Thankful for a Classmate

        I dedicate this blog to the following classmates mentioned:

I am thankful for Serina Lane, for she is my American Lit. Assignment notebook. Every time I am lost with the homework assignment, she clears it up, explaining it thoroughly. I appreciate her time in answering my daily questions, “What exactly was our American Lit homework?”

I am thankful for Tony Padilla, specifically his neck. When in boredom, I used to occupy myself by using Tony’s back neck as a doodle-book. Only then I realized I should open a small tattoo shop as a side job.

Although he may have been exposed to skin cancer due to my dark-black ink, I appreciate his patience in sitting dead-still for the rest of the time.

I am thankful for Anna Greenberg and her delicious chocolates. They were a great satisfaction to my craving appetite. That caramel chocolate was very much devoured by me and Sadiq that one time.

I am thankful for Sadiq, my partner. Just for his presence and his cool, laid-back-ness. I believe we had a great bonding time together as we saw the colors of the locker change.

I am a Plow.

plow

  /plaʊ/ [plou]  

–noun most important agricultural implement since the beginning of history, used to turn and break up soil, to bury crop residues, and to help control weeds.

      Why, must this topic sound negative, as an adjective-noun mocking our human character? (It is a noun that describes us; therefore I called it, “adj. noun”) By its definition, I am only interpreting it in a way that we humans, from the beginning, from history, used to (or still do) ruin relationships and later moved on, putting them in memory. Then we made new ones, or recovered with the old, balancing the “evil” or “weeds” as they define it. This way, we are definitely plows. At least, I am a plow. Sometime in life we eventually screw up the bonds we have with one another. A friend, family, or lover, we will end up failing each other and break the relationship for they can’t last forever. These bitter memories will have to be covered up with new bonds somehow, going back to happiness. The cycle has repeated itself from the beginning of history.
         This inevitable plow cannot be stopped. As much as it is an important equipment in farming, it is an important process in human relationships. Whatever the cause is, a quarrel, argument, accident or death, all feelings come to an end. But the social bonding will continue as long as there are humans and interaction.

A Direction the Class Needs

If I had to pick one thing that bothers me the most, it would be the vague journal topics. I mentioned in my previous journal entries that I preferred to have straightforward statements or questions. It helps me to build on my thoughts and ideas more, providing generous information. However, when a random quote from a novel comes up, my brain takes a long time to process the given quote. When everything clicks, I begin to ramble. It doesn’t even click. Sometimes this 'rambling' makes me wonder if I’m even going the right path but Mr.McCarthy's words remind me once more: There is no right or wrong in journals. Still, I’d like to be directed  in where I’m supposed to go.

In the first several weeks of American Literature, I was very confused about the classroom procedures. It was pretty hard to follow, especially because I wasn’t sure what exactly was important that came out of Mr. McCarthy’s mouth. We would be moving from topic to topic, and with unclear transitions I often found myself lost. The homework, blogs, and other assignments had to be re-asked among my friends after class because they weren’t sure.

I’ve become used to the class however, and I tend to enjoy it. Mr. McCarthy’s unique way of teaching, exposing our thoughts and making our imagination grow through his open discussions, can be beneficial. Now I’m able to understand and evaluate on his intention of making us think and develop without limit; our paths are not blocked by teacher’s directions but we should go and write as we please. This freedom is a valuable opportunity that is rarely given by other teachers and classes. I should learn more to take it in advantage!  

Modern Slavery

Slavery, although it sounds so distant which happened in history, is not so far from our current society. Even if it may not be considered as physical house worker, it can involve the on-going sex trade, people being sold or being asked for ransom. Females are sold and turned into prostitutes, being slaves of those who seek satisfaction.  Men can be easily pulled into doing hard work and labor in factories. Those who are uneducated do everything to earn money but end up working in an unknown place with no pay. Children in other countries are being kidnapped to be sold to a far away island or so, being trained to do anonymous things or crimes.

Slavery is existent throughout the world everywhere. In society, even those who rule others can be considered slaves. Singers or celebrities are slaves to their busy schedules without gaining any of their own time. Some industries restrict the profit of the people, putting incomes directly into their pockets. Therefore the ones who work under them receive nothing for themselves, just exhaust and pain.  Also the government officials are influenced by the people, being pulled into other unjust crimes for money.

Even we can be considered slaves. Aren’t we, as students and teenagers, slaves to school and homework? We must complete and do all work and assignments that are asked of, for no money (although it’s for the benefit of education). Aren’t modern-day people, slaves to the media, seeking rumors or gossip going around other people’s businesses, or finding social interactions through internet? The term ‘slave’ can be implied in various ways from general to specific. Everyone can all be slaves to something.