Dress to impress

“Evidently sorority girls, hoping to impress someone, perhaps themselves, with their mastery of womanly art, buy a lot of embroider-by-number kits, work a few stitches horribly, and eventually discard the whole mess.”

Sorority is defined as a club or society of women in college campuses. Most sororities are a group of women who, usually come from a family of wealth and beauty. As well as being known as women with class and intelligence. These women are always or trying to grab attention from the public with their fancy clothes, shoes and, beautiful flowing hair. Lars Eighner in “On Dumpster Diving” describes the sorority as “mastery” because they understand the role of a woman who is from a sorority. And, one thing that sorority women don’t do is wearing used up clothes that is not in style or has a stain of any kind. They don’t brother to work with their used up clothes because in their world they have better things to do. They are the master, in which they can always go waste more money in new clothes.

Thanks to the mastery of sororities, people who live in the streets are able to have clothes because of all the clothes that they throw out. Because, of their wealth there able buy clothes whenever they feel like and this is a huge advantage for poor people. It’s a system that works well and, both party benefit from.

What it is to be confident.

In “Black Hair” the narrator Gary Soto describes the effect of poverty that it has among the interactions that one has with one another. Soto illustrates this feeling of having to look down on those who feel hopeless. And, those who feel hopeless look down on those who actually have nothing, to make themselves feel better. This is proven by the behavior and speech that the employees have with one another.

Iggy’s behavior towards the other employees shows that he believes he is better than the rest. This is shown when he comes out of work early and goes to the locker room to get ready. “When he came out he glowed with a bracelet, watch, rings, and shiny foundation pen in his breast pocket. His shoes sounded against the asphalt. He was the image of a banker stepping into sunlight with millions on his mind.”(pg. 346) Iggy is showing off the fact that he comes out early than the rest, making himself look he is in a better standard of living than the rest by wearing jewelry. While the others work a long shift to be able to get a room to rent that has a bed to sleep on. Not only does he represent himself better but, he also doesn’t communicate with his co-workers after he is done with his shift. Soto illustrates the poor communication that people have with other’s that are living in poverty. Its Soto’s proof that wealthy and poor people don’t have communication because it’s not the norm to so in a wealthy society. That’s why he sustains himself as a wealthy person out of work so; he won’t be excluded from a wealthy society. It also seem that Iggy doesn’t define himself as being a person that falls into the poverty line enough though he works for a Valley Tire Factory like his co-workers and, not at a bank where it fresher and cleaner. Iggy shows the mentality of a preservative person which means he likes to maintain himself no matter what he does for a living. He doesn’t let his type of job portray the man that he knows he is while his co-workers complain about the brainless work they do. Iggy is confident in himself therefore, he is able to associate with people with class.

Poverty has effect to how one lives and their well-being but, it also has the effect in the behavior and communications that other people have with those that fall into the poverty line and with those that come with wealth. “Black Hair” shows Iggy’s co-worker carrying the “poor image” because of their job and accepting that their worthless while Iggy knows how to carry himself with dignity. He knows he is valuable. Soto illustrates though his writing that people who are in poverty allow others to put them down by the work that they do or by how they live. Even worst, they accept and carry that poor image that others have about them.

Being dependent was the only way.

 In the story “I Stand Here Ironing” the views on government assistance for single mothers is poorly judged by the society of this time, which was the time of the Great Depression. Since government assistant wasn’t accepted by the society, single women had to be dependent on a man. This was usually the mentality of a woman at this period of time since there weren’t any jobs that would pay them good enough to even support themselves. During this period, women were only known or had a voice if they were married. The social conditions at this time was your either married and respected or your nothing. So when Emily’s father left, her mother was left to be no one in life. Society known her as a failure as a woman because she was a single mother that couldn’t take care of her children or substance a marriage. Even though she tried to be independent by working, it didn’t work out. Before Emily’s mother found a new daddy for Emily, life was tough for both of them. Emily was left to be care for by someone else when she was eight months and was sent to nursery school when she was two years old. While she was being taken care of Emily’s mother was working hard to make ends meet, yet not being able to raise Emily like how a mother would if she were to be married. During this era the wife would be a stay a home mom, while the husband works to feed and, provide for his family. If Emily’s mother would have been married since Emily was a baby, Emily wouldn’t have been alone, feeling unloved, or not being a cheerful child. This can be proven when Emily’s mother says “She had a new baby daddy to learn to love, and I think perhaps it was a better time.” (pg. 95 paragraph 19) Of course, it was a better time because she was able to spend more quality time with Emily, and raise her daughter like how a mother would do at this time.  Emily’s mother would even let her and her sister stay home from school. She would do this because she wasn’t working. (pg. 96 paragraph 38) By Emily’s mother being dependent on a man, she was able to be a better mother to her by not focusing on working hard to feed and provide all necessary things for her. Now in days, single mothers are not view badly because they’re not being dependent on a man. Single mothers now are viewed as being brave and strong for taking the role as a father and as a mother as well. Today, single mothers are still able to work and take care of their children because there are more careers available for them and the paying rate has gone up. As whereas before, there wasn’t hardly any job for women and, if there was the paying rate was low. This is why women during the Great Depression were dependent on men just like Emily’s mother.

I’m a victim of being stereotyped!

Ever since I was a little girl, I was never a talkative person in school or in my personal life when i meet new people. Throughout my life in school I would always be doing my work that the teacher would assign us to do, and trying to help other once I would be done with my work. I would always try to avoid acting up in class just because I didn’t want to get in trouble by the teacher or my parent, if they were to find out. As I would also meet new people through out my life through family or friends, I would talk much to them because I didn’t feel comfortable. So, through out my life I’ve  always been known as a “good girl”. They known me as someone who doesn’t do anything bad, such as going against someone or doing things that weren’t allow. Since I know I’m being judge as a “good girl”, it makes me feel that I have to be that “good girl”. Of corse, I’ve done bad choices in the past and when it came out to the public people would talk about me with disappointment in their voice. Which would make me feel guilty about myself because I would feel that I’m not carrying that “good girl” image. But, as I’ve been going up it has affect me in actions that I would like to take or speaking my mind about what I think about certain subject to friends but, mostly family. And, this image that I carry around with me sometimes makes my life miserable . I care too much about what others might say about me if I do a wrong choice or a wrong action. It make me feel that I can’t be myself at times. There is also times in my life that I’m living a double life. Sometimes it could be tiring living a double life and at time annoying because people think I wouldn’t be doing things normal thing that teenagers do at that age. Which if that were to take away that image they have of me  they would know I’m not such a “good girl” they thought I was. Although, this doesn’t mean I’m not responsable at doing my work in school or taking responsibility for my action in my personal life. I just don’t want to be known as doing good because I’m not, I’m a person who makes wrong turns at time.

Caterpillar to a Butterfly.

         Overtime, I have gotten older to the point that I’m not that little chubby girl anymore. Throughout the years my physical appearance, habits, and interest, as well as thoughts and experience have changed. Now I’m known as a young adult, who is living her life by making right decisions.

          My physical appearance is the most noticeable change that anyone could see. As a child I was normal in height but not normal in weight. I was a fat little girl with short black hair with short bangs. My mom was too cheap to take me to a hair salon. So, my mom would do it herself and always mess up on my bangs. It was terrible. My dad also didn’t help me as a child, because he would give me candy to console me every time I would cry. My teeth were rotten from all the candy that made me toothless for years as a child. In addition to all that, my sister would dress me as if I was her doll. She would dress me in outfits like puffy dresses. Now, as a young adult I don’t have short hair. I’m not cheap; I go to hair salon. I love being a grown up, because I choose what to eat and therefore I’m not over weight anymore. Plus, I’m no longer toothless. I don’t really like dresses, so I don’t wear them often. I wear jeans and shorts with tops that I like. I feel more like myself this way.

When I was a child, I remember I would love to play with dolls, make believe games, and tag with my classmates. I used to love playing with fake food toy and pretend I would go to the supermarket and cook. As, a 19 year old girl, I love to go to the movie theater, shop and travel. My main interest is going to school, and I plan on finishing my career as a nurse. My interests have changed from fun to educational and future-building acts.

When I was young, my thoughts were always on playing in the dirt or when I’m I going home when my parents would force me to go somewhere with them. My thoughts were always just about having fun. Today, my thoughts are on a variety of things like: fashion, money, school, bills, and moving out. I’m usually always thinking about the future.

I remember as a child, I would go to school and spend time learning my ABC’s, drawing, and playing with friends. I experienced walking back home with my mom while she holds my hand. I experienced getting sick and going to the hospital very often when I was in 1^st grade. As an older girl, I experienced a hookah bar, house parties, Six Flag’s rollercoaster, clubs, and Knott’s Scary Farm. I got to experience school dances, exams for colleges and high school graduation. Right now, I’m experiencing having a credit card, debit card, phone bills and car insurance bills. These new experiences are helping me to be responsible.

I have grown out of my childish way and becoming an adult. I’m not that little girl anymore and I love that. I enjoy being older and having my freedom to make my own decisions in my life

 

 

-But I wondered why they had waited for Eve’s illness to make themselves available for companionship. (page 133)

I find it weird when families get together when a death occurs. Families act like if they have a great relationships with one another, which I find it very fake. I say one should cherish one another when their alive so they could actually talk to each other. Instead of talking to someone who is buried in the dirt where all the nasty worms live in. Family members should show love towards on another when their alive.

I remember when my grandma was sick about three years ago when she was at the hospital and my mom would always be calling to Mexico to hear how she is doing. One day at night I was at a party with my friend Lorena and my sister comes to pick me up out of nowhere and says “Let’s go, mom is leaving to Mexico. Grandma died.” I remembered she was in a hurry to get home to help our mom pack her bag so we can take her to TJ.  We left late at night because her air flight was early in the morning. I remember hearing my mom crying in the front seat, I stood quiet the whole time. I really didn’t remember how my grandma look like, since the last time I saw her was when I was in third grade. So to be honest I really didn’t feel like she died because I never got to spend real-time with her. Although, I did feel bad because she was my mom’s mom and either way she was my grandma. I think mom should have left to Mexico way before my grandma die so she can actually spend her last few days with her.

As life moves on, I grow up.

Disaster in the Road

It was a Tuesday night, and I was driving back home on the freeway coming from hanging out with my boyfriend. I was driving 85 mph on the freeway, trying to get home as fast as I could. I had to look for parking for my car outside of my apartment building since we only have two parking space and four cars. I drove into a peaceful neighborhood with fancy houses looking for a space to park my car. I finally found parking next to a bush; I walked out of my car with my school bag on my right shoulder.

As I walked toward the street light, I heard my cell phone ring like a house phone would ring. I picked up my phone; it was my dad. My dad was calling to ask me where I was since I had school the next day. I was just listening to him while I waited for the light to turn bright green so I could walk. I was standing against the pole when I thought I saw the walking person symbol, and I started to walk with my heavy bag on my right shoulder while holding  my phone with my right hand as I was talking to  my dad.

When I was almost halfway done across the sidewalk, I turned my head to the right where I saw a black four door car coming toward my way as fast as a lion running in the safari. I had my phone in my hand as I turned around to get away from the car but time had run out. I yelled so loudly when the car hit me on my back. It felt like someone banging a huge heavy rock behind my back that made my legs want to wiggle as I fell on the ground with my face down. It felt like my face was pushed into an old, hard, rotten cake. I blackout for a while into a lonely dark space; then I rise up from the ground. A couple came out of that black car that ran me over and asked if I was okay. I just nodded my head. But I actually felt weak and hopeless. They made me feel worse when they said I walked on a red light. My dad was breathing hard when he came to the front of our apartments and saw me. It looked like he just had a panic attack because of his facial expression.

My dad got the insurance information from the driver who ran me over while I just wanted to go home to lie down. Finally, as that part of the scene was over, my dad and me walked home. I walked home with all sorts of pain while my dad was lecturing me to get home earlier. When I got home, I went straight to my calm room and slowly lied down on my bed, closing my eyes with watery tears that came down onto my checks.

As I closed my eyes, I thought about how careless and stupid I was for getting ran over while I walked on a red light and talked on the phone. I just couldn’t believe what had just happened to me; I was in shock mode. I was thinking it was time for me to leave this crazy world that we all live in. This accident made me realized that I have to be more careful in every move that I do. The next day, my dad said he felt bad leaving me to park outside so he let me have one of the parking space inside our apartment complex which I was happy about. But my next day at school was just horrible and painful. My friends said I was walking like a duck to every class.

The Art Of Racing In The Rain

– Yet for every peak there is a valley. (pg. 90)

I have an older brother name Emilio, who introduce us to a family of three girls and a boy who is really ill. This family doesn’t live in a decent home and they have gone through hard times financially. The parents and their oldest daughter came from mexico and the rest of the children were born here in the United States.

About a year ago they lost their home and their son/brother died while being in a coma. It was very depressing seeing the parents losing a child that they very much love. It was a sad and dark moment for them. After they have process the idea that he passed away, they realize he’s in a much better place watching over them. Now the dad found a new job where he was able to rent an apartment for his family. The oldest daughter is studying hard to finish high school and be able to go to college, as well as saving money to get her papers to become a citizen. This family has overlook the bad that has happen to them and move on forward to better themselves as individual. They know there is so much more out there for them.

Plus they are great people and very friendly as well!

The girl in black sweater is the oldest daughter, her name is Veronica. :)

Hello.(:

The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams today, in every little way you possibly can. -Mike Dooley