Miels and Jules:
Oh my lord you two, words can not describe how thankful for you I am this Thanksgivingukah. But here I go! For starters, I am thankful for the laughs we share everyday from lunch through chem. Even though it may make some people think we are completely crazy, you two can always make me laugh and brighten up my day. We have so many inside jokes, and I love how we can make the simplest things into punch lines and laughs. I am so thankful for your guys' friendships. You are two of the sweetest, craziest girls I know. You never let me take myself too seriously and help me keep my (relative) sanity. We always have fun when we hang out no matter what we do, and I truly cherish you two for that. I am thankful that you two understand me, and put with my craziness even after you know all of my weirdness. I love you two so much and am thankful for the memories and laughs to come. XOXO
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
I celebrate myself
It has been said that there there are three ways to live life: you can go with the wind, against the wind, or watch the wind blow. I run in the wind. Life isnt so simple, there are times to carve your own path and be a trailblazer, and there are times where its nice and fine to go with the crowd. There is both power in numbers and also in being an individual. But the truly powerful and enlightened are the living. There’s a difference between being alive and truly living. Of course there are times to be serious and mature and really weigh out the consequences of every thing you do. But what is life if it’s not enjoyed? What I’ve learned, and continue to learn, is not take myself too seriously. I try not to sweat the small stuff and remember that everything happens for a reason. Everything will fall into place. So just live. Be a little crazy, try something new, find a passion and pursue it. Passion and love, and doing what you are passionate about and love, is what gives life color. Be colorful. Celebrate yourself. Do what makes you live. Run in the wind.
That's my philosophy. That's me.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Poe Blog
If you think Edgar Allan Poe's writing is dark and heavy, you haven't heard HIS story. Poe was constantly immersed in a morbid environment; both his parents died, his foster parents died, his brother died, and his wife died. Poe was familiar, probably way too familiar, with struggles, both internal and external. Poe struggled with poverty, unrequited love, coping with loss, fulfilling his dreams as a writer, maintaining a reputation, and keeping his sanity constantly throughout his life and career. His father figure never supported him or his dreams, making Poe that much more determined and equally as much more rebellious. Poe constantly sought to seek something greatER and more colorful and otherworldly. Mystery and morbidity follow Poe to the grave, he himself dying tragically and suddenly far away from his family and friends.
On a basic level, it is easy to connect Poe to his work because they toy with the ideas of loss, fear, insanity, and overwhelming emotions, all of which Poe can obviously relate to. Another element of understanding is gained when you link Poe to the Romantic movement. Poe's surreal stories become less random and more insightful. They can be seen as a protest against not only his foster father but the mindset of the time, which was very money and profit driven. Poe chose to express, both in his life and writing, ideas of freedom that were imaginative and beyond his reality. Poe chose to believe in the power of seeing something beyond your reality that seems impossible, whether it be fulfilling your dream, finding love, finding excitement and adventure, bringing back those you've lost, or conversing with a talking bird.
On a basic level, it is easy to connect Poe to his work because they toy with the ideas of loss, fear, insanity, and overwhelming emotions, all of which Poe can obviously relate to. Another element of understanding is gained when you link Poe to the Romantic movement. Poe's surreal stories become less random and more insightful. They can be seen as a protest against not only his foster father but the mindset of the time, which was very money and profit driven. Poe chose to express, both in his life and writing, ideas of freedom that were imaginative and beyond his reality. Poe chose to believe in the power of seeing something beyond your reality that seems impossible, whether it be fulfilling your dream, finding love, finding excitement and adventure, bringing back those you've lost, or conversing with a talking bird.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
What is an American?
What makes an American? Obviously, unless you are a Native American, everyone and their families originally came from somewhere else. It is the norm to be only fourth, third, second, or even first generation born in America. The culmination and diversity of cultures and people is what makes America American. Yes, there are distinctive cultural elements that are undeniably from other countries, but there are also things distinctively "American." Something unified and brought together the original mothers and fathers and allowed America to grow into what it is today.
By no means am I a super patriotic, traditionalist American. However, to me, an American is someone who understands the things available in America that most people take for granted: our unalienable human and American rights. An American has their own opinions and expresses them. An American recognizes the freedom and liberty we have in America to be able to share our ideas freely and be opinionated. An American has the right to pursue personal interest in the pursuit of happiness. An American has the right to vote. An American is free. An American has some sort of pride and patriotism; an American wants to be known as an American.
In conclusion, an American does more than just live in America. Intentionally or not, they identify with some fundamental moral or concept set by the founding mothers and/or fathers. What unifies Americans is that, when all prejudices, stereotypes, and politics vanish, we all have our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
By no means am I a super patriotic, traditionalist American. However, to me, an American is someone who understands the things available in America that most people take for granted: our unalienable human and American rights. An American has their own opinions and expresses them. An American recognizes the freedom and liberty we have in America to be able to share our ideas freely and be opinionated. An American has the right to pursue personal interest in the pursuit of happiness. An American has the right to vote. An American is free. An American has some sort of pride and patriotism; an American wants to be known as an American.
In conclusion, an American does more than just live in America. Intentionally or not, they identify with some fundamental moral or concept set by the founding mothers and/or fathers. What unifies Americans is that, when all prejudices, stereotypes, and politics vanish, we all have our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Looking back on Puritans, it’s easy (and common) to just say that they were uptight, incredibly strict, unbearably constricting, and that their ways of life were a thing of the past. However, that's not always true. Elements of the Puritan lifestyle and social norms are present in modern cultures and societies today.
“Modern Puritanism” still exists in the sense of a theocracy and having no separation between church and state is really prevalent in the Middle East. Sharia, or Islamic law, has a huge influence on the laws and constitutions of Islamic nations. For example, countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Algeria have no separation between church and state. All laws and crimes are judged and according to sharia. A strong parallel to the Scarlet Letter is that civil and social functions are also governed by sharia.
Another parallel exists between sharia and the theocracy of Puritanism seen in The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter: a new generation starting to break off from the traditional system. Muslim countries, like Egypt, who have just overthrown the previously super strict regime are struggling with ideas of secularity and sharia in the drafting of their new constitution. The newer generations are considerably more "Western" and secularly minded, and they are starting to diverge from the traditional laws and constrictions of sharia.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
John Proctor: Hero or Stooge?
John Proctor starts out the play as a "social hero" in Salem. Even though he isn't a textbook Puritan, he is well liked in the town because he is viewed as an honest, honorable man. Proctor isn't afraid to speak his mind, which attracts an unofficial following of people who look up to him as an aspirational figure.
Like all heroes, John Proctor had a fatal flaw: lust. His attraction to his young maid lead to a not-so-secret affair with Abigail Williams, the reverend's teenage niece. His momentary inability to not get caught up in his emotions and the moment gives Abigail a spark of hope that they can be together, unintentionally starting the talk of witchcraft in Salem after Abby drinks a charm to kill his wife.
John's priorities are tested when his own wife is accused of witchcraft and brought to trial before the town. In the middle of the play, John is faced with the decision to either save his wife (and potentially other women convicted of witchcraft) or save his reputation and keep the affair a secret. John finally decides to admit to his affair with Abigail after he thinks the trials are going too far and are putting too many innocent people's lives on the line.
John ends the play as the tragic hero of the witch trials. Convicted himself of witchcraft, he refuses to give a false confession and is sentenced to be hung. John's ability to keep to his word and stick to his morals is truly honorable and heroic, especially because he knew he could save his own life if he accused someone else.vJohn's personal integrity shows and validates the strength of his faith and his morals, both of which where tried multiple times in the play.
Like all heroes, John Proctor had a fatal flaw: lust. His attraction to his young maid lead to a not-so-secret affair with Abigail Williams, the reverend's teenage niece. His momentary inability to not get caught up in his emotions and the moment gives Abigail a spark of hope that they can be together, unintentionally starting the talk of witchcraft in Salem after Abby drinks a charm to kill his wife.
John's priorities are tested when his own wife is accused of witchcraft and brought to trial before the town. In the middle of the play, John is faced with the decision to either save his wife (and potentially other women convicted of witchcraft) or save his reputation and keep the affair a secret. John finally decides to admit to his affair with Abigail after he thinks the trials are going too far and are putting too many innocent people's lives on the line.
John ends the play as the tragic hero of the witch trials. Convicted himself of witchcraft, he refuses to give a false confession and is sentenced to be hung. John's ability to keep to his word and stick to his morals is truly honorable and heroic, especially because he knew he could save his own life if he accused someone else.vJohn's personal integrity shows and validates the strength of his faith and his morals, both of which where tried multiple times in the play.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
There Goes The Neighborhood
Urban Dictionary defines the saying "there goes the neighborhood" as "the first you-name-the-ethnic-group has moved in, and the racist neighbors are restless." This definition definitely rings true with the interactions between the native americans and the european explorers. Both sides were quick to jump to conclusions about the other group based on superficial observations and a fear of the unknown. Both sides were quick to isolate themselves from the foreigners and, as a result, had countless misconceptions that fed both positive and negative stereotypes, prejudice, and profiling.
The majority of clash that happened between the groups was not because the cultures or people were too different; the clash between the natives and the explorers was caused by ignorance. Neither side heard the other out. If there was some connection and impartial communications between the native americans and the europeans, there would have been a better chance of them seeing the situation as less black and white. Bridging the gap between monotheism and polytheism, for example, and identifying that both religions had common values and roots, could have eased some of the animosity and tension.
Education and personal narratives are they key to teaching coexistence and tolerance. Last year, I was able to not only study the history and multiple narratives of the Jewish-Muslim Israeli dynamic, but witness the relationships between the two groups firsthand. The misconceptions, lack of communication, stereotypes, prejudice, religious differences, hostile encounters, land/territory conflicts, and segregation on both the Jewish and Muslim sides parallel that of the Natives and Europeans. Add that to not only the political issues between the Palestinians and Israelis, but the entire Arab world/region... and you get a world of hostility and disconnect. All of the coexistence efforts I visited and learned about focussed on education: educating both sides about both religions, narratives, common goals, fundamental similarities. Supplementing the knowledge with personal stories of loss, regret, hopes, and goals add a dimension of reality to the relationship and makes coexistence more than just something on pen and paper: a necessity.
Obviously, even if there was a better understanding of the others' views, some clash would still have been unavoidable between the Natives and explorers. Even now, with technology and the ability to look back on the way things played out, there are still negative stigmas associated with Native Americans and Americans of European descent on both sides. Especially after reading Susan Powers' narrative in Museum Indians, it is apparent that even in todays society there are physical and mental barriers that separate Native Americans from society as a whole. Reservations are an example of both: not only to they literally segregate Native Americans, but they attribute to negative stigmas of Natives such as that they are uneducated, poor, and unlike the "common American."
On the same token, there have been many recent strides in pop culture and mainstream media to familiarize all of America with Native Americans and bridge the gaps between cultures. On Season Eleven of Project Runway, Native American Patricia Michaels used traditional techniques, concepts, aesthetics, and cultural influences in all of her designs. She made it her personal mission to keep true to her roots and represent the Native American community.
The majority of clash that happened between the groups was not because the cultures or people were too different; the clash between the natives and the explorers was caused by ignorance. Neither side heard the other out. If there was some connection and impartial communications between the native americans and the europeans, there would have been a better chance of them seeing the situation as less black and white. Bridging the gap between monotheism and polytheism, for example, and identifying that both religions had common values and roots, could have eased some of the animosity and tension.
Education and personal narratives are they key to teaching coexistence and tolerance. Last year, I was able to not only study the history and multiple narratives of the Jewish-Muslim Israeli dynamic, but witness the relationships between the two groups firsthand. The misconceptions, lack of communication, stereotypes, prejudice, religious differences, hostile encounters, land/territory conflicts, and segregation on both the Jewish and Muslim sides parallel that of the Natives and Europeans. Add that to not only the political issues between the Palestinians and Israelis, but the entire Arab world/region... and you get a world of hostility and disconnect. All of the coexistence efforts I visited and learned about focussed on education: educating both sides about both religions, narratives, common goals, fundamental similarities. Supplementing the knowledge with personal stories of loss, regret, hopes, and goals add a dimension of reality to the relationship and makes coexistence more than just something on pen and paper: a necessity.
Obviously, even if there was a better understanding of the others' views, some clash would still have been unavoidable between the Natives and explorers. Even now, with technology and the ability to look back on the way things played out, there are still negative stigmas associated with Native Americans and Americans of European descent on both sides. Especially after reading Susan Powers' narrative in Museum Indians, it is apparent that even in todays society there are physical and mental barriers that separate Native Americans from society as a whole. Reservations are an example of both: not only to they literally segregate Native Americans, but they attribute to negative stigmas of Natives such as that they are uneducated, poor, and unlike the "common American."
On the same token, there have been many recent strides in pop culture and mainstream media to familiarize all of America with Native Americans and bridge the gaps between cultures. On Season Eleven of Project Runway, Native American Patricia Michaels used traditional techniques, concepts, aesthetics, and cultural influences in all of her designs. She made it her personal mission to keep true to her roots and represent the Native American community.
Friday, August 30, 2013
About Me Blog
Alright readers out there, time for a small introduction. First things first, my name is Bella. I am obsessed with anything California: food, clothes, music, photography, and pretty much everything else. I am passionate about fashion, photogaraphy, art, and poetry. I have been a vegetarian for ten plus years, and am always trying to be as eco, health, and animalrights concious as I can. I love to travel and wander the streets of cities I get the opportunity to visit. The all time favorite place I've been to would have to be Paris. Even though it's completely cliche, all of the buildings and streets lit up at night made me fall in love with the city and transported me to a new world. Speaking of being transported, music is a huge outlet for me. my favorite band is the grateful dead. To put all of the above simply, I am a pretty laid back, confident, and passionate person. I look forward to improving my writing skills this year in English, as well as form new opinions and really learn how to peel back the layers of literature in order to witness great intellectual and eye opening concepts.
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