The Blog-a-day Challenge: 2009

Sticky

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/29/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today it is hot! Not just is it hot but sticky. I was down at the office, and literally you can’t walk out before pounds of heart air invade your body and you begin to perspire. Take wearing a full dress shirt and tie and you really have a nasty situation on your hand.

Beyond that, inside it isn’t really that but I think the AC has gotten to me and I’m feeling really stuffed up. Right now I literally have a booger filled tissue in one hand and another tissue to back up the runny nose I have . . . not a pretty site at all.

I think it was all that time I spent at the office. I don’t have an AC in my house and usually I don’t get sick or too hot during the summer. Right now however, I need to get something to plug up this runny nose before my mac becomes untouchable.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Money

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/28/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

20 dollars richer, it seems like money just goes out the window when I’m with Jay and Kyle and I’m really trying my hardest to save every penny I can. After getting paid for Cornell’s site, Jay and I find ourselves spending the next five hours together wandering through Waterbury as I try to get footage to show Jassica and Jay bothers me the whole time.

Every time I’m with Jay or Kyle it seems like I can never go without spending at least a dollar either on soda, pizza or snacks. Having only 20 dollars to your name literally means strapping for whatever little cash you can and trying to make the best and really it sucks.

It’s been like this my whole life and really I hate it. All the money I’ve ever had has been saved and any money I do get seems so small that most people would consider it chump chain. When I think about money and why I never have enough of it, it makes me think about Steve and Kyle and how I waste so much time doing stuff for them with no financial proof to show for it.

I guess all this has just made me think about money and if what I’m doing is really worth the investment; if it’ll pay off for itself or if it’s all just in vain and I’ve wasted my time.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Mission Failure!

Monday, July 27, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/27/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So today Kyle is finally back and pay day finally comes flowing in for the hard work, sweet and perseverance I have demonstrated working at the company. How much was it you may ask? 20

No there isn’t a comma missing or any zeros waiting to be put in, just 20 dollars. Did I mention that was only half. Originally during the week, Cornell needed his site to get done and Jay was fussing to much with pushing it off so I told him I would take the job. Cornell had already registered a url with the business and just needed a couple of updates. Although reluctant, Jay let me do the site giving me a template he had downloaded that I was suppose to use.

Funny things is that the template is by Dreamweaver and Cornell’s site is made by Web Site Tonight, which means there’s no where to upload this template nor does it exist under Web Site Tonight’s various choices. So all sunday night, I worked long and hard on Cornell’s site, trying to figure out a way to make it look as good as possible just to wind up get half of the original pay as I gave Jay credit for a template I couldn’t even use.

After that, we went to talk about what happened through the week and what we thought about the business. Officially, I am now a web designer and don’t have to worry about selling and making cold calls. Jay is still a salesman but I can see him flipping any day now. Overall, Kyle just wanted to remind us that being part of the business this early meant we were destined for management positions and that we need to do our best to make that happen.

I could really care less but feel that the company needs some real changes if we want to start making some money. As long as it means some money, and by that I mean a lot of money, for me, than I’m willing to make the sacrifice.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Web Site Tonight

Sunday, July 26, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/26/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So over the weekend, I picked up a site at the business to do. The site is basically for an actor who trying to host a play in Waterbury. Currently, he has a site with Kyle under Web Site Tonight, a content management system offered by GoDaddy.

Web Site Tonight is really basic and use WYSIWYG editing. The site for the most part has all the content, it just fixing it that’s such a bitch. I mean, something as simple as using a bold tag seems to never work. The images all need to re-size through some crazy dialogue box and never can you just simply create your own table or column, but some crazy “box” they give you for editing purposes.

I have till tomorrow to get the site done and it looks like it’s gonna be a really long night before I can hand this in and go to sleep. I’ll let you know what happens.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Linguistics

Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/25/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Finally the weekend is here I’m away from the office not to spend time by myself but at the museum; I guess I can never have any time to myself.

Really I don’t mind going to the Timexpo every now and then and today was actually kinda fun as we had a couple new volunteers and people coming in for a tour. Among the familiar faces there: Cathy, Kat, the people at the store there was a new volunteer. Every time I go to the Timexpo, it seems like they have a new volunteer. Having been there for so long, it’s great to see some new faces every now and again.

Since I was last there, we had Chris: a funny 13 year old kid who loves to have fun; even if he gets in trouble in the process. After Chris there’s Karey: a quirky 13 year old girl who seems to be more ambitious than I or anyone I know at that age. Beyond that there have also been random volunteers from the Greater Waterbury Community pageant and the Kat scouts.

Today we had a new face and her name was Kennea: a senior from the Waterbury Arts Magnet School who speaks 4 four languages and plans to major in linguistics. At first I had no idea she was so good but when she told me she could speak chinese, I’m not even sure how that came up, I was immediately impressed. I mean she even knew how to write the characters.

I spent a lot of time talking to her after that, and by that I mean just a couple of minutes, but for some reason Cathy took it as that I liked her. I mean she’s a nice girl, bright and somewhat attractive but that doesn’t mean I like her. I only met her today! I guess Cathy really didn’t take that for an answer and insisted if I was a man to admit it and go after her.

A few minutes later Kennea left and I went to Barnes and Nobles to find something to do. Interesting enough I guess.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

A long week

Friday, July 24, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/24/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So after a long week of going to the office with Jay I think I’ve had enough. Not just of Jay but of the office in general.

When I first got out of school and started my summer vacation I had dreams of taking over the world and making a really difference in the lives of others. Since that day I have accomplished nothing as no wifi, working at the office, and summer assignments have put a cap on my ability to create and actually produce.

Although wifi is an issue, there’s always a way to get around that as Barnes and Nobles and the office always provide an outlet that I can connect to. Making up the information in advance and trying to post it in time is another thing that’s hard to accomplish when you have so much shit to deal with.

Working at the office is another issue as countless hours seem to go buy and nothing gets accomplished. Literally I have no idea what Kyle is doing that we never have any customers or site to do. Most of the work we do is just added to some imaginary bill that people never seem to pay. What’s even worse is that I’m only paid by commission making all this a complete waste unless I sell something.

Originally, I thought I was coming on as a web designer, but I guess I was given the label of a salesman who spends more time behind a computer than anything else. Heck, I think they could call me their secretary as I just get assigned random assignments for basically no pay.

Overall the thing that makes it so hard to be creative and actually get stuff done is Jay. It isn’t just the office and how much time we waste their as even though we get out at 2, it seems like I can never get home till 5 or even 7 because Jay needs a buddy to hang out with. And what do we do when we hang out . . . NOTHING! It’s like seriously, just don’t follow me and let me go home to waste time on my own.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Full Metal Alchemist

Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/23/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Among the many hours I spend on the Internet, not doing my homework or being as productive as I could be, something I do from time to time is watch anime. From an American stand point, I know anime can be considered pretty nerdy but the thing is anime has been a big part of American culture since as early as I can remember.

In my generation alone, I remember the biggest cartoons were all anime: Pokemon, Yugioh, Megaman, etc. It shouldn’t be surprising then that I like anime seeing as that’s what I grew up watching as a kid: anime.

Recently, I’ve picked up a new anime: Full Metal Alchemist. I had originally seen the intro to the Japanese version on YouTube and thought it might be cool to actually watch the whole series. Instead of watching the Japanese version though, I found an english dubbed version that so far is pretty good.

Basically, Full Metal Alchemist is the story of two brothers who lose their mother and try to bring her back with alchemy. Historically, alchemy is the science practiced during the middle ages when scientist tried to convert lead into gold. Although historically they were never successful, in Full Metal Alchemist, alchemy has gone way beyond turning lead into gold, as the decompositions and re-construction of everyday elements has allowed alchemist to transform the world around them.

In the anime, alchemy is preformed with transmutation circles but I guess those who survive conducting a human transmutation don’t need transmutation circles and are able to do alchemy by simply clapping their hands.

At the moment, the two brothers are on a journey to retrieve their bodies through the use of a philosopher stone. Legend has it that with a philosopher stone, a person can ignore the rules of equivalent exchange and perform alchemy as they please. Equivalent exchange is what the brother’s paid the night they tried to bring their mother back and it literally cost one of them their body and the other one and arm and later on a leg just so he could bring his brother’s soul back and attach it to a suit of armor.

Their search has brought them in touch with people who are made when someone does a human transmutation, a homonculi, and the people higher up in the military as the idea of corruption seems to run consistent through the anime.

We’ll I don’t know too much to tell you the whole story but maybe one day in the future I can give you a more holistic review. I’ll keep you posted.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

GIVE ME THE CHICKEN

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/22/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So today at the office, yea that’s what were calling it now seeing as we have a new office on banks street, Jay and I are left in charge as Kyle is out for a week in Massachusetts figuring out some family stuff and what not.

Being only the third day, I can’t really say much accept GIVE ME THE CHICKEN! Let me explain.

Around lunch time, me and Jay decide to go out and venture towards KFC. At KFC we place our order and I tell Jay, why don’t we just eat here instead of at the office. For some reason, Jay insist we eat at the office. On our walk back, some random dude tries to stop us marveling the chicken we just bought. Instinctually, I just walk right past the dude but Jay for some reason bothers to talk to him and winds up giving him a dollar.

Although it was a noble act, I wouldn’t really have done the same thing because common sense tells me this guy isn’t really in that much need/you shouldn’t give money to people who practically hold you up in the process.

We finally do make it back to the office and Jay saying why I didn’t have his back, but it’s kinda like why would you just stop and actually reason with the guy. Just keeping walking.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Like a Starving Artist

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/21/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

While on the Internet, you tend to run into random outlets that at times give you a way of expressing yourself and in other ways entertaining others. The fruits of these labors often can’t be measured in cold, hard cash but in views and comments by users who just appreciate your work and really want you to know how awesome it is.

In many ways, this art often comes at the price of a good job and steady income. It isn’t really till we commercialize this process that we really start to make money. The difference, I guess between those who sell out and those who don’t is those who are still around. You’re either living the high life, doing what you want with an advertisement shoved up your ass or your broke, working a 9 to 5 job that covers the bills while you try to find the creativity to pursue such crafts.

Often, I think about this paradox and how selling it might mean happiness for me and this community. It’s hard to find people who will visit this site and bother to join yet alone go one of these cultural exchange programs. More importantly, it’s hard to lose site and not give up when it seems like your having a conversation all by yourself.

I guess it really all comes down to how determined you are and if you’ll ever be able to reach that mythical level of self-reliance.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Franklin Business Solutions

Monday, July 20, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/20/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So, its been almost a week since I joined Franklin Business Solutions, LLC, I guess its time to give it a fair introduction and description.

So, I first found out about Franklin Business Solutions from Jay who wanted to “hire” me as a web designer. From Jay’s description, I guess you can say Franklin Business Solutions is a web design company that offers business solutions to minority businesses. So far, Franklin Business Solutions has done more than 30 websites and plans to expand their offices to Miami, Florida and Austin, Texas.

The idea seemed promising at first, but really I wasn’t too sure as to who I was dealing with the day Jay brought me to his “office” which was basically behind a car wash/clothing store/barbershop. When I went in for the interview, I was really asked to be a salesman instead of a web designer seeing as my ability to speak Spanish would help them get into the Spanish market.

Right now, I really don’t know what my place is within the “company” and really just hope to make some extra cash since my work with Steve isn’t bringing me in any money and Education Connection doesn’t really have much options for me anymore.

I guess I’ll keep you posted.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Jassica

Sunday, July 19, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/19/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Over the last couple of days, I have had the pleasure to talk to Jassica as school is out and I finally have the chance to talk to her as much as I want or basically for as long as I can.

Well I guess I can’t really say that seeing as I always talk to her and basically for as long as I can (5 hours Skype calls say otherwise I guess)

However, with all this free time, I feel that wherever I am she follows me. I’m in my room, online, and she follows me. I’m at the office (we need to talk about that), online, and she follows me. I’m at my cousins house, online, and she follows me. Basically, the girl is all over me and sometimes I barely know what to do as just being with her seems just fine.

Its awkward to admit that, but I feel after almost 9 months in our relationship, we have evolved to the point where we don’t need stimulating conversation or games to pass the time. Simply hearing the other one’s voice/acknowledging their presence is enough.

Its kinda funny though how our situation seems to work and how even though so much time has passed, we are still loyal to each other. I mean, in her situation, I wouldn’t blame her for having doubts and fears. I many ways, I would understand the pressure, as a 19 year old girl, she faces and how in many ways I could be holding her back/myself back from the dating world and essentially college.

Letting go however seems like the hardest thing I could possibly do and something I fear might mean the end of our relationship. I’ve known this girl for only 9 months, but it feels like if I let her go, I would be making the biggest mistake in my life. There’s so many things about her that I love that I doubt I would ever be able to come by again if I threw myself out there.

College is definitely gonna be the next big step, but I’ll never really know until I try. I love chen qi yi and I would be crazy to not do everything I can to make our relationship work.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Old Friends

Saturday, July 18, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/18/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So today I was volunteering at home sweet home, the Timexpo. The day however was not wasted in random oblivion but with an old friend Emma. I met Emma as a volunteer at the Timexpo while volunteering over the summer of my freshman year. We established a pretty good connection since then and its always fun to meet up and reconnect.

At the Timexpo though, time seems to never move and a few minutes can seem like hours; pretty ironic when you’re in a time museum. For the most part, we spent the day just talking and trying to pass the time. Occasionally, pregnant cats and heckling store employees came by but for the most part, it was a rather calm day . . beyond the pregnant cat and heckling store people.

The thing is the cat wasn’t just pregnant, but violent. We only found out about it from a casualty who came in screaming he was assaulted by a cat. From there, we go into the parking lot and all you see is this hunched over ball of fur who whenever you get to close, strikes at you. The cat was obviously in heat and it took mall security about an hour to remove the beast to the local pet shop for help . . I guess.

The store people are another story as they always take me interacting with someone of the opposite sex as a full out expose. I’ve known Emma for a while now and I can admit that at one point, I may have felt something for her but nothing that could really evolve into a real relationship. We’re of different times, different worlds, and it would never really work out. And yet, the heckling store people continued to push the situation, convinced that I might at well try my luck.

From there, I basically find my way to Norbert’s house for an awkward party that was suppose to be jam-backed with people. From what I understand, Norbert had apparently been calling all the people in our class for a summer party he was gonna throw. As usual, all the girls said no and it ended up being me, kenhji, and some kid named Seth in a very educated, but stimulating conversation on technology right now and what we can expect when Darba releases the Internet 2. Ooooh.

Honestly, I can’t imagine how a girl would have fit in this party as card games and nerdy conversation practically made me fall asleep. Either way, I find my way home around 10 after Kenhji’s dad is nice enough to give me a ride back. . . wowee. I guess today just made me appreciate friends and how sometimes its hard to distinguish who you can really count on as your friend.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Adobe Dreamweaver CS4

Friday, July 17, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/17/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today I got one step closer to this goal as I finally found a way to get work done without necessarily being online. I downloaded a trial of Adobe Dreamweaver CS4.

I never really knew what Dreamweaver was until today. Basically its an html/css/xhmtl whatever application for web designers that allows you to work in html and present your work within your own browser.

For a long time, a program like Dreamweaver is what I’ve been looking for as I’m always getting kicked off the web but still need a way to get work done. The trial is only for 30 days, but it’s gonna be sweet.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Carpe Diam!

Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/16/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So after my encounter with nature, I decided that so far my summer has been a waste. There’s no wifi, my summer to-do list is a sham, and time just seems to go by with no one even stopping take notice.

This idea of letting time simply pass by reminds me of my inauguration to the national honor society and how at the end of the meeting we all said “Carpe Diam” . . seize the day.

The phrase has inspired me to seize the day and make the most out of my situation. Managing my time and making the most out of whatever little time I have on the Internet will be difficult, but more the reason why I must work harder and accomplish what I can.

Carpe Diam I guess.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Watermelon

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/15/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today I undertook a new level accomplish as me and nature became one and I reconnected with my “savage” roots. Today I cut a watermelon.

Ok, this accomplishment might not be that amazing or adventurous but it definitely was a unique experience. Usually, I don’t get the pleasure of cutting the watermelon in my house, but since no one had cut it yet and it was about to go bad, I decided to capture the opportunity and finally wrestle with nature.

First, I got a knife that would be big enough to pierce it’s large shell. Then, I grabbed the beast and made the first strike. Blood flew everywhere as internal juices started to seep out from the gory wound that I left. Only a few more cuts were made before I was able to feast on major organs and stand in victory with a knife in one hand, and a carcass in the other.

Ok, maybe that was a bit exaggerated but you get the point.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Striped throat

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/14/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today my throat really hurts. The feeling reminds me of when I had striped throat, which would giant penicillin pills. The last time I had striped throat, I had to take these giant penicillin pills that were practically impossible to swallow. I literally had to stick halfway down my throat just to make sure I could swallow it.

The taste was also pretty nasty as forty five tries later, the people started to breakdown from all the water and this sour taste was left in your mouth. Orange juice (because you usually took it first thing in the morning) only made it worse as the acidity of the juice made you wanna throw up.

Well to change the subject, striped throat is not fun and I hope this soar throat is just the side affects of me being a dumbass or something.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Life of a salesman

Monday, July 13, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/13/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Probably the one career I would never pursue is salesman, specifically the life of a salesman. Being a salesman, in my opinion, sucks seeing as you never really have any job security and your always trying to make quota.

Being your own boss is different but when you have someone constantly over you head reminding you to meet certain goals, it can get kinda of stressful.

Beyond that, the money you get in comparison to what the company is pocketing seems like 0 to nothing. 20% commission is like nothing when corporate is pocketing 2000 on that deals alone. Commission alone is another reason why I wouldn’t want to be a salesman. Not getting paid until you make a sale means never really having much money or security in general. You’ll always be selling, always be restless until you accumulate enough to say you can actually start spending some of that money.

I’ve worked for commission before but that was only with an hourly wage added on to it. I can see how people who get paid by the hour might become lazy but this idea of survival of the fittest through commission just seems to send the wrong message in a socialistic world.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Future Goals

Sunday, July 12, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/12/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So to finally put a lid on all this madness that has been going on in the last two blogs, I decided to talk about my future goals and how what I was able to conclude after several hours of deep thought and what I guess others might call meditation.

For starters, I decided that any career I would choose would only the beginning of something greater. After looking at all the role models I have been blessed to encounter and all the crazy jobs they’ve had, I’ve concluded that one career would never suffice; that I’m better off sampling different avenues than to follow one road alone.

Second, I decided that money shouldn’t be a judging factor in the choices I make. Yes money makes the world go round and in the face of friends, money is what lets you say you’ve accomplished more than someone else, but that mean it should be the reason why I do or don’t do something.

Third, I decided that goals by themselves are pointless when they are not open to change. When I first started recruiting members to the website, i thought getting 1000 people to join would give the solution to all of my problem. Now at 800 something members, I’ve realized that getting 1000 members wouldn’t have changed anything; that it take internal change for real change to happen.

Finally fourth, I decided to take life by the horns and just jump in. Experience is what helps us get better and is the only way we will satisfy our thirst for school, for woman, and for life.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Coverage

Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/11/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

After reading yesterdays blog, I started to think about my life and how mature I am when I think about the typical American teenager. For the most part the American teenager is defined as a lazy, selfish, irresponsible individual who has no idea what he wants to do in life and probably won’t until he’s 25. All these things for some reason don’t describe me as a person and make me wonder, am I different?

To be fair, being different comes down to perspective and what we define as different. In the eyes of the American teenager I may seem different, but in the eyes of my classmates, I might as well be another joe who cares about his grades and try his best o work hard. All these things define us and in one way or another define us whether we like it or not. We try not to be a slave to definition but without I feel we are lost, curse to always be misunderstood.

These things are what scare me the most when I think about my life and how all my hard work might as well be in vain. The best example I can offer is clothing and how we work so hard to only never be able wear the clothes we envied as teenagers. Would buying these clothes suffice for anything or are we forever doomed to never be happy, to never be really satisfied?

To not sound like Niche, I guess the ends justify the means and what we do now will determine where we stand five, ten, twenty years from now. We might not have the money today to live the life we wish but we might as well one day have it, even if it doesn’t fit our initial definition.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Parents

Friday, July 10, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/10/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

As a teenager, it seems like your parents are from a different planets. Everything you say to your parents seems to make no sense and never can a simple discussion be resolved with a few words. At time it seems like just like talking has no use and that we would be better off not talking at all. However, we are human and these things must be discussed. Why? Well that I guess will never have a simple answer.

Probably the biggest issue between me and my parents and probably every other teenager reading this blog is how much they stress the simplest things. For example, shoes. When I wake up in the morning, I have the bad habit of just getting up and not grabbing a pair of shoes. Now you would think, “so what, there just shoes”. For my mom however it’s the end of the world. Literally not even two second would have passed before she starts totally freaking out and yelling at me to get a pair of shoes.

Now, to be fair, the woman means well considering what happened to her mom and how as I diabetic she wouldn’t want anything to happen to me, but sometimes its so hard to remember. It might sound bad, but I feel these things are human nature and sadly so one of our natural faults.

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t blame me if I don’t remember to put on my shoes, just remember that I know you mean the best.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Educators

Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/9/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

In the same boat as historians are educators. In my opinion, all major fields of study and practice are only as illustrious and complex as we make them. That the moment we actually get into them, we discover they actually aren’t as scary as we think they are.

For instance, medicine for many seems like the craziest field of study where only the brightest are able to survive. These young men and women take hundreds of courses and absorbs bounds of information so that one day they can practice medicine and give back to their community. As doctors, they have no specimens to practice on and no test to cram for. Overall, their life becomes routine and I bet many wonder, why was med school so hard? Why did we have to take such crazy test that don’t have any real world application? Why couldn’t we just skip all that and actually practice medicine rather than analyze it.

In my opinion, I this happens because experience is more practical than knowledge. As students, I feel we learn best what we practice the most. That when we actually get out there, the things we practiced the most are what will help us the most.

You might ask yourself, then why do we waste so much time gathering knowledge when we can be practicing it. The reason is knowledge and how with it we are able to learn new things and tackle new situations in new ways. Without it we are simply machines who push buttons for specific results.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Historians

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/8/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

At the moment, I am thinking about pursuing a career in history and one day teach history at the college level. Although it might sound crazy, teaching history to me is something I feel would be good at and would open doors to me around the world.

Since my sophomore year, I have been contemplating this possibilities and reason why I wouldn’t pursue other careers.

For instance, I would never become a doctor because I suck at math and science. Grade wise, I do just fine and have no problem passing a test or a least getting by while everyone else seems to get so easily. Not for nothing, but I’m more of an english and history person.

Second, I would never become a salesman because I’m not a man of competition. The idea of always having to meet a deadline for only a fraction of the pay makes me crazy. I’ve been a salesman before and never was I really able to get into it. It just wasn’t for me.

Overall, I think I would be great at any career I choose and that the things we learn in school are only taught so that someday you can apply them. That it’ll be a long shot the next time you have a crazy math test ever again after you graduate.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Freedom of Speech

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/7/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Recently I was thinking about freedom of speech and how free we are to say what we like. Although we technically have the right to express ourselves the way we choose, we still face censorship when the words we spew infringe on the beliefs of our fellow man and his way of life.

We often run into censorship when discussing religion or politics. Things that are obvious to the naked eye seem to strike the wrong note when discussed in the presence of others. It could be something, that at the time, made perfect sense, but in todays world would be considered madness.

For example, in the past, homosexuality used to be looked up with even more disdain than it is now. In the Quran, for example, it is stated that homosexuals should be disowned if not killed for this betrayal to his religion and role in society. Say this to a Muslim, and the reaction you’ll get will be of utter shock and disbelief.

Christianity is no better, as the persecution of Muslims is even more epic in the bible. The issue here isn’t the faith or the text, but the distinction between interest and faith. Would it make sense for God, our government, or any other “holy” body to persecute people this way? Really it comes down to the time when this was written.

The context might not match the time, but discussing these issues shouldn’t promote hostility. We should learn to look beyond the hard core evidence and at what these mediums represent.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Avid readers

Monday, July 6, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/6/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today I got up a little earlier than usual and for the first time in a while got some reading done. It wasn’t anything for school, but a book I recently bought during the summer. It felt good getting in there and seeing the pages hurl, but it made me wonder why I don’t read as much as I used to.

When I was in elementary school, I remember I used to read all the time. Goosebumps, Harry Potter, etc. As I got into middle school though, the habit started to die as I read less and socialized more. My grades remained the same and I did well in school overall, but there was something I feel I lost when I stopped reading.

Since then, I only really read when it comes to school assignments. It isn’t so much that I don’t like reading anymore but that I don’t have the time for it anymore. School, family and reason just make it hard to pick up random books like I use to. Now it’s either sleep or work.

The scary thing isn’t losing the ability to read or the art, but the rawness it leaves to one’s life. Reading in many ways is an escape from reality. Without, I feel there is an emptiness to life where we no longer have the ability to imagine and foster new ideas. That no matter what we do, we are doomed for an eminent tomorrow.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Media-based outlets

Sunday, July 5, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/5/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today I found myself lost in the idea of media-based outlets and how they function in the 21st century.

We all know that today blogging, collaborating, and sharing are second languages to today’s digital natives. These media-based outlets provide room for expression and creativity that many times has little or no cost. There impact however is huge as many levels of big business are stepping away from advertising on TV, to advertising on the Internet as more people are spending time online and away from their televisions.

Even regular individuals are stepping into this game: making money through sponsors, partnerships, and ingenuity that can only exist in this age of digital information. The compilation of these media-based outlets is where books like “The World is Flat” and “5 Minds for the Future” make me question if we’re what were doing is only a waste of time as global competition seems to reshape the Earth.

In many ways, this battle has always existed and will forever exist as long there is greed and reason to push forward. The Internet and 21st century technology has made this point strikingly clear across the globe, as the same connectivity that has allowed to share, collaborate, and create will one day be the fall of our nation.

Rigorous studying habits is one thing, but I feel that media-based outlets like YouTube are just as valid as the fight for tomorrow’s workforce as today’s students enter a world whose distinguishing features are always changing due to the ingenuity and determination that could only exist in the 21st century. Preparing them for any other world would just be utter chaos.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Independence Day

Saturday, July 4, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/4/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Independence Day!

Today in America, we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. On July 4,1776 the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence and emerged as new country on the world map. This feat is celebrated every since then and invoke a sense of patriotism within every American.

Usually people celebrate with cookouts, spending time with family and fireworks. The fireworks are always great on the 4th of July and it is the one time in the year where I feel, people come together and forget how much things suck in life and celebrate all the things we are grateful for within our nation.

For me, I spent the day with my family. We had a little cookout in our backyard and passed the time playing badminton and listening to music. Time just seemed to fly by and I almost wish it didn’t have to end. The fireworks especially were great this year and we got plenty of pictures.

Well, I hope everyone had as great a day as I did and will continue to stay in touch in for celebrations just like these.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Procrastinating

Friday, July 3, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/3/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Summer is coming in rather smoothly and progress has been slow. I no longer get wifi in my house which makes posting these blogs nearly impossible without the help of friends and local free wifi spots.

In terms of school work, I haven’t really started any of summer assignments. It isn’t totally my fault. The last time I went down to Barnes and Nobles, I looked for the books I have to read for AP English, but couldn’t find them. One of the people told me they were ordering some more, so I guess I’m a sitting duck till then.

Last year alone has left me exhausted as I spend several hours a day either sleeping or planning. Procrastination has been become my best friend as I fail to tell the difference between the moment I woke up and the moment I went to bed.

Losing wifi though has put a major damper in my summer plans. This summer, I planned to finish the Analyzing Digital Media course and start working on building more courses in Curriculum Designers, Inc. So far, neither has been attempted and I fear will never be completed if I don’t sit down and actually get some work done.

I guess my best bet is to start getting more rest earlier and start to taking advantage of the time I do have. School this year is gonna be hectic and I have to many things on my plate to worry about because I’m lazy.

I think I need help.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

1 year anniversary of China trip

Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 7/2/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

Today, at least according to the time we officially land, marks the 1 year anniversary of my trip to China. It’s seems just like yesterday that I took that 16 hour plane ride that literally transformed my life. Since that day, my life was exposed to new frontiers, new ideas, and new experiences that I hope to keep for years to come.

The idea was first presented to me in December of 2008. I was asked by a program director at Education Connection, Steve Wilmarth, if I would be interested in taking part of a 2 week cultural exchange program. The idea at first was knew to me, seeing as I had never left my own state, yet alone the country. It wasn’t traveling that scared me, but paying for it as my internship with Education Connection was probably the only first real job I ever really had.

It didn’t take long for time to fly by and before I knew it, 1200 dollars later, I was sitting on a 16 hour plane ride to a country I had physical knowledge of.

The journey was exciting all within itself as good friends and new friends combined as we journeyed through each province and the mountains that laid ahead. The trip itself gave me a big wake up call as silly mistakes and reckless behavior nearly sacrificed all my hard work and the work of others who I will never be able to repay the altruism and patients they showed me in my time of need.

Now, 2 years later, the experience still runs proud and has consumed more of my life than I’d probably like to admit. Since that trip, I have participated in personal and facilitated endeavors that have taught me a little more of the future that lays ahead and my place within it. If there is anything my trip to China taught me is that to never give up, for determination and will to perceiver will always conquer all.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Spanish Soap Operas

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:30 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 9:00 p.m.
Date: 7/1/09
Official End Time: 9:30 p.m.

Why Spanish Soap operas Make No Sense

So, I was eating dinner with my mom and dad around the same time they watch their Spanish soap operas or "telenovelas" as we call them. Now, I've seen soap operas in the past and I can see the significance in why they were created but oh too often the art is abused and you run into soap operas that simply make no sense. This happens in all forms of art, not just soap operas.

So while we're eating dinner, my parents are watching they're favorite soap operas about some girl whose had a hard life, falls in love with some great doctor, and is hated by everyone she knows; I try not to pay attention. In this episode however, she's about to get married when her arch-foe comes and kidnaps her by sending a messenger boy with a note claiming that her husband wants to meet her for a surprise before they get married. *BTW, this girl has been poppy-trapped in the past*

Ok, so with the scene being set and the trap being armed a few questions come to mind. Having a history of being poppy-trapped, wouldn't you think she would be slightly skeptic of receiving a note from some random messenger boy that was supposedly written by her loving husband? Wouldn't you think she would know her husband's hand writing? And why is she just so damn stupid?

I can admit that in literature and literature based works, the reader always knows more than the characters but sometimes its like the characters have no common sense. Like they're oblivious to the horrors that run free in these places.

So to wrap it up, she gets kidnapped by her pregnant arch-foe and gets hauled away to some shack that's about to be lit on fire. The shack catches fire, the pregnant arch-foe starts going into labor, the stupid main character breaks free and pulls them to safety and helps her give birth through a pair of closed pants.

Now, in the real world and probably in the telenovela world too, this doesn't make any sense. How do you give birth with you pants still on? Does the baby magically rip through the pair of pants or is he a ghost and simply seeps through. It makes no sense.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Progress Report for June

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:30 p.m.
Date: 6/30/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

So, its the end of the month and not much has changed here at Ningxia Dragon Student Ambassadors. We didn't grow, no new groups were added, and we haven't had really any activity. Ning got an update, I guess that counts for something.

Summer has been progressing nicely, but my days are counted. It seems like the days are just passing by and I'm not taking advantage of the time I have off. I remember the last few days of school and how I wanted to take the world by storm. Now that the summers here, it seems like I haven't accomplished much and that sucks.

The site is just one of my many concerns. I want this summer to be a summer where I grow. Where I learn knew things and learn to appreciate the things I already have. I want this summer to be concise and perfect. I want this summer to be different. What I need to do is outline my ideas and create a timeline to measure my progress. I'll keep you posted.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Dinner

Monday, June 29, 2009 9:30 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 9:00 p.m.
Date: 6/29/09
Official End Time: 9:30 p.m.

It seems like dinner has lost its touch. In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that dinner: dinner time, the preparation of the meal, and the way it brought families together, has fallen apart. It’s a terrible site and something I hope will change in the future that lays ahead.

Coming from a big family, I have seen this happen time and time again. My family is no exception. I come a family of six and I know first hand how it feels to have everyone at home. The house is a mess, there’s a lot of yelling, but there’s happiness. In this mountain of chaos there is love and kindness. There is always someone to talk to and always someone to fight with. In every way, it brings life to the home as brother, sister, mothers, and fathers learn to live as the grow and learn about life.

Dinner in my family used to be the essence point of this incident. In the past, dinner gave my family the chance to reconnect after a long day. However, times have changed and family members started to fade away. We grew apart and fell into our own departments: killing the energy that once brought to our home.

However, not all is lost as holidays reunite and the table is once again populated with ideal conversations and loving hearts in search of that energy that bring life to every home. I just hope that future that lays ahead still has room for rituals like this.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Children

Sunday, June 28, 2009 4:00 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:30 a.m.
Date: 6/28/09
Official End Time: 4:00 a.m.

On a similar note, today I wanted to talk about children. I wanted to talk about what children symbolize and the idea of having a child means to me and hopefully my future wife.

When I think about children, and the idea about having children, I think about a lot of great things. Immediately, my head begins to explode with how great it would be to be a father and how I could teach my son or daughter so much. I think about all the moments we’ll experience and how our relationship will grow.

In a broader perspective, I think about the life I have just brought into this world and how fortunate I am. I think about all the people who are unable to have children and how I’m lucky that I was blessed to have a little boy or girl. I think about the life force I hold in my arms and how they have so much ahead of them. I think about all the trouble they’ll get into, all the funny moments we’ll share, all the growing they’ll do, and all the things they have yet to experience.

When I think about children, I think about myself at there age and how right now the world is there oyster. They have so much to learn, so much to experience, and yet they are one in a million. They represent such a small dot in comparison to the millions of other children there are out there and yet they mean the world to you.

There’s nothing in my opinion grander than seeing your son or daughter take her first steps or read her first book. It’s just something that I feel has been ingrained into my head, probably because of the parents I had, and has made me feel the way I do.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Marriage

Saturday, June 27, 2009 3:00 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 2:30 a.m.
Date: 6/27/09
Official End Time: 3:00 a.m.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I think by writing it, I’ll be able to learn more about myself.

Marriage.

I want to talk about marriage and how I feel the way people look at marriage defines the kind of people they are sexually. I believe that people often perceive marriage as being this holy unison we are destined to make while there are those who see it as the next step in their relationship. I just want to discuss my take on the situation.

I, for one, feel that marriage is really a major milestone in your journey throughout life. When I think about marriage, I think about unity and how two people wanted to define that unity by giving themselves to each other. It may sound poetic but I think marriage, a true marriage, should represent the combined efforts of two people who really love each other. It should be done out of love and should be only done when you love this person.

I use the word love to express what this person means to you. Love in my opinion represents how important this person is to you. In life, nothing comes easy and love is no exception. True love doesn’t just fall out of the sky, but when it does it proves that anything is possible. In my opinion, love is meant to unite people. It gives us purpose and hope. It proves that there is more to life than what math and science can define.

Oh to often however, I feel that love is confused. That lovers are blind and mistakes are made. Accidents happen, children give birth to children, and the world weeps as we see innocent lives ruined. These are the things I hate about love. I hate how it has the ability to tease us. I hate how it has the ability to trick us. I hate how love has the ability to push us to do crazy things and imagine the impossible. And yet, I find myself often in love with love.

When I think about marriage, I think about how it symbolizes the perfect unison of two great people. About how it introduces us to new worlds and new walks of life. I love how marriage basically makes it official and how true love isn’t defined by money, cars, or clothes but by the conviction shared between lovers and the things they are able to make together.

I believe that marriage gives us the chance to work shoulder to shoulder with our partner. That it gives us the chance to grow and learn from one another. More importantly, I feel that marriage gives us the chance to realize how much this person means to us, and how we would be willing to sacrifice ourselves for them.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Not Crying

Friday, June 26, 2009 3:00 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 2:30 a.m.
Date: 6/26/09
Official End Time: 3:00 a.m.

Michael Jackson’s death has been making it’s influence world wide as you see hundreds of fans crying and talking about how his music impacted their lives and how they’ll never be another Michael Jackson.

I myself couldn’t find it inside me to cry. I’m not surprised that I wouldn’t cry because I just didn’t know Michael Jackson personally. More importantly though, I realized that I’m just not the type of person that cries.

I think its because of the way I was raise that I lack the ability to cry when I should be crying. Its a bit scary at times thinking how I really couldn’t see myself crying at either of my parents deaths or the death of a close friend. The reason I think I wouldn’t cry is because I don’t think crying solves anything.

Crying is suppose to help you express pain/sorrow but really I think its my male instinct that makes crying so difficult. It isn’t really about being a man, but how crying doesn’t accomplish anything. Really I feel like taking action or understanding why you should or shouldn’t be feeling a certain way gives reason as to why you should cry.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Michael Jackson Died

Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:30 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 6/25/09
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

Today there were several things that happened but there was one event that completely blows the rest of the events out of the water.

Today Michael Jackson was announced dead. He was found dead in his Netherland Ranch but there are still many details to be worked out before we can officially say what exactly happened and why.

It was a big shock for a lot of people; he was the king of pop. Michael Jackson’s work wasn’t exactly during my era but his impact was definitely felt. I grew up listening to a lot of his music and could identify some of his best work and some of his work that wasn’t as popular. His music will live on and he will always be missed.

I can predict a lot of publicity coming from this event and a lot of money sadly going to the Jackson family, not in donations, but in memorabilia from fans who never understood Michael Jackson or his work. No matter what way you look at it, these things always happen and it usually exposes people to a new avenue of musical style that can have great affects. I hope that’ll be the case.

Rest in peace, king of pop.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Schooling

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:00 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 10:40 p.m.
Date: 6/24/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.

In the last couple of days, I’ve been doing some serious thinking about school and why we feel that it is important to go to school.

I started to think about elementary school and how elementary school represented a very interesting time in a child’s educational experience. During elementary school, there are tons of kids and more twice the number of available schools. In my city, there are only about 3-5 high schools, while there are maybe 5-8 elementary schools.

At this age, school is your only outlet as it provides with the foundation you’ll need for higher levels of education and understanding. Here you learn how to read, write, calculate, and reason to a certain degree. After you graduate elementary school you enter a bigger pool where you are no longer centralized by a single teacher and your opportunities begin to grow.

During this period, I feel students define themselves and the kind of people they want to be in the future. We won’t always be students. Some of us will go on to be teachers, lawyers, doctors, and professors. These are moments where we take into reality that we are getting older and we less chances to go the wrongs we have already made.

Finally, high school in my opinion is where you are given four years to establish the future you want for yourself. In those four years, it is up to you to network with the right people, take the right courses, and venture into new fields that you know will prepare you for the future that lays ahead. In my opinion there is no formula for success in high school; there is only purpose.

Oh to often, I feel students in my accelerated program feel that it is either Yale or bust. That men and women of simpler walks of life are ignorant of education and what it means to work hard. I hear stand as firm believer of education and self-improvement to say that it is not a battle of schooling but rather resilience. It really doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher or a doctor. It matters more the impact you are able to make.

There are tons of great teachers out there that I feel aren’t given enough credit. And there are tons of great doctors our there that I feel aren’t given enough credit. What I’m trying to say is that like pieces of drift wood in a giant lake, we must first stick our hands into the water if we wish to define our destinies and the lives we wish to pursue: whether doctor or teacher, lawyer or artist.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Library

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:30 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:10 p.m.
Date: 6/23/09
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

So, I remember yesterday mentioning a home library to you guys and how I plan to have one in the future. Well I did a little research and I started to map out how I would want to set it up.

For starters, I would like to dedicate a whole room, a study, to it. I organize the books according to the Dewey Decimal system once it grew large enough, otherwise I would just group them by category . . . books about education, ancient civilizations, religion, and a variety of fields.

Finally, I want to teach my goods using the library and have a section dedicated to books I grew up reading and they should enjoy too. Eventually, I’ll just buy a bunch of the books they make us read in high school while I stay on top of books in fields that I think interest me.

It’ll be sweet.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Book shelf

Monday, June 22, 2009 11:30 PM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 11:00 p.m.
Date: 6/22/09
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.

With all the books I’ve acquired this summer, I think its time I buy a bookshelf. (maybe bookshelf is the wrong word, more like a bookcase)

The bookcase is gonna be big and needs to be strong. (I have some heavy books) I’m really looking for a 5 ft. by 3 ft. bookcase that has shelfs that range from 1 ft. to 8 in. in height. I don’t think it’ll be too hard to get a bookcase that meets those needs but I should start thinking how I’ll pay for it first, before I buy it.

Either way, I’ve always wanted a bookcase and in the future I plan to have my own home library so I guess its smart to start collecting books now.

Wish me luck.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Summer Reading

Sunday, June 21, 2009 4:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 4:00 a.m.
Date: 6/21/09
Official End Time: 4:30 a.m.

This summer there’s a lot of things I want to do. Of the several things I wish to accomplish, I want to read . . . a lot.

This summer I plan to read a book a few books I bought at Barnes & Nobles, a few text books, and some old books I never got the chance to read. Basically, I want to increase my reading skills and how fast I can read. I know college is going to require a lot of reading so its smart to start now. I’ve taken the first step toward college with next years rigorous schedule. I’m willing to take every step I can towards making sure that everything next year goes right and that I’ll be ready for college.

At the moment, I can read about 40 pages an hour (when its an easy read) but I want that 40 to grow and become the standard. I think I can do it, I just need practice.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

2010 Summer Camp Experience

Saturday, June 20, 2009 3:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:00 a.m.
Date: 6/20/09
Official End Time: 3:30 a.m.

I always felt that I would one day return to China and now I have the chance. I got the offer a while back and since then I’m pretty pumped about going back.

So it all started after Steve got back from a trip in China. He sent an email detailing what he did on his trip and in how of July of 2010 I could go back to China and see all the old and new friend I had made. Basically the trip was being ran by the foreign office and they were giving Steve 20 spots for Chinese-American students and 2 spots for American students. The students would visit all the major sites and would only have to pay for the international airfare.

By going back I could get to do all the things I didn’t do on my first trip and see/meet all the friends I had made since my first trip. On this trip, I plan to correct many of the wrongs I made on my first trip. On this trip I want to want to show people how much I have grown. I want to make a good impression on the people I plan to meet and the people I haven’t met yet. Most importantly, I want to avoid getting sick.

Besides that I can’t wait. Pretty soon, I’ll start talking to Steve about recruiting the new members and organizing the trip. It’s going to be so sweet that I can barely type.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Curriculum Designers, Inc.

Friday, June 19, 2009 3:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:00 a.m.
Date: 6/19/09
Official End Time: 3:30 a.m.

Probably one of my biggest summer goals would be to launch Curriculum Designers, Inc. (I’ll fill you in in case you don’t know)

So in late March/early April of last year, I decided to start my own social network where I could express some of my expertise that might be helpful to students, teachers, and educators. Eventually I got the idea to register the site under Curriculum Designers, Inc.: a social network dedicated to students, teachers, and educators interested in creating/designing innovative curriculums that encourage student leadership and collaboration through the use of social networking in a Web 2.0 environment such as Ning.

So far the site is still under construction but I know that it has potential. I want the site to represent an online academy (sort of like Moodle) where students could work on courses, design courses, and even create their own course. It’ll be a while till it gets to that point but it’ll be so sweet when it does.

For now, I just need to keep adding more content to the site. Right now, I’m just working on the about us page and making sure that I cover all the necessary details. Eventually, I’ll start adding courses and getting members. In a couple of months I can see myself getting teachers and students on the site. I’ll keep you posted.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

The Site

Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:00 a.m.
Date: 6/18/09
Official End Time: 3:30 a.m.

It’s been a while since I talked about the site and this summer I really want to see things on the site come together.

So when I first started on the site we had 111 members and barely any activity. Since then, we gain 572 members as the community new projects designed to promote collaboration and creativity. Currently, we’ve been working on some courses and projects designed to get students collaborating and spending more time on the site.

This summer, I want to launch a bunch of new courses for the course. Furthermore, I want to find students and teachers who we can collaborate with for the courses. I say this because only with oversight and work get done. Students alone usually don’t tackle opportunities like these. Therefore, I feel that by having a teacher and her class sign up on the site to participate in the course we make,we can expand the impact of the site and the services we provided.

Additionally, I want to increase the structure of the site. I want the site to be built in response to the students who will be working on the site. I think that instructions are what the site is missing (along with a teacher who holds grades above your head). Providing new fresh content and just having students engaged will really help the site grow and prosper.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Language Project

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 3:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:00 a.m.
Date: 6/17/09
Official End Time: 3:30 a.m

Another one of my goals this summer is to create a workbook/resource for language teachers in my high school that would help students expand their foreign vocabulary as they tackle spanish, french, or italian. (I’m only fluent in spanish, but if the idea works, it could be translate into hundreds of other languages)

The idea originally started when I was in spanish class and I was frustrated being punished for using spanish that the rest of my classmate didn’t know. I was only taking the course because the language course I was previously taking had been cancelled and I was given this one instead. It screwed me over in many ways but I believe fate has its own way of doing these things and I can’t say I lost too much out of having to take this class.

So one day I started to talk to my teacher and how I wanted more materials that would let me practice spanish more at my level. We then started talking about her other classes and how students weren’t grasping the concept. That only those with parents who spoke the language were really able to grasp the subject and excel. I then proposed to her the idea about creating something that would help students do better and I started to think.

I thought about how we learn English and I remembered the spelling books we used when we were little and how they taught us English by providing us with a vocabulary to build a foundation upon through readings and assignment driven towards a certain word.

The idea really is simple: create a spelling book in spanish (or any other language) with assignments and examples that expand a students vocabulary and helps them identify patterns in the language that helps them grasp the language with ease. I’ve acquired a couple old spelling books but I need some more current ones and the assignments that go along with them. I tried my old elementary school but you’d be surprised at how difficult it was to even get one book. Education surely has hit on some hard times.

I’m not sure how things will work out but this is a project I would like to pursue into the future. I’ll let you know how it goes and what future lays ahead for these kinds of missions.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Learning Chinese

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 1:30 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 1:00 a.m.
Date: 6/16/09
Official End Time: 1:30 a.m.

Of my many goals for this summer, learning chinese is definitely one of them. Let me explain why.

So around this time last year I got the chance to go to China and visit a part of China that very Westerners ever get to see. On my trip I made a lot of great friends and saw a lot of great sites. The languages barrier between us wasn’t too bad because the friends I made knew some English but I knew that if I knew Chinese we could of gotten closer and I could have made more friends.

I always felt that I would one day return to China and see the faces of the friends I made such a long time ago. I wanted to impress with them with how much I had grown. I wanted to redefine the sickly image I had left behind. SInce then I’ve done a lot of things. I’ve made new friends, met new people and discovered new things. Since my trip, I’ve met people like Lane, Aobo, Huke, and Jassica who make everything I do worthwhile knowing that there is recognition.

To wrap it up, I’ve acquired some materials and I’ve given it a try here and there at learning Chinese. I’ve tried Livemocha and I still have an account where I can go and practice (it’s just kinda hard). I also got a book, Chinese in Plain English, and I plain to go through as thoroughly as possible. In the end, I know I’ll probably need more help if I want to become fluent in Chinese and it’ll take more books and time, but I’m willing to do it when it comes to the friends I’ve made and hope to keep for years to come.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Summer Assignments

Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 AM Posted by Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 1:00 a.m
Date: 6/15/09
Official End Time: 3:00 a.m.

Summer Assignments, ugh!

So, this summer I was blessed with a crap load of summer assignments. I have summer assignments from three classes that I will taking next year and in retrospect it isn't a lot of work, but its the summer: I don't want to work. I really can't be saying this seeing as next year I will be taking four APs, one UConn, and an elective that's basically giving me another ap exam to worry about. I guess the $75 will make it all worth it at the end of the day.

So these are my summer assignments . . .

English 12 AP Literature and Composition

2009 Summer Assignment

“Reading for Literary Value: Defining Good Literature”

1. Read each of the works listed.

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son (Book 1), by Dean Koontz

Foe, J. M. Coetzee

Grendel, John Gardner

You will need to purchase a copy of each book. (You may want to look into purchasing used copies of the books.) You will need to annotate as you read and will need to bring the marked novels, to class during the first week of school.

For each of the works, analyze/discuss the identified literary element(s) within the story and the author's ability to use said element(s) as a storytelling method: (min 2 pages per analysis)

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son (Book 1) - plot/subplot and suspense

Foe - point-of-view and narration

Grendel - characterization

3.Respond to the following essay prompt using one of the assigned books:

"Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character's alienation reveals the surrounding society's assumptions or moral values."

Please contact me at snicholas@waterbury.k12.ct.us if you have any about assignment.

Email assignments to snicholas@waterbury.k12.ct.us by August 17, 2008

Hello and happy summer!

In preparation for the upcoming school year, in particular you AP psychology class, I’m sending you your summer assignment. It should be INTERESTING and EXCITING - but it is an AP class so it will be fast paced and we will have to work hard from Sept. - April. Your AP test should be early May, then we can ease off for the rest of the school year. (this doesn’t mean do nothing, but more fun stuff, film, activities)

Your summer assignment is this life of important psychologist that you may be asked question about on the Exam.

1. obtain a notebook just for the names you will need in Psych. (I highly recommend a loose leaf type notebook with dividers is best - that way you can add or shift paper as needed)

2. research on the internet (or the long way through the library literature) for each of name:

a. biographical data: birth/death

b. educational background

c. achievement(s) (such as awards, discoveries, etc.)

d. psychological domain work was done in (ex. Methods, behaviorism, development, biological, etc.)

e. psychological theory/research and importance of the research

3. this can be in note form (not sentence/paragraph)

4. each name should have a separate page (to allow for extra that may be obtained throughout the course

******I do not want you to simply download from the internet or cut and paste

read and summarize in your own words

******Also, this is not a joint project - the work must be your own...see attached “cheating” insert

have this completed for the first day of school (August 27), as it will receive a test grade (begin working on this early, don’t leave it for the last minute!)

When we being the class, you will also need a notebook for terms that you’ll need to know not only their definition, but also be able to apply them and relate them to psychologist. (again, a loose leaf notebook with dividers for sections such as names, terms, notes, and assignments just for psych, would be ideal.)

It is essential that you have access to the internet since some of the quizzes and homework will be submitted online. You will need to register as my student at the website listed below. (my email is:amlavado@waterbury.k12.ct.us)

We will be using the David Meyers book: Psychology (ninth edition). There is a website that you can access (www.worthpublishers.com/myers) Here you can access information on topics related to the practice tests, review activities, and web links form more information on topics related to the history and scope of psychology, as well as more about various psychologist.

I am looking forward to working with you this school year. Enjoy your summer - but save a few days to get you work done! See you August 30th!

Sincerely, Mrs. A. Lavado

Abraham Maslow

Albert Bandura

Albert Ellis

Alfred Binet

Benjamin Whorf/ Edward Sapir

BF Skinner

Carl Jung

Carl Rogers

Carol Gilligan

Charles Spearman

Edward Chase Tolman

El Thorndike

Eleanor Gibson/ Richard Walk

Eric Kandel

Erik Erikson

Francis Cecil Sumner

G. Stanley Hall

George Sperling

Hans Eysenck

Hans Selye

Harry Harlow

Herbert Simon

Howard Gardner

Ivan Pavlov

Jean Piaget

Jerome Kagan

John Garcia

John Watson

Lawrence Kohlberg

Lev Vygotsky

Lewis Terman

Margaret Floy Washburn

Martin Seligman

Mary Calkins

Max Wertheimer

Michael Gazzaniga

Nathaniel Kleitman

Neal Miller

Noam Chomsky

Philip Zimbardo

Raymond Cattell

Richard Solomon

Robert Rescorla

Robert Rosenthal

Robert Sternberg

Roger Sperry

Sigmund Freud

Solomon Asch

Stanley Miligram

Stephen Laberge

Wilhelm Wundt

William Dement

William James

AP Calculus BC

Preparation for Calculus

Study: Section P1 Graphs and Models p.2-7

Study: Section P2 Linear Models and Rate of Change p.10-15

Do problems #1-6, 7, 11,15, 23, 27, 47, 59, 69, 83, 91.

Study: Section P3 Functions and their Graphs p.19-26

Do problems #1, 11, 19, 21, 33, 51, 57.

Study: Section P4 Fitting Models to Data p.30-32

Do problems #1-4, 7, 15, 17

Review p 36-37 Do problems #1-49 (odd)

Study Chapter 1.1 The tangent line Problem p.45-46

Do problems #1-11 p.47

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

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