Today's class 12/17/10

Today in class we had a Christmas party for our last day. We had a lot of fun! I hope you liked the cookies, Mr. Schick! Merry Christmas!

Today 's class 12/16/10

Today in human geography we wrapped up our round table discussion about India. In my opinion it was very successful and people did a great job contributing and making it very informative and interesting. Although Brad and the grave robber thing....that was kind of creepy. Tomorrow we are having a party to celebrate Christmas and just have a little fun.

Today's class 12/15/10

Today in human geography class we started our big round table discussion. It was very interesting and people brought up a lot of interesting points. I can't wait to see what people will contribute tomorrow to the discussion! It seems like we are actually discussing a way to help India rather than just being in school and discussing a certain topic.

Today's class 12/13/10

Today in class we worked on our presentations of India. I think our group got quite a bit accomplished today.

Today's class 12/10/10

Today in class we discussed some of the other major problems in India, and we watched some videos about the poverty in India. We were also given a project to work on over the weekend due wednesday.

India's Human Trafficking Problem Redux

India’s Human Trafficking Problem

            Human trafficking is considered modern slavery.  It is a problem where people are forced into bonded labor, sexually exploited, and forced into involuntary servitude.  India is unique in human trafficking because it is not only a source but a destination and transit area for the exploitation of people.  Also, unique to India is that it is large consumer of its human trafficking.  About 85% of the people trafficked in India are used domestically.  International forced labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem.  Women and girls are trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage.  Children are forced into labor as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agricultural workers.  They have also used them as armed combatants.  One of the largest growing recent trends is the sex tourism trade.  Men from other countries are coming into India to experience the prostituted children and women.  A critical challenge for India is the overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers.  Human Traffickers are able to commit their crimes with impunity and are not worried about the consequences.  Another critical challenge for India is addressing the root causes of human trafficking.  They are wide spread poverty, high unemployment, and the under development of communities.  India needs to address these social problems as well as enforce the laws against the traffickers.  India’s problem is bad enough that the U.S. has India on its Tier II watch list for the fifth consecutive year.  This is a list of countries that the government says are not in full compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) but are making progress in solving the problem.  Also, India has not ratified the 2000 UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol of 2008.  Although India is working on their problem they have a long way to go.

CIA Factbook:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html

India Times – Human Trafficking a serious crime: CBI Chief:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Human-trafficking-a-serious-organised-crime-CBI-chief/articleshow/4511706.cms

India Times – Human Trafficking situation in India grim: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Human-trafficking-situation-in-India-grim-US/articleshow/1012186.cms

Todasy class 12/9/10

Today in class we finished the movie Slumdog Millionaire. It had a very unique ending, and I loved the dance scene at the end. I really liked some of the music in the movie especially Jai Ho. today was Mr. Schick's Birthday. Happy Birthday!!

Today in class 12/8/10

Today in class we watched a little more of the movie. Mr. Schick also went back and asked a few people to send him their coffee projects, seeing as they did not give them to him.

India's Problem's Essay - 12/06/10

Human Geography India Essay

            India has a diversity of problems within its country.  There is pervasive poverty, homelessness, human trafficking, and many more.  Many people often live in the slums of cities, such as in Mumbai.  These people are very poor and most do not even have jobs. Human trafficking is also another big issue.  Many children, women, and even men are sold into slavery. These people are sexually exploited, forced into servitude, or forced into labor.  Shockingly, about 85% of these exploited people are used domestically.  The problem has become bad enough that a growing industry has become sex tourism.   This is where men from other countries take vacations to India to experience the sex trade.  Many children in India have even been used as armed combatants in the military.  All of these things are a sad reality in India.

There are thousands of people living in poverty all over the world.  In India there are places that are extremely overcrowded and many people there are in terrible poverty. There is a place called Dharavi, or India’s Shadow City where about 18,000 people live in a single acre. Life in the slums of India is extremely difficult.  As many as 1 billion people live in shantytowns worldwide, and many of these shantytowns spread across India.  India uses a currency called Rupees, which hardly equals anything in American money. Many people are sold into slavery, or kidnapped and forced into labor. Children are sometimes forced to work as factory workers, for minimum wage.  They earn barely enough to feed themselves and sometimes they have family members to look out for as well. Many times after a horrible natural disaster or some other deadly consequence, children are left homeless.  These children are targeted and made beggars.  A lot of jobs in India’s slums consist of being a wallah, or someone who is associated with a particular service or job.  All these factors tie together through poverty and are an endless cycle.  The poor, the homeless, they are all the victims of poverty.

Slumdog Millionaire shows an excellent depiction of the slums of Mumbai.  Life does not always come with everything you could ever ask for.  Back when Mumbai was called Bombay, they had the Bombay Riots.  Theses riots were caused by communal tension in the city.  The main groups involved in the riots were the Hindus and the Muslims. Hundreds of lives were lost.  This was a terrible example of the cruelty people can inflict on one another.

India faces many problems with the welfare of their cities.  It is a struggle every day for many people.  India still has a long way to go before the problems are solved.  Things like human trafficking and poverty will take the longest to fix, and may never be fully be solved. The slums of Mumbai, and of all over India, are the result of poverty.  

Interestingly, I read an article about the U.S. having a problem with foreign students being lured to the U.S. on work visas with promises of a good job.  However, they are being exploited with jobs in strip clubs and earning very little money after huge fees for room and board. 

AP IMPACT: US Fails to Tackle Student Visa Abuses: (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/06/ap-impact-fails-tackle-student-visa-abuses/)

Bombay Riots: http://www.pucl.org/from-archives/Religion-communalism/bombay-riots.htm

CIA Factbook:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html

India Times – Human Trafficking a serious crime: CBI Chief:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Human-trafficking-a-serious-organised-crime-CBI-chief/articleshow/4511706.cms

India Times – Human Trafficking situation in India grim: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Human-trafficking-situation-in-India-grim-US/articleshow/1012186.cms

Today's class period 12/6/20

Today in human geography class we had a substitute. We were assigned an essay about the life in India, and all of the different aspects of poverty and life in the slums. The word count should be 500 words. Also the Internet crashed during our class.  Hope you feel better Mr. Schick!

My paragraph on Human trafficking in India

India’s Human Trafficking Problem

            Human trafficking is considered modern slavery.  It is a problem where people are forced into bonded labor, sexually exploited, and forced into involuntary servitude.  India is unique in human trafficking because it is not only a source but a destination and transit area for the exploitation of people.  Also unique to India, is that it is large consumer of its human trafficking.  About 85% of the people trafficked in India are used domestically.  International forced labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem.  Women and girls are trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage.  Children are forced into labor as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agricultural workers.  They have also used them as armed combatants.  One of the largest growing recent trends is the sex tourism trade.  Men from other countries are coming into India to experience the prostituted children and women.  A critical challenge for India is the overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers.  Human Traffickers are able to commit their crimes with impunity and are not worried about the consequences.  Another critical challenge for India is addressing the root causes of human trafficking.  They are wide spread poverty, high unemployment, and the under development of communities.  India needs to address these social problems as well as enforce the laws against the traffickers.  India’s problem is bad enough that the U.S. has India on its Tier II watch list for the fifth consecutive year.  This is a list of countries that the government says are not in full compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) but are making progress in solving the problem.  Also, India has not ratified the 2000 UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol of 2008.  Although India is working on their problem they have a long way to go.

CIA Factbook:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html

India Times – Human Trafficking a serious crime: CBI Chief:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Human-trafficking-a-serious-organised-crime-CBI-chief/articleshow/4511706.cms

India Times – Human Trafficking situation in India grim: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Human-trafficking-situation-in-India-grim-US/articleshow/1012186.cms

Today's class 12/3/10

Today in class we discussed our homework questions. Then we watched some more of Slumdog Millionaire. It truly is a great movie. We also recieved weekend homework, to write a paragraph on the trafficking and almost slavery of people in India.

My discovery

My mom was watching Access Holywood and i noticed there was a special report done on the war in Sudan. George Cloony was doing a documentary on it. I thought it would be nice to share that.

Homework Questions 12/2/10

4 Questions:

Compare the motion picture industry in India and the United States.

Answer: The United States has the oldest film industry in the world and largest in terms of revenue. India's film industry is the largest in the world. Many of the film directories are scattered across the US where in India, the main film industry is located in Mumbai. http://www.findadvise.com/about.jsp?topic=Motion_picture_industry

What are the names of the three main characters in Slumdog Millionaire?

Answer: The oldest, Salim and his brother Jamal. The girls name is Latika. (the movie...)

What is a chai wallah?

Answer: They are worker who make chai. You can find them all over India, from street corners to hidden alleys. http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/11/28/what-is-a-chai-wallah/

Tell us 5 things we need to know about the Taj Mahal.

Answer: It is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. The building was built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Built in honor of the king's,dead queen: Mumatz Mahal. It was constucted over 22 years. Employed 20 thousand workers. http://www.islamicity.com/Culture/Taj/default.htm

the Taj Mahal

The Bombay riots of 1992

4 essential facts about the riots (from - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_riots and the website below):

1. An estimated 2,000 people were injured that day
2. 575 Muslims and 275 Hindus died in the riots
3. They were started as a result of communal tension in the city
4.  Arson, killing, and the destruction of property occurred in many areas of Bombay

This is also a great website, in my opinion, that explains the riots: http://www.pucl.org/from-archives/Religion-communalism/bombay-riots.htm

Today in class we watched more of Slumdog millionaire. We also discussed the questions we were to answer.

Rupees

How much is 250,000 rupees (or any amount of rupees) in American dollars? (Hint: find a currency converter.)

Answer: 250,000 rupees is equivalent to 5,445 American dollars.

5 essential facts about Mumbai

Dharavi - Mumbai's Shadow City: an overcrowded part of Mumbai, where as many as 18,000 people live in a single acre. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/05/dharavi-mumbai-slum/jacobson-text

Shantytown - 1 billion people worldwide live in shantytowns. they are a section of a city or town made up of shantys or crudely built tin-like houses. (dictionary.com)

Facts:

1. Formerly know as Bombay (Mr. Schick)
2. Population  is 18 million http://www.bombay-mumbai-hotels.com/travel-tips/mumbai-facts.html
3. Lies on the west coast of India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai
4. Comercial and entertainment capitol of India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai
5. Generates 5% of India's GDP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai

India Notes

Rupees: official currency of the Republic of India

Kaum Banega Crorepati - India's version of Who wants to be a Millionaire?\

Anitabh Bachchan - huge Indian filmmaker and actor. First gained popularity as the angry man in the Bollywood Cinema. On of the most prominent people in Indian Cinema. He was the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, and he wrote Slumdog Millionaire.

Bollywood - most popular cinema in all of India, located in Mumbai.

Questions on India

Questions on India

Brynly Wilson and Emily Goheen

1.      What is the current population of India?

The current population of India is about 1,173,108,018 people. (CIA Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html)

2.      What is the total fertility rate in India?

The total fertility rate is 2.65 children born/woman. (CIA Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html)

3.      What percentage of the Indian population lives below the poverty line?

It ranges from 37.2% to 77% based on at least three government committees that were formed to count India’s poor. (Understanding the Puzzling Nature of Poverty, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/world/asia/19iht-letter.html?_r=2&ref=india)

4.      Briefly describe two terrorist attacks inside India.

In Pune, India, terrorists set of a bomb in a café killing 9 people and wounding at least 60 in February, 2010.  In November 2008, a train station and Jewish Chabad house in Mumbai, India were attacked and sieged leaving 163 people dead. (New York Times Articles, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/world/asia/14india.html?ref=terrorism, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/world/asia/15india.html?ref=terrorism

5.      The Human Development Report of the United Nations ranks the countries of the world by poverty.  Where does India rank on this list?

India is ranked 119th out of 169 countries. (Understanding the Puzzling Nature of Poverty, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/world/asia/19iht-letter.html?_r=2&ref=india)

6.      Briefly describe the effects of the monsoons on India.

Each year India is hit with massive floods, and in some areas they do not receive any water. India’s annual rainfall is approximately 46 inches, and it comes in short, forceful bursts. Much of the water escapes as untapped potential, which flows into the sea and wreaks havoc on small villages and flourishes the bigger cities in its path. Floods are a destructive and costly problem for India.  (Often Parched, India Struggles to Tap the Monsoon, New York Times,

 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/world/asia/01india.html)

7.      What are some of the problems India has getting clean water to its people?

The government cannot give basic services to its people like clean water and sewage disposal. It does not help that Delhi’s population has grown enormously throughout the years, with an estimated 16 million people today. The Yamuna River is the primary source of drinking water for Delhi, but there is not enough for everyone. The distribution network is poor and ill maintained, and many people are not connected to the network. Only 1 in every 4 Delhi residents gets less than three hours of water from their tap every day.  (Often Parched, India Struggles to Tap the Monsoon, New York Times Videos, http://video.nytimes.com/video/2006/09/28/world/1194817098866/part-1-water-woes-in-india.html)

8.      What is the literacy rate in India?

The Literacy Rate in India for the whole population is 61%.  For males it is 73.4 % and for women it is 47.8%.  As defined by people over 15 years of age that can read and write. (CIA Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html)

9.      What are the major religions in India?

The major religions in India are Hinduism 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, and Christianity 2.3%. (CIA Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html)

10.  When did India achieve independence, and from what country?

India gained independence from the United Kingdom on the fifteenth of August, 1947. (CIA Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html)

Today 11/24/10

Today in class we recieved weekend homework. We have to answer 10 questions, using the websites Mr. Schick provided, about India. We also have to cite our sources as well. In the begining of class we also shared our images of the population clock.

today 11/22/10

Today in human geography class we started a new unit on China and India. We started taking a few notes. We also listened to Jason and Alex's coffee presentation. It was very good. I liked their pictures and the information they had taught quite a lot about their subject.

Notes 11/22/10

• Only population billionaires are China and India (1.35 billion C, and 1.21 billion I)
• Together currently contain 2 out of every 5 people in the world.
• 40% of all the people on the planet
• nobody is close to their populations
• China or India is bigger than all of Europe, Both bigger than all of North America
• China median age - 34, India median age- 25
• Life expectancy in China - 73, Life expectancy in India - 64
• China will soon become predominately urban, living mostly in cities, and India will remain mainly rural
• International migration does not play a big part in their overall population
• Both express objection to illegal immigrants
• They are taking advantage in other areas
• establishing governement offices
• Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State council
• Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
• India's population is growing more than twice as fast as China's
• China's population should be dropping soon, currently at 1.8
•  In 1950s Both countries had 6 children per woman

Our project

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fk61XXAUTigZyPZ7VpZeoIRfNt0jX63mmLTX8m4HEG0/edit?authkey=CNemxOUL#

Today 11/19/10

Today in human geography, we started our presentations with each other. So far we are doing pretty well. It is a little confusing with all the moving around. I like listening to other people's reports. Some of them have been pretty interesting. I also had a shadow today.

Today's class 11/18/10

Today in class we were told that our presentations were postponed till tomorrow due to the freshman retreat. We were given sort of a free mod, in order to do some school work and talk quietly. Eventually we watched part of a movie with an Indian name.

Today's class 11/15/10

Today in human geography class we continued to work on our project, and I expect that my group should be done by Tuesday. We had an awards assembly today. We also learned that our project is now due Thursday due to Mrs. Mosuer's funeral on Wednesday. We are off on Wednesday.

Today's class 11/12/10

Today in human geo class we talked about a few ways to ge John Bul Dau to come to our school to talk. We then worked on our research projects for the rest of the class. I think my group is doing fairly well. Also, we had a poweroutage today. Scary stuff!

Today's class 11/11/10

Today in class we received a new research project. We were all assigned a different project, and it is due next Wednesday.

Today's class and homework 11/10/10

Today in class we discussed the vocabulary words and the five  questions. For homework we have to find at least five websites to answer the questions.

Websites:
http://www.life123.com/food/cocktails-beverages/coffee/index.shtml

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_was_the_Fair_Trade_organization_established_and_why

http://wsj.miniplan.com/spv/3244/4.cfm

http://www.ehow.com/how_3390964_harvest-coffee-beans.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask

http://www.ehow.com/how_2093337_roast-coffee-beans.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask

Homework on Coffee videos 11/9/10

Global Economy – the economy of the world; the management of the resources of a community http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/global+economy?&qsrc

Fair trade coffee – coffee purchased directly from the growers at a higher price, than standard coffee http://www.ask.com/questions-about/what-is-fair-trade-coffee

Specialty coffee – coffee made from  mix of different coffee beans to create a new flavor rather than the regular coffee taste

Relationship coffee – am alternative to the traditional coffee supply chain http://www.sustainableharvest.com/relationship-coffee/

Roasters – a person or thing that roasts http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/roasters?&qsrc

Questions:

1.      What factors go into making a great cup of coffee?

2.      Why was the Fair Trade designations established?

3.      What companies are the largest importers of coffee in the U.S?

4.      How is the coffee bean harvested?

5.      How is the coffee been roasted?

Today's class and Coffee notes 11/8/10

Today in class we started the first video of the two coffee videos. I finished the first one and started my questions and terms.

NOTES:
Coffee is the most heavily traded commodity (anything somebody buys or sells) in the world.
Coffee fuels the economy of businesses over seas.
The united states buys extremely large amounts of coffee.

today's class 11/5/10

Today in class we finished tweaking our projects and sent them to Mr. Schick. We had a few problems but in the end, everything worked out fine. Now they can be published!

Today's class 11/4/10

Today in class we continued working on our migration project, and hopefully finishing them up. Emily and I are almost done with ours, but we have some minor changes to make tonight.

Today's class 11/3/10

Today in human geography class we worked on our Migration magazine articles. Emily and I got quite a lot done today. We post all the magazines on Friday.

Today's human geo class 10/29/10

Today in human geography we had a test on the movie God Grew Tired of Us.  It was a very easy quiz. i had a shadow today. We also worked some more on our magazine projects.

today's class 10/28/10

Today in class we started working through our magazine articles with our partners. We learned that it is due next Friday and that we were going to have a test on the Lost Boys movie tomorrow.

Today in human geo class 10/27/10

We finished the movie God Grew Tired of Us today. In the end John reunited with his mother and sister in America. Panther traveled back to Africa, to visit his home land and to get married. He also met with his mother and brother while he was there. Panther also started to build a school in Sudan. John also started and organization to help Sudan, which he is the president of, and he also is starting a medical clinic in his hometown in Sudan. Daniel was not so lucky and did not find any of his family members. He is still working with the Jobs Corps. to finish out college.

Today's class 10/25/10

Today in human geography we watched more of the Lost Boys of Sudan's movie, God Grew Tired of Us. The lost boys were starting to feel very lonely and had no one to turn to for help. They were trying to help their fellow brothers back home in Africa to maintain a better life. When they sent over money, the boys got worried that maybe the money didn't go through and were constantly worrying about that, plus their multiple jobs, and whether or not they could find their families. One of the lost boys ended up running away and slowly losing his mind, and being admitted to a phyciatric hospital for scientific study. John received a letter informing him that his mother and sisters were still alive, but were suffering from diseases. He did what ever he could to help bring them some relief and possibly to the United States. Many Americans also started discriminating against the boys. They were even told by police not to go into stores in big groups, because people felt intimidated.

Friday's class and weekend homework

On Friday we watched more of the movie God Grew Tired of Us.

Movie Summary: The lost boys traveled by plane from Kenya to the United States. It was strange and new to them. They had no idea what to do. United States provided them with an apartment that had all the necessary items for living. It took some time for them to adjust to the new culture. When they ate they still prepared their food the same way they did in Africa, and they even ate with their hands as well. The Lost Boys could not work until they had gotten their social security numbers. If they were going to get jobs then they had to be hired within three months of their receiving of the social security number, or they would be sent back to Africa.

Definitions:

In-Migration - to move or settle into a different part of one's country or home territory

Out-Migration - to leave a region, community, etc., to move or settle into a different part of one's country or home territory

Forced migration - the coerced movement of a person or persons away from their home or home region

Net internal migration – the total amount of people moving to a different location inside of the countries’ border

Movers from abroad – Immigrants and emigrants

Internally displace person (IDP) - someone who is forced to flee their home but who, unlike a refugee, remains within their country's borders

Civil War summary:

Civil war in Sudan has been going on throughout most of its independence in 1953.  The most recent civil war began in the early 1980’s.  The conflict is between the predominately Muslim northern Arabs and the Black African people of the Southern area.  A general understanding of the problem between the two groups is the desire of the Muslims to impose their beliefs and Islamic laws (Shari‘a) on everyone in the country.  Coupled with other cultural differences, the people of southern Sudan rebelled against the government of the north.  Sudan’s civil war has killed over 2 million people and internally displaced about 4 million.  Also, approximately 600,000 people became refugees.  The civil war formally came to an end when the two sides signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January, 2005.

U.S. Department of State

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm

Global Security.org

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/sudan.htm

today's class 10/21/10

Today we watched a movie about the Lost Boys of Sudan.

Answers:

Why did the Lost Boys have to leave their home?
They left their home because there was a civil war in Sudan between the Muslims and the Black Christians.

Why couldn’t they stay in Ethiopia?
The Lost Boys  had to leave Ethiopia because the Ethiopian government was overthrown by rebels and refugee camps were attacked.  

What was life like in the refugee camp?
They had food rations, lived in make-shift houses and families, and they never had enough water and food.


The Lost Boys traveled 500 miles, and below is a map
Map of the Lost Boys Journey:

Map of 500 mi from Bel Air into Ohio:

Today's class 10/20/10

Today in human geography we got our population tests back. I did very well on it. We went over the test and discussed what we had gotten wrong and what the right answers were. We also had a shadow today.

Today's class 10/18/10

Today in human geography we went through our Migration papers and we also created a class map that depicted all of the places the class's families came from. As I reflect on my Migration paper, I think of how much I have learned about my heritage. I thought it was cool that my great cousins wrote a book about my ancestors. It was fun to talk to my grandmothers about our family. They were so happy to share. I am also amazed at how many relatives migrated from Europe. I was also shocked to learn that I am a direct descendant of Davey Crockett.

Weekend Assignment

My Future

When I graduate from college there are two places I would like a chance to move to.  They are Tokyo, Japan and Washington D.C.  Japan has always been a special place for me because I love to draw anime and I love the language and culture.  As a pull factor living in Tokyo will give me an opportunity to refine my art work and work in the manga industry.  Also, I plan to take Japanese during college.  Living in Japan will give me a chance to use my language skills and become fluent in a natural setting.  While both language use and manga are pull forces drawing me to Japan, they can both be push factors also.  The manga industry in the U.S. is small and using the Japanese language in the U.S. is limited to mostly government jobs as an interpreter.  The downside to moving to Tokyo, Japan would definitely be leaving my family behind.  Also, it would be very difficult learning to live in a vastly different society.  The advantages would be the ability to further my art work, refine my language skills, and spend time in a culture that I love.

            The second place I have chosen, Washington D.C., is because I find it to be a fascinating city.  My father works there and I have had the chance to go to work with him a few times. What pulls me to the city are the job opportunities.  My father tells me that there are many more opportunities than here in Baltimore.  Also, it is one place where I may be able to use my language skills as a government interpreter.  It is also an excellent place to pursue a career in forensic science because of the FBI and CIA.  Washington D.C. is also our nation’s capitol.  As such, it has a very diverse and vibrant culture that draws me to it.  On the downside once again is leaving my family.  However, it will be easier to visit them more than if I lived in Japan.  Also on the downside, being our nation’s capitol, it is a terrorist target.  The advantages are better job opportunities, more chance for using my language skills, and an excellent place to pursue a career in forensic science.

My Past

            To explore my past I talked to both of my parents and both of my grandmothers.  I learned that my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents all were born in the United States.  It is not until I get to my great, great, grandparents that I discover who came to the U.S. from other countries.  Both of my parents were born in Maryland.  My grandparents on my father’s side were born in Indiana and North Carolina and on the mother’s side my grandparents were born in Maryland.  As I work through to my great grandparents I learned that on my father’s side they were born in Indiana (two of them), and North Carolina (two of them).  On my mother’s side I learned that three of my great grandparents were born in Maryland and one in Virginia.  Although it appears that most of my family was born close by, over the years they have lived in many different places.  My relatives have lived in Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, California, and Colorado.  I even have a great grandfather who “rode the rails” throughout the states working wherever he could find work.  As I talked to my parents and grandmothers I learned that the single most important push or pull factor on why my extended family moved around was jobs.  In some cases there were not many jobs in the areas they were living and in some cases it was just better job advancement that made someone move to another part of the United States.  Military service was another reason why some of my family moved.

            When I get down to my great, great, grandparents I finally find some of my relatives that came to the U.S. from other countries.  I discovered on my mother’s side a great, great grandmother and grandfather that came from Germany and a great, great grandfather that came from Ireland.  On my father’s side I learned of a great, great grandmother and grandfather that also came from Germany.  As best that my family can remember these relatives moved to the states for better living and job opportunities after World War I.  One of the most fascinating things I learned is that I am a direct descendant of Davy Crocket through my mother’s side of the family.

Today 10/ 11/10

Today in human geography we took a test on the population vocabulary and notes that we had been going over. I'm pretty sure I got an A. It really wasn't that hard at all!

Today's class 10/8/10

Notes...

• over 6.8 billion people on the earth right now
• increasing by over 80 million per year
• by 220,980 a day
• 14,000 births per hour
• 90% of this population growth takes place in the developing countries of Africa, South and East Asia, and Latin America

rate of natural increase (RNI)

• produced by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate, then dividing by 10
• this gives us the annual natural growth rate - in percentage form -  for a country or region

push forces

• civil war
• environmental degradation
• unemployment
• religious or ethnic persecution

pull forces

• better economic opportunity
• better health services
• religious freedom
• political freedom

World TFR:      2.54

 

US TFR:          2.05

Europe's TFR: 1.45

Africa's TFR:    5.14

 

 

Today in class 10/7/10

Today in human geography we talked more about our definitions and discussed the population pyramids. Mr. Schick also talked to us about the Cold War and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We learned about the developments of the atomic bomb and how they have advanced in technology. Mr. Schick also let us take a class picture in all our crazy outfits.

Today's notes 10/7/10

Notes....

• The one country with a negative RNI is Germany
• In most African nations the total fertility rate is high becuase most children don't survive, and so they have 4 or 5 in hopes that some will survive
• One can be an immigrant and emigrant, by moving to one country (immigrant) and leaving their own.(emigrant)
• Why do you migrate? Push and Pull factors: people are "pushed" out their own country by laws or resricted freedom, and they are "pulled" into a better country 
• Pull factors are the reason that the net migration is so high in some countries
• Population pyramid
• determines the age of the people in a population
• when you have a low amount of people in the lower age range that are the work forces nad have the timportant jobs, and a high amount of people in the bigger age ranges that need help, then it causes problems in the economy
• Germany had a low population rate, and they don't have as many people pouring into their country

Today in human geo 10/6/10

Today in human geography class we looked back on our vocab words on the Population unit and Mr. Schick gave us a few more notes. He also gave us a mini health lecture on the total fertility rate. We had a shadow today too, and we learned that you can't touch stinkbugs.

Today's notes 10/6/10

Notes....

• Life expectancy statistics are a great snapshot of how life quality is in the world.
• Rate of natural increse is a positive for every country on earth.
• negative if people start dying
• the population is going up
• The number for total fertility, in order for the population in a country to stay the same is 2.1
• The net migration rate

Today in class 10/4/10

Today in human geography class we got our tests back. We spent the entire period going over the test, seeing what we did wrong, and how to improve for the next time we take one of Mr. Schick's tests. Overall I did fairly well on it. I need to add more detail though, when I write my essay portions of the tests.

Today 10/1/10

Today in human geography we went over the country statistics and the definitions we were assigned to do. Mr. Schick also told us that if we did not finish them then we were to do the definitions and statistics  over the weekend.

Definitions and Country Stats.

DEFINITIONS:
Life expectancy - is the expected number of years life remaining at a given age (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_expectancy)

Crude birth rate - is the childbirths per 1,000 people per year (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crude_birth_rate)

Crude death rate -  the total number of deaths per year per 1000 people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crude_death_rate

Rate of natural increase - is the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate of the population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rate_of_natural_increase)

Total fertility rate- of a population is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate)

Net migration rate- is the diference of immigrants and emigrants of an area in a period of time, divided usually per 1000 inhabitants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_migration)

Populations pyramid - an image of pyramid used to show the distrabution of varying age groups in a population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_pyramid)

STATS:Life expectancy:
Japan - 82.12 – 3rd
France - 80.98 – 8th
Kenya - 57.86 – 189th
Cuba - 77.45 – 55th
United States - 78.11 – 49th
Afghanistan - 44.40 – 219th

Crude birth rate:Japan - 7.64 – 222nd
Kenya - 36.64 – 29th
Ethiopia - 43.66 – 7th
United States - 13.83 – 154th
Germany - 8.18 – 220th

Crude death rate:Afghanistan - 17.83 – 7th
Kenya - 9.72 – 67th
United States - 8.38 – 99th
Japan - 9.54 – 69th
Mexico - 4.80 – 192nd

TFR:Niger- 7.75 – 1st
Afghanistan - 5.6 – 13th
Japan - 1.21 – 218th
United States - 2.05 – 126th
Germany - 1.41 – 196th

Net migration rate:Mexico - (-3.61) – 153rd
United States - 4.32 – 25th
United Arab Emirates - 22.98 – 1st
Argentina - 0.00 – 73rd
Saudi Arabia - (-7.60) – 171st
Uganda - (-8.83) – 173rd

Today's nerve-racking class 9/29/10

Today in class we had our big unit test. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I appreciated being able to use our laptops throught the test. I think i did fairly well on it and candy is an amazing reward for hard work!

Today's class 9/27

Today in human geography we discussed our upcoming Unit Test. Mr. Schick went over material that would be on our test. He also mentioned to study the notes on our blogs. Mr. Schick also asked us to check powerschool to see if any grades were missing, as he recently updated them

Prezi

My groups prezi: http://prezi.com/_7wrino7aiq1/comparing-religions/

Today we worked on and finished our prezi's on the 3 different Religions. We add some info and a few more pictures and Mr Schick gave us a lecture of sorts about grammer and spelling

Today 9/22/10

Today in human geo we learned about our assignment on researching religions in groups. The religions were: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. We also learned about Prezi, an online powerpoint type of presentation system. We had to use Prezi to gather information and use it to make and complete our assignment.

today 9/20/10

Today we worked through more of the country stats. And we talked about how they ranked in the world and all they effects each country had on another.  We also talked about how the languages and religions were simliar and different compared to where the countries were located.

Country Statistics cont.

Iran- 9.78% Arable land, Permanent crops 1.29%, 18th biggest nation: 66 million, unemployment rate is 11.8%, military: 19, 16 and 15 you can volunteer, life expectancy - males: 74% and females: 74%, oil production: imports- 1.2 million, exports- 2.21 million barrels a day, "Iran has been designated a state sponsor terroist and for its activities in Lebenon and other sctivites in the world and remains subject to UN, US, and EU economic snactions

Israel - Literacy rate- 15 and older: 97.1% of the total population: male - 98.5% and females- 97%, Religion - 16.8% muslim, 2.1% are christian, 75.5% jewish, hebrew is oficial language

Iraq - Literacy rate: men 84.1% and women 64.2%, GDP: 65.84billion - 858th, Religion is muslim

Egypt- Population- over 78 million and ranked 16th, Less than 3 perecent arable land, literacr rate male: 83% and female: 71%, Infant mortality rate: 20 thousand per 7 deaths ranked,  90% is muslim, military; 18-30 obligated 12 months follwed by 9yrs, Republic gov., Language - english, freanch, and Unemployment rate is:

Country statistics

Saudi Arabia - 100% muslim, literacy rate: male 84.7 % and females: 70.8%, Military: age 16, Life expantacy: 74% for males and females 74%, 38% die before 15, 11.57% infant mortality rate per 1000 births, Oil producion: ranked 2n in the world and Oil Export: number 1, Unemployment rate: 11. 7%

Iran - Arable land: 9.78%, 1.29% is growing crops to eat, Unemployent rate: 11.8%, Military service: at 19 you have to join; 15 and 16 you can volunteer, Life expectancy: 69.65% males and women: 72.72%

today 9/16/10

Today in class we took a graded assesment on finding places in the different continents using sites such and the CIA World factbook, google maps, and many others. Of cource we also had to cite our sources. Then we went on to freerice.com and had a mini competition on who could get more rice. For the record pop-tarts that taste like soy sauce would not be my favorite, and rice cakes tasting like soy sauce and peanutbutter would definitely be popular over in Asia.

Identifying Countries

1.  United States - North amrica
2.  France - Europe
3.  Iraq - Africa
4.  China - Asia
5.  Saudi Arabia - Africa
6.  Haiti - South America
7.  India - Asia
8.  Japan - Asia
9.  Venezuela - South America
10. Iran - Asia
11. Russia - Europe
12. The United Kingdom - Europe
13. Israel - Africa
14. Germany - Europe
15. Tibet - Asia
16. Afghanistan - Asia
17. Brazil - South America
18. North Korea - Asia
19. Egypt - Africa
20. Kenya - Africa
21. Pakistan - Asia
22. Vietnam - Asia
23. Mexico - North America
24. Cuba - North America

Info found on: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html and http://maps.google.com/

9/15/10 Class today

Today was my second day and we learned how to navigate and use the CIA World Factbook. We also leanrned that it is government owned and has information on every country out there. Some of the things we leanred from the factbook were: the definition of GDP, who exports the most oil, whether or not women in China could join the military and so on and so forth.

Today in Human Geo....

Today was my first day in Mr Schick's Human Geography class. I learned that I needed to make a blog and to keep it updated regularly. While others had to continue working on their 9/11 papers, I got myself oriented with my new class. Mr Schick and I met after school to discuss further the guidlines of the class. Its been pretty good so far. I can;t wait for next class to see what it's like!

Definitions

Definitions:

1. Geography - The study of the earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity.


2.  Globalization - To make global or worldwide in scope or application
 
3. Population - All of the people inhabiting a specified area;The total number of such people;The total number of inhabitants constituting a particular race, class, or group in a specified area
4. Immigration - To enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native
 
5. Industrialization - To develop industry in a society, country, etc
 
6. Culture - The total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group
 
7. Religion - Belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny
 
Information found on : http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
 
The Population of the world:
6, 868, 632, 492 as of Sep. 13, 2010 from: http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/worldpopinfo.php/
 
5 Largest Countries and their Populations -
1. China: 1, 338, 612, 968
2.  India: 1, 156, 897, 766
3.  United States: 307, 212, 123
4.  Indonesia: 240, 271, 522
5.  Brazil: 198, 739, 269
Information found: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html/
 
Five largest religions
1. Christianity - 2 billion
2. Islam - 1.2 billion
3. Hinduism - 785 million
4. Buddhism - 360 million
5. Judaism - 17 million
Found on: http://www.godweb.org/religionsofworld.htm/

My 6 word memoir

There is a lot to learn