Book War

            In the story “Book War” by Wang Ping it talks about a child who grew up in China around the time when Mao Zedong ruled. Mao Zedong forbade all people that lived in China to read anything besides the books that he had made. The author Wang Ping started to read other books like the little mermaid and he found a box of books his mom had buried and read them all. He was careful not to get caught because it could mean a life sentence. His mom eventually found out and burned them all for his safety.  Later on he started telling his siblings the stories he had read from the memory he had of them and he feels like he won because he passes his knowledge down.

            I personally think that Chairman Mao Zedong banned schools and books because he just wanted the people in his country o learn just what he wanted. He did not want people to start thinking for themselves; on the contrary it seems that he wanted to over control his people.

            If I was in the child’s position I probably would have done the same thing because I would be curious of what world lies outside of china. I would want to explore the readings and knowledge of other authors and see the way they think and their view of the world, instead of just Zedong’s thoughts and his strict ruling.

            When Ping’s mom burned the books I felt kind of angry at her at first, but then I understood why she did it. She was just looking after the safety of her child and the safety of her family. Just imagine what could have happened if they had gotten caught with the books. It could have possibly been death for them.

            My last thought on this story is that even though there are strict rulings in part of the world; there will always be someone finding a way around it. This story is a great example of it. The world’s books are very important to the human race and it may make us who we are. Knowledge is power and we can get knowledge from books.

Driving While Stupid

In “Driving while stupid” by Dave Barry he speaks about the horrible driving his state Miami has. He assures that in Miami they have the worst driving because he has driven in other parts of the world; and even though they are bad they don’t compare to Miami. He explains every adventure with a little humor, in one example he stated that in Argentina some drivers don’t turn their lights on at night because the light bulb last longer that way.  

            I really enjoyed reading this short story. I found it very funny when he explained the case about the driver on I-95 who was coming up behind him very fast and was driving in a very dangerous manner because he had been watching a music video on his little TV screen that was installed on his visor. I actually believe some of his stories even though they sound over exaggerated; this is because in my country Colombia people also drive like lunatics and are dangerous drivers.

            The Author was very persuasive about the fact that his hometown had the worst drivers. He led me to believe this because he stated many other situations he had been in around the world and he still did not think it was as bad as Miami. This basically proves to me that there is no worse case scenario to bad drivers than in Miami.  

            While I was reading this short story I found it very funny and interesting, but I also noticed it stated many serious subjects. I believe that people now in days do everything while they are driving except pay attention to the road and fallow regulations. Take texting while driving for example ;It may be against the law to do it here in Rhode Island but many people still do it and it is very dangerous because it can cost somebody’s life.

            I think this story has a deeper meaning than just funny situations the author tries to point out. It is really stating a problem the world is facing, which is uncaring drivers who don’t follow the rules and regulations of driving.

The ways to live in America

In “Two ways to belong in America” by Bharati Mukherjee there are two sisters who live in the same country but see themselves in different immigrant statuses in the United States. Bharati is the one who blends in more with the United States culture and is in acceptance to transforming herself. Mira on the other hand lives in the United States but wants to keep all her Indian traditions. She feels like this country has betrayed her because they were not being fair with the rules. They still remain close family and both have broken traditional rules from their home country for marrying other men besides the men her father’s chose for them. Overall Bharati seems to at least try to blend into her new country, but Mira differs because she wants to live in the United States as an expatriate.

            I have different views on what the sisters are going through. I personally feel like Mira needs to start adapting to the American culture because even though you are from another culture she should at least change her lifestyle a little more towards the American side. I think Bharati is trying more to live the American life and I think it’s good to at least try to fit in with the people you live around.

            Another way I feel about Mira is that if she really wanted to be Indian as much as she is she should have just stayed in the United States for her work or school for a short period of time, then she should have gone back. Don’t get me wrong I am Colombian and I would never let my culture die out within me even if I am here, but I am not here just to live as a resident; I want to live here as a citizen because just as this country has given me many opportunities, I feel like the least I can do is become part of the country and be proud of it. Obviously Mira does not appreciate the opportunities that this country has offered her because all she thinks is that this country has betrayed her.

            I just think Mira should start looking on the bright side and stop thinking about all the bad things she sees about this country. She should appreciate what has been offered to her and be happy about it instead of complaining all the time.

when greed gives way to giving

            In the story when greed gives way to giving by Ana Veciana-Suarez it talks about a generous man. A man who after selling his road building company for $422 million, gave a portion of his money to his 550 workers. They basically became millionaires with the money he gave away. The author states how it defies all the stereo-types of American people. Better yet it teaches us something priceless which its generosity which many of us lack in today’s world.

            Overall I think what the man did was something very un-expected. I agree with the Author when she states that we can learn something from it, because now in days all we think about is ourselves when we should be giving instead of taking all the time. It blows my mind how this man just gave part of the fortune he worked so hard to build to people he was not even related with. If we had more people follow the example this man demonstrated, the world would definitely be a better place.

            I also agree when the author said that it was rare to see generosity in today’s society. It does not necessarily mean that people just do not want to give; it’s just because many of us cant. It’s hard enough going through a crises while maintaining one’s self; just imagine the people who have to care for others as well. I think that the ones who have and don’t give are a little are very greedy because just imagine if you traded places with some of the people that need your help.

            If I was in that man’s shoes I probably would have taken a similar action. I probably would have donated about 100 million to an organization that helps people out in bad moments. Or a hospital that helps people that need care but can’t afford it. It’s always good to give to people when you have plenty. It can be a way of thanking god for the good he has brought to you and your family.

            I think that this story can be used for more than just entertainment and school purposes; it can be taken as a life lesson that many of us should fallow.

           

           

           

A Risk Free Life

In the story A risk Free life by Leonard Pitts, he describes a case of a woman who’s family is diseased with Alzheimer’s disease and she wants to have a baby. The problem is the baby has a possibility of getting the disease too. So the woman got her baby’s genes screened before she was born for the disease so her baby would not get it. The author then debates that even though he might have taken the same action in the woman’s place, he would still think it is wrong for moral reasons. He thinks that babies should not be like a fast food restaurant and you should not be able to pick him like a meal with whatever you want. Overall the author seems like he has mixed feelings and contradicts himself on the subject.

            The way that I look at this situation is that I agree and disagree with some of the things the author wrote in his story. First of all I agree with him saying that you should not be able to choose every characteristic we want in our children. It simply is foolish and we as a society should recognize that it is morally wrong. The baby should be special to you because it is your blood and your partner’s blood and it should have the qualities of both pairs. Not try to make the baby look completely different to what nature planned for him or her.

            But at the same time I do feel like if we can avoid something such as a disease before the baby is born, we should screen the genes and try to change what is wrong. Personally I would do it. Even though yes, we may face others problems in life like other diseases besides the one we cured at birth, at least we are not guaranteed to be born with the one we have eliminated.

            Changing our baby’s genes at birth may be wrong and go against many things like religion, government, or the way of life for some people. But even acknowledging all this under few circumstances I do approve in the screening of genes and fixing what is wrong if we could.

           

GOOD GRAMMER GETS THE GIRL

In Good Grammar Gets the Girl by Elissa Englund, it talks about how guys should be more aware of the way they spell when they try to talk to a girl online. She had a personal experience on a dating site; of a guy Craig who tried to talk to her, but spelled miserably. She deleted him right away because she felt like that was not attractive at all. Englund goes on giving examples to help someone improve their writing. Concluding that a man should take spelling precautions like combing your hair, and brushing your teeth before dating. “The extra effort shows, and the ladies will notice.”

I agree and at the same time disagree to what Englund said throughout her story, based on different situations. I disagree because I think that what Englund says does not apply to all the men. Now in days even the women are writing in ways which does not spell a word correctly. For example:  “you” is now spelled just with an actual “u” when texting many times. It’s not about spelling the word correctly but actually just getting you point across; even if you have to take shortcuts. But at the same time I agree with her because maybe more grown couples, from ages twenty-six and older, may actually take spelling into consideration. Possibly ignoring you totally if you write a message full of errors.

Overall I think either way you do get judged depending to what age group you are talking to. If you are a younger person talking to your friend through text then I may assume it is okay to use letters such as “U” and “R” to replace you and are. But if you’re online looking for your soul mate on a dating site I do suggest you make sure everything is correct. It is just a fact, people judge us for our writing; especially in dating sites, where the first thing that you can actually judge a person on is his or her writing

Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros

In The story Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros, she writes about her personal life as she grew up in a hard working Mexican family. She expressed her feelings in the situation about her father; and how she always felt like her father was not proud of her. Every time he would talk about his family, he would mention that he had seven sons; when in reality he had six sons and one daughter. Cisneros had gone to college to become an English writer, but her dad was expecting her to go to college for a different reason, to find her soul mate to marry. At the end of her story she explains how her father finally took interest in a story that she had written, and for the first time in her life she had made him proud.

Reading this story made me feel very sad for Cisneros. She worked very hard in college to be where she was at, and her father never really had taken interest in her career. She wanted to go to college to make him proud, but all he cared about was that she needed to find a husband. It was like that was all she was born to be in her father’s eyes, just a “Wife”; that only his sons could actually be someone important in life.

            I think that wanting to make her father proud also helped Cisneros be where she is today. She wanted to become someone important and successful, not just a wife. Growing up in her six brother’s shadows made her want to stand out and push herself harder than all of them. This disadvantage was very sad for her growing up life experience, but at the same time I feel like it brought the best out of her.

            At the end of the Cisneros’s story I felt very happy for her. It was like she had gotten her reward for all her years of hard work. She had finally made her father proud like she had really wanted for the first time.

            Overall I think her hard work should have been enough to make her father extremely proud. Even before when she was in college she deserved her father’s support in her decision to become an English writer. Not the support to go to college to find her a husband. I personally felt her father’s thoughts were extremely ridiculous; and she is a very strong minded woman that should serve as a role model for many girls who grow up in her same situation.