Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Can serious drinking be part of one's cultural heritage?

I think that one's drinking habits can be influenced by their peers and role models. If all of your friends drink, you will probably drink too. If you have older family members who you look up to, you will think it's cool to drink and want to drink too. Peer pressure has a huge effect on teenagers, and that's why so many do drink. Serious drinking has been shown to be detrimental to one's health, so I would definitely not advise it, especially at a young age.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Post #2

Out of the two pieces "Two Kinds," by Amy Tan, and "Everyday Use," by Alice Walker, I'd choose "Two Kinds" as my favorite. I felt that it was easier for me to relate to and understand. Jing-mei was a dynamic character. Her tough mother and rebellious attitude was much closer to home than the name changing and quilt hanging of Dee (Wangero) and "Hakim-a-barber." Jing-mei felt like her mother was pushing her much too hard, toward unrealistic goals. While I think her mother was doing good in pushing her daughter, I believe she should have set less lofty goals for her, or even urge her to choose her own. 
Dee, however, I felt was somewhat disrespectful in changing her name. If it was actually for the religious reasons, fine, but there is a better way than coming home and asking to be called something other than your given name, one that has been passed down for generations. I also didn't like how she wanted to keep her family's quilts and do the exact opposite of what her mom wanted done with them, that they be put to everyday use, the title of the piece. I commend her mom for being so understanding about the situation, and even attempting (and failing) several times at her significant other's name.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

My biggest challenge this upcoming semester will be doing these blogs on time