I'm learning more about food security right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: How does food security affect Africa? I was researching this question online and this blog post was attached on one of the pages on www.urgentevoke.com. It caught my attention because in the urgent evoke game they made up a hypothetical situation of food security and I wanted to know about an actual one.\n\n"When I was a child growing up in Zimbabwe, my grandmother used to go to the same one-acre plot of land each day and work long and exhausting hours. When I asked her why she put herself through this, she replied: "This is how I wake up every day, this is how I survive." I am now in my twenties and my grandmother is still out there on her plot each day.She continues to till her field with a hand hoe, using seed saved from previous harvests, and applying a teaspoonful of fertiliser per maize plant. Her working hours and type of inputs have remained the same over the years; however, the yields have been declining drastically. "\n\nThe quote I chose here is basically saying that agriculture is the main source of food in Africa and the people have to work for their entire lives on crops and farming.\n\nI think this is interesting because people have to do a lot of hard labor. It makes me wonder why in the U.S. and other countries, people are able to retire after a certain age. But, in Africa they have to work their entire lives.

I'm learning more about zodiac signs right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: "How much of your personality is defined through your zodiac sign?" I was researching this question online, and this blog post caught my attention because it talks about how horoscopes can benefit your love life if you allow yourself to go to an astrologist before you propose or take your relationship to the next level to find out your compatibility. "Millions of people read horoscope on daily basis however they don't believe but they want to take review at least and finding the way that there is some thing good for them over there and what will be prohibited on specific time including me." The quote I chose here is basically saying that even though people barely believe in horoscopes, they still read them daily to see the successes that are going to be coming into their lives. I think this is interesting because it means that people still have some hope in horoscopes and look forward to them in some way. It makes me wonder if people would believe it if their horoscopes had something bad in store for them.

I'm learning more about zodiac signs right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: How much of your personality is defined through your zodiac sign? I was researching this question online, and this blog post caught my attention because of it's title. I could tell it would describe which pair of zodiac signs are the most compatible depending on their personalities. "The following pairings are just guides, no matter what sign you are, it is still up to both of you on how to cultivate and maintain a harmonious relationship with one another. " The quote I chose here is basically saying this page is almost like advice or a warning for the readers to learn more about zodiac sign compatibility. This may vary depending on how much personalities are changed by their environment. It isn't impossible for a Leo and Pisces to have a stable relationship but according to the article, it'll be very difficult for them. I think this is interesting because the future of a relationship can be determined just by zodiac signs of the partners. It makes me wonder if two zodiac signs who are known to be the most compatible could have struggles or an end to their relationship. The commitment of both partners matters too which can be determined by zodiac signs as well. It says Taurus and Scorpio are one of the best combination in relationships. It says "Though sometimes it can be rough, Scorpio brings out the best motivation for Tauruses whenever they encounter any failure and hardships. Scorpios are compassionate for Tauruses and gives them a feeling of security." I believe this is true from the experience I've had. From what is described in this article is almost exactly what I'm facing with a close person in my life who is a Taurus. I am a Scorpio and since our signs are almost opposites, we balance out each other and build a good relationship; Scorpio is a fire sign and Taurus is a water sign.

How much of your personality is defined through your zodiac sign? Many people believe in astrology and follow their everyday lives according to their horoscopes. I personally believe that astrology is mostly accurate when it comes to people's personalities and the problems they will face in the future or their successes. The way your zodiac sign is described may not be exactly your own personality because there are other personalities around you that shape the kind of person you are as well. Zodiac signs are assigned according to your birthday and determines what kind of person you are. Two people are exactly the same so obvious there will be differences among people with the same birthdays mostly, because of their environments. But, the basis of their personalities can be told from their zodiac signs.

I'm learning more about trust right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: How are trustworthy people identified? I was researching this question online, and this poem caught my attention because it questions on how to be able to trust someone. "In relationships of trust And deep intimacy, Everything is diluted When veiled in secrecy. Who can you trust completely With all that you possess; " The quote I chose here is basically saying how when someone has so many secrets to hide how are they able to build trust in their relationships. Trust involves being able to depend on the other and being able to tell the other person everything. I think this interesting because with building trust, you can't keep secrets. It makes me wonder if trust can still be built without telling every single secret to your other. I mean you shouldn't keep secrets or hide anything, just be open and not suspicious.

I'm learning more about trust right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: How are trustworthy people identified? I was researching this question online, and this news item caught my attention because it talked about Dalai Lama believed in trust within communities rather than individuals. "Trust is a crucial element in building strong communites, the Dalai Lama told a large audience at Auckland's Vector Arena Dec 5." The quote I chose here is basically saying that trust is need in communities to unite people. When they're able to trust each other, they can create a strong and stable community. I think this is interesting because it takes a different look at trust. It looks at trust in a larger manner rather than trust with two individuals. It makes me wonder if a community is able to become stable and improve without having trust.

I'm learning more about trust right now, and in particular what I'm wondering about is: How are trustworthy people identified? I was researching this question online, and this poem caught my attention because it discusses other factors of a relationships that intertwine with trust. "So, when I put all of my trust deep within you Please don't tell me you love me, unless you truly do." The quote I chose here is basically saying that when you learn to trust someone, you expect the same thing back. With trust, you expect to gain true love as well. When people learn to trust another, they want something in a form of a reward. I think this is accurate because when many people commit to something and spend their time, learning to do something, they want something in return. It makes me wonder if a person finally learns to build trust in someone, will they ever be able to trust again if they're betrayed?

What I noticed most about, "Searching for Main Street's Flushing Pimp," was they managed to find out the reason Emanuel Milton behaved the way he did. He had schizophrenia and many health problems. He got schizophrenia after his mother's death. He believed that dressing well gained you respect so he made his appearance, his number one priority. We learned that he lived his life the way he wanted to despite his health issues. When the podcaster said, "When his mother died that trigged his schizophrenia," I was thinking how a single event can drastically change a person's entire life. I think this is interesting because I believe that Emanuel was traumatized by his mother's death and that influenced him to become the person that everybody on main street saw him as. Another part that caught my attention was: "I don't think he was a pimp, I think he just dressed like that to get attention." This stood out for me because as the podcast continued, they learned that this was actually true. According to his sister, he believed that dressing well allows you to get respect. In a way he did, from many people on Main Street, he was able to accomplish his purpose of being the way he was. Since, he was so eye-catching to everyone around him; he became famous and was titled "the pimp on Main Street," not necessarily because he was a pimp but his appearance said that. I do strongly agree that "the pimp on Main Street" brought life to the neighborhood because he caught everyone's attention by his outrageous and colorful clothing. One reason I say this is because most people in Main Street were able to recognize him. Another reason I agree is because no one else ever managed to dress in such a manner and maintain it over many years. Thank you for your podcast Helen Peng, Andrea Torres, and Rayon Wright. I'll look forward to seeing your work again because you had interesting thoughts and managed to gather a lot of information on such a vague topic