SIMONS, Amber who lived in Castro Valley, died last week on a hot air balloon trip, of natural causes, at age 95. Amber was born in Oakland, California, on April 8, 1987. She grew up in Oakland and moved to Castro Valley when she was 13-years-old.
It was her first year at Castro Valley High School when she met the love of her life, Matthew Hepworth. Although they broke up shortly after Amber left for college, the two of them remained friends and rekindled their relationship during her second year of college.
Amber graduated from San Jose State University with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and philosophy. Upon her graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Costa Rica where she spent two years doing volunteer work. The experience was one Amber cherished for the rest of her life.
When Amber returned home, Matthew proposed and she accepted. The two got married in the spring the next year. That same year, Amber began her journalism career at Vanity Fair magazine. She worked for Vanity Fair for 10 years, when she decided to start her own publication. Her dream was to create a magazine for music and fashion worshipers, like herself.
Melody magazine became an instant favorite for many young American women. Her magazine featured famous music artists and fashion designers like her own sister, Anastasia. Amber gave a great deal of her earnings to children charities both in the U.S. and abroad. She always believed that people should help out others in need, especially children in need. Harmony was not Amber’s only accomplishment.
Amber and Matthew had three children, Jacob, Lorraine Estelle and Melody, whom they adored. Amber loved being a mother more than anything and was proud that she could be both successful in her career and in parenting. After 30 years Amber retired, handing down Harmony to her daughter Lorraine Estelle.
Amber and Matthew spent their last 30 years together traveling.
Amber is survived by her loving husband, her younger sister, her three children and her grandchildren. She had expressed to her family that she would like to be cremated and that her ashes be scattered in a lake, where she felt most at peace. Anyone attending the dispersion of Amber’s ashes is asked to wear bright colors, because they were her favorites.
The family would like to thank all of those who expressed sympathy in this time of loss.
Word Count: 403
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Individual Blog
#3
Texas Polygamist Camp
Since the raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' camp, in Texas, I am still unsure of what to make of the whole ordeal. According to CNN, over 400 children have been removed from the camp by the State, and a judge ruled that DNA samples should be taken to determine the parents of each child.
I remember a couple of years back watching a program about the supposed polygamist sect and wondering why, since polygamy is illegal in the U.S., no one did anything to end the practice at the camp. The program showed former members of the sect telling their individual experiences on the Texas ranch. From what I remember, it sounded pretty scary.
Now that the police have raided the ranch and taken the children into custody, I can't decide whether the children are in a better situation now, without their parents. The mothers are fighting for custody of their children and I can't help but to feel sympathy for them. But at the same time, from what I have heard about the ranch, I worry that the ranch was not a safe environment for the children. Stories of abuse from former members seem to show that the ranch is not a pleasant place to grow up.
I cannot decide what to think about the situation, and I am sure that it is a lot harder for those individuals involved and for the state officials.
Word Count: 246
Texas Polygamist Camp
Since the raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' camp, in Texas, I am still unsure of what to make of the whole ordeal. According to CNN, over 400 children have been removed from the camp by the State, and a judge ruled that DNA samples should be taken to determine the parents of each child.
I remember a couple of years back watching a program about the supposed polygamist sect and wondering why, since polygamy is illegal in the U.S., no one did anything to end the practice at the camp. The program showed former members of the sect telling their individual experiences on the Texas ranch. From what I remember, it sounded pretty scary.
Now that the police have raided the ranch and taken the children into custody, I can't decide whether the children are in a better situation now, without their parents. The mothers are fighting for custody of their children and I can't help but to feel sympathy for them. But at the same time, from what I have heard about the ranch, I worry that the ranch was not a safe environment for the children. Stories of abuse from former members seem to show that the ranch is not a pleasant place to grow up.
I cannot decide what to think about the situation, and I am sure that it is a lot harder for those individuals involved and for the state officials.
Word Count: 246
Coffee Exercise
Sounds of blenders buzzing fill the air. It is late in the afternoon and Starbucks is almost empty. Three employees, one woman and two men, are behind the counter busily cleaning and stocking for the next rush. People slowly stride in and out, leaving immediately after receiving their beverages. The female employee begins to vacuum the pastry counter. Because of the loud noise the employees resort to yelling. Almost as soon as she is finished, a man approaches the counter. “Hello! What can I get you?” He asks for an espresso drink, upon request, he tells her his name is Mike. After ordering his drink, Mike stares at the pastry counter, wondering if the cake is worthwhile. She tells him it is a low-fat cake, but that it is tasty. Mike tells her if he's going to be bad, he might as well eat badly. She suggests he try a snicker doodle cookie, "they are really good," she tells him. Mike says alright, he'll try one and she coaxes him into trying it heated up. He pays, receives his espresso and leaves, warm cookie in hand. With Mike’s departure, only the employees remain. Containers are clanking and cabinets are being opened and closed. A couple enters the café. The man, who is a Starbucks employee at another location, and the employees begin to discuss how their hours have been reduced. Apparently, it isn’t a happy topic. It appears that the female employee and one of the male employees have some sort of romantic relationship. He jokes that he is mad at her and she whines that he has no reason to be. It is a kind of teasing that they both seem to enjoy. Because there are no customers, the employees continue their preparation for later hours.
Word Count: 297
Word Count: 297
Individual Blog
#2
Convicted Felons Serving Our Country?
According to the Associated Press, "Under pressure to meet combat needs, the Army and Marine Corps brought in significantly more recruits with felony convictions last year than in 2006, including some with manslaughter and sex crime convictions. Data released by a congressional committee shows the number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 in 2006 to 511 in 2007. And the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350."
I understand from reading the story, posted online on Monday, that the Military is in need of more soldiers, but how smart and safe is it to recruit people who aren't allowed to own guns in the U.S.?
According to the story, the government is even giving waivers to people who have made bomb and terrorist threats. How interesting is it that these same people are fighting in the war against terror.
This sort of recruitment seems to prove the point that the U.S. is often hypocritical. We don't allow things until we need things allowed for our own benefit.
Word Count: 181
Convicted Felons Serving Our Country?
According to the Associated Press, "Under pressure to meet combat needs, the Army and Marine Corps brought in significantly more recruits with felony convictions last year than in 2006, including some with manslaughter and sex crime convictions. Data released by a congressional committee shows the number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 in 2006 to 511 in 2007. And the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350."
I understand from reading the story, posted online on Monday, that the Military is in need of more soldiers, but how smart and safe is it to recruit people who aren't allowed to own guns in the U.S.?
According to the story, the government is even giving waivers to people who have made bomb and terrorist threats. How interesting is it that these same people are fighting in the war against terror.
This sort of recruitment seems to prove the point that the U.S. is often hypocritical. We don't allow things until we need things allowed for our own benefit.
Word Count: 181
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Fish Out of Water
The Grand Parade of the 41st Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival took place on Sunday, April 20, 2008. The parade began beating its thundering drums at 1 p.m., in front of the San Francisco Civic Center, on Polk Street. It then proceeded up Polk Street to Post Street, where it turned left, headed toward Japantown.
The procession was a myriad of people.
My mother and I sat in front of a business on Polk Street and watched in amusement. Among the procession were: Japanese performers, of all ages, dancing their way past us wearing bright-multicolored cultural costumes. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops from a Buddhist temple marching by, fully dressed in uniforms, carrying banners. A large boat filled with young children floated by us playing what I would call, Japanese lullaby tunes. There were crowned queens and princesses, on floats and driven in fancy cars. And when the group of Anime fans walked past us I could not help to look at my mom and start laughing. They were in full costume, resembling their favorite Anime characters, and in full enthusiasm. My favorite had to be the man dressed like some sort of hairy spider thing. It was definitely an unexpected crowed.
We found the drums most entertaining. On two different floats there was drumming. On one float the drummers were girls and on the other they were older women. The intensity was amazing. It sounded something like: Boom…Boom, Boom, Boom…Boom, Boom, Aiiigh! There was one leader on each of the floats that, after each drum was beaten, would yell indicating it was time to beat the drums again.
After watching the parade for a while we walked about 20 minutes, alongside the procession, to Japantown. There were hundreds of people lining the streets of Japantown watching the parade. We made our way into one of the Japantown shopping malls, and into a small restaurant. We were sat within a matter of seconds, and as soon as we sat down we were poured hot tea. Both of us looked at the menu of pictures and tried to tell the waiter what we wanted, without chopping up the Japanese too much. The food was delicious and filling, exactly what we needed after a long walk.
When we were finished eating, we went back outside, where we found the last show of the parade. A man, wearing nothing but a loincloth, was on a temple-like float being held in the sky by a large group of people. The man was holding onto a rope that was his only security from falling, as the crowd underneath began to bounce up and down. Everyone was yelling and cheering. Though I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on at that point, I read on the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Web Site, that it is called a Taru Mikoshi and is hoisted by over one hundred strong individuals.
The Web Site also states, “it is a spectacle not to be missed,” and I agree. The parade was something new and unfamiliar to me, but it was entertaining and the food was scrumptious. I want to go back again next year.
Word Count: 526
The procession was a myriad of people.
My mother and I sat in front of a business on Polk Street and watched in amusement. Among the procession were: Japanese performers, of all ages, dancing their way past us wearing bright-multicolored cultural costumes. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops from a Buddhist temple marching by, fully dressed in uniforms, carrying banners. A large boat filled with young children floated by us playing what I would call, Japanese lullaby tunes. There were crowned queens and princesses, on floats and driven in fancy cars. And when the group of Anime fans walked past us I could not help to look at my mom and start laughing. They were in full costume, resembling their favorite Anime characters, and in full enthusiasm. My favorite had to be the man dressed like some sort of hairy spider thing. It was definitely an unexpected crowed.
We found the drums most entertaining. On two different floats there was drumming. On one float the drummers were girls and on the other they were older women. The intensity was amazing. It sounded something like: Boom…Boom, Boom, Boom…Boom, Boom, Aiiigh! There was one leader on each of the floats that, after each drum was beaten, would yell indicating it was time to beat the drums again.
After watching the parade for a while we walked about 20 minutes, alongside the procession, to Japantown. There were hundreds of people lining the streets of Japantown watching the parade. We made our way into one of the Japantown shopping malls, and into a small restaurant. We were sat within a matter of seconds, and as soon as we sat down we were poured hot tea. Both of us looked at the menu of pictures and tried to tell the waiter what we wanted, without chopping up the Japanese too much. The food was delicious and filling, exactly what we needed after a long walk.
When we were finished eating, we went back outside, where we found the last show of the parade. A man, wearing nothing but a loincloth, was on a temple-like float being held in the sky by a large group of people. The man was holding onto a rope that was his only security from falling, as the crowd underneath began to bounce up and down. Everyone was yelling and cheering. Though I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on at that point, I read on the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Web Site, that it is called a Taru Mikoshi and is hoisted by over one hundred strong individuals.
The Web Site also states, “it is a spectacle not to be missed,” and I agree. The parade was something new and unfamiliar to me, but it was entertaining and the food was scrumptious. I want to go back again next year.
Word Count: 526
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Individual Blog
#1
Economic Crisis in the U.S.
According to CNN, in New York, on Wednesday, Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich warned Americans not to be overly optimistic that the U.S. economy might rebound by the end of summer. "'More realistically, we are going to go into 2009 with a serious recession,' Reich, now a professor at the University of California at Berkeley and author of the recent book 'Supercapitalism,' said on the CNN program 'Issue #1.'"
Reich was also quoted in the article as saying, "You've got food and energy prices, fuel prices going way way up...You've got wages stuck. You've got people who are losing their jobs. You've got housing prices going down. I mean, it's pretty bad."
In my local politics class, my professor spent almost an entire lecture on the United States' economic crisis to demonstrate how it ties in to local politics and California's economic crisis. He pretty much pinned the crisis on credit and the houssing market.
This is a serious issue.
In a country where a person cannot buy a house without "good" credit, where have the days of saving money for things gone? Who needs to save anything when pretty much anyone can be approved a credit card? Since I turned 18, in 2005, I have been sent a countless amount of pre-approved credit cards in the mail, none of which I have used, and I wonder why our country has made it neccessary to rely on credit.
I am terrified of the day impending day when I have to buy a house. What will the market look like then? Also, I will probably have to invest in a good bicycle to get to work in, if I am lucky enough to have a job, because by then gas will be well over $5.
Word Count: 294
Economic Crisis in the U.S.
According to CNN, in New York, on Wednesday, Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich warned Americans not to be overly optimistic that the U.S. economy might rebound by the end of summer. "'More realistically, we are going to go into 2009 with a serious recession,' Reich, now a professor at the University of California at Berkeley and author of the recent book 'Supercapitalism,' said on the CNN program 'Issue #1.'"
Reich was also quoted in the article as saying, "You've got food and energy prices, fuel prices going way way up...You've got wages stuck. You've got people who are losing their jobs. You've got housing prices going down. I mean, it's pretty bad."
In my local politics class, my professor spent almost an entire lecture on the United States' economic crisis to demonstrate how it ties in to local politics and California's economic crisis. He pretty much pinned the crisis on credit and the houssing market.
This is a serious issue.
In a country where a person cannot buy a house without "good" credit, where have the days of saving money for things gone? Who needs to save anything when pretty much anyone can be approved a credit card? Since I turned 18, in 2005, I have been sent a countless amount of pre-approved credit cards in the mail, none of which I have used, and I wonder why our country has made it neccessary to rely on credit.
I am terrified of the day impending day when I have to buy a house. What will the market look like then? Also, I will probably have to invest in a good bicycle to get to work in, if I am lucky enough to have a job, because by then gas will be well over $5.
Word Count: 294
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