focused on unity within the community. The Incas were famous for the allyu and the community spirit that it sent across the empire. Something that made the Incas such a driving force was their method of split inheritance. Through split inheritance unity was maintained amongst the inhabitants of the empire and insured less chances of betrayal between leaders.

Just like the Aztecs the fall of the Incas was beyond their control. The coming of the “white man” in the 16th century laid ahead the eminent doom for most Mesoamerican civilizations. The Columbian Exchange brought with it to Mesoamerica and later on areas of South America more than life stock and crops never before seen in the area but disease that eliminated more than half of a nation. The level of the epidemic left few of the natives and would soon spread in the years to come areas across the globe. The fall of Aztec, Incas, and Maya was thus not by the betrayal of the people but by biological conditions that they had no control over. The scenario that these people were able to establish perfected the formula used by civilizations during the classical era in which order is kept in the empire and the fall of the empire is not by the betrayal of the people but by forces that there was no control over.

In conclusion, the culture that the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya were able to establish created a scenario in which the cause of their empires collapse was not by the people who inhabit it, but by biological forces that they had no control over. The force of the epidemics that plagued the people of Mesoamerica left little chance of resistance against a growing global empire that would soon spread to engulf a world unaware of what laid ahead in the years to come. The foundation that Mesoamerican civilizations have established amongst Mesoamerica and deep into America leaves unquestionable doubt as to where the world would be today if these civilizations had not created the building blocks for global empires like Europe to build upon.

Work Cited

All About Mexico, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=All%20About%20Mexico&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=56669&parentId=MEXICO

Aztec History, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from http://www.crystalinks.com/aztechistory.html

Inca Civilization, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.html

Mayan History, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from
(http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanhistory.html

Mystery of the Mayan Collapse, Hodell, David & Lixey, Lisa M., Retrieved June 3, 2008 from http://hurri.kean.edu/~anderson/lectures/History%20of%20Env%20Mgmt/Mystery%20of%20the%20Maya%20Collapse.ppt

Olmec Civilization, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from
http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html

The Ancient Maya, Landmeier, Phillip, Retrieved June 3, 2008 from http://www.mayaparadise.com/mayabege.htm

The Exploit of Tezcatlipoca, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from
http://www.amoxtli.org/cuezali/exploits.html

Toltec, (No Author available), Retrieved June 3, 2008 from
http://www.amoxtli.org/cuezali/exploits.html

Toltec, (No Author available), Retrieve June 3, 2008 from http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanhistory.html

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

This was my final project sophomore year for my AP World History course. I absolutely loved the course and was fortunate enough to have a great instructor to teach the course. Mesoamerican culture has to be one of my favorite topics in world history along with the history of China and the movements made through Islam. The impact that this course and other elements in my life have had have motivated me to pursue a career in education with the hopes of one day inspiring future students to se the world the way that I do.