7. If you could introduce one new idea or material thing to a primitive culture, what would it be?

 Primitive cultures sometimes have little or no access to warm blankets due to their low income level. They tend to have to endure harsh, cold weather and are consequently exposed to having hypothermia. Therefore, if I had the ability to introduce a material thing to a primitive culture, I would choose to introduce the snuggie. A snuggie is a sleeved blanket that allows one to move around easily while still having the warmth of a blanket embracing you.  With the help of the snuggie, all who are part of the primitive culture would still be able to work or play in the cold weather while being enveloped by the warmth of a snuggie. In addition, people in primitive cultures tend to have no access to antibiotics which adds to the risk of possibly dying of illnesses. With a snuggie in their possession, they would no longer be in danger of having hypothermia or any other illness such as the flu for they will be sheltered from the cold. As simple as the concept may be, the distribution of a snuggie will lay a great impact on a primitive culture who many times suffers through cold weather and illnesses caused by it.

8. If you were to describe yourself using a quotation, what would it be?

 “Give light and people will find the way.” –Ella Baker

 The quote above describes me in the way that I enjoy helping people. I dislike seeing people suffer or having problems making decisions. Therefore, I tend to give them as much advice and help as I can without expecting something in return other than a smile. I enjoy helping people due to the fact that I know I can make them feel better with a caring gesture or friendly advice. Also because I know that I would very much appreciate it if someone were to give me a helping hand in my own time of need. Even when I have no idea that one is dwelling with a problem, they tend to come to me since they know that I will embrace and care for them. I enjoy being sought for, for it not only makes me feel wanted but also because it makes me feel like I have a purpose in life…and that is to help others in every possible way that I can. I enjoy giving light and helping people find their way, it brings me some sort of inner peace knowing that I made someone “turn that frown upside down.”

9. Given the authority to establish a holiday, what would you choose to commemorate? Why? What would the celebration look like?

 If I had the ability to establish a holiday, I would choose to establish an Adopt a Pet/ Find Shelter for an Animal Day. The reason to such is due to the fact that there are many animals in need of a loving home. Day by day there are little, furry creatures in need of a home or ones seeking help to get out of one due to the cruel hearts that the owners may have. Many animals, such as homeless or lost dogs, are roaming the streets, hungry and dehydrated. Just like us, human beings, animals have emotions that can be easily. The sadness can be seen in their eyes as one passes by their cages in an animal shelter. Although they have food and water given to them, they need more than that, they need love. So, with that being said, Adopt a Pet/Find Shelter for an Animal Day would be celebrated by having the communities group together and find animals roaming around the neighborhoods in need of shelter. It would also consist of animal shelters and pet shops uniting in a park or town square in which all the animals in need of a home would be put up for adoption. Towards the end of the day, when most pets have been adopted and found, there would be a sort of huge festival commemorating the new owners of pets and the pets themselves. There would be games for both owners and pets and food for both as well. Bands would be playing and prizes would be given as well. The whole day would be full of fun and games and love for animals.

10. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Whenever I feel down and cannot help but frown all day, someone simply says, “Smile,” and I cannot help but feel better instantaneously. So, “smile” is probably the best advice I have ever received, as simply as it may be. Once someone says such to me, I begin to reflect on how much worse someone else in the world may have it. Much like somebody whom has just lost a loved one or somebody whom has to worry about if they are going to be eating that day. I also remind myself how beautiful the day outside is or just how beautiful life is in general when I hear that word. I then, figure that there really is no reason to frown. A simple word can make anyone reflect on everything and “smile” is one of those words. So, that’s why whenever I feel a bit gloomy and there is no one around me… I just remind myself to smile :).

12. Your life is a movie. Describe the first 15 minutes.

 If my life were a movie it would start something like this…

 A young woman wearing an elegant dress and the ring that her love just proposed to her with..she is looking at her degrees hanging on the wall and reflecting on all she has accomplished and how perfect life seems. Then, a flashback begins with the woman as a teenager riding a skateboard home from a day at the park with her friends. As the movie progresses on further, one sees the girl’s parents fighting in the livingroom and the girl trying to shut them out by putting her music on full blast. The fifteen minutes end with her father banging on the door and the girl looking up with a tear rolling down her cheek, wiping it and continuing to do her homework.

This is “Lovely…”

13. Write a letter to your future college roommate introducing yourself and your background.

 Dear Liliana,

     My name is Ana Castillo and as you may know by now, I will be your roommate for the next 2 semesters at UCSD. I’m so excited! Well, to start off I come from a Hispanic background with a somewhat family oriented background. As a little kid I lived in Tijuana but still came to school in the city of National City. It was until I was in 2^nd grade when I began to live in a small mobile home near the Mile of Cars. A couple years later, my family was fortunate enough to buy a decent home in the city of Chula Vista and so that’s where my journey as a Castle Park student began. So far, I have been recognized as top of my class and I can tell you now… it has been a pain in the rear to keep that title. You see, I am a perfectionist and everything simply has to be done perfectly if not… I shut down. Other than that, I tend to be pretty outgoing and full of life. I think about others before myself and care about them a bit too much sometimes. I adore shopping, it is somewhat like my escape from reality. I also love listening to music and helping out those in need. I like all kinds of foods except anything that has egg in it. I generally like having my place clean and presentable. i can be a slob sometimes though. I am more of a night person than a morning one (but when I have to I can play the role of a morning person). I love pets, so if you plan on hiding one in our dorm.. I am totally fine with that! Anyways, I’m really outgoing and by the letter you previously sent me, I bet we are going to be really close :).

Your future roommate,

Ana Castillo

 

14. Please describe your reactions/ideas to the following quote: "He does not possess wealth, it possesses him."

The quote, “He does not possess wealth, it possesses him,” produces a mental image of a sweet, humble guy transformed into a snobby, greedy one once he finds a pot of gold. This is a story that is very common when wealth presents itself in one’s life. The wealthiest people are sometimes the most cold-hearted people as well. The wealth causes them to morph into some sort of greedy monster with the heart the size of a peanut. It is rare to hear of a wealthy person whom is genuinely fond of people in need of some sort of help. Wealth also produces a strong obsession over materials and maybe even gambling. Such obsessions eventually lead to bankruptcy which is far worse than anything for it would be hard for one to adapt to living in a humble manner after having everything. This same kind of scenario can be seen in a five year old whom is given a shiny new toy or a shiny coin. They suddenly turn into this annoying little kid with the word “mine” integrated into their vocabulary from then on. Therefore, I’m glad I have just enough wealth to fulfill my basic needs and a couple of luxuries and still be able to have a humble heart.