Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecember Blog Post!

This month I started doing new things in the office.
After getting tired of researching the same case every Tuesday and Thursday I asked Lisa if she had something else for me to do.
She said and I quote, "oh, there's plenty to do in the office."
She wasn't kidding.
They have these huge file cabinets I began going through taking out the files that needed their labels changed or were old and closed.
I learned what the labels needed, how to tell if they were in jail or not and where to find things like case #s just in case Antonio asked me to find it for certain cases.
Going through these files and having Lisa double check the ones I was taking out to make sure they were correct made me realize how much things go on everyday.
I got so many stories told to me that like, wow.
And also doing anything in the office is awfully tedious.
(Especially with the printer being all stupid this month)
After taking out most of the files, (I have yet to finish) she told me we were going to have to scan them.
Apparently there's a separate room keeping these old and closed files.
She has more in her home as well.
They have to keep them for 9 years I believe she said.
Then afterwards they call the client, ask if they want their file, if they do they mail it to them and if not they're shredded..
I'm sorry if that was something everybody knew, but I didn't.
I also realized I rarely see Antonio.
He's always so busy and Lisa seems to be teaching me a lot more.
It's understandable though.
He's always in the courts or having meetings in his office.
I also realized Lisa is a big people person.
And that helps a lot.
Considering she has to deal with people with crimes on a daily basis.
But other than that I was asked to rest and not come in because of the holidays so I haven't seen them recently.
But that's it I guess.
Happy New Years?!?

Novemberrrrrrrrr woooooo!

Not gonna sit here and lie and say I have been doing a whole lot for my senior project.
College applications and model assembly have been taking up a lot of time
I have been continuing my mentorship however.
It's been a little difficult since Antonio has been real busy this month.

woooooo notes.

The little time I've got to be in his office I worked on my Independent Component, taking notes.

and yeah.

the end! 

Blog 9: EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Review the following EQs and tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria. Tell why it does or why it doesn't.

a.       What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

a.       No because it can lead to just a list of the most important factor is, then again it can lead to a constructive argument on which is best, so I’m not quite sure.

b.      What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

a.       Yes because you can research the different methods and argue the points

c.       What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

a.       No it is a bit confusing in the beginning, like what they mean by “most important”

d.      How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

a.       No because a person may not know what an anesthesiologist is and may require more detail into the question.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

What method or change can science and society make to better themselves in order to lower criminal activity

October Update Blog~

So, so, so,
I've been going to my mentor ship and I have to say, I didn't think they would be willing to help me so much.
Anything that comes up, or something I get to when we're shuffling through things around the office they explain.
I really am trying my best to keep up with all this information, but it's hard understanding it all, and even remembering all the terms.
The things I have noticed however is that Antonio is incredibly busy. Doing up to 15 cases a day? WHat? I can barely do 2 homework assignments.
Although busy, he has been a great deal of help, as much as Lisa (the secretary), and I laugh a lot more than I thought with them.
However back to my independent component, I did try to look into open court cases, but a lot that Antonio has are in the morning or in another city. Some are in Downtown Pomona, but he doesn't want me to have to sit through a divorce, he wanted me to deal with something more interesting.
So instead they let me shuffle through an old case box, called the Mejia case.
It was tons and tons of information.
Not to mention the stacks of CDs.

This picture?

It's only about half of what I was going through

Kinda interesting to see the sides of each story like in the police reports and people interrogations.
They said I can bring my laptop and go through the CD's, they said it would probably take me a while to find what I was looking for since when they get them they're never titled.
So maybe case studies it is for me
On another note, I'm looking up more sources for my research, and the numbers are somewhat the same compared to that in my old book.
I don't know what else to update on.
Maybe one day i can be excused from school to go to a case?
Woooo?!
Okay I guess that's it.

PS. Antonio's daughter is the cutest thing ever. I'll get a picture next time.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

Content:

1.  What is your working EQ?
What ways can society and science improve themselves to lower criminal activity.

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.  

Legalizing certain things in our society that currently are in more cases than not, only illegal due to fear, religion, and pressure. For example if we were to legalize marijuana, we can be able to monitor the amounts, begin taxation (helping the economy), and keeping people from getting involved with the wrong people because of money problems.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

The most important so far is the book by Peter McWilliams called "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do"

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Antonio J. Bestard and it relates because he is an attorney, which in turn involves law. 

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

Let's do this again! Wooo! Okay so for 30 hours I want to be able to attend open court cases to get a feel for how it is in the court house~ On the 15th when I interview Antonio, maybe he can give me a heads up on where to go. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

To show some evidence, I wish I could take some pictures, but to make up for that, I'm gonna type out some articles with a newspaper feel to it. I hope to maybe draw out a scene of whats going on (if it's allowed of course)

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
It'll help me because I'll be able to experience the courts from a first hand view. I've only been in there twice, and I don't think I was quite taking it in. So hopefully with this I'll be able to see not only the case, but also maybe take note on what is usually being discussed.

4.  Post a log on the right hand side of your blog near your mentorship log and call it the independent component 1 log.

done?

September Blog Update....whatttt?

This September I thought, “Arianna, you really have to get to it, you've been slacking off, you've been getting grades that in another life you would've been disappointed of.” So that’s what I did. I got to it. This month I was able to finally find a mentor.

His location is somewhere in downtown Pomona, right above Starbucks.

He was incredibly nice, and I was pretty much nervous for nothing. He told me how he’s had other Ipoly students in the past and that he could take me to the courts so I can follow him around.  My 2nd interview date is now set for October 15 so that this time I can actually turn it on time (woooo!)

Also Irma (the person I interviewed for my first interview) has let me know that she can possibly get me connected to some possible Judges, and also to be able to visit some Juvenile halls (which I thought can be pretty rad.)

On another note, I'm incredibly lost on what I could possibly do for my Independent component. I might look into taking a class up at CalPoly (because my Chemistry class is probably not gonna work out) so it can help me out. Other wise I might look into getting statistics on my own accord about consensual laws.

Anyways I'm just really excited I got a mentor, and wooooo!

Blog 6: Second Interview

Second Interview Questions

Content:

1.       Who is your mentor and where do they work?

Hopefully Antonio J. Bestard. He offers criminal defense services as an attorney at law.

2.       What five questions will ask them about their background?

·         What lead you to want to pursue a career in criminology?

·         What would you say was the most difficult thing to accomplish when becoming a lawyer?

·         Has working in the field of law, changed any views you held before?

• Do you find it difficult to stand for things that are "wrong" when in the courts?
• Do you think religion is too entwined with law?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

Content:   
The Pentagon: 

(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

Something positive I've come to experience is the different pieces of information I've come into contact with. I didn't realize the law aspect of things would actually come to really interest me. In the past I've always leaned towards science and things to that nature, but recently reading up much on the policy's of the government have really opened my mind and interest into this. For example when I began to read Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do, I began to realize there is much more to the government that not only me, but many others are oblivious to.

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

My first piece of research, I would have to choose in terms of coming to understand my topic more. When I read this article, it was the first time I had been introduced to policy problems in the law system. How people are debating and coming together to bring to light these concerns.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?
So far, in the senior project what has worked for me, is being able to successfully find good pieces of articles and books.

(4) What hasn't worked so far?  

What hasn't worked so far, is now coming to terms into what I want my EQ to centralize around. Criminology has a wide array of possible topics I can concentrate on, but I'm not entirely sure what would work best for me.

(5) Finding Value:  

•  What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)
• What way can science and society better themselves to lower criminal activity? 
•  What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it.  
• This week I'm going to call Antonio J, Bestard To see if he can possibly be my mentor.

*August Update Blog*

It's been a really bumpy road trying to find a mentor. I really wish I had the luck, or the persuasiveness my peers have had to get the great mentors they have been able to attain. Alas' however, I have been able to come into contact with a mentor, Noreen L. Barcena, attorney at law (wooooo!)

However, now I've run into the problem of transportation. Her office is located in Los Angeles, so yet again I am on the hunt for a more convenient mentor. (I still think I want to get a interview or maybe a couple hours with her.)

On a brighter side note, during these research checks I've learned many interesting facts (and stories) on criminology, that I had never even really considered. Here are a few that I can recall.

• In Connecticut, if you sell drugs to someone, and they die (whether it be accidental or suicide) you can be sentenced to the death penalty.(Pero porque?!)
• Reports have found that men who rape married women get more time in jail than men who rape divorced women (Why?!)
• About 30 government officials raided the home of a 60 year old man and killed him in front of his wife. Why? They admitted they just wanted the land.
•  So much time and effort is spent on consensual crimes, that almost 20% of "real" crimes are left alone. Aka bad people are let off the hook because instead of prosecuting them, we're prosecuting someone else for petty parking ticket.

In other words, there's a lot of things wrong with policy in our law system now. (according to a multitude of criminologists who came together to write and argue within a book about it.)

In other news I also found a pretty rad book filled with quotes that can be useful later on. Not to mention the great voice this author has that allows me not to fall asleep when reading his book. In my opinion, whoever is able to write a book about law and pulls it off successfully, is pretty darn impressive.

In other, other news, since I've been reading up on a lot of reports and theories, I'm really lost and confused on how I'm gonna be able to edit my EQ, to fulfill the point I want to get across. Honestly I think I still have a lot of research to go through to truly get a feel for what I want.

Well there's my update, I'm not sure if this is what is really expected, but there it is.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Content:

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?
I plan to interview a Police Sergeant in order to get maybe a more on the front-lines view crimes. I want to hear an opinion of someone who has been able to encounter happenings, something out of the norm of just reading of people who read books about situations out of the court room.

2.  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?

1. What is one situation you have been that has stuck with your forever?
2. What's your view on the stop-and-frisk policy in New York?
3. Any policy in general, that if you could, would get rid of?
4. What is your opinion on whether criminals are born criminals or made criminals?
5. In one sentence, can you give me the definition of crime?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1.  Criminology

2.            When it comes to being an I-poly citizen, there is always more than enough room to grow. I-poly has always put much emphasis on becoming a better part for the community. To better myself in this aspect I hope to finish my community hours, hopefully in more than one thing, to be able to learn more than I know now. I also hope to continue to be able to work in group tasks, because working with others is always found in the real world. Maybe participate, more than I have I the past, in school events, giving a helping hand for a good outcome of things that are put together.

To be a better Effective Learner I hope to be able to excel in the knowledge I already retain. Hopefully as I continue to do my hours as the year goes by, I’ll be able to get more understanding of my subject to be able to present a valuable senior project. Not only by doing hours, but by keeping up with research checks and articles because it’s not helping anybody but me.

When it comes to Technology, I’ve always been a pretty Effective User of it. But as all other matters, there is always room to excel. I’m not as a perfect as I can be in it, and I know many others on my class are more knowledgeable on all aspects of it. I hope that through the presentations of this year, I get to learn more tips and tricks, not only on my own, but with help of others around me.

Being an Effective Communicator, in my opinion is one of the simplest, but complicated ones to achieve. Simplest because I personally have learned to always respect the opinions of others, but sometimes it’s easy to forgot when not given the same respect. For this year I hope that through collaboration within groups I can retain the peace and continue to voice and hear opinions of others around me. I think when participating in Model Assembly that would be the best time to learn from mistakes and be the communicator and listener, for not only ourselves, but everybody else.

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship

Literal: 

1.       (Know) Using google doc (drive) link a log of specific hours and a description of your duties (click here for an example) to your blog post.

·       https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkBK3jsgXuaUdEJGYVBGTmpsdnF0c1U5QVE4dEcxN3c&usp=sharing

2.       What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?   

·         Joel Rivera Vega: (909)544-3145  

3.       (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them. 

•  Is this really for me?
• When weighted against each other, is it more difficult to attain the knowledge of the cars, or to be physically capable to fix them. (I couldn’t really tell with just ten hours of service.)   
• Why must some tasks be so tedious to accomplish?

Interpretive

4.       What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

·         The most important thing that I gained was that a job involving any types of cars, requires much knowledge on the different kinds of vehicles. Each vehicle has their unique parts, much like people. I gained it because apart from the actual fixing, there were a multitude of times I couldn’t even tell what Joel was trying to explain to me. Other than that, I gained the knowledge that this subject is just not for me.

Applied

5.       How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

·         When I had decided I wanted to do Forensic Science, I thought I was set on finding a mentor on said subject. Come the middle of the summer I realized, it would be harder than I thought, so I settled on doing auto repair. I thought it could be something interesting and new I might be able to get into.  After my two days of mentorship, I realized this wasn’t for me, and luckily I found a lawyer who would take me in later on this year.  So, long story short, my subject has changed from auto repair to now Criminology.

Blog 1: 2013 2-hour Presentations

Literal:  

1.  (Know) What presentations did you see?  Name the topic and the person's first name.

• Electronic Dance Music- Jorge Estrada

• What makes a successful EDM event?

• Making an Album-Jessica Bustamante

• How can a music producer best create a high quality music album?

• Obstetrics and Gynecology- Marilyn Garcia

• What is the most important method in modern obstetrics that lowers infant mortality?

• All-Star Cheer leading- Dominic Zavala

• What is the best way to prevent injury as an all-star cheerleader?

• Automotive Repair- Nick Gonzalez

• What is the most important feature of a vehicle to keep it's passengers safe?

• Yoga- Alyssa S.

• What best hatha yoga improves strength and flexibility?

• Machine Programming- Arianna King'

• Yearbook- Emma S.

• What is the best way to create a yearbook that reflects your student population?

• Drifting- Ricardo Mendoza

• What is the most important factor to consider in order to win a pro amateur drift competition?

• Cancer Survivorship- Darlene

• What best defines a successful program for support of cancer survivors?

• Car Audio- Daniel Leon

• What is most important in obtaining the best performance out of a car audio system?

• Veternerion Oncology- Cheryl

• What medical treatment gives a senior dog diagnosed with stage two Insulinoma the best quality of life before its passing?

• Wedding Dresses- Duplessi

• What is the best way a seamstress can create a gorgeous wedding dress?

2.(Need to know) What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.  

• When decorating a room, can the classroom be considered "too over bearing." Or is there never too much?

• In the all-star cheerleader, I didn't quite get what the difference was between a normal and an allstar.

• When using something in a presentation must there be validity for it. Food for example? Must it be stated in the presentation?

• Does it matter if we go over the 30 minutes?

• Are videos recommended?

Interpretive:
3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

The most important part of this presentation, from what i saw is the information, not shown across the room, or in the powerpoint, but what you withhold in your own knowledge. I find that when I get to that point next year, the thing I must concern myself the most is to be able to know my subject inside and out. That way answering my own essential question will be as easy as it can be.

Applied:

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

 I'm considering doing either art or Psoriasis. I'm keeping my options open because this summer I plan to attempt to volunteer at an art museum and a dermatologist clinic to see what will be my best choice as a senior project.