Sergio Ogaz

2006-12-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz
Eng 1010
Journal Week 10

With all the research I have been doing for my papers in this class, it seems that I have realized just how many things are wrong in the world today. I have watched a television program on Child Pornography, studied why Mexicans immigrate to the United States, and have agonized over the hatred between Americans and their immigrant neighbors. I have tried to open my mind to the ideas, emotions, and possibilities of what these different problems present in our society. Before this class I think that I lived in my own little world and tried not to worry about these kinds of problems. I figured that I had enough problems of my own. Now that I have been forced to give attention to the problems, my life has changed. I think daily about these problems and how they affect me and others. I often think about what I can do to be a part of the solution to these problems.
And yet, sometimes I feel frustrated thinking about the solutions and how long it will take for any real impact to be seen. I wonder if doing my part will even make a difference. I try to pull myself back to reality and realize that all I can do is my small part. I have learned a number of things in this class, but I believe that the most valuable lesson I will take with me from this class is the ability to think. What I mean by that is that I have learned to think more profoundly in this class.

2006-12-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz
Eng 1010
Final Journal Entry

I have learned a number of things in this class, but I believe that the most valuable lesson I will take with me from this class is the ability to think. What I mean by that is that I have learned to think more profoundly in this class.
Before taking this class I was very concerned with the organization of my papers. I had been taught in every English class that I had ever taken that organization was the most important part of a paper. Although I still agree that the organization of a paper can make or break it, I now feel that there are other aspects that are also very important. Being able to catch the attention of the reader is very important. Writing about a topic that really matters is important. Writing about something that matters to me is important.
I have so much enjoyed exploring topics that really matter to me. During the course of my studies I have changed my opinion, better understood other’s opinions, and have thought about certain topics that I had never before imagined. I feel that my mind has been opened and I now have a broader perspective on the topics that I chose for each of my papers.
I feel like the class had a good balance and that I learned how to write a lot of different kinds of papers. I can’t think of anything that I would have changed about that class, since I feel like we covered so many different types of papers.
In the future, I plan on using these techniques that I have learned on papers for other classes. I think that I will enjoy writing more and will also get better grades on my papers. I hope that people will also enjoy reading my papers.

2006-12-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz
Journal Week 14
Peer Review

I think that for me, the most helpful part of the peer review was just simply getting another person’s perspective on my writing. Sometimes I would try to write my thoughts on paper and the result was not always clear to the reader. Having my peers read my papers helped me know which parts of the paper were not clear and which parts I needed to revise. As well as using my peers for reviews, I also asked my friends and relatives to read over my papers. After seeing their comments, I realized that my peers very rarely corrected any grammatical errors on my papers. I found that I needed another source to help me with grammar and punctuation.
As a whole, I feel that my peers did help me refine my paper. I learned through peer reviews that I should never turn in a paper without having others first read over it and make any corrections needed. I also learned that I need to write my papers, and then go back to them with a fresh mind to read over them. A lot of the time I would then find missing parts in the paper and thoughts that were not complete.
As for me reviewing my peer’s papers, I felt that a lot of the time my peers would come with their paper incomplete, since it was just a rough draft. Either the introduction was missing, or the conclusion was missing, or the introduction and conclusion were there, but the meat of the paper was missing. I couldn’t really give them all the information they needed in a peer review because the thoughts were not complete. I think that I could have given more helpful feedback if a rough, but complete draft would have been available for the peer reviews.
Reading my peer’s papers gave me new ideas and helped me better develop my own papers. I think that my ideas also helped them write more clearly.

2006-11-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 14

My wife and I have been discussing the following topic: Which is better, money or peace? The topic came up recently while my wife was looking at changing jobs. There was a possibility that she would be offered a large amount of money to stay where she was currently working, in return for taking on more responsibility, stress, and time. On the other hand, the other job that she was looking at would be less money, but less stress, responsibility, and time. We contemplated and the more I thought about it, the more enticing the money was. I talked with friends and heard one of them say, “Money can cure a lot of things.” I knew that was true. Somehow it seems that so many bad things can be overlooked if they are compensated with money. But I wondered how the continual wear of the stress and responsibility would affect the rest of our lives. I wondered if the money could compensate for lost time together and arguments caused by stress and frustration. I wondered if the time I spent along while my wife was at work would be compensated at the end of the month when the pay check came.
To tell you the truth, I still don’t know the answer. We are still debating and are waiting to see how much money will really be offered. I still wonder how much money can cure and how much money can destroy. Perhaps it is a question on all of our minds. And perhaps it is a question that will only have an answer after it is experimented.

2006-11-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 13

Continuing my research, I came across more information regarding the idea of improving Mexico as a solution to the United States Immigration issue. It continued to call my attention and I continued to read about the topic. In response to an article, one reader wrote, “Agreed, which is another reason why immigration benefits the US in the long run – remittances from workers in the US are Mexico’s biggest single source of revenue, and the more the US can do to speed along Mexico’s economic development the faster the immigration flow will trail off and dwindle.”
How interesting that was to me! Is it really true that Mexico’s biggest single source of revenue comes from Mexican people working in the US? I could hardly believe it, and yet I imagined that it was true. Without the statistics in front of me, I knew that the bigger portion of illegal immigrants in the US come from Mexico. I also knew that many of my Mexican friends send large amounts of money over the border to their families back in Mexico.
I continued to think about the idea and realized that it is possible that the Mexican government encourages immigration. They do not protect their borders against people leaving the country. And they do not have any laws against bringing or sending money back into the country. If such were the case with the US, we would have our borders open freely to let everyone out!
I wonder if Mexicans are encouraged to leave the country and then when they arrive, they encourage others to do the same. My comprehension of the problem suddenly grew and I realized that it is a much bigger problem that most of us can imagine.

2006-11-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 12

During my research for Paper #3, I came across an idea that I thought was very interesting. It caught my attention because I had never thought about this aspect of the problem, or the possibility of it’s being a solution. The topic of immigration is running like wildfire through the media, politics, and common conversation today. As an immigrant myself, I thought I had seen and heard all the opinions on the topic. But this was something I had never heard before. I would like to insert a portion of what I read.
“…in the immigration debate there is usually a missing side: Mexico…the US also needs to actively help fight corruption in Mexico and Mexico needs to put more reforms in place.” It struck me as so simple and yet so profound that it encouraged me to keep reading. In part, I agreed with the idea. Even without statistics, I still knew that most of the illegal immigrants in the United States are from Mexico. And I also knew that most of them coming seeking what we call “a better life”. If the Mexican people were happy with their lives in Mexico, they wouldn’t have any need to seek out a better life. Thus, immigration would decrease immensely. And yet, on the other hand, I wondered if improving another country was really the responsibility of the US government. That is exactly what they are trying to do in Iraq, and it is not working so well. Many Americans are angry and disagree with the active role the US has taken in Iraq. I wonder if the same types of feelings would arise if the US took an active role in improving the situation in Mexico.

2006-11-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 Section 68
Journal Week 11

As part of my research, I have come across a good point that has really made me think. The point is this: if the US was build upon immigrants, what do we have against immigrants today?
It seems to me that we, here in the United States, are now very protective of what we have. We feel that we have earned our right to be here and want to protect that right. We want to protect our jobs, our families, and our homes. And many times we feel that the immigrants endanger these things. We feel that the immigrants will take our jobs. We feel that the immigrants will affect our families. We feel that they will affect our neighborhoods and our homes. We don’t like the fact that they speak another language and have their own culture. We don’t like the fact that they aren’t like us and that they many times, do no want to become like us. We resent the fact that we have earned our right to be here, through our ancestors, as well as the taxes we pay, and feel that the immigrants have not paid their dues. The fact that many of them are paid “under the table” and do not pay taxes makes us angry. We are protective of the schools and hospitals that our taxes fund. We are protective of the streets and land that our taxes protect.
Instead of looking back and realizing that this country was built by immigrants, we shun the immigrants today, saying that it is American pride that we have. But what if we really reflected on the past, would our perspective change? Or would we remain the same?

2006-10-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 9
10/20/2006

As I thought about the topic of our second paper I reflected on the topic of my first paper as well. Ironically, the two topics were very similar. As I read the article by Earl Shorris, “In the Hands of the Restless Poor”, I thought about the vicious cycle I had written about in my first paper.
It seems that lifting the poor out of their poverty is a topic on more minds than just my own. I have continued to think about the topic and what might help open the minds of even more people. I believe that if more and more people were actively thinking about this topic and problem, more and more people would do their part to improve the situation. Continuing education may be one of the answers to helping others understand what the real issues are.
I believe that more and more hearts would be open to helping those in need, not only by contributing food or clothing, but by providing means to help the poor out of their poverty. I believe that more and more people would begin classes such as that given by Earl Shorris. I believe that more and more people would share their talents for the good of all people. I will continue to ponder the issue and will try to find the best possible solutions, and in the meantime, I will do my part to help those in need.
For the moment, I believe the best way for me to help is to continue my own education, continue to help the young Spanish children in our schools to learn English, and teach my children the importance of helping others and the value of education.

2006-10-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

2006-10-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 8
10/13/2006

Alternative Health by Dr. Seth Torregiani
Treatments exist for persistent earaches
Posted Tuesday, October 10, 2006

This article, written by Dr. Seth Torregiani, explains some of the alternative treatment methods for ear infections in children. One of those alternatives is the use of manual therapy called osteopathic manipulation which uses hands-on treatment to improve drainage and hopefully, cure the infection. Torregiani explains the benefits of the alternative treatments, stating that many children become immune to antibiotics when antibiotics are used frequently. He also shows through studies and proven material, that manual therapy does not cause bad affects on children.
Torregiani differs in his approach by explaining the benefits clearly and also explaining the disadvantages of using a regular treatment method. On the other hand, Anthonly L. Rosner simply tells what problems can arise from manual therapy. I noticed that Torregiani proved his points with solid evidence and proven facts, whereas Rosner gave assumptions.
The purpose of Torregiani’s article is to give people alternative ideas and to actually help them solve daily problems. He gives options to people who often do noth think they have options. Rosner’s sole purpose in writing his article was to prove someone else wrong. Instead of writing to help others, he wrote to prove a point.
I was more impressed with Torregiani’s article because I felt that it was helpful for my everyday life. Answers to questions were presented and various options were offered.

2006-10-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz
Journal Week 7
English 1010

Edward Abbey’s essay entitled, “The Damnation of a Canyon”, explains the difference between what Abbey calls a live Glen Canyon and the graveyard that is Lake Powell. After giving background showing that he has had experience both in the previous Glen Canyon as well as the current Lake Powell, Abbey points out differences between the two settings. He states that Glen Canyon was once a live flowing river, lined with “boulder-strewn shores, sandy beaches, thickets of tamarisk and willow, and glades of cottonwoods” and filled with wildlife. He contrasts the current Lake Powell by talking about the “bathtub ring” on the canyon walls, the “utter barrenness of the reservoir shoreline”, and the debris surrounding the reservoir’s edge.
Abbey also discusses accessibility and costs. He describes the laziness of man, saying that is it more worthwhile to hike for six miles to see a national landmark than drive up to it in a powerboat. He shows how much less expensive it was to enjoy Glen Canyon rather than Lake Powell. He also suggests that Glen Canyon was more accessible to more people, due to cost and time, than Lake Powell is today.
As Abbey approaches a solution, he destroys the reasoning of electric generation, for which the reservoir was originally made, by explaining that other methods of power generation are now available and that the power created at the dam is not necessary. Abbey’s final suggestion is to drain the reservoir and allow Glen Canyon to be recreated.
I noticed that Abbey included very little information about what currently exists at Lake Powell. For example, many birds feed off of the planted fish found in Lake Powell’s waters. Althought he wildlife habitat has changed in the region, wildlife still exists in and around Lake Powell.
I also noticed that as he talked about costs, Abbey did not mention the great influx of money that has come to the area due to recreational area of Lake Powell. Without the reservoir, many restaurants, hotels, and other businesses would suffer greatly. The entire economy in the area would plummet if Abbey’s solution was put in place. In essence, there are many other factors involved in the issue of Glen Canyon vs. Lake Powell that Abbey has not either mentioned or has not considered. Before a soution can be proposed and action taken, these toher factors must also be made part of the equation.

2006-09-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
English 1010 section 68
Journal Week 6
09/29/2006

When I first signed up for this semester’s classes I was afraid of taking English 1010. Everyone had told me that it was a very boring, difficult class. I walked in on the first day thinking that the professor would only be concerned with grammar and I was afraid I would have to write a perfectly written paper every week. Since English isn’t my first language I still felt a little uncomfortable with the grammar part of the English language, and did not like the idea of taking the class at all.
After having written my first paper in this class I realized how much I enjoyed it. It gave me the opportunity to think about new ideas that had never crossed my mind. I learned that often people are not interested in a paper because it is written with perfect grammar, but because the paper brings up questions, leads the reader to think more deeply, and leads to more ideas and conversation. I have really been enjoying the class because it has taught me how to think, not only about topics for this class, but about life in general. Just sitting and watching television I have noticed that I now think more about the topics. I question what has been said and come up with more questions and solutions in my head.
I was thinking the other day about what I have learned during this time in my English class. I believe the best answer would be that I have learned the value of being neutral in specific situations. Being neutral gives me the ability to see, more clearly, the advantages and disadvantages of many different points of view. Being able to understand many different points of view helps me understand what is being communicated by different writers. I am able to better understand their opinions and why they have those opinions. I am also able to better communicate myself in a paper. Understanding that my readers will come to the reading with different view points enables me to use those view points to explain my point. If I was not able to be neutral and see the advantages and disadvantages of a topic, it’s questions and it’s solutions, I would not be able to communicate well in writing.

2006-09-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz
Journal Week 5
English 1010
Marcia Smith

The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 2006
Volume 14 No. 2, pgs.118-119
Letter to the Editor titled “Manual Therapy in Children” by Anthony L. Rosner, PhD, LLD, Director of Research and Education at The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. Original Article written by Huijbregts PA.

This article talks about a problem that arises with the topic of manual therapy in children and infants. The original article tells how manual therapy, when used on small children without first having done research, can be dangerous for the child. The question comes up about how dangerous manual therapy really is on children and infants.
The letter to the editor written in response contradicts this first statement. Anthony L. Rosner says that manual therapy is one of the least dangerous and damaging types of therpy. He points out that there are more complications with vaccines and other alternative methods of therapy than there are with manual therapy. I wondered what kind of research both of these scholars had done and why their opinions could be so very different. If Anthony Rosner is correct, and manual therapy is the safest type of therapy to use on children, why isn’t it used more often? Then, on the other hand, if it is dangerous like Huijbregts PA stated, why is it used at all? What research has been done to prove that is is either safe or dangerous? And how are these two scholars interpreting that research so differently?
Anthony L. Rosner says that there are more advantages than disadvantages to using manual therapy on children. I wondered what kinds of advantages he was talking about. In the meantime, what disadvantages accompany the other types of therapy that damage the children or infants?
In the article, neither point was defended with evidence or research. I felt like the opinions of both men were simply opinions.

2006-09-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz Vasquez
Journal Week 4
English 1010 section 68
September 15, 2006

I have changed my major a number of times within the last year and a half, but my current major is Spanish Education. This major belongs to the Social Science area of study. I have learned that as a social science, this major focuses on our social relations. I have chosen this major because I enjoy working with children and feel that I have a talent for teaching.
Since I have changed my major a few times, I have tried to research this major to decide if it is really what I would like to do as a career. I have found that scholars in this field typically question teaching styles. For example, a typical question brought up in this field is, “How can the Spanish language best be taught to a native English speaker:?”. Another question that arises is, “What programs around the United States show the best results?” and, “How can I learn about each of these programs and experience them first-hand?”
As I have brought up before, I am very interested in and concerned about the Spanish students in the area. I have studied and thought a lot about the integration of both Spanish and English speaking students in a bi-lingual class, English students in an immersion class, and Spanish students in an English class, and would like to answer the question, “Under what circumstances do students best learn another language?”.
Another of my concerns is what effects parents have in the education of their children. And finally, is it good for parents to force their students to learn another language?

2006-09-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Sergio Ogaz
Journal Week 3
September 8, 2006

Since I married my wife just over two years ago, I have constantly heard one question, “When are you going to have a baby?” At first the question was funny because we hadn’t even been married for a week, but it isn’t funny anymore. People still ask the question and I still don’t have an answer. Just today, a friend of mine asked the same question. And my response, well, it was the same as always, “sometime in the future”.
My wife and I have had conversation after conversation about the topic and the more we talk about it the more we question it. For example, can we going to make enough money to support a baby? Are we responsible enough to care for a baby? Have we prepared ourselves to be parents? I continue to question myself and as time goes on more questions arise. Is this the right time for us to have a baby? Is having a baby worth all the sacrifice that it requires? Do others have these same questions and fears?
I have seen and talked with people who both think it is a problem and others who do not. I know someone who got pregnant on her honeymoon and for her, there weren’t any questions. On the other hand, I have talked with friends who struggle to support their family and even though they thought they were prepared, now question themselves too.
I have been told that I just need to live each period of life as it comes and when another period comes, I will be ready. I have also been told that you are never ready to have children and that the learning and growth you experience as a parent is the only training you will ever have.