The best job I’ve had is the job that I am currently working at right now.  I work at UPS (United Postal Service) as a lost prevention agent.  It’s a perk that I’m able to enjoy my job and be paid.

Some of the responsibilities that I have on a nightly basis is: checking employees and visitors in and out the building, relieving my co-workers for their first breaks, cutting the seals off of the trailers that contain packages coming from different cities, writing a report about the trailers I cut in a seal audit report, assuring that no one is stealing or causing any harm, and checking individuals out when they leave. 

The reason I feel that it’s so great because of my co-workers, especially those who I work with who is not actually my co-workers.  I’ve gain friendships their job; I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s my job that makes it so enjoyable.  It’s the people that I work with, they’re good company to keep, very sweet, humorous, and honest people.

Working at UPS has enhanced my communication skills with others; I remember I was very demure when I started.  Everyone was so friendly and kind to me.  Being dependable has played a major role in what I’ve learned also.  Helping out when the job was short on hand, always had me first for the OT lineup.

I’ve also worked volunteering with my church’s youth funding at special events at sporting events and concerts, as a cashier at the Dugout Food Stand.  I’ve had many countless and memorable moments at those events.

I enjoyed meeting all the new people from all of the country, and seeing the excitement they had to see the game or concert begin. 

Freakonomics

Freakonomics Reader

The title of the book we received is “Freakonomics”; I thought the first chapter was very boring, I was not too engaged with what it was stating.  I would highlight comments or sentences that stood out, write questions in the margins, and put question marks when I wasn’t too sure of what was going on.  I would bring those topics up during my reading discussions, and with the whole class.  It gave me a lot of clarity of others opinions, and another outlook on the chapter.

Annotating is a great while reading; it’s been exhilarating for me.  I suggest others to annotate while reading, it’s a way to summarize, mark what interested you, and creating questions, and learning new words.  There was not big strategy with how I kept up with the book.  Looking for anything that would catch my eye and read from them, I would then go back and read the chapter from the beginning to get clarity of what was going on. 

I usually would read on the bus when going to class, or leaving class.  But I mainly got a majority of my reading down at work, I would go through a few pages depending how engaged I was with the chapter.  If I felt the chapter was very interesting I would complete the full chapter.

Stereotypes

When you think of people who live in urban neighborhoods, especially younger individusals you tend to think that: they commit crimes, they enjoy living in poverty and do not want to more away, they do not speak proper english and speak "Ghetto".  These people are on some kind of government assistance, and always have excuses for themselves.  Many people don't feel safe when they are in an urban neighborhood, that they are in danger, they'll be robbed or killed.  These sterotypes have been happening for countless years, I've lived in many urban communities.  I have not once been robbed, and as you can tell I am still breathing. 

Wanting Welfare? Did you pass your drug test?

Article Title: States consider drug welfare recipients
Author: Yamiche Alcindor, USA TODAY

23 states around the US are taking drug test applicants applying for welfare government assistance, a few states already have this law active such as Florida.  All applicants are schedule to part take in a drug test before receiving assistance, currently in Arizona the law that any individual assumed of taking illegal drugs will be drug tested at anytime. There has been thoughts of soon expanding the drug testing rule to all 50 states, many of the welfare workers are relieved. They say that it's a step to seeing if applicants are honestly needing finacial help. I think drug testing applicants while applying for welfare is a great idea; because I constantly see people who are buying alcohol, spending their money on things that have nothing to do with the welfare of their children.  In the article it also states, there were many people using their welfare checks to get tattoos, and treat themselves on a shopping spree.  The welfare, should extend that rule to all states.  They should also have that law apply to those who are also appling for general assistances, though I'm sure applicants will not be satisfied for the new decisions.  Applicants feel, why is there a need to drug test? But I feel that it will ensure tax payers that, their money will help those in need.  More importantly it will help those who meet requiriments and are also drug free.

I pledge to minimize my infractions by coming to class prepared and on time everyday.  To balance my homework, spending more time on my work after being assigned it.  Instead of waiting to the last moment, I pledge to refer at least 5 people to Year Up.  By telling as many of my friends about Year Up.  This module I pledge to to get as many perfect weeks as I can, through meeting requirements; turning in my work on time, being on time, and ready to learn.

Public Housing



The neighborhood I spent the last 7 years in Bayview Hunters Point, some may say it's a dump.  That it's occupied by troublesome individuals that choose to live on low income housing, sayings are the main ethnicity who live there are Africans and Samoans, who either sell drugs, are on welfare, general assistance who live living in the hood.  Many colorful thoughts have been said, though it has not taken any effect on me.  I honestly don't really care what others have to say about my neighborhood.  It's not them that live neighborhood.  When others see me, they don't feel as though I belong or fit in.  What my community has taught me is never judge a book by it's cover, meaning there are many great aspects of my community.  My neighbors are great people, very friendly and constantly speak of current news.  Many of my neighbors are not on general assistance, and are not drug dealers.  They work 9-5 jobs to help provide for their families.  I've learned that you can never know the value of something just by it's appearence, I understand that my neighborhood is not the safest area to live at.  Though there is not an everyday shooting occuring.  People over look all the good that my community provides.  But it's my neighborhood, my Hunters Point.

Advertising a DIFFERENCE

There is much we see being advertising, encouraging to buy, and "Great Deal" to get.  Now a days, it just seems that anyone with a thought and catchy pitch line feels as though they offering a great product for an unbeatable deal.  Advertising false information of misleading scams.

I'm a prime offender for the enjoyment of "Influential Advertising" with truth and facts behind the information.  Known as "Public Announcements".  I see it not as advertising but educating others on overlooked problems, reaching out for hope and change for the future.  Helping those in need, witnessing a building "Revolution of Change".  This is has been a eye catcher for me before I could remember, the passion to lead a helping hand.

Such as: KONY 2012

Something that draws my attention is the connection I share with those in need, the struggle to stay strong in a situation you can't control.  I'm drawn to the attention of those in need, people who know what pain is and lived through it.  My attention if for a dying change, a building REVOLUTION.  Inspiring an outreach to help others.  Advertising should allow to only show the the struggle of help.  KONY 2012 represents an individual, kidnapping children from their parents, focusing them to take their parents.  Kony manipulates and brainwashes these unfortunate kids to doing his Bettie, over the years he has created a rebellion against the government.  Causing these kids to reap chaos against their will. 

Forms of advertisement I ignore is Get Rich quick scams, MC Donald's commercials, Infomercials about Timeshares, Car Dealerships, Informational about products I do not need.  Like kitchen, household appliances, clothing, dieting, products.  Basically things I do not need, or have too much of.  I feel that as time progress on, more and more things that flood the television and media we see.  Becomes more deluded of materialistic things we do not need at the end of the day.

Photo Links:

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/03/kony-2012-how-a-film-made-to-help-the-violated-led-to-them-rioting/