For my analog experience, I chose to work with a disposable film camera. Prior to this week, I had never used a disposable camera. 

I have some photography experience from a class in high school and my interest in photography but I only worked with digital cameras. The two digital cameras that I am familiar with are the iphone camera and the Nikon D3100. I believe the camera on the iPhone 14 Pro is great. The iPhone camera allows the photographer to zoom in up to 15x. Additionally, the iPhone camera takes clear crisp pictures with minimal effort done by the photographer. I have my iphone camera settings with the grid and level on. This allows me to make sure that I am positioned correctly to create a photo that does not solely have the object in the center of the photo but rather in one-third of the image and the level ensures that the photo is straight. The Nikon D3100 camera also has the ability for the grid lines to be displayed on the screen. With both digital cameras, the photo shot can be seen and edited within seconds after being taken. It is important to note that digital cameras essentially allow for infinite photos to be captured while the iPhone may say that more storage is needed and the Nikon camera may require a new memory card, the camera itself still has the ability to take photos. 

I purchased the disposable camera from Walgreens. The film camera is a Kodak power flash disposable 800. This camera is a single use with the ability to only capture 27 images. On the body of the camera, it is labeled with directions on how to use it. The first time I went to take a picture I followed all the directions but when pressing the shot button I did not hear it go off. However, the only way to confirm that no picture was actually taken is to see the amount of pictures remaining. The amount still stated 27 so I did not do something correctly. For a moment I thought that I had bought a damaged camera. However, I figured out that I was not winding the camera all the way which hindered its ability to capture the shot. While using the disposable camera I found myself not worrying about how the photo came out as I could not view it right away, I just did my best to obtain my desired shot by how I saw the shot through the viewfinder. With each photo I took this week using the disposable camera, I tried to make sure that each picture was different because I valued that I am limited to a certain amount of photographs. 

This experience made me realize the beauty of the unknown. My analog experience allowed me to not obsess over the way that the shot came out, rather I just took the shot and will see how the pictures came out after the film is developed. The process of having to wait to receive the photos is a process that is not experienced with digital cameras. I learned that I enjoy the more authentic photo that is created using the disposable film camera. In a sense that, for most of my shots using the disposable camera I had to physically move closer to the object because I did not have a lens that could zoom like digital cameras can. As I compare my analog experience with that of my digital world, I do not think one is better than the other, but the analog version brings me to keeping the photograph simple. 

Everyday, I stand here unable to move. At the end of this driveway, solely watching as cars drive by. I am only a mailbox.

I have been recently painted because parts of me were fading. The white wooden post that holds me up is so strong that even after the windiest days and harshest winter nights, we still stand, together we are one. We only have each other, as we do not have any other mailboxes near us. However, the family that owns me wants to make sure I do not show any parts of aging. The numbers that are stuck to my side have been replaced with more visible ones. As the white paint starts to chip away starting from the bottom of the post, I can see disgusted faces when my owners see the chipped paint as it disrupts the aesthetic of the house. Perhaps it was just time for a new coat of paint. Not only because of the years that have passed by since the wooden post that holds me has been painted, but all those dogs that walk by my post and I, that decide we are the best peeing spot. Every time a dog comes up to us, I know what is about to happen. I look down with disgust at the dog. We are not supposed to be their perfect peeing spot. I scream “Go away! We are not your peeing spot! Find somewhere else!”, but the dog does not care and does whatever he wants. I feel bad for my post as we experience life together, but my wooden post gets the worst of it. 

I think of the individuals who visit me in two different categories, those who use me to store packages and letters and those who take everything I hold away from me. Most mornings, I am visited by this lovely woman who opens me up and gives me letters to hold. Then, she closes me up and off she goes until the next morning. Occasionally, I am visited by strangers who open me up and stuff me with packages. Then in the evenings, one of the family members walks up to me and opens me up to check if I hold any packages or letters. When I do, they take everything from me and leave me bare inside. So, I have completed my job. Sometimes I am tasked to send out a letter. Usually, it is my owner that gives me the letter to send out, he will raise my red flag. This will let the wonderful woman in the morning know that I have something for her. She will open me and take the letter with her. She will put down my flag, as I no longer hold anything that needs to be shipped. Then the woman checks to see if she has anything for me to give to my owners. And just like that she closes me up.

There is no other like me. I can see, hear, and talk. I am more than an ordinary mailbox. 

Consumer goods can be anything from everyday necessities to luxury items nevertheless these items serve to satisfy the consumer needs and preferences. The consumer object that I will focus on is my COROS watch. 

As I started getting more into fitness and running last year, I decided to look into buying myself a running watch during Cyber Monday 2023 as a Christmas gift to myself. After much research I decided to purchase a watch from COROS, they are a “performance sports technology company that helps athletes train to be their best” (“About Us.”). I ordered the COROS Pace 2 in white with the silicone band from Amazon as they had the best deal at $179. 

I was convinced to buy this watch because it is advertised as the “lightest GPS watch on the market” to consumers who do not want to compromise performance for a heavier and uncomfortable watch (Amazon). The lightness is an appeal. The watch dimensions are 42 x 42 x 11.7 mm with a weight of 36 grams. The screen display of the watch is an “always-on memory LCD” (“Coros Pace 2 GPS Watch.”). 

The watch is not a touch screen. The main way to access the different features is by dialing on the top right side of the screen or by pressing the button on the bottom right. The watch offers features such as GPS tracking, heart rate, sleep monitor, compass, find my phone, and fitness analytics. The watch provides a selection for specific activities like indoor running, track running, pool swimming, gym cardio, and strength training to help track activity data accurately. Once an activity is completed the data can be viewed on the COROS app which is connected via Bluetooth. 

Regarding the packaging, the watch comes in a small box with a minimal design. Inside the box are the watch, the charging cable, and a user manual. The box’s design presents the brand as modern because the only design on the front is the watch itself. I feel the minimalist design aligns with what the brand stands for which is performance and innovation. 

The COROS Pace 2 was assembled by Guangdong COROS Sports Technology Joint Stock Company which is located in China. However, I could not find specific details regarding the labor required to produce any COROS products. 

Amazon sells COROS products from COROS Wearables which has its business located in California. When purchasing my watch, I chose the standard shipping, so it took seven days to arrive. The business location is approximately 2,793 miles away from my home. However, this does not take into account the country of origin which is China. Also, these miles do not account for any stops or other packages that the Amazon driver had to take throughout delivering my package. 

Now as consumers we receive a tracking link by Amazon after the distributor has shipped the item. I was hoping I would still be able to see all the tracking information from my Amazon order that contained the COROS watch, however, I think because it has almost been a year, and the product has been delivered the tracking link is no longer available. The tracking link would have provided good insight on where my package was moved onto another vehicle, as shipping a package across the country it is likely the package will be on different vehicles with different drivers. As an occasional online shopper, I feel that consumers all checking up where their packages are because we want to have our package as soon as possible.

Works Cited

“About Us.” COROS, us.coros.com/about. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Amazon.Com: Coros Pace 2 Sport Watch GPS Heart Rate Monitor, 20 Days Long Battery Life, Barometer, Lightweight, Strava, Training Plan, Navigation, Sleep Track, Swim, Bike, Run, Strength, Treadmill-White Silicone : Electronics, http://www.amazon.com/COROS-Barometer-Lightweight-Navigation-Treadmill-White/dp/B08GPCZ4C9. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

“Coros Pace 2 GPS Watch.” GPS Watch, coros.com/pace2#:~:text=COROS%20PACE%202%20is%20the%20ultimate%20training%20partner%20for%20athletes. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

For the chain of ownership assignment, I have researched the history behind my mother’s tortilla press. Before starting this assignment, I was struggling to come up with an object that connected to a story of my family’s history. However, when I asked my parents the tortilla press was suggested which I was fascinated by because I did not even know this object had a story. The object is owned by my mother, Beatriz.

My mother’s tortilla press sits on the top shelf of our smaller second pantry. Most of the time it is stored away but comes out on special occasions. The wooden tortilla press is used in the process of making homemade corn tortillas. After the dough is made and separated into many small-sized balls, the tortilla press allows for an easy way to thin out the tortillas and make them the same size. 

In 2001, the tortilla press was gifted to my mother as a wedding gift by my grandma’s neighbor, Efrain. This tortilla press originates from Mexico, where Efrain handmade my mother’s wooden tortilla press. Although the exact date of when the tortilla press was made is unknown, my parents expect that it was made in early January 2001. Making wooden tortilla presses was a hobby for Efrain. The wood used to make this tortilla press is most likely mahogany.

The age and use of the tortilla press can be minimally seen from the outside. When the tortilla press is closed with the handle horizontally it measures 16 inches. The top large wooden block measures 8.5 inches. The handle rests on a 4x1x1 wooden block that has two nails that are 2 inches apart. The handle has six engraved circles; the first three circles on the left are close together being 1/2 inch apart, third and fourth circles are 3 inches apart, the fourth and fifth circles are 1/2 apart, and fifth and sixth are 2 inches apart. The tortilla press is 3.5 inches tall with one inch being two 11×1.25×1 different wooden pieces that are on the edge of the bottom piece of the Mahogany.

While my mother did use her tortilla press in Mexico, she ultimately decided that it would be put to better use if she had it in New York; rather than being stored away at my grandma’s house in Mexico since this object is a prevalent kitchen appliance in Mexican households. Tortillas remain a staple in Mexico and Central America (Arnés and Astier 3). Twenty-three years later my mother still uses her tortilla press. Although today tortillas can be purchased at grocery stores or Tortilleria’s, “where the dough is mixed by machine, stamped into disks, and passed by conveyor belt over a flame” my mother still occasionally handmakes corn tortillas to maintain her traditional culinary practices and because they taste better fresh (Tortilla). I tend to eat more tortillas when they are homemade rather than store-bought.

With my mother’s tortilla press, she taught my sister and me how corn tortillas are made. Thus, anytime we make tortillas at home, my sister and I participate in the tortilla-making process. Passing down this tradition allows families to continue to engage in their cultural heritage. Not only is Mother’s wooden tortilla press meaningful to her because it was given as a handmade gift, but she was able to stay connected to her culture by bringing it with her to America. 

Works Cited

Arnés, Esperanza, and Marta Astier. “Handmade Comal Tortillas in Michoacán: Traditional Practices along the Rural-Urban Gradient.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 17, 2019, pp. 3211-, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173211.

“Tortilla.” Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 4 Oct. 2021. s443-academic-eb-com.libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/levels/collegiate/article/tortilla/1353. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

During the summer of 2018, most of my mom’s side of the family gathered together for a wedding that my cousin was having in Marshall, Missouri. Marshall is between Kansas City and St. Louis but lies closer to Kansas City as it takes one hour and thirty minutes to reach Marshall from Kansas City. During the time spent there I got to see many family members, including my grandma Cecilia, where I was gifted timeless jewelry.

My grandma Cecilia gifted me a pair of small gold decorative accessories for me to wear on my ears. They have two main parts; the top is thin and bent in to connect to the bottom, thicker part. The bottom hoop like part of each accessory has multiple lines that showcase an intricate design.

At the point where the hoop is the widest it measures 13/16″. Measuring the top to the bottom, the length is 1 – 5/16″. The thickness of the hoop measures 1/16″.

For me to wear this gift, I must put the top part through my pierced lobes. Once, I have securely connected them on my ears. I am able to feel their weight. Typically, when I wear other accessories like this, I do not notice how heavy they feel, sometimes I even forget I am wearing them because the other pairs I own are very light. However, with these small gold hoops, their weight does not go unnoticed. Their heaviness is the dense material of the gold they are handcrafted from.

When worn the bottom hoop allows for dangling and swaying movements to occur; perhaps walking or shaking my head. Not only are these items physically close to me as I wear them on my skin, but close to my heart.

This pair of accessories is special to me because they are from my grandma Cecilia. My grandma Cecilia is my only living grandparent and the only one I remember having a relationship with. So, having a gift from her and a relationship with her is something that I cherish. She bought this unique handcrafted accessory gift in Mexico. When taken a close look, they are not identical; one of the two pieces has longer design lines craved in on the bottom hoop part than the other. Additionally, my grandma has many other granddaughters that she could have chosen to gift these earrings to.

Anytime I wear these earrings, I am reminded of my grandma. Whenever I see my grandma, she is always wearing these types of earrings. My grandma has lived in Mexico her entire life; so, when she visits the United States, or I visit Mexico, I am glad that she has gifted me something that reminds me of my family and their culture.

When other individuals point out that they like my earring and I happen to be wearing the ones that my grandma gifted me, it brings me happiness; because these earrings are not solely a form of self-expression to complement an outfit, but I get to talk about my grandma.