FIR Reading Blog #6

Title: The Female Body (chapter 4 of Roles and Gender Roles Book)

Author: Margaret Atwood

Date: July 27, 2010

Time alloted in for reading: 10mins. (page 216-218)

Summary

The Female Body,” by Margaret Atwood is a prose fiction. Atwood’s language has visible denotation and hidden connotation. “Female body” is two words that play an important part in Atwood’s argument that society has domination of the female gender. The denotations of female are simply the characteristic of or appropriate to this certain sex and body is the entire material or physical structure of an organism. Yet in Atwood’s essay these two words are not that simple they carry with them much more meaning and depth. Atwood uses the words female body to describe all female bodies; she uses singular form when she could have used plural form. One can see that Atwood chooses the singular path because society views females not as individuals but as one whole. Atwood is being ironic by writing about the female body as if there were only one female body, which all females can associate with.

Insight

Margaret Atwood’s The Female Body gives an interesting view on the life of women and the ways in which women are constrained, devalued and taken advantage of. In that way this piece is universal and can be appreciated by people all over the world as all women may encounter this in their lifetime in varying degrees thus making the main ideas both classless and raceless. It clearly illustrates the values of the world such as selfishness, greed and the need for dominance. These constraints, and lack of power, can be seen through diction such as “leash”, “lock” and “chain”. The use of the word “leash” also creates animal imagery of a dog, which belittles women. The allusion to fairytales, as illustrated by the diction such as “pumpkin”, “high tower” and “chamber” also contribute to the idea of helplessness and patriarchy, which highlights the dominance of males over all women. This shows satire social criticism and a sense of justice! It is a very interesting read! :)

Imagery

Chili- Strong and tingling smell, lingering taste of 'Singaporean dishes'

"The Spice of Life" and how I took life's challenges. It reminds me of heartaches because of rejection by guys.

It reminds me of when I am feeling so nervous and ecstatic at the same time. A feeling of Euphoria when I am extremely happy and I want to release the energy through running or doing exhilarating activities. A feeling I get when I like somebody (a guy) so much.

Vinegar- Fresh smell, bland taste

It reminds me of myself every time I get out of my comfort zone. I vividly picture my first ever scuba- diving experience where I got to swim with the fishes and for the very first time I took a closer look at wonderful corals. I overcome the fear of going deep under water. I feel so invigorated and free like a child living a life with no problems at all.

Soy Sauce- Earthy smell like "soil in the garden", salty taste of dew or or mist of raindrop in my skin

It reminds me of when I went on a nature tripping/ hiking adventure where it suddenly rained and there was a heavy downpour. I can never forget this trekking adventure of ours in Banawe where I slipped and fell on my butt into that puddle of mud whilst we were following a trail. -IT WAS A MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT! :)

Letter to Poem

My heart is pounded

I still cant believe

You were taken from me.

Time bound us together

In a short while to call you father.

I ramble and wonder

Why you're taken away that easily

I was never ready to say goodbye

To someone I hold very dearly.

If it were up to me, dad

I'd always keep you here.

I've been put down and pushed around

Often finding myself on the ground.

I've had to push myself deep inside

And build a wall behind which I can hide.

The scar is just too deep

And the emptiness succumbs me

Where happiness is an obstacle

Laughter a challenge

And complete is almost impossible.

FIR Reading Blog #5

Title: Slam

Author: Nick Hornby

Date: July 20, 2010

Time alloted for reading: (chapter 1-3) one day

Summary

This book is from a boy's point of view and it is easy to read because the hero of the story is a teen. The boy is named 'Sam', a 15 year old kid, who is a skater and lives with his divorced mother. He is a typical teen but what makes him interesting is the fact that he has a sort of imaginary friend in the form of a life- size poster of the greater skater Tony Hawk, who has Godlike powers when he starts skating from sky- high ramps and successfully landing without slamming his face on the floor. Sam tells everything to Tony or TH (it is his code for Tony), from embarrassing moments to his constant practice of a new skating trick. At the start of chapter three, the book turned to Sam's relationship with his girlfriend Alicia and their constant intercourse. Hornby convincingly writes from the perspective of a teenager overwhelmed with the burden of consequences of his actions and tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy with bluntness and honesty. One of my favorite moments of Sam’s introspections comes when he contemplates running away from the problem of his now ex-girlfriend Alicia, by leaving for Hastings.

Insight

While reading this novel, all I was thinking about was the big difference or gap between Filipino and Western adolescents. The two seem to come from two different worlds. One of the biggest difference is their perception on virginity from watching American- produced films and television programs it has. What is with these Westerners and their immediate need to engage in sexual intercourse? I suppose one of the many things to which sends a lot of messages to its audience- young audience to be exact. And these messages are not exactly on the positive side because these films portray 'sex' as a pleasurable act and a satisfying experience. Young adults are receptive to this and tend to enact it without realizing what the outcome will be. These films do not show to its audience the reality behind unsafe sex and the consequences people have to face after a brief moment of euphoria. Environmental factors greatly involves to a teen's way of thinking or for any person for that matter. Since media seems to be the center of all that is influential and also the fact that Americans are bombarded with ads, movies, TV, programs, magazines and other form of media which display lust and obscenity, it is no wonder American teens tend to grow is acting exactly like what they see on billboards. But for me, it is still up to the person if he/ she will give in to those external factors despite them being incredibly influential and powerful. It is the values of a person that are deeply ingrained that determine their sense of morality. By having these moral values deep within them, they can resist negative influences around them.

My Translation of Tabing Ilog sung by Barbie's Cradle

Tabing Ilog lyrics

Sa ilog ang mundo'y tahimik

Ako'y nakikinig sa awit ng hangin

Habang kayo'y hinihintay

Na sana'y dumating bago magdilim

Sa tuwina'y kandungan niyo ay duyan

Panaginip na walang katapusan

Ang ilog hantungan niya'y pangako

Ng inyong pagbabalik

CHORUS:

Ngiting kasama ng hangin

Luhang daloy ng tubig

Sa ilog na `di naglilihim

Sa ilog ang mundo'y may himig

`Di sanang nagpalit ang awit ng hangin

Habang kayo'y hinihintay

Mata'y may ngiti, puso'y nananabik

Sa tuwina'y kandungan niyo ay duyan

Panaginip na walang katapusan

Ang ilog hantungan niya

The River

Translation of “Tabing Ilog” by Barbie’s Cradle

By the river, all the world is quiet
I am listening, to a wind that’s singing
While I’m waiting for you
I hope you come by, before darkness falls

The moments of rocking by the hammock
Of dreams that seem to have no end
The river is leading to a promise
That you’ll come back eventually

A smile, blowin’ in the wind
Tears like waterfalls
In a river with no secrets…

By the river, all the world is singing
I hope the wind won’t change, the songs that it’s singing
While I’m waiting for you
My eyes are gleaming, my heart is beating fast

The moments of swinging that cradle
Of dreams that seem to have no end
The river is leading to a promise
That you’ll come back eventually

A smile, blowin’ in the wind
Tears like waterfalls
In a river with no secrets…

FIR Reading Blog #4

Title: Alab ng Puso Sa Dibdib Mo'y Buhay!

Author: Manix Abrera

Time Alloted for Reading: One day

Summary

A comic book about a group of students in U.P and their wacky adventures. It is chock- full of hilarity, philosophical, social, and political materials.

Insight

It made me feel somewhat patriotic about my country. It made entertained me in way. Firstly, because of the physical comedy and secondly, because truths regarding our country's politics, society, the culture and our very won existence were explicitly told. Most of the time the words and thoughts on the comic strips made me envy those people, by those I mean the U.P community. Apparently, the school does not have to do anything with this at least not 100% because it is the individuals themselves ans their brilliance, creativity, open- mindedness that made them who they are. They just happen to be enrolled in one educational institution. Still, I cannot help not to be envious of their intelligence. The issue of the chaotic world of politics in our country is more tackled than any other topics. U.P people are known speaking out their minds literally and figuratively. There are hundreds of activists in that school and the number continue to increase. They are not afraid to voice out their anger, frustration, and all the feelings in the world they have toward the government and its supposedly good actions to bring betterment to our country. Even if their lives are on the line, they take the risks because they believe change should occur. Without acting responsibly, I have always admired U.P community for being vocal and fighting important issues. They do all of these without restraints and without fear, while some of some of the people I know who are capable of doing the same thing prefer not to be receptive of absorbing all these unacceptable anomalies.

FIR Reading Blog #3

Title: For One More Day, A book by Mitch Albom

Author: Mitch Albom

Date: July 6, 2010

Page nos. : 208 pages

Time alloted in reading: finished the book in 3 1/2 weeks

Summary

For One More Day talks of a man's struggle to survive his depressing life. This man is named Charles "Chick Benetto." The death of his mother, Pauline "Posey" Benetto, turned his life around and he decided one night to end it all by taking his own life after realizing he hit rock bottom and his life has fallen apart. He found himself between life and death when he encountered Posey at his hometown. Chick is saved by his mother by teaching him to forgive, love and best of all to never give up.

Insight

The book is quite inspirational. I will never forget about this book for many reasons. Family is one of the things tackled in the book opinions and reactions to some of the claims by Chick. I must say there is a mystery ingredient in this book that enthused me to read it thus, to find out what truly is going on with the story. It is engaging because the story is not presented in the typical chronological way that makes it even more captivating. Chick's childhood stories help modify and strengthen the situations in the present.

The book makes me reflect on my own life; on what I have done and achieved. I have always regretted reckless decisions I made for the last 5 years of my life. I know I cannot turn back time but I wish I could have made better decisions for myself. There was a time I felt depression, stress, and pressure. But despite all these, I carry on and see the good side of the bad side of things because life is short and I told myself, I never know when it may be too late to mend a flawed relationship with my family and God. I wanted to make sure that I don’t put off letting others know how important they are to me and lastly, if I could change the past, I would certainly do things differently.

My Images

Poetic Line for Today ♥ 07.02.10

Unable to rest

Unable to sleep

Unable to dream.

Darkness devouring what's left of my sanity

A complete surrender to the night.