Journal Question # 5. My Major

MY MAJOR
I am an agronomist with a master’s degree in statistics, and I wish to earn a Ph.D. in statistics now. My interest in statistics arose in 1995 when I became a founding professor of the University of the Chontalpa, in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. It was the first municipal university in the state of Tabasco and one of the first in Mexico. Many students living in the area cannot afford to attend the state university far from where they live. The University of Chontalpa provides them with an excellent opportunity to further their education close to home. Students get their bachelor`s degrees in social sciences, chemical engineering, and agriculture. In addition, I have taught statistics and mathematics at Chontalpa University for 13 years. Most students continue their studies at the Colegio de Postgraduados after graduating from Chontalpa University in order to obtain their master’s degree in agronomy. It has been very rewarding to follow their progress and success over the years.

First of all, I am convinced that statistics is an indispensable tool for generating knowledge in scientific and technological research. Currently, my intent is to enroll in a Ph.D. program in statistics in the United States because I know that the best universities related to my academic area are located here. In addition, international students usually converge in American universities. I am confident that I will have the opportunity to share experiences and points of view with many people from different parts of the world concerning local, regional, and world issues. This exchange of ideas will benefit the scientific and cultural understanding among the nations, as well as the exploration of solutions to the world’s many challenging problems. In addition, my interaction with others in my field of expertise will enable me to positively contribute to the development of my country upon my return to Mexico.

In the same way, I have a particular interest in applied statistics. In my master`s program I developed a methodology for analyzing experiments related to repeated measurements. This methodology was a response to a request by professors and students who needed a way to analyze data obtained from agricultural and animal studies experiments. I programmed this methodology into a software program in order to statistically analyze pertinent data generated from the experiments. Students and professors alike successfully used my program in the analysis of data. It was very rewarding to aid others in their scientific efforts.

In conclusion, I want to strengthen my knowledge of statistics by expanding my understanding of statistical topics, primarily those related to linear models and experimental design. I have a strong foundation in these areas and hope to build on this prior knowledge. In the past I took classes in probability, linear models, linear algebra, mathematical analysis and statistical methods. I am convinced that raising my academic level to a Ph. D. degree will permit me to make positive changes in my country’s future. As a leader of educators of statistics, I will strive to contribute to the noble task that the Colegio de Postgraduados carries out in educating specialists in pedagogy, research, and agricultural developments. These are crucial arenas of learning that Mexico and other Latin American countries must strengthen in order to secure their place in the scientific world.

Journal Question # 4. WEIRD FOOD

Weird and Wonderful Food
Our world is very rich in many things, but one of the most important things is the amount and variety of food. While some countries have a lot of food, others have very little. It is one of the major tasks that governments are trying to solve. If you eat healthy food, you will have health and wellness. As a result, you can do activities for fun, and you are able to go to school or go to work. Mexico has a lot of food and its cuisine is very delicious. In contrast, I have many stories about food, which can be sad and others can be happy or funny too. For instance, when I got my first job, I worked at Lacandon jungle in a wild area in Chiapas State, Mexico. I realized that there, the children didn’t eat every day while children from the center of Mexico could eat a lot of food. There is advertising on TV that says “Mom, What are we going to eat tomorrow? and others says “Mother, will we eat tomorrow? Almost I cry when I watch this commercial. Another example is when I was studying my master’s degree in Mexico state, there I could enjoy the “barbacoa of lamb”, which is a delicious food and my favorite food. In the same place there is a strange food, which is called “ESCAMOLES”. This sort of food is prepared with eggs from ants and it includes guacamole, which is prepared with avocado. Even though I tried it, I didn’t like it. However, a lot of people around the world, who have tried the escamoles, say that it is very tasty, delightful, incomparable, and aphrodisiac. Anna, would you like try it? Finally, we should remember that food is best when it is shared with others, such as friends, family, and hopeless people, and what is weird food to some people is wonderful food to others.
All in all, I encourage you to enjoy life and its goodness as I enjoy it; furthermore, we shouldn’t forget other important things like to help our mates as I sometimes forget to.

Journal Question # 3. My Epitaph

My Epitaph
Because I know very few about epitaphs, I will write a little about this matter. I think that people, who write your epitaphs, have interesting reasons to do this. Maybe, they want to become a famous person or they don’t want to be forgotten. However, I don’t agree with this kind of practice because I think that it is not necessary. After that you have expired, you won’t be able to help to somebody. Hence, you can be or do that you want when you are alive. While you are living and performing in this life, you are writing your epitaph. If you were an interesting person to some people, they will think the same when they visit you at the cemetery. In the same way, if you were an unknown person even to your sons, they will not remember neither who were you, nor what you did. In summary, you are building epitaphs while you are living. Therefore, my epitaph could be "see you soon". With this I hope to encourage you to continue writing your epitaph before you are death like me.

Journal Question #2. Stereotypes

MEXICO AND ONE OF ITS STEREOTYPES
Are there stereotypes of people from Mexico? The countries around of world have many stereotypes, which can be different even at the same country. Mexico, that is placed at south of the U.S., is not the exception. Even though there are a lot of stereotypes in Mexico, maybe the most famous are the “norteños”. For instance, the “norteños”, who are inhabitants from Monterrey, are taller than others Mexicans are. They are very rich, but they are too avaricious or self-centered.
In fact, the boys and girls from Monterrey are very tall. However, there are many people that are short too. In addition, there are tall people from others states of Mexico and they are not from Monterrey. In the same way, even they work hard; they don’t like to spend their money. As a result, the people relate many jokes about them. For example, when a child asks his father fifty Mexican pesos, his father answers him do you mean forty pesos? What is the reason that you want thirty pesos? You should think that twenty pesos is much money as ten pesos. As soon as you finish your homework, I will give you five pesos. Then, you must give your little sister two pesos and you will give me the remainder.
To sum up, similar others countries, Mexico has a lot of stereotypes, which are very interesting to know. The “norteños” who live in Monterrey at Mexico are categorized as high and no generous people.