This I Belive (A World Without Borders)

My grandmother once told me that mankind is our true nationality. That no matter how we speak, where we live, or how we look, we are all human. I asked her, “then why do we build fences around countries to keep certain people away? If we are all humans and all the same, then why do we want to keep each other away?” My grandmother said that even though we are all the same, we are still afraid to embrace one another’s religions and cultures, afraid that if a high concentration of different people move in and practice their own traditions, our own true identities may be frogoten. Even up to this day, we are still afraid of people’s unique appearances and so we build fences to keep them away.

I thought to myself how life would be all over the world if we closed all borders. What if we let anyone from any place go anywhere, and move wherever they want? I think that would be a wonderful idea. Now that all types of humans have spread over the globe, it would be much easier for people to adapt to different lifestyles. I think this is possible because on a constant basis, I pass through neighborhoods and see children of all races playing soccer on the street, they all grew up together and got used to their differences and manage to get along, so if one neighborhood can do it, maybe the world can as well. We as the human species would be able to learn from people all over the globe about how to live a better lifestyle.

If the whole world would come together and become a single nation, the Human Nation, it would become the first step toward achieving peace. War begins with fear of the neighboring country. We have military and weapons so other countries will fear us, so united as a single nation, the need for military personnel would decrease and would make the world a much more peaceful place. For something so big like a reformation, it would take a very long time, there would be many international gatherings, debates, ect, but I know that that we as humans are capable of understanding that we may not hide ourselves behind our borders, eventually we will have to face each other and accept the fact that like my grandmother said, no matter how we speak, where we live and how we look, we are all human. Our true nationality is mankind.

R.E.M. Soundtrack

A Visit to Calliope

• I cant tell you why By Shin Kono

Pg. 67- 68 until the end of the 1^st section on pg 28. This song goes perfect in this part because this piece of music is a bit sad in the beginning but then it gets more soothing as it goes and it goes perfect with this section of the chapter because it almost seems sad that Ishmael only has a few weeks left and then the mood gets a bit happier because Ishmael will finally release the message he must send to Julie.

• August’s Rhapsody By Unknown Composer (Soundtrack)

Pg. 68 starting into the second section up until pg 75 (end of chapter)

In the second section of pg 68 Ishmael begins to talk about calliope which in the book is like another world and so in the beginning of the song, it sounds mysterious, almost as if you are exploring a place you have never been into, and as you go, the song is almost describing nature. The whole chapter describes nature and the way life works, how we see things. That’s why this soundtrack goes well with this chapter.

Calliope Part II

• Beethoven Piano Sonata in C sharp “ Moonlight” By Evelyne Dubourg

Pg 76 – 83 This song goes with this section of the chapter because Ishmael talks about what animals do for their offspring to survive like killing each other’s offspring ( white footed mouse ) and about evolution which consists of killing and fighting each other and that these strategies evolve because they “work” . In my point of view, I find this depressing because animals must kill and fight to survive, therefore a sad theme is perfect to my ear for this section of the chapter.

• Egmont Overture By Ludwig Van Beethoven

Pg. pg. 83 (where he begins to talk about calliope again) – 91 (end of chapter)

Ishmael begins to talk about survival and evolution in a more serious way. He explains how awk’s forest disappeared, so they evolved into Bawks, the Bawks had to work together to find food in their new environment, developed teamwork ect. This song goes well with this scene because it sound serious but a happy serious, almost as if things are going as planned. That’s why the song goes with this part of the chapter.

Alan’s Ishmael

• My Immortal By Evanescence

Pg 282 – 286. This song goes perfect with this chapter because this song sort of reflects “a pain that is just too real, there is just too much that cannot erase” also a part that of the song that says “you used to captivate me by your resonating light, now I’m bound by the life you left behind.” These lyrics relate to Julie because she is sort of bounded by the life Ishmael left behind for her. Julie now has a different view of the world, probably would have never seen the world she sees now if it wasn’t for Ishmael. Now she lives a life based on Ishmael’s teachings. Thtas how this song relates to this chapter.

Evelyn Glennie

What i will remember most about Evelyn Glennie's performance is that she has lost her ability to hear and yet she is still able to play beautiful music.

I really enjoyed listening to Evelyn Glennie play the Marimba. She played it in a very soothing way that relaxes you.

I really think that each person experiences music in their own way by what they like to hear. It all depends on what you find soothing or pleasurable to hear. For example some people like rap, reggae or maybe hip pop but sometimes music can be manifested by your own life experiences. Rock represents some of my past life experiences and i can actually see myself in the lyrics so it all depends on what you find comfortable and recognizable to the ear.

School Garden

Questions From Board

Does this visit inspires you to make your own Garden?

- This visit to the senior garden does not inspire me to make my own garden because i never did like to garden. It's not that I hate it, it's just that I'm not interested in gardening.

What would you grow if you hd this garden?

- If i had the senior garden, i would grow plants that decorate my house, makes it look nice, also i would grow fruits that I enjoy, which is basically anything that is tropical.

Do you think the seniors care about the garden?

- I do think that the seniors care about the garden, the garden is very well groomed, and when asking questions, the seniors (at least the one I asked) seemed very confident with the information they shared with me.

What kind of plants were there?

-There were many types of plants, there were:
peppers
potatoes
lavender
strawberries
snap dragons
rainbow chard
and many more......

Interviewed Questions

What's the purpose of the Garden?

- The purpose of the garden is to learn about plants (gardening) to eat healthier and mantain a healthier lifestyle.

How did the senior garden started/who funded it?

- John (environmental sciences teacher) started the garden. John asked a group of students to help him with the garden and they all worked together to create the garden.

What's the future of the Garden?

- Each senior generation will hopefully maintain the garden until they are asked to remove the garden by the owners of the NTC. Students are welcome to help mantain the garden during summer.

Talking These Ideas Out

- I have been severely struck by "Food Inc." I knew these things were happening, but i didn't really care or actually sat down and thought about these until someone actually shows you the things that are really happening to the food. What really has struck me about "Food Inc." was the slaughter houses/animal concentration camps . It's very hard for me to believe that humans can do so much cruelty to animals especially that these animals are born and raised to be killed. I believe that we humans being the superior species should use remedies or solutions to keep animals from suffering. True, some of these remedies might be expensive, but if it helps rid of animal suffering, or diseases such as collide that harms humans as well, it might be worth to loose a couple of dollars.

- I highly agree with the concepts from both "Food Inc" and "My Ishmael" because they both prove and relate to the real world that are true facts. Both share points that make you think around the world around you and think about fats that are going on behind your back.

- My mother thought about the things that I shared to her about what i learned in class. She thought that it's very sad that people go so far to earn money, but what can ordinary people like her do? Those companies pay the government so they can continue to do the damage they create on our everyday food and so, we are unable to do anything especially in these economic times.

School Daze Dialectic Journal

"Not so in tribal societies. In tribal societies, the three year old is free to explore the world around it as far as it likes, which is not far as it will go when it's four, five six, seven or eight. There simply are no walls shutting the child in or out of any age, no doors closed against it. There is no age when it "should" learn a given thing. nor wold anyone ever dream of giving thought to such thing."

part of quote pg 150

I think this part of the quote Ishmael says is very true. This happens in everyday childhood. The older a child gets the more its going to learn about the world around them for example myself, when i was four, my family got our first computer, myself not knowing anything about it, decided to explore the computer and learn how to use it, and the older i got, the more i learned about it. Basically it's the same thing as the quote from My Ishmael but in different terms but i really enjoy how this book actually relates to real world things/situations that you know about or have experienced.

The Fall of Castiel

“Why do you ask me questions you know the answer of?”
Ignacio yelled at his son. Castiel had tried for years to make a peace agreement between the Ortiz and the Montesora families that way he would be able marry the love of his life, Maria Montesora, but so far his plans had failed and he was becoming desperate for if he didn’t marry soon, he would be forced to leave his homeland Cuba and go to America to run the American Ortiz cartel, meaning he would have to leave Maria behind.
“Father please be reasonable Castiel “I love her! She has proven herself trustworthy and just like me, she wants peace between both of our families! Just think how it will be”- Castiel desperately said as his father interrupted him.
“Nonsense!"
“But father” jumped in Castiel.
“No! I’m through with this discussion.” His father said with stern face.
“I hate you father!” Castiel yelled and then ran to the top floor of his mansion where his room was. Castiel was very young still only 16. He was statuesque and had a lighter pigment than most Cubans. Ignacio, his father, married an American woman, therefore he inherited his mother’s skin tone. He had long dark hair that almost looked like burnt curly fries. Castiel hated his father for not being able to make peace with the Montesora family which was Maria’s family. Both families had been enemies for 90 years now and just thinking about that made Castiel as furious as a bull chasing red. He began to throw everything in his room but then as he was about to throw the picture of Maria he calmed himself down and turned on his TV, only to find a romantic Mexican soap opera . His anger reached the limit, he yelled with an anger that sent a chill up his own spine and threw the TV out of his window.
Night came and as Castiel did every night, he sneaked out of the mansion and went to the abandoned marijuana warehouse where Maria was already waiting for him. Maria had pure Cuban blood in her. She was as tall as the average teenage girl. Her hair was long and black and shined like diamonds in the sunlight and for some reason, she would always wear white. When Castiel saw her inside the dusty warehouse, he ran up to her and kissed her passionately and said, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day”
“Neither could I how did the talk with your father go?” asked Maria.
“Just as last time I’m running out of options, I do not know what to do we are running out of time! My birthday is in 6 months, I’ll then be forced to move to America and I cant let that happen, my heart will be left in darkness and become cold as snow if I’m forced to leave you!” Castiel replied.
“We could run away” Maria replied.
“No you know or families have unlimited resources, they will easily find us”. Castiel replied
“Well then we could attempt yet another peace treaty tomorrow night at the feast of enemies.” Maria said.
“Of course!” Castiel replied excitedly. “Both our families at the dinner table, we can reason with both of them at the same time and they might just give in!
“I just hope this works” Maria said.
The following night at the Feast of Enemies, everyone was formally and extravagantly dressed even Ignacio was quite fancy. Usually whore a green shirt with military jeans that smelled like cigar, his hair would be all over the place and his beard would be long and scruffy. But today being an important day for all Cuban cartels, his hair was drawn back, his beard was shaven and wearing a tuxedo that did not smelled like cigar. Every guest watched their back. They were surrounded by their bodyguards, but the funny thing was nobody seemed nervous, no one but Castiel and Maria. When both the Montesora and Ortiz families sat down at the extravagant dinner table, Castiel quickly rose and said, “Gentlemen, ladies of both Montesora and Ortiz families, I have an announcement. I would like to offer a peace treaty between both Ortiz and the Montesora families.”
Everyone in the room laughed.
“Oh please” said Gabriel, head of the Montesora cartel and Maria’s father. What do you think this is the feast of peace? We are here to threaten and make our enemies fear us, not to make peace!”
“You don’t understand a peace treaty between both our families would”- Castiel said as he was interrupted.
“A peace treaty between both families would just start another cartel war I will not have this ridiculous conversation any longer! Ignacio, tell your boy to leave this room before he brings any more shame to your family!” Gabriel interrupted.
“He is right go up to your room, you have done enough here.” Replied Ignacio
“But father” cut in Castiel
“Go now” Ignacio yelled.
“I hate you!” Castiel yelled and left the room. Maria left the room crying.
“Jose! Follow my son; make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid” Ignacio yelled. Jose left the room
“Gabriel” Ignacio said “we cannot have our kids seeing each other; something needs to be done”
“aye” Gabriel responded “Something must be done and I think I might know just what.”
Castiel was loosing his mind. His room was a disaster and his veins on his head were as visible as looking through glass. His anger had reached his limits.
“I have the solution!” Castiel said to himself angrily, his head trembling “I will kill my father and take the cartel. I will ask Maria to do the same, she will agree and then we will make peace between the families and live happily for ever!”
“Please tell me I didn’t hear that” José said as he opened the door.
“What are you going to do?” Castiel said his head still trembling.
“I will do what I have to do to protect Ignacio and his cartel” Jose said.
“So you are going to kill me?” Castiel asked.
“If that’s what I have to do to keep this family safe, yes I will”. Jose replied.
“My father loves me; he will kill you on the spot if he knows you killed me”. Castiel said as he slowly opened his drawer.
“I don’t care as long as I die keeping my promise to your father.” Jose said
There was such seriousness on Jose‘s face. He was for real, he was going to kill Castiel. He became scared he did not want to die so he quickly looked at Jose in the eyes and said, “Don’t worry about that, my father wont kill you, I will!” In that moment, Castiel took out a revolver out of the drawer and shot Jose in the head all before Jose could blink, he then picked up Jose’s corpse and stuffed him in his closet. He began to cry and then made a note for Maria, folded it and ran outside looking for her. He found her sitting and told her, “Maria here read this note first thing in the morning.”
“Why?” Maria asked
“Just do it please” Castiel said and then ran back to the house.
The next morning when Maria woke up, she opened Castile’s letter. It said
Please meet me at the usual abandoned marijuana warehouse at 12pm – Castiel. She hurried downstairs and got into her car.
“Hello” she heard.
Maria screamed at the top of her lungs. It was Ignacio.
“Maria tells me where Castiel is.”
“Why” Maria responded
“He killed one of my men and left this morning”
“You’re lying how can you say that?”
“I found Jose dead in his room. I checked the security cameras and they show Jose coming in to his room but he never comes out.”
“Get out of my car” Maria said. Get out now before I call security!” Ignacio got out and Maria drove as fast as she could to the warehouse with tears coming out of her eyes, unable to believe what she had heard. When she got to the warehouse, she found Castiel waiting for her inside. “Castiel!” she yelled and Castiel came up to her and hugged her.
“I have found a way for us to be together. I must eliminate what stands in the way of our love.” Castiel said.
“What are you trying to say?” Maria said.
“I must kill my father. I have already killed his best friend Jose, now I must hurry and kill him before he finishes me off.” Castiel said with a mad look in his face.
“He knows” Maria said with tears coming down her face. “He told me so but Castiel, you’re breaking my heart you’re going down a path that as a Montesora can not follow!”
“Why, Because of my father?”
“Because of what you have done to Jose, because of what you plan to do with your father. Please stop, stop now come back I love you!
“LIAR” Castiel yelled. At that moment, Ignacio came in through the back door, of the warehouse.
“No stay away Ignacio! Castiel, he’s trying to kill you!” Maria yelled.
“No you’re with him! You brought him here to kill me!” Castiel said as he took out his revolver and pointed it to Maria.
“Put the gun down Castiel!” Ignacio yelled. “Put the gun down.”
“The only thing I will put down is you!” Castiel yelled.
“No! He is your father, he raised and loved you are you going to kill him in cold blood!?” Maria said.
“It must be done.” Castiel said as he pointed the gun at Ignacio. Ignacio closed his eyes, and thought to himself: “So this is how I’ll die, in cold blood by my own son. BAM! BAM! Ignacio felt confused
“This is not how I expected death would feel like?” He thought.
“Nooooo!” Castiel yelled. Ignacio opened his eyes and found Maria Dead on the floor. She had protected him.
“You!” Castiel Yelled. “You turned her against me!”
“No you have done that yourself!”
“You will not take her from me!”
“Your anger and your lust for power have already done that” Ignacio said. “You have allowed your anger to disturb your mind until now, until now you have become the very thing you swore upon your family, your honor, your dignity that you would never become: a family traitor! And besides, she’s dead what is there to take!”
“You are a traitor against yourself! If you don’t make peace with the Montesora, I will, by any means necessary!” Castiel said.
“Only a selfish immature traitor as you deals with the absolute. I will do what I must.” Ignacio said as he took something from his pocket. Castiel thought Ignacio would pull out a gun so he quickly took his revolver and shot Ignacio twice in the chest.
“You will not destroy me or my dream!” Castiel said to Ignacio who was quickly loosing blood and having difficulty breathing.
“My son, w-why would you kill me when all I was doing was giving you the documents to hand you over the company.” Ignacio said
“What!?” Castiel yelled as he went through his father’s bloody pockets. He found the documents but they were covered in blood, ruined and unable to use to claim Ignacio’s properties.
“You have let your anger consume you Castiel, now you have killed me, destroying the documents as well. Now you will pay for your sins, walking this world in poverty until you die and nothing will change that.” Ignacio said with his last breaths and seconds later died. Castiel began to cry and scream
“You are wrong father! I do not have to live in this world! I will come and follow you to hell and burn with you for eternity!”
Castiel picked up his revolver, put it inside his mouth and said “forgive me Maria, forgive me father.” Castiel then pulled the trigger and ended his life, entering through the gates of hell burning for eternity along with his father.

Zine