I have a somewhat big list of fears. The one that comes to mind is spiders. I hate them, they're appalling and they freak me out, but I won't be discussing my arachnophobia.
The fear I'm refering to is something I don't normally think about. I try to not think about it. It's cold, it's frightening, it happens to someone everyday. It's death.
Death in movies doesn't scare me. Hearing about people dying in real life is what scares me the most. I always think about what somebody thinks and feels when someone they know dies. It breaks my heart. I could not bear to have someone close to me die. I don't think anybody would. I have dreams of people I know dying. It feels all too real and I sometimes wake up crying. It's honestly one of the worst feelings in the world.
Three years ago, my parents, my brother and I went to a hospital in Calgary to visit my mom's friend whose family had gotten into a terrible car accident. The father and daughter were in bad shape. The mother, surprisingly, wasn't harmed; just a few minor bumps and bruises. Later on that same day, my dad and I were discussing how lucky the family was to have survived. I remember I started crying. To think that that family was an inch away from death. It's a complete miracle.
To this day, hospitals give me more anxiety than before. I connect hospitals to sick people, and sick people to dying. I despise going to hospitals or even doctors for that matter.
Another story is when my and my family were in Miami, Florida back in 2009. Everyone was getting ready to go out. I was getting ready in the bathroom when I heard somebody wailing very loudly. I opened the door to see my distraught, teary mother sitting on the couch with my dad and brother and sister. Of course, I was confused and I asked my sister what happened. Those words still haunt me: "Mom's cousin, Myra, died." She died. She died. I was in shock. Myra and my mom were ever so close. They grew up together; they were like sisters. Such an unbreakable bond. I've heard my mom cry before, but that was just frightening. It broke my heart to see her like that. Myra was sick with cancer, so in a way, I suppose, it was a relief. But still, nobody wants their loved ones to die.
Death scares me, plain and simple. If I had to choose that or spiders, I would probably choose.... spiders. Gross. I try and supress the thought of someone close to me dying, but I always end up thinking about it. I know that everyone is going to die eventually; it's what nature intended, but there are times when I wish that we didn't have to.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
One, Two, Three
The novel "Towelhead" holds many important quotes that are so significant to the story. It was difficult to choose just three quotes.
The first quote is when the main character, Jasira, is visiting her next door neighbour, Melina. She recalls her other next door neighbour, Mr.Vuoso, touching her inappropiately the day before. She also describes how it felt nice and that "[she believes] that [her] body [knows] best (pg. 62)." Melina knows that there is something going on with how Mr. Vuoso acts around Jasira and warns Jasira not to be around him. This quote is significant because growing up with overly strict parents has a negative impact on Jasira. She doesn't know how to cope with puberty and how her hormones work. She can't comprehend what's right and wrong with the way she feels about Mr. Vuoso. Therefore, she feels that it's okay for an older man to touch her in such a way because that's the only way she can get love and attention, since she certainly doesn't get that from her parents.
"The faces said that they both thought I was being a baby, that I was making things up...(pg 145)."
This quotes is very important is the story. Both of Jasira's parents think that she does certain things for attention. She said this when she starting tearing up from a hot pepper she ate. Instead of comforting her and helping her, Jasira's parents just tell her to pull it together and to stop making a scene. Her parents don't give her the proper love and support one would expect from their parents. Not being loved and having false information given to you can really screw up a child's mentality.
"He said he wasn't going to do it with me again until i told him the truth about why I wasn't a virgin (pg 210)."
Jasira's boyfriend (Thomas) knew that she lost her virginity to someone else when they first got intimate with each other. Unfortunately, Jasira is too ashamed to tell her boyfriend that her next door neighbour, Mr. Vuoso, raped her. She describes the event as horrific but she still has love for Mr. Vuoso anyway. She doesn't know how to deal with her rape and she doesn't know how to process her feelings for her boyfriend and for Mr. Vuoso. She prefers to keep it to herself because even though she loves Mr. Vuoso, she knows that what happened was wrong.
These three quotes are so powerful and contribute to so much of what happens in Jasira's life. It's very depressing that this girl is so naive to what the world is really about.
The first quote is when the main character, Jasira, is visiting her next door neighbour, Melina. She recalls her other next door neighbour, Mr.Vuoso, touching her inappropiately the day before. She also describes how it felt nice and that "[she believes] that [her] body [knows] best (pg. 62)." Melina knows that there is something going on with how Mr. Vuoso acts around Jasira and warns Jasira not to be around him. This quote is significant because growing up with overly strict parents has a negative impact on Jasira. She doesn't know how to cope with puberty and how her hormones work. She can't comprehend what's right and wrong with the way she feels about Mr. Vuoso. Therefore, she feels that it's okay for an older man to touch her in such a way because that's the only way she can get love and attention, since she certainly doesn't get that from her parents.
"The faces said that they both thought I was being a baby, that I was making things up...(pg 145)."
This quotes is very important is the story. Both of Jasira's parents think that she does certain things for attention. She said this when she starting tearing up from a hot pepper she ate. Instead of comforting her and helping her, Jasira's parents just tell her to pull it together and to stop making a scene. Her parents don't give her the proper love and support one would expect from their parents. Not being loved and having false information given to you can really screw up a child's mentality.
"He said he wasn't going to do it with me again until i told him the truth about why I wasn't a virgin (pg 210)."
Jasira's boyfriend (Thomas) knew that she lost her virginity to someone else when they first got intimate with each other. Unfortunately, Jasira is too ashamed to tell her boyfriend that her next door neighbour, Mr. Vuoso, raped her. She describes the event as horrific but she still has love for Mr. Vuoso anyway. She doesn't know how to deal with her rape and she doesn't know how to process her feelings for her boyfriend and for Mr. Vuoso. She prefers to keep it to herself because even though she loves Mr. Vuoso, she knows that what happened was wrong.
These three quotes are so powerful and contribute to so much of what happens in Jasira's life. It's very depressing that this girl is so naive to what the world is really about.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Computer Language/ Abbreviations vs. The English Language
"LOL". ":D" "ttyl". These are just a couple examples of abbreviations found in the language of computer and SMS text users of mainstream society. Teenagers, gamers or people who talk online are usually the ones who use these abbreviations and symbols to talk to others. We use these made up words to simplify what we want to say. For example, the term "what's up?" has been simplified to just "sup." Society probably did get lazier and that's why words are simplified. But there are words in a typical English dictionary that are found under their abbreviations. Abbreviations are done in lieu of writing out an entire word.
This trend should just be accepted rather than frowned upon. The English language has gone through so many changes throught many centuries. Therefore, why should this time be any different? If you think about it, it's no different from when the Scandinavians used the symbol "æ" and then it got changed to the letter "a". But then again, speaking in this manner probably won't last very long since slang words and abbreviations are constantly changing. Many abbreviations such as "2morrow" or "2nite" aren't even used that often anymore.
This way of speaking, as many people should know, is not at all considered to be formal. Everyone knows that you would never write "ROFL" in a formal essay or in a resumé. There is a time and a place for everything and slang words and abbreviations are best meant for when you're socializing with your friends or people who actually understand computer language. You would never see anyone talking like this with, say for example, a teacher. What people need to realize is that computer language is not a way to speak formally. There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking in such a manner, but one should use it on their own time and not when you're doing formal writing. That's the main issue a lot of people are concerned with; the attempt to merge the computer language with the English language.
Who are we to know if computer language won't become a formal way of speaking in the future? But for the time being, everyone should know the fine line between slang and formal writing. It all comes down to common sense.
This trend should just be accepted rather than frowned upon. The English language has gone through so many changes throught many centuries. Therefore, why should this time be any different? If you think about it, it's no different from when the Scandinavians used the symbol "æ" and then it got changed to the letter "a". But then again, speaking in this manner probably won't last very long since slang words and abbreviations are constantly changing. Many abbreviations such as "2morrow" or "2nite" aren't even used that often anymore.
This way of speaking, as many people should know, is not at all considered to be formal. Everyone knows that you would never write "ROFL" in a formal essay or in a resumé. There is a time and a place for everything and slang words and abbreviations are best meant for when you're socializing with your friends or people who actually understand computer language. You would never see anyone talking like this with, say for example, a teacher. What people need to realize is that computer language is not a way to speak formally. There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking in such a manner, but one should use it on their own time and not when you're doing formal writing. That's the main issue a lot of people are concerned with; the attempt to merge the computer language with the English language.
Who are we to know if computer language won't become a formal way of speaking in the future? But for the time being, everyone should know the fine line between slang and formal writing. It all comes down to common sense.
Friday, October 1, 2010
It's Tough Being a Teenager
The protagonist, who's name is Jasira, in the novel "Towelhead" is a perfect example of a young teenaged girl struggling with the aspects of teeenage life. She also struggles with her divorced, overly-strict parents who make her think that everything she does is wrong.
Jasira's way of thinking is a bit mature for a girl of thirteen years, not to mention, depressing. A given example is when she is on plane being sent to live with her father: "I really and truly [hope] we [will] crash (pg 2)."
The reason she is sent to live with her father is because her mother's boyfriend has an inappropriate infatuation with Jasira. Jasira insists she can't control who likes her. Although that may be true, there probably is a part of her that actually enjoys the love and attention. She most likely feels this way to fill an emotional void. Her parents don't seem to give Jasira the love and emotional support she needs, so of course she'd feel the need to get it elsewhere. This character can be relatable. A lot of young women go through life having dictating parents. Religious matters and even culture can be huge factors. Jasira recalls having spilled juice on her father's rug and he tells her that "[she] will never find a husband ( pg 1)." Putting that kind of mentality into a child's head doesn't seem age appropriate.
Jasira's coping mechanisms will progressively get worse as the story goes on. She has repressed her problems for a long time and dealing with such matters while growing into a young woman doesn't help, either.
Jasira's way of thinking is a bit mature for a girl of thirteen years, not to mention, depressing. A given example is when she is on plane being sent to live with her father: "I really and truly [hope] we [will] crash (pg 2)."
The reason she is sent to live with her father is because her mother's boyfriend has an inappropriate infatuation with Jasira. Jasira insists she can't control who likes her. Although that may be true, there probably is a part of her that actually enjoys the love and attention. She most likely feels this way to fill an emotional void. Her parents don't seem to give Jasira the love and emotional support she needs, so of course she'd feel the need to get it elsewhere. This character can be relatable. A lot of young women go through life having dictating parents. Religious matters and even culture can be huge factors. Jasira recalls having spilled juice on her father's rug and he tells her that "[she] will never find a husband ( pg 1)." Putting that kind of mentality into a child's head doesn't seem age appropriate.
Jasira's coping mechanisms will progressively get worse as the story goes on. She has repressed her problems for a long time and dealing with such matters while growing into a young woman doesn't help, either.
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