Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Reflection on other 'love' posts
Surprisingly, most of the posts I read on whether "to love or not to love", were in favor of loving. I noticed a common theme between the blog posts that posed the question, "what if you fall in love and the other person does not feel the same?" or "What if someone says that they love you but they don't really mean it?". What I began to wonder after reading one of these posts is how do people know what love is and if they are truly in love or not? Since there aren't set guidelines to love, how can people be so sure? Some people think that it does not matter what age you are, it's about what you feel. But I believe that no matter how "in love" you think you are when you're young, it is not true love. Kids these days just like the thought of being in love, or like the way it sounds. Love takes experience and time. Yes we will have to go through different relationships and heartbreaks in order to find our one true love, but it's worth it. You cannot say that you love someone when you aren't experienced enough to know what love actually is. So even though loving someone is taking risks, if you try hard enough, you can find the right person who will teach you what love really means.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
To love or not to love?
When I think of love I think of a feeling that cannot be prevented. It can be a strong desire, like a parent's love for their children or how a person loves their significant other. It can also be materialistic, like loving chocolate or a television show. In a typical romance movie, a couple falls in love, gets into a small argument, and then ends up getting back together in the end("happily ever after"). These types of movies show that love is easy and wonderful. After watching these movies, who wouldn't want to love? But then there are the depressing romance movies where a couple falls deeply in love, and then one of them dies and the other person is left, completely heartbroken. Or two people in love get into a fight and one of them runs off with another person, while the other person is left all alone. These movies snap people back into reality and help show that love really isn't just a sappy love story, and is much more complicated.
I don't believe that people can choose whether or not to fall in love. Love is a natural, human instinct and even if you don't want to fall in love, you cannot prevent it. Some people refuse to fall in love or get married or have children. They want to be independent and want to save themselves from getting hurt. But usually these feelings are sparked by a past experience with love that hurt them, and they try to build up walls to keep themselves safe. People experience love multiple times with different people, sometimes it may be true or it may be something that appeared to be love but wasn't. Some relationships don't work out. But I don't think giving up is the answer. If one love doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be, and there is another one waiting for you.
To answer the question, "to love or not to love?" I would choose to love because even though there is that risk of heartbreak and pain, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. I would want to fall in love with someone and have someone to talk to about anything, and just have someone that makes me happy. I grew up surrounded by love from my parents, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles and it just seems like a given. I would like to fall in love with someone someday and get married to them because I've never imagined my future without a husband in it. Despite the consequences that love may have, I believe that it is worth a try.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Going Childless
As I am growing up, I always think of having children as a given. I watch how my mom loves and takes care of her children, how my aunts, my grandmothers and neighbors love and take care of their children. Growing up in a town and being surrounded by many families with two or three children each, having children in the future just seemed to be the normal thing to do. I never thought of going childless.
One of my friends today told me that she never wanted to have children, and I thought that was so weird to hear. But after reading the article "None Is Enough" by Lauren Sandler, I gained some new insight on reasons why some women choose not to have kids, and I understood my friend more. Most of the women in the article are worried about their career and how they would not be able to focus on it as much with the responsibility of children. Most of the women also want to live a free and happy life without being tied down. I began to think about these reasons and going childless does not seem as bad as I thought it would be. First of all, I would not mind missing out on the 9 months filled with nausea, hot flashes, back pain etc. I would not be missing out on the painful labor that childbirth causes. Also, I'm not good with anything medical or having to do with the hospital so the less I have to deal with those things, the better. Jenna Johnson said that since she did not have any children, she is able to: "buy an unnecessary beautiful object, plan trips with [her] aging parents, sleep in, spend a day without speaking to a single person...". Johnson's quote shows that being childless can be very relaxing and there is not really a need (for her anyway) to have children. Being childless has its positives, but it also has its negatives. A negative of childlessness is that since motherhood has "become such a constant din", many people will question and often judge you for choosing not to have children. Another negative is that when you grow up and all of your friends and the people around you are having babies, you will feel a sense of loneliness and your bond with your friends might not be as close as they used to be. The last negative, for me, about going childless is that you will never be able to experience the strong love that most mothers have for their children. You won't be able to raise a child of your own and teach them your own values and watch them grow up.
So even though "going childless" has its perks, I think I will choose to have children of my own so I can watch them grow up and be an awesome parent.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Parent Interview
Me: So, did you always want kids growing up?
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes.
Me: What were your goals for your future children?
Mom: Let's see... I mean I guess when I was little I always wanted children but I only thought of them as little, not as adults. Until I had my first child then I realized that I wanted him to lead a long, happy healthy life and I feel that way about all my children.
Dad: To do well in school, go to college and to be happy.
Me: Would you say that your parents were strict?
Mom: My father was strict.
Dad: Yes in some respects.
Me: What were they?
Dad: Curfew, not letting me go far away from home, when I was little of course.
Me: Do you see yourself parenting in similar ways as your parents?
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes.
Me: In what ways?
Mom: Teaching good manners, good English, I get mad at the same things like I don't like talking back, or I say things that my mother said.
Me: Are you glad you had 3 children?
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes, but we wish I had more.
Me: How many more?
Dad: 2.
Me: Do you wish you had more than 3 children Mom?
Mom: No, 3 is good.
Me: What is the best lesson you've taught me?
Mom: How to be kind
Dad: and compassionate to others and to appreciate what you have.
Me: Did having children strengthen your relationship or make it harder?
Both: Strengthened.
Mom: When you have babies, lack of sleep, diapers, it's hard but it was all worth it. Dad still hasn't slept a full night since you were born.
Dad: (laughed) It was a sacrifice, but worth it.
Me: What have you learned from your children?
Dad: To stop at 3.
(Both laughed)
Me: No Dad, like the lessons that we've taught you.
Mom: what a challenge it is to be patient, that the love you have for your children is bigger than you thought love could be. It's just different like when you say "Mom would you go on that giant roller coaster to save my life?" I hate roller coasters but I would still go on it for my children.
Me: Dad, how about you? What are the lessons that we've taught you?
Dad: To be less strict and to be more compassionate.
Me: What goals do you have for yourself as a parent?
Mom: To be a better guide for them into adulthood.
Dad: Exactly, and to help them be self sufficient and independent. And to be there when my children need me.
Me:What do you think you could do better/differently to prepare us for the real world?
Dad: Do more volunteer work with you, give you more chores around the house, teach you more religious values, and teach you how to cook. Oh and not to be a procrastinator and stay up until 12 doing your homework, Samantha.
Me: (rolls eyes) And how about you Mom?
Mom: To teach you guys how to be self confident.
Me: What is it like to have a child who lives across the country?
Mom: Um, I'm not going to say sad, I mean I'm happy for him because he's making a living out there and he's found positive things to do in his life but it's hard because I miss him and I wish I could see him.
Dad: I wish I could see him and spend more time with him.
Me: Would you keep us in Massachusetts if you could?
Dad: No.
Me: Why not?
Dad: Because I want you to pursue the best opportunities for you if that happens to be in New York City, Florida or Georgia it doesn't matter.
Mom: Not necessarily Massachusetts, I would like you to not be far but if that's what you have to do. I mean you have to let go, that's something that having children teaches you. Like look at Noah, I want to wrap him in bubble wrap but I can't!
Me: What lessons do you hope we will take away from your parenting and pass onto our own children?
Mom: How to be loving.
Dad: Caring, charitable
Me: What do you mean by "charitable"?
Dad: To put your time in helping others.
Mom: Always tell your children you love them even when they say that they hate you.
Me: Okay, thank you guys for letting me interview you, love ya.
Both: Love you too.
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes.
Me: What were your goals for your future children?
Mom: Let's see... I mean I guess when I was little I always wanted children but I only thought of them as little, not as adults. Until I had my first child then I realized that I wanted him to lead a long, happy healthy life and I feel that way about all my children.
Dad: To do well in school, go to college and to be happy.
Me: Would you say that your parents were strict?
Mom: My father was strict.
Dad: Yes in some respects.
Me: What were they?
Dad: Curfew, not letting me go far away from home, when I was little of course.
Me: Do you see yourself parenting in similar ways as your parents?
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes.
Me: In what ways?
Mom: Teaching good manners, good English, I get mad at the same things like I don't like talking back, or I say things that my mother said.
Me: Are you glad you had 3 children?
Mom: Yes.
Dad: Yes, but we wish I had more.
Me: How many more?
Dad: 2.
Me: Do you wish you had more than 3 children Mom?
Mom: No, 3 is good.
Me: What is the best lesson you've taught me?
Mom: How to be kind
Dad: and compassionate to others and to appreciate what you have.
Me: Did having children strengthen your relationship or make it harder?
Both: Strengthened.
Mom: When you have babies, lack of sleep, diapers, it's hard but it was all worth it. Dad still hasn't slept a full night since you were born.
Dad: (laughed) It was a sacrifice, but worth it.
Me: What have you learned from your children?
Dad: To stop at 3.
(Both laughed)
Me: No Dad, like the lessons that we've taught you.
Mom: what a challenge it is to be patient, that the love you have for your children is bigger than you thought love could be. It's just different like when you say "Mom would you go on that giant roller coaster to save my life?" I hate roller coasters but I would still go on it for my children.
Me: Dad, how about you? What are the lessons that we've taught you?
Dad: To be less strict and to be more compassionate.
Me: What goals do you have for yourself as a parent?
Mom: To be a better guide for them into adulthood.
Dad: Exactly, and to help them be self sufficient and independent. And to be there when my children need me.
Me:What do you think you could do better/differently to prepare us for the real world?
Dad: Do more volunteer work with you, give you more chores around the house, teach you more religious values, and teach you how to cook. Oh and not to be a procrastinator and stay up until 12 doing your homework, Samantha.
Me: (rolls eyes) And how about you Mom?
Mom: To teach you guys how to be self confident.
Me: What is it like to have a child who lives across the country?
Mom: Um, I'm not going to say sad, I mean I'm happy for him because he's making a living out there and he's found positive things to do in his life but it's hard because I miss him and I wish I could see him.
Dad: I wish I could see him and spend more time with him.
Me: Would you keep us in Massachusetts if you could?
Dad: No.
Me: Why not?
Dad: Because I want you to pursue the best opportunities for you if that happens to be in New York City, Florida or Georgia it doesn't matter.
Mom: Not necessarily Massachusetts, I would like you to not be far but if that's what you have to do. I mean you have to let go, that's something that having children teaches you. Like look at Noah, I want to wrap him in bubble wrap but I can't!
Me: What lessons do you hope we will take away from your parenting and pass onto our own children?
Mom: How to be loving.
Dad: Caring, charitable
Me: What do you mean by "charitable"?
Dad: To put your time in helping others.
Mom: Always tell your children you love them even when they say that they hate you.
Me: Okay, thank you guys for letting me interview you, love ya.
Both: Love you too.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Daily Exposures
After reading "Broken Things" by Sara Teasdale a second time, I realized a deeper meaning to the poem. The first time when I wrote my thoughts on this poem, I just said that Sara Teasdale was trying to connect with strangers and tell them that broken things can be good and beautiful. The second time I read it, I realized that Teasdale is trying to let her audience know that it is okay to be broken. It's okay to let out all your feelings, to cry, and to let yourself take risks that might hurt you. She suggests that in life you are made and supposed to break so you can put yourself back together again. Teasdale's poem showed me that I shouldn't worry all the time about the outcome of trying new things (I don't mean drugs, alcohol, etc.) and whether or not they will hurt me. I should take risks because the worst that could happen was that I'd feel broken for a little while, but everyone eventually gets put back together.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Fliffertown
"Jeremy? I'm going to the hardware store, I'll be back soon."
"Okay Dad."
"And whatever you do, do NOT go in that cellar."
"Yes Dad."
I waited until I heard the front door slam shut before I jumped up and ran over to the cellar door. I quickly took out the copy of my Dad's fingerprint (that I carefully took off of his toothbrush that morning) and placed it on the scanner. Success. Several moments later the giant cellar door slid open and my jaw dropped. I carefully crept down the stairs into an immensely dark room, with only one light on. The light shined on a strange and glorious object, and found myself standing still, in awe. I walked over to the object and read, "Flifferhuzza" and opened its small door. I sat down on a tiny seat inside and I jumped when a strange, robotic voice said "Welcome". My mind was swirling with wondrous thoughts about what this Flifferhuzza could be. "An ice cream machine? No, why would Dad hide an ice cream machine. A toothbrusher? That's dumb. Well, there's only one way to find out." I pushed a giant red button and suddenly, the Earth began to shake. A seat belt was snapped onto my lap, a helmet was dropped onto my head, and suddenly I was shot through a clear tube from the dark cellar of my house into the white fluffy clouds. I landed with a thud and I could not believe what I saw. The Flifferhuzza had taken me to a land among the clouds. A land that goes by the name of "Fliffertown". I stepped out of the Flifferhuzza and was suddenly scooped up by a crowd of "people" that were 3 feet tall, chubby, and had purple skin. Apparently these small little creatures were called Fliffernauts. I tried asking them where I was, but none of them understood me. After wondering around this odd town for hours, I finally found a human. The human went by the name of Sara, and she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. I was beyond thankful that i finally found a human in this place, and her being pretty was a huge plus. Sara and I became friends and we decided not to go back down to Earth. We got married and stayed in Fliffertown for the rest of our lives. We even raised a small family of Fliffernauts. The End
"Okay Dad."
"And whatever you do, do NOT go in that cellar."
"Yes Dad."
I waited until I heard the front door slam shut before I jumped up and ran over to the cellar door. I quickly took out the copy of my Dad's fingerprint (that I carefully took off of his toothbrush that morning) and placed it on the scanner. Success. Several moments later the giant cellar door slid open and my jaw dropped. I carefully crept down the stairs into an immensely dark room, with only one light on. The light shined on a strange and glorious object, and found myself standing still, in awe. I walked over to the object and read, "Flifferhuzza" and opened its small door. I sat down on a tiny seat inside and I jumped when a strange, robotic voice said "Welcome". My mind was swirling with wondrous thoughts about what this Flifferhuzza could be. "An ice cream machine? No, why would Dad hide an ice cream machine. A toothbrusher? That's dumb. Well, there's only one way to find out." I pushed a giant red button and suddenly, the Earth began to shake. A seat belt was snapped onto my lap, a helmet was dropped onto my head, and suddenly I was shot through a clear tube from the dark cellar of my house into the white fluffy clouds. I landed with a thud and I could not believe what I saw. The Flifferhuzza had taken me to a land among the clouds. A land that goes by the name of "Fliffertown". I stepped out of the Flifferhuzza and was suddenly scooped up by a crowd of "people" that were 3 feet tall, chubby, and had purple skin. Apparently these small little creatures were called Fliffernauts. I tried asking them where I was, but none of them understood me. After wondering around this odd town for hours, I finally found a human. The human went by the name of Sara, and she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. I was beyond thankful that i finally found a human in this place, and her being pretty was a huge plus. Sara and I became friends and we decided not to go back down to Earth. We got married and stayed in Fliffertown for the rest of our lives. We even raised a small family of Fliffernauts. The End
Monday, October 7, 2013
Difficult Conversation
Jane and Megan have been best friends their whole life. They grew up together and were inseparable up until last year. At the beginning of last year, Megan got a boyfriend and to Jane, it seemed like Megan had forgotten about her. After a couple of months of Megan barely talking to Jane, she decided to confront Megan about it.
Jane: Hey Megan, can I talk to you for a sec?
Megan: Sure! What's up?
Jane: Well I've noticed recently ever since you got your boyfriend that we haven't been hanging out as often as we used to. I'm happy for you because I know you're happy with him but I feel like you don't have time for me anymore. When I try talking to you you never seem to ask me about what's going on in my life and I can't help but feel that you don't care about our friendship anymore.
Megan: Ugh Jane I KNEW you would act like this! You're just jealous because I have a boyfriend and you don't.
Jane: Are you kidding me?! Jealous of him?! That's hilarious. Wow typical Megan, always has to turn the situation around and make me the bad guy.
Megan: TYPICAL MEGAN?! How about typical Jane who is always jealous of me and can never just be happy for me.
Jane: I told you I was happy for you. This isn't about the fact that you got a boyfriend it's about the fact that you don't make time for me anymore. I'm supposed to be your best friend. And if you can't see that, then I guess our friendship means nothing to you.
Megan: I try to make time for you Jane it's just really hard balancing school and friends at once.
Jane: And yet you still have time to be with your boyfriend? Maybe it'd be better off if we just weren't friends.
Megan: Fine.
Jane: Fine.
Jane: Hey Megan, can I talk to you for a sec?
Megan: Sure! What's up?
Jane: Well I've noticed recently ever since you got your boyfriend that we haven't been hanging out as often as we used to. I'm happy for you because I know you're happy with him but I feel like you don't have time for me anymore. When I try talking to you you never seem to ask me about what's going on in my life and I can't help but feel that you don't care about our friendship anymore.
Megan: Ugh Jane I KNEW you would act like this! You're just jealous because I have a boyfriend and you don't.
Jane: Are you kidding me?! Jealous of him?! That's hilarious. Wow typical Megan, always has to turn the situation around and make me the bad guy.
Megan: TYPICAL MEGAN?! How about typical Jane who is always jealous of me and can never just be happy for me.
Jane: I told you I was happy for you. This isn't about the fact that you got a boyfriend it's about the fact that you don't make time for me anymore. I'm supposed to be your best friend. And if you can't see that, then I guess our friendship means nothing to you.
Megan: I try to make time for you Jane it's just really hard balancing school and friends at once.
Jane: And yet you still have time to be with your boyfriend? Maybe it'd be better off if we just weren't friends.
Megan: Fine.
Jane: Fine.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Adora Svitak
While watching TED talk with Adora Svitak, I realized many things that I've never thought about before. When I first began watching it I could not believe that Adora was just a kid. Her vocabulary was so advanced that most of the words she used I didn't know the definition of. One of the points she made was that a common assumption that adults make is that children and the word "childish" represent irresponsibility and irrational thinking. But why is irrational thinking such a bad thing? Aren't children supposed to have wild imaginations? Doesn't irrational thinking make things more interesting and fun? In my opinion there aren't enough dreamers and irrational thinkers in the world. Another good point that Adora made in the TED talk was that learning between adults and kids should be a two-way street. Adults should realize that children have opinions and voices too. We are the new generation after all, so why aren't our voices heard as much as adults? Since what we do today is setting the stage for the future generation, children and teenagers should have more of a say in what goes on in in the school systems and in our community.
Monday, September 16, 2013
BEST FRIEND WANTED
A best friend is someone who you can spend hours with doing nothing, and still never get bored. A best friend is also someone who will listen to what you have to say and be there for support.
Qualities of a best friend:
-Good sense of humor
-Trustworthy
-Good listener
-Caring
-Kind
-Likes to talk about music
-Has a similar taste in music as I do/ open to the music I like
A best friend cannot:
-Be conceited
-Only believe that their opinions are right
-Be close-minded
-Be judgmental
Qualities of a best friend:
-Good sense of humor
-Trustworthy
-Good listener
-Caring
-Kind
-Likes to talk about music
-Has a similar taste in music as I do/ open to the music I like
A best friend cannot:
-Be conceited
-Only believe that their opinions are right
-Be close-minded
-Be judgmental
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Piano
I can only play two songs.
The song of my brain and the song of my heart.
The song of my brain is played by hundreds of students who come and go.
Some are happy, some are bored.
One boy with curly hair comes in every Monday.
He slams his book on my book stand.
He groans when the teacher asks him to play.
He jabs at my keys with every note.
It hurts, but I have to keep playing.
One girl with pigtails always comes in with a smile.
She tickles my keys as her tiny, gentle fingers try and hit each note.
I am always happy to see her.
She only comes for a year.
When all the students leave for the day, and my owner sits down and touches her fingers to my keys,
I play the most beautiful song.
Made of pure happiness and serenity.
But then one day something is wrong.
I don't see my owner anymore.
I stay in the same spot for 18 years.
Not a single person has played me.
One day, I am put in an auction.
A rich woman wearing designer sunglasses bought me.
I am moved into her house the next day,
Hopeful and excited that maybe someone in this house will want to play me.
It turns out I was just for show.
I sat there, idle for years and years.
People passed by, saying how beautiful I was.
The only time I spoke was when the housekeeper dusted my keys,
or when the cat scampered across me.
When the rich woman died,
Her children, all adults now, went around the house, deciding which things were theirs.
I sat there watching,
Praying that one of them would take me somewhere where I could finally be played.
One of her children came over,
Pressed hard on my keys,
And I made an ugly sound.
I'd never heard myself make that sound before.
The sound of sorrow, neglect, and loneliness.
The children looked at each other with a look of disgust,
And the next day I was sent to a horrible place.
I was thrown into a pile of garbage.
Completely surrounded with trash and other unwanted items.
I will never speak again.
I can only play two songs.
The song of my brain,
that I was made to play.
And the song of my heart,
a beautiful lullaby, turned into an ugly tragedy.
The song of my brain and the song of my heart.
The song of my brain is played by hundreds of students who come and go.
Some are happy, some are bored.
One boy with curly hair comes in every Monday.
He slams his book on my book stand.
He groans when the teacher asks him to play.
He jabs at my keys with every note.
It hurts, but I have to keep playing.
One girl with pigtails always comes in with a smile.
She tickles my keys as her tiny, gentle fingers try and hit each note.
I am always happy to see her.
She only comes for a year.
When all the students leave for the day, and my owner sits down and touches her fingers to my keys,
I play the most beautiful song.
Made of pure happiness and serenity.
But then one day something is wrong.
I don't see my owner anymore.
I stay in the same spot for 18 years.
Not a single person has played me.
One day, I am put in an auction.
A rich woman wearing designer sunglasses bought me.
I am moved into her house the next day,
Hopeful and excited that maybe someone in this house will want to play me.
It turns out I was just for show.
I sat there, idle for years and years.
People passed by, saying how beautiful I was.
The only time I spoke was when the housekeeper dusted my keys,
or when the cat scampered across me.
When the rich woman died,
Her children, all adults now, went around the house, deciding which things were theirs.
I sat there watching,
Praying that one of them would take me somewhere where I could finally be played.
One of her children came over,
Pressed hard on my keys,
And I made an ugly sound.
I'd never heard myself make that sound before.
The sound of sorrow, neglect, and loneliness.
The children looked at each other with a look of disgust,
And the next day I was sent to a horrible place.
I was thrown into a pile of garbage.
Completely surrounded with trash and other unwanted items.
I will never speak again.
I can only play two songs.
The song of my brain,
that I was made to play.
And the song of my heart,
a beautiful lullaby, turned into an ugly tragedy.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Enthusiam
Usually what makes me enthusiastic about learning is when I am motivated. Going to school for 180 days and having to sit in 5 different classes for 67 minutes each can get pretty boring. But even though I sometimes dread waking up early and getting out of bed in the morning, I try to look at the big picture. If I get through these school days and learn what I'm supposed to and get good grades now, my future life will be more successful. When I'm motivated to do something and I succeed in doing it, I feel proud of myself and that is the best feeling. So what makes me enthusiastic about learning is the proud feeling I will have when I learn something new and use that knowledge in school and in the outside world. Also what makes me enthusiastic about learning is when the teacher uses a fun and interesting approach towards a subject. I personally think it is the worst when you have a class that you really do not like, and all we do in the class is take notes and listen to the teacher talk the entire time. If the class is boring and I don't enjoy the subject, why would I be motivated to learn about it? Why should I be enthusiastic to learn more about the subject? Last year, I really enjoyed my chemistry class because chemistry came easy to me and I found it really interesting. I was wide awake in that class and was ready to learn. We got to do experiments and visually see things that we were being taught instead of just simply taking notes on them. Since I was enthusiastic about learning more about chemistry, I got good grades it made me really proud of myself.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Courage
Two years ago when I went to Disneyland and there was a giant roller coaster that my little brother wanted to go on. I don't really do roller coasters and neither do my parents but I built up the courage to go on with my little brother. I ended up having a lot of fun.
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