Final Thoughts By Me

I have already loathe blogging when I first receive this assignment but as I get the hang of it I started to like it. Blogging help me analyze and comprehend the stories, from Leaving Home more especially we have class discussion about the stories which is the fun part. Expressing my own thought of what I am thinking about while I am reading, asking questions about different things, and what my reaction to the story as well. I recognize some of the figures of speech in the stories which I
did my best to understand what it mean especially the poem or the authors' style of writing the stories. Sometime if I kind of understand the stories I will look at the other blog to get the idea or concept of it then reread it to make sure I understand the stories. Sometime I have to rea the stories more than one time. In my opinnion I would have encourage all of the English Department to use blogging instead of wasting the tree, but do not forget how to write. For FYS class, we could use that for journal, reaction, and/or FYS Learning Experience although we have to type in the correct format so it will be difficult to do it in the blog. Darn. Unless someone create advance level of blog for college purpose. I have made some trial and error but yet I learned. Now, I am typing this blog ahead of time instead of near midnight. Yay! Although, I will have to be consistent so what am I talking about. This is the last blog. Wow, hopefully I will use blog for one of the class for next semester or I will create my own blog. (Crying) Goodbye blog. Oh no, I mean see you later blog.


The most fun part of doing the blog is to add picture! Like the picture above on the right said:

"I WANT YOU FOR BLOGOSPHERE!"

"Recitatif" By: Toni Morrison

I am familiar with the author, Toni Morrison because some of my family have a book by her. This is the first time I read her story.

What is Recitatif? I had to looked it up. From my understanding is that Recitatif mean in this story is dialogic that interludes during operas and oratories.

The main characters is Twyla and Roberta as both have similar situation but the only difference is their skin. This story seem to be more of racial issues through friendship as they have a hard time to express out of their comfort zone. Both of them could have dislike each other just due by their skin but since they both are lonely and their mothers are ill they stay together to become friend. Does that mean it take sacrifice to become someone else friend? Since it hard to identified what race is in Twyla and Roberta, I think the author purposely telling the reader that the skin does not matter as we all are not much that difference. I feel that Twyla is black while Roberta is white due to Roberta was not helping Twyla from the crowd of people pushing Twyla's car back & forth. Although, I do not actually know. I said this because it seem like Roberta was able to have more privilege than Twlya because I notice that Roberta was able to have easier life than Twlya but then again I could not say it for sure. Roberta can be black as people may perceive because she was not able to read at young age. Also Roberta emotionally blamed Twlya of what happened to Maggie, who is deaf and mute worked at St. Bonny's, stated that Maggie is black and how she was beaten up. Twyla did not see that which could mean Maggie may look more white to her. This story is unsolved. Since I mostly can only see Twyla side of the story I think I would know the story better if I see Roberta side of the story. Both still remain friend and I think the key. About Maggie misfortune, it kind sad how Maggie had to bear with the gar girls who bullying her which Twyla and Roberta can not do anything about it because they are young kids and are afraid of the gar girls. When both of them was young they did want to hurt Maggie, but then when they became older they realized that it wrong for them to think that way.

To be honest when I first see the name Twyla I thought it was mispronounce by the accent of the person for some reason till I realized that is the actual name because of the repetition it is used in the story.

The story contain a metaphor of salt and pepper I suppose not only because one of the characters is black and the other is white. When you have a small container of salt and the other container is black, the salt and pepper is separated. This is like in the story they make the skin of their race separate from each other when they fight such like when they was protesting about integrated school.

This is the most common in many societies where ones who perceive someone is different create fear and discomfort lead to separating into a group in different categories.

Zelzah: A Tale From Long Ago By: Norma Fox Mazer

I find this story amazing. How Zelzah who doesn't complain about anything and does not ask for anything as well. Her sister, Ruth keep telling Zelzah that she want her to be happy and to be fair for her as well. Life is always not fair unless you make it fair. All of Zelzah's siblings got marry and have kids, but not Zelzah.

Zelzah like to explored herself in your lifetime journey as she stated how Grace would have done if she is still alive. Grace died after giving birth to a child by the father of Jake. Zelzah was suppose to marry Jake when she get to American in Vermont from Poland. Zelzah's Aunt promise that Jake will make her a good wife which Jake secretly wanting to marry Grace. Zelzah did request if Jake would not mind her to be his wife as Zelzah can help care for the child. Zelzah does not complain instead she laughed even when her Aunt apologize to her when things does not go as it plan. Why would she laugh? I think she laugh whatever that may went wrong that her family regret it but she didn't because she does not complain. I guess. After that she work her way up to her goal as she received education through high school and college. She worked at the textile. She traveled like she said she want to and she became a teacher loving to teach young kids. Ruth does not understand how Zelzah was able to put up with it like one part of the story when Ruth could not bear to work at the textile factory. Zelzah seemed to just appreciate her life no matter what happen. Before I make it sound like if Zelzah already intrigue into American culture, really it take time for Zelzah to get used with American cultures to learned their languages, money system, phrases, and behavior. Zelzah was originally raised in Poland and spoke in Yiddish language.

What actually hit me hard was the last part of the story as it stated:

"Was she happy? Who could say? Zelzah, herself, never thought in such terms. What was happiness? Did anyone know?"

You probably would have heard that some people are searching for their own happiness but is that the purpose of life to search for one's happiness? In my opinion I think Zelzah is at least satisfy with her life but I could not say for sure or maybe just being grateful for what she have. I think people have their own definition for their own happiness. This could be one of the reason that people who tend to have too much high expectation for themselves or goal would try to aim for their happiness than those people who do not.

What would be your definition of happiness? Or do anyone believe in any type of purpose of life that each individuals must contain?

Little Saigon By David St. John

Saigon is one of the cities in Vietnam. This story could be related with World War I or II. I forgot the history of it.

Departure

The mother of Ngoc Be know that the place that they live in is not safe anymore after Ngoc Be's father died. The father may be murdered from someone probably during the Vietnam war. The mother already prepared to pack suitcase for Mai Chi and Ngoc Be to sent them away from war. She was brave to secretly find a way to be ship by Jack Pirate to leave Saigon. They went onto the secret passage to

Adrift

The man who push the mother onto the other boat should not be separated from the family due to crowded boat. Ngoc Be care for her sister, Mai Chi while their mother is in the other boat. They were able to survive in the boat by a cruel Pirate and through hunger, thirst, dirt, etc. They was able to arrive to Austraila to refresh themselve. They have not seen their mother yet.

Little Saigon

Ngoc Be recalled the nun at school the chapter related to America, Hollywood, which she is in California with Mai Chi. They are longing for their mother to come home since for three years they have not heard much about her. Her mother called to them that she will come home. Ngoc Be's Mother's cousin is ashame of her for exposing her body or how she approach to the Jack Pirate. Her Mother's cousin probably have a hard to time to accept them for who they are. Since Mai Chi's father is a black American soldier, her mother's cousin probably doesn't believe in interracial relationship. Mai Chi is mixed which make sense why Jack Pirates think she is ulgy and is wild like animals. Ngoc Be and Mai Chi still protect each other especially in the hateful neighborhood.

My Parisian Aunt

Ngoc Be's clothes reminded her Mother's cousin of her Aunt Kahnh that live in Paris, France become a whore. I find it interesting how her aunt became a whore only for her instinct to survival. When Aunt Kahnh wrote a letter that she will visit them soon, their Mother's cousin get upset because she is concerned for having a whore in her house this remind me of a person who doesn't actually understand why she become whore without background information. Their mother had passed away as Aunt Kahnh told the tragic news after Ngoc Be asked why her Aunt asked if Mai Chi and she want to go to Paris with her.

The Marais

Aunt Kahnh had described how Mother died as she is gone through the wave of the ocean. The Mother had a trusted woman with her knew about it. Ngoc Be was happily to be at Paris with her Aunt and she had received painting materials since she tend to have coffee with the painter. By the time Mai Chi was calling Ngoc Be for Super, Ngoc Be let Mai Chi look at her painting that show their mother walking in the Old Saigon. The painting had shown the Mother with the peacock by her side when she walked to home and this is what Mai Chi had dream of Mother. Now they both know their mother is safe and is at peace as so are them.

On the Rainy River By Tim O'Brien and The Setting Sun and the Rolling World By Charles Mungoshi

"On the Rainy River"
By Tim O'Brien

The author have expressed interesting story. I enjoy reading this story because this can applied to anyone who felt they have to suffered to do something in order for other to accept them. That considered oppression. I did felt similar way with the narrator and expressing myself was hard for me especially when I was young. Wow, oppression is definitely a big issues all over the world but unfortunately we can not make oppression disappear.

Tim O'Brien hate war but he was drafted to fight for his country and does not want to look bad for his family.

He felt war is immortal and/or killing living things are immortal.
He hate boy scout.
He hate camping.

He hate seeing blood which make him queasy.

He does not like authority.

He does not want to risk his life for being dead for his people.
He do not like declottering the pig in the slaughterhouse.

He does not like when he smell like a pig because he had a hard time making the pig smell fade away.
He basically does not like dealing with dead living things as he stated, "You can't fix your mistakes. Once people are dead, you can' make them undead." LIFE IS LIKE A GAME.
He cannot bear for being responsible for people's death which he does not intend to. This is like if someone told you have choice either for me to kill your family or you have to use suicide bomb in New York City what would you have choose? No matter what you pick you are stuck. Maybe not that kind of extreme example but hopefully you will understand what I mean.

He was not happy and felt ashamed for what he did but nobody know this until he wrote this book.

He does not know where to go.

He afraid of being exile.

He want to be release and be himself so he went to Canada nearby the Rainy River at the Tip Top Lodge. I did not realize that Rainy River is the actual name for the river till I look at the Internet.

The old man at the Tip Top Lodge save his life just by being there him, provide him what he need, for letting him cry all he want, and mostly for understanding his struggle. The man is his hero. The man had stated that is Jesus is with Tim which the man know he need it.

He have giving out all he had on the Rainy River where he can be himself and not to pretend to be someone else. I think the man have the purpose of why he took Tim to the Rainy River for him to reflect his life.

The man taught Tim a lesson that he have to face the reality instead of avoiding the problems that he had in his life.

He know who he is.

He is liberal.

He agree with God to be against war. God possibly will condemn people who is at war.
He want a life that he aim for.

He want a choice for him to make decision not someone make decision for him. This is why it important for people to begin with the end in mind. This can applied for those people who follow what their parents decided for their career and they ended up unhappy and realized they want a different career.

He still went to war.

He is still afraid; therefore, he is a coward.

So then, of course he is still unhappy.

Make your life worthwhile before you regret it although it never too late.

The Setting Sun and the Rolling World
By Charles Mungoshi

I had to read this story more than one time. When I first read this story I was confused what the story about. The author sure use lots of figure of speech.

Old Musoni faced the difficulities of letting his son, Nhamo, go since Nhamo seem to be first person to be educated in his family. Old Musoni seem to be afraid of what future will hold in store for Nhamo as he stated if his son are aware of the danger in the world when he start his journey. Nhamo lived on the farm and his family is poor. Nhamo believe the only way he can do is to move on with his life as to grab the opportunities to start his journey out there instead of staying home with his family working on the farm. His father at first disagree that there is no other way but to stay with the family. Old Musoni probably is proud of his son that he received education but he probably have a hard time to let his son go. For this, I think it possible because Nhamo told his father:

"You have sent me to school and told me the importance of education, and now you ask me to throw it on the rubbish heap and scrape for a living on this tired cold shell of the moon. You ask me to forget it and muck around in this slow dance of death with you. I have this one chance of making my own life, once in eternity, and now you are jealous. You are afraid of your own death."

(page 161)

Rubbish is used in this story. I think rubbish mean like a leftover or trash for this story. Before I forget to add, the father probably is afraid of his own death but I think there is a meaning there of why the father is afraid of his death. Nhamo's father was not able to receive the same the opportunities like his son. Old Musoni was worried lots for his son future as he kept asking his son if he know what is like to lost hope, in despair, or any other danger that can cause him to get in trouble.

When the father accept Nhamo, even though the father is stubborn, to start on his journey he et his son go then Nhamo was able to be free from the chain. Nhamo begin a new journey as he become successful while his family including his ancestor have never be able to succeed due to fear of the world or opportunity. Nhamo break the chain that his family had repeated history of making the same mistake which I think it why the title is call "The Setting Sun and the Rolling World".

I think the purpose of the story is to not be afraid to try new things. You will never know what will happen unless you try. Everyday is the new beginning as the sun will rise and fall similar applied to life.

This remind me of the song from Lion King called "Circle of Life".

Beautiful & Cruel By Sandra Cisneros and Trip in a Summer Dress by Annette Sanford

Beautiful & Cruel

By Sandra CisneroAn ugly daughter (narrator) received nothing while a beautiful daughter (Nenny) is spoiled. I am trying to figure it out the character of narrator and who she possibly could be. I am not sure if I understand the story 100%. When I see the name Minerva, this reminded me of Cinderella. So, I thought this story could be similar to Cinderella story. Later on, I realized it probably totally different.

Nenny seem to get everything she can get even though she have a baby as the author quotes, "Nenny has pretty eyes and it's easy to talk that way if you are pretty". I suppose this can be true even if she is cruel she can talk to people out of it to get what she want.

Right is the narrator name is Minerva?

Well if it is then Minerva decided not to be like Nenny instead she want to be humble but tough like a man instead of being "like others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain". Minerva and Nenny have different personality and look as well that display different characteristic.

Trip in a Summer Dress

By Annette Sanford

The narrator was moving with Bill Richards to marry him since marriage things it the big things for Bill and he think that Matthew is the narrator's mother's son. Really, Matthew is the son of the narrator. I felt like the narrator choose to be with the man than being with her own son but at the same time she could have bring Matthew with her after her marriage.

The narrator life is almost parallel to her mother's life since both have child at fifteen years old. Her mother got married but then soon the narrator will get marry.

I thought it was interesting how the narrator compare herself as Moses' sister when she had to send her own baby away and eventually was received by the queen while the narrator's child is taken care by her mother. I still do not understand why the narrator's mother have to take care the narrator's child. The story itself does sound heartbreaking and sad. She did said that it was hard for her to forget about Matthew since he is still in her heart as she stated, "I didn't look once at Matthew, but I felt him, even when he wasn't crying. He had hold of me way down deep and wouldn't let go for love nor money." She was a patient enough to let her mother to be the son of her child but she did stated that she want her son to know who his real mother. How can ones leave their love ones but then she said she have a reason for that. I still could not figure it out why. As I read carefully, the narrator had stated that she would never leave her son so does that mean her mother do not allow her to take care of her own son?

The narrator accidentally got pregnant by the wrong man I suppose from E. E. Davis and does not really love him. That very common for many young girls who accidentally got pregnant.

This story can be hard to follow because of so many flashbacks that got me confused sometime.

The narrator had told her child a story about the redbird when she took her son to the park. She try to tell Matthew that what happen to the cowbirds that was feed by the redbird is the same situation that applied to him but he is still kind of to young to understand although kids are smart and they will remember things. Matthew think his mother is the one that suppose to be his grandmother.

When the narrator was riding on the bus she saw a young girl remind her of Matthew. Later at the end of the story when the young girl have to meet her parents that does not really care about their daughter. When the narrator told the girl's parents that the girl is in the bathroom the girl's parents was digusted with it.

I agree with the narrator when she said, "If I was my mother, I'd get mighty tired of always being right." on page 131.

I find it hard to "leave the child". This almost remind of serrogate as it hard for the mother to give away their child from their body to someone else since some women can not get pregnant.

Dawn By Tim Wynne-Jones

"Dawn" is the interesting story. I got confused by some part of the story. This does not seem like a American story.

Barnsey admired by Dawn who look strange and different. At first when he met Dawn at the bus he thought that Dawn was strange then later found out that she was cool due to she dressed up as a punk. Before he met Dawn, his mother told him that she will see him in a while as soon as possible. This was strange to him because his mother tend to ride with him on the bus to his grandmother house. So, this time he is by himself. Why did his mother gave the bus driver tips? Later the bus driver gave Barnsey the money from his mother anyway.

At first I thought Barnsey and Dawn age is probably close till I realized that Barnsey is 13 while Dawn is about 23 years old. Barnsey and Dawn share some similar interest. Both of them like to listen to music from the tape, Xiphoid Process. I wonder what type of music is that. When Dawn told Barnsey to listen to one of her tape, Barnsey can not hear. Then Dawn told him to listen closely and carefully then he was able to hear it. This is like you are seeing something that you have never see before or like you have to clean your glasses to see or understand things better.

Then later Dawn have left somewhere to different places while Barnsey went to his grandmother house. When Barnsey saw only his dad arrive, he knew something is wrong. His parents had divorce which he wish he was told before. Changing is difficult for him to adjust because he it's abnormal for him to see his parents separated. His father have gave Barnsey all the love that he can give and help to reinforce him to a new change.

Before I forget, Barnsey got influenced from Dawn by saying "rubbish". Once Dawn had said it, then Barnsey have said it repeatedly more often. Could be part of preteen things as they tend to say things that they like to use repeatedly.

By the time Barnsey want to escaped and he was thinking about going with Dawn, his role model, which he had miss her. Barnsey left in the morning to go to the bus. His dad dress up unprepare find his son waiting at the bus station was worry. Before that when Barnsey was looking for his tape to listen while he waiting for the bus, he find the note from Dawn that Dawn have gave tape to Barnsey. His dad hug him and making sure that he is okay then when Barnsey told his dad to listen to the tape that Dawn have gave him. Both of them listen to the tape together, for this it seem that they have created a bond again as father and son. Dawn had giving Barnsey a new beginning since Barnsey is getting accostume to the new change.

Bad Influence By Judith Oritz Cofer

Rita is a fifteen years old girl who received consequence from her parents to "either go to Catholic girls' retreat or to my mother's folks the island" for two weeks. Rita decided to go to her grandparent house that live in San Juan, Pureto Rico. This place is very hot and her grandparent live by the beach. What did Rita do? Well, she got in trouble with her friend, Meli, for sleeping with Johnny and Joey, the basketball star in East High School. Rita's parents did not think that this was acceptable. Rita vacation with her grandparents turned out to be fantastic instead of having punishment. Does she actually learn anything from her grandparents?

I thought it was kind of funny how Rita's parents had told the family that she have asthma by misinterpret and probably assume due to Rita practice Zen. Zen is the purpose for practice deep breathing;therefore, Rita does not have asthma. When her grandmother try to make her tea and do different things to make sure Rita's health had improve later she realized that Rita does not have asthma.

Her grandparents does live in on the farm. There was one of the rooster who can not tell time like the other regular rooster. The rooster thought day is night time while night is day time. How silly is that. Seem like that doesn't bother her grandparents.

Juan, Rita grandfather, help people getting away from evil spirit that make them ill. This is similar concept of helping people with mental illness or as Mama Ana said their brain is sick. He had to go help Angela the skinny girl to heal. Rita had went over to Angela house with her grandparents. Eventually, when Mama Ana invited her to come have dinner with them outside, Rita became friend with Angela. Angela had went over to Rita's birthday party and she mostly keep Rita company.

By the time Rita got back home, she still finding a way to meet with her friend, Meli and probably finding Johnny as well. I think she mostly want together with Meli while her parents was trying to separated both of them. Her parents' punishment for her does not seem to work as Rita had find some advantage and capable of meeting with Meli.

In my opinnion I did not think it was a good idea to separate friendship just because they got in trouble for sleeping with the boys. Hopefully they learned their lesson as their parents want them to. If they both are pregrant then that will be a huge lesson for them to learn. Friendship can last forever and their influence on each other can remain. I thought maybe Rita learned her lessons from her grandparent and probably Angela as well during her two week vacation. I guess not because she still went back to her old habit. Maybe if her parents' adjust the punishment that will seem more reasonable since her parents think Rita's behavior for sleeping with the boy was wrong. Rita said she does not actually sleep with the boy so her parents' probably thought she did something extreme as they may have misinterpret what they have seen or heard. I think having discussion about what happening to Rita and Meli with the basketball star boys to give Rita a better consequence.

The Circuit By Francisco Jimenez

The Circuit seem to be touchy story. I have read a story like this where a child have to help their family earn money by working in the farm. Since they have move to different places a lot of time the child is not able to get enough education.

Francisco was looking forward to go to school but at the same time he seem to be nervous or afraid to go back to school. His brother, Roberto did not go to school instead he is helping his father to work on the farm. I wonder why Roberto determine not to go to school? My assumption is that he did not want to go to school because he had enough going to different school in different time period.

Francisco was able to go to school and register by himself. Not many children around his age register for school. He did have troubled trying to used either English or Spanish. When the teacher, Mr. Lema asked Francisco if he is willing to read the book to class, he was not ready. Later on Mr. Lema was able to help him read and gain more vocabulary. Mr. Lema had offered him to learn to play corridos during his lunch hour with him but by the time Francisco got home before he knew it he have to move again. This already deprive from his excitement of learning how to play corridos. Moving to different places to earn money since his family is penniless he is not able to get enough education. When I read the last part of the story I was shocked because he and his family have to move again because it was like anytime they probably will move even in a minute.

This had remind me of my tour to Europe for a week. I went to Europe in the last spring break for Culture Exchange Program (CEP) with a group. Anyway, while I was there with Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) and Virginia school we have to move to different places to follow the schedule since we visit seven countries. We traveled by using Bus most of the time. Sometime some of us were confused because like I thought we was going to stay at Brussel, Belgium but really we just visit there then get on the bus and go to Netherland to stay there. Sometime we stay at the hotel for one night so it can get crazy. The different between Francisco and my experience is my is already schedule when we will travel to the next countries or stay in different hotel while Francisco is unexpected because he may move anytime.

#10: The Hands of My Father By Christopher Jon Heuer

"The Hands of My Father" is a interesting poem. I found the similarity between the father and son which they both have "peace". The father work at the farm and dislike noise while the son are deaf. Seem like the father and son communicate with their hand through silence.

The author compare the difference of the father's and son's silence. As it quotes, "To him a sense...My silence was famine and disease, forces of nature he could not root out, or control. Or cure." This explained that the father type of silence is by the uses of senses as he is capable of hear things but have preference chosing if he want or does not want silence. The son type of silence as most people consider as a disease which he is profoundly deaf. He is not able to choose to have silence as his father and there is nothing that the son can do to have noise if he happen to like noise.

The poem seem to have negative tone as the father regret for not given the time to communicate with his son referring from the last stanza.

The whole meaning of the poem is that just because there is a communication barrier between the father and son they will still love each other and have the form of connection. Remember, many ways of how to communicate with ones another.

I felt the same way in this poem with my family even if I can talk to my family because how I portray toward my family is different than how I portray myself in the deaf community. I am fortunate to have some of them know some ASL but it was not enough. One of my older sister took ASL class because she really want to support my sister and me. I have a young sister who is still learning, for this I always love to have her with me. My father know little ASL but does not seem to take the time to learn it that is similar to the poem. I felt like my father kind of regret it and to him it seem like it too late but it not. I will have to ask my father one day.

#9: Rules of the Game

Warning: It is long but I hope you enjoy reading it anyway.

In the first sentence in the story, I did not understand what did the author mean the art of invisible strength then it explained that it is a strategy for winning argument related with chess game. I’m not sure about this one.

Waverly’s mother seems to be very discipline to her child since she told Waverly to “Bite back your tongue”. I felt this phrase is very powerful and the tones in the phrase show anger or frustration. Parents have different ways to discipline their own child. Seem like her mother probably practice authoritarian or permissive or both. As the narrator had stated, “My mother imparted her daily truths so she could help my older brothers and me rise above our circumstances.”

When Waverly said, “I didn’t think we were poor. My bowl was always full…” For this, to me it seem like her mother is conservative. I wonder what roasted watermelon seeds (Roasted Watermelon) taste like. I never try this before except in raw.

Sanddabs? (Sanddabs) I never heard of it before. I think I probably have seen one in the Aquarium in South Africa. I do not really like Aquarium but that is the only ways that people can save some living organism from the ocean. Waverly related the sanddabs with her mother’s story of how the girl got crashed by the cab look flat like the sanddabs. This is really heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time. Would this consider traumatic since the author is scare to look at the sanddabs?
Tourists seem to be referring to American who went in to the Chinese restaurant but never went to Hong Kong. I am little confused with this sentence. Now I understand why we have the Name Story Project since the narrator got her name after the street where she lived. She must have be the immigrant coming from China and had to change her name to American name as her family tends to called her Meimei.

“Chinese torture” must be offensive terms to insult Chinese people. I believe “Chinese torture” must have meant for Chinese immigrant as most American do not want them in California. The Congress was able to pass the Exclusion Act of 1882 to get rid of Chinese immigrants. Unfortunately the Chinese immigrants are stuck in California. This story appears to be around mid 1800s when there is California Gold Rush back then.

By the time, Santa asked Waverly how old she was, it was interesting how she said that her age in America and China are different. In America she is seven year old but in China she is eight year old. What is the different between America and China calendar? I know I am the year of the horse since I born in 1990.

Waverly know how to select the right gift base on the size of the box, how it sound when the box is shook, and by testing its weight base on her observation. As a result, she received twelve-pack of Life Savers.

Back to time period of the story, now I think it really take place during World War II during the 1930s of The Great Depression. The narrator had stated that her family living in poverty without being aware of it. I said this which may be possible since her brother, Winston have the replica of a World War II submarine.

After Waverly’s family got back home from celebrating Christmas, Waverly’s mother told Vincent to get rid of the Chess game due to may not accept gift that probably cost too much or would not accept any American gift? “My brothers had deaf ears” explained that his brother is stubborn and no, that does not mean he is deaf.

Waverly is clever of how she was able to find a way to play chess with her brother by giving him Life Savers in exchange to play game with him. While Waverly is learning how to play chess with her brother she kept asking so many questions that she inquire to know such as she asked, “Why aren’t there any women and children?” I never thought of child who will ask this type of question for playing chess. I did not even think of this myself. Maybe this had impacted Waverly from the several events that occur in its society. Her mother warned that it important to know the rules of the foreign country otherwise ones may get in trouble.

Playing chess is not my things since I do not understand how to win the game or how the teams get checkmate. I will be willing to learn how to play chess if someone can teach me. I know that chess use lots of strategies such like the military use strategies during war.

Waverly was smart at her age to be able to find all her “why” questions in the Chinatown library. She was able to comprehend why she should not questions why especially when play chess game. She was able to work her way up to being a better chess player. Like, she had met Lau Po, who has taught her more about chess. I find it strange that she never play chess with any girl/women. Maybe in her time, girl/women think chess is only for boy/men.

When Waverly played with Lau Po, she had lost the game most of the time so she even ran out of her Life Saver. I just find how interesting Waverly used Life Saver to play chess game. This remind me of when playing game especially online and you only have three tries to be able complete/win the game. In addition in the game have different levels of difficulty. Anyway, instead of using Life Saver, “she added new secrets” and Lau Po gave her different names that I found its have similar meaning: “The Double Attack from the East and West Shores. Throwing Stones on the Drowning Man. The Sudden Meeting of the Clan. The Surprise from the Sleeping Guard. The Humble Servant Who Kills the King. Sand in the Eyes of Advancing Forces. A Double Killing Without Blood.” All of those names mean undefeatable. This is how I look at it.

When a man suggested that she go play in the local tournament, she was afraid of going forward if she should get what she want because of her mother speaking of American rules in the past. Her mother said, “Is shame you fall down nobody push you.” Now she realized that she can go only if she want and her mother knew Waverly want to go. Her mother was very supportive which she even give Waverly her chang for good luck.

To explain how Waverly beat the fifteen-years-old boy in playing chess, the author translate of how they play chess into a story by using nature object such as wind and sand. The author also used personification of the nature object.

By the time, Waverly wins many championship for playing chess, she was fortunate to not doing the chores, instead her brothers will do the chores. Waverly’s mother has interesting perspective of how Waverly worked so hard to win chess tournament while Vincent did a little. As Waverly mother had put it, “Is new American rules…Meimei play, squeeze all her brains out for win chess. You play, worth squeeze towel.” Does it sound harsh? Vincent probably is crestfallen or dispirited. What do you think? What is American Rules?

In awhile when Waverly was playing chess, there are many things that distracted her especially her mother. Eventually, she got annoyed by her mother because she felt embarrassed. I am sure some teens experienced this situation when they accomplish something that their parents seem to make it their own. I totally understand how she feel when her mother showoff about her playing chess because she is well-known. I have been there before. Recently, mother kept telling people that I went to Europe for Cultural Exchange Program (CEP), I went to South Africa recently during the summer and how I get there, and that I am the Valedictorian of the Class. I understand that my mother is proud of what I have been doing but when she do it too much, it no fun. I will have to smile to people every time they congratulated me and sometime I have to pretend I know what they are talking about since I am deaf and they are hearing. Sometime I would rather to tell the people myself than other people to say it for me. Does that make sense?
People who are ashamed of their own parent(s) are considered rude, instead those people should accept the fact that their parents want to support them and to guide them. That is hard especially because ones may feel it will reveal their flaws while the people perceive them to be flawless.

Waverly might also felt that her mother is stealing her talent because at the end of the story her mother has potential to conquer her in chess. Waverly had left one piece that had shown that her mother was right as she quotes, “Better to lose less, see if you really need.” Her mother had found rules of the game to win for chess. This is one reason why it is important to listen to others even if you are intelligence. To listen is to learn. One problem…how will you know if it’s the truth? No matter how many times Waverly have been challenge, she will always find a way. I think the point of the story is to not limit yourself of what you cannot do, instead find other solutions.

Dancer By Vickie Sears

The title of the story, "Dancer", had made me curious to see what it is about since I am a dancer all my life. In the beginning of the text seem to be a flashback of the woman made a point of how her child had change and join with the Eaglespirit. When I look at the word, Eaglespirit, I was trying to think what this could be. The only things think of is the word could be part of Native American because I am aware that Native American believe in the spirit from its' nature including the animals. Small things can make a big difference such as what had happen to Clarissa. Imagine she is five years old, foster kids with the only few things in a paper bag. To me that seem like she is less materialistic as she is not a spoiled child. I can understand how she feel when she had to move to different families in different places for the third times can be very frustrating. What is sociopathic? By using the context to figure out what sociopathic mean, I assume that it mean that Clarissa had trouble with her social skills or is apart from social for some of the reason. I look up at the dictionary it stated: of, relating to, or characterized by asocial or antisocial behavior or exhibiting antisocial personality disorder (http://www.meriam-webster.com/). I suppose I was close enough. As the mother of Clarissa describe her new adopted daughter seem like she does need help even though some may view that Clarissa seem like a rotten kid. In my reading seem like the mother of Clarissa is the narrator of the story. Ferocious is the new word for me as well, it does seem to mean like something terrible or like a nightmare associate with the dreams that Clarissa had in the past. Clarissa describing the nightmare she had was interesting especially when she said that from her dream her tribes was Assiniboin. Later on, I realized Assiniboin is one of the Native American tribes. I was told that I was from the tribe of Blackfeet and my other half sibling is from Cherokee. I am really curious of the different tribes of Native American. Back to the point, Clarissa seem to discover more about herself when she watch the Eaglespirit of the woman, Molly Graybull. I'm a little confused if Molly Graybull is an older woman or a young girl. Because, at the end of the story stated: "Then Molly Graybull come dancing alongside Clarissa, and they was both the same age" on page 25. I'm not sure if the actually mean their age is exactly the same or have other meaning for age. Although, I still think that Molly Graybull is an older woman, so at the end of the story I think it mean that both of them is on the same "beat" or level while Molly Graybull is dancing alongside Clarissa. She seem to feel connect with the dance as it seem to be familiar with her. As she watch the dance and she would practice and practice at home whenever she could. This seem like if she obtaining her goal without actually think about what her goal in life will be. This also seem to be the turning point of the story because in the past Clarissa tend to get in trouble but then later when she saw the Eaglespirit she become better around with her new family. For this, she was able to open her heart through dancing. Clarissa had been learning different part of dances in the Assiniboin tribe. She was able to become proficient with the dance by showing her passion. How she display her passion for dance is by doing anything she can do to keep dancing. Later in the passage, when Clarissa had said that she is an Assiniboin on one night during the supper on page 25, Clarissa seem to be aware of who she is. She said it loud with pride which seem she find her happiness to know where she come from. Finding who you are can be difficult and most teenager or when become an adulthood struggle to find who they really are. When the narrator gave Clarissa the costume, Clarissa was excited, "her eyes full up with glitter" on page 25. At the end of the story, Clarissa seem more determine that she will dance especially with Molly Graybull as if that had been her goal all along. When the narrator stated, "You just listen to your spirit. That's where your music is." to me is like someone saying listen to your soul and/or heart as ones will find their inner strength. I noticed in the story naming different part of the dance that Assiniboin tribes do like Owl dance, Friendship dance, and Circle dance. That grew my curiousity of what this dance looklike. Also, in the story tend to use the word, powwow, which can identify that the story is talking about Native American dance. This story had remind of when some people had suddenly find their interest, they became engage within their passion to reach their goals no matter how much they have struggled due to their outcome they will succeed.

"A House of My Own"/"Saturday at the Canal"

"A House of My Own" by Sandra Cisneros is a very interesting poem. When I read the poem associating with the title, it make sense that the author was saying from my understanding that she have nothing to be bother with. The author use the flower, petunias, which I have heard that this flower is the secret to happiness. Sandra must be satisfy with her life. She tend to use the repetition of "my" that can mean she probably selfish in one perspective or in other perspective she does not want anyone to bother her or share things with other people. When the author stated "Nobody to shake a stick at. Nobody's garbage to pick up after." (line 4-5) to me it mean that she had nothing to worry about. I said this because that remind of my past experience of always cleaning up after my family mess because they are lazy. I was tired of doing some errands for someone else before but now I am already used to it. I think the whole point of the poem was that Sandra felt she had the freedom of her own space as she is starting a new journey in her next phase of life.

“Saturday at the Canal” by Gary Soto seems related with “Carpe Diem”. Gary Soto was trying to grab all the fun as if tomorrow could be the last day. The tone of this poem seem like the author regret it because he attempt to have a happy year when he become seventeen but he ended up not getting what he actually want. On line 19-20, “We wanted to get out. The years froze [as] we sat on the bank.” show that Gary wants to get out and escape to get “new life” as they can not retrace their mistakes. The author stated “The years froze” as if he had lost motivation or the year went really slower than usual. Gary seem to go with the flow in whatever he had gone through as he does not have his own control in his direction of life by staying on top of things. The author seems to get lonely but he does have a friend that he trusts. Gary tends to alternate of what happen to his life right now and his goal of going out of town to San Francisco. He want to grab the moment of getting a chance to go to San Francisco before he decease.

Introduction

Hey, my name is ForceofNature12. I am an undergraduate in my freshmen year at Gallaudet University. I am taking the General Studies Requirement (GSR) 102 associating with reading and writing. For GSR 102 I had to use the blog for my homework assignments weekly related with the book that I am reading. This is my second time using blogs for English assignments.
Most people know about me as a dancer. I have danced since I was around four or five years old. I was influenced from my siblings' arts exposure.
I believed this blog will be used for relating with the reading assignment and possibly to discuss different topic(s) that are not associated with the reading assignments. In the past, I have used blogs for discussing the books that my classmates had read such as The Pearl by John Steinbeck so I surmise that it will be similar for GSR 102 class.