USA Economic Crisis

Photo retrieved from http://1k30days.com/bad_economy.jpg

The United States economy has taken a severe turn for the worse over the last few months and even dating back to December 2007 in some cases. This includes real estate (houses and property), the stock market, banks, and retail (items that we purchase such as gas, groceries, clothes, and electronics).

You may have heard a lot about what's happening in the US right now or you may have heard very little, but it is a very tough time for many people and it is not turning around any time soon according to economic analysts (people that know a lot about economics). Most of us have noticed the price of gas rise and maybe the cost of groceries, but there is much more going on. A number of big US banks have gone bankrupt and the stock of many companies has lost its value. Many people have lost a lot of money that they had invested in the stock market because of the worsening economy.

How has the decline of the economy affected you (and your family)? What have you heard about this situation? Maybe from friends, parents, extended family, or teachers. How do you feel about the state of the USA? Feel free to answer these questions or leave other thoughts or questions that you have about the current state of the US economy. I have left a comment as an example for you. I look forward to reading your ideas. Later.

Cultural Competence

Photo retrieved from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/images/hands%20globe.jpg

Maybe you've heard the saying, "It's a small world." With the ease of air travel and ongoing technological development, the world is only getting smaller it seems. We have only to look around us at the makeup of our city to see that there are many people from different cultures.

What is culture? Culture is defined as "the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior shared by a people in a certain place." It's the things we know and believe and the way we behave. People from other cultures generally speak a different language and may also look different than us. Competence means you have the skills you need to do something. Someone can be a competent teacher, a competent carpenter, a competent soccer player, or culturally competent. We are all competent in many areas of life; we have many competencies.

In a world with many cultures living in the same city or neighborhood we have to learn to be culturally competent. I would like you to brainstorm freewrite in your comment this week and come up with some ideas about what cultural competence might mean or look like in a person. Remember I am looking for a comment 8 sentences in length. You can check out my comment to get you started if that helps. It will be the first one.

Evaluating Changes in Our Lives

Photographs (left to right): Ultrasound of Maya (one month before birth), Maya (one day old), Maya (five months old).

My wife and I have noticed many changes in our daughter, Maya, over the past 5 months. Babies seem to change every day, not only in their appearance, but also in their abilities and mannerisms. I was thinking that we must change a lot more as babies, and less and less as we get older. However, then I realized that changes are not just physical changes that we can see in our appearance. Changes also occur in our personality, habits, ideas, and thinking. These types of changes are happening all the time. Sometimes they are things that we are trying to change on purpose and other times they seem to change on their own, sometimes without us even realizing it.

As I think about some changes that have happened in my life recently I would like you to do the same and then evaluate whether or not the changes occurring are "moving you in the right direction" (good changes) or "pushing you down a path you'd rather not go" (changes for the worse).

Recently, my life has changed drastically in that I have become a father. This is most definitely a good change, although not always an easy change. I have more responsibilities and less freedom, but I get to watch and guide the growth of a child. My life has also changed and become more busy, and with that comes stress. This is a change that I am not so excited about. I would like to get better at dealing with stress so that I don't become angry with those around me. I am also trying to remember that relationships (people) are more important than "doing things". This is a change I am hoping to make in the way that I think.

What are some changes happening in your life? Are they good changes? What are some changes that you'd like to make in your life? Please write at least 8 sentences on this topic. Remember that other people can read your comments so make sure that you are posting appropriate material.