When I move off Campus

http://www.vacancy.com/texas/austin-apartments/300-north-lamar-300-n-lamar/#property_description


Once I graduate, I think I should experience some freedom and live away from the nest that I have lived so comfortably in all my life. What better way to experience freedom than living right close to Downtown Austin? I was looking at my options using Vacancy.com and found 300 North Lamar. The picture of it looks amazing and it was described as a Luxury downtown apartment with granite counter tops and hardwood floors. Another plus is that it is across the street from Whole Foods! This would also mean that it is walking/biking distance to live music at Waterloo, grocery shopping, drinking chai tea at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and everything else that is downtown.I mean the Austin Metro system is really convenient as well, especially with a student ID. Being so convenient I would save gas and never have to drive except for the occasional visits to my family in Austin suburbia.

Reading the descriptions and all the amenities that it offers is even more enticing! They have cool fountains in the courtyard (that I could probably go skinny dipping in...just kidding.) Although it does have a swimming pool and spa to make use of! I saw a picture of the fitness center, and it looks really fancy. What more could I ask for, I mean it is all right there for me. Inside the units there are 9 foot ceilings and I think they provide a washer and dryer unit. I also really like the fact that each unit has a private balcony, which would allow me to see the downtown view even better!

Go check it out! I definitely am planning to :)

Ethics Vs. Sadism

Our environment makes up how we act and interact with others. In the studies about the prison it reminded me of peer pressure and how people can be easily corrupted through feelings of power and/or acceptance. The guards on the prison began to emulate similar actions that were seen in concentration camps because they were given too much power. This caused unnecessary suffering among the prisoners and "the experiment quickly grew out of hand." (487)

It is easier for humans to fight for their rights, but who will fight for the innocent animals who do not have a voice? Cruelty such as animal cruelty has many degrees, but in the end it is still an act of cruelty. In the story about Tom Nero, we see how over time he loses his good self in exchange for a mistreated and harsh character. His way of dieing was brutal as a symbolism of all the hurtful deeds he committed.

I believe that humans are innately good, but through the struggles in life, they can train themselves to feel less empathy. Like doctors who see death almost everyday, they have to learn how to be numb to many things in their job,

"their hearts hardened after years of working with cadavers."(495) In order for these medical professions to get through school they must learn from experience, and they do dissect and discover new methods of helping us. Doctors must perform as ethical as possible because their practice could have many controversies if carried out wrong.

[1]http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/mice-res-09.jpg

[2] "The Reward of Cruelty". http://www.avenuedstereo.com/modern/hogarth_cruelty.jpg

Food for Thought

What we eat is a major part of the human lifestyle, it is a fusion of many centuries of cultures cultivated from experimentations of flavors and what not. So why is it that there are so many different opinions on what is tasty and what is not? What we "taste may be acquired", (443) depending on the environment we we raised in.

Since the beginning of college, I made a conscious decision to eat vegetarian and eliminated meat from my diet. This caused some contradiction in thought between my mother and me, and so we frequently have heated discussions about previous beliefs. Just this past weekend she was telling me about a client of hers who was offered a chicken. They were at a ranch and the owner of the free-range chickens asked the client if he would like the rancher to slaughter a chicken to take home. This completely freaked my mother out because she could never imagine anyone killing a chicken just for her. She would not be responsible for such an action, and therefore persuaded her client to do the same. When I heard this I felt that it was very ironic, because what we find in the grocery stores is also raw chicken that was slaughtered for the purpose of being cooked. I could not understand the difference because "an animal may be viewed as 'sacrificed' for human consumption."(445) It is difficult for many people to succumb to the reality that they are actually eating the flesh of what once was living and breathing and so they make "psychological efforts...distancing oneself from the reality of eating an animal." (445) Her main concern about my vegetarian diet is the lacking of protein, but that is another story.

[1]

Different cultures consume different creatures as well, because I am Taiwanese I have heard of the many absurd foods that no one in America would eat. However, this is the cultural norm difference and to those who are accustomed they do not find it strange but rather our way of life strange. Like the section about South Korea trading dog meat, that seems absurd, but Hong Kong people used to eat dogs as well as monkey brains.

This reading also reminds me of a scene from a movie that I once watched, and one scene distinctly stands out where a family at dinner eating hamburgers. Somewhere in the conversation the little girl over hears something about her hamburger really being from a cow, and so she got scared and cried because she loves cows.

[2]

[1]http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/food/freedom_chicken440.jpg

[2]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqcDoj2ji9kXWoO8gheeoUbhBn5MJx8ub7PDSd7D740bljffPoWygo1hQMOOuWxav7DmCdBRJIwaczHmADmZpICrVQVxecdwEfmZ3eqKFS8lBgsG4YIb2lHegoWj75MGqWYFQO13WIcXo/s1600/vegetarian-argument.jpg

LBJ Lives On

Walking into the library, I spotted a statue on a Native American on a horse that was presented to President Johnson in 1968 and told him " in honor and memory of Mr. Sam, your friend and mine." This to me represented the friendliness of Mr. President, where everyone was his friend.

This piece was called "The Scalp" and was created by Frederic Remington. Remington spent a lot of time in the wilderness, and through his art we can see what life was like on the plains.

Johnson was a wonderful leader who practiced what he preached. During his time in office he took time off to serve his country by serving in the military. He took pride in his country and demonstrated how a ideal citizen should act. General Douglas MacArthur later presented him with a silverstar award which made President Johnson very proud and sensitive of the service many citizens give their lives for.

Johnson was aware of justice and what was right. During his time in office he implemented many measures that would benefit many people. I want to learn from him because it is one thing to lead, but another to know how to maintain the balance among different groups of people. He sent troops to South Korea to protect them again the North Korean invasion. Just this past week I read about a recent bombing in South Korea by North Korea. There needs to be some help in protecting the innocent and intervening from such horrific attacks.

Another example of where justice was served was when a Mexican American went to serve in the US Army and died overseas, he was not treated fairly in his funeral service. Therefore, Mexican American communities protested against the unamerican action at funeral homes. President Johnson wrote a humble reply in return acknowledging that the "old injusticed against the forgotten and the disadvantaged [would] be eliminated and the quality of life improved for everybody." Those were his overall goals to accomplish during his time as president.

My most valued exhibit was the temporary installment the library had about Walter Cronkite who just recently past. He had so many characteristics of the proactive leader I want to become. He was always eager to learn, constantly reading to absorb new material. He witnessed a lot of history in his lifetime, but was always focused on what was just. One of his main focuses was a commitment to civil rights.

**All Images taken by author

Visiting Bob Bullock

As I ventured into the museum with my sticker on the right side of my shirt, I explored the various exhibitions on the first floor and discovered some of the historical significance that animals had in developing Texas. On the first floor, I learned about the invention of barbed wire in 1874. Barbed wire was used to mark the boundaries of land ownership. This allowed cattle to graze freely, but enclosed within the land owner's property. It basically closed the open range allowing ranchers to operate their businesses without confusion of which cattle belonged to who.

On the second floor, I saw a painting called "Ox Cart Returning from Town" by Jean Louis Theodore Gentile. This painting resembled the road to civilization into San Antonio. They rode in mule towed wagons and immigrated west to establish new communities and trade. The ox was a mode for transporting their goods and way to start their new lives. I also found a state seal of "Coahuila y Tejas" that symbolizes the union of Mexican states. There was a hawk hovering above some roads which represents that all roads are united.

Horses were also an important commodity, they were important during the planting of crops and hauling rice to market. Having a good relationship with these animals made human jobs much easier.

In the third level, I found the quote " Houston the Eagle has landed" has a really symbolic meaning. The eagle is the symbol for the United States. To have us make such a progress in technology by developing a way for mankind to travel to space was a major step into the future. The eagle is a true leader, and NASA probably wanted to make this spaceship a symbol of the cutting edge technology.

Austin Pets Alive Bios

I first met Abigail in her little play pen at the newly constructed Austin Pets Alive location in South Austin. She was a very shy puppy, and was shivering from head to paws at the sight of strange new people. Although there is no way of knowing her actual story, I can imagine that it was a long and courageous journey for dog as small as her. If I tried to visualize the experiences that she endured, her story might possibly go like this.

Hiya, my name is Abigail! I came from a large litter of puppies. Life was so easy living with my mom and siblings, we would eat and sleep all day. I wish I could have known how short lived my time with my family was because in a blink of an eye I found myself crammed into a small kennel and tossed into the trunk of a van. The van smelled like smoke and terror. I could not see anything but shadows like ghosts coming out from my worst nightmares. My ears were in pain from the other loud noises coming from other dogs. It was not until the van came to a halt did I realize that I would be separated from my siblings forever. I do not blame my momma or her owners, because I know that it would be very difficult to raise all of us pups. Therefore, they had no choice but to send us all away to an animal shelter.

Upon arrival a man quickly carried us inside a weird building that echoed of shrill whimpers and squeaky cages. I did not want to be here. The other dogs were not saying very friendly or inviting. I was shivering scared of what my new life was going to be like. The first day at the shelter was very chaotic. Many people were touching and examining me as if I was a lab experiment. All I can remember was hoping for a peaceful place with a soft and warm bed to sleep in once again. After all the people with clipboards examined me, I was finally taken to another room filled with boisterous dogs and placed in my cage. I was given food and water to drink, and taken out once in a while to go potty. Some of the people were very kind, but I was still not accustomed.

Most days were long and unforgiving in the shelter. Everyday, rambunctious children and strange people would come stare at me with their mean glares. I was scared to move and all I could do was shiver. I longed to be somewhere out in nature, where I could feel the breeze on my face. I knew that I would have to be on my best behavior so that someone might take me home with them. Some of my doggy friends would get lucky and be adopted. However, others did not have families come and take them home. I do not know where they went, but somehow they just disappeared. My friend Chip was taken away and I waited for his return but three days passed and I never heard from him again. I heard rumors of a secret room where animals were taken to fall asleep. I did not understand what this meant, and I wondered why the people at the shelter did not just let them sleep in their cages. A week had passed, I learned that animals were organized by , and there is one section of the shelter you did not want to be sorted into. That section had animals that get taken to the secret room to sleep and never return.

It was just another day where people in the shelter come in with their clip boards and examine the animals to reorganized us. Up until now, I have been fortunate that I did not get reassigned to different locations of the shelter. However, today was different because they took me and moved me away from all my new friends. I had my tail between my legs, and kept my head down the entire day. I could be any moment I would be carried away and never return. Later that day some new people with clipboards came by and I have never seen them before. There were two women who came in, I overheard that they were from a place called Austin Pets Alive. These ladies were on a mission to save any “healthy and treatable” animals. They became my heroes, because they after examining me, they took me and many others away to a safer place. This place smelled nice and was quieter.

I found peace and quiet at my new temporary home, the other dogs were very nice to me. I discovered more freedom and was given a lot of attention there. I was able to do what I enjoyed to do most with my new friends. There is nothing that I love to do more than spending the day sunbathing with my friend Sarah in our little house in the play pen. People visit us and let us sit in their laps. I am still too young to play with the other bigger dogs, so I just sit and watch them run after balls. This was the first time in a long time that I have felt so free to relax. I am slowly learning how to overcome my nervousness around new people.

I have to be honest, when I first meet people I am very timid and shy, but I am very gentle and loving once I get warmed up to you. I am really sweet and I love to cuddle. I could probably just sit on your lap all day long if I could. If you see me shivering, just understand that I am just very excited and anxious to meet new people. I am not sure if I like cats yet, but if they are gentle and friendly with me I am sure I can learn how to love them as much as I love people.

When I am outside, my beautiful brown fur shines in the sunlight. I would love to show you my t-shirt that APA gave me! It keeps me warm when a chilly wind blows. Although I enjoy being out in nature and in the sunlight, I love to take naps inside where there is a soft bed and blanket just for me.

I am always on alert at what is going on around me, you can tell when I am concentrated when my ears are perked up. I like to think a lot, so while I sun bathe I am usually staring in the distance solving the world’s largest questions. Will you take me home with you so we can lay in the sun all day? We could have some wonderful discussions and I could be your perfect companion because you can take me everywhere with you!

Word Count: 1179

Appendix

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Hiya! I am Abigail, great to meet ya! I love spending the day sunbathing with my friend Sarah in our little house. I am still too young to play with the other bigger dogs, but they can see me when I am out ready to play.

When I first meet people I am very timid and shy, but I am very gentle and loving once I get warmed up to you. I am really sweet and I love to cuddle. If you see me shivering, I am just very excited and anxious to meet new people. I am not sure if I like cats yet, if they are gentle and friendly with me I am sure I can learn how to love them as well as people.

When I am outside, my beautiful brown fur shines in the sunlight. I would love to show you my t-shirt that APA gave me! It keeps me warm when a chilly wind blows. Although I enjoy being out in nature and in the sunlight, I love to take naps inside where there is a soft bed and blanket just for me.

I am always alert at all what is going on around me, you can tell when I am concentrated when my ears are perked up. I like to think a lot, so while I sun bathe I am usually staring in the distance solving the world’s largest questions. Will you take me home with you so we can lay in the sun all day? We could have some wonderful discussions and I could be your perfect companion because you can take me everywhere with you!

Word Count: 287

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Hi everyone, I am Prissy! I usually am a very happy Chihuahua who is very excited to meet everyone! I am always looking for something new and exciting to preoccupy myself with. I love to sniff everything around me and explore the new things that I see. I’ve been saved by the APA crew and I am so grateful to be here with them.

People say that I am like a princess, because of my graceful ways. I am usually shy and quiet when first meeting new people, but I will be your friend if you would scratch my back and belly. I love to be around others who are gentle and sweet. Take me outside in the sunshine and let me nap in the comfort of someone’s warm lap. I love making new friends on my outdoor adventures. It should be easy for me to adapt to a new environment with whoever my new family may be. I am a great companion for nice people of all ages, kids especially. Kids are so much fun to be around, and they always give me a lot of attention! I especially love it when they feed me treats.

I also love to play with my squeaky toys, but I do not like it if my friends do not share with me. I am sometimes scared that they will never give it back to me, but I don’t mind sharing if they ask politely. If they do not then I might bark to tell them to give it back. The other time that I bark is at exciting and new creatures that frighten me, like squirrels. They run so fast and just like magic they can appear and disappear from out of thin air.

I hope that someday a family with kids will come and take me home with them! I know that my new family will love me and teach me new tricks and help me overcome my shyness. I know that they will spoil me and treat me like the princess that I really am.

Word Count: 355

Sympathetic Imagination

What does it mean to be a human? Imagine if we had to explain this concept to an alien, what would we say to describe our way of life. This is how I picture sympathetic imagination. With the image of the tigers and bunnies above, the bunnies do not know they are not tiger cubs and yet they put themselves in the role of how a tiger cub would act. Could animals understand this concept of sympathetic imagination?

It is not an easy task to put ourselves in another person's shoes, but to imagine ourselves as an animal is even more of a stretch. In the reading today, I read about Rick Bass' Odyssey. He was very descriptive and specific when speaking from the hound's point of view. Dogs are intelligent creatures who are very loyal to their owner. When the hound said, "he wrote me off, sold me off and out but I still love him", (422) I felt the unconditional love and trust from this dog. The narrator is the alpha dog and through her voice we could hear her pride of her place. Bass' excerpt of Homer's story was very touching.

So I ask again what does it mean to be human? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, we are "distinguished from animals by superior mental development, power of articulate speech, and upright posture." (418B) Having those characteristics in mind, it is no wonder we have the ability to use sympathetic imagination towards our friends, family, and other inhabitants on Earth.