Lois’ English Blog

Prompt Response: One time I decided to read instead of playing 9 square. The people in my class didn't understand why I would rather read and they yelled at me to come over and play the game. I think that the small class made it really easy for kids to be peer pressured. There are always times when you feel different, but every moment in that school made me feel that way. I feel a lot better these days because my friends don't judge me as much. Summary: We analyzed Emily Dickinson's “I’m Nobody, Who Are You?” and wrote about who we are.   Reflection: I realized that I am just a high schooler that lives with her parents and brother. I will use this to expand who I am. 

Prompt Response: I feel like my family's face travels with me wherever I go. I obviously have traditionally Asian features, but I look just like my dad and grandma. It's something about my paternal side of the family that has us all appearing with the square faces with big eyes and wide noses. People always told me I looked just like my dad, and I think that's how it will always be. I guess genetics are just like that. Summary: We read "The Myth of the Latin Woman" and analyzed the stereotypes mentioned in it.  Reflection: We learned about how harmful stereotypes can be even if they don't "hurt" anyone. I will use this information to make sure that I don't treat anyone like a caricature of their respective groups. 

Prompt Response: People often assume I'm really good at math because I'm Asian. I'm pretty good at math, but I find that I'm much better at history. It's common knowledge that Asians should be good at math, but even though I'm not bad at math, it makes me feel inferior to see every other Asian excel at something I'm not that good at. Even though it's a "good" stereotype, it can still negatively affect people by making us feel like we're not good enough. It's almost like I'm not "Asian" enough. Summary: We did a worksheet on stereotypes and discussed different kinds of stereotypes. Reflection: I learned that there can be neutral stereotypes. I will use this information to check myself when I find myself projecting these stereotypes onto certain people.

Prompt Response: I will never fully understand music theory. I've had exams for music theory that I spent months on. I tried and tried over and over again, but no matter what happened, I could not figure augmented sevenths for the life of me. I even failed the exam the first time I took it and barely passed the second time around. I really won't ever figure it out, but it's not a big deal, and I don't care anymore.  Summary: We presented our cultural identity posters and saw our classmates' posters. Reflection: I learned about how people from the same place can have vastly different cultures. I will use this information to dive deeper into what makes a person who they are. 

Prompt Response: There can never be too much yarn for me. I love crocheting and because of that, I love acrylic yarns. More colors, more weights, more textures, more anything for yarn. This is mainly so that I can fuel my creative passion for fibers arts, but it's also just nice to see. If I could have every color in the world, I would do it. Summary: We worked on our cultural identity poems and posters today. Reflection: I learned how to analyze poems to find the context behind them. I will use this information to understand the cultural context of poems I read in the future. 

Prompt Response: The most creative thing I ever made was a crocheted bunny in overalls with a matching blanket. It was very important to me because I remember finishing it and just falling in love. It turned out adorably and it was the perfect size to hold. The colors were shades of brown and yellow, and it had the most charming face. It was also one of the first crochet projects that came out exactly as I had imagined.  Summary: Today we read "A Korean Dream" and analyzed it in class. Reflection:  I learned that despite the hardships you might feel now, things will change and you can grow as a person. I will use this information to keep my hopes up whenever I feel like giving up.

Prompt Response: Sometimes I wonder if the things we know to be true can be disproved, and if so, whether or not people would believe the proof over their knowledge. This is important to me because there are some things that we are bound to disagree on. Things like religion really make us argue. I also wonder if the emotions we feel are actually important or just a response to the chemicals that course through our bodies. I think about this a lot because if everything including love and sadness and grief is just chemicals, then what makes us who we actually are and not a bundle of nerves and chemicals.  Summary: We read and analyzed "I, Too" by Langston Hughes today. Reflection: I learned that in the 1920's there were some people that disagreed on how we should handle racial disputes. I will use this information to relate to our present day racial issues. 

Prompt Response: When I was practicing piano for the ABRSM I remember feeling empty inside. The ABRSM was a music test that determined if you were able to move on to the next grade. I practiced everyday, but I still made so many mistakes. When I recorded myself for the exam, I remember my hands shaking and my heartbeat speeding up. I had fights with my mom over it because I just couldn't stop making mistakes. Summary: We presented our masks and listened to our peers discuss their masks.  Reflection: I learned that people from the same culture can experience culture differently. I will use this information to make sure I do not hold onto stereotypes and project them onto people. 

 Prompt Response: I learned to adapt to having to write everyday by spacing things out for myself. One thing I am good at is analyzing the hidden meanings of texts and it's something I will always be good at. In AP language I was especially good at finding meaning behind the death of Myrtle in the Great Gatsby . I understood that her death represented how the rich will use and abuse the poor and get away with it. I have struggled with writing about myself and talking about who I am in the past and I probably will in the coming days. Whenever I had to answer surveys about what my strengths were, I often found myself whether or not I actually knew myself. Summary: We worked on our culture masks and wrote out two paragraphs to explain the meanings and symbols on our masks. Reflection: I learned about how my culture can affect who I am. I will use this information to see how it alters my perspective compared to my friends. 

Prompt Response: Gender roles and the patriarchy have led me to be more soft spoken than how I would have been. I'm already pretty outspoken now, but despite this, I still hold my tongue and just roll my eyes when I hear something I don't like. I depicted this as roses without thorns on my mask. Of course a rose is beautiful, but no rose is without its thorns, and if you're too violent with it, you might hurt yourself. I asserted my authenticity when I was around 13 and I got sick of seeing my 10 classmates all act exactly the same. I decided that being liked wasn't worth giving up who I was.  Summary: We watched and analyzed a short film about masks and worked on our culture masks. Reflection: We learned about how conforming to certain groups in high school is common, but not necessary. I will use this information in the future to remind myself to be true to who I am. 

Prompt Response: In my culture, we give money to unmarried people and children. On Chinese New Year I can always expect a red pocket filled with a crisp brand new bill. In Chinese culture, we care a lot about making money, and we believe that giving money to unmarried people and children also gives them luck. The red pockets mirror how we never want to owe anybody anything. If someone gives your child $20, then you must give their child $20 as well. Nothing is ever just a favor, and it's expected that we must return the "favor". It's also a way for us to take care of one another, so it also mirrors how we care about each other.  Summary: We answered discussion questions about "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid.  Reflection: We learned how to answer discussion questions. I will use this information in the future when answering questions about literature. 

Prompt Response:   Ever since I was a little girl, I can recall my parents telling me to respect my  older family members. Of course, I do think that we should treat our family members with respect, but sometimes I really don't understand it. If someone disregards my opinions and wants just because they're older, I want to fight them over it. Still, I find myself holding my tongue because it's better to just go along with what others say rather than bicker over it. I'm stubborn, but I still remember my parents telling me not to argue and be calm. Summary: Today in class we read "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid and discussed cultural heritage and its effects on our lives.  Reflection: I learned that my cultural heritage can affect both my daily life and how I think. I'll probably check myself before I make big decisions to see how I may behave due to my cultural heritage. 

 Multicultural Literature