OVERVIEWWW

Well, the semester is drawing to a close...Anna has a ten page research paper, finals, freaking out about HUST presentation a little less, and feeling like a sleep deprived zombie, yes, the end is near. But it has really been a good year. It was a little scary in the beginning and a lot of overwhelming emotions about how I felt about my classes and what I want to do with my life...OH MY! But in the end it worked out great. I succeeded in my classes and managed to get to know my professors. HUST was the class that really got me in the zone though when it came to analyzing. I found it also to be a very good start to a W course because Professor Ambrose graded hard and had very good notes that were clear about what you did wrong and how you should change that. I liked that because before in High School I always found it unclear as to what I did wrong in a paper. But, yes, the semester went well I just have to survive the last week!!! Wish me LUCK!

My MAJOR problem

At this point, selecting a major is me primarily taking classes that sound interesting and trying to decide if I am interested in it enough to want to major in it. That is for right now my plan especially in regards to next semester. I know that I want to major in German but also continue learning other languages as well so I am considering minoring in Italian but then again I love WOST or Women's Studies. As for my other major it is kind of up in the air. I know I am looking into HUST and I know I want internships and study abroad opportunities in regards to my major of choice. When I looked at the Anthropology Department the classes that looked really interesting was Peoples of the World and survey 1: Language and Culture. I like learning about different cultures and seeing how they look at life and their own beliefs. I also love languages and really want to look into that as well. I was really surprised/elated to find out there were studying abroad places offered one in Ireland and Italy. Both sounding really interesting with the courses offered.

I know I want to have internships on my resume for good reference and experience as well as service involvement specifically in having a leadership role.I also think it'd be important to list the jobs I was in like Phonathon in my resume. A really cool service group I would like to become a part of is possibly Dance Marathon where they raise money for Riley Hospital. I worked as a leader in one of the groups managing funds my junior year in high school and really enjoyed it.

Hyperlinking it alllllll together!

I think what I learned most from blogging this past semester is to truly process a text. I began to become better in my language when analyzing a text. I also found that when relating to a text or explaining it, it is always good to provide some form of visual. With the visual aid I found it easier to explain a specific scene or historical event that is relevant and occurred in the text.

Sometimes it was difficult to write and so in that case I did not provide a visual because I did not find it necessary and I also think I could have done a better job in regards to my diction at some point. Or I could have analyze the different literary mechanics that were incorporate in the literary work we were reading at the time. I found that analysis on language and dialect as well as diction would have been relevant especially in my blog about Translations. A play entirely encompassing the issue of language and the barrier but also freedom that it seems present.

Something that I tried in the blog was to go with my first initial gut reaction the work and explain that feeling. I also tried to relate a concept that we talked about in class or in a presentation we went to watch. In this blog post I tried to create a scenario that was relevant and able to be relate to. I also tried to have a little bit more fun with it and make the story I chose to relate to my audience funny. Not only for them but me (I know what selfish reasons) but I felt like the purpose of the blog is not just about who is going to view it but how you feel when writing. I want to enjoy it so I am going to write about what interests me in the text and relate it to what I want to!

In the future I could see myself blogging about my adventures while I am abroad and travelling. I think of my first blog in which I speak of seeing myself in Germany all stylish and hip with my head scarf at the local cafe looking like I belong there. That is something I wish to really accomplish. And since I love to write (even though I do need some improving in that area) I feel like blogging about what is happening to me in another country (hopefully countries) would be great. I also think that blogging would keep my family in friends also in the loop about my life. And knowing me the most crazy things would probably happen you can define in what context I mean crazy for yourself! :)

If anything I have learned that blogging about what we are reading in class makes me more interested in the literature. Not only do we discuss and analyze in class but actually sitting down and thinking of a new perspective to look at a certain text makes it much more interesting. Especially when I did a close reading on Mary Cassatt's painting. It was interesting to look at the painting in my own way. When I picked apart certain elements I felt proud of myself. It builds confidence to know you can think for yourself and see things differently than others.

Edmund... you scare me so!

When watching the clip of Edgar's soliloquy I was very much disturbed. Mostly because of the lighting on Edmund's face. It provided an atmosphere filled with dread. That, I think, was the director's intention in the PBS film of King Lear. Also in the play I had envisioned Edmund's soliloquy to be much more fiery. Almost as if he was shouting at his gods for this unjust place of a label that is cemented upon him since birth. He never really speaks of his mother. The absence of a role could make an argument that he has become so bitter from lack of a mother figure that, that is why he chooses to reek havoc on the lives of Gloucester and Edgar.

Yet I also wonder that because Shakespeare does not put stage directions that he did it on purpose so his lines were up for interpretation of the director or actor. The actor who played Edmund took his tone quality of the words in an entirely different direction then what I had originally thought from the character of Edmund. But i really liked this different take. It made more sense to me that he would be more quiet and firm about his actions that he is going to take. In making his statement controlled and slightly dark he has captured my attention and made me feel like I am in on his game that I do not wish to be apart of.

Be MANLY!

"Let not women's weapons, water-drops, Stain my man's cheeks!" King Lear Act 2 Scene 4

I found this quote from King Lear very amusing actually. It illustrated the sexist attitude of the time, that to cry was see n as a weakness and therefore, utterly feminine. Also the fact that Lear sees crying as a weapon women use means that he equates women as being manipulative. That when a woman cries she does it to attain an end. There is no true emotion in her weeping rather there is just a conniving force of want that makes the water pour from her eyes. I think Lear sees Cordelia as an enemy not only because of how she responded to his challenge of expressing love for him the best but also because she has the most power over him. He recognizes that when he sees that she has the power to make him cry... an unmanly emotion.

King Lear:Edmund you EVIL SPAWN!

During the course of the play I was yet again confounded by the intricate and diabolical plot by the villain, Edmund. Shakespeare never ceases to amaze me with his villains and the success in truly tricking all around him. At one hand I find it unrealistic how Shakespeare's villains like Iago and Edmund can successfully dupe all around them. Yet they do, they do it in a subtle way that the person being lied does not even know it. For example when Edmund quickly puts away a note when his father Gloucester appears. He timed it just right that he knew Gloucester would become curious and want to know what was in the letter. I find that this cunningly simple show of trickery sums up how smart Edmund is and that villains sometimes do make the story have an unhappy ending. I think it is very interesting that Shakespeare was that realistic. He realized that in real life there are not always a prince riding off into the sunset so it shouldn't always be that way in the theater.

Love... Can it Surpass All Really?? Please Wait While I Try Not to Vomit!

The one part of this play that I thought was very interesting was the romantic scene between Yolland and Maire. Yolland with all of his awkward, "sorry sorry?" comments on what exactly was said and Maire just staring and wondering if her trying to communicate is futile. It was hilarious in a way thought how they both were saying the same thing in their own language. It irony of it was quite powerful. With that said the question that came to mind is, is this scene meant to display the boundless quality of love (puke!) or does it just illustrate that first fascination accompanied with culture foreign from your own. I personally think the author was showing the fascination with the culture because the play did not seem to be a romantic play. It had a point. The point being more like a question to make the audience think. Is there something lost in translation and if so does that demean the quality that the old Irish names embodied. I, personally think there is a quality lost in translation. It is almost like the English came in and said, "Your names of your country are wrong. We may not speak your language but all of the names of your towns have to be changed since you did such a bad job." That is what the English seem to be saying through their renaming and more importantly in the way Lancey treats those in the Hedgehog school. He treats them like stupid, ignorant town folk just because they do not speak English. Which is hypocritical considering Lancey does not even try to speak Irish!

MAP IT1!!!

Well I was very surprised when I read this article especially when it was telling me that every maker is socially influenced. I did not understand that at all. All my life I thought maps were concrete evidence of geography. Then the point was brought up that even thought the evidence presented is in fact real the way it is presented can influence the "reader" of the map. For example many map makers or "authors" cannot create maps without a budget or some outside source funding them. Therefore, it is almost impossible to really not be influenced in the making of the map and what will be shown. That is why many historical maps show many certain parts of an empire or it showed who the power was during that time. I thought that was so interesting especially when he got into the details about how even fact is up for interpretation because everything is socially influenced and therefore cannot be all together. My mind at this time was completely boggled and could not seem to wrap my head around this theory. If everything was influenced did that mean that nothing was really true?? I felt like was becoming one of the inane people who find themselves deep by declaring general and hideously, annoying statements about life that nothing to do with anything. But in a way that's a point that this article raised. I may not be able to disprove the theory right now but for the sake of my sanity I shall have to choose to believe that facts are facts... and are therefore concrete!

Advising Module 3

Consider how you handle stress, particularly when it is compounded by exhaustion and health issues. Do you go for a walk? Take a tv break? Read a poem? Call a friend? Hit the treadmill? Take a nap? Why??

I always seem to take a nap which is not a good idea but I get so tired and sometimes just fall asleep on my work. It is very annoying while other times I say I will take just a twenty minute power nap and then not have the willpower to wake up for another hour. So I try not to take naps anymore and when I really need a break I surf the web to get my mind on something else. But I also think that is not the greatest idea because I get sidetracked and it is hard to get me back on track.

Can you give an example of a come-back from an academic problem or disappointment?

When I was in high school I was in honors chemistry my sophomore year and tried so hard in that class. I stayed after school went to review sessions asked questions in class and studied so long for tests. But I still seemed to be getting a C+ which for me was horrible. So finally I asked the teacher for more one on one help an extra problems to practice and pulled my grade to a B+ which I was very excited about for an average Joe like myself!

Are there areas of study you've become interested in that you won't have time to major in at SMC?

I am very much interested in Women's Studies but I do not think I would want to have a double major and a minor especially if I plan to study abroad for a year. But I am in love with the class and the texts we get to read!!

Are there films you'd like to see? When might you have time to see them? (start keeping a list)

I really like films from sundance and just small budgeted films that you really have to find. I do not know when I will have time I feel as though I never watch t.v. at school or movies. I really want to see The Tree of LIfe, Another Earth, The Beaver, and The Cove. I also have others that I want to look for and find as well!

One Story

Girl walks into a concert wearing a Bob Marley t shirt, short cut off jeans, dread locks all the way down to her hips, and a tie dye bandanna. Man walks up to girl and asks if she would like a joint. Woman replies curtly, clearly outraged, "no I would not what do I look like to you, a woman who likes a pot?" Now many would probably laugh at the the woman in this story thinking well clearly she deserved this approach because of what she was wearing. We saw the woman's clothes and immediately made her into one type of person. She immediately participated in illegal endeavors. I think the woman's speech in the video was very profound when she brought up the one story mindset most people have of other ethnicities as well as in social circumstances. When she brought up how everyone has a story I immediate thought of the song by Brandi Carlile called "The Story". Too perfect right?

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am

These lyrics were perfect to me in representing that we do not see what everyone goes through.

We do not know others struggles and to label unjustly is not the right thing to do. The talk opened my eyes to that even more profoundly!

Momma didn't faint this time!!!

So Persepolis 2 "ends" in its sad yet not as sad as last time way. Tearful goodbyes seem very common in Persepolis' life. I, personally do not think I would be able to do that all the time. She has to uproot her life so much but the fact that her last goodbye she is sad, yes, but also excited for the future. Seh is more confident because she is older. She has grown up and therefore is able to stand on her own two feet alone. I find it incredible that her parents are so progressive considering the climate of oppression that permeates in the air there. One cannot even speak their mind without fear of execution or beatings. So the fact that her parents promoted her having a boyfriend was very progressive indeed. I always wonder how people like that came to be when their culture and society is that of oppression. It really astounds me the differences in Perspeolis' parents to the rest of the culture. Of course, they were not alone in their views but it is refreshing to see people speak out in their own way!

Persepolis, THOU ART SO OPINIONATED... I LIKE!

If I were to write the young Persepolis a letter it would probably most consist of questions. I find other cultures so interesting and that the fact that hers is so utterly different from Western culture makes me all the more curious. She probably would probably be in my shoes where I can wear shorts and a t-shirt and not be considered a harlot by people I have never met and be verbally and physically assaulted. I really liked how Persepolis, the author, made the book into a comic book. With the pictures I got a better visual (literally) of what life was like for her. The changes in power and the way she interpreted it as a young girl/ preteen. But what I loved most about her book was the depiction of God. God was her friend and held her and soothed her but was also there as the sort of punching bag when she was mad at the world for what every new leader seemed to do wrong with her country. I thought it interesting how her family were activists against the regime and how Persepolis right off the bat had views on political issues. Although most of the time they were the view of her parents because all little children are guilty of spouting the views of their parents. I did the same thing when defending my parents presidential candidate at the ripe old age of 10 years old. I thought their opinion was always right and any other person that said otherwise would feel the backlash of my tongue verbally assaulting them for daring to disagree with them. That was when I thought I was intimidating...(never caught on). But what I thought was the most thrilling part of the book was when Persepolis' mother agreed for Persepolis to come to a protest. The parents usually go without her because she is too young. But later on in the book the issues that are presented especially toward women concerning for example, the veil, are directly affecting Persepolis' life style. Therefore her mother sees it as her right to also take part in these protests. This, I think, develops Persepolis' voice further by being able to develop her own opinions on the matter and to express them publicly with others that agree with her!

Let the BIRD SING!!!

First thing I thought of when I heard we were reading a memoir by Maya Angelou I thought of a strong woman who wrote one of my favorite poems called "Phenomenal Woman".

"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman"

So to think that the woman who wrote this poem that so empowered me through my awkward puberty was at one time so not confident in herself made no sense to me. Then I read this book and it all made sense. Women need to go through something to reach the other side of happiness. Not just women, humans. That outside of every truly terrible storm there is a rainbow. Maya Angelou's life described in her memoir seems to be a testament to that very statement. I think that at the end of her memoir where it ends with the birth of a beautiful baby boy the caged bird is let free. She sees the true potential she has by the fact she automatically protects her new baby that is entirely her own. I find that completely fascinating that mothers have this innate sense to protect their babies. This realization empowers her. This woman at the end of her book is the woman I see who would write about being a "Phenomenal Woman".

The BIG Question

"Giving a crap about your users..." That's what Gary Vaynerchuk kept really referring to. "To give a crap" was what I found most profound ironically because the truth is he is right. If I do not care about what I am doing but am just in it to make alto of money there is no happiness in that. This Gary guy was right about many things. He loves people so working with people is a must in whatever line of work he pursues. So recognizing one's fundamental passions can relate to whatever major or minor they choose. I think it is imperative that we now look at our strengths so we can not only utilize them in the workforce but so we can utilize them now and develop them with the major we pursue. I guess the compliments that I receive the most are about how I seem to know "everyone". I always shake this off and say "bahh no I don't". But I think I am very good at meeting others and making them feel comfortable enough with me to actually have a conversation and feel as if they matter. I love making others feel like they matter. It really gives me a certain joy to know that I made someone's day a little better. I also am good with public speaking. I like to talk in public although I do get very nervous one could never tell because I can usually keep my cool. These two skills are not my only skills but are what I think is most prevelant and able to be seen when one meets me. Therefore, when I look at my majors and should automatically think how those skills can be transferred into a potential job one day. Or at least ponder the idea because as of right now I have no idea what line of work I actually want. This discerning is very difficult because to give yourself a compliment is a lot harder these days when everyone seems to want downgrade their accomplishments. I think what I am interested which is a language is perfect since I love to speak and communicate with others so learning another language to communicate with a different culture is perfect! Step one complete! Now I just have to think about how that would go into the workforce... Oh man career crossings is going to have their work cut out for them when I step into their office. At least with this assignment I'll be able to tell them what I am good at!

Don't Speak

The first thought that came to mind when little Maya decided not to speak was, "Yea good luck with that!" I truly thought it wasn't possible because I thought of myself. I am the blabbermouth of the century. Sometimes I wish I could just remain quiet just to take in the moments that occur. That I am just present and being in the moment. But little Maya's description on what it takes to be silent is almost a paradox in and of itself. She says, "I discovered that to achieve perfect silence all one had to do was attached themselves leechlike to sound" (pg. 87). Only in this way was she able to maintain her silence. It seems to me that the only to be quiet is to just soak up the world around you so that you are so preoccupied with what is happening you don't have to even think about talking. This whole memoir threw me for a loop. I did not think she would literally stop talking. I thought the title was a metaphor for how she found her "real" self and therefore is able to talk with authority rather than being too meek or like a doormat. I find that this memoir is very compelling while also probably scandalous because of how Maya Angelou describes rape threw the eyes of her little girl self. I find that extremely different from anything I've ever read. She even describes at first having liked it because someone was holding her. This little girl so confused and likes the fact that someone is showing her love. That is what she describes the holding as... love. I found this the saddest party of all. Her only human real contact in St. Louis was the saddest and most dangerous of all.

Mary Gordon, Your Eloquence Astounds Me

Well I for one must say that I was not really ready for that speech Mary Gordon said. I really came in thinking we were going to hear about her past books. I guess I should have looked over the pamphlet before I went in. Nevertheless, Mary Gordon surprised me with her accent that sounded straight out of Boston and her eloquent and insightful speech about eccentric painters and poets I had never even heard of. She made me feel extremely small. As if I have learned nothing in my last eighteen years and that I need to step outside of this box and start reading and reading and reading!!!! I must be honest and say that sometimes she was just over my head with the analogies to wars I did not know in as much detail as she did and in comprehensive takes on pieces of art that I honestly did not even know where and how to begin to interpret. But before I throw myself a pity party I comfort myself in the fact that yes, I am only eighteen, meaning I have the luxury of being able to learn more and more about the world. This can be said for really all ages but I feel that I am really in the beginning of the stage because I am in the beginning of college, where the thirst of knowledge begins (or so I have been told). I am elated for such a tumultuous journey. I just learned from this talk that one is never done learning and that her love of writing and the arts is apparent through her talk and her insightful looks on things that maybe others do not see. It was just so inspiring to see women much older than her look to her opinion on pieces and how they admired and respected that opinion without doubt!

Showing the Spiritual Side

Mary Gordon talks of museums full of art like it was likened to the Sistine Chapel. And it may that they are in their own way similar in respect to both having beautiful art. But Gordon says that "to a museum is a kind of prayer. (pg. 239)" She says this because she says that both in prayer and in her visits to the museum she shows and feels adoration, thanksgiving, supplication, and contrition. When I saw what she compared seeing art to praying I then understood. She is saying without saying it exactly that her kind of faith life is different then her mothers. That for Gordon to achieve a sense of spiritual being she must be in a place where her passion can take flight. That place is a museum. Yet I also wonder about her own art that she makes and if that since she is so enamored with paintings did she become a writer because she could not paint? Maybe this is just silly musings but I always assumed that one that was such a fan of art would love to also be able to have the kind of talent to achieve grand masterpieces that make people think. I think Gordon achieved that in her writing. But even more so because with the writing she gives the audience a view inside the very depths of the subject to whom she is writing about. Whereas the painter can only paint what is seen and tangible. I think to be able to illuminate the world of one's viewer is far more precious because you can make them think even more!

President Mooney's Speech

So as I was sitting listen to President Mooney I realized that a minute ago I had been so unbelievably tired and now I am truly listening to what she was saying. When she talked about exploring my options at a liberal arts college I immediately thought about how I have such a support system in which I can choose and change my major. It also made me think about how the classes I am taking will in fact make me a well rounded person. But to get there I have to get through....BIO!!! BOO! She talked about the fetal pig and all I wanted to do was gag. But what struck a chord with me most of all was that she and the other students did no know what they wanted to do right away. That made me feel very relieved. Although I was still nervous by the amount of activities they were involved in. Anyways, that is besides the point. I truly feel now that I need to be okay with taking a variety of classes, of trying new things I would not normally think I'd do. I think in this way I can expose myself to different ideas and get out of my comfort zone. For I think college is doing just that. I think it is that high board in the swimming pool that everyone is afraid to jump off of. I want to dive right in. I have decided that, that is my goal and what I really need to work on. That and getting my schedule and time management in order! But in the end President Mooney's talk helped me see that I need to take a chance and dive in not only in meeting new people but the knowledge that is at my disposal here!

Girl interrupted again and again...

Well this movie completely scared me! I couldn't believe that people could think and feel this way especially Angelina Jolie's character, Lisa was so unfeeling towards Daisy's suicide. It did not even occurr to her that she probably drove Daisy to kill herself. So I think that these "girls" need to be interrupted. That this interruption is the mental hospital in which they reside. It is a wake up call. It will take longer for some but it is something that they need to go through so that they will confront their problem. For Lisa it took many "interruptions". When I say that I mean her having to be dragged back after a run away attempt and then dragging her back after yet another run away attempt. This will continue to happen until she realizes what she needs to confront so she can deal with it. For no one can truly be "normal" we all have flaws and I think Winona Ryder's character realized that when she talked about just coping with her issues. For no one is able to truly go through life without "interruptions" A.K.A. time to deal with what life has thrown at them. I feel this move title is applicable to all people. It shows what can truly happen to grown adults when they are unable to cope with their own thoughts. It is "you" amplified that is what Ryder's character Susanna said. This, I think, means that one part of you that totally takes over and therefore makes you unbalanced and not really able to function when your so one sided in personality. It makes me think that this movie is trying to say that is it not a vast leap to "insanity" that it happens and is possible to all types of people. The thought gives me chills.

Close Reading on Mary Cassatt's Paintings

1.) In this picture my first impression is one of sympathy for the ignored child. The mother is busily sewing and it is beautiful outside while the child is cooped up inside looking bored. The subject of the piece is the mother and child because of the way they are the brightest points of color in the painting. I know they are the subjects because they both have brighter colors surrounding them and have lines from the woman's outfit even to the chair that point towards the woman and child.

2.) I think because this is an impressionist painting what sticks out most to me is the way in which the the whole painting is softer. I mean this in the way that Mary Cassatt was able to use her brushstrokes in such a way as to soften and therefore make it more up to the viewer as to what their interpretation of the painting would be. I am also convinced this painting is speaking about women being caged because the woman is kept indoors and she is facing away from the forest with a beautiful view and the forest seems as if it keeps going on forever and that is all the opportunities this woman is missing because her back is turned from it all.

3.) The effect of this painting is that it makes the viewer think about the circumstances of the time in which the painting was painted and also questions the motives of the painter. For example, why did Mary Cassatt not just draw a pretty little wall in the foreground? Why did she instead have a window leading out to infinite possibilities?

4.) Therefore, I think that this painting is a showcasing of how women's life during Mary Cassatt's time period were almost suffocating. They had there one place as shown in the painting where all they did was look after a child and know that all those possibilities and opportunities to further their knowledge and skills (as shown by the window's view of the forest) were always out of reach. So why does this matter? It matters because it makes us think about women's places and if they are so strictly cemented in, for example, the home. Today still begs the question because women are still looked at as needed to stay in the home while the husband works. This relates to my idea about Cassatt portraying this idea of restricted opportunities women are faced with and how the mother in the picture is the symbol of that era that even is somewhat present in today's society.

WHy am I here????

The first thing that po pped into my mind when I watched these modules was, "Holy mother of God this is extremely scary!" That was basically the gist of my thinking throughout the videos when it spouted statistics basically saying that Americans are extremely behind other countries learning wise. It makes me want to develope my critical thinking skills because I know that is an area that many Americans lack developement in and I know for a fact that, that is also my case. I wish that we could find an immediate solution to this problem but I do not see it because of the way so many politictians and the teacher's unions seem to be a roadblock of epic proportions!


And as for the second question... Why is Anna Fanelli here? My first thought was not even one I myself thought. It comes from my good ol' momma. She said, "Anna, I just know you are going to flourish here!" She also went on alot more but I shall reserve all the gooey I Love you stuff for myself. These words have played over in my head. I have been here only a week and everyday I just think, "Alright Anna, how can you flourish today?" I guess it is not all about me in the sense that of course other people are helping me reach my potential but I have also decided that oppurtunities will present themselves if I go and chase them. So I have decided I am here because I need to be. I need to be in this environment that not only nurtures me and helps me when I am feeling sad or homesick but also empowers women. It is nice to know that I am surrounded by strong independant women everyday. I like that I can feel comfortable without wearing makeup and speaking my mind in class. Although that never really stopped me before I feel as though it is even easier! But I also think I am on this planet to help people. I don't necessarily know how but I do know I love to listen and also just be there for others. I love to watch other people accomplish what they've always wanted or to at least know that I helped them succeed to that point. Call it cheesey or what have you but I have always been drawn to that. Well my rant about myself is pretty much over but it always help to clear my head once I see what I have put down on the computer screen! I think the next four years here are full of promise for me and I intend to make the most of it!

Classes CONNECTED!!

So I am involved in Women's studies right now and am presently surprised by how HUST and Women's Studies are connecting with all of this talk about women. Yes, we need to talk about women more! For one thing we are an all women's college and another reason is we just don't talk about women enough. In history and psychology all I ever hear is other girls moping on about the dumbness of men and the way in which they are just so hard to understand. Well men, your time of always being the the "talked" about gender is over for this one blog at least! For Virginia Woolf made it clear that women are capable of writing and having a clear voice that one should listen too. In my women's studies class we discussed Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" as well and it struck me that this book is not Woolf ranting about the unfairness that women go against, but rather the way in which it is harder in a society dominated by men to succeed in "male" fields of employment. This type of society is a patriarchal society. A term in which a society is male identified and dominated. It does not necessarily mean that men are aware of this type of society our western world is in because if they were aware it would take more then a few men to change such a widespread mode of thinking. This made me understand Woolf's point more of having that "room" to call one's own because it is a place in which thinking freely and intelligently is accepted because no one else can judge you for that. She then explains why it is so much harder to find this room because of women's lives are not their own. They are subject to their husbands and children. Their duties lie with them. Is that not also the same case today? Are not women always supposed to be the one when the husband gets home to comfort him after his long day. In "Gender Knot" Allan G Johnson describes just that. For men are autonomous creatures that do not share feelings. Therefore it is the woman's duty to make him feel better about his day and furthermore his life before she can even think or dwell on her very tough day. This is not meant to be a male bashing session. I just found it rather interesting the connection between HUSt and Women's studies and how women's roles have not changed much in the last one hundred years. The patriarchal society in which we all live makes sure of that. But it is certainly not all men's fault for if women ever had the upper hand in anything I am very certain I would not be complaining too much either.

Where I belong...

When I was siting and just plain pondering about a significant place that I really was able to be myself at, I immediately thought of home. Yes, it is a tad cliche and one does think of the sayings that are forever played in cheesy movies or love songs. But it is true for me. This place, my house and family is what truly makes me feel at my very best. I appreciate it even more now when I experience those first, hard pangs of homesickness. Sometimes I just want to curl up into a ball and wail for my Momma. But in five years, surprisingly enough, I see myself in another country, possibly Germany where I am sipping a latte and talking about the weather in the native tongue. I will smile nonchalantly at the passerbyes as if I am completely confident in the woman Saint Mary's shaped me to be. I will be wearing a flowing flowery dress with a button down white shirt. My hair will be pulled back into a flawlessly, casual bun with my signature scarf wrapped around my head. This woman I picture makes me believe in that I can in fact survive college for I was raised by Theresa Bossu and Bill Fanelli. They knew exactly what I would be able to achieve and they said that was basically anything. That makes me immediately picture this beautiful coffee shop and this strong, confident woman. I then begin to understand that these places that we cherish are the places that also shape us into who we are.



"Home, suddenly I'm home, home is when I'm with you."-Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros