"Notes From a New Orleans Daughter" - Sheryl St. Germain

I found this piece pretty interesting and was curious to see what it would be like for this white woman to grow up in New Orleans. With her family being so racist its hard to imagine how difficult it must have been. The other voice and style took a different style than what we typically see, she did a lot of telling rather than showing us how she felt. Honestly I didn't think there was that much of a diversified population in Iowa for there to be that much racism, but I did find it interesting when she shared those experiences. 

"Household Words" - Barbara Kingsolver

Kingsolver did a great job with this piece and made great point that our society is very cruel when it comes to the way we treat "homeless" people. More people in the world, especially the United States, could benefit from reading this piece. Kingsolver allowed the audience a little perspective of life as a homeless person. The piece let me reflect on my own actions and actually made me feel like a jerk. Countless times have turned a homeless person away when all they asked for was me to spare some change. Even worse, I can admit to even being afraid of homeless people, always seeing them in such a negative light. Kingsolver made point that I feel most people never think of, how could such poverty exist in one of the richest nations in the world. This piece was very thought provoking and reflective for the audience to not only think of our actions but also to consider while we have all these notions attached to being homeless their is no true definition of what a home is. 

"Notes From a Parallel Universe"

Khan seems to maintain a neutral position through out the essay. She talks about the differences between "real scientists" and "cranks". Reading this through made me laugh a little because my step dad is always talking about "cranks" and how they aren't real scientist and what not. Anyway, thought Khan tries not to make the essay seem as though it is talking about religion (only even mentioning God casually) it feels as thought the underlaying message has to deal with religion and science. Its funny because most people don't favor "cranks" (or at least you think they would) but it seems that even though Kahn tries to stay neutral she favors cranks and you can see this with her ending how she shows and example where a crank was actually right about something. 

The Dead Of Winter

At the start of the story I did not care for the main character that much. Her attitude about her actions were just to calm for my liking. I just felt like she wasn't grasping how serious an abortion is. Though her little boyfriend was no better. But the story developed I started to enjoy the piece. This memoir's illustrations effectively filled in the gaps the writing left behind. I actually felt sad for the teenage girl. The part that hit me the most was seeing the image of a winged baby floating. The piece put a new twist on a topic that has been done so many times before that it often gives the reader the same view point. 

"Uncle Tony's Goat"

I love stories that talk about people's childhood. Whenever I heard/or read about an incident that may have happened to someone when they were younger my mind can't help but wander and allow to me reminisce about my own childhood experiences. Its funny the way she describes the goat, a pretty harmless animal, with such terror. I personally don't care for goats either so I understand; they were probably my least favorite animal at the petting zoo growing up. The story shows that childlike innocence that even though the goat attacked her she worries about what will happen to him. This was a nice piece to read, and Silko did a great job at expressing a variety of feelings children normally feel.

"A Sea Worry"

The title of this piece is really creative and a nice play on words. I love that the parents actually took the time to observed a hobby their son seemed so passionate about, and to wake up so early at that, was incredible. In most children's life parents don't take a big desire or care to see a passion their child has from a first hand account/perspective. Growing up near the beach my entire life I had a lot of guy friends that surfed and her description hit the nail on the head. However, I don't think that not being able to describe something you are passionate about is limited to just surfing. Its often times hard to assign words to feels when deal with something passionate because those words might be able to describe some of the emotions but not all; and you want to make you can describe the feeling to fullest. 

"A Girl Among Trombonists"

Starting the piece with a picture is a great way to get the audience to think about/attract the audience into the piece. The caption below it that states "I was a pioneer: first girl trombonists in my high school." allows the reader to formulate opinions on what they might think the passage is going to be about. Maybe because I'm not a "band geek" nor do I know how to play any instrument but I never really knew that being a female trombonist was such a big deal. However, the characters juvenile approach to feminism shows that at the time she probably wasn't truly a feminist, rather just what she though a feminist was. The scene where she describes being felt up by male members of the band but her not seeing the big deal in it, rather they were just practicing because their girlfriends weren't letting them seems to lack some logic to me. Overall it was a nicely written piece and provided some insight on a topic I had no prior knowledge about. 

"What Fundamentalists Need For Their Salvation"

This piece was somewhat annoying. I hate when people allow their emotions to get the best of them when trying to argue a point. However I understand when arguing a view point one tends to have a hard time separating the personal feelings/sentiments which often times can cloud the logic behind a lot of things. Politics and religion are just two topics that are so hard to talk about and clearly express ideas. I had read several parts of this passage over and over again before I could grasp its full meaning, I'm still not sure I walked away with everything. Definitely not one of my favorite pieces at all. 

"Holocaust Girls/Lemon" - S.L. Wisenberg

It's hard for me to read things about the Holocaust with out being sad. Just knowing that the excerpt has to do with the Holocaust already makes me read it in a different tone, and I'm not sure why that is exactly. I was born and raised Catholic but because I have such a good relationship with my Jewish friends I feel as though its somewhat part of me. I couldn't quite  figure out why she numbered each subsection but also took away from the more "homey" feel of sub-section titles. The way she wrote seemed very to the point and matter of fact about things and that also added to tone of the piece. 

Louis Riel

[First, I love when we have comics, its such a relief from all the reading and its just nice at this age to have pieces still created that seems so elementary but truly aren't.]


Maybe I'm just the only one out of the loop on the situation but even though the historical time frame is normally helpful, I really had no idea what the comic was talking about. Of all the comics I would say that I enjoyed this one the least. However, I do like the us of language/dialect help develop the characters and made understand what I did retain from the reading easier.

"A Path Taken, with All the Certainty of Youth"

If forced to put this excerpt into a genre I would be able to pick one out, though it is a memoir in  the sense is also tells the authors story almost similar to that of a mini-biography. I do enjoy how she described he journey, or lack there of a journey for that matter, to how she became a writer. I love where she says "In biographies there is usually some determining moment in early life that predicts the course of the future artist or scientist or politician." Easily sums up how she feels and she realizes she never really had that moment it just happened for her. Even admitting that her first poem she ever wrote wasn't good. Its funny because a lot of times people end up in careers that they may have no planned for, rather it just happened for them. 

"Persia on the Pacific"

These are the type of stories I enjoy reading, memoir style that is easy to follow, and interesting to read, the other did a great job of catching and keeping my attention. I like the invented word that fused "Iran" and "Los Angeles" to create "Irangeles" it made me slightly smile while reading it. I love how he talks about how a second generation views their culture and the pride for their culture as opposed their parents (the first generation) to be in the United States few the same topic so drastically different. I find it crazy because it is so easy to relate to. For example, with myself, though raised in the United State my entire life I still find I have more pride for my Haitian roots than my mom does and she is the first generation to be born in the United States. The examples he uses to describe how the parents feel, seems to be a scenario I can imagine either being in myself or another relative having. I think this was a great story especially as person that comes from multi-cultures. I love how they also compared Iranians in the U.S. and Europe to Cubans in Miami (great reference for me to relate to)!! 

Across the Wire

When Urrea first began the story I wasn't sure what he could be talking about with the sub-section title being "Trash". However, the extreme poverty he describes, though the situation terrible, he manages to articulate the description so well it seems to have a calming/serene feel to it. As weird as that sounded I hope it made sense. For example, after he goes on to describe the weather though he says things like "colds makes their lips bleed" he describe the baby being wrapped for warmth but tin a trash bag. I enjoyed how it broke up the entire into these little sub categories it was like you got a snap shot into all the different little scenes happening around the area because had the entire story been about one thing it may have been viewed as winded. My favorite part was the "Coffee" section where he describes the "for the dump, anyway -- especially luxurious house"the statement in itself is an oxymoron but he does a good job with descriptions, as throughout.

Poop On the Job

I haven't had too many different jobs but my most interesting for sure would have to be waitressing. You come in contact with so many people, and so many different type of people at that, your bond to make some memorial moments. These memories make the time at work pass by so much faster. 


A couple come into the restaurant and with their 2 children and occupy a table that typically seats six. Just as one of the servers is greeting them, the younger child begins to scream. The mom embarrassed desperately tries to quiet the child. Just as the Mom turns her head the toddler, who was just wearing a diaper for god know what reason, rips off the dirty diaper and sends it flying in the air. The diaper's landing was far from sweet, as it sails into the air crashing at an adjacent table that was enjoying their appetizer. 


Poop everywhere. 


At this point I can't control my laughter and I'm glad I'm not the kitchen staff who has to clean it up. 

Didn't Know It Was You

The worst thing that could possibly happen would be if while workshopping my work a student wasn't sure of my name or knew the paper they were reading belonged to me. That wouldn't even be that bad the most embarrassing thing would be if I was over hearing a conversation about problems with my paper and the people talking about it have no idea that it was me. Once in high school we did work hopping but didn't put our names on the papers and one of my friends had my paper and would not stop talking about the flaws or "stupid" things in my paper. I sat there and just kept it to myself and but needless to say our friendship slowly faded and when she read my paper on the day I was going to turn it in her face read her thoughts, "Oooooh...I didn't know it was you". EPIC FAIL. 

Seperation

Most people can always relate to a bad separation or a bad divorce. Most times when I speak to anyone about my parents getting a divorce I normally hear a lot of "I completely understand"s but really sometimes I question whether that person does understand or does it just seem like the appropriate thing to say? I know plenty of people can understand because a lot of families go through divorces. But I just think that the majority of people who aren't from a divorced family normally try to relate it to a really bad break up. I guess when it comes down to it heartache is heartache. </3 

Persepolis

One thing I immediately noticed was the style of the comic, all of it was black and white and barely any shading. The drawings were somewhat dark and gothic but still fitting. The topic at hand was so controversial especially the way it started with the women veiled and then to the class picture where you would expect her to be and she isn't. The fact that she was not even in the mini-class photo, the audience at first assumed she would be in the frame. I also appreciated the naive childhood innocence that she possessed by wanting to be a prophet. 

For the interview with Marjane Satrapi, a line that hit the hardest was "hard times depicted bring out the worst in people". Its the trust, whenever you think of tragic moments that have been reported upon, most times the victims are depicted horribly. Only making me think of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and other disasters like those that happen in countries like Haiti. 

Pyongyang

Now that I have read Nightmare Studio I wish I would have looked at both first. The images in this comic strip manage to stay very detailed in the photos with out making it seem creepy or dark. I actually like the animations. However, upon reading the title of the article I had no idea what the piece would be about, let along how to properly pronounce the title. For reader who were unaware of the situation in North Korea (though I can't understand why you wouldn't know) the comic may have gone over their head at first. There are not that many pieces that genuinely talk about the countries situation so because of that I like this piece even more. 

Nightmare Studio

This comic was different from other we had previously seen, one reason for sure being how detailed the pictures were. Though full of details the pictures seem very dark and scary. Of the comic strips we have read this is not my favorite, not sure it was even top 3. The comic strip lost me several times wile reading through it. The one thing I did appreciate that was because the pictures were so detailed you could attain information from there and that hasn't really been an option with the previous comics. 

Big Red

Big Red wasn't really that big at all, actually he was pretty small. We lived in a condo at the time and my mom wouldn't let us get a dog so I begged for a fish. After weeks my mom took me to PetCo and I got a Japanese Fighting fish. 


The fish tank was fully loaded with a small bubble machine and blue rocks. It was my fish and no one else, a the youngest of 5 there was barely anything that was just yours. I fed Big Red more than the instructions directed because I knew how much he loved the freeze dried blood worms. For an 8 year old taking care of him felt like a big responsibility and I was happy to have it. 


My mom cleaned his tank for me one weekend and after she was done cleaning it she decided to wash dishes. When the dishes were done and my mom was running the garbage disposal and Big Red leaped from his tank and into the swirling stainless steel blades. I cried for days and didn't want to replace him either. I wasn't sure to be angry at my mom or Big Red. I asked my mom to throw the tank away. I haven't had a pet fish ever since. 

"Caring For Your Introvert"

Though I would characterize myself as a very extroverted person, I really did like this piece. It actually made me think of people in my life who would fit into this category. The funny thing is that these people who are so introverted I like to think of them as silent killers because though they are quiet normally the words they do share speak volumes. Some of the most brilliant people in this world were not extroverts. Its great because really we could not live in a world full of extroverts because who would listen to each other? 

"June: Circle K Recipes"

Its crazy how rice can be tied in and related to so many different cultures and persons that the author was writing to. A food that is often time over looked is tied into many different parts in this passage. I guess rice is one of those basic foods that most countries and/or cultures share. 

"Cancer Made Me A Shallow Person"

Upon reading the title of this comic strip I have to admit this wasn't the direction I had imagine that Engelberg was heading it. I actually didn't see that many "shallow" aspects. While meant to light on an intense situation I found that the comic a some sad undertones. The comic allowed the reader to see things from a perspective different than their own. When Engelberg says "Don't look at her breat area." after she says she is a breast cancer survivor only made me reflect on the times in my life where I have been in the same situation only I am the person avoiding eye-contact. Though a serious matter Engelberg did a great job a portraying situations she dealt with as a cancer surviour and allowed the reader a chance to see how dealing with breast cancer as opposed to another type of cancer is a more sensitive matter.

Also, I thought her t-shirt idea was clever and cute.

[I tried to make the font color a light pink in honor of breast cancer awareness.]

This Day In History

AUGUST 21 1991

"Latvia declare its inedpendance from the Soviet Union."

Despite the fact that I had already known this information prior to researching this day in history, I don't find it too interesting so to say. So I decided to look up August 21 in previous years. On August 21 1959 Hawaii had been added as the 50th state in the United States. With postcards and pictures so remarkable I can't wait to visit one day!

On a more random note: Whenever I think of my birthday and things associated with it I normally think of when Hurrican Andrew hit on the night after my 1st birthday party. Crazy how much of an impact a hurricane could have when it was not intended to be so large.

"Candy Freak"

I really didn't know what to expect when reading this story. Instantly the title drew me in though, partially because I love candy so much and was curious was it was going to be about. I thought it was a great idea to pick it as the title actually. The stories were really cute and something I would definitely read more about. 

Chapter 9 - "Interviewing"

Honestly, I don't know how useful this chapter on interviewing was. A lot of it seemed like common sense to be but then again it did provide some points that was helpful. All of the tips were only to enhance your skills or provide insight for why interviewers have certain tactics. For example, instead of asking a list of questions an interviewer will have a specific things they need to know. "This blueprint helps them to keep more or less on track and to feel comfortable and relaxed during the interview."

What Hellen Keller Saw

Before I even flipped to page 623 and began to read Cynthia Ozick's article the title itself made my thoughts run wild. Anyone that knows anything about the story of Helen Keller's life knows that this title is so clever. Keller never saw anything but because of what she did "see" or experience others in similar situations have been allowed to progress. I found it amazing that Mark Twain said she was "fellow to Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Homer, Shakespeare and the rest of the immortals", to be compared to such outstanding individuals is remarkable.  Her life story so inspiring and only makes me realize that though faced with obstacles anything is possible. 

The Only Chocolate Chip

I wouldn't call interviewing my mom an interview, rather a look into her life. She never fails to leave out details. So when I started asking her questions about her childhood, honestly I probably only got 2 questions in, and she was more than excited to share details. I knew my mom grew up in a predominately white neighborhood but it never accord to me that it had a huge impact on her. In every class photo from when she was in kindergarden to 8th grade she was the only "brown" girl. And if by some small chance there was another "brown" girl in her class it didn't count because it was my aunt. My mother, a product of an interracial marriage, and her children the same, I never thought color was ever an issue. She had always embraced her colored and was happy she was the "color of the sweetest chocolate" and taught my siblings and I that we should too embrace our shade. But growing up she had always wished that she was never the only chocolate chip in sugar cookie.

"Between Art and Architecture"

Creating a war memorial for veterans is a very emotional and selfless this on her part. The fact that she did it regardless of how you felt about the the war, she just wanted people to be moved by it. Memorials often times don't get the same attention as other amazing structures but they serve such a great purpose for not only the veterans but for the loved ones of those lost. I would love to be able to be able to see the memorial, even though those things often times make me cry. 

"Consider the Lobster"

Wallace's style of writing was quiet enjoyable. He managed to get the information across but at the same time  it wasn't boring to read. Prior to reading this I knew very little about these crustaceans; despite the fact that they are tasty. I thought it was amazing how lobster had ridden in there hierarchy of food. LOL After learning so much made me a little sad for these guys. Definitely a cute piece and I enjoyed reading it.

"Written Sources"

I never thought there was much to creative writing. I figured it was just a talent you had and present your story the best you could to appeal to audiences. After reading this I learned there was more to behind the scene work. All the rules that were presented about the creative writing are helpful especially to assist in writing creative non-fiction work. 

Babies Come From Strawberries

She's been to been to every continent on the planet and traveled many countries. But there are just a few stories or memories she likes to tell at every dinner party or family event. Each time the details more elaborate than the last time. Her favorite is when I at age 5 so kindly enlightened my kindergarden class about where babies comes from during lunch. Once Ashley had lead the class to believe that "babies come from strawberries" because her mom had been having crazings for strawberries during her pregnancy with Ashley's litter brother. I stood up at lunch and let the entire class know that I was "more knowledge then Ashley on babies and where they come from" and gave them a semi-graphic account of how babies were made and how our parents "made love". She rants about how embarrassing it was for her to get a call from the principal, a nun, of my roman catholic elementary school asking her to pick me up from school about because I was talking about sex at lunch. She asks me every time ,"You remember how you saw nothing wrong with the whole situation?", I normally chuckle and ask her to stop. But really I don't remember, I have no recollection of the thing at all. What I can recall I'm not sure is even my own memory to recall. I wonder if the version I know is because of the few details that go unaltered each time she tells the story, or is the memory my mom recalls is the memory the principal recalled when she spoke to my mom, or is the memory the principal recalled the story the teacher told her, the teacher who heard from another kindergardener who may have over heard from a conversation at lunch. How well can a 5 year old accurately retell details of an event? I've looked over my kindergarden class photo, all 15 kids are in three rows and blow the photo has each persons name listed accordingly, there was no "Ashley" in my class. 

One Panel

Growing up my siblings always teased me about being the lightest of the 5 children. Even going so far to tell elaborate stories about how I was adopted. Now I look back and laugh about it but as a child, I would cry and beg my mom to show me pictures of when I was born and in the hospital with her. I'm sure I've seen those pictures more than I have an other pictures. It's funny to think I believed them because of my siblings I look most like my mom anyway, and she always reminded me of that. 

"Six Panel Biography" - Jeffry Brown

As odd as it may seem I love things that lack detail. The six panels that make up his "biography" have enough details so we can gain some factual information about the author but again is vague so we have to fill in the details. We have to assume the kind of qualities we want to assign to the individual who grows up in house where his father is a minister and be becomes an atheist in college. This comic strip reminded me of when you people-watch and you just create a story for each person you see. With this character I was creating an episode/movie in my mind, filling in the gaps, of his life. Short and simple but still complex and creative . I really liked this one. 

"American Goth" - Sarah Vowell

From the start the authors grabs your attention. At first it seems like she's being tortured or held hostage, only to find out it's her mom. Truth is when growing up, living with your parents at times does feel like you're being held hostage. In teenage years we're filled with rebellion, we don't want to be a cookie cutter image of what our parents expect from us. When she describes "phases" that parents refer to, I myself remember countless times hearing my mom describe things I was up to as a "phase". Regardless of how it seems on the outside the only person you are fooling is yourself. Regardless of all the things you hide behind from the clothes to the make up. You can't change the person you are and like the main character we all realize it in the end. 

"My Little Brother Ruined My Life" - Stephen Elliot

While reading this piece I actually feel sympathy for the main character. He lived such a horrible and troubled past, though it gave him writing material now you can tell he still has tons of resentment. Its sad that he is a grown man but still needs to acceptance from those around him so badly to feel complete. He wants to impress everyone, a group of teenage girls, his ex-girlfriend, his stepbrother, and his dad. After a 10 day stay with his brother he realizes they share a lot of similarities and staying together wasn't so bad. I don't think the title of this story is appropriate, I just think he's jealous of the home-life his brother is receiving, one he never got to experience. 

"Big Boy" - David Sedaris

WOW. This one caught me completely off-guard with the last sentence in the first paragraph. Normally before I read a story I am completely guilty of guessing what the story may be about based on the title. I just find it quite amusing that this more man was so concerned about the toilet situation. However, at the same time most individuals can relate to ever being in a place (either their own home or someplace else) were the toilet gets clogged and it is completely embarrassing. I it was hilarious how he actually thought about throwing the turd out the window.