Ethnography

Monica Garcia

Professor Kitty Nard

English 113B

18 March 2013

Ethnography on Space

          Space is used in different and unique ways. Space is made up by what an individual makes of it and how the individual puts their heart into it. For example, an open field of space can be turned into a baseball field. Even if it is not professionally build like the Dodger stadium, to those who are passionate about it will use the space as if it was a field made for professions. As well as a home or a room in a home, an individual uses and builds the space to feel comfort in it. The Santa Monica Pier is a big part of Los Angeles. It is known by many and visited by many every day. Although, Santa Monica pier is visited by many, this space is used by tourists, fisherman and it is occupied by many workers.

            To begin, Santa Monica pier fits its purpose. It is a place where people can enjoy their time with their family and children or a place to take a significant other. During the day there are many families enjoying the day with their kids. There are also many men fishing during the day. During my visit I noticed a sign that clearly states “No Fishing” and another that stated “Do Not Eat the Fish”. Walking towards the end of the pier there are also many people showing their talents for money. There are many face painters, people who paint portraits of others, a man painted in silver acting as a robot and I even saw a palm reader. They use the space in the pier to show their talents. During the night I noticed more couples and groups of friends. The lights on the ferris wheel also look beautiful during the night. The pier from a far looks very beautiful but once on the pier it looks less attractive and not too clean. The water is also a very dark green. Santa Monica Pier is considered “Los Angeles”.

            Santa Monica pier is visited by many tourists each day. Visiting Santa Monica pier is a good way to fully experience Los Angeles. It is very diverse and multicultural just like Los Angeles. Los Angeles is also famous for the tall buildings and bright lights. The lights on the ferris wheel make it “LA”.  Walking through the pier there are also many stores on the sides. There is an aquarium which everyone can visit and many stores and stands selling t-shirts, sweaters, and souvenirs. At the end of the pier there is a restaurant and even a small store which has a sign that says it is the farthest store into the ocean. This is also “LA” due to the fact that Los Angeles is known for the many restaurants and shopping centers. The history of Santa Monica pier holds meaning towards many.

            Finally, Santa Monica pier holds a lot of history. It was built in 1909. A sewage system was built under the pier but was discontinued in the 1920’s. This pier was also very famous for catching fish. There was also a ballroom which many people attended. Now the biggest entertainments in the pier are the rides and music. There is also an arcade area and a carousel that many can enjoy.  Santa Monica pier also holds meaning for me. As a kid, I enjoyed many weekends in the pier with my family. My dad always enjoyed taking my sisters and I to the pier to spend time with each other. It also holds meaning to me because my high school graduating class took a senior trip to Santa Monica pier. The pier can also hold a lot of meaning to many people. It is a place where many couples can go on dates and spend time with their loved ones. Santa Monica pier creates and holds memories for many.

            In conclusion, Santa Monica pier fits its purpose. It is a place where people can get away and enjoy themselves either on the pier or on the beach. It is considered to be “LA” due to the diversity and the many cultures as well as the many bright lights it presents at night. The space is being used by the entertainment, stores, restaurants and even the people on the sides of the pier showing their talents for money.

 

Works Cited

http://santamonicapier.org/history/

  

  

Another City: An Empty Classroom

 

Monica Garcia

Professor Kitty Nard

English 113B

9 March 2013

 

 

 

Summary of Another City: An Empty Classroom, Lincoln Heights

The poem an “An Empty Classroom” by William Archila takes place in a classroom in Lincoln Heights. This poem is written by the eyes of the teacher inside the classroom. He explains how the students are all reading and eager to learn. He also explains how the classroom becomes empty by the sound of sirens.

My Understanding

After understanding who the Author is and where he comes from I got a better understanding of the poem. The students in the poem are immigrants or kids of immigrant parents. The author states that the students have a chance of growing up into poverty if they do not obtain better education. These students are more likely to become construction workers or work with sewing machines just like their parents. The setting, Lincoln Heights, is known as “ghetto” and under privileged.

Questions I Still Have

What is the author trying to say about the sirens? Does it connect with the rain or the setting? Why does the author speak about the classroom becoming empty and later speaking about students in their seats?

Summary of Clusters

Monica Garcia
Professor Kitty Nard
English 113B
2 March 2013

Summary of Public Spaces

Public spaces are places we experience every day. It is also known as transit space. We use public spaces when going to different places such as an elevator, sidewalk, gas stations, motels and even parking lots. The most common public spaces are sidewalks. Sidewalks are used every day to get from one place to another. Public spaces are also built depending on what they are and can make you feel a certain way. For example, a waiting area of an airport can make you feel nervous or excited.

Summary of Nowhere Man

In the essay, Nowhere Man by Pico Lyer, he describes his life of traveling by plane since the age of nine. He defines the airport as a public space and gives more meaning to what a public space really is. He has become accustomed to airports since he traveled to school by plane at an early age. He describes his life as a traveler. Traveling gives him freedom and many different locations to choose from. This public place known as the airport has become a familiar place to him. As he waits for his luggage he describes it as a carousel waiting for his life to be claimed.

Reading this work from the cluster of public space gives me a different view of an airport. I have only been on a plane once and I do not have much experience being in an airport. An airport is a place where family members arrive from a different state or even a different country. It is a public space in which people can reunite or say their goodbyes. It can also be a place of excitement when leaving to go on vacation.