"Criteria for a Healthy Landscape"

After reading "Criteria for a Healthy Landscape," I had no clue what Paul Groth was talking about. Right when I read the first criteria, "A healthy landscape connects its participants to themselves as individuals," it made no sense to me whatsoever. After reading it a couple times, I think what I understand from it is that Groth is making a criteria for us humans, our "landscape." So, the first one shows us as individuals making a living, which will lead to the many obstacles that come with life. The second criteria shows that we should always have some type of contact with other people, making us social beings. The third criteria showing that we all need to have a sense of stability and control, without it there may be chaos. The fourth one states that one should be flexible, and be able to do different things and be ready for change. Fifth says that we should be open to everything and everyone. Sixth is the fact that everyone needs to connect with nature, and not just wilderness but the human part too. Lastly is seven, the one I like the most, is that everybody is doing their own thing in the world and that is what shows we are thriving. Anyway, that is what I understood from the reading, a criteria for a healthy landscape is something all us humans should follow. I think I will be using the seven criterion for my life, from now on.

"24 Hours at the Golden Apple"

Once I listened to "24 Hours at the Golden Apple," I was impressed by the way everyone knew each other, and how there was such a friendly atmosphere. Most places I have been to around here have good waiters and waitresses, but no one really knows each other, the town is just too big. It was very surprising to hear that some of the customers came there 2-3 times a day, because that is not something one would normally see here. Coming that many times to a restaurant in a big city would be too expensive, but I guess if it was in a small town it would not be so bad. It was just nice to hear that the Golden Apple was a place that people could still feel at home and be with people they like.
In the early morning there was one lady named Kay, who has lived there since she was little. Kay likes to come to the Golden Apple because of the service, but what she talked about in her interview were gays and racism. She said that gays should be treated equally, and that there is still some aspects of racism in the town. She stood out to me the most because she has lived there so long, knows how the town works, and I think the restaurant gives her a sense of equality and happiness. Two other customers that stood out to me were Allison and Danielle, who came to the Golden Apple to wait for friends. They got there at 11:30pm and did not leave until 3:30am. They liked to come to the restaurant because it is a great hang out for all teenagers, but it is also a great way to meet guys. They were very interesting because they did not really order anything, they just wanted their friends to come and hang out. So the Golden Apple not only brings everyone together, but also lets people have a place to get together and just have a good time.
I think we should have more restaurants like the Golden Apple, in this area, because people need to have a chance to mingle and get to know other people. I mean there are clubs and parties, but during the day there is no place where one can just sit, relax, eat and know everyone around you.

"K'Mart Has a Loveable Disorder"

After I read "K'Mart Has a Loveable Disorder" by Hank Stuever, I was very surprised by Hank's opinion about Kmart. Hank says that Kmart has flaws, those flaws make it what it is and that is why people like it. From what I understand, Stuever thinks of Kmart as the store that is in between Wal mart and Target. Its products have the artsy style of Target, but also the long lasting ability of Wal mart. For example, Wal mart's chairs would last longer, becoming apart of the family, Targets' are more for show, but Kmart has both of those qualities. Kmart will never have the quality of Wal mart or Target, it is one of those stores that people will just keep coming back to because of how imperfect it is, "...it will go on gloriously sucking."
In some ways I agree with Stuever. Kmart definitely has flaws, but I think its flaws are the reason that people will not be coming back. I have been to Kmart many times before, and after a while I stopped going because of how messy it was, the rude employees, product that didn't last, and the clothes that I never liked. In fact that is when I started going to Wal mart for better quality. I know that no body is perfect, and Kmart makes one feel the sense that everyone is the same, but I would rather have products that last long and clothes that fit right. I guess it is just like the rain man said, "Kmart sucks," you might as well go to Wal mart.

"The Monument and the Bungalow" Response

After I read "The Monument and the Bungalow" by Pierce Lewis, I realized how much I really do dismiss my surroundings. I never take a minute to look at the architecture of buildings, or just ask why objects were placed where they were placed. I mean I have seen historical monuments and museums many times before and I do love to look, explore and learn about each place, but I never pay attention to the commonplaces. It is so interesting how most of us do not pay attention to our surroundings, because we are so caught up in our busy lives.

Pierce Lewis has two precepts in learning how to read landscape: learning to open your eyes and ask questions about your surroundings, and developing a vocabulary to describe places in better detail. The first precept actually teaches you to see commonplaces in a new light. Like Lewis described, it probably would be a little awkward to have to feel the texture of certain objects while out in public, just because it is not something one sees everyday. But, if going out and observing parking lots or feeling the side of Safeway will help me see the world in a different way, I just might do it. With the second precept, one has to develop a good vocabulary to describe specific places. For example, Lewis saying that in plant ecology one has to learn the different species of plant. If one has a better vocabulary, they will be able to know what things are and be able to explain things a lot better. I know that when I was in anthropology last semester, it was all about having a good vocabulary. I had to know the different types of ceramics they made, where they came from and what time period. So, a good vocabulary will not only help you with reading landscape, but with many other things as well.

"The Monument and the Bungalow" has given me something to look forward to. I am now going to look at all my commonplaces in a completely different way. Hopefully the next time I go to store, I will remember to feel the texture of the metal cart inside my gripped hands, and ask the question, "why does it look that way?"

"Me, Myself, and I"

Hi, my name is Amanda Zabaljauregui. Everyone usually remembers me by my last name, because as you can see it is very long. I am 18 years old and this is my second semester here at the JC. I am a pretty shy person until I get to know you, and I love to laugh and hang out with my friends. Right now I am taking animal health classes to get my vet tech certificate and become a Vet Tech, but I am also getting my AA. I want to have my AA so I can go to a 4 yr. university later on and become a Veterinarian. Aside from school, my parents have been divorced since I was very young, but my brother and I have had a good life otherwise. I have a loving stepmom, two stepsisters and one stepbrother, and I love them all. Anyway, I am glad to be in this english class and I can't wait to get to know all of you.