HW#59-SOF Prom 2011 & DSPs

When i first got to prom, i noticed most of the girl's appearances rather than the boys. Most of all the girls there had on beautiful gowns with their hair looking perfect and make-up on their face to glow. There was a transformation it definetly felt like "magic". I cried a little bit just seeing everyone. Everybody looked their best and you noticed everything. The people in school who are considered not so popular or just the quiet ones were the loud ones at the prom that made a statement. I noticed that everybody came together as one no matter what happen during the school year because usually in movies and things everybody seem to have their own clique but at the prom is wasnt like that at all.

The prom was definetly like the movies to the extend that people were drinking and kind of wasted that night. People made it a point to get messed up because it was "prom". It was very typical night of prom but everybody added their own into it. Once prom was over everybody kind of transformed into a different person. I know i did. It was like prom is over, now it's time to really party. Everybody changed from their gowns to their party wear to have prom pt.2. Having the discussion in class, i thought that i would be more aware of my surrounding of prom but i actually forgot all about. I feel like prom is such a social norm to teenagers, there isn't much to think about it. Overall the prom was a very unforgettable event and i have a great time with the class of 2011.

HW#58 - Prom Interviews

My friend Kimberly (hasn't attended Prom)

1.)What are your int ital thoughts on prom?
I think its more of a girls day too get all dolled up too show their friends the ending and how much they grew up as years passed on. I think its just one big event too end the year with people you've known throughout high school.

2.)Are you excited for prom? Why or why not?
Not really. I think its too stressful and cost too much just for one night. And i just feel like my grade isn't as close as we all should be.

3.)Are you going with someone?
Most likely yes because i want too experience the day with someone who will remember every moment of that day.

4.)Do you think it's mandatory for someone to get that prom "experience"?
I don't think it is. I think that each high school student is different in how they interact with people. So depending on how they're socially they might not like it, might not be life changing too them.

5.)What's your opinion on the general stereo-types revolved around prom ?
In movies prom is this romantic place where everyone goes with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Usually in movies at the end of that night the two love birds have some sexual contact. Or even that every ones happy during this whole process

6.)Do you think it's one of the most important times of your life?
I don't. I think graduating and getting accepted into a college is the most important. Because a girl or boy can be doing so bad in school and go to prom without getting the chance too have that final walk down.

My Friend Katherine (attended Prom last week)

1.)What are your initital thoughts on prom?
Being that I went to prom, I think that it was a fun experience for me. I was able to hang out with my close friends who probably I wouldn't see once we graduated.

2.)Are you excited for prom? Why or why not?
At the time when I went I was reallllyyyy excited just by the fact of putting on a gown and dressing up. It's like a good feeling inside for a girl's point of view.

3.)Are you going with someone?
I went with my ex boyfriend at the time. Me and him are really cool now. If you are seeing someone at the time like a gf/bf it's only right you go with them.

4.)Do you think it's mandatory for someone to get that prom "experience"?
Personally I don't think it's mandatory but seniors should go to prom. It's like that one night when all you guys we be all together as a group to just bug out and have a lot of fun. So I don't think it's mandatory but I would push people for it.

5.)What's your opinion on the general stero-types revolved around prom ?
Usually you always hear that you are suppose to have sex with someone and drink because it's a "special" night so you are free to do whatever you want. I know when I was at prom people were hooking up with people you wouldn't even think of which was weird and awkward.

6.)Do you think it's one of the most important times of your life?
Honestly, I think that it is a important time of your life but at the same time if you don't wanna go you shouldn't force yourself because everybody is going. I'm kind of on the fence. Prom is a big deal to some people like before your wedding type of event.

My Aunt

1.)What are initital thoughts on prom?
I think that prom is an exciting event for every teenager. It is a way for them to grow and for the parents to see their child and be like "omg look at my little boy/girl"

2.)Are you excited for prom? Why or why not?
Years ago when i went to prom, i was excited but not over the top. It wasn't something i was dreading on or anything. Just a party for me to enjoy myself with my friends.

3.)Are you going with someone?

No i actually just went with a group of friends in a limo.

4.)Do you think it's mandatory for someone to get that prom "experience"?

I don't think so. I think you either go or you don't. It's a big deal to other, some not so much.

5.)What's your opinion on the general stereo-types revolved around prom ?

I think that its kind of funny how we have all these different kind of ideas of what "prom" is but what is it really? Everybody has their own interpretation of prom. It wont all be the same concept.

From the people i interviewed i noticed that all of them said that it is a day for girls to get all dressed and be beautiful not that they aren't already and have a good time. They all mentioned that prom is the kind of thing that isn't the kind of thing you have to go to, that it's your own voice. All the people i did interview were girls also so maybe that has something to do with it. I think that if i had interviewed a boy it would have been a little different because i think prom isn't a big deal as it is with boys as with girls. They don't have to prepare as much as we do. They all mentioned the fact that they are are/were excited for prom that it was/would be a good time for everybody.

HW#57 - Initial Thoughts on Prom

Growing up i think that prom is one of things that a little girl couldn't wait for besides her wedding. When i think of prom i think of the gliss and glam. The fact you get to dress up for that one special event and feel like a princess. There is always a method when it comes to prom the girls are suppose to go all out from head to toe just to feel nice for that one occasion. It starts from the guy asking you and then all the planning comes along with it. It's not a one, two, three step process, it's the kind of thing that takes time. You can rush perfection especially in a girl's point of view. Prom is the right of passage to adult hood. It's a event like that this that allows you to be free and kind of do whatever you want.

When you think of Prom, you think of partying and having the time of your life. Lots of people say that if you miss out on prom that you will regret in later on in your life. I don't think so personally. I feel like sometimes prom is overrated sometimes because you don't need to follow the social norm. Why is that you should bring a date to your prom rather than alone? Prom i think is kind of an excuse also to drink and act reckless because its "that night" to do what you please. Young teens are suppose to lose their virginity and do the unthinkable. Even though prom is pretty much the same i think depending on where you love it is slightly different. Overall i think that prom is just want you make it, if you want to go you should. If not, do whatever fits you. Some people make a seem like it's a mandatory thing when it's not.

Questions:
Where did the Prom ritual come from?
Why do we treat Prom as a mini wedding?
What would it be like if Proms never existed?
Do other countries have Prom?

HW#56 - Culminating Project Comments

Comments To:

http://sarahfrancesca23.blogspot.com/
Sarah,

I thought that your video was very creative and enjoyable. It caught my attention right away. I liked how you explained that we aren't full control of our bodies mentally but physically. It's interesting how even after this unit you still aren't sure what you want to be done physically to your body after hearing all of those alternatives. I liked the fact the people who you interviewed actually took the time and thought about what they wanted done to their body not just bubbles ideas. You did a good job. Keep it up!

http://rossi63blog.blogspot.com/
Rossi,

I thought that your post was intriguing. I thought it was weird how the woman was against home funeral because of the constant reminder that she had a dead loved one in her house, i think that is the best part of a home funeral. It's nice that you had a fun time while doing this project which makes it more engaging. It's funny how the woman buys funeral magazines, i never heard of that before. Good Job!

http://ineedablogforandysclass.blogspot.com/
David,

I liked your post because after doing this project i was thinking about a home burial for myself. It's interesting how in New York where we have everything there are so many restrictions to having a home burial. The only thing i would say is that i can't see the video which i thought would be good to have a better outlook on the points you were making. Overall i thought it was nice and interesting. I now know what i can do farther in order to have a home burial. Nice job!

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Comments For Me:

Lina

First off, I really like how you tied this into your last project for the Birth Unit. Many people agree that death and life are highly relative and yet, so many people don't like speaking or witnessing death rituals. That idea that you've followed in discussing this seems to follow along with the idea of the course very nicely.

Also, in class, you said that "money doesn't matter" in terms of the funeral and here you said that a family uses their own materials. From this I gather that it's safe to assume that a family doesn't feel the pressure to buy or create some standard, fantastic coffin/casket for the decease to outdo everyone else. Interesting.

Sarah

I really was interested by the information you provided in this blog post. It seems as though the way Indian people deal with death is much more personal. I found it fascinating that young children and saints are buried because they are pure. This part really caught my attention, "Unlike our social dominant practices it doesn't seem that money is an issue in India. Everything done during in the ceremony there isn't a money factor that causes the family to have to worry about things. Its all religion based." In our culture a lot of people associate death with religion. However, do you think in our culture religion is a reason to raise the price? Or do you think there is no comparison between India and the United States, since our country is extremely wealthy? Good job!

Ally

I loved this, I was actually really interested in the topic you chose to do your project on. I think that the Hindu culture focuses more on the morning and celebration of the deceased life rather than appearance of the burial ground and or cost. I thought it was interesting that they crack the skull in order to release the soul from the body , even though it seems a little gore-ish it makes sense. Its almost as if a person's soul is trapped in the vessel(they're body) once they die so they need to be released. Religion really plays a huge role in the Hindu culture and its shown by they're social dominant practices.
"In the Hindu culture, they will bring their sick loved ones home with them to die peacefully instead of hospitals. It is Hindu custom for the family to build a shelter and perform a fire ritual (homa) in order to bless nine brass pots and one clay pot. In absence of a shelter a fire is made at home. Relating back to the cremation only men can attend it, women are forbidden."
They're social dominant practice with funerals seems to be a home funeral, which seems far fetched in the states and most people don't know about them.

Willie

I liked your project because when you were taling about hinduism, I also did a little research in the topic which made me very interested because i found a little bit of information but too hear more stuff on it was a big help also to my prject

David

I really liked how for the project you do focused on India again to give more information on the same place after the last presentation you gave on birth. Since you focused on birth before (the start) and now death (the end) it just all fits in very well for your project. I found it interesting that after a funeral of a loved one they wouldn't eat certain foods and mourn for 13 days (which in America is a bad luck number). I also found it interestuing that in India the burials contain somewhat of a Home Funeral and a Cremation.

COTD2-Harold and Maude Movie

In the beginning of the movie, Harold was playing dead and his mother didn't even care. She completely ignored him. It seemed like he is obsessed death. Harold like to play with death and make up different scenes in front of him mother. It looks like deep down inside he wants to die but he still is alive. Harold is very nonchalant about death and i don't think have any feelings toward it. It doesn't take it seriously. The mother kind of gets upset by the fact that he always does things to make him seem dead. Every time that he plays the different roles he never get a reaction from his mother that he wants. I think that overall he is ignored by his family so he does things to get attention.

Maude and Harold are similar in the way that they are obsessed with death. She is always attending funerals and burials of other people she doesn't know. Later on in the scenes, he rather be alone than with a girlfriend. His mother tries to put him on a date and he just scared her away. Nobody really understands him as a person besides his mother. Maude and Harold both have unique personalities that allow them to get along. I think that Maude believes that everybody dies and you should live your life to have fun. She always stealing people's cars and doing what she wants to live her life to fullest who cares about rules and the regulations.

I think that Maude teaches Harold to let go and enjoy himself because he's so stuck in dying and doing different roles to kill himself, instead of the moment you should live it. Harold mother i think believes that Harold should act age appropriate. The mother doesn't really take death seriously as Harold and Maude do. She doesn't believe in the deeper meaning of it. She is opposite of Harold. She is very materialistic as well. Maude says "the earth is my body, my head is in the stars", i think that she means that we rule the world that you own your body and you wish what ever happens to your body or do what you want. She is very full of life and doesn't think of the bad possibilities just the good ones.

In the movie he said "I haven't lived. I've died a few times". He was saying that he enjoyed being died. He would rather be dead than alive and that is when Maude comes in to brighten up his life because of the negativity he always puts on himself. I think that he doesn't receive enough love or attention from her. There is more to life than dying that is what Maude is trying to teach Harold.

HW#55 - Culminating Project - Care of the Dead

From the birth unit,i was curious to find out about the birth rituals in India which i found intriguing, so i decide to look in the death rituals in India as well to compare and contrast them as well. In the United States we do the dominant social practices such as cremation and funeral burials. The cremation rate in the U.S is about 37% and the cremation rates in India are 48%. The way that India care for the dead is much different than our typical funeral burial. In the culture of Hinduism, most of the body are cremation that is why the percentage is much higher the U.S. Young children and saints are buried because they are considered pure. They believe that cremation allows the body to leave the body and move unto the next chapter in life. These rituals happen most of time either dusk or dawn. When these cremations are happen they usually happen around the time after the death or as soon as possible.

The process of the funeral ritual is called Antyeshti. After the death/funeral of their loved one, they mourn for another thirteen days. In the process of mourning the family not considered pure. They do not eat certain foods and attend certain religion occasions. In the shraddha ceremony, is a ceremony specifically for male only. " It is intended to nourish, protect, and support the spirits of the dead in their pilgrimage from the lower to higher realms, preceding their reincarnation and reappearance on Earth."

The main part of the ceremony is when they bath the body,dressed in fresh cloth, and bedecked with flowers. This reminds me of the home funerals that we saw in the movie because every person that we saw being buried the family members had dressed them and put lots of flowers around in their casket. After fixing their physical appearances, the Hindus put drops of Ganges water in the person's mouth which comes from the river. They then carry the body to where it will be cremated by doing call and response chanting and singing. The eldest son of the family or oldest child then lights the funeral pyre where the body is burned. To renounce their life it is important to crack the skull so that the soul can move on to the next life. At the end of the ceremony a priest or family member recite something from the scripture in memory of the person who is deceased. ""As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones."After three days have passed the eldest son then picks up the ashes and puts them into the Gange river or any other sacred river.

The 3rd, 5th, 7th or 9th day after the death of the person are important, as all relatives gather to have a meal of the decease's favorite foods. A small amount of the food is offered before their photo and later, it is ceremonially left at an abandoned place, along with a lit diya. The overall message of their ceremony is to show reverence to a deceased person. The death rituals have been increasing from the last year.

In the Hindu culture, they will bring their sick loved ones home with them to die peacefully instead of hospitals. It is Hindu custom for the family to build a shelter and perform a fire ritual (homa) in order to bless nine brass pots and one clay pot. In absence of a shelter a fire is made at home. Relating back to the cremation only men can attend it, women are forbidded.

Unlike our social dominant practices it doesn't seem that money is an issue in India. Everything done during in the ceremony there isn't a money factor that causes the family to have to worry about things. Its all religion based. In the U.S, families are always worried about how much they could afford to pay for a casket for it to be nice and affordable. Caskets, funerals, burials, etc are very expensive where we come from. In India they use their own products and materials to create their own funeral burials.

http://hinduism.iskcon.com/practice/604.htm

http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-traditions/funeral-traditions.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyre

http://www.funeralwise.com/customs/hindu

http://www.funeralwise.com/customs/hindu/beliefs

HW#54 - Independent Research B

Growing up in a puerto-rican family, it is very traditional to be catholic and follow all the rules of being baptized for original sin, getting your communion done, and confirmation the main steps of being catholic. As well of all these things is that my family and i believe in heaven and hell and depending your behavior on earth will determine your destination in the afterlife. Reading Luke 14, it relates a lot to my religious background. Jesus was stating that if you give or help someone in need then in contrast you will be rewarded. It says "if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” " If you do good for others in your life then you will go to heaven. It is all about giving back to others and being kind to go to the right place in life living well.

Reading Matthew 5-6, is the same kind of concept that behaving well on earth is the way to life. Also no matter where you come from, there is a place for you in the afterlife. You should always turn the cheek to the person who tries to put you down, in the long run when death comes upon you, you will be free. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." In the catholic culture is it believe that most of the time if you do good in life, then you will succeed later on in heaven. If you betray jesus or do wrong in life then will be sent to hell.