~My Summer Experience at UTD!~

Never in my life had I ever heard of UTDallas. As my years in high school came to an end I imagined my life as a college student. Everything would be easy since I could plan my own classes .I thought I would be able to go out to parties every night. I would be able to enjoy my adult life with no obstacles. I thought seriously about what college I would attend. I settled my thoughts on UTA, though I wished I had found a college closer to home. After I had my son I soon came up to the conclusion that I would not go to college. I assumed that college would be too challenging with a baby involved. I wouldn’t have time for homework, a job, and not even time for my son. There wouldn’t be enough money for college with my responsibility of a baby. My teacher then mentioned UTD’s summer Bridge Program Scholarship. I knew I would never be able to afford my college expenses, and UTD’s bridge scholarship would help me advance in my studies making college a lot easier. I soon had hope again. I applied and was accepted into UTD’s Summer Bridge Program. The Bridge then helped me apply for my financial aid. As soon as my financial aid award letter arrived I was excited to announce to my family that the government was going to award me with nearly eighteen thousand dollars for the 2010-2011 school year. Thanks to the Summer Bridge Program I was not only able to have enough money to go to college, but I was also able to have a chance at experiencing the college life. In my two month stay at UTD I experienced many changes in my way of looking at school. I created new bonds that will surely never be forgotten, and along with my friendships I learned to overcome my obstacles without ever giving up. Lastly I learned that what I once thought would be the easiest years of my life were actually going to be the hardest years of my life.
As my high school years came to an end I imagined college based on what others told me. In my mind college would be the greatest chapter of my life. I would be able to slack off and still get A’s just like in high school. I assumed that all professors would be cool and would remind me when my assignments were due. I assumed that I would be allowed to re-take my tests and turn in late work. I assumed that my professors would babysit me just like my high school teachers. I especially assumed I wouldn’t end up walking as much as I did in high school because I would be old enough to drive everywhere. In other words, college would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, nearly all my assumptions were wrong. Throughout my two month summer courses I have not been able to slack off once. My classes have been intense, but yet relaxing. I’m not sure if it was the professors’ warm welcomes or their senses of humor which made everything fun, but regardless, my classes were complicated. Some professors did remind me when my assignments were due, but others did not. Everything was to be turned in on time, no excuses. I was forced to keep track of my own assignments. This change made me well organized so that I would be able to turn everything in on time. I was not allowed to have any excuses. This rule was serious, unlike high school. I had to organize myself for the better. Part of my organization included organizing different routes to take to get to my classes. UTDallas is an extremely large campus and I had to find short cuts. There was no possible way to drive to class, unless I drove through the buildings. Otherwise I was stuck with walking: my most hated exercise. I wish someone would have told me that half of the time I’m at UTDallas I will be walking. That confession would have helped me accept the fact that fixing my hair in college is completely useless because the heat will simply mess it up. This would have been some very great, helpful, and timesaving advice for me, especially over this past summer.

My summer in college has been a life changing experience. My assumptions were proven to be wrong. My point of view as a college student has evolved. I now plan to work harder in every class. I plan to give college my all regardless of what my obstacles may be. I am not planning on living on campus; therefore, this was my one chance at experiencing the college life. It was fun to have a little freedom for two months, though I missed being restricted. I especially loved the fact that all my classes were walking distance, unlike this fall. This fall I shall have to wake up extra early in the morning to get to my classes on time. My college life experience was not only life changing, but it was lonely as well. I missed my family and friends from home, but I made new friends who made my experience a lot better.

Throughout the summer I met many people, some were older and others younger. No matter what the situation was, younger or older, everyone was great. Some people were overly friendly and others were not friendly enough. I tried my best to make friends with everyone because I knew that these friends would help encourage me through college. Some people didn’t seem to accept my friendship, but others just stuck on like magnets. I’m very glad to have met all the Bridge Program students and staff, but I am especially glad to have met my new friends. Throughout this summer, my friends have helped and encouraged me in school. There were times when I gave up, especially with my essays, but they would lift up my spirits and convince me that giving up is the most horrifying choice I could ever make. My friends have truly helped me succeed these past two months, and I sincerely hope that they keep encouraging me in the far future just like I will be encouraging them.

During my two month college life experience I faced many obstacles: laziness, loneliness, and my son’s absence. Of course, laziness has always been a problem for me. I’ve always settled with a simple, “Ah, I’ll do it later!” In high school I always did my assignments at the last minute, which worked out pretty nicely. I tried my same typical solution of “I’ll do it later.” Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. I got a failing grade in that first assignment, which to me was very important. I then decided to overcome this obstacle by getting all my assignments done as soon as possible. I had to take responsibility for my actions. I now do all my assignments as soon as they are given to me so that way I will have the rest of my day, week, or weekend to myself. But, when I finish my homework, I would end up with nothing to do and no one to talk to. I hardly knew anyone. The only people I knew nearly always had something to do. That is when I came up with the solution of making new friends. Though there are still times when all was said and done I would end up all by myself in my apartment wishing that I was back at home with my son and family. My greatest obstacle I have had has been the absence of my son. Even though during high school I was not able to see him much, I was still able to sleep with him and cherish every moment of his sleep. But over the summer, I wasn’t even able to at least give him a kiss goodnight. The simple thought of this misfortune hurt me severely. I saw myself as a horrible mother, because I was abandoning my son. I felt as if I had chosen school over him. Nearly half my summer I cried myself to sleep thinking about my son and how mad he must be at me for abandoning him just to get an education. Though soon as my emotions grew calmer I began to realize that what I am doing is for his future. This is still an obstacle for me though. I still live with the fear that one day my son will reject me for not spending enough time with him. My fear will never go away, but I know, or rather still hope, that when my son gets older he will realize that what I am doing is all for his own benefit.

My first college experience was great but also difficult. For a new incoming freshman I would suggest you keep your minds open. Always be open for advice, help, and change. College will be a major part of your life; therefore, you have to learn to deal with it. Also remember, do not ever slack off because you will fail, and always keep your assignments, thoughts, and yourself organized because that will keep you on track. Most importantly, never give up. Always remember your goals because if you succeed you will be able to look back and say, “I did it!”

Should a murderer be excused from the death penalty just because he's mentally ill?

In yesterday's "Editorial: Mental retardation and the death penalty", the Dallas Morning News argues that criminals, such as Bruce Carniel Webster, should be excused from the death penalty because of his mental state. The court sentenced his death penalty before they found out he had mental issues, but once they found out he had mental issues they still denied the removal of the death penalty.

Webster "beat [an] Arlington girl with a shovel, dragged her into a grave in Arkansas, stripped her, doused her with gasoline and burned her alive". He murdered an innocent "16-year-old honor student". Even though Webster was declared as mentally ill I'm sure he must have had some kind of brain to think over what he was doing at the moment. Webster must know that what he did was completely wrong, and he should pay the consequences.

I understand that sentencing Webster to a death penalty will not bring back that smart sixteen year old, but neither will putting him in a jail for the rest of his life. I honestly cannot believe The Dallas Morning News's opinion. Why would they vote for the death penalty to be removed from a cold blooded murderer? Yes I feel sorry for Webster's illness, but I feel no mercy for a heartless murderer.

Open letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama,

When you began to run for president I had a feeling that you would be the history in the making. And once you were elected I was proud to say that I was alive to live through the act that will change history. I was alive when the first African American president of the United States was elected. I lived a through a part of history, which is indeed something to be proud of. You, unlike other presidents, have promised to help my people, the immigrants. I do not say my people because I myself am an immigrant, but because my family and friends are immigrants; therefore, immigrants are a part of me.

But for the past few months not much has been said about immigration. You said you would do what ever you could to help hard working immigrants receive social working numbers. Unfortunately, I do not have a television so I cannot follow along with news from your actions, but my family does have a television. They watch the news everyday in hopes that one day you will be successful in helping them get a social security number, but the more they watch the news the less hope they have for your help. I, unlike them, still do have hope in your promises. Even though my family is beginning to doubt what you say and regret agreeing with you, I still understand that it takes time to help fix the U.S. and you can't do everything in a few months, but I do ask for you to once again give hope to my people. I ask for you to show them that you have not forgotten them. Show my people that you still have them in mind and that you will help them as soon as you can.

I know it is hard to try and fix everything, but always remember to remind the ones who voted for you that not all is lost. Remind them that there are still three and a half years to go, and one day you will get to our issue. Remind those who voted for you that there is still time, and they should never lose hope.

Sincerely,
Mayra Jaramillo

How will my Business Help the Economy?

My major is Business Entrepreneur. When I finish college I plan to put my skills to the test. I shall open my own restaurant which will be unforgettable.

It was very hard to come up with a question for my research paper. Not much is to be said about business. It's pretty straight forward if you ask me. But then I stopped and asked myself, How is my business going to help the economy? Therefore, I decided to write my research paper on that exact question. In order to have a successful business, I must find out what's going on in my economy. I have to figure out a way to help the economy move away from the so called "recession" we're in.

By researching our economy I will be able to set food prices, job payments, and even eligibility. In order to run my restaurant and make it affordable I must do my research, create a future plan, and help my economy. I do not wish for my prices to end up too high or my employer's pay to end up too low. I do not wish to end up going out of business.

Homelessness

For years, homelessness is a problem within our community. In the article "My Turn: Somewhere for Everyone" John Grisham argues that homelessness is a problem that has been ignored throughout history; therefore, it has grown. In his article, Grisham explains how "hobos" and "winos" among us are an issue for us, and how we plan to get rid of them. Grisham also shares with us his sudden encounter with a homeless man, and how this incident made him realize the homeless existed.

For years many people have seen the homeless as nonhuman. People stop at a red light and roll up their window as soon as they see a homeless person about to walk up to them. They figure that if they ignore the homeless they will go away. People look at the homeless and ask, "Why don't they get a job rather than asking for money?" But what they don't realize is that sometimes when a homeless person goes to apply for a job, they are sometimes automatically judged by their way of dressing; therefore, they are denied a the job. Some homeless people do try to create a better life. Whether by asking to wash our windshields or asking to wash our cars, but we deny their assistance. We do not wish to help them.

For years I have ignored the homeless. I have based my opinion on one horrible experience that my husband has went through, not realizing that every homeless person is different. But who am I to judge the homeless? I used to judge them as crazy, but after reading Grisham's article I have realized that all homeless people are different. Not all homeless people are homeless by choice.

My baby's birthday!

On Sunday July 11th my son will be turning one. As a mother I feel extremely excited, but I also feel depressed. My son is growing up and I haven't even noticed. Time is flying by fast without me even noticing it. It feels as if it was just yesterday when I gave birth at Parkland Hospital. My son was such a tiny baby. I could hold him with one hand, but now I need a lot more than just my hands to hold my son, I need love, care, and a lot of muscle. My baby is now learning to walk, talk, and interact with people. I feel as if my son and I are just drifting apart because of my school. I hardly ever see him because im in school, and when I’m not in school I’m working. My whole world is falling down emotionally infront of my eyes and I know my son notices it. Today as i picked up my son he hugged me, looked into my eyes, and gave me a kiss. That’s when I realized that in some strange way he knows what I am going through, and his kiss was a way of telling me that he understood and that everything is going to be okay.

"Who killed King Kong?"

In the article "Who killed King Kong?", X. J. Kennedy emphasizes how we kill Kong over and over again in hopes that our fears and true intentions will be released. We all want to destroy something at some point in our lives, and so we allow Kong to destroy New York and kill the white cops in the sense of placing ourselves in his shoes. The "American public refuse[s] to let King Kong rest in peace". The reason why I chose this quote, from Kennedy's article, is because it gave me an epiphany. It made me realize that what in fact the author is trying to say is true. We do not allow Kong to rest. Americans revise Kong's tragic death in hopes to let him die doing what we would never do: destroy a city, express our anger, and fight to protect the ones we love.

Friendship is the best!!!!

Today was a great morning! I had my Algebra test. I have always been so nervous when it comes to test taking, but this time I was more confident than ever. I knew all the material; therefore, the test was a piece of cake. Sometimes I think back and get mad, because I know I have more potential than just regular algebra. Then I realize that maybe algebra is best for me right now. At least I'll have one easy class in college. Not all of college is fun and games, but I'm liking the fact that the tests don't put me under pressure. So far the only pressure I'm feeling is coming from my rhetoric class. Even though it's the funniest class I've had in years, it's also the hardest. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I got the classes I have. If I hadn't gotten these classes I would have never met the wonderful people I know today. My friends are the best in the world. They are there to help me when I need to be cheered up. Also they are there to help me study and make it through the college life.

VoteVets.org

"VoteVets.org was founded in January 2006 by Iraq war Veterans Jon Soltz and Jeremy Broussard."According to VoteVets.org, their "goal as a public policy advocate is to strengthen the U.S. government’s commitment to issues that affect the safety and well-being of the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces." How will they reach their goal you may ask? Well this is the reason why they created the website, VoteVets.org. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans need the public to elect them into office so that they can defend their troops and stay loyal to their country.

In this ad the national guard soldier is attempting to persuade us to vote veterans into office so that they can help begin a "clean American energy". Their wish is to free America from foreign oil, when in fact our oil joins the same market as other oil companies around the world. In order to convince us to vote for veterans, this ad utilizes small clips of war, the oil company in the gulf of Mexico, and the most important clip of all is when they show the soldiers cleaning the gulf of Mexico. With these small clips the ad appeals to our patriotism and ethics. The ad claims that if we vote for veterans, they will focus on higher issues, like clean American energy. It explains how we should "[put] our people to work [to create clean energy] using all the resources we have." This is an affective claim with which I agree, but how is it that they plan to get rid of foreign oil if all oil, including ours, is put in with the same market. There is no way that everyone will stop using oil as their resources. Some people may change to clean oil, as the veterans wish, but others will continue to be selfish and will prefer the same old coal/oil.

This ad is affective in its some ways but at the same time it has its defects. In my point of view, the ad's argument about switching to clean energy is fantastic, but how is it that they wish to pump our own oil or switch to clean energy if we lease our land to other foreign countries to pump oil. Sometimes we seem to think of the perfect solutions to our problems but we hide the truth of otherwise ignore it. Under these circumstances,we cannot move forward.

My Greatest Challenge

The biggest challenge in my educational life was having a son. Being a mother during high school made things very challenging, both emotionally and ethically. I always had a lot of homework, similar to now. As a student I was determined to do my homework, but my intuition always made me stop my homework to pick up my son as he cried. I couldn’t leave him crying on the floor. I don’t wish to sound like many teen mothers that say that because of their child they cannot do their homework. But my son would literally cry for me every time I began to do my homework. I would end up doing my homework after my son fell asleep, at 3a.m. I would wake up exhausted every morning thinking of ways to keep myself awake during school. Being a mother is not something I regret, but it is something I wish I had waited for a little bit longer. Being a mother brought me behind in school but didn’t cause me to fail. I made it through determination and sleepy mornings.It certainly changed my life, but it changed it for the better. It made me a grown mature adult. I still have problems with leaving my son behind to join the Academic Bridge Program, but I always figured, its for the best.

My Community

Everyone belongs to at least one community. I myself am in a community. I am part of the teen mothers community. Teen mothers have been looked down on for years. People look at us and say, "This is what happens when you mess around." or "You deserved that." But what they don't realize are the obstacles that we have to go through.

By being part of this community, I am able to help others that are in the same situation I was a year ago. I know what they're going through, so I am able to advice them and suggest ideas. Many teen mothers drop out of school. The sudden change in their lives is too much for them. They don't know how to handle their situations, and that is where I come in.

I helped support girls that were in the bare edge of break down. I participate as a helper or a speaker at my High School's parenting class. Of course there are no classes right now, but I will start helping again as soon as school starts. I am one out of a few teen mothers that has magically succeeded. With determination and hard work I have made it through high school and am now in college. This is why I help persuade my high school's teen mothers. I wish to see more young women like me happy, successful, and in college.

My day

Today was a gray day. When I woke up this morning the first thing I saw was a gray sky. I felt upset. Today was the day that not only my sister and husband were going to visit me, but also my son. But if it started to rain, they wouldn't be able to come over, and cheer me up.

As I walked to class the sky still looked gray, but you could still see a small ray of light shinning, trying to break free. As class slowly ticked by all that was in my head was my son. Nothing in the world could make me happier than to see and hear him call out, "Mommy!!!" But yet every time I looked outside, the sky did not seem to agree with my happiness. It just seemed gray, and determined to ruin my day.

As I gave up, I looked out the window and saw the bright, warm, and yellow sun rays break free. they shined as if it was it's last chance to bring light into the surface of the earth. At that moment, I knew that my hopes and dreams we're not in vein. I knew that I would once again hear the voice of my son. I knew I would see the face of my sister and my loved husband.

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and my son was swimming for the first time in his life.

Introduction/Bio

I am an 18 year old teen mom. I was 16 and pregnant; became a mother at the age of 17. I have always been a determined person, no matter how many obstacles have been thrown at me.

I am the oldest of 5. I have always been forced to grow up, for the same fact that I am the oldest. I was raised by my courageous mother. My father was a cowered who couldn't courage up and face his responsibility. Even with ought a father, my family made it through life thanks to my mother's hard work and our determination. Nobody ever offered us help. Not even our own siblings. When we needed help the most, weather it was financially or emotionally, my aunts, uncles, and even grandparents all turned their backs on us. I come from a Mexican background and as we all know, people from Mexican backgrounds are most likely poor. We had no money. We barely had enough to eat, but luckily for us, our education was free. Therefore, we had to work hard, be determined, and suck up any information that was given to us. Because of my background and determination I, Mayra Jaramillo, am the person I am today.

I am a graduate of North Dallas High School. Class of 2010. I graduated with honors. I was ranked in the top 10% of my class. Number 11 out of almost 300 seniors. I now attend The University of Texas at Dallas on a full ride summer scholarship. I not only am determined to finish college, but I am also determined to raise my 11 month old son to be the best he can be. I wish to pass my ethics, logic, and determination to him so that he can learn to appreciate school like I have done for the past 12 years of my life.

In college I plan to study business administration, this will help me pursue my dream of opening my own Mexican restaurant. I love to bake, and my husband loves to cook. We work as a great team, and together we will be very successful and create a better life for my beloved son.