Blog 12 November 28

Weather Importance

As I have been reading and working on the final project focused on Power, I have been wondering, why did Hogan begin with a hurricane. She began an interesting story with destruction. In my opinion, the story began with plenty of reality, meaning Omishto's tribe is dwindling, she also holds a big secret with her sister and a hurricane roars through. I thought the story would be more focused on the panther, but as we have read it has been killed. I think the panther is the cover up like most books hold. We are given a main point, but there's something deeper below similar to Fossil Road. What is the point? 

I believe Hogan was trying to relate every happening to the theme of destruction. Omishto's tribe is dying out as well as the panther. Additionally, Methuselah was destroyed by the hurricane as well as other wild life. We are learning that anything old starts to move on. For instance, Ama has not fought regarding her trial. I believe Hogan is inferring all things will end, but possibly not inside us. Physically, things are moving on, but we will always have a piece of identity through our time. The importance of the hurricane is that it relates to the Taiga tribe. Slowly, things are fading away. Florida or the tribe will sink below the earth. 

Reflection

Previously in high school, I would be given a reading assignment and then quizzed on the reading. Differently, through my blog, I was able to reflect and analyze the material in my own way based off the prompt. Instead of having to remember small details, I was able to think deeper without a worry regarding what color something was. Through the blog, I have started a learning base for analyzing and writing.

            Before each Tuesday, I would finish the reading and look to where to start my blog. From there I would start to rethink what I had read. Beginning the blogging process, I was too worried of summarizing my thoughts, so it wouldn’t be longer than a paragraph or too. For example, I am dissatisfied with my first work. http://thelifeandtimesofmairekate.blogspot.com/2016/08/significant-place.html It was the first blog and I lacked evidence and detail. I feel that it was too short for what was needed to start a relationship and show my potential. Because of the disappointment of my work, I wanted to do better. Moving forward, I compare my next blog. http://thelifeandtimesofmairekate.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-letterclose-reading.html

Before entering HUST, I don’t think I was very familiar with the process of close reading. In some way, I probably was taught something similar to the practice, but I did not attain the skill. From reading the second blog, it can be seen that I was writing as I followed the steps. I enjoy my second blog regarding Mary Cassatt’s painting of the Japanese woman. I feel I dug deep into my thoughts regarding the piece. I looked at the detail of the woman’s hair along with her letter. I wrote of the possible judgement she would receive from writing, so she is sealing it away, to not be seen by many. The second blog helped me begin the HUST process of thinking in regards to women and their place through history. As stated, I practiced close reading, which would carry throughout the class and most likely latter on.

Additionally, my fourth blog http://thelifeandtimesofmairekate.blogspot.com/2016/09/note-to-self.html is something I will like to carry with me through college and beyond. It was the start of our personal memoir unit. I considered the process difficult because it is a vulnerable process as well as I had never thought I would have something to offer. I learned that I did and do have something to offer. I consider my blog a place where classmates can learn as well as I can learn. It’s a place of reflection. I believe my fourth blog can be thoughtful to a child if worded in their regards. In relation to blog four, my fifth blog discussing Persepolis relates to identity, which can be found in our blogs. http://thelifeandtimesofmairekate.blogspot.com/2016/10/persepolis.html I found the blog to be very expressive, which is effective after reading or class. We are putting our ideas out there, which tend to have meaning to us. I have enjoyed learning new ideas and ways of processing through the blog and reading other blogs. It helps me to think deeper or to analyze the stories better. It doesn’t leave me so one sided. Even though, I found the blog to be very expressive, I definitely struggled getting my points across. I just left things hanging, in my opinion. http://thelifeandtimesofmairekate.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-thing-around-your-neck.html I find this posting to be weak. I feel it lacks detail or my full thought. This problem is evident in my bigger writings. It’s very bland rereading the post. I wish I would have had more energy in writing and being able to get my point across.

In review, I believe I have expanded my thought process and ways of writing. I think I have been able to attain a process of analyzing and reflecting. As said, I will need to improve on putting my evidence in relation to my ideas. All in all, I have begun my college writing career and hope I will continue to learn from myself and pears.

Extra Credit

Post-Election for Holidays

Most likely many citizens are confused and drained from the election. I used to catch myself thinking how the United States wanted the two candidates. All in all, the American people voted and Mr. Trump will be the President come January. Unfortunately, the election and result has caused a divide. Sadly, the divides have come up around campus as well as will most likely come up during dinner when we come home from break. In President Cervelli's words, "Where is the silver lining?". 

There is nothing I despise more than pain and anger between others. It makes things awkward and sad. We have let politics and a choice come between loved ones. I think our best shot at a silver lining is being truthful and respectful; it will reflect onto others, which can influence others to do the same. From the panel of beautiful speakers, it reminded me of what I learned in my Communications course. By being angry and judging, one will put up barriers between others. It will cause more suffering around us. We should look at differences as a way to learn and create bonds. When we encounter a disagreement, we should begin to listen without judgement or wanting to jump in and speak. One needs to let the other talk and express their emotions. Let the other know he/she is being heard. 

Additionally, conversations do not need to be arguments, especially when it is regarding politics. The conversation needs to be productive and inviting. Joining a conversation with different opinions doesn't mean you need to abandon your views, but let your views possibly be expanded. We all have probably been suffering a little from the election, so we must remember that we're all together. We all want to be valued, so engage in conversation around the dinner table this holiday season with compassion. Others will see and hopefully do the same. 

November 21

Panther Part II

Previously, I mentioned Ama's panther; I had predicted we will learn about her and the Taiga traditions as we encounter the panther. Since last class, we have met the panther. Along side Omishto, we are introduced to the panther, but suddenly Ama kills the creature (Hogan 65). How can one kill such a beautiful being? After, being with the dead panther the duo picks up to go home. We soon are introduced to Diane Soto and Omishto's family. How did all find out of the killing? Did the town know like the forrest did right after Ama shot the panther or did Diane Soto? 

Ama and Omishto understand the grand event that just occurred. They killed an endangered animal. Omishto is uncomfortable, "I don't feel right in the midst of this stillness and death, and Ama knows it...I look at the sky and I am sorry to be a human" (Hogan 66). Before the hunt, I was intrigued how their traditions believed they were an animal as well as human. They were connected to another being or way of life. Stated before, Ama was a part of the panther. It makes me wonder thinking on my previous blog if Ama has forgotten her beliefs. I don't want to believe so, but why would she kill a part of herself? After the kill, Ama speaks with her friend, the panther, even though she just murdered the creature. In her defense, the creature was starving and old, but she threw away her beliefs of being connected to the Earth. 

Omishto narrates, "it seems it is the whole world that has fallen...it has fallen, this poisoned, cut world. It has fallen in a way that means this place is taken down a notch...And betrayed" (Hogan84-85). This narration Omishto speaks of lets readers reflect on what has transpired. In my opinion, we were introduced to a divided world between old and new traditions. This section has transpired into an equal level of destruction among all. Reflecting on today, do we hold any old practices? I believe we can hold onto valued traditions, for example, religion or cultural cookings; I do find it to be difficult to be swept up into modernism. It's exciting and new, which intrigues people. In relation to Power I'm baffled that Ama could destroy a creature she shared things with. She was relaxed when the police arrived. 

With the arrival of the police, it makes me wonder how they found out about the act. Who else is living among the deep trees and vines? Diane Soto was seen by Donna and Mama and Soto was said to have made a phone call. I think it's peculiar that a woman who has lived far away from town has made an adventure to town to call. Abraham Swallow was killed by an unknown force. I don't want to make any assumptions, but I'm curious of what we will learn of the Taiga land that is starting to disappear. What are the powers the tribe holds? 

Power

The Idea of New vs Old

In Translations, Yolland and Lancey have come to Ireland in regards of changing it from old Irish, Gaelic, to English. Similarly, I see a relation to Ama's and Omishto's mother's differences in old and new ways. Ama follows the values of the Taigas unlike Omishto' mother. 

In general, the community is being pushed around by the modernizing world surrounding the Taiga land. Their water is contaminated and overlaid by cement paths that houses extinct animals underneath, "Fossil Road" (Hogan 5).  Alike, the English soldiers come to Ballybeg to change the names of the areas as well as to bring the English language to the citizens. Both communities are being directed by an outside source that has no connection the communities. Per usual, there are some citizens that are indifferent regarding the changes while some like to hold onto old traditions or dislike the ordering from someone else. Alma holds onto old traditions while Omishto's mother would move on from the Taiga values. 

Specifically, Ama is far from the fast moving world, "kerosene light shines out from Ama's windows...it's the kind of light that makes you think that Ama, like the rivers, dropped out of time"(Hogan 8). She stands not running from the powers of the bigger force. She lives among animals and nature that are starting points of stories that she speaks of. She speaks calmly of history as well as the land around her. Ama embraces the panther that roams the area and is an elder to their clan

Differently, Mother wants to embrace both the old traditions and the modern ones because she lacks "grace and heart" while Ama carries love for her traditions and beliefs (Hogan 15-16). In relation to Ama, "Mama's made her choices and they are different"(Hogan 16). I believe mother can relate to Owen who sits between both sides. They both are wanting to find a happy medium. As well, Mother can be similar to Maire who are willing to flee away from their homeland for something modern. 

Ama is rare among the community and modernizing world. She stays away from the changing ways and embodies the landscape around her that is filled with history of her tribe. She lacks material things, but carries something that the world doesn't. She is not worried or troubled by the changes unlike Manus is in Translations. In my opinion, Ama can be related to Hugh who understands the changes, but stands by their practices.

Together both literary works contain themes of progressing worlds with an outside force. As said, some with follow as some will stick to their values and traditions. I think we will see this progress as we meet Ama's panther. 

Blog 9- Translations

Do Maire and Yolland truly love each other? 
Does love exist with only sight and no communication? 

In class, we discussed the idea of love at first sight. In Translations, Maire and Yolland form this sort of relationship as they are divided by languages and countries. Regarding Maire and Yolland's relationship, I think it would be quite hard for them to be truly in love. Mentioned in class, both are intrigued by the idea of love, which they lacked. Both were in search of freedom, which lead them to find a sense of freedom in each other. I think this feeling would boil over and they would come to terms there is too much that hinders their relationship. Both their countries are not fond of one another as well as the citizens don't care for either culture. Their feelings towards each other would hurt and divide their family and friends; they would only have one another. By it only being the duo, it would mean they would have to let go of things. Most importantly, they didn't understand each other. All they shared was touch and a liking of their voices, which is common because it is not normal to them. Soon their language and barrier of communication would grow old.  In my opinion, I predicted them growing bored of the idea or feelings they carried.

In comparison, I think it is possible for some to find love at first sight. It is rather rare and I think this idea is fairly died out. Today things are too complicated. I believe the idea of love at first sight was possible a while ago before advanced technology. There are too many distractions today. Additionally, life is much easier today, which adds to the lack of respect. I believe older folks tend to have more respect because they have been through more that brought them understanding and compassion. Today, children get a good majority of what they want. I think it would be hard for someone to find what they want just by sight. I think it possible to be attracted to someone and then find out the two are a great match. But it's much more difficult with the lack of compassion.

Finally, including both the play and today, in any relaitonship there needs to be communication. It takes conversation to find common ground and true feelings that could last a life time. Through communication, I believe, can park a light in someone towards another and with time the light can grow deeper. Sight can help ignite passion, but love is too strong to be based off a look. It is rather lucky to have sight lead to love forever.

Map

I wanted to stick with the idea of old maps, so I decided to search until I found one that was interesting. I found this map of early North America or what was thought as the world. At the very top of the map, the green represents Antartica or Arctique stated on the map. Flowing south the map states the tan area to be France as well as to the left of France, it is said to be Canada. The pink represents Florida or Floride. To the left in green is Mexico. Comparing from today, we know this is very underdeveloped. In my opinion, this map is of French Exploration. I think this because Spain was the first country to send explorers to find other land or Asia. They probably landed near Florida or Mexico and thought they had sailed the world. Additionally, I think it was French due to the French language on the map. Based on pass experience, I think explorers developed maps as they went, meaning as they kept finding land and people. I'm sure they meet natives to help them with names of the area. Additionally, I think as the explorers traveled they would mark the land quality. 

For the country of France and many other countries, I expect the leaders of France wanted the explorers to find land for France to take control of as well as to find goods to take advantage of. They would need to make maps for their leaders in France. They needed to be exact with ports and streams. As well, they need to show all the land that adds to the area. To conclude, I think the map represents the development and ambition of France. They wanted to sail the world and they needed to map it.