Does everyone have a place where they truly belong to and are welcomed there? In "An American Story" a Vietnamese family is trying to leave Vietnam. After fifteen years of trials and hard work, they were reunited and became successful in their new country. In "Hunger of Memory" a young Hispanic boy lives in a neighborhood that mostly consists of Americans. The boy and his family stood out, because they could not speak a lot of proper English, but they all still have a loving and special family to return to. Both stories tell us that everyone has a place or family to belong to.
Since the young boy from "Hunger of Memory" could not speak perfect English, his family was constantly shunned by some of their neighbors. In line 11 the author wrote, "But despite all they achieved, the confidence of 'belonging' in public was withheld from them.(Page 161)" From both quotes of the story, the feeling of not being welcomed and out of place was given. The young boy and his family may not be welcomed by some people in their neighborhood, but they will always have a home and their family to go back to. The last paragraph of the story on page 164 reads, "A family member would say something to me and I would feel myself specially recognized. My parents would say something to me and I would feel embraced by the sounds of their words. Those sounds said, I am speaking with ease in Spanish. I am addressing you with words I never use with los gringos. I recognize you as someone special, close, like no one outside. You belong with us. In the family. (Page 164)" From this paragraph, the author tells us that even though the boy is not "specially recognized" outside, he has his family with him.
"An American Story" is also about a family moving to the United States. According to the second paragraph, "They were boat people. They had left Vietnam on a small fishing boat. (Page 153" This quote means the Dinh family had to go through a hard course to try leaving Vietnam. Taking a boat out of Vietnam is not the only complicated task in leaving. In paragraph 5, the author wrote, "Phong Dinh tried unsuccessfully twenty-five times to get out of Vietnam by boat. He paid boatmen who never turned up or who were arrested. (Page 153)" Phong Dinh was not the only member to struggle with leaving. Van Dinh and Quan Dinh, Van's son, were taken into Hong Kong camp, waiting for clearance as a refugee. Van Dinh was finally interviewed after years when the Hong Kong authorities began to feel pressured. On paragraph 10, sentence 6 we find out, "The family was reunited after fifteen years." Some family members because successful in America. Some became an accountant, computer programmer, or some are still learning in colleges. One member of the Dinh family, Viet Dinh, graduated from Harvard Law School and is now working as a law clerk. After all their difficulties of getting into America, each person found a place in America as immigrants.
Both "An American Story" and "Hunger of Memory" tell us that everyone has a place or family to belong to. In one story, a Vietnamese family separate and meet again in America where they have much more freedom. In "Hunger of Memory" a young boy and his family live in America even though they do not know a lot of English. They didn't need to have confident English speaking skills to fit in, because they have each other. By reading the two stories, all readers can realize they are not alone in the world.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Autobiography
My full name is "Jacey Mae". Currently, I'm attending high school. Before high school, I went to a performing arts middle school, a regular elementary school, and a private school.
For kindergarten to third grade, I attended a private school, which required money to attend. The only other difference is that classes are really small, but that's because there's free education that's pretty much the same. Also, it's mandatory to read and learn about religion. Every year, they would host plays and talent shows. Most of the time I participated in the shows, and I really enjoyed myself. I still like acting and being dramatic at times, but after moving schools I became really shy.
After third grade, I moved to a different elementary school. Leaving all my friends was really devastating, but I left thinking we would all keep in touch. I was wrong. When I got to my new school, I felt lost. I didn't know anyone except for a son of my father's friend, but that was only by name. Fortunately, I became friends with a girl named Anne. Even though nothing bad happened, I still changed from an extrovert to an introvert.
When sixth grade was over, I had to transfer to middle school. I did not want to go to the middle school that's really near my house, so with a bit of persuasion, I convinced my parents to sign up for a performing arts school. Honestly, I thought I'd be able to stop being shy if I started acting again. Instead, I was too shy to even try and audition. Although I failed at that, I became friends with a girl. She's very confident, likes to talk to people, and really smart. Thanks to her, I became less introverted. I'll talk and keep up a conversation with anyone, but I won't go out of my way to talk to them.
In middle school, I found a subject I'd like to study on my own time. Mythology. At first, I was honestly bored out of my mind. All we would do was watch documentaries, Star Wars, or read out of textbook. During all that, we had to take full page Cornell notes with a lot of colors. When I read the story of Narcissus and Echo, I started to like mythology. One reason, was because of Narcissus' extreme personality. He died by a lake, because he could not stop admiring himself. He found no other girls pretty or anyone, except himself. Second, it made me realize that mythology isn't just boring lecture about boring people who don't and will never exist. Normally, I didn't like to read in between lines. I preferred having things spelled out for me, but now I enjoy reading and visualizing everything in a book. Such as the background, how characters felt, and how I can possibly relate.
Now, I'm in high school. I plan on staying at my current school for all four years. To improve my social skills, I'm taking Leadership. I wasn't interested at first, but then my mom told me I should join and I signed up. After three weeks into school, I was never called to be interviewed, so I decided to give up on it. Later that day, I found out my friend from my private school, also joined Leadership. He told me how to actually get interviewed, and I followed his steps. Now, I'm the treasurer for the freshmen class.
For kindergarten to third grade, I attended a private school, which required money to attend. The only other difference is that classes are really small, but that's because there's free education that's pretty much the same. Also, it's mandatory to read and learn about religion. Every year, they would host plays and talent shows. Most of the time I participated in the shows, and I really enjoyed myself. I still like acting and being dramatic at times, but after moving schools I became really shy.
After third grade, I moved to a different elementary school. Leaving all my friends was really devastating, but I left thinking we would all keep in touch. I was wrong. When I got to my new school, I felt lost. I didn't know anyone except for a son of my father's friend, but that was only by name. Fortunately, I became friends with a girl named Anne. Even though nothing bad happened, I still changed from an extrovert to an introvert.
When sixth grade was over, I had to transfer to middle school. I did not want to go to the middle school that's really near my house, so with a bit of persuasion, I convinced my parents to sign up for a performing arts school. Honestly, I thought I'd be able to stop being shy if I started acting again. Instead, I was too shy to even try and audition. Although I failed at that, I became friends with a girl. She's very confident, likes to talk to people, and really smart. Thanks to her, I became less introverted. I'll talk and keep up a conversation with anyone, but I won't go out of my way to talk to them.
In middle school, I found a subject I'd like to study on my own time. Mythology. At first, I was honestly bored out of my mind. All we would do was watch documentaries, Star Wars, or read out of textbook. During all that, we had to take full page Cornell notes with a lot of colors. When I read the story of Narcissus and Echo, I started to like mythology. One reason, was because of Narcissus' extreme personality. He died by a lake, because he could not stop admiring himself. He found no other girls pretty or anyone, except himself. Second, it made me realize that mythology isn't just boring lecture about boring people who don't and will never exist. Normally, I didn't like to read in between lines. I preferred having things spelled out for me, but now I enjoy reading and visualizing everything in a book. Such as the background, how characters felt, and how I can possibly relate.
Now, I'm in high school. I plan on staying at my current school for all four years. To improve my social skills, I'm taking Leadership. I wasn't interested at first, but then my mom told me I should join and I signed up. After three weeks into school, I was never called to be interviewed, so I decided to give up on it. Later that day, I found out my friend from my private school, also joined Leadership. He told me how to actually get interviewed, and I followed his steps. Now, I'm the treasurer for the freshmen class.
Writing Assessment : Living and Learning With New Media
Today's youth are completely addicted to online media. One way youth use media is to learn. Another use is to interact and 'hang out' with their friends. Lastly, media is used to improve one's self.
By using media, youth can learn and discover new things. "Youth using new media often learn from their peers, not teachers or adults." This quote means people are generally more interested in learning from people their age. Some may say we should only learn from well taught professionals, but "youth could benefit from educators being more open to forms... that are generally not characteristic of educational institutions." Students should not be limited to specific classes, especially extracurriculars.
Social medias are used to talk and 'hangout' with friends. "Youth may find new peers outside the boundaries of their local community." Nowadays, with media people can easily find and make new friends who share similar interests. These people can be schoolmates they never pass by or neighbors they didn't know about.
Media is used by youth to improve their hobbies or skills. "They can also find opportunities to publicize and distribute their work." By doing this, comments and criticism can be given to the creator. "Youth turn to specialized knowledge groups of both teens and adults with the goal of improving... "Also, "their efforts are also largely self-directed, and the outcome emerges through exploration."
It is good for media to be easily accessed by youth. It helps youth learn. It provides a way for people to make new friends, and 'hang out' with them. They can improve their hobbies or skills. Online media is not bad.
By using media, youth can learn and discover new things. "Youth using new media often learn from their peers, not teachers or adults." This quote means people are generally more interested in learning from people their age. Some may say we should only learn from well taught professionals, but "youth could benefit from educators being more open to forms... that are generally not characteristic of educational institutions." Students should not be limited to specific classes, especially extracurriculars.
Social medias are used to talk and 'hangout' with friends. "Youth may find new peers outside the boundaries of their local community." Nowadays, with media people can easily find and make new friends who share similar interests. These people can be schoolmates they never pass by or neighbors they didn't know about.
Media is used by youth to improve their hobbies or skills. "They can also find opportunities to publicize and distribute their work." By doing this, comments and criticism can be given to the creator. "Youth turn to specialized knowledge groups of both teens and adults with the goal of improving... "Also, "their efforts are also largely self-directed, and the outcome emerges through exploration."
It is good for media to be easily accessed by youth. It helps youth learn. It provides a way for people to make new friends, and 'hang out' with them. They can improve their hobbies or skills. Online media is not bad.
Film Review of Taming of the Shrew
The "Taming of the Shrew" was written by William Shakespeare. The film adaptation was directed by Zanco Zeffirelli. In the story, we focus on Petruchio and Katharina. As the story progresses, we learn more about their personality, and how their forced marriage affected each other.
In the beginning, Bianca is shown as a wonderful and beautiful woman all the men want to woo and marry. Unfortunately, Bianca cannot be wedded until her older sister, Katharina, does. This is unfortunate, because no one would dare to woo Katharina. Even though she's wealthy, her atrocious behavior scares everyone. Katharina is constantly shown screaming and fighting with someone. She once threatened and chased Bianca with a sharp weapon.
Signor Petruchio comes along and talks about wanting to marry into wealth. The men who were interested in marrying Bianca took this opportunity to lead Petruchio to Katharina. Her family was willing to part with 20,000 crowns, and land. Petruchio happily agreed to their offer and continuously tried to get Katharina's hand in marriage.
After a lot of rebellion, Katharina and Petruchio were forcefully married. As Katharina was about to say, " I do not, "she was interrupted at 'do' by Petruchio sealing the deal with a kiss. Everyone was relieved and happy when the marriage became official, because Bianca is now available and Katharina is no longer single and may change her unpleasant attitude.
Katharina was very upset, but couldn't do anything about it. She continued being pessimistic and mad, but after failing to take Petruchio down, she gave up. Katharina became calm and an agreeable person, because Petruchio is stubborn. Since she learned to deal with Petruchio's attitude, he most likely won't change.
Petruchio and Katharina's marriage changed Katharina for the best. At first, she was very rude and harmful. After marrying Signor Petruchio, Katharina became a bit more happier and agreeable. Even though things ended well, could Katharina have found a better partner that she would sincerely love if Petruchio never came?
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