Blog Reflection

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”

—Ernest Hemingway 

Beginning my blog assignment at the start of the semester, I felt a significant level of pressure. I have always enjoyed writing, but I have never considered myself to be a writer. Posting my thoughts in a public setting was nerve-wracking, and I was afraid that my writings would not be sufficient enough to share. I felt the most pressure when writing my first blog post. My fear was intensified by the prompt, of writing about a significant place. It was difficult for me to expose myself, and to clearly articulate the feelings I experienced in a way in which readers could understand and relate to. I felt more comfortable writing a Note to Self, because I had already gained experience with posting my personal thoughts in a public environment. Having this sense of comfort allowed my writing to improve, and for me to become more honest about my feelings. 

Once over my initial fear, being able to write my thoughts down, and have others read them, gave me an opportunity to put into words thoughts I had while reading. Being able to write a blog allowed me to make further connections. There is a difference in thinking about a topic, and writing about a topic. Writing about a topic forced me to question, "What do I really think, and how do I say it? What support can I find from the text to reinforce my viewpoints?" When writing my blog post on Girl, Interrupted, I found that organizing my thoughts gave me further insight to ideas that I could connect. Adding lines from the script helped me to give support to my analysis.    

If I were to rewrite a blog, I would like to revisit my blog post on mountain climbing. Many points were made in connection to the text, "Servants of the Map", that I did not initially make. My focus was oriented more towards the HONY article, and my own personal feelings. Further literary connections could have been made. Reading other student's blog after posting and having discussion in class brought to light many other analyses of mountain climbing that were relevant to both the article and text.

I enjoyed writing my blog on Persepolis, because I was able to incorporate a scene from the graphic novel. This added a new element to my blog. If I could go back, I would also include different graphic elements to other blog posts to make the content more engaging. Having little experience with posting to a blog, I feel that I  limited myself to text. Many students effectively used supplemental materials, such as images and links, and I feel this strengthens the post.

This process helped me develop in several ways. First, I became more comfortable with sharing my thoughts. Secondly, I was able to form clear statements that would have otherwise floated around in my head. Finally, being able to read other student's blogs and receive feedback on my own blogs helped me to share different viewpoints. Reading other student's blogs where they formed clear and insightful thoughts helped me to gain a better, or new understanding of the material.

Extra credit posts:
The Hunting Ground

The Hunting Ground

Watching The Hunting Ground, I feel a mixture of emotions. I am truly saddened and enraged at what happens on college campuses so frequently, but also empowered by the strength and courage shown by the women who share their stories. Even looking at the title of the film is disappointing - the hunting ground. How shitty is it that a college campus, a place for learning and development, a place for happiness and friendships, a place that should feel as safe and secure as a second home could be so easily compared to a hunting ground. So many women feel alone during their times of struggle, and the attempts of colleges to mask what is truly going on is mortifying. Safety should be the first priority, yet, so often, monetary gains are emphasized over the well-being of students. The men who assault women rarely receive punishment, and if they are criticized, the infraction is so minimal. I know students at Saint Mary's who have gotten into more trouble for underage drinking than a man gets for sexually assaulting a woman. What hypocrisy. Although the movie is difficult to watch, I believe that knowledge of the harsh truth is the first step to making a change. Not only administrators, but students, need to stop turning a blind eye to the events that happen even right here, at Saint Mary's college with a disgusting frequency.

6 Word Memoir

Life goes on, always push yourself.

Power by Linda Hogan - Close Reading

"I look at her and even thought it's dark, I can see her. She looks far away but she is present and awake. She is transfixed like they sometimes say about the people at Mama's church. I see her in the moonlight, and not once does she stumble or lose her hold or her bearings. Not once, even crying the way she is. She walks like a strong woman chasing her God and I'm surprised how fast she moves. My feelings about her change. One moment I think she is a stranger and she is insane. I don't know her anymore. She is a stranger to her own self, too. The next moment I am surprised and proud, wishing I could believe like she does, follow the blood, the tracks, wishing I had such a calling." 

- page 61, Power 

I chose this passage because it speaks highly to the duality that Omishto exists in. She is caught in between two worlds, and her feelings about Ama are often influenced by the feelings she has about her self and the place in which she belongs in the world. By highlighting both negative and positive thoughts about Ama, we are given insight to the positives and negatives Omishto must feel about choosing either Mama's or Ama's world. Using "Mama's church" as a reference to the transfixion that Ama has, Omishto is blurring the line between her two worlds. I believe her feelings of being "surprised and proud" speak more to her feelings about the Taiga traditions than her feelings about Ama. This passage effectively draws attention to the mixture of feelings Omishto experiences. 

"Servants of the Map"

Personally, the idea of climbing a mountain has always seemed ridiculous. I can't imagine forcing myself to climb up to the top of a mountain, regardless of how beautiful people say the view is, or how overwhelming the feeling of accomplishment. There are plenty of beautiful places I can see with much more ease, and much simpler tasks that give me a feeling of accomplishment. Climbing a mountain has never been something I have desired to do.

However, each day, there is a hurdle we much overcome. A mountain to climb. When we "reach the top" of our mountain, the view is beautiful, and we feel accomplished. I enjoyed the HONY post, and the connection made between journey and destination. Most emphasis is put on the destination, however, the focus should be on the journey taken to get there. Each step taken towards the destination changes perspective, and entices personal growth. Whether or not we reach the destination, we have made progress. There is something to be said about putting in the work, even if the results aren't the most desirable outcome. Climbing a mountain teaches us what we can accomplish, pushes us to be better, and forces us to break out of our comfort zones.

The experience of reading a play changes the perspective through which the story is seen. When reading a play, I always feel that I have insider knowledge. I am instructed on how the characters are positioned, and their reactions are detailed. However, when body language isn't emphasized, it allows the reader to put their own perspective on the situation. Novels give more descriptions, whereas plays tend to focus on staging and dialogue. I enjoy this, however, because it allows the reader to infer the tone of the character, and the way in which words are spoken. I don't believe there is a hinderance from reading a play, it simply portrays the story in a different medium.

Adichie Lecture

While attending Chimamanda Adichie's lecture, I noted how strong of a sense of humor she had. This was surprising to me, as many of the stories we read in The Thing Around Your Neck were heavy and saddening. I loved her ability to joke, while discussing serious issues at the same time. I was also surprised when Adichie said to, "write about what you know". I was curious as to how familiar she was with the scenarios in The Thing Around Your Neck and the personal experiences she had to make them something she knew.