Landscaping (FOOD)

     As I went on with mentor-ship this thanksgiving break, I went onto find out my mentor professionally landscapes a couple El Pollo locos. Yes the restaurant, it was an old formal client he had and he really liked my mentors work so he went on to hire him at his new El Pollo loco locations. I went on to ask him, what is key when landscaping a restaurant compared to a house? He responded saying, "When you landscape a restaurant that is located near a major street you have to make the landscape appealing to everyone not  just a single home owner like at a house". When you make it appealing to everyone it makes costumers feel comfortable. A restaurant wants a customer to return so if I do my job correctly and as well as the employees of the store, costumers should return meaning I did a good job.

     So remember this the next time you go eat, is it really the food that makes you want to go back to a restaurant late nights or is it the landscaping? That was totally a joke, but really do keep in mind what a landscape does to make a restaurant more appealing. 

Blog 9: EQ

Content:
1.) I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.) a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
Yes, I do think that this is an EQ that follows the rule of three for writing an EQ because it provides a frame work and allows for research but also it is not a yes or no question. Also it allows you to argue some points and the wording is great I clearly understand the it and what it is calling for.
 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
No, I do not think this is a good EQ because the wording might be difficult for some to read and it does not easily flow. Also the EQ really does not allow for argument since there are laws that state when you can convict someone, therefore limiting argument. Overall I feel like the EQ can be better.
 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?
Yes, this is a good EQ because it clearly states what is being argued and what is being focused on. Also because it allows you to argue a point and does not allow for recitation of facts. It also makes sense and the wording is good. 
 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
No, I believe that this is not a well stated EQ because it does not word who is being treated, therefore meaning treating pets or etc...It really does not allow for arguments and its flow is not good. The EQ can be stated in a different way and an be improved to allow for argument and better flow. I felt based on the rule of three that it was not a good EQ. 
 
3.  Based on the rule of three I came with, "What is most important in creating a more aesthetically pleasing suburb landscape ".  

October post

During the month of October my mentorship schedule changes due to the season change. As the season changes so does the type of work  I do with my mentor. During summer the theme are bright red or orange flowers that bloom every so often. In fall/winter the type of plants that we change to are plants that can handle frost and cold temperatures. An example of a plant that can handle frost and cold temperatures and still look beautiful is the  leatherleaf mahonia... 

Many homeowner want their landscapes to look as natural as possible therefor that's why they hire landscapers to match the landscape to that of a winter or summer setting. 

As a mentor I enjoy working in the cooler temperatures of October because it is easier and less stressful but also because I enjoy the scenery of some houses. My mentor has houses that are located in Glendora, CA and the area is so beautiful that I often become distracted just staring at the Landscape. It is a real joy to work in the fall season. 

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

• What is most important in creating a (business/home) landscape design.

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? 

• Planning and analyzing your landscape before going on with what you have in mind. Planning and analyzing allows for a clear cut plan that you are sure of and confident to apply. 
• Also pick the right kinds of plants that are adapted to the climate you are living in. Most importantly capture what your clients wants and is asking you to do. 

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

• http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/growgreen/landscaping.pdf
• The source above has helped me tremendously even  though it is very simple and is based on one area of Texas. With that,  It has showed me what you have to do when living in different climates and what you can do to make your house more aesthetically pleasing. Little details that wouldn't cross the mind when planning are present in this article, like Temperature, Season, Lighting exposure etc...It is a very good article.

4. Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

• Rosalio Jimenez is my mentor, he relates to my topic in that he owns his own business in Landscaping/ Gardening. He is a professional and teaches me all I need to know when I am on the job helping him out. He designs and plans landscapes for customer, while planning he gives me pointers which helps me answer my EQ. Also he teahes me how to install irrigation systems which a huge subtopic in landscaping.  

Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours:

• For my 30 hours I plan to actually work to getting a feeling of how my topic really is. Ill will be helping my mentor in his business of landscaping. I will will be doing a number of things to help me explore more of my  topic such as planning and designing houses and properties. Also ill will be  fixing and installing water efficient  irrigation systems to plant plants that are need to meet expectations of customers. Many landscapers/Gardeners also maintain landscapes for residential properties and I will be doing so to see how it is to keep a landscape in good condition. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

• To show how I meet the 30 hours that are expected I will take photos, such as before and after shots, I will record with video and use log files to show what jobs we did. Hopefully that is enough but if it is not I can prove myself by using my mentor as a primary source of evidence that I did do my hours. 

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• By doing this I will prove my skills and show that I am fully equipped to move on in this profession. Working hands on will teach me the skills necessary to be a professional in this field and skills to be a good employee. It will also teach me the importance of studying and knowing different types of plants and how they live best in certain environments. Other important facts are that I will learn how it is to work in a small business and how to manage one as an employer, and I will learn how to advertise my work to attain clients to grow my business. 

4. Link is on side bar

landscaping and design

So as I researched I found there to be more articles and books on Landscape design then I thought. Whole city's and counties spend millions to Landscapers who design and construct their ideas. The County of Los Angeles had a huge plan back in 2004 which would make-over the rivers of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Public Works who was incharge of this whole renevation called it the "LOSANGELES RIVERMASTER PLAN". Here is an Artile Pdf that shows more details,  http://ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/LA/LAR_planting_guidelines_webversion.pdf

When I work with my Mentor one of the most essential and important rules in designing and maintaining Properties is working in unison with your customer. As long as your customer is happy your job is good. Also when you design you have to make sure the plants that are used are water efficient and used to the climate that the property is in and last but not least make sure that you yourself are pleased with your work. Here are some pictures of well designed houses and properties. Here is the article on well irrigated and water friendly landscaping, http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/water_efficient_landscapes.pdf

 

Second Interview Questions

Content: 
The purpose of the second interview is justify your mentor as an expert in the field.  Thus, you will be asking at least 5 questions about their background and/or the background of the organization or company where they work.

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My Mentor is Rosalio Jimenez and he works for his own Business called "Rosalios Gardening".

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?

• How long have you been working in this profession and where do you see your self heading to?
• How do you prepare your self for a long days work?
• On a daily basis how much of your money or effort goes to keeping your machines maintained?
• What other subjects or skills have to be learned to do this job?
• What happens when a costumer does not like their work but you put a lot of resources into that job?