American Icon Project

To download written part of project, click here.

I am proud of this project because I developed a type of work I have never done before. I was able to share my experience as a 18 year old guy that practices soccer and that tries to play as a David Beckham.

Through out the project, I made research of biography of David Beckham. I also took high quality pictures for the project. I made several drafts for my writing. I revised and edited as many times needed to create a descriptive artist's statement and that would also make the reader see it.

What are you discovering so far?
I have discovered that I'm very interested in photography. With a recent blog post regarding to photography, I have learned tips and techniques when it comes in taking a picture. I'm enjoying this project, it lets me discover more about photography and use techniques as "the rule of thirds".

What surprises you about this project?
I am surprised of how the beautiful beaches get contaminated by tubes that come out of the ground, or through. This tubes are contaminating these beaches and, at the same time, us humans. We fish from these beaches and bays, we swim and have fun in there.

What are your next steps to have a cool product and a great piece of writing?
I'm planning to write a brief article at the back cover, describing a picture focusing on the tubes that contaminate our beaches. At the same time, answers of how can we prevent this.

Useful Examples for my H2O Project

Example #1

A good example that has been useful for our project was the "San Diego Bay: 2008 Tide Calendar" focusing on the Endangered and Threatened Species; it was created by the students of High Tech High and supported by the Unified Port of San Diego.

Their calendar is organized; it includes pictures of the certain species who are endangered and it also includes brief descriptive articles regarding to the species from the picture. One article takes the specie into a more general view and, the other one, concentrates more in the specie itself.

This organization is something similar that what we want for our final product. It has been very useful and it motivated us more to create such a professional project.

Plans for H2O Project

For the H2O project, our final project will consist of a calendar of 2009. My group consist of Sydney Lampe, Jade Tyler, Jake Neighbors, Jeremy Sheahan and myself. For the next 2 weeks, we have organized what to do.

This following schedule was organized today during class by the group.

Schedule of Events
November 7- research important dates/ areas of photography *
November 8/9/10/11: Take pictures at assigned locations
November 12: Review Picture and Retake pictures if necessary
November 13: Pick finalized pictures.
November 14/15/16: Begin working on paragraphs. Have rough drafts for all paragraphs by beginning of class on the 17th.
November 17: Begin basic layout/in design spread sheet.
November 18: Insert Pictures into layout/in design sheet
November 19: Insert Calendar with tide information
November 20: Insert paragraphs into layout/in design sheet
November 21: Insert facts/dates/did you know facts. Complete draft of calendar ready for critique.
November 22-30= Thanksgiving Break
December 1-2: Critiques for content
December 3-4: Critiques for Aesthetic Appeal
December 5: Send to Printer

Months:
1 Jade: Mission Bay/ Fiesta Island
2 Jade: De'anza Cove
3 Jade: Mission Bay/Aquatic Center
4 Jeremy: Del Mar
5 Jeremy: Chula Vista Marina
6 Jeremy: Coronado
7 Sydney: San Diego Bay
8 Sydney: I.B./Chula Vista
9 Sydney: Seaport Village
10 Rodrigo: OB Pier
11 Rodrigo: H&M Landing/Shelter Island
12 Rodrigo: San Diego River mouth

For each month, we will include a HD definition picture regarding to the research questions and a paragraph(s) talking about the topic itself and then another paragraph(s) that takes the topic more into a general view.

Resources or things we need:
- A good website of information about my research question is: Pier Fishing in California
- A high quality camera
- Printing Company
- Sponsors
- Donations

Election Reflection and Level of Civil Knowledge

I can't really describe of what I feel of the election. I have learned a lot of US politics since we started school. If I had vote, I would have voted for Obama. So I guess I could say I am satisfied that he won, but not as much as other people. After studying and learning in school more about politics, I have become more interested in the elections. I would have voted for him, because he believes in the human rights. My hopes are that he fights and tries for what he has been promising along his campaign. I do have concerns, but they do not regard to America. El Salvador, where I'm originally from, is going to have presidential elections in March of next year. El Salvador's government is being controlled by a Republican Party, which was allied or connected with the US government. In my opinion, El Salvador's Government depended from the US. Now that the US is going to have a Democratic Government, El Salvador has a huge chance on becoming a communist country, which is something that I really don't want for my country. The Republican Government of the US has been preventing of such tragic to occur.

Note: What I have stated in this election reflection, is my opinion and my belief only.


In my opinion, we have done an excellent job in making the class and myself understand more about current events. We use our resources very well. One example that has made me understand more about current events, would be blogs! I can scroll around other students' blog and read their opinion about similar topics as mine. In the beginning of school, I was lost in every conversation we had in class. But now, with time, I put more attention and understand more what we talk. I participate more in class now, I give my opinion during conversations, which was something I didn't do it before. I feel very interested about the topics we discuss in class, it makes me want to know more about the country where I live now.

Questions for H2O Project

Picture from here.

Ocean Beach Pier
Who discovered it? When was it settled? Why is fishing popular there?

The town of Ocean Beach was settled in 1888. Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins established streets in 1887. The area where they created streets was name "Ocean Beach". On July 2nd, 1966 the Ocean Beach Pier was officially opened. More than 7,000 people were present to such event, including California's governor, Edmund G. Brown who made the first cast from the pier.

The pier promised to be one of the best piers in the state of California. This pier is connected to Point Loma kelp beds, which is one of the finest fishing areas in southern California according to Pier Fishing In California.

Facts from the Pier (stated in Pier Fishing in California):
- 1,971 feet long
- T-Shape at the end that extends from 360 feet to the south end and 193 feet to the north end
- It attracts some resident species, for example kelp bass, sand bass, mackerel, scorpionfish, halibut and California lobster


Information from : Pier Fishing in California and Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association

Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates

For the Lincoln - Douglas Debates, each candidate spoke one hour, then the other one and to end it, the first who spoke replied to what the other said. The candidates also did respond to the questions asked by the moderator during the debates. They gave their message loud and clear to their followers and to the audience. In my opinion, the debates from this time were more interesting. The candidates didn't give answers that turned the questions around, I mean they didn't respond something else out of the topic to avoid the question. We can see this on the debates from now days.

These recent debates got the attention of a lot of people. People were excited (and still are) because of the current elections and the recent debates between Obama and McCain. Sarah Pallin (vice-presidential candidate for McCain's campaign) was a big attention for these debates. If Obama wins for this elections, it would be a big step for african americans, and if McCain wins, it would be the same for women in the U.S.

Something that I liked from these debates was how it was organized. I liked the second presidential debate, althought it was more "informal", but the candidates had a chance to interact with the audience, which in my opinion, is one of the most importants elements during debates.

Newspaper Reflection

Our project consisted on making a newspaper and writing articles regarding to the second Lincoln - Douglas debates, which occurred in Freeport Illinois on August 27, 1858. My group partners were Diana Barlow and Paul Santillan. The project was quite challenging because we had to make the newspaper look as one from 1858. During the project, I learned that the articles of newspaper have an order. They start with a Lede, then Quote, Transition, Quote and Transition.

The organization of my group was great. We organized since the first day of the project. We decided who did what. Diana made an article about the second debate, Paul and me about a current event of that year.

The participation and dedication of each member from the group was great, including mine. I'm proud of myself for have helped the others during the process. I helped Diana with the small articles on the bottom of the newspaper and Paul with the ads. Paul and Diana are amazing partners; Paul did a great job on the layout job and Diana with the headlines and articles.

If there was something I could improve would be the empty space and my article. I would do it about a real current event from that time regarding to a topic talked in the debate, slavery.
By researching more through the internet, I would have found out about a current event from the time.

Photography Tips and Techniques! (With Examples)

1. Rule of Thirds

Picture from this link.


I think this is a good example of The Rule of Thirds. It shows the four lines for adjusting the subject with the environment.

2. Depth of Field

Picture from here.

In my opinion, it is a great example of using Depth of Field. It labels where the Depth of Field is located.

3. Eyes, Color. Fill the Frame


Picture by PhotoDisc, Inc. (link)

Example of Fill the Frame. The picture focuses on the beautiful bridge, which covers mostly all space from the picture.

4. Interesting use of light.

Picture from here.

In this picture, we can see the reflection of the light. How it creates a shadow on the right cheek if the girl. It is a good example of using the light.

5. Eye-Level

Photo by Scott Fairbairn

This photo is taken from an interesting angle, the subject is not in the same eye level as me.


6. Macro - Photography

Picture from Gillenwater Designs (link)

This picture shows, in high quality, certain details from the subject.

7. Anything like me!


A celery. Tall, skinny, and the top of it looks like my hair.

Second Round, Freeport Illinois

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas faced each other again for their second debate on August 27th of 1858, which took place in Freeport Illinois. They talked about topics regarding to slavery. Lincoln spoke the first hour, then Douglas and then Lincoln replied to what Douglas said.

"I will vote for the admission of just such a State as by the form of their Constitution the people show they want; if they want slavery, they shall have it; if they prohibit slavery it shall be prohibited.", said Douglas during the debate.

After reading this quote, I realized that Douglas leaves a change for slavery to spread. He leaves it on the hands of the people. He also accused Lincoln of supporting equality for blacks, not just abolition of slavery.

In the other hand, Lincoln replied to the moderator this following answer:
"I am impliedly, if not expressly, pledged to a belief in the right and duty of Congress to prohibit slavery in all the United States Territories."

We can clearly see that Lincoln is not in favor for slavery to spread; instead, he is trying to put an end on it.


In my opinion, the debates from now days are more interesting and excited. Now the candidates take turns to talk and answer the questions, but is not like it used to be around 1850s, in which one candidate spoke for an hour and then the other candidate. If you spoke an hour first, and then listen to the other candidate talk, you would forget what you said, and the audience would too. It wouldn't connect because of the amount of time elapsed between speeches.

Evidence: http://www.bartleby.com/251/21.html
http://www.lincoln-douglas.org/

Demographic Questions

I really don't have questions regarding to demographic anymore. Today, during class, we answered some questions that were interesting for me. I found out an estimated total number for each race living inside the San Diego County. Because my ethnicity is Hispanic, it was very interesting to research about how many Hispanics live in the same zip code as I do.

In my opinion, if John McCain is elected, the troops will not return home in a long time. And, at the same time, more soldiers will be needed with time. In the other hand, if Barack Obama wins, he already has a plan of bringing the troops back home. That would increase the population for a certain amount.

In this article, the U.S. Census states that more Californian's immigrant are the mainstream. It also states that there has been a change in the state's population. Latinos increased from 32.4% to 36.2%, Asians increased from 10.8% to 12.2%, White declined from 46.6% to 42.5% and Blacks declined from 6.3% to 6%. It talks about how immigrants are becoming more fluently now days.

Old Republicans, New Republicans

Early Republicans
The U.S. Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti - slavery activists and individuals who believed that the government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. It first came to power in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency.


The new party's vision was to modernize the United States. By developing a higher education, railroads, banking and industry, they would achieved this vision.
According to this source of information, the primary objectives of the new party were:
"emphasized state's right, "strict" interpretation of the Constitution, preference for agriculture and rural life, strength in South and West, foreign policy sympathized with France, stressed civil liberties and trust in the people"

During the Civil War (1861-1865), Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves. The republicans from that time achieved on getting the Thirteenth, the Fourteenth and the Fifteenth amendments.

Present Republicans
In 1980, Ronald Reagan won the election for the Republican Party. Conservative Christians and southern whites formed a "New Right" that supported Ronald Reagan on a "law and order" platform.

The New Right favored strict limits on government intervention in the economy and it was willing to use state power to encourage its view of family values, restrict homosexual behavior and censor pornography. It also favored tough measures against crime, strong national defense, a constitutional amendment to permit prayer in public schools, opposition to abortion and defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment for women.


In my opinion, founders from this party would feel pleased and proud of the current state of this political party. It has changed through out the years, but the circumstances in the 1850s are not the same as the present day. Now, there are newer problems and conflicts that the party has to focus on.

Evidence:
http://www.gop.com/About/AboutRead.aspx?Guid=a747a888-0ae6-4441-94f4-2a3a6561f872

http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-136.htm

http://www.mury.k12.ut.us/MHS/apus/handouts/politicalparties.htm

New Federal Privacy Law

Unless you are not a suspect for a crime or witness for a case, you have the right to your privacy. If you are consider a suspect for a crime, the authorities, investigating the crime, are allowed to make research about you. If the authorities posses a document, which permits them to enter into your properties areas (such as your house), they are allowed to enter and investigate for evidence.




I think it is a decent law, or at least its concept. It could get better and more informative,by describing more what would happen if you are consider a suspect. Also, who signs the document?
Those are little details that would make this law more concrete.

Blog Reflection

1. What are you most proud of on your blog? Why?
I am proud of my articles and topics. Most of my articles talk about the right to Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness, which is a topic we had been talking about in school lately. The articles can be examples of how these rights are violated. I am also proud of my opinion for each of the articles, because I was able to relate these topics to what are we seeing in class.

2. What will you improve during future blogs? Why? How?
I will improve how to express myself. I'll make my blog more interesting by describing and writing more about what I think of each topic.

3. How can we better connect our blogs?
One way of connection our blogs would be talking about similar topic events or current events that relate to what are we seeing in class. We have been talking about the conflict between the anti - federalist and federalist governments, which is something I find very interesting because there are many current evens that relate to this important topic. Other way would be adding the link of our friends' blogs to our own blog.

Energetically Wrong

In this article, we can see how Sarah Palin made a false statement. She claims that Alaska has produced nearly 20 percent of U.S. domestic supply energy, which is not true. The article states that Alaska did produce 14 percent of all the oil from U.S. last year. But oil is not all the "energy" produced in the U.S.

The article gives facts stating that Palin is wrong. It also mentions that John McCain did the same mistake. They would have been correct to say that Alaska produced over 14 percent of the oil produced in the U.S.

This can be an example of wrong statements made by the candidates, who call themselves to be ready, that want to lead and make decision for the U.S.

Click here for link.

Most significant passage from the Declaration of Independence

"That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This quote states that every human has the right to Life. In this article, we can find how this right is violated by abortion.

The article is about some examples of abortion. That even women that are catholic commit this action. It talks about how abortion is allowed in Italy and Spain, which are two of Europe's most predominantly Roman Catholic countries.

The action of abortion, although it is legal, it still goes against the right of Life.

Reason Why Federal Government doesn't support California Marijuana Law.

The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana.Under federal law, marijuana is treated like every other controlled substance, such as cocaine and heroin.Under the CSA, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that the federal government views marijuana as highly addictive and having no medical value.

Click here for link.

California: Marijuana Law Goes Up In Smoke As Federal Agents Raid Dispensaries

By Dan Glaister

In this article they talk about how marijuana is allowed in the state of California. If you suffer from Aids, glaucoma, insomnia, cancer, migranes [sic], eating disorders, anxiety, depression, nausea, chronic pain or many other disorders and you get a an appropriate referral from a doctor, you can smoke marijuana for medical purposes. It mentions that the federal government does not support this law. This law was created by the state of California. It was a democratic decision. People had to vote for this law to approved.

Click here for link.

Sudanese Troops Attack Darfur Refugee Camp

By Stephanie McCrummen

Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, August 26, 2008; Page A06

In this article, they talk about a Sudanese troop that attacked a refugee camp. Where 27 civilians were killed by gunshots, according to reporters around the area. The Sudanese officials said the attack was intended to disarm rebels in that area. The Sudanese Government has attacked the Karma camp at least 10 times before.
All these actions go against Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.

Click here for link.