Random Photos!

A typical day walking along Las Ramblas

My sister and Me!

Dance party!

Oaxaca, Mexico!

What a style...

Graduation party...on a yacht!

Hansel, Gretel and Chiquita Banana!

Singing...

Post #10: “Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering” by Maysan Haydar

I like the idea of wearing a veil, as I think it would take away a lot of the shallowness in today’s society. People could make decisions on their body (piercing, tattoos, hair color etc.) because they want to, not to feel cool or to try to fit in. I actually think it would be easier to “be yourself”, and let people see your true personality instead of the superficial. This seems especially relevant to me, as I have a mild form of social anxiety disorder. Though I know I should not, when I am in public I constantly stress about every little thing I do, including the way I’m walking, the hand gestures I’m making, what I am doing with my face, my hair, my clothes. I blush too easily when I think people are looking at me, talking to me, or sometimes even just walking past someone. I care too much about what people are thinking about me, when in reality they probably are not thinking anything. I am quite self-conscious. I think that the hijab the author wears daily is a very helpful thing, and its too bad American society still cannot accept it for what it is, and instead need to make comments, such as the girl on the bus who just wants to “be free”. I agree with the author that wearing a scarf provides so much freedom. I admit that I am quite superficial. I am very judgmental, but I make a conscious effort to try my best to not let that get in the way of how I relate to people or who I hang out with. I think one of the biggest reasons I am so self-conscious is because I know how much I judge people. Though it probably won’t happen in our materialistic society, I really think that if people wore veils we would all be able to feel more confident.

Post #9: “It Takes A Family: Conservatism and the Common Good” by Rick Santorum

Even coming from divorced parents, I strongly disagree with this essay. Just because a couple is still together does not guarantee that there will be happiness within the relationship. In my opinion, it is more beneficial for a couple to divorce than to constantly bicker every day. I do not think it is fair to say that the best place for a child to grow up in a two-parent household, it really depends on the situation. In my experience, I have prospered greatly from my parents’ divorce. My mother was bringing down my whole family financially as well as emotionally. She was never there, but on the off chance that she was, she and my dad either fought or did not speak. She was wasting our money on way too many drugs, as well as soiling the company name. She allowed her sleazy friends/coworkers to freely walk into our house, and laugh when the man she was having an affair with hung in the doorway and say things to me like, “you have such pretty blue eyes, you’re going to be a heartbreaker someday” or let him surprisingly kiss me on the cheek on more than one disgusting occasion. Once my mother left the house we were sad for a bit, but we lived in a much more positive environment. The rest of my family grew closer, and I became quite motivated to succeed in everything I do as to not end up like her. I also became very independent. I do agree with Santorum though that courts are sexist and biased towards mothers. Even when the judge found out that my mother did drugs recreationally, charged thousands of dollars on the credit card to then declare bankruptcy, my father still did not gain full custody or very much money for child support. Women can easily put on the damsel-in-distress act and get what they want. She even convinced the court that my dad was stalking her, and got a warrant put out for his arrest. I strongly believe that as long as a child has at least a few positive role models in life, which may not necessarily be their parents, and live in an accepting atmosphere, the status of their parents’ relationship is not a large factor in the child’s success in life.

Post #8: “The Manliness of Men” by Harvey Mansfield

I think that the three words used at the opening of this essay to describe manliness “courage”, “frankness”, and “confidence” are not necessarily the best representations of the good sides of manliness. I definitely think that courage is a positive word for manliness, as a lot of great things were accomplished based bravery. On but the other two words- confidence and frankness are only beneficial to a certain extent. When taken to an extreme, then those qualities go from being seen in a positive light to being viewed as just cocky and annoying. I do agree with Mansfield though that women want the “traditional manly male” as discussed in the passage. It is true that we want men to be sensitive to us, but not too sensitive in general. I think that most women want guys to show a good ratio of chivalry, sensitivity, as well as manliness. I also think that sometimes men want women to have a hint of the stereotypical manliness too, things such as being assertive, and knowing what they want. Not too much manliness, but a hint. In paragraph six, Mansfield writes, “Feminism has undermined, if not destroyed, femininity”, but I do not completely agree with this. I think if anything feminism has just made women stronger and more confident, which is more attractive to guys than just being damsels in distress. It probably makes helping us when we need it even more rewarding. I also disagree with the line in paragraph twenty that states “men find it easier to be courageous- and women find it easier to be moderate”. I think that in these times just depending on the person regardless of sex anyone either finds it easier to stand out and try harder, or stick to the sidelines and not really stand out.

Post #7: “From Ragged Dick” by Horatio Alger

Though I think this particular story is unrealistic, I do believe that oftentimes a person’s success directly correlates to the fact that they were at the right place at the right time. Not necessarily in this quite dramatic rags-to-riches sort of fashion, but just in terms of getting ahead. Sure, talent and merit usually play a large role, but so does luck. In my experience, as well as observing others’, I sometimes feel like chance outweighs merit.
For example, my roommate’s fiancé just got a high paying job as a chef, and the position had not even been advertised before he got it. A friend referred him, and he turned in his application right away. The hiring staff deemed him worthy enough and hired him on the spot. However, if the job offer had been fairly advertised and people were interviewed without bias, when compared to the competition he might not have gotten the job. Since he did have a good connection though, he did indeed get the job.
The same thing goes for the famous “celebrities”. While they do have talent (well, most of them anyways), I personally know more people who are even more talented, but will probably never get anywhere in the singing, acting, or art business because they just will not get the chance to. The people that are famous were in the right place at the right time, and since then hit it big. Their success builds on one small feat of chance. Usually just because someone is the son/daughter/niece of a famous person, even if they have no recognizable flair, they hit it big as well because they were simply born into it. For them, their success was based on wealth and good connections.
I also think that in most cases personal success depends on wealth (or things like race, religion, sex etc. for that matter), although I hate to say it. It is a lot harder for someone living in poverty to be able to do the correct things to boost their chances for the future. Though many often do achieve their goals, they have to work considerably harder to get to the same level as a person who never struggled with money, and get no extra reward or praise for their exerted effort. I do think that the person who had to struggle, although it was hard at the time, will ultimately come out on top because they know how to deal with things and they know what it feels like to be on both sides of the spectrum. They will also continue to work harder because they know they do not want to lose all they have worked for, and have a considerable amount of motivation, and they value their personal triumphs more.
I think Horatio Alger makes quite a statement with his so called “myths”, and that they are in fact more truth than myth. I think that in this world, it is hard to succeed and it takes either a lot of determination or a lucky break to reach one’s goals. Especially in today’s highly materialistic society when everybody just wants so much more than they need.

Post 6: “An Indian Story” by Roger Jack

When I first began reading this story, I could relate to the author’s desire to run away from his home. I did this in my childhood a few times, but mostly it was in the form of staying at my best friend Adeline’s house for nights on end. Now that I look back I think I did this to escape my mother’s nagging and obsession about things I could care less about: my weight, wearing a bra, combing my hair. Then as I got deeper into the story I found myself connecting to various other parts of Jack’s account. Similar to Jack and his Aunt Greta, I went on adventures with my friend daily. They were not quite as far, but spontaneity was definitely the word on our minds at all times. I think I would have enjoyed living with someone with the same spirit as Jack’s aunt.
When I got older, this fun escalated into more of the type of experience like the pow-wow in the narrative. Though I never got into a fist fight or needed to be bailed out of jail, I did have a few shameful experiences coming home some of those mornings-after, trying my best to avoid my dad who would be so full of questions as to my timeline of the night before. Also, Jack’s relationship with his father reminds me a bit of my own. Though I connect better with my dad, the communication is quite similar. We talk a little bit daily, but every once in a while we have these heart to heart talks that last for hours and we just drop truth bombs about everything that we’ve been feeling for weeks, sometimes months.
After reading this, I feel like I need to open up to my father more often, based on Jack’s lack of seeing his dad and also his Aunt Greta later in life. I feel like I am so distant from my dad, except when I need something such as cash, how to fill out a tax form, or to see if I am jumping my car right. Though we both know we love each other so much (my dad literally does everything for the sake of his kids), my family has terrible ways of expression and communication. I think it might be the Sprenger family curse, as my whole lineage is like that. Family functions are one of the most awkward places to be.
I hope that when I settle down and probably end up in a city more than a half hour away from my house, I do not lose all substantial communication with my dad. Unlike how Jack feels at the close of this narrative (as he knows even if his aunt is in the last stages of her life, they will eventually be together again), I have much different views on the afterlife. I need to do what I can now to make sure our relationship stays strong.

Post 5: “The Crossing” by Ruben Martinez

For Martinez, the “the line” has a few different meanings. It is literally the divider between two countries. It is one of the biggest obstacles his parents had to overcome to seek a better life. It is described as a “sieve” and yet also a “brick wall”. It provides so many opportunities and yet to so many it only serves as a barrier. The most important meaning in this story however is that “the line” refers to the authors decision on whether or not to help this struggling migrant named Victor.  He wants to transport this fellow El Salvadorian to freedom, especially because he is having a diabetic emergency. Martinez’s mind also races with the impending possibility that having this person in his vehicle, with the knowledge that Victor is an illegal immigrant, and the fact that he is aiding in transporting an illegal alien will most likely put him in jail. Ethically he decides that the law might punish him, but this man needs help.
If I were in this position, I am not fully aware of how I would be able to handle it. As much as I would want to help the struggling immigrants reach their destination to freedom, selfishly enough I do not think I would be able to risk my future. Border Patrol is too strict and too ready to deport the aliens and arrest the assisters.  My first instinct upon hearing that Victor is diabetic, I too would have given him something sweet and some water, also because of the fair share of television I have watched. I would also consider driving him to the nearest hospital or calling 911 if he was in that dire of a medical situation. I would be tremendously paranoid every second of this transaction however and be constantly reviewing the possible ramifications of my actions. As soon as I realized that Victor was not really in a medical emergency anymore, just as in the story, and I was just simply giving him a ride, I would have pulled over and offered him anything I could (money, food, etc.) and sent him on his way. My heart wants to help these people so much, but because of the strict laws, in this situation I would have to listen to my head and do what is right for me.

Post 4: “Serving in Florida” by Barbara Ehhrenreich

I think this was a very interesting experiment for Ehrenreich to do as a writer. She intentionally put herself in high input, low output jobs to see if she could make ends meet. It is astounding to see that even with working two jobs, spending basically every waking moment working, she still only had enough money to live in a trailer. So many people in America work at these types of jobs, and many of them have families to support, and they are the only provider of income. How is it then if they are working one or maybe two jobs that they are able to buy necessary things for their families, let alone healthcare? It is rather disgusting to think that CEOs in their corporate office, who have secretaries and sit in their desk all day get paid in five and six figure salaries, while the majority of those living in America, like Barbara, doing continuous, upbeat, manual labor, bussing tables, cleaning up pubic hairs, are barely making $3 an hour. I guess it really all just depends on what type of job you get, and people just get lucky. I worked as a nanny senior year of high school and picked up my little Abby and Andy from their respective schools and drove them to their various activities such as art, Chinese, and Tae Kwon Do. I got paid a set $150/week for roughly 15 hours a week (closer to 13 hours though because the parents usually came home early). Except for some crazy days and an exceptionally messy car, this was relatively easy work. If I needed to do something for my own like homework, or go pick up dry cleaning, I could just do it. On their extracurricular days, I had about a half hour to myself while they were under the watch of someone else.  Essentially I was getting paid to complete my to-do list at work too.  Now I work at the Children’s Theatre as a House Manager. This too is quite simple, and I have a lot of down time when the show is actually going on, plus I get free access to any plays, and I get paid $10/hour. Though I have been very fortunate in my various jobs and compensation, it almost seems quite unfair. People who are doing much harder, much more laborious work are getting paid considerably less, and have a lot more bills to pay for. Somehow, something needs to be done to increase the pay amount for those who work high-energy jobs. One part of the story, there was a side statistic that said until 1998, there were no federally mandated rights to bathroom breaks. This also sickens me, and honestly does not help employers at all. Without breaks, the employees’ energy will decline and performance will as well. If minimum wage will not increase, then the employees should at least have access to health care, and most definitely be treated better.

The crazy kids I nannied...

Strawberry a' pickin'

Post 3: “From Seven Floors Up” by Sharon Olds

From all my travels abroad and even living in the city, I have seen my fair share of people begging for money. I have seen people sit outside of churches with cups or open hands, some people even without hands at all. When backpacking in Europe last summer, I would usually toss a few Euros in the empty cups of the homeless, but after awhile the sheer numbers of begging people became too much for my limited travel budget. I had to stop giving up my change completely, to pay for the things I deemed necessary for the rest of my vacation. At the time, I was worried about the things I was going to need to keep us happy for the rest of the trip. I felt terrible for all of these suffering people as we briskly bypassed them, but soon enough they’d be out of my mind and I would focus on street names or where we were going to go for lunch. After reading this poem and scanning a few of the other essays on money and success, I feel so selfish. In Italy, I was worried about having enough money for gelato after dinner, or if we could take a taxi back to the hostel instead of walk the odd some miles to our temporary home. Sometimes when we had yet to find a hostel upon arriving to a new city, we were all worried about not being able to take showers or how we would sleep. For some people though, these worries are a constant struggle. And we just walked right past them, just as Sharon Olds did seven floors up in her apartment.  I know it would have been impossible to give money to all the homeless people I have seen on the streets throughout my life. However, I will give when I can. When I do not have money to give, I can always volunteer my time. This poem made me step back from my life for a second and really be thankful for what I have in my life, for what I was born into, my “easy birth” as Olds says, even though sometimes I complain.

Post 2: “Appearances” by Carmen Vazquez

I’ll admit it. On more than one occasion I have made a snapshot observation based on one or several things about a man or woman’s appearance, voice, or mannerism that stereotypically label them as “gay” or “lesbian”. Guys in purple shiny jackets; women with very short hair; this very stupid and highly judgmental list goes on.  In my mind though it is just that: a label. I think nothing of it. I do not change my attitude about the person, or like them any less. I know that it is wrong to judge like this. Sometimes it just happens automatically before I can even catch myself doing it. Just because someone does not fit into the normal (what is normal anyway?) gender role does not mean they are attracted to people of their same sex.  I am in no way homophobic. I believe that everyone has the right to make his or her own choices and should be allowed to have eternal happiness no matter what. I also know that not everybody feels this way, and some people will go to the extreme to express their opinion. As I was reading this essay, I was appalled at the lengths people will actually go to hurt someone based on their sexual orientation. Not only that, they did it based on the same quick judgments I have made myself from time to time. With not a spec of substantial evidence, the people in this story taunted or even attempted murder on those that were considered different from them.
It makes me so furious that in this day in age, or any time for that matter, we are not accepting of one another; that we are all so quick to judge. Even myself. As written in the essay, “it is on every level”. People will do their best to find a reason to hate someone and it is wrong. I do not know what I can do to help reduce this animosity, but I will keep trying. I will make every effort to not be so quick to judge and brand people. I will be sure to not let it slide when I hear the comment, “that is so gay” (or use any other slang words). I will ask the speaker if they know what they are really saying, who they possibly could be hurting, and the consequences of their actions. I support peace and tolerance of all kinds, not only for sexual orientation, but also for race, religion, etc. as well. Everyone deserves an equal amount of respect, and I want to be an advocate for difference, as uniqueness is what shapes our world.

Support peace.