Balzac & the LCS

At the beginning of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, the LCS is an uneducated girl(for she was taught be her father) and is "not civilized, at least not for me!( Sijie 27) according to Luo. Not only that, she is a country girl who has no knowledge of the outside world. Ironically, the beauty of this "uncivilized girl" captures Luo's heart, and his reading's has "educated" her causing her to venture out into the world. Not only does she have the audacity to leave without telling anybody, she tries to erase who she is and where she comes from, by make herself seem more 'citified'. But why does the novel end with her leaving, most likely, her first love, without telling her father she going, or without telling the narrator who had helped her beyond measures? Is it her new found knowledge and her "beauty" that is a "treasure beyond price", that gives her a new arrogancy? Or does she use her new found knowledge in a positive way to really go out and explore the world that has been hidden to her for so long? The author could have ended the novel this way to show how much of an impact Luo actually had on the LCS. Nobody would have ever guessed that the LCS would change who she was and attempt to leave her country lifestyle. She would be using her beauty to help her get through the western culture as oppose to the Chinese culture.
Another bit of irony is the fact that Luo and the narrator are sent to get "re-educated" or to have the western culture 'erased' from their minds, and yet they still find the western culture through literature and influence the LCS in the process. Once he found the books on Western culture, he even exclaimed that "with these books I shall transform the Little Seamstress. She'll never be a simple mountain girl again." (Sijie 100) Yes, he indeed transformed her, and in a way his plan backfired.

Oh Othello! (test)

Othello is the most tragic hero in the play "Othello." What makes this a tragic vision, is everyone is affected just as much as Othello is, yet he is the one who is naive, easily manipulated, and not trustworthy. His actions and "blindness" causes the downfall of him and everyone else.
Iago's plan is to destroy everybody. His jealousy or "The green eyed monster" (Othello Scene 3) is seen throughout the play, and this jealousy strengthens his resentment for Othello. [Iago speaking]"I will put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgment cannot cure." (Othello). It is Iago's own assumptions and suspicions that causes him to compose a plan for revenge.
Although it is Iago who manipulates Othello, it is Othello's only flaw, his naivety, that kills him and leads to the atrophy of everyone else also. Othello, this powerful warrior, is easily bamboozled by Iago. He would have never imagined that Iago would ambush him.[speaking to Iago]"And, for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty." (Othello Scene 3) Because of his strong trust in Iago, Iago's plan is a success. A reason why everyone is affected as much as Othello is because everyone's strength becomes his or her weakness. It could also be seen as a chain of events. It was their "fate" or a situation that was inevitable. "Who can control this fate? 'tis not so now." (Othello Scene 3) Without Othello being in love with Desdemona, Iago's plan would have never worked. Nor would his plan have worked if Desdemona really wasn't a faithful wife who truly was the victim. Without the web of love and relationships, Iago's plan would have failed. This could be a reason why everyone is affected just as much as Othello: because of the relationships between them all.
There are many themes found in Othello that are also present in other plays. The main one is "blindness." Just like Oedipus in Sophocles play "Oedipus Rex" Othello is also blind to some extent when it comes to everything that is going on around him. "Blindness" causes them both to run into death and devastation of other's. Another important theme that is found throughout Othello and is found in Oedipus Rex is fate. Othello tragedy could be seen as his fate to lead everyone and himself to their doom. Just like Oedipus, his fate also brought about the death of loved ones and disaster for many.
Othello is a tragic hero simply because he is "blinded" by lies. It is love that leads him on to a path of jealousy and rage that at the end destroys everyone.

MWA HA HA!!!

Can a person really be born evil? or is it a matter of their environment? Upbringing? Family? or a horrible combination of three? I personally believe, a person cannot be born evil. Now when I say "born" I mean, popped out the womb with ambitions of threatening all of man-kind, or already had eyes of neon, Halloween, green that robbed you of your sleep. Now that's evil. I do believe, however, that certain kids are mistreated so severely that it causes them to become evil. A good example of this are kids that are abandoned, mistreated, or violated in some way. No, this does not give them a reason to be evil, but it does becomes the fuel for the fire.
If a person is evil, I do believe that they can be "cured." Through a little love (ha ha) and support, a person can be "remade" or "reshaped." Not only that, humans are born with the ability to reason, so with that being said if one was to do something "evil", the thought of it coming back to hunt them will always be on their minds. Not only that, everyone has a heart. No matter how small or even if it's "grinchified". They still at one point have the ability to love and be love.
Usually when evil has been committed, there was stressed, drugs, or insanity involve. There usually is not a case, if any, of someone committing crime while sane and sober. This goes to show that no one can really be evil or really commit any evil, without being something else involve.

L-O, L-O, L-O, L-O...V-E!!

Ah, love. It is blinding, forceful, empowering and mostly everything that has breath yearns for this emotion that can change their lives for the better or for worse. Love is also very complex. You can't see love, hear love, grab out and touch it, but yet you know that it is all around us. The definition of love is different in many textbooks. One website even had 22 definitions for love. Some examples are love as being an intense feeling of affection, an emotion or an emotional state. While others say love is having a great affection or liking for. With so many definitions, love is probably, to some extent, undefinable. Love is one of those words that can wrap up so many emotions at one time. Love can makes someone day, or ruin perfect sunshine for someone. One can fall madly in love, go mad over it, or stay mad for not being in love. (mad=crazy).
So what makes love so complex? It's the fact that one is giving and may not receive in return. Love is the reason why people may never love again, or so they say. Love is the reason so many people strive for world peace and other battles that they may be alone in. The presence of love has ended wars, segregation, ended hate, and brought about new beginnings. Without love, the Civil Rights movement would have been a lot harder to make possible and determining equality for all.
One of my favorite love quotes is "Love takes up where knowledge leaves off".
-Saint Thomas Aquinas. What this simply means is that is doesn't take any special skills to love someone. Some may argue that you can "teach" one to love, or one has to "learn" how to love. In reality, love comes from deep within the heart. One has to let go of all fears and all doubts to truly love someone. That's another thing that makes love so complex. A lot of people aren't willing to risk everything to be in love. One is not ready for the possibility of being hurt.
A reason why Song of Solomon was mostly about love is because everyone can relate to love. Love is a universal feeling that can be easily put into a universal language. Without love, all types of literature, history, even life itself, wouldn't seem to have a purpose.
That is why love is so complex. It can ruin or destroy, bring about peace or chaos, or in some cases, it is that little touch of magic that we all need in our lives. "Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop".
-H. L. Mencken

Teenager?? Who me?

I need privacy! Does anybody understand me? Just forget it...whatever.
These are some of the most spoken sentences of teenagers. It seems as if the world is insane and we are the only ones who have a grip on life. But why is that? We want to grow old so quickly, preferably to reach the tender age of 21. And just maybe be..oh I don't know...."Forever 21" ;) -lol-
One of our biggest problems is not being understood by adults, or the world in general. We are always seen as being party animals, who are reckless and careless. When a lot of the times (not always) we are the complete opposite. Or maybe we are seen that way compared to adults, who rarely have fun in life after age 30. There is a reason why we want to have the latest clothing or listen to the hippest music. It's all about being accepted by your peers. Being seen as normal. The odd ball is not always the coolest person to be seen with. I especially don't like it when adults use the line "well...back in my day". I think that is the most ridiculous line ever made. Each day will never be the same as the last. The years are always changing. If half the adults who spoke those words were given a second chance at being a teenager but in "our" time, they would probably do the same things that we do, if not, worse.
The difficulties that I am still learning to this day, is that I am not always right. I hate it when people don't see things my way. I hate when I am told that I am wrong. Especially when I know for a fact that I am right. But i have come to realize that adults also have this problem too. Accepting facts, accepting the real world, accepting humans, peers, strangers, and adults. These are some of the things that teenagers have problems with in life.

Mi Abuela (my grandmother)

My grandmother is definitely the most influential person in my family. She has been through so much, and has really seen the good, the bad, and has lived through it all. She can be really funny, (or the complete opposite), very sweet, is extremely intelligent, and everything she does makes her unique. A few special moments I remember were spent with my grandmother. She was the one who took me on my first airplane ride, inspired me to take ballet, and also sent me and my brother on this awesome vacation to Florida. This vacation included Sea World, Disney World, snorkeling, and body surfing.
I also admire my grandmother for the main reason that she is always willing to help someone else. A good example of this is when my aunt was trying to light a grill at 7 am in the morning. We were having an afternoon cook out that day. Of course the flames sparked up and slightly burned my aunt. Before she called the police or any other type of help, she called my grandmother!! Now my grandmother is NOT a morning person, but that day you would have never known that. She then instructed her to call the ambulance.
Another strong fact about my grandmother is that she is very religious. I can only hope and pray that I can get to that point in my life. A point where I can totally be stressed free. She never worries about anything because she really believes that in the end, god will see it through. Amazingly, she hasn't had any serious problems in the past 30 or so years. Or so it seems. She also prays for other people whether they be family, friends, or co workers. Miraculously, a lot of her prayers are answered.
Without my grandmother, I don't know where I would be as a person. Honestly, I don't know where my family would be if it wasn't for her always saving us( when she usually warns us in the beginning, there to give the best advice, or there to comfort us when we need it the most. She has given us life skills, words of wisdom, and herself as powerful role model to live by.

To Believe or not to Believe?

At the beginning, I only believed in freewill. I believed that Freewill is all about really taking responsibility and, well..living freely. Knowing that you are in charge of your own actions. But what if that is not always the case? What if there is actually another spirit or presence actually determining some of your personal actions? That's what I believe now.Or at least starting to consider. I now believe that maybe freewill and fate go hand-in-hand. Some things are not explainable. Somethings happen where only fate is the possible answer to. I do know however that one does still have some control over their life. I doubt that fate is that strong! -lol- Another way to look at it is maybe life is like a little pattern. Freewill, fate, freewill, fate, etc. Who knows? Maybe life is completely fate. Who is there to determine what is freewill and what isn't?
Oedipus and Mr. Harold have definitely changed the way I view this world we live in. Oedipus went through a lot! All, which I must say, seemed like pure bad luck or just horrible fate. Harold, on the other hand, was about to die, but his fate was changed. So now the questions is, is fate somewhat "choosy"? I wonder, the time I burned my hand, was that fate? Or how about the thousands of people who loose their homes to fires and other destruction's. Is that fate, too? or are these actually examples of lacking responsibility? Once again, who determines fate? Could it possibly be both a mixture of fate and freewill? Are we really living our life freely.
After glancing back over my life, maybe there is a touch of fate. Maybe what we do freely creates the perfect fate. Maybe this whole fate thing is still a bunch of talk. I can remember numerous occasions where I tried to change the outcome of a situation, and I got the same effect!

Ha!! Fate Shmate!!!

Fate is always nice to think about, wonder about, and even dream about. But at the end, it all boils down to free will. A lot of times, fate is placed under the pseudoscience section. Unlike free will. Free will is free and independent choice or a voluntary decision. We as humans control what we do. Yes, things do randomly happen, some which one has no control over. But for the most part, certain things can be avoided or the situation can possibly have a better turn-out. We cannot always depend on miracles to happen, good luck to roll around, or 'fate' to come in and save us when something like this goes wrong.
One of my favorite quotes that mainly follows up on this idea is "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." by Stephen Leacock. Basically it says, if one works hard, one will succeed more often, than 'pure luck' happening. Only I can control if I want good luck ALL the time. Not only that, I want to be able to know that I control my own actions. Not some unknown force that I know nothing about. I also believe that 'fate' is for those who are afraid or do not want to accept reality and responsibility for whatever the reason. I guess it's easier to blame it on the unknown, than to believe that, we as humans, pretty much determine our own outcome. Personally, I would feel atrocious knowing that my actions, both good and bad, were not controlled by me. Considering the fact that one's actions always affects someone or something around them. At the end of the day, free will is all about personal choices(no puppet strings attached. Now whether one makes the best choice is totally up to oneself!

Hello, my name is JOE.

In the new generation, which would one choose: CRAZY fame, with an early death, or the life of an average joe, but you live for a very long time? I for one would choose an average Joe. So many good things come with old age. Wisdom, change, love and knowing who you really are in the world. Life is not meant to be short, if one can help it of course. Life is meant to be experienced. To grow old and be able to tell your story of the world. Living a long life shows that you made it through everything. The sadness and laughter, the ups and downs, the good times and the bad. Not only that, you will live life being around people that you love, and they also love you in return. You can't enjoy money or fame when your dead. Since it seems that an average joe can be rich in so many other ways, living a long life is worth more than all the money in the world.

"A little magic goes a long way."

Harry Wormwood: Any packages come today?
Matilda: Mm-mm.
Harry Wormwood: [noticing her books] Where'd all this come from?
Matilda: The library.
Harry Wormwood: The library? You've never set foot in a library. You're only four years old.
Matilda: Six-and-a-half.
Harry Wormwood: You're four!
Matilda: Six-and-a-half!
Harry Wormwood: If you were six-and-a-half, you'd be in school already.
Matilda: I want to be in school. I told you I was supposed to start school in September. You wouldn't listen.
Harry Wormwood: Dearest pie, how old is Matilda?
Zinnia Wormwood: Four.
Matilda: I'm six-and-a-half, mommy!
Zinnia Wormwood: Five, then!
Matilda: I was six in August.
Harry Wormwood: You're a liar. School? It's out of the question. Who would be here to sign for the packages? We can't leave valuable packages sitting out on the doorstep. Now go watch TV like a good kid. [Matilda leaves]
Zinnia Wormwood: You know, sometimes I think there's something wrong with that girl.
Harry Wormwood: Hmph, tell me about it.
In 1996, a movie aired that had everything I loved. Magic, girl genius, drama, tricks, humor, and touching moments. This movie was Matilda. This movie had everything and still followed a real life story line. I could watch this movie any time growing up. Even til this day, I can recite the words, and sing all the songs. I think the main reason I liked this movie because it was like me in so many ways. She was a young girl who loved to read. She escaped her world through books. She switched schools, and had to meet new friends all over again. She was smart and witty. The only difference between me and her was she had discovered her magic powers. I was,and still am,looking for mine.

Western vs. Eastern Mentality

From the quote on p. 77 Siddhartha, we as Westerners, spend to much time apologizing for our actions when we always seem to learn from them. For example, in the western culture, once you make a mistake in life it could change your life forever. Your life is no longer seen as being "perfect" to you. However, in eastern culture, your life is different and unique therefore, it IS perfect. Mistakes are supposed to happen. Also, we again as westerners,spend to much time worrying about death,trying to avoid death, and sometimes even fear death, when every single life bears it, or so we believe. But as for eastern cultures, death is not feared so much if at all. To them life is a continuous cycle. One will be born again.

Measure in Smiles!!

High School is a completely different atmosphere compared to elementary and middle school. Amongst the girly gossip, ruined friendships, and endless assignments, how does one find peace and tranquility? The answer is through a smile. "A smile can warm three cold months." -Chinese Proverb
In today's high schools, teens do not smile enough. While walking through the halls of my high school, I greeted (with a smile) a total of 25 people. All 25 people did respond, however, only 11 people responded with a SMILE! Talk about un-happy people! Maybe it could have been a bad day, or maybe my smile just isn't bright enough. Whatever the case may be, just remember, it takes 13 muscles to smile :) , and 47 muscles to frown :(

King of Pop! - A tru icon

Born August 29,1958 in Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson is truly a world known icon. He first represents the idea of anything being possible if you work hard. With his father working at a steel mill, Michael's life was far from glamorous. But with his talent, and the help of his siblings, he became one of the most successful artist of our time. He Influenced a wide range of generation artists such as Justin Timberlake, Boys groups like B2K, and B5, Madonna, Chris Brown, Prince, and even his own sister Janet! . He also changed the music industry and paved the road for pop artists for many years to come. Michael donated a little over a million dollars throughout the years to several organizations including the United Negro College Fund, Make a Wish Foundation,and the Katrina Victims. Even as the years goes on, one could say Michael Jackson is still very similar to the Japanese Proverb "A garden is never finished". He still continues to work hard and has plans on recording a new album. He has proven that success is not really a destination, but more like a journey.

Everyday

"What are you thinking? Doing the things you do,
what are you wanting? Cause All I want is you
to see,
Everything you are
to me
And how you and I
could be
Every dream come true.....
-Jesse Daniels~"Everyday"

The first time I heard this song, I was actually half asleep. It came on star94 "Sunrise" which plays inspirational music every Sunday morning from 6am-10am. After hearing this song, I was blown away by not only the words, but the meaning. One of the people that Mrs. Jesse Daniels is actually singing to is GOD!! You didn't know that, huh? Yes, Daniels is under the Contemporary Christian list. And the second person? the non-believers or the 'dying in faith' . From the first verse you wouldn't know that, but once you hear the song, you realize she is saying, "I will help you believe in him [god] because he already believes in you". From her words in this song, It gave me the strength to believe even when things are not going so well in life. The strange part is, this song came on when I was going through a hard time in my life. Can anyone say miracle? I of course, purchased this CD. How could I not? I recommend you get it too!

A New Sound????

Ever heard the saying "fashions repeats itself?" Well, I believe that saying can also be applied to music. To me, music is flawless and fits in with any, and every lifestyle. "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach." In this new music generation, there are several present day artist that are greatly influenced to the point where the song or beat barely change. Confusing, eh? Instead of naming every single present day artist who has "sampled" off other artists, I will just name a few:



In 2005, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot produced a hit single called "Loose Control." That song went platinum five times!(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lose_Control_(Missy_Elliott_song) Congratulations Missy, she was always so original....right? Wrong! In 1983, this old school group from Detroit had the exact same beat and an artist name Les Rythmes Digitales had similar words. What was the difference between her song and theirs? A guy name Fat Man Scoop.( If you don't know who he is , he is a very successful hype-man or another version of FLAVOR FLAAAAV!!!!)



Still not convinced? In 1985, Cyndi Lauper sang the song "Time after Time," only for it to be reinvented by DJSammy in 2002(?) Just when you thought it was over, a new Boys Band takes the song, and molds it until it becomes Rock Alternative.



Last but not least, my two favorites. Britney Spears and JOJO. Both of these talented artist produced two hits(one apiece) that used exact words, exact beats, and exact styles. The only thing altered was the singer itself. Britney Spears' song "Beat goes on" was originally sung by Sonny and Cher in 1967 and JoJo's song "Weak" was originally sung by the group SWV in 1983. ( Do not confuse this song with the "Weak" remix also by SWV but mixed with the Michael Jackson beat Human Nature) Both songs were beautifully sung, yet not originally their work.



Is music loosing it's style of originality? Does the new music generation not have the ability to create new sounds? Or are we just trying to always remember the past by 'updating' older music with an added twist?