checklist in full effect

After the workshops we had in class this week, I feel (a bit) at ease with my project - I know that doesn't really sound right, especially after my very spontaneous reaction to the deadlines that follow for the upcoming weeks. My survey was approved and sent out. I have one more interview to conduct November 9, now all I have to do is finish transcribing the other interviews. Thursdays' class was extremely insightful, since I sort of related the process of it to that of writing it "recipe" style - we need to make it as straight forward as possible, so that anyone that reads our ARP (Academic Research Paper) can easily read it, follow the directions and do one themselves. At the moment my ARP has a lot of content, but now that I have a structure to follow it will all hopefully be easier to edit. The last interview, is one I'm proud to have since it comes from one of the sources I used for this research - hopefully she likes it as much I enjoyed her piece :)

mixing bowl

After both 'workshop' sessions this week, everything is slowly but surely coming together - even if its at a slow pace. The traces of the final project are slowly becoming visible. Still very stressed but bits and pieces are coming into place, although scattered I can see the light at the end of tunnel (barely) but very anxious to see how and when I will see the final 'masterpiece' done!

deep exhale---

Right when I thought that the path to the finish line, that is week 15, would be all downhill from now - I get a very pleasant reality check courtesy of Dvorak ( as usual).. survey questions! Of course I figured this would be an easy task to complete - 10 minutes tops, but oh no of course, his classes are never what they seem to be - he's quite deceiving! I'm sure this is an intentional approach to get students lured into taking this class over another. Anyway.... as I was proven wrong on Tuesday by the amount of time my small group of 3 took to help/assist/edit one of my fellow classmates survey questions - I now need to rethink what the main goal is for these survey questions. Not only did these surveys leave me discouraged, but my first interview (which was conducted today) also left me discouraged, disappointed - blank, with a big question mark lurking over my head and the many scrambling thoughts, as I left unaware of my bearings.
Now prior to the interview - I thought, this is what is going to give my project the "substance", as Dvorak says, but I'm not too sure substance is what I got, rather than a lot of confusion.
First of all, the interview went extremely well, I got to my location on time, had a few minutes to chat - explain what the project entailed and then state the process of the interview and how my respondent would be of help.
I recorded it, so all I took notes of was: his body language, facial expressions and my overall interpretation of his knowledge.
Sadly, I feel that his relationship with my mother (co-workers) affected his answers - maybe he didn't want to offend me or her. Plus, him already knowing that I am Hispanic, I feel made him think through his answers before saying them. I am more than positive that this will happen with other interviewees - which makes me a bit apprehensive as to the supposed "substance" that I should be getting from these interviews.
I need to make sure that I have just as much substance from my text based information as well as from the interviews. (sigh -very deep sigh).

A wiser me by week 15

After reading Cindy Moore's chapter 10 on "Finding the Voices of Others..." I've realized just how vital this blog really is, and it is no wonder that Dvorak has made us try to keep it in use every week. This blog is essentially our own journal, a place where we can type up any ideas, thoughts or changes we've had with our project and even so, to share it with others. The most vital aspect of this chapter for me in particular would have to be the part of making sure that your voice isn't lost in the process. Yes, it will most likely change and develop into something more mature but it is exactly what should happen, since after all, this is a project that we have and essentially will be working on for quite a while. I myself have already noticed the value in jotting down notes on the margins of the pages from the books or articles I have read. However, I can see the extreme importance in writing down your own thoughts on a separate sheet while and after you've read given article.
I've been doing good so far in keeping track of my thoughts, just a little bit more tweaking and I should be up to par with Moore's advice.

No more social life till who knows when -!!-

As I have punished myself (with good reason) to no longer be allowed to go out over these next few weekends, I'm glad I've done it. We've reached the half way mark and it's time to be professional young adults. I've been sent an angel in the form of a library staff! and really, thank God for her. She has provided me with an endless amount of information, and just like Dvorak said .."you're going to reach a point, when you're going sit back and say, 'I have too much information.'" I'm not going to be so bold and say that I have an excessive amount of information to use, but I'd rather have too much than too little. Seeing as how I'm still waiting for two of my most vital sources to come in the mail, I'll use this as an opportunity to read as much as possible and separate good from not as valuable.Thanks to the constant reminder in my brain provided by Wendy Bishop, I have organized every single area of my work space, room and even the kitchen - which now looks like a little bit of a picture perfect Whole Foods store.
Who knew that one of my university courses would seep its way into my personal life.
Now to get on with the interviews!

Law Breezeway Observation

Thursday 11:30 am, and I'm spending the remaining 30 minutes of my class being a bit of a creep with my fellow classmate. 

Our assignment - take notes and observe... as I've noticed recently because of this class, that words and their meanings can be vague. I mean there are things in the law cafe that I could dissect to the smallest degree, but for the sake of just 'observing' I stayed around the normal level.

First thing I noticed, 3 Hispanic women are working in the cafe, and just as easily as I noticed them, I noticed just how organized and clean the cafe was. The majority of the labels of coffee and teas were facing the display window. The tables were clean, as was the floor. There isn't any music on, just the faint noise emitted from the coffeemaker, the refrigerator (I suppose).

A table/kiosk advertising tips and other marvelous information on "How to pass the Bar" run by two female students.

An elderly man, has sat outside of the caf, directly in front of us...and seems to be doing the same thing we are, observing.

The tvs in the caf are off, overall it is very quiet. There is a fan outside blowing in the direction of the majority of the tables, although today it doesn't seem to be necessary. 1 guy is standing by the fan checking his phone, wasting time, trying to appear as though he's busy. I later realize... he was waiting for his friend who had entered a while before and had ordered a 'colada'. There is the ever so large sign of Summer in Spain.

There are about 2 groups of people, one consisting of four guys and the other of girls. They are eating and talking, I highly doubt they are talking about school by the evidence of happiness across their faces. As I have been taking notes of what is going on on the outside, I have forgotten about the women working in the caf and all the conversations they've had with various customers.

One young man, very enthusiastically has took over the wind emission from the fan.. he had just come from running ( I'm pretty sure). Another young female has entered dressed out of a fitness magazine, decked out in fitness attire...except that her makeup and excessive amount of jewelry doesn't really go hand in hand with what she's trying to portray.... yet again who am I to say that she doesn't in fact workout with all those accessories.

The only female I've seen with short hair...a pixie cut to be exact.

At this point I notice this one guy sitting alone, who seems to be genuinely distraught or stressed, maybe both. He's sitting alone, checking his phone - maybe girlfriend problems.... maybe something more serious - hopefully not.

All in all, not that many people are using their cell phones, which surprises me and gives me comfort that society is not destroyed entirely. I don't think the age group has anything to do with it, considering that the majority of the people here are 5-8 years older than me. But maybe its the genuine intention to value the intimate connections only human contact and interaction can provide.

2 guys come in, and instantly grab my attention because they're talking about nutrients in one of the guys' energy drink - as they leave he says "... it make me hungry" don't think he diet is going to work if he continues drinking it.

The majority of the people that have enteredd the cafe have only used one of the two doors. 

The smokers seemed to have been ostrasized from the rest of the breezeway. The "Pass the Bar" table has gotten more attention and traffic from people - both male and female. And overall equal ration of male:female. Alot of the guys here are dressed in polos.

I draw my attention back inside my current premise, and notice that there is only one other girl eating at a table alone. Most of the people that are standing outside are male... most of them in their "dominant" male position.

I drew up this theory...the women are dressed very well, I can only assume that is in attempts to find a significant other, since they are indeed in their mid/late twenties...looking for an older, mature, stable male partner, for their future aspirations (just a thought).

Overall, the bags here seem to range in the large sized bags and small suitcase back bags.

12:00 everyone is going to class or library. One final observation, most people prefer to sit outside even if it is hot, again maybe an attempt to preserve friendship, and thus social networking.