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