Week 4 EOC: Death Match Jeopardy

On July 31, 2012 I took part in a Jeopardy game in class with the purpose of learning, while having fun. I had to contribute to the game in several ways; by studying, playing, and making my own game. To be able to play, I really had to study many definitions from the book, Patent, Copyright, and Trademark by Richard Stim so that I would know the answers. I also had to search for, and study words in order to create my own game. This really helped me learn and understand words more than I would if I were just studying. On the day of class when I got to play other student's games I saw that playing Jeopardy can be very educational - and fun. I loved the competition; it made me want to look through the book for the answer even more, therefore making me want to learn. While making my own game was also a learning experience, playing other student's games was better because I had seen, and learned words that I hadn't to my own game, making this game an even better learning experience. I think this idea of having students create a Jeopardy game and then play each others games to learn should be used in other classes because it really is helpful, and by making the experience fun, and competitive, it makes the student want to gain more knowledge to win the game, at the same time preparing him or her for exams. After the games on Tuesday, I still need to study more to be sure I can pass the exam, but at least I will already know many of the definitions and that really can be of great help.

Week 2 EOC: Erin Brockovich

Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich was a very interesting, and dramatic movie in my opinion. It's based on a true story, a powerful story, about a strong single mother who loves her children, and does what she needs to do to get the job done. Erin Brockovich becomes a legal assistant and with her doing most of the work, takes on a California power company who polluted a city's water supply, and she takes them down. In the end, the case was settled for $333 million dollars. When Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) settled the case for the $333 million, it "was the largest settlement ever awarded in a direct-action lawsuit in the history of the United States." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/faq#.2.1.4) Forty percent (a little over $133 million) was given to the lawyers involved in the case. Ms. Erin Brockovich was rewarded with a 2 million dollar bonus from attorney Ed Masry. Sadly, many of the victims had become seriously sick because of the contaminated water, but because of Erin Brockovich and the team, the more than 600 Hinkley plaintiffs were left with $196 million dollars to be divided between them in the end. That's approximately $300,000 to each victim. I believe that in the end everyone won; except PG&E, of course. Erin did a wonderful thing by helping the city of victim's poisoned and some severely damaged because of the irresponsibility and selfishness of a company, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Lawyers also did a great thing by helping Erin and the people win the case, and I'm sure they will always be remembered and appreciated by all of the victims who in the end got justice.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

I was worried about what I would want to do with my future when someone close to me mentioned to me that I was good at photography. I looked into the photography world, entered it, and never went back. When I became very interested and engaged in photography, and got in a photography class in school, I knew what I wanted my career to be. At first, I would like to capture nature’s beauty, or just take photos of things I found fascinating; master nature photographer, Peter Lik, was the only photographer who inspired me back then. I have been exploring more of the photography world, and I have found many other inspirations, like horror photographer Joshua Hoffine, one of my biggest inspirations at the moment. I no longer wish to be a nature photographer. I'm now working on becoming a professional, freelance conceptual photographer, and a professional stock photographer. I also have a passion for music and work to have great success in that field as well. Success to me is achieving my goals, and I'm not afraid to dream big and work towards big goals. Because I know with determination and dedication, they can be achieved.