Blog #11 – IMHO #2

Tanning gone bad ?

Woman from Nutley, N.J., Patricia Krentcil, 44, has an addiction to tanning. Krentcil is accused of taking her five year old daughter into a tanning booth, leaving the little kid with burns severe enough that alarms the school nurse. In the article, Mom pleads not guilty to tanning tot (source: http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_20535667/mom-pleads-not-guilty-tanning-tot) Krentcil faces a  $2,500 second-degree child endangerment charge; she was soon freed after the cash bond. What was more outrageous was that Krentcil claims that her daughter got sunburned for being outside on a unreasonably warm day. On the contrary, the school officials mentioned her daughter complained of itching and that her mother had been taking her to the tanning salon. Krentcil had been telling TV interviews that her daughter was with her at tanning salon but not in tanning booths. Even the owner of the tanning salon defended Krentcil. He claimed that their shop would never allow anyone under 14 from using a tanning salon.

In my honest opinion, the “unreasonably” warm weather would not cause itchiness on skin. Even at the court, she still does not admit she has a tanning problem. Krentcil even went on national television to tell her side of the story, but it was not necessary. If she is really innocent, she would let the case settle on its own. Also, her dark bronze color on her face does not match her “I don’t always sit in tanning booth. I have a life” story. Not only is she is not being responsible for her own body, she put her child in danger. Whether she did it or not, she still exposed tanning to her child, and it could affect her.

According to studies, the Mayo Clinic announced that over the last 40 years melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is the cause of the 74% dramatic rise to an increase in the use of tanning beds. The National Institutes of Health reports that the Mayo Clinic’s findings reflect what many dermatologists are seeing in their practices. They also mentioned that tans are being glorified in television shows such as Jersey Shore. (source: http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/tanning-mom-patricia-krentcil-lashes-critics-200400565.html)

Lastly, the consequences of using tanning beds is extremely dangerous. Like the reports shown, melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Especially is the girl is exposed to that at such a young age, she is more likely to get skin cancer. It is Krentchil’s responsibility to not let it happen and have a bad influence on her child.

Letter to Editor

In the article – Brides go to extremes to slim down for their weddings by Linda Lee makes some great points on how unhealthy women are willing to get just to fit into their wedding dresses. They take measures to the extreme, even if they know they are hurting their bodies.

Lee brought up a great point of “detoxing” bodies, there are no scientific evidences that backs up the claims. We may see celebrities endorsing it but it does not mean that the product is healthy for the bodies. They have to say things about a certain product because they are getting paid. Before and after pictures are not reliable.

Many brides are willing to put their bodies through hell just to squeeze into their dresses. But they should consider the right way to lose weight. Instead of taking pills, they should eat more healthy and exercise on a daily basis.

http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_20478884/brides-go-extremes-slim-down-their-weddings

Similes and Metaphors

Similes:
A group of teenage girls rushed into the Justin Bieber concert like a swarm of bees.

The boy rode his bike as if he is training for the triathlon.

Metaphor:
The ring on her finger is similar to the bright stars at night.

Her hair falls gracefully on her shoulder.

Blog #8: Japanese Internment Memorial

After walking down to second street and learning the lives of the Japanese American before, during, and after World War II. I have a better appreciation and understanding of their culture.

The Japanese Internment camps lasted from 1921 to 1946. The internment camps happened because of the outbreak of World War II. The United States government feared that the Japanese community could commit hate crimes. Even though no acts were committed, the U.S. government turned their homes into internment camps. Almost all of Japanese businesses closed during internment.

The Japanese arrived on Angel Island in San Francisco, looking for a new life. The picture above shows the lives of Japanese America pre-internment camp. People started their business, there was farmers, families would gather to eat.

The picture above shows the lives of Japanese American during interment camps. On the upright corner, what seems like the U.S. army general delivered the unfortunate news to the families. Their son probably joined the army to get away from internment camp, but in the end, he was killed. The crosses below probably meant all the Japanese American men that died during the war. Also, Japanese Americans were constantly under U.S. army supervision, watching every move they make, and to make sure they do not repel.

What I found interesting was that Japanese men could get out of internment camps as long as they join the army. But it caused an internal struggle with themselves, they are fighting for the same people that put them and their families in the internment camps.

In 1944, after the war ended and  when internment camps were revoked, many still re-established themselves in this area. The Japanese internment memorial and Japantown is significant to San Jose because it is one of the places where Japanese culture is preserved. Most other Japanese American neighborhoods were lost after World War II. What used to be Chinatown soon because the second home for Japanese immigrants. They settled next to Chinese immigrants, the environment was more familiar to them. Today, Japantown, located on Jackson street, no longer have families living behind their stores. But there is still a sense of heritage and history, it is well preserved in stores, shops, residents, and restaurants. It is also important to Japanese Americans because San Jose is where their ancestors resides. It is where their ancestors build their family and created memories.

Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American artist, is nationally recognized for her wire sculptures. In San Francisco, she is known for the “fountain lady” because of her many fountains that are on public view. When Asawa was 16, she and her family were interned along with 120,000 other Japanese immigrants.  Like many other Japanese immigrants, they lost their rights, shelter, and freedom.

The Japanese Internment camps lasted from 1921 to 1946. The internment camps happened because of the outbreak of World War II. The United States government feared that the Japanese community could commit hate crimes. Even though no acts were committed, the U.S. government turned their homes into internment camps. Almost all of Japanese businesses closed during internment.

Blog #10: Fish Out of Water

The one time that stood out to me was when I went to a Rascal Flatts concert. Rascal Flatts is a country band. Not to sound stereotypical, but mostly white people listens to it. Personally, I really like the band (probably one of the few Asian that actually likes country music), I like the lead singer’s voice and I like the message they send out.

I did not think too much about it when I first purchased the tickets. But when I told people I am going to their concert, the first reaction I get was, “Really? You like country?” or “I did not know you like country, that’s odd.” Statements like that got me questioning. It was not until then I realize Asians generally does not listen to country music, let alone go to a country concert.

I went to the concert with 10 other friends, all of them are white, the only minority was me and my Indian friends. When I first got there, I realized the ratio between white and Asians was very unequal. There was probably at most eight Asians total. I realized wherever I turned I was surrounded by white people. Again, not to be stereotypical, but most white people attended were the blonde hair, blue eyes white people. Also, I realized that most people at the concert seemed younger than us.

Even though there was such an unbalance, I did not feel awkward or outcasted. There might be times, I catch other people staring at me as I walk by, but that never bothered me too much. I was acting the same way as i would around my friends. I was not afraid to jump up and sing along to the songs.

After the concert, people did ask me how I felt being the only Asian there. They wanted to know if I felt uncomfortable. My response was that I never really thought about different types of stereotypes of music. I thought music was globally accepted. That it does not matter where you come from, music is music.

Overall, my experience at Rascal Flatt’s concert was great. I had so much fun, although some might have looked at me funny, I had a great time. Maybe it was because I grew up in a diverse environment, I am used to seeing different ethnicity and color of people.

Blog #9: IMHO#1

How safe are our nail polishes? We depend on labels to tell us if there are toxins in them, but what happens when they lie? After reading the article on nail polish (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/11/MNG41O1CDD.DTL&type=health) it made me realize how dangerous nail polishes are.

“Toxic trio” made up of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl, are found in nail polishes.

According to www.cancer.gov formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that leads to cancer. Formaldehyde exposure is most common through gas-phase inhalation. However, it can also occur through liquid-phase skin absorption. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen under conditions of unusually high or prolonged exposure.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that the acceptable level of occupational exposure to toluene for people in the workplace. The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 200 ppm is considered an acceptable level of exposure as a time-weighted average for an 8-hour workday. Toluene levels of 500 ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/818939-overview). 8-hour workday is just one day of work. Imagine that workers that has to work everyday. Their life would already be in danger on the second day of work.

Repeated and heavy exposure to dibutyl phthalate may cause nausea and/or vomiting, tearing of the eyes, dizziness, and headache. Long-term exposures may cause damage to kidneys and the liver. Pregnant women must consider that dibutyl phthalate may harm the developing fetus (http://www.carefair.com/beauty/nails/toxic_nail_polish_846.html). These toxins not only cause temporary nausea, but they cause bigger damages to our bodies.

Women put on nail polish every once in a while, but imagine the people who works are nail salons. They have to touch and breathe the chemicals every day for hours. These toxins harm our bodies. And the contributors are responsible for this. Nail salon owners try to make their salon as green and healthy as possible, but failure to rightly label the nail polishes put them in danger.

In my humble opinion, it is extremely unethical for distributors to label the nail polishes “three-free” when in reality, it does contain the three toxics. Not only are they harming customers, but the workers that are surrounded by those toxins everyday. In the long-term, their body will start showing those symptoms and because of those unethical labels, people have to suffer.

Word #10: Disparaging

1. Disparaging

2. He made that pretty clear this week, when he made disparaging remarks about Asian business owners and what they’re apparently doing to his part of the city.

Source: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2012/04/these-asians-coming-in-and-opening-up.html

3. adj.; belittling, negative, derogatory

4. The reporter made a disparaging comment about the LGBT community.

Blog #7: Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

Drinking Coffe Elsewhere by Z.Z. Packer has a unique story-telling technique. He uses an abundant of adjectives and never repeats. He describes things so detailed that an image pops in mind.

Packer uses short quotes; there are no fluff, all the quotes directly tells the reader what the person’s stance is. Even though the quotes are short, but Packer supports it with vivid descriptions and detail explanations.

Packer also uses a lot of adjectives to support the way a person talks, smiles, dresses, and their gestures. ”A sepia-toned boy dressed in khakis and a crisp plaid shirt.” Not only did Packer describe the color of the skin tone, but he also described the texture of the shirt.

he authors gives a detailed description of how a person looks. For example, “she was large but not obese, and crying had turned her face the color of raw chicken. She blew her nose into the waist end of her T-shirt, revealing a pale belly.” He explained in depth on the features of this girl, “large but not obese” and “her face the color of raw chicken.” When I saw “the color of raw chicken” it immediately makes me think of that color and associate back to how the girl might look. He uses color association, such as the “sepia-toned boy.” The color gives the reader a stimulating idea on how things looks.

Word #9: Exorbitant

1. Exorbitant

2. In such cases the exorbitant interset charged on the loan means there is little chance that they will ever repay the debt.

source: Global Woman by Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Russell Hochschild

3. adj.; (of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high

4. The price they charge for a trip to the moon is exorbitant.

Blog #6: NPR Radio interview analysis

The NPR interview I listened was “American Parents Get An Earful.” Michel Martin interviews Bridgid Schulte, staff writer for the Washington Post, along with three regular mom panelists. The interviewer seemed to know a lot prior to the interview itself. Martin obviously read Schulte’s article and started the interview with some key points Schulte argued. Martin also asked Schulte to elaborate on her arguments. Not only did Martin did her homework on Schulte’s piece, but also knows her other three panelists really well. When she knows there are conflicting opinions, she will ask them how the other person’s statement makes them feel.

Martin asked open-ended questions, not yes or no questions.  One strategy Martin used was to relate Schulte’s piece with the lives of the three panelists. For example, she started with relating it to all of the panelists, and then she focused on just Jolene, one of the panelists.

MARTIN: Interestingly, each of you wrote me separately to tell me that there are things that you found that resonated with you about Brigid’s piece. So, Jolene, I’ll start with you. You actually said that you kind of have a little bit of a conflict in your own household about this.

There were no inadequate or evasive answers; this interview was more of an open discussion between four moms. The whole interview flowed well; every one was open for discussion. Everyone had their own opinion and the Martin was great at making the interviewee talk about their personal experiences. I learned that it is good to know some background about the people you are interviewing. It gives you more things to discuss about. Also, the questions you are asking needs to be clearly stated. Martin did a great job tying all the conversations together and made it easier for the listeners to understand each argument.