The Vagina Monologues

Random huh?

For beginners, The Vagina Monologues was written by Eve Ensler. The novel is compiled of women's testimonies of female empowerment, anguish, humor, and complexity. There are pieces that discuss dating, female quarks, and sexuality all from the vagina perspective. In order to create such a wide variety of works, Eve traveled all over the world and asked women of all ages, even young girls about their thoughts on their vaginas. An interesting piece that was quite humorous, in my opinion, involved the question: "What's special about your vagina?" to have a six year old respond with "Somewhere deep inside it I know it has a really really smart brain."


However, apart from the witty response to such questions, the novel also has serious pieces. For example, "My Vagina was my Village" is extremely explicit and blunt to further build on emotion and pathos. I am going to have to ask you to bear with me and read the short monologue. Before I start, the monologue is raw, explicit and can even make you flinch; it discusses the rapes that are occurring in the Congo and Tibet. Do not forget, its a true story.

"My vagina was green, water soft pink fields, cow mooing sun resting sweet boyfriend touching lightly with soft piece of blond straw.

There is something between my legs. I do not know what it is. I do not touch. Not now. Not anymore. Not since.

My vagina was chatty, can't wait, so much, so much saying, words talking, can' t quit trying, can't quit saying, oh yes, oh yes.

Not since I dream there's a dead animal sewn in down there with thick black fishing line. And the bad dead animal smell cannot be removed. And its throat is slit and it bleeds through all my summer dress.

My vagina singing all girl songs, all goat bells ringing songs, all wild autumn field songs, vagina songs, vagina home songs.

Not since the soldiers put a long thick rifle inside me. So cold, the steel rod canceling my heart. Don't know whether they're going to fire it or shove it through my spinning brain. Six of them, monstrous doctors with black masks shoving bottles up me too. There were sticks, and the end of a broom.

My vagina swimming river water, clean spilling water over sun-baked stones over stone clit, clit stones over and over.

Not since I heard the skin tear and made lemon screeching sounds, not since a piece of my vagina came off in my hand, a part of my life, now one side of the lip is completely gone.

My vagina. A live wet water village. My vagina hometown.

Not since they took turns for seven days smelling like feces and smoked meat, they left their dirty sperm inside me. I became a river of poison and plus and all the crops died, and the fish.

My vagina a live wet water village.

They invaded it. Butchered it and burned it down.

I do not touch it now.

Do not visit.

I live someplace else now.

I don't know where that is. "

The use of imagery is impressive. Ensler uses phrases like "water soft pink fields" and terms like "butcher" and "monstrous" to emphasize the events that were occurring to the speaker. This piece is shocking and creates pathos by attacking one's inner emotions and consider a global issue.

I personally admire how Ensler created an identity for a woman's body part into something that is meaningful with a source of its own power (women empowerment); creative syntax and changed the meaning of a vagina.

In addition to being a creative writer, Enler has created an organization and movement to cease violence against women in all regions. For those that seek further reading and imvolvment into Enler's mission of female identity and perservance, visit: http://newsite.vday.org/about

Barack Obama: The Plan

Hello to everyone,

In spite of the HISTORICAL event last Tuesday, I have been doing some reading on our new president, Barack Hussein Obama. I am aware that some people don't get the gravity of what just happened so think about it this way, the Jim Crow laws (set of laws that discriminated against African Americans that maintained a segregation between whites and blacks in the South) weren't abolished even 50 years ago and it wasn't until 1957 when we had 9 brave African Americans walk into the halls of an all white high school, enduring racism by their fellow peers. It was such a big deal that they had to be escorted by military soldiers everyday of school to ensure their safety. African Americans were once suppressed and made into slaves and went to centuries of abuse and hatred. Africans were slaves way before Christopher Columbus discovered America (crazy huh?). Now seeing a culture once on its a knees rise up and create a movement is amazing and inspirational. It shows that America has grown from its old ways and has entered the next chapter in history with an open-mind to make a "change we can believe in."

For those that don't know anything about Barack Obama, let me fill you in. Obama was not from a wealthy family, neither did he have both parents by his side. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, son to Stanley Ann Dunham, a white woman from Kansas and Luo from Kenya. After a couple of years of marriage they divorced (Obama was 2 years old), his mother remarried and moved to Indonesia. Barack Obama however, by the age of ten, moved back to Hawaii and stayed with his grandparents who raised him from then on. (His mother died of Ovarian Cancer in 1995 and his father died in a car accident in 1982.) Obama attended and graduated from Occidental, Columbia and Harvard University and worked himself up as a community leader to Illinois Senator and now to our very own president.

In "Change we can Believe In", Obama's plans for his presidency are mentioned throughout the book. He has an approach to everything; from the environment to education, and jobs to national security and advancement. I was suprised to read some of his game plans. For example, in order to keep families from further falling into poverty he is planning to give a $500 tax refund per individual and $1000 per couple. My first thoughts were, "Wow, that's going to benefit a ton of people" as well as "Where is that money going to come from?". And the further i read, my question was unanswered up until i started to add things up. He also promises to cease giving people from high classes and corporations tax breaks (which should really reel in a huge amount to contribute to the country). Another approach to deal with poverty is raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9.50 by 2011 (My thoughts: Awesome).

Now, for all of those high school students getting ready for college, you'll love this: Community College will now be free and cover 2/3 of a public college tuition all for the exchange of 100 community service hours (My thoughts: BEST President EVER).

Barack Obama isn't doing such a bad job in the House. So far he has reversed Bush's Anti Abortion Funds to actually allowing abortion (I understand this is a sensitive topic but remember i said that i may be bias? So feel free to argue with me, my standing is "its a woman's choice" not the government's).

I greatly encourage this book to everyone! We, the people, should be informed of what's going on. Its our country and we have the choice to elect the person that represents us as a whole.

Here's a link to the book itself- Change We Can Believe In
I am in love with this music video. Check it out. Yes, We Can by Will.i.am

To Kill A Mockingbird

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." - Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus)

This is a real novel. Its a classic that everyone should read. The basic story is set in the South where racism and discrimination is at a high. The story revolves around the view of Scout, the daughter of the prominent white lawyer, Atticus. The novel starts out with news around town about an incident with a white lady and a black man charged for rape.

The story:

Tom Robinson is a handy man that worked for the Ewell's (Bob and Mayella). Bob's the kind of guy that believes women are inferior to men, and therefore continuously abuses his daughter.

Like every other day, Bob leaves for work and Mayella, is left alone. On the day of the incident, Tom comes around for his daily work. But the twist is, Mayella seduces him. And guess who walks in? Yep, good ol' Bob. Bob is of course mad as hell and although the circumstances were explained, he charges Tom for rape.

As the story continues, so does life. Scout and her brother, play naively in their world. (their current mystery: Boo Radly) I won't really get into it because i believe the story lies within the case. Anyways, Atticus takes up the case. Now my fellow readers, go back to the top of the blog and reread the paragraph about the location. Okay, what sets up a red flag? Yep, you got it. A white man is defending a black man in a racist Southern setting.

Therefore, the Finch's endure a lot of angry racist comments. One day at school, Scout got in a fight with another student because they accused her father of being a "nigger-lover"(please excuse the language). Atticus is also a victim of this hate. At work he is constantly ridiculed for defending a black man. Nonetheless, Atticus stands firm and strong with his position to help Tom. Atticus even attempts to help support Tom's family while he is away in prison. He visits the family constantly with food and word of hope.

The day of the court case, the jury is all white and therefore the verdict finds Tom guilty of rape. Not so long after there is news that Tom is killed in prison. The officials said that he made a run for it and was shot. Now, look at this critically. A jail's "backyard" is the size of a football field. Why would he take such a chance if he knew he'd never make it. The officials lied.

The thing that makes this novel one-of-a-kind is that it happens through a little girl's eyes. Jem starts to open her eyes and break away from her childhood mentality. She starts to notice that the world is not unicorns and teddy bears, she learns that the world is full of corruption and chaos. She grows up.

Too broad? Here's a website:
http://www.bookrags.com/notes/tkm/SUM.html

Naked

Hi people.

Do me a favor. NAKED! what comes to mind?
To many they may think of someone in their birthday suit streaking. Others may think of the naked molerat (Gary). But i want you to think of something deeper, like under the surface, like the center of an onion. Do you follow? In other words, the bare truth.

This week's novel is a memoir. Naked by David Sedaris. This book doesn't really have a story line I can explain, its more of a series of mini stories. The basic background is David's childhood and the many quarky memories that fall there. He is born into a wealthy family. His mother is an extremely aggressive woman with a lot to say. She is not a typical mother, she is blunt and educates her six children to smart and never fall into the hands of miming or another low paying job. His father is a golf-obsessed man that is on a mission to covert his children. David's siblings are well, weird.

David is not your average cookie. David would lick anything his mind told him to. He would could all three hundred twenty seven steps home, and if he missed a step, he'd go back to school and start again. On his way home, he'd sniff the neighbor's newspaper, lick someone's land nome or hug a tree. It was his ritual. At home, David would lick ALL the light switches angle everything on his desk perfectly, color coordinate all his clothing, and scream loudly within his throat (he though no one could hear him).

One of my favorite stories, in the Sedaris' household was, there was a period in time in which somone would wipe their butts with the bathroom towels. It wasn't until everyone took a shower and wrapped their heads around the towl did they notice that it was sioled and stinky. The never did find who it was.

An odd hobby that was put to a halt was his rocking. Sedaris would rock in his bed to achieve a sense of relaxation. He started it when he was young and stopped until he was about in college, when his roomate mistakened the rocking for masterbation. ("knock it off romeo!")

This book is filled with weird happenings. I REALLY recommend it. Its a fun book that can make you burst into laughter and just forget about everything else. I would say that by far, this is the best humor book that i have ever came across. Read it poeple! i have a a copy if you would like to borrow it.

bye byes!

A better summary:
http://www.digihitch.com/review13.html

For One More Day

Hello to all fellow peers!

As promised, this blog will be dedicated to Mitch Albom's For One More Day. (I will try to be as detailed as I can. Be patient!) For One More Day basically covers everything, from divorce to suicide, to regret and hope. More importantly, the book's theme is parenthood and challenges people to be more appreciative of their parents. The book's essential question is: What will you do if you had the chance to spend a day with a deceased loved one?

The story starts out with a reporter interviewing Charley Benetto, an ex- major league baseball player. Charley begins his story on the night he attempted suicide:
Having lost his family, job, and reputation, he has become dependent on alcohol as a pain reliever. Now, broken-hearted, drunk and regretful, Charley drives out to his hometown, in hopes to take his life. As he staggers home, he finds his mother, now eight years deceased, is waiting for him with open arms and love. Naturally, Charley is flabbergasted at his discovery and begins asking questions and commences a commotion. His mother is unaffected and offers him food and a place to sleep as if nothing has happened. After an exhausting and strange day, gives in and takes the offer.

Before, I continue on with the story, there are some things you need to know. When Charley was a kid, his father said, “You can be a mama’s boy or a daddy’s boy, but you can’t be both.” He chose his father. Charley, looked up to his father, Len, and constantly wanted to make him proud. Len served in WWII and pushed Charley to be a tough son, free from emotions. His mother, Pauline (Posey) was a beautiful lady with the personality to match. She on the other hand, wanted Charley to be a gentleman.
Len and Posey, were a handsome couple that upheld a love/hate relationship. One day, Charley and Roberta (Charley's little sister), found their mother crying in the kitchen. Len had left them.

The next morning, Charley and his mother set off on a walk. Pauline, walks him to the park and point out a tree with the word, "Please." carved. (I believe this is the sweetest thing a mother can ever tell you.) Pauline wanted a baby, and when everything failed, she'd pray every night and day. "Please", was a prayer for Charley, he was wanted and he was the "wish granted".

As the day goes on, they visit three people.
Rose, an old patient of Pauline when she was a nurse.
(Once Pauline was a single woman again, the hospital fired her and accused her of "distracting the employees." Therefore, she turned to become a hairdresser in order to support her family.)
Miss Thelma, the Benetto's housekeeper; Pauline worked as a housekeeper as well, to put Roberta and Charley through college.
The last person they visited, was an elderly italian woman. As Charley attempted to identify the woman, Pauline confessed what happened the night before Len left. Late at night, Len left the house and Pauline followed him to the next town. It turned out that, Len led a secret life with the woman he met during WWII, and that was when it all ended.

After that strange encounter, he feels ashamed of himself and gives up alcohol, begins to reconnect with his family and earns his daughter's forgiveness. Charley, was a changed man.

Remember that reporter? Guess who it was. It was his daughter.

I hope i did a good job at summarizing the story, but i STRONGLY encourage people to read it. I can promise you that at some point, you will cry and the message will stick with you.

If you have any further questions, ask! I apologize if i sounded a bit vague.

Welcome Note.

Hello fellow AP peers!
I am excited to be apart of the AP English and Composition class. This class looks to be one of the toughest ones of the year, in my opinion. I am well aware that our instructor has high expectations and its both a good and bad thing. Bad: Requires working out of our comfort zone and actually putting more effort than any other of our classes. Good: Our instructor is realistic and is not going to "dumb us down" or baby us. She's going to be blunt and tell us what is wrong and how to improve it. (I love that.) And in return, we, as the students must put in the effort and push ourselves. The course does not guarantee a passing score nor does it guarantee an A. That depends on us and how wisely we are as students and used the lessons correctly.

This AP course will be challenging, not only because of the material it contains but the fact that I am a non-fluent writer. I believe that writing should come as easy as a language, it should be fluent and come easily. I, for one, am a horrible writer, I struggle when it comes to organizing thoughts and writing introductory and conclusion paragraphs. But that's something I hope to improve on. The main reason why I chose this class was because I want to stand out from all the competition when it comes to college application reviews. I don't want to be another number in the rejection pile. I want the experience and skills. I want to be "extraordinary*".

One of the vital assignment for the course is to write a blog about a school-related topic. My blog topic, as you can tell from the title, has to do along the lines of books and novels. In my blog, I will write comments and feedback on books I come across and read. I will summarize the story as best I can and express the importance of some parts of the book. I have to warn you, I may be bias in some of my entries. The first book I may blog about is "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom. Brief Summary: The story is about a man who has reached the 'bottom of the pit' in life. He is depressed and rejected from his family because of his ambition to become a baseball player. Therefore he decides to go to his old childhood neighborhood and commit suicide, and while he does he is unexpectedly visited by his mother's ghost. Throughout the story he learns more about himself and gives himself a second chance. The book's moral is to keep going and to make the best of your mistakes. I hope that my blog will be interesting and I encourage readers to comment any books you'd like for me to look at. I love to read and will look into anything.


*In my fifth grade class, my teacher taught me the most crucial word and definition in my life, Extraordinary.
Denotation:
Extraordinary. adj. going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary <extraordinary powers>
In my mind:
Ordinary means simple and normal, I don't want to normal, I want to stand out. Extra means to be more of. Being extraordinary means, being more than that, breaking away from simple and creating something WAY different.