Slaughterhouse five

I've decided to do this post about Slaughterhouse Five, which I've just recently finished. This was a very interesting and real book. I liked how Kurt Vonnegut didn't censor any of the gruesome truths of war. Also, i found it fun that Vonnegut could infuse comedy with a devastating event whilst making the devastation very recognizable. I believe the phrase, "And even if the wars didn't keep coming like glaciers, there would still be plain old death." really does an excellent job summarizing the theme of this book. It states that with or without war people still die and most importantly despite that death time still continues. It's as if one death is irrelevant. War may be unnecessary but it is also inevitable.

OH! Also, The ending to Slaughterhouse five wasn't bad but it most definitely wasn't what i was expecting. I kind of expected some deep, insightful, human interpretation on war. Couldn't he think of a better analogy than birds? I mean come on; "Poo-tee-weet." Really?

OR- Numero cuatro

Today, in my boook, The main character (still have no idea what his name) continues his search for the man/woman with the name Black who contributed to the main characters- lets just call him paul this time- fathers death. This time paul's searching brought him to an apparently "incredibly beautiful" woman. Despite the woman saying she has no idea who Thomas Schell- the boys father- is, Paul can't help the feeling she's lying to him. After many persuasive efforts Paul gives up, but not before asking Mrs. Black- who is in fact a Mrs.- if they "can kiss for a while." She's 48 and he's about 11. Not only is that awkward and creepy, it's also illegal. Very, very illegal. Mrs. Black politely declines, (thank god!)and introverted, dissapointed Paul departs. Also in this chapter we learn a little more about the close bond between Paul and his grandmother. She is always extrememly worried about Paul because of one incident where she sorta-kinda lost him. He is her everything and she caters to his every waking need and want.
Thats where i'm gonna leave you.

OR- Numero tres

Well, continuing from where i left off, Thomas is searching for this mysterious "Black" who may lead him closer to finding out what happened to his father. He is very persistent, and i mean VERY persistent. Thomas insists on searching- and interviewing- everyone in NY with the name Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Black. Along his journey he has these sort of flashbacks slash flashforwards where it seems as though he is narrating his future...which takes place in the present...it's really confusing. So far, Thomas has met a Mr. Black who appears to be very sick and hooked up to a bunch of IV's. This man is grumpy but becomes empathetic when he learns of Thomas's fathers death. That's about it. Stay tuned. :]

Outside reading- numero dos

So today i read quiet a bit in my book. Got pretty far. Page 70-ish...i think. Anywhozzlfrynser, I still enjoy this book very much. I'm starting to kinda get lost in it, but that's ok. I'm sure i can recover. The main character -whose name may possibly be Thomas, I think i'll just call him Thomas for now- finds out his father is dead. Which is sad. He apparently died in a fire at his work. (BTW story take place in NY, did i mention that yet?) Thomas is obviously really shook up about the tradgedy. On top of it all he feels like his mom and him are drifting apart. What a bad day/week/month/year/life. Thomas then finds a key hidden in a vase in his fathers study, what he was doing in the study IDK. Along with the key there is an envelop, on this envelope is the word black, written in red pen. Peculiar? Why would the word black be wrtten with a color that is so very un-black. Unless it's a name?!?!? GASP. Thomas goes to investigate...and thats where i stopped.

Outsiding reading- Blog numero uno.

For my outside reading blog i chose the book "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
I started at page 0 and read to page 30 in class. If we do the math correctly that's 30 pages i read in class. As of what I've read so far I'm loving this book. It's just so pleasantly odd. It's about this little boy -possibly actually a teenager- who is gifted with all these crazy, yet fantastically original ideas and thoughts. He seems to be very drawn to his father and has an almost creepy obsession with pleasing his mother. Also, I'm not entirely sure yet, but i think he may be autistic or something to that similar effect because he is so completely random and seems to be completely unaware of logical thinking and social boundaries. I mean, to demonstrate just how innocently trusting he is here is a shocking example from the book; this boy gives duplicate keys to his loft -WHICH happens to have ALL of his and his family's valuable belongings -to everyone from the mailman to the pizza delivery man. Oh boy...
The place that i left off we just found out his father died. Sorry i keep calling him HIM. I don't believe they've given me a name yet.

New Imperialism

"imperialsim in asia." wikipedia. 16 feb 2009. wikipedia. 17 Mar 2009 .
"scramble for africa." wikipedia. 16 feb 2009. wikipedia. 17 Mar 2009 .
"bush war." wikipedia. 16 feb 2009. wikipedia. 17 Mar 2009 .
"gattling gun." wikipedia. 16 feb 2009. wikipedia. 17 Mar 2009 .

I will be talking a little bit about imperialism in China. During the eighteenth century, the Qing Dynasty government expanded its western borders to include areas such as Xinjiang and Tibet that had historically been under direct Chinese control during the Han, Tang, Yuan periods. This led to the process of Chinese national unification. Chinese nationalists, mainly those of the nineteenth century, also regarded Qing expansion as imperialist and colonial when it came the Qing rule of Han Chinese areas, but not when it came to ruling outlying regions. During and earlier than the eighteenth century, Jesuits and merchants from Western Europe came to China in increasing numbers which led to the beginning of Euroopean expansion in China.

Love blog

I'm not quite sure how to discuss the topic of love, considering I havent been a victim yet. Well yes, I love my family members and close friends, thats all fine and dandy, but love LOVE? The kind that's described as burning, passionate, tear jerking, heart crushing, wanna puke rainbows love. The kind that makes for great poetry? No i havent experienced any of THAT. Hopefully someday. Plus teenage love? I mean, come on. How unrealistic, our prefrontal cortex isn't even properly developed yet, meaning we tend to make rash, hardly thought out decisions. Notice how i'm saying WE. In my opinion, as of this moment, I think love is a little overrated, I think love may just be a strong sense of unexplainable admiration. Then again, I could be totally wrong.
Besides all my negative comments, Love is publicized as such a beautiful thing. I believe if we didnt have the concept and idea of love life would be alot more boring. Take movies for example, What would Romeo and Juliet be without love? Not worth watching. Though, I also believe there would be alot less fighting. Love is such a conflicting concept. So many people dream of it, some are even willing to die just for the feeling. There are so many crimes that are committed "in the name of love", because apparently committing a crime out of love makes a person a little more human. A little more relateable. Some people base their whole existence around finding love, they look for something shown in propoganda, they base their facts off of other peoples stories. I'm sure the feeling of love is different for every person.
Well i'm done.

War blog

War is defined as reciprocated armed conflict between political units aimed at a desired political end-state.
War is usually stimulated by a strong emotion over an obviously controversial subject. Take religion for example, religion has added to many disagreements which quickly turned to full out conflicts, like the crusades and the Reconquista. Although, some key factors which have a tendency to lead to war are new technology, foreign social behaviour, and new intellectual ideas. Though many people preach peace instead of war and go to great lengths in the attempt of promoting peace I believe it is a futile attempt. War is inevitable in many situations, and even if peace was a reachable goal for one individual, the chances of getting the whole world to agree and to think on an even remotely similar wavelength is slim to none, favoring none. There will always be that one person neglecting to make a change.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/war

Imperialism blog

Todays blog topic is Imperialism, take a moment and prepare yourself for the excitement. Ready? Imperialism is defined as the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/imperialism) So basically it can be summed up as imposing rule upon a foreign nation. In my personal opinion its a terrible thing that becomes a necessary means for survival at times. In order for a country to become a supposed "protectorate" of another nation they must enforce something...maybe it could just be less violent? I think if imperialism could be done without all the brutal force and unequal treaties it would [obviously] have a better wrap and would be, for a lack of better words, appreciated. Then again, i guess these changes wouldnt really make imperialism "Imperialism" anymore. I suppose it would just be considered a "helpful hand".

Global issue

So Global warming, as i'm sure everyone knows, is a very major issue in a modern day and age. Luckily, as we have become more aware of our deteriorating atmosphere due to polution and industrialization, the rate of global warming has decreased a great deal. But, in order to keep it this way here are a list of the top ten things you can do to help cease the fear of global warming:

1) Reduce, reuse and recycle.
2) Use less heat and air conditioning.
3) Change a regular light bulb to fluorescent.
4) Drive less and more smart.
5) Buy energy efficient products.
6) Use less hot water.
7) Conserve energy and electricity.
8) Plant a tree.
9) Find out from you electric company how efficient you are being.
10) Encourage others to conserve as well. Be the example!

In a way, Global warming of ties into a change blog as well. If it wasn't for the scary reality of Global warming, I dont think people would be all that motivated to make energy efficient machines, like cars that run on sunlight for example. It's a win within a loss.

Bollywood baby

Bride and prejudice, I lovvveee this movie. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Of course it was over the top and cheesy at points, but isnt that what made it so goshdarn lovable.
So I did a little "bollywood research" and found that the main girl in this movie, (can't remember the characters name) is a very famous bollywood actress named Aishwarya Rai. (Pronounced: Eye-shh-wahr-ya-rye) She has starred in many indian and american movies, and has won oscars along with many beauty pageants, like Miss America, I think. People have actually labeled her the most beautiful woman in the world!! Anyway...I just thought i'd share that with you.

But yes Bride and Prejudice, good movie.
And now we will watch the Namesake.


AANNDDD i saw the movie Slumdog Millionare!! Ohmigosh AMAZING!!
What do i do in order to get EC..compare NIAS and that or something?

Holiday blog

Did you know that there is a holiday dedicated to hatred?
Well there is, in Cambodia.
Every May 20th, people across Cambodia are encouraged to release their harboured hatred towards one specefically vile man; Pol pot.
This holiday was invented in the attempt of transforming the fear felt by the memory of Pol pot (The leader of the Cambodian communist movement in the 1970's and the Prime minister) with resentment towards him.

Although this holiday is still public, in most cases it is not thought of as a holiday but as exactly what it is, "The day of hatred." It is not celebrated for it is a day of remembrance for the many people who died under and due to Pol pot's rule.

How the government allowed this movement to pass, i'll never know, how its still present today baffles me. Everybody deals with things in their own way....if you want to dedicate a "holiday" to some evil dictatorlike man. I guess, whatever floats Cambodia's boat.

Culture!

Culture is such a funny word...no? I just wonder how they thought of such an ugly word (in my opinion) for such a beautiful reality. So for my culture blog i am going to tell you how the word "culture" came to be and what exactly it means. Exciting!

Culture came from the Latin word "Cultura" which originated from "Colere" meaning "to cultivate." Of course this is referring to the Agricultural term "Culture."
But what about the more commonly used "Culture"? Like for example a certain Country's Culture? WELL...
In the mid-nineteenth century, some scientists used the term "culture" to refer to a universal human capacity. Then, in the twentieth century, "culture" emerged as a concept central to anthropology, encompassing all human phenomena.

Culture can be summed up in 3 basic ways...
1)Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities
2)An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning
3)The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group

Now in the anthropological sense "Culture" could be described as..
1)The evolved human capacity to classify and represent experiences with symbols, and to act imaginatively and creatively.
2)The distinct ways that people living in different parts of the world classified and represented their experiences, and acted creatively.

Well, there you have it!! Culture in all its multi-meaning glory!!

Thank you wiki....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture

Change

Change. Everything is always changing. :D
This subject brought to my thoughts a conversation i just recently had with a college student preparing for a study abroad program in India. He is interested in the origin and history of language and is studying to be a multilinguist analyst...or something like that. Anyway, i asked him why he chose India to study abroad in and he said it was because they are one of the only countries that has not only preserved their ancient culture and tradition but they have also continually practiced them. Many cultures around the world have ancient teachings and kept traditions, but none are as widely practiced as in India. This would be a good example of how, although the world and it's people is constantly changing, India tries to remain loyal to their roots. It's admirable but at the same time somewhat misunderstood. It encourages people to think that Indian society isnt as modernized mentally and emotionally as the U.S., which really isnt true. The people of India just havent let their ancient beliefs slip away over time.

HOPE

SPOILERS!
Well, for my hope blog i'm going to make a connection to the book i'm reading, Breaking dawn. Hope is shown alot throughout the book. For example, when Bella is trying to have Renesmee she has hope and faith in herself that she can make it through painful pregnancy. Bella also has faith in herself, her husband, and her strength. Hope is a reoccuring factor in this book, something that i really didn't expect...i guess it'd be best if you just read the book and made your own connections...

Religion blog

Well for my religion blog, I decided to study the Baha'i religion...no reason in particular, this religion/philosophy just intrigues me.

The Baha'i religion was established in nineteenth c. Persia, so it's a fairly new religion. It exemplifies the spiritual unity of all humanity. It ties together all the major religions of the world saying that they are all related to each other in the way that they all have a divine messenger which preaches criteria suited for the needs of that era. Thus its suggesting a string of Man made religions...or at least that's what I'm getting out of it. In my personal opinion i believe that Karl Marx was dead on when he described religion as "the opium of the masses." We decipher religious meanings the way we want to in order for our benefit. Religion Sates us because it gives us hope. Although i am a very religious person, i do still have my doubts relating to ancient scriptures and i often wonder if many biblical stories we are taught to idolize and abide by when we are younger are influenced and tampered with by man...i believe in every story there is a outline of truth, but it is not entirely realistic. It's like the game telephone, the more the thought or story is passed along from messenger to messenger the more warped it gets. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this controversial thought...but i just thought I'd share my opinion since i was already babbling on about the subject of religion.

I've lost my train of thought.

Anyway the Bahai religion encourages the unity of races, religions, teachings, and so forth. It is very anti-violence and pro-peace, which i admire a great deal.

That's enough for now...religion is a touchy subject...i never want to be offensive to anyone by stateing my opinion. Not only that but i dont think i could even put what i feel towards and about religion into words..it's so difficult to articulate my opinion...i like to think i am living by the Christian lifestyle but the Buddhist philosophy...with the exception of my belief in jesus christ.

Ehh Nevermind i dont think anyone would even understand...not that anyone reads my blogs anyway...so i'm basically just talking to myself....but that felt good to write.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_Faith

Different Cultures blog

Since Thailand is one of my MOST favorite places, I decided i'll discuss their culture.
I believe that the first major difference between Thailand, or any asian culture for that matter, is their demonstrative signs of respect, not just to ones elders, rather to the whole society as one. This is something i believe the U.S. is severely lacking. In Thailand a greeting is done by placing the hands in prayer position and bowing the head low, this gesture is a respectful way of saying hello, it is also called The Wai.
In thailand everything is very Heirarchal, parents are superior to children, teachers to students, and so on. Status in the Thai culture can be determined by clothing and personal appearance, jobs, education, family name, and social connections. The Thai family has a much more noticeable bond when compared to typical western families, this is due to the strong discipline and kinship that goes toward strengthening the family.
The people of Thailand basically believe that you should be on your best behaviour 24/7, they believe that to be openly angry with someone might attract the wrath of the spirits, which in turn could cause violence and tragedy.
The last cultural difference i will state for now is the widespread practice of Buddhism, it is the largest and most prominent philosophy in Thailand, Whereas In the U.S. Buddhism is only one of the many religions that consume our modern day society.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html

Gender Roles

Gender roles have shaped our society to become what it is today, frankly being a woman my opinion is kind of biased. I believe women can do anything men can do just as good if not better, even if this means they have to work harder given their sexual orientation. It is true that often times women have to work harder than men either physically or mentally, just to get recognition. I'm not saying we haven't come a long way since women were simply stay at home mothers there to feed the family and please the husband but there is still a sort of unseen or ignored barrier that discoureges women from mens work. As we look back over history, nearly from the very beginning of time the world has been a Patriarch, There were rarely cases where women held political or social power, Even more rare if women were treated with equality. Luckily for me i was born in an age were women are no longer treated as property, but as close to equal as i think the world will ever be able to get. Maybe it's for the best that women arent given all the same opportunities that men are, i mean, we dont have the possibility of getting drafted for war, there's a plus.

Overcoming Struggles Blog

So, I was just reading this very intriguing and very simple story about the birth of a butterfly and a teacher and his students. The teacher wanted to show his students what a butterfly had to overcome in order to become an actual butterfly. He told the children not to assist or assualt the butterfly in breaking free from it's cacoon, he told them to leave it alone. One child, taking pity on the butterfly, broke its cacoon himself as a supposed favor to the struggling butterfly. Little did he know that small, 'helpful' gesture would actually kill it. The teacher came back in and explained to the class that in order for the butterfly to live it must overcome the first challenge in its life at birth. This reminded me of the struggles that people have to go through in their life. Nothing comes easy, everything you want must be gained though pursuit and effort, those who are simply given things will not be ready to face the world when its time for them to breake free of thir cacoons, or in human case, parental restraints. :]

Disaster Blog

I know this is an assignment and everything but reading, and writng for that matter, about disasters just brings me down. I mean i'm not expecting to blog about rainbows and puppie but come on! As if international and local disasters arent publicized enough throughout the media but now we have to blog about it?!?! Not to mention read a book where it seems like every other chapter is plagued by death or suffering of some sort. I know it's a simple, unrealistic, and unreachable wish but, I just want the world and all of its inhabitants to be happy! Jeez.

Thai Food Scandal
It seems that Hundreds of people in the Southern province of Phatthalung fell ill with food poisoning as of late, this was due to a local outsource of contaminated canned fish. The fish had been sent as a relief to the south because of a recent flood there. I'm sure this gesture was meant to be helpful, but you'd think that after the 'bad peanut butter from china' situation people would generally be more careful about their insourcing and outsourcing. I guess not.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/

Mr Cheng, when are we gonna get our Odyssey inspired papers back?
I really want to know what i got.

Angels and Demons

First thing, this is an extremely creepy book. Extraordinarily deep and fantastic to read as well as beautifully written but extremely terrifying in the sense that it could be true. There could be a secret cult like organization out there put together to kill people of importance, scratch that, obviously, there IS, somewhere. I especially like the imagery Dan Brown gives in this book, more specifically the image of professor Vetra lying dead and bloody on the cold carpet floor soaked with his own...urine....oh and lets not forget he's missing an eye!! Yeah that was pleasent to read....I nearly puked. Sorry to put that image in your head. Really Really sorry.
:P
And thats all i have to say.

I am sooo lame.

Here's a picture, actually TWO pictures! Gee, I hope this isn't considered "inappropriate content" Mr. Cheng.

Hahahahah so I was just watching Shark Boy and Lava Girl! (Yep this is how I spend my friday nights, watching the disney channel!!) Anyway, Did anyone notice the same kid who played Shark boy is now the super hunky Jacob Black; Taylor Lautner!! Yeah just thought i'd point that out...AND while we're on the subject of Taylor Lautner, Does anyone else think he makes a great Werewolf??

Not like anyone will answer because NOONE READS MY BLOGS!! It saddens me...