Geography 7 Assignment 1

This is a map of Los Angeles and Orange County freeways, highways, and streets (a.k.a. "My Hood") courtesy of Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MapQuest, Channel 5, 7, & 11 news, Sigalert, and the maps application on my boyfriend's Droid phone! These street maps and their well-informed traffic alerts are probably the only reasons why I decide to drive. Checking these maps has become a daily ritual even when I don't have a car. I never leave the house without checking directions and/or traffic because I would rather avoid the countless hours and days I have already spent being lost searching for my destination or being stuck in traffic. In addition to its main functions, I love how these maps can locate restaurants or entertainment hot spots within the selected area. This special feature has made life much easier, especially since I can find my favorite dessert stores without having to wander aimlessly around town. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could live without these maps! I believe they have become an essential part of life and to live otherwise seems a bit tragic. Okay, so I might be exaggerating, but no one can deny how helpful these maps have become.
(DONP website in the family section, http://donp.net/Family%20Section/Los_Angeles_Area_Map.gif)

I know this isn't the real map of outer space, but this was the closest I could get to a tangible map of it. This map is actually from a game called Spaceforce: Rogue Universe, and it displays all the different planets and universes in the game. I chose this map to represent outer space because I love how it's a map of another universe. I am completely intrigued by the idea of space being this unknown frontier that can be explored (Lewis and Clark, here I come!). There is something exciting about discovering other galaxies and/or even universes, and I can't wait until the day we have mapped the entire universe! As of right now, Earth seems to be the best, habitable planet, but as we further our space exploration, we may come to find that there are millions of planets just like Earth! We might even come across other living organisms! Until then, I will sit here and play some Spaceforce: Rogue Universe as I dream about this lovely universe!
(Spaceforce game website, http://www.spaceforce-game.com/slike/Downloads/galaxy-map02.jpg)

This is a map of Disneyland Park, "the Happiest Place on Earth", in Anaheim, CA. The map you see before you is probably one of the most popular/recognized maps of the world. I am sure that millions of people have come across this map and billions of copies have been made. Although many of my friends would shy away from this park at all costs, this is one of my favorite places of the world. There is something magical about the place, and it doesn't hurt to revisit my childhood days every now and then. Just seeing this map brings a sense of joy to my day because the memories from here are nothing short of amazing! It would be my dream and goal to have every child in the world visit Disneyland. I feel that Disneyland brings a world of hope, and I want to spread it by giving every child the opportunity to see Disneyland. This place isn't just an amusement park; it's a place where dreams come true!
(Chip and Company website on Disney news, http://www.chipandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/disneyland_map.jpg)