Saturday, November 24, 2012
Stuffed Turkey
With Thanksgiving over and done, I feel like a stuffed turkey. I am now officially 6 months pregnant and easily used this as my excuse for eating like a line backer this holiday. I always cook enough to feed an army. I have no idea why I do this, but it's especially handy during Thanksgiving. It allows for never ending left overs! There was just four of us this year, but I made enough food to last for a few days. That way, I had to exert all the effort in one day of cooking, but I got to enjoy several days of eating without having any work to do! Now that takes planning. The only thing that would have made this particular holiday better would have been not having to worry about doing any school work or studying. I had the week off from work, but with preparations for the food and doing school crap, it really felt as if I had no break. Sigh, maybe by not doing anything for Christmas this year, I can acutally relax and enjoy my time off before the baby comes. This girl needs her sleep. And pie.
Who Put the X in Xmas?
As the holidays approach I only have one thing to say, bah humbug! Seeing folks put up Christmas lights before Thanksgiving really irritates me. It seems like the last few Christmases have been filled with more dread than excitement. I tried to get excited about it last year. Despite putting up the tree and other decorations, cooking a nice meal to spend with my small family, and opening the few gifts we managed to get for each other, it still felt forced. Maybe it's because I am getting older and Christmas doesn't hold the wonder and excitement it did while I was a kid. I suspect this is my last year to allow myself to feel this way. Next year I will have a small child of my own to buy gifts for and to get excited about. I hope I will feel differently by then. I think it's just the idea of Christmas, in all it's retail glory, that puts me off. Not being a religious person probably doesn't help matters either. Perhaps next year I'll feel more ho, ho, ho, than oh no.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Essay Blog Post
In Sherman Alexie's What Sacagawea Means to Me, he begins writing using a sarcastic tone about the nature of life and how everyone, "regardless of race, religion, gender, and age", at some point in their life will get to be like Sacagawea in some way. What he means by the examples he gives in his first paragraph - being kidnapped as a child, sold and forced to marry, march alongside two strange men and lead them on their expedition, and all you get is a stinking shirt for your trouble - is that life is a journey that is sometimes unexpected and certainly unpredictable. You are raised by your parents standards, you go to school as expected, get a job as you are typically forced to do in order to pay bills and support yourself, marry and have children, complete this long journey that is life, and then you die. The dying part is the t-shirt you get for your troubles. So, no matter who you are, where you come from, this is life's journey for you. Noone is exempt.
Alexie discusses, with a sense of irony, that Sacagawea is a contradiction, like so many other Americans - Miles Davis, a famous musician and descendent of slaves, Emily Dickinson writing poetry while Crazy Horse was attacking Custer, Ted Bundy, a respectable, handsome serial killer. She should have hated and rebelled against these white men. In fact, she died from a mysterious illness obtained by the very people who had basically enslaved her and whom she helped. Just as Sacagawea was destroyed by this illness, so were so many other lives by the colonization and settling of America that she had a small hand in. She is a contradiction. He mentions that she is no hero, and the reason is that, forced or not, she did participate in forever changing Native American lives - but, she is not the only one. Many individuals, black, white, Native American, and even canine, participated in this journey that forever changed America. Life is full of contradictions just like Sacagawea's.
Alexie's tone shifts throughout the essay, and he ends in a somewhat bitter tone. He says, "I want to hate this country and its contradictions", but he cannot because, simply put, he exists because of them. Perhaps we all do.
Alexie discusses, with a sense of irony, that Sacagawea is a contradiction, like so many other Americans - Miles Davis, a famous musician and descendent of slaves, Emily Dickinson writing poetry while Crazy Horse was attacking Custer, Ted Bundy, a respectable, handsome serial killer. She should have hated and rebelled against these white men. In fact, she died from a mysterious illness obtained by the very people who had basically enslaved her and whom she helped. Just as Sacagawea was destroyed by this illness, so were so many other lives by the colonization and settling of America that she had a small hand in. She is a contradiction. He mentions that she is no hero, and the reason is that, forced or not, she did participate in forever changing Native American lives - but, she is not the only one. Many individuals, black, white, Native American, and even canine, participated in this journey that forever changed America. Life is full of contradictions just like Sacagawea's.
Alexie's tone shifts throughout the essay, and he ends in a somewhat bitter tone. He says, "I want to hate this country and its contradictions", but he cannot because, simply put, he exists because of them. Perhaps we all do.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Identity
I am a white, lower middle class female. I have been all of these things for most of my life. I am going to school in hopes to do better for myself and my family than I've always done. I want to be happy. I want to enjoy life. I don't want to work my fingers to the bone until I'm 70 and still barely able to retire like my grandmother who raised me.
I am also an independent, Type A planner and list maker. Friends tease me about my lists. It's difficult for me to be spontaneous. I prefer to work alone because I know things will get done the way I want them to, when I want them to get done. I don't rely on others if I can help it because I was raised to do things for myself. I was raised to be a strong woman.
I think the second option offers me more personal, emotional experiences to discuss how I became this why, whereas the first option was just the life I was born into and am trying to rise above.
And then there is a third aspect of my identity that anyone who is close to me knows me by: books. All 6 shelves of them (not including my e-books). If I could, I'd have more. I simply love books. I am a reader and a writer. Books are me.
I'm not entirely sure which direction I'd like to take with our second essay, or if any of these are even appropriate. I feel that all of these topics are a part of my identity, who I am. But are any of them enough on their own?
I am also an independent, Type A planner and list maker. Friends tease me about my lists. It's difficult for me to be spontaneous. I prefer to work alone because I know things will get done the way I want them to, when I want them to get done. I don't rely on others if I can help it because I was raised to do things for myself. I was raised to be a strong woman.
I think the second option offers me more personal, emotional experiences to discuss how I became this why, whereas the first option was just the life I was born into and am trying to rise above.
And then there is a third aspect of my identity that anyone who is close to me knows me by: books. All 6 shelves of them (not including my e-books). If I could, I'd have more. I simply love books. I am a reader and a writer. Books are me.
I'm not entirely sure which direction I'd like to take with our second essay, or if any of these are even appropriate. I feel that all of these topics are a part of my identity, who I am. But are any of them enough on their own?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Being a Woman
In Sojourner Truth's essay Ain't I a Woman? she compares differences between men and woman, and in the process shows the reader that there aren't that many differences after all. She illustrates what men can do and just as quickly says she can do all of those things too even though she is a woman.
This essay was written during a time when woman weren't given equal rights as men. Sojourner was part of a movement that lasted - and is still ongoing to a certain extent - for decades. She was out to prove that just because a man did it, doesn't mean a woman can't do it just as good, or better. She even makes the point that Jesus didn't come from man. He came from God and a woman. So, if Eve "was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone", you men better watch out because us women are a force to be reckoned with.
I loved this essay because I agree wholeheartedly with it. I was raised by my grandmother who is an exceptionally strong individual. I am so gratful to have had, and still have, her influence in my life. Because of her I know that I can do anything a man can do and that I don't need to rely on anyone but myself to get things done. I am strong and independent, and I owe it all to a 4'10" woman.
This essay was written during a time when woman weren't given equal rights as men. Sojourner was part of a movement that lasted - and is still ongoing to a certain extent - for decades. She was out to prove that just because a man did it, doesn't mean a woman can't do it just as good, or better. She even makes the point that Jesus didn't come from man. He came from God and a woman. So, if Eve "was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone", you men better watch out because us women are a force to be reckoned with.
I loved this essay because I agree wholeheartedly with it. I was raised by my grandmother who is an exceptionally strong individual. I am so gratful to have had, and still have, her influence in my life. Because of her I know that I can do anything a man can do and that I don't need to rely on anyone but myself to get things done. I am strong and independent, and I owe it all to a 4'10" woman.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Gender
I tend to get along better with males. Perhaps this is because I grew up with my uncle - only 9 years my senior - and my older brother. I was always with boys. I wanted to play the video games that they played. I wanted to ride my bike with them. I wanted to play in the woods with them. Anything to fit in with the guys. Yet, somehow, I remained decidedly feminine. Yes, I fought it on occasion through my teenage angst years (lots of baggy clothes and flannel). But, I definitely remember being with my Nana and enjoying dressing up, playing with dolls, cooking - all things typically identified with females. There are some things, though, that are associated with girls that I never really enjoyed: talking on the phone, shopping, going to clubs to flirt with dudes.
I have gay friends and even a relative who is newly "out". I knew a cross-gendered individual through my last job - if only all of my customers could have been that kind and friendly. I have a very good friend whose 6 year old son is struggling with gender identity. (No matter how many GI Joes and trucks she puts in front of him, he wants Santa to bring him Barbies and dress up clothes. She loves him no matter what, but worries about how he'll be accepted in school and later in life). I've always been very open and accepting of these folks. I can only imagine the anger, hurt, and fear they've had to endure at one point or another in their lives. I sympathize for their struggles, and I embrace them for their courage to stand up and be who they are. I can't imagine choosing to cut someone out of my life just because they are gay or cross-gendered.
I agree with the points made in the excerpt of "Yes, Ma'am" by Deirdre McCloskey. Our society has ideals for how men and women should act in order to properly identify them as men and women. It is sad that in this day and age people still judge and even sometimes brutalize these individuals who are only being who they are.
I have gay friends and even a relative who is newly "out". I knew a cross-gendered individual through my last job - if only all of my customers could have been that kind and friendly. I have a very good friend whose 6 year old son is struggling with gender identity. (No matter how many GI Joes and trucks she puts in front of him, he wants Santa to bring him Barbies and dress up clothes. She loves him no matter what, but worries about how he'll be accepted in school and later in life). I've always been very open and accepting of these folks. I can only imagine the anger, hurt, and fear they've had to endure at one point or another in their lives. I sympathize for their struggles, and I embrace them for their courage to stand up and be who they are. I can't imagine choosing to cut someone out of my life just because they are gay or cross-gendered.
I agree with the points made in the excerpt of "Yes, Ma'am" by Deirdre McCloskey. Our society has ideals for how men and women should act in order to properly identify them as men and women. It is sad that in this day and age people still judge and even sometimes brutalize these individuals who are only being who they are.
Rockstar Writer
I have a little crush on a writer by the name of Maggie Stiefvater. She writes YA, and she writes it very well. This broad really knows what she's doing. I'll admit that I'm a little jealous of her. She's younger than me. She's witty. She has a super cool car. She is a kick ass artist and musician. AND she writes good books (while making it seem absolutely effortless). Where does she find the time to do all of this overachieving?!
I've mentioned before that I'd like to someday publish a book. All that I can hope is that it will be a fraction of what her writing is. She is the epitome of everything that I aspire to be as a writer. Sure, her writing isn't for everyone, but to me, it is a drug. I want it all the time. I can't get enough of it. She really should start trying to crank out a book every 6 months so that I can feel complete.
The best way that I can describe her style is that it is very lyrical. Her prose is beautiful. She writes very subtly and very quietly, if that makes sense. If you're a fan of YA literature, you should check her out. Her latest novel is called The Raven Boys. Before school and my new job started, I would typically read a book every week or two. Though I haven't really had that luxury lately, I've forced time in for her and find it very difficult to put this book down. Seriously, go and read her books asap!
Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there — known as Raven Boys — can only mean trouble.
I've mentioned before that I'd like to someday publish a book. All that I can hope is that it will be a fraction of what her writing is. She is the epitome of everything that I aspire to be as a writer. Sure, her writing isn't for everyone, but to me, it is a drug. I want it all the time. I can't get enough of it. She really should start trying to crank out a book every 6 months so that I can feel complete.
The best way that I can describe her style is that it is very lyrical. Her prose is beautiful. She writes very subtly and very quietly, if that makes sense. If you're a fan of YA literature, you should check her out. Her latest novel is called The Raven Boys. Before school and my new job started, I would typically read a book every week or two. Though I haven't really had that luxury lately, I've forced time in for her and find it very difficult to put this book down. Seriously, go and read her books asap!
Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there — known as Raven Boys — can only mean trouble.
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