GIRL IN TRANSLATION #2

     "Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok is a great book, because it touches on so many topics. One inspirational topic was Kim rising form her class. Kimberly lived in an apartment without heat, filled with roaches. She slept on stuffing her mother found in the garbage of a toy factory. She wore homemade clothes. Despite all of her tribulations, Kimberly rose from her position and became a doctor, savingher mother and later her son.

        Kimberly was a superb math student in elementary school even though she barely spoke English. She gained entry into an expensive and ritzy private school. At school, Kim wasn't a poor factory worker's daughter- she was a top student people admired. Although Kim worked in front of an oven because of the lack of heat, she excelled in her schoolwork, and got into Yale.
       
        Kimberly is inspirational because she didn't settle with her current position. Many people think where they are in life is okay, and don't try to reach for higher heights. They feel that they way they live is simply okay, and don't shoot for the top. Often times, my dad encourages me to be the best, because he doesn't want me to settle for second or third. Although it may hurt me, its a good philosophy, aim for the TOP. I remember reading something that said that you should aim for the stars, because even if you miss, you're already in space. Kimberly's story, although fictional is a lesson to all, to aim for the highest heights despite our pasts, despite our issues, because that's the only way we can overcome.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
    
          Kimberly Chang came from Hong Kong to the United States with her mother. Her aunt was already in the U.S., married with two sons. Kimberly and her mother lived in an apartment filled with rats and roaches and had no heat. Her mother worked in a factory where Kimberly also worked after school illegally. Despite her limited English, Kim gained a full scholarship to a prestigous private school. She later went to Yale and Harvard and became a doctor.
           I think Kim came of age when she realized that her mother was dependent on her to get them out of their situation. Mrs. Chang barely spoke English, so she couldn't try to get another job. She was stuck in the factory, stuck in the apartment, and stuck in the "well" she called it. If Kimberly succeeded, they wouldn't have to live off of an illegal salary. Kimberly made this discovery when she realized that her aunt was doing nothing tohelp them get out of the apartment. Jean Kwok demonstrated the mental blow it must've been for Kimberly when her aunt was angry that she got into Harrison Prep: "You're going to Harrison Prep? The two of you did this behind my back?". Her jealousy and anger became even more apparent when Kim got accepted to Yale: "You cannot go to Yeah-loo (the Cantonese prononciation of Yale)! I do not allow it!"
             If Kimberly lost sight of her goal, to escape her status, she may not have been able to change the way she and her mother lived. Kim showed her independence by finding a decent home for her mother, and by standing up to her selfish aunt. Kimberly was now a woman, because she was capable of taking matters into her own hands. She showed her maturity by taking a bad situation and turning it into a good one. This is something we all need to learn, whether or not we're in Yale, or poor- we're all capable of changing our situations. Kimberly didn't accept poverty, she fought against it, and she was victorious.

Spring Break HW

#1
I really enjoyed Jamila's blog post about Much Ado About Nothing. I liked how she described what she liked in the details. Usually we overlook little things like lighting and music it was interesting how she noticed this (then again, she and I talked about it while we were watching it). I also enjoyed how Jamila said that Much Ado About Nothing made her feel differently about Shakespeare's plays. I felt the same way; the play felt like a modern movie and less like something old and dull. I liked Joyce's bog comparing Gale and Peeta in the Hunger Games. I liked it because I read the series, and put myself in Katniss' shoes, wondering who I would choose. I like how she pointed out Gale's flaws, which supported why she thought Peeta would be a better person to choose (in case you don't know, Katniss was a girl who grew up with Gale, and became friends with Peeta. Both were in love with her.)

#2
The student copied and pasted the information they got instead of quoting it and stating the title.

Memories may surface with the dark shades and bright bursts of color according to "A Brief Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings'.

Plagiarizing can be avoided my citing information, NOT BEING LAZY, and paraphrasing.

#3

          The article "New York Teacher Ratings Renew Evaluation Debate" by Beth Fertig stated that many NYC public teachers felt that they were unfairly evaluated. Teachers are graded based upon the amount of progress their students have.  I agree that this system is unfair because students may maintain high grades. The grading system is often inaccurate.
          Many students maintain high grades, and have little progress in a class as a result. A teacher who has many students in this situation could be reflected as a poor teacher because their students stayed within the same range. One teacher, Nicole Weingard, was put in the lowest 20% of teachers while the majority of her class passed state exams. There was little progress in her students' grades, because it was an honors class with high performing students. Weingard was angry with her rating when she said: "I was very upset about the rating, I don't think it reflects any way, shape and form how I am as a teacher. I've been teaching for eight years. I can probably count on one hand how many of my students didn't perform well."
        The teacher evaluation system is often inaccurate. Margins of error are often as large as 50%. A citiwide poll found that only 20% of parents trusted the results of the teacher ratings. New York City knows that these are often widely off the margin.
         As stated, I feel that the teacher evaluation system is unfair. Its unfair because it is mainly based on student progress, and because it is often inaccurate.
        

 

     After reading Scene 3, I came to the conclusion that Juliet has a very distant relationship with her parents. Juliet's father said that his daughter would be given two years to marry Paris yet after Tybalt's death, he gave her three days. Most parents would probably try to let their children mature before forcing them into marriage, whether or not the suitor was an earl. I understand how angry Juliet might have been in this situation. She trusted that her father would let her wait, and suddenly she was betrothed.
      Instead Juliet's point, Capulet said that she was "baggage" (a worthless woman). He continued to insult her and described her as a curse to his wife. He commented on her pale skin, and said how she was worthless for denying marriage to a "worthy" man. Had Juliet and her parents been close, Capulet may have apologized, and given her more time.
       I understand why Capulet may have felt this way. He probably wanted his only heir secure with a husband. He knew that she was hurt,but probably wanted the best for her despite her feelings at the moment. Maybe things would've been better if Juliet gave up Romeo, and trusted her parents in marriage to Paris- as the Nurse recommended.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

        Sarah's Key was probably the most heartbreaking book I've ever read. I was near tears in this book, where it jumped from a Jewish girl in France during the Holocaust to a modern American living in France. Sarah's family was arrested along with many other Jews in Paris by the French police. She locked her four year old brother in a cupboard to keep him safe, assuming she and her family were coming home soon. Sarah and her family were separated in a village on their way to Auschwitz, a concentration camp. Sarah got away from the village with a friend, and the help of a kind police officer. They got to the home of an old couple who realized Sarah's friend, Rachel was sick. They called a doctor, who reported the Jew to Germans. She was taken away, but Sarah remained hidden. She got back to her family's apartment to find her brother Michel's dead body in the cupboard. Years later, Sarah killed herself.
         Tatiana de Rosnay did an excellent job of demonstrating the emotions in this book. I felt pain when Michel's body was found, and hope that he'd miraculously been saved, or survived. I worried when Rachel showed signs of illness. This took the job of a good author. It isn't easy to show the anguish, love, and pain a character feels, but Tatiana de Rosnay did it.
        Sarah's Key also made me THINK. I was confused as to why RELIGION was a reason for innocent children to have their lives ruined. Sarah was the only survivor in the family. The fact that Michel died as a result of one evil man's deed added to my hate of Hitler. I related to Sarah even more because I have a brother who I'm very close to. Sarah must've carried the guilt of her action until the day she purposely drove into a tree.

Romeo & Juliet- Nurse

          My favorite character in Romeo and Juliet is the Nurse. Although she (I'm assuming) was paid to take care of Juliet, she loved her with the fierceness of a birth mother. She wanted the best for her. This was shown when she encouraged Juliet to wed Paris. She expressed that she'd be secure as the wife of a wealthy, powerful man who sought her out. She probably knew Juliet might've been reluctant in marrying Paris, being that he was older than her yet, the Nurse sought for the best for Juliet, even if her own emotions at the time didn't agree.
          Even Lady Capulet realized how important and influential the Nurse was to Juliet. When she spoke to her daughter of Paris' proposal,  "This is the matter- Nurse, give leave awhile. We must talk in secret. - Nurse come back again." (1.2 Lines 8 and 9). Lady Capulet intended to shut the Nurse out of the discussion, but after seeing that the Nurse was necesarry because of her connection to Juliet, she called her back.
         The Nurse's relationship with Juliet was similar to Aibileen's relationship with Mae Mobley in "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Aibileen was employed as a maid and nanny, but she still loved her. Mae Mobley said that Aibileen was her actual mother at one point. The Nurse was close to Juliet, even though they weren't related. They loved and care for one another, and the Nurse wanted Juliet to be happy and taken care of.

Dear Billybob,

       Reading Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is quite interesting. I've learned a lot about the culture of the characters and the society they lived in. At the time, two feuding, wealthy families, the Montagues and the Capulets, lived in Verona, Italy. At the time, Romeo Montague was suffering from heartbreak because the woman he was in love with wanted to remain chaste, and didn't want to have any relationships.
        The characters are very dramatic. Romeo locked himself in a dark room all day because the person he loved didn't love him. I understand that he might have been hurt, even devastated, but his behavior was extremely odd he spoke to Benvolio, his cousin of how he felt like "a lead feather". This shows that he was in agony, because he used these two contradicting terms to describe how he was feeling.
         The people of this time and place seem very violent. A servant of the Capulet family spoke of how he wanted to rape and kill Capulet maidens. They have an odd sense of loyalty to their households. I guess at the time, one's family was most important; but murder in the name of your household is foolish in my opinion. Instead of showing how strong the Capulets are, they seem weak. I see weakness in them because rather than tolerating those they dislike (which can take a LOT of strength) they want to let go of their anger. Sampson, a Capulet servant, seemed to demonstrate his lack of control in the beginning of Scene 1. He seemed like the type to kill many people in a fit of rage, rather than controlling his negative emotions.
         The language of the book is a bit confusing, but I understand the focus of each character's line. The Old-English, when explained, makes a lot of sense.

If I Should Have a Daughter by Sarah Kay Response

This poem is meaningful and touching, in a personal way. It shows the poet’s connection to this future daughter, and her connection to the circumstances life throws. Her poem is personal, but can be applied to everyone, mother, daughter, father, son. I believe this poem shows how the poet will forever stand behind her daughter, making sure she’s okay, instructing her, and leading her.

One line that really struck me was “And when they finally hand you heartache, when they slip war and hatred under your door and offer you handouts on street-corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother.” This was interesting because you usually don’t think of your mom as someone who is willing to fight hardship and struggle to keep you intact. Mothers protect their young in every species in some way, whether it’s by carrying them in their wombs, or feeding them. This line speaks, because even in someone’s worst moment, in the midst of shame and sorrow, mothers are forgiving and present, arms wide open for their fallen children.

I think Sarah Kay wants her to learn that life can knock you down, but it’s necessary to get up. In one line, she says that life will knock you down, wait for you to get up, and hit you even harder. This makes me think about mothers who see their children suffer. I can only imagine the hurt a mom goes through when her child is sentenced, or in the hospital. I don’t think I can understand how painful it must be for a parent to see their child fail. I’ve noticed that when one of us (my siblings or I) does badly in something, my parents get angry. I’d expect frustration, but they seem genuinely mad. Maybe it’s because we’re the children money went into for so many things. Maybe it’s because my parents spent so long teaching us to walk, speak and read. Maybe it’s because they feel as if their child is still connected to them; when a child fails, the parents have failed too.

This poem reminds me of a book I read, “Dreams of Joy” by Lisa See. In it, the main character’s daughter ran away from home to Communist China after learning that she had grown up believing her aunt was her mother, and her husband was her father. Her family constantly told her that the People’s Republic of China wasn’t what she thought it was. Sadly, with her stubborn beliefs, she left home. She ended up marrying a peasant who mistreated her, having a child, and nearly starving to death. In the midst of all of this, her mother came to China, where she might never get out, to save her daughter. This kind of love is found in the poem. Sarah Kay says that her daughter will call her Point B, because she can always find her way to her mom. Instead, a loving mom followed her daughter into a dangerous situation to ensure her safety.

 

 

        

          

Sonnet

No Day Is Guaranteed by Brooke Samerson

So many people die in just one day.

You thought that it’d be like that forever.

Like water in your hand, they slip away.

You’re shaken and stirred, like a swift tremor.

A lot of people do not love their lives.

They think that every day is guaranteed.

They don’t worry they’ll lose a friend, a wife.

It’s no wonder few think about their deeds.

Who would’ve thought their father would die?

They didn’t think Mom could never come home.

Death seems so distant, it seems like a lie.

They do not think they’ll ever be alone.

That is why I try to embrace each day.

‘Cause who knows when it’ll be taken away?

Poems

Without Hope (written in the point of view of Frida Kahlo)

Death is looming above my head

As tears cloud my eyes.

The sun burns its print upon my cheek.

Around me sit green fields, taunting me.

I'd love to be refreshed by a cool breeze,

But I'm trapped in my illness.

Even if I was freed,

My body is far too weak.

They torture me, saying I'll be better.

But I know its not true,

I'm stuck.

Death is looming above my head

As tears cloud my eyes.

The smell of rotting meat taints my breath.

Around me sit white sheets,

But all I see is gray.

I'd love to run among the fields I call home,

But I'm locked in my dispair.

What is Poetry?

Poetry is

A song, written.

A letter, sent.

A story, told.

Poetry is

A movie, watched.

A painting, made.

A dance, chereographed.

Poetry is a life, lived.

Joy

What Happens to Joy Deferred?

Does it wither, like a weed?

Or does it sit, like an unplanted seed?

Does it melt, like a sweet?

Or does it stink, like rotting meat?

Does it poke, and pester?

Or does it become a sore, and fester?

Does it sink, like a stone?

Or does it sit like an old photo, left alone?

Sin Esperanza (Without Hope) by Frida Kahlo

Sin Esperanza (Without Hope) By Frida Kahlo (1945)

         "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," says a famous adage that has inspired many people who've struggled. In Frida's case, what doesn't kill you inspires you. Frida endured a lot of physical hardships in her lifetime. When she was five years old, she got polio. She was often sickly, and died in her 40's. Even in the midst of pain, she succeeded in making beautiful art. Once when Frida was seriously ill, she had to be fed strained foods because she had no appetite. She painted how she felt on this in her painting, Sin Esperanza.         

        The painting has an unusual texture, with an almost scratchy look. It shows Frida Kahlo laying in bed, crying, with a ladder that holds meat, fruits, vegetables, a cat, and a skull. A tube connected to those things went into her mouth. Around this scene are grass and mountains, with the sun and moon in the sky.

         Some have described this as scary, disturbing, even; I can see why. To me, it shows struggle. So many people go through things in their lives that forever haunt them. They may be ashamed or afraid to let them out. Frida painted how she felt. She displayed the torturous feeling of being force-fed.  Maybe this was meant for her to connect to alone. She seems almost trapped beneath her sheets, maybe by her weakness. Its kind of odd that she painted a pleasant scene around her, because she was most likely spending her sick days inside. Perhaps she wanted to be free of her illness. This painting gives me a liberating feeling, because I've been weak while I was sick, and all I wanted to do was feel the freedom of being healthy.

Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

       I recently completed Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. The main character Sophie lived in Haiti with her aunt and grandmother. Sophie's mother lived in New York. Sophie was conceived after her mother was raped. When she was 12, she got a ticket to go to the United States.
        Being Sophie must have been hard, knowing that your mother suffered because of you, knowing that you weren't wanted. Sophie's mother drank poison to abort her and even tried to kill herself, but it didn't work.In the book, Sophie's mother said that she "didn't want to die". This persistence to thrive is evident throughout the book.
         Sophie did well in school, and he mother wanted her to be a doctor. She met a man and after failing her mother's "virgin tests" she was kicked out- sent to live with him. Sophie became a secretary, and married Joseph, the man. Sophie had a daughter, despite her being without her mother.
         Sophie's mother became pregnant again, and ended up taking her own life. This was later in the book but it was the most climactic point in it. Sophie was forever a mistake, and even though she was loved, she must've known this. I don't think I could continue to try to succeed knowing that I wasn't wanted. Sophie thrived, despite all of the problems that surrounded her, which is really inspiring.
         This reminds me of Girl in Translation, where the main character was a poor immigrant, but ended up becoming a doctor, and saving her family from an unsafe lifestyle.

Before We Were Free

         I've always loved Julia Alvarez's book because it showed me how hard it is to keep hope in times of struggle. The main character, Anita, lived in the Dominican Republic, where a dictator ruled in the 1960's. Anita's father was involved in the murder of the dictator, and Anita and she mother had to go into hiding.
         Anita's brother was hidden in the embassy, her father and uncle were in prison, most likely dead. Anita's sister had to go to the United States after the elderly dictator tried to court her. Anita and her mother hid in a closet in a friend's bedroom. Anita was only 12, and I don't know how I would have handled that. One man ruined her life. The reality she once knew was only in her memory. Throughout the day, she found satisfaction in writing in her diary and reading books reccommended by the friend's son, who she liked.
         Anita didn't know if she'd live; the chances weren't likely. At any moment, the secret police could've raided the house and discovered her and her mom. Surprisingly, Anita made it from day to day. When a small problem arises in my life, I panic, acting as if the world will end because of my miniscule issue. Anita's family was falling apart, but she didn't allow her sanity to. In the book you can see that she struggled to stay sane, as I'm sure anyone would. She faced her problems with optimism, and in the end, she won.
        

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

        I think the author of Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers, does a good job of conveying that people often fear love. This almost chilling topic was showed through the main character, Angel.
        Angel was born outside of wedlock, her father a married man. During her childhood, she heard her father say that he had wanted her aborted. Her mother died, and she was given to a man who raped her. She ran away and became a prostitute in 1850'S Gold Country. A man saw her, and married her after saving her life.
           Angel was afraid to love after all she'd been through. Angel didn't want to befriend a neighbor family, afraid they'd leave. She was afraid to love because she was afraid of getting hurt. In her opinion, everyone she loved and trusted seemed to die or leave. I don't blame Angel for her tendency to avoid love. Duke, the man who raped her said, "Love is a trap, Angel." (52%).
           Often in life, we avoid people who are kind to us. We avoid kind people- why? Because we're like Angel, afraid of getting hurt. Angel didn't want to love her husband, she didn't want to love her friend, or her neighbors. Sometimes we do this indirectly, by avoiding a particularly kind person. We let our stereotypes and prejudices cloud our vision of a person. Angel, from past experiences, was convinced that men were evil, out to use her. Her husband LOVED her. I can admit that sometimes, when someone is trying to help me, I avoid them, and I don't even know why.
            Angel later discovered that love wasn't what she'd been taught in her sad life. She saw that love meant trust. She had to trust that those she loved would treat her well, and not lean on her own convictions.
     
       

EC Blog

Life As We Knew It  by Susan Pfeffer

This book is absolutely thrilling, and very scary. Miranda, the main character, lived in a small town in Pennsylvania when an asteroid hit the moon, causing a worldwide tragedy- power was out, epidemics soared, tsunamis consumed cities, earthquakes killed thousands, and there was little food.
Miranda was a regular person, and one incident changed her life. She was once focused on school, friends and later Dan, her boyfriend. Her friend died, she didn't know where her father was, or if he was alive.  This makes me think about how easily life can be lost, and how precious it is.
Although this was a work of fiction, it was absolutely possible. Death may not be as extreme for us, but on any day we can be hit by a car, or fall, or have a heart attack. The scary thing is, we never know when death may come. We've become so used to life, that we don't realize it can end.
Miranda learned that the hard way, when all around her was death. On a more positive side, Miranda found life among the death by spending time with her family. She didn't know if she'd live, but she made the most of the life she had.
I commend Susan Pfeffer for teaching this in her book, because it made me think of how priveledged I am to be healthy and living. I don't have to worry about my next meal, or if I'll see someone I love again.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa