Conversation Tres

Today Gabriela and I decided to catch up over smoothies at Smoothie King. We had both been busy visiting with our boyfriends this weekend, so we haven’t gotten to see each other in a while. I’m glad we got to catch up and just relax and talk. We really both seemed out of it today (I had just woken up from a 2 hour nap and she had just finished a long day of class), so we really didn’t have much to talk about today. It’s not that it was that awkward I-don’t-know-you silence; it was more of an I-am-too-tired-to-think silence. So I guess it was mostly pretty uneventful today, but we both seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

One thing I’ve noticed about Gabriela is that she always looks super cute when she comes to meet me. Today I felt bad because I was in a sweatshirt and shorts because I had literally woken up 15 minutes before I was supposed to meet her. She had the cutest shoes on; I definitely asked her where she got them. All of her outfits seem so put together and classy; I wish I could do that regularly! She probably thinks I do not care what I look like ever since I always seem to meet her on the days I get caught waking up at 7:30 AM for my 8 AM class… Oops.

Then we touched a little bit on what she wanted to do in school and which school she wanted to attend in the fall. She told me that she loves photography, but that she wanted to major in either advertising or marketing. I asked her, “What about graphic design?” and she told me that her father would never allow her to major in that. She said that in Panama, graphic designers have little to no work at all and she would never be able to make a living for herself there. She thinks its funny because they were the ones who wanted her to come to the United States for schooling, but they want her to work in Panama and not stay here in the US. She told me that Georgetown is where her dad wants to go, which we have talked about before, but this is the first time she had ever mentioned SMU. She said that they send out their decisions tomorrow—I told her TCU > SMU. (She pretty much agreed!)

We finally both decided we needed to go do some homework. She will be busy next week because her parents are coming into town, and want to go to Houston instead of just staying in Fort Worth. So, she told me she really needed to get ahead of her homework so she won’t be crazy busy whenever she gets back. I understand, because my parents have been here for a week now and I definitely have not had much time to do my work! I can’t wait for us to meet up again; I really enjoy getting to know Gabriela: she’s so sweet!

Finally... a Story I Understood

Sorry it's a little late, I forgot to actually post it after writing it! 

"The Man Who Was Almost a Man" by Richard Wright was probably my favorite story that we have read so far. The only reason being I could actually truly understand what was going on the whole time. All the other short stories and poems we have read, I just couldn’t get it to connect. I didn’t get the deep meanings that we were supposed to out of them, but this one was much easier for me to comprehend, and lucky for me, it was my lead respondent topic!

The story confused me a little bit at first glance, just because Dave called the fieldworkers that name we don’t use anymore, but then his mom called him one also. I thought she was just trying to insult him by calling him that name, but it turned out that they actually were an African American family. It took me a while to connect that but once I figured it out, it actually made the story a lot deeper than it would’ve been if it were just a white family.

I also enjoyed this story because it really sort of connects with all of us as teenagers. At some point or another in our life, we have all experienced that feeling of wanting our parents to back off and just let us have some power over our lives. I know I can connect with Dave Saunders (not that I wanted to buy a gun so I could scare people…) because when I was younger and my parents wouldn’t let me go do things without parental supervision, I was always so mad about it. Especially since my older brother always got to go out and do whatever. Once I got my car and license, it was like how Dave felt when he had that gun. He felt like he had power and people couldn’t look at him like a child anymore.

Another part that is connectable to my life is that Dave at the end runs from his problems: probably a very childish move, which is ironic because he keeps talking about how he wants to be a man and not be treated like a kid anymore. I always run from my problems, even though I tell my parents that I’m responsible and mature 24/7 and whatever else I think that I should be by now.  However, when it comes down to it, if there is a problem that I can’t handle (or don’t want to) I run to my mom to help me, or I just try to ignore the situation completely. It may be a childish move, but sometimes you have to run in order to move past it.

This story did take much longer to read—in order to get past the dialogue, I had to keep rereading sentences—but I really did enjoy it. It had more meaning, in my opinion, than most of the other pieces we have read in class. I’m glad Jenny and I ended up having to read this instead of “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck. Knowing I was presenting this to the class for discussion helped me focus and find the deeper meanings that were hidden in between the lines. Loved it!

Museum Trip

 

          For my birthday, my parents came into town to see me. So, I thought it would be perfect: we could take a family trip to the Museum of Modern Art since my dad loves doing that kind of stuff. Now, we all had different reactions to the whole experience. When driving up to the museum, the first thing you see is a giant copper-looking shapeless statue; it was just kind of a big cylinder statue. My first reaction was just to groan and roll my eyes. I’m obviously no modern art appreciator. Once we went inside and started walking around looking at the exhibits, I found myself liking few pieces. I felt distracted, and not really wanting to walk around inside when it was so beautiful outside. But, putting that aside, I did have some different reactions to the pieces.

           A piece that really stood out to me was in the first room when you walk in called “Book with Wings,” by Anselm Kiefer. I read that there were two versions that he made, one with wings that were drooping and the other in a triumphant position. In the Museum of Modern Art they had the triumphant version, and what I got out of the piece was that books make you soar—they help expand your mind. However, once reading the information, it was ironic because the wings in the statue are made of lead, which is a very heavy metal that would never be able to fly. This part confused me. Right after I was about to give modern art a chance, they had to throw that in there; I really had no idea what to make of the piece after that.

The self-portrait pieces that stuck out to me were the ones of Andy Worhol and Francis Bacon. Worhol’s piece was more just of his face in a neon green color, which I found my eyes attracted to that more than most of the pieces in the museum. He looked kind of crazed in his picture, and I don’t know whether he meant for it to be that way, or he really did just look like that, but I kind of liked the piece. I normally always like Worhol, but all I have seen of his is his pop art collections, I had never seen something like this from him before. As for Bacon’s, his really just freaked me out. He was in a crouching position and it was a little blurred on his face; what it reminded me of was some type of horror movie. I really actually thought this would be the male version of the psychotic lady in “The Yellow Wallpaper”; I really don’t know why, but that is just what I picture her looking like in my mind.

Then I saw many pieces where my first reaction was, “I could do that”; these are the types of art I expect to be in a modern art museum. Light Cloud, Dark Cloud by Mark Rothko was one in particular that I thought I could definitely paint. All it is are three strips of paint colors on a plain background. Hans Hofmann’s To Miz-Pax Vobiscum reminded me of Tetris: another modern art piece I would expect to see. I don’t find these pieces inspirational, deep, or whatever else people think that modern art is. However, one of these types of pieces I really did like; I thought I could definitely see myself putting it in my house. It was Adolph Gottlieb’s, Apaquogue. It was simple on the top, with three pretty-colored circles, and then it looked like graffiti on the bottom. It kind of seemed like an oxymoron. It was peaceful and serene on the top, and then it was a bunch of black swipes of paint on the bottom.

A really random piece of art that we came across was Untitled (L.A.) by Felix Gonzalez-Torres. It was a bunch of green candies that were wrapped in cellophane tossed on the floor in a giant bunch. The random part was that you could not take pictures of this piece of art, yet you could take candy from it and eat it. I was so confused by it; I thought the curator was lying when he said to take a piece.

As we went through the museum, I hate to admit it, but I did find more pieces that I enjoyed. I guess I really had this perception that all modern art had to be that random-shape/random-color type art. I liked Melissa Miller’s portrayal of Noah’s ark with her piece The Ark. My mom and I both really didn’t understand why it was classified as modern art, but I guess modern art is more than just shapes and colors. Some of the art pieces I liked that I would classify as modern art were Cities in Question (painted 1979) and Travel Agency (painted 1983). The first was just a bunch of colors that kind of blended together, but then there were certain big cities placed where they are in relation to a map and they all had their names with a question mark after. I thought that it was saying these big cities really can’t make a name for themselves, because their reputations have already been made by stereotypes. I mean I could be completely wrong, but that’s what I personally got out of it.  The latter painting was again colors that blended nicely, but on it was written, “This city would have a travel agency, but this city doesn’t travel.”  I just thought it was kind of funny and random.

Finally, my favorite piece in the whole museum (which I really would never have thought I would like something like this) was Hollywood (painted in 1984). It seemed to me that this painting was an irony. It was a very dark painting: only using black, browns, and greys really. Everyone always talks about Hollywood being so glamorous and amazing, but being from California, I have been to Hollywood a few times, and it is the furthest thing from amazing. It’s really a sketchy place. Hearing all these stereotypes just makes me laugh, because it really isn’t anything like they portray in movies. I feel like this painting really captured that.

Overall, the three of us weren't as amazed with these paintings as we are with other styles, but I found myself liking it more than I thought I would. I'm glad it was a mandatory assignment to visit the museum, because I never would have gone willingly. I think I have a tiny bit more of an appreciation for modern art, since I now know that it isn't just those Tetris-looking color block paintings. It actually has a lot more to it. Who would have known?

(I found it funny even their instructions were modern looking)
 

The Yellow Wallpaper

Okay, what? This story really just disturbed me. Especially the ending. I do not understand what was going on. I realized that this is more of just a journal-type story of this woman married to the physician, John. Now first of all, John seemed like a real jerk. She writes about how he is so loving and caring, but he tells her how the room downstairs doesn’t have enough room for two beds. I think married couples are mature enough to sleep in the same bed, John. While I was reading this story, I really just wanted to strangle John. He seems to me like one of those men that no woman should ever marry.

John basically tells his wife to stay in bed and not think too much and definitely not to write. He basically wants her to do the opposite of what she likes to do. Now what woman would ever want to live like this. I know I would never stand it. Granted, she was kind of crazed in her mind, but she should acknowledge the fact that he is psychotic as well. As her illness progresses, it seems as though John makes himself be around her less and less—he’s out working on long cases more often, and sometimes stays in town overnight. I feel bad for the woman; I mean she needs help, and the one person that should be there 24/7 to support her is making himself be gone all the time.

As the story goes on, the woman seems to slightly realize what John is doing. He is kind of just trying to suppress her and make her invisible to everyone else. As she actually starts to think for herself, she seems like she finds his “treatment” amusing to her. Now I don’t know whether or not she actually feels this way, or if she is just getting crazier and crazier, but I believe that she is starting to realize what a terrible person John is.

This story makes me feel bad for this woman; not only her, but also other—real—women that have to go through this kind of treatment from their husbands. This woman is really sick in the mind, and this husband (who is a doctor) is just letting it go like there is no problem. I hope this was not written as a personal experience, but if it was, I feel just sad for this writer.

Now the ending. This is where I got very creeped out, and just did not feel very comfortable. John faints; I think this is a sign that he has kind of lost his sense of power and control over her. She begins to creep over him; I have no idea what this could mean. And I just don’t like the adjective creep. It just is not okay. So, this was not a favorite read for me. It was intriguing, yes, but it was very eerie…

All Girls (and Boys) Are The Same!

Today Gabriela and I went with one of my friends and her roommate to Zoë’s Kitchen. When we had set up where we were going to meet, I had suggested dinner and she replied that she was starting a “strict diet”; spring break is coming up and I guess all girls really do think of the same things! We both laughed and agreed to go to Zoë’s since it is a healthy dinner option. When we got there, we ordered the same thing: chicken salad sandwich with pasta salad as our side.  The four of us sat down and got past the awkward introductions and the conversation immediately picked up once we brought up every girls’ favorite topic: boys, obviously.

Gabriela and I both are in long distance relationships, and we definitely found that we could easily vent to each other about them. She and I have experienced basically the same things in our relationships. Granted, her boyfriend is back in Panama and mine is in Lubbock at Texas Tech… so I guess she is in a longer long distance. She told me how she gets annoyed when he doesn’t text back or when he gets jealous that she is hanging out with other people; I guess no matter where you are from, boys are all the same! We laughed many times over how boys can be ridiculous and sometimes the relationships can be very frustrating, but we also agreed that they can be worth it. It is pretty crazy that we are so alike, coming from two completely different places.

She and I chatted about boys for most of the time, but we also got onto the topic of school. I asked her why she came to TCU: “My mom told me to”. I laughed at this, because it reminds me of my relationship with my mom. I listen to all of her advice… not like I’d admit that to her of course, but I do. She told me that in Panama, they have a different system for schooling. She actually just graduated from high school in November 2010. They do this and then normally they have nine months off before they go off to college in the fall of the next year. She told me this is why she is in the intensive English program here at TCU. Her mom told her she isn’t going to be “sitting around and sleeping until 3 everyday” for nine months. Her mom sounds just like mine. I’m supposed to get a job this summer so I am “not sitting around doing nothing”; it should be interesting since I’ve never actually had one before. Neither has Gabriela. We bonded over this silly fact about ourselves. We said we’d definitely rather be at home doing absolutely nothing.

After we had bonded over boys and jobs, we decided it was getting late and time to head back, because we actually might have school tomorrow. We laughed at how many snow days we have had, and admitted to each other that this past Monday we were both late to class. We were not ready to get up before noon after the six-day break from school. I have a feeling that every time Gabriela and I get together, we are going to find more and more things we have in common. I can’t wait to find out what those things are!

More Alike Than You'd Think

Today I met my conversation partner, Gabriela, for the first time. We had sent emails to each other and finally decided on meeting at Potbelly’s. We decided to meet outside in order to reduce the confusion on who we were. I got there and stood by the door, and a girl walked up and stood next to me, but didn’t speak. We both looked like we felt awkward, so we finally turned to each other and asked if we were each other’s conversation partner. Thankfully, it was her, and I didn’t just completely freak out some stranger. We laughed off the awkwardness and went inside.

First, we bonded on how cold it was. She is from Panama City, Panama and I am from Fresno, California: two places that do not do well in the cold. She told me how it is always hot there, and I laughed saying that everyone in Fresno is freaking out due to the 50 degree weather they are having right now. We both laughed about how people were falling left and right, and then we both shared an embarrassing secret. Whenever we fall (or something else embarrassing happens) and we are alone, we immediately get on our phones and text or call our best friend to tell them about it, so someone can laugh with you. We both seemed shocked that we did the same exact thing. That was really just the beginning of us finding out how alike we actually are.

Something that really amazed me was how similar we are, even from being from two completely different places. She was more of a tomboy: just like me. We both love playing sports and being active. We both have been skiing since a very young age, and we both are in love with anything that has to do with water. She told me that she likes to wakeboard, and I had told her how I am better at water skiing.

It is so weird to think that even though we both come from such different places, we do so much of the same activities. I guess I just never thought of people from different countries being able to do the same things as Americans. I kind of feel sheltered now; I don’t really understand why I would think that they were any different. Maybe it is because the only international experiences I have had is being out of the country a few times in hotels where no one speaks any English. I guess I just didn’t connect that they are just like us but just speak a different language. It’s really remarkable to think that we all have a lot more in common than we would ever think.

I can’t wait to meet with Gabriela again and learn more about her. I think we will actually become very good friends! :)