Fish Cheeks

The reason I liked to read about Amy Tan is because she knew what she was feeling. She was very in touch with herself and she was able to realize exactly why she felt weird in certain situations. Not everyone is able to pinpoint their feelings in this way. Her family was having some kind of Chinese Christmas dinner. She was embarrassed because the Minister’s American family was joining the dinner. She was most embarrassed because she liked their son Robert. She was also embarrassed of the way she knew her family would conduct themselves at the meal.

I found it very interesting that Amy’s mother was willing to compromise with her daughter. She gave her a miniskirt but also told her that inside she must always be Chinese. Many parents would not be willing o make such a compromise. They would argue that it would be only making it harder on their children if they let them act like another a culture in some ways but not in others. The child might pick up mixed messages. I liked that her mother told her that only thing to feel shame about is being ashamed. Every person regardless of their background should be proud of who they are and where they come from. We should also realize that every culture is different and there is nothing wrong with being different. Whether giving her daughter a miniskirt was the right thing to do is up to every parent to know their child and decide for themselves. Will the child be able to act like the other culture while really remaining true to who they really are? It’s not an easy thing to do. Every parent should agree though that her message to her daughter is a good one. Be proud of who you are!

My own tradition…

Reading “Fish Cheeks,” reminds me of my own tradition as a Filipino and here’s a little something that I would like to share that I know that differs from the American tradition.

Phillippines is a melting pot of different cultures because of the diversity among the people that inhabits the country. In addition, because the country is comprised of 7,107 islands each have their own mix and match culture. The island where I grew up is more of a Spanish tradition and 97% of the populations are Catholics. In general, Christmas in the Philippine is a very important holiday celebration in the country. It is one of the longest celebration too, because Christmas decorations like lanterns and Christmas music starts from the month of September until Epiphany. Normally, the tradition to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is just within the family or extended family. In our culture when you are invited to someone’s house it is always a Filipino tradition to bring food despite that the host already made more than enough for the entire people during gatherings. In some parts of the Philippines, they preferred to leave behind some food in the plates to point out that you had enough but in my home town we felt it’s rude to leave some food on the plate, it means that you don’t like the food. In addition, in a gathering no one can start eating without the blessing of the food, the elderly will have to sit down first, and then will be served first.

Filipino’s love to have visitors in their homes, they will always make their visitor comfortable, giving their best traits that they could offer and serving their guest with delicious food in abundance. Even in the lunchroom, a traditional Filipino will always share his or her food. It is our own trait that we felt its unethical that we are eating and someone else is not. Filipino’s are always famous of their hospitality, very religious, family oriented and respectful. One more thing when we received gifts it is part of our custom not to open gifts in public. We always value and treasure gifts and consider gifts as personal no matter what it is.

Conferences today (12/1) postponed

I’ve emailed those of you whose addresses I have, and am posting here in the hopes that others will see this and save yourselves a useless trip to my office. I’m postponing today’s scheduled meetings until Wednesday due to illness. Come to my office instead at the time you have scheduled with your paragraphs or bullet points on WEDNESDAY.

Peer Review

This past class we performed “peer review.” Peer review involves inspecting fellow students’ essays for grammatical errors and topic adherence. Aside from the class grades that are involved, there are many other benefits for both the “reviewer” and “reviewee.” As a “reviewer” it is very interesting  to read the perspective of someone else. Every person, each coming from a unique background and having their own experiences, view and interpret things in different ways. Even if two perspectives are similar they are never the same and will always have a few aspects that the other doesn’t. In this way, not only can peer review be a mind-opening experience, but it can also give you a better understanding of your classmates and their backgrounds. It was especially interesting in this past peer review to have read an essay on a picture from which I myself couldn’t derive any meaning or substantial interpretation. Reading this essay gave me a new way to look at things and the interpretation it offered now seems obvious and to flow naturally from the picture when I look at it. This is quite a rewarding experience. Furthermore, people’s essays will many times incorporate personal stories or family incidents which are fun to read. There is also, of course, the benefit of helping out a fellow classmate. Being the “reviewee” also has its fair share of bonuses. Instead of introducing you to foreign ideas you are taught to refine your own. Receiving the feedback of an outsider enables you to more fully develop your ideas and gain a clearer and greater understanding of them. It also helps you hone your communication skills by teaching you to express your thoughts in a manner than can be understood by others. Although this last benefit may come with some frustration, it is certainly worthwhile.

Wednesday

Wednesday, 11/26, we are having class in the library. Meet there in Room 225. Bring your finished essay!

some thoughts after seeing “mom ironing”

while i look at the picture of mom ironing, the first reation i have is how can he not feel embrassing to sit casually without caring his mom is busy ironing. For my experience, i think it is the same as Asian culture. in fact, i don’t really want to call it “culture” because in my mind, culture should be something that the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavioy that shared by members of a group and groups. however, “culture” just jumps into my mind and plays an important aspect to let me understant what the photographer want to transmit. and then, i realize that culture can actually also be negative that might affect people in a bad manners.

People know that in China, we  implement one child policy. while we concern about our large population bringing some problems for our country, or even affecting the whole world population, the govnment carrys out the plan. we believe quatity will affect quality negatively,especilly for education. as a result, it seems a perfect idea to have one child policy in which not only slows down the increase of population, but also has more source to educate the child for a promising future. However, it has cause some new problem. in some family, a child receives too much love from parents, grandparents because they have only one focus. they let him or her eat the best, wear the best clothes , receive the best education…… and tell him or her not to worry about housework, finance, just focus on study. since then, some of them become weak to face theri social life, less able to have their jobs done, incapable to get well on with others… of course, what i say above it cannot cover all, and thank god, it is not all of them. i have met some friends ,they are single child in their family, but they are still so confident and capable. Things always have both side, either positive or negative. what kind of person you want to be, whether  you enjoy the “culture”, how you lead on your own life, it all depends on you.

Eng110, Reading Journal

Sunyoung Jang

Fish Cheeks

This essay of Amy Tan got me a lot of thoughts. As a fourteen year old girl who is going through very sensitive period of her life, the writer narratives her emotions and feelings in a simple but insightful way. The writer well describes her struggles as the second generation of immigrant. In many aspects, this essay reminds me of my family and I very much. Apart from the fact that both Amy and I struggle between two different cultures compare to our parents, I guess almost everyone has had the same experience that they felt ashamed of their parents or family when they were young. When I was teenager, I thought I had every reasonable excuse for being upset with my parents. I thought I was the smarter and more rational one and, I blamed them for being conservative or nor understanding. However, as I get older, I realize that I was wrong. I become able to appreciate the lessons they have tried to teach me.

Also, I have experienced same situation with Amy in terms of cultural gap between my parents and I. I consider my parents are really progressive and unconventional compared to most other Korean parents who are very conservative. For example, my parents have never insisted that I get married to only Korean guys in the future. I know this sounds silly but it is still very common mentality in many Asian cultures including Korea. However, my parents are still Koreans and we sometimes have troubles with two different values. As Amy’s mother told her, my parents always want me to be Korean inside and worried about that I might forget who really I am someday. Honestly, it is quite hard for me to balance both Korean and American side of me at the same time. I am fully aware of their concerns and I completely agree with them. However, I have found that more I stay here, it is getting harder to keep the Korean side of me. Just like many other immigrants in this country, I sometimes feel that I belong to neither Korea the United States.

Reading Jounal

Sunyoung Jang

The Cosmic Significance of Britney Spears?

This week’s reading was very interesting in terms of the topic and the way the writer elaborate his topic. When I first read the title, I could not take this article seriously and I thought this had to be some sarcastic way of ridiculing Britney Spears, once famous pop star. This article by Tom Perrotta was written in 2001, which was far before the superstar became self-destructive. Basically, the author argues that why we need to think of Britney Spears and in what sense this pop icon is different from other legendary singers like Elvis, Madonna and Cobain. I enjoyed his writing because he not only discusses it in broader sociological aspects but also I think he fundamentally argues that the today’s icons are artificially produced. And, they are manipulation and representation of what people want to see.

Britney is a set of products that sells not only her music but also her images and private gossips. I think the writer is criticizing the whole Britney syndrome because it is too much and all about commercials. There is nothing genuine about Britney. And, this not just applies to her but the re Hollywood music and entertainment industries. Those industries are mass generating these cultural icons. Meaning that, these singers and movie stars are commercial products not the artists. Also, the writer points out that this phenomenon is not because of the industries. It is a reflection of what people want and what they want to see. More correctly, this whole thing is driven by economic principles. So, like in the examples of Britney Spears, this industry makes money providing what people want

imagining homelands

I think what the essay is trying to convey is based upon the simple question of “what is America”? What does it mean to be American? From all of societies in the past, we have differed from all of them. Are we really a free country where we can do what we want within boundries or does that create even more problems? Perhaps we are just an exile from the rest of the world and its ideas. The fact is, we are a nation comrised of different nationalities and thats what makes us America. But does that water down our heritage. The European Jews getting off the ship in Ellis Island during the turn of the twentieth century didnt know what they were getting into. This is and always will be considered a place where the orthodox Jews went of their religious paths from Europe and smelled new ideas and modernity within the religion. They were exposed to American culture, the many freedoms and acceptance to do as you please, and the Great American media that is so tempting. Is the same true for Christians and believers of Christ. In Europe, the main spectacle is the church. In American towns religion is not looked upon as highly as it is in other parts of the world. Dont get me wrong, many AMericans take religion very seriously and are even more observant here than they would be anywhere else but as far as the majority, I would definately say its weaker here. Look at the land of Israel. You can smell the ancient traditions and cultures of three different religions practicing their religion as their forefathers would have liked. We are slaves to culture and it is a very diffucult hole to jump out of. Thats just the way it is.

Who is an American?

An American according to Merriam Webster dictionary is:

1 : an American Indian of North America or South America

2 : a native or inhabitant of North America or South America

3 : a citizen of the United States

In my opinion all of us are immigrants to this country. Some are new immigrants, others are old. Some are born immigrants, others are immigrants from the age dating back to their infancy. By born immigrants I mean people who were born here, but their parents or grandparents or great grandparents immigrated from some other part of the world to this country. By this characterization, I suggest that all Americans are immigrants in one way or another and being an immigrant is just a mid step of becoming an American. Now the question arises of the distinction between an American and an immigrant in today’s world. Most certainly this is based on legal status of an individual in America. If a person is now a citizen of America, than he is American. But even today when we see a person looking like an Asian or an Indian or from any other part of the world, we infer that he is an immigrant, even if he/she and his/her family are living in this country for generations, they have adopted the cultures of this country as their own, they felt bad for this country when it was in trouble and they felt good for this country when it was prospering. They want to do the best for this country which they consider as their own and cannot see any harm to this country.

Now the question I want to raise is do we really have to distinguish between an immigrant and a non immigrant? Is an immigrant as a human being any different / (inferior) then a nonimmigrant? (By immigrant I strictly mean a legally migrant person, not someone hiding from the authorities. Because law has the most important in my eyes). We always talk about equality of men and women, black and white, rich and poor than why can’t we say that immigrants and non immigrants are equal. After all, we all are immigrants.