American Dream or My American Dream?

American Dream or My American Dream?

Kayla Steward

http://www.informafrica.com/blog/new-world-order-versus-the-american-dream-video-inside/

1.) I would describe "The American Dream" as the ideal perfect life in America. Wealthy family of four, big house, white picket fence, dog- the whole nine. The American Dream, to be more general, is to give all citizens, despite any type of background or classification, an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work, determination, perseverance, and initiative. Although. my American Dream is to be able to grow up without the fear of losing what I have or not being able to do everything I set my mind to do to my fullest potential. My American Dream allows me to pursue a career, be successful in that career, settle down, and leave this world knowing that I was able to reach my goals and achieve them. Overall, my dream is to be happy.

2.) My definition of wealth doesn't deal with money or materialistic things. My definition of wealth is the state in which a person is happy, have everything they need, and are satisfied/couldn't ask for more. Most people would look at me and say "well doesn't that mean 'poor' people or 'less fortunate' people can be wealthy too?" My answer to that is yes. I have come across so many people who don't have as much as most people have, or have anything remotely close, but they are happy with the little they have. They are wealthy because they have an abundant amount of love and couldn't ask for more. It's very inspiring, but I believe everyone is wealthy, because no matter what situation you are in, you can reach that point in life where you are happy and loved.

3.) Through an American pessimist's perspective, most would see poverty and think of it as a huge pit, in which it is very hard to come up from. Some will even look at wealth as walking on a bed of nails- one wrong move and you could end up in a place you don't want to be. Though, through an optimist perspective, people will see poverty as a situation in which you can either try and get out of, or embrace it and be happy with what you have. When talking about wealth, they will see it as a blessing and a motive to be humble- a way to show people that "Hey, I made it here! You can too!" These perspectives are normally the most common when it comes to Americans, and anyone for that matter.

4.) My attitude towards wealth and poverty is similar to the optimist perspective described above. I know personally, I wouldn't want to be in the state of being poor, but if I ever was in that state, it would give me a reason to try and work harder to become not necessarily wealthy, but stable. Though, poverty and wealth shouldn't define who you are or classify you. We are all humans and we are all the same, despite our social class.

The Art of Translations

http://www.informafrica.com/blog/new-world-order-versus-the-american-dream-video-inside/

1.) I would describe "The American Dream" as the ideal perfect life in America. Wealthy family of four, big house, white picket fence, dog- the whole nine. The American Dream, to be more general, is to give all citizens, despite any type of background or classification, an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work, determination, perseverance, and initiative. Although. my American Dream is to be able to grow up without the fear of losing what I have or not being able to do everything I set my mind to do to my fullest potential. My American Dream allows me to pursue a career, be successful in that career, settle down, and leave this world knowing that I was able to reach my goals and achieve them. Overall, my dream is to be happy.

2.) My definition of wealth doesn't deal with money or materialistic things. My definition of wealth is the state in which a person is happy, have everything they need, and are satisfied/couldn't ask for more. Most people would look at me and say "well doesn't that mean 'poor' people or 'less fortunate' people can be wealthy too?" My answer to that is yes. I have come across so many people who don't have as much as most people have, or have anything remotely close, but they are happy with the little they have. They are wealthy because they have an abundant amount of love and couldn't ask for more. It's very inspiring, but I believe everyone is wealthy, because no matter what situation you are in, you can reach that point in life where you are happy and loved.

3.) Through an American pessimist's perspective, most would see poverty and think of it as a huge pit, in which it is very hard to come up from. Some will even look at wealth as walking on a bed of nails- one wrong move and you could end up in a place you don't want to be. Though, through an optimist perspective, people will see poverty as a situation in which you can either try and get out of, or embrace it and be happy with what you have. When talking about wealth, they will see it as a blessing and a motive to be humble- a way to show people that "Hey, I made it here! You can too!" These perspectives are normally the most common when it comes to Americans, and anyone for that matter.

4.) My attitude towards wealth and poverty is similar to the optimist perspective described above. I know personally, I wouldn't want to be in the state of being poor, but if I ever was in that state, it would give me a reason to try and work harder to become not necessarily wealthy, but stable. Though, poverty and wealth shouldn't define who you are or classify you. We are all humans and we are all the same, despite our social class.

FREEBIE

FREEBIE

Forever Let Me Go

Forever Let Me Go

For this blog, I have chosen to compare and contrast the two covers shown below.

http://geneskylitlang.blogspot.com/2015/01/ive-got-you-covered.html

When comparing and contrasting the two titles, it was very easy to notice the eminent and physical differences rather than the hidden similarities. In the image shown on the left, the title of "Never Let Me Go" seems to be scrawled in random places on the cover. You can also see the outline of the human torso and the outlines of the human organs. I found it very interesting how the word "Me" is written inside the body, almost to represent a first person point of view without even having to read to find out that the story is written from a first person point of view. The fact that the cover is in duller colors such as gray, black, and white, givens emotion to the title in which the audience can infer the emotional attachment that follows from reading this book. With the image on the right, we see the cover has a very golden tent to it. There is what appears to be a small boat on the shore of the beach with a dock in the background. It is very different form the image shown on the left because the image not he right encompasses a warm, yet peaceful feel, rather the left image comes with a very cold and dark feel to it. However, the two covers are similar in the sense that they both have a specific meaning. When I look at the two covers, I see them both trying to portray the idea of peace: the left image portraying inner peace, and the right image portraying outer peace.

1.) When I first see the image on the left, I automatically think of death. I think this because of the dark grey colors that make up the scrawled sketch of the human body in the background. It makes me think of a morgue. How everything in a morgue is very cold and grey, it just makes me connect this to the cover of the book.

      When I first see the picture on the right, I immediately think of simplicity and peace. The image reminds me of the times in life where we have the opportunity to get away from the trials and tribulations we, as busy people, face everyday. It reminds me of the feeling of just letting go for a while while sailing on the sea, thinking of nothing but the sound of the water and the feeling of peace the surrounding brings with it.

2.) If I had never read the novel, and I was viewing the cover on the left, I would assume the book is about someone who is close to death, but doesn't want to let go yet. Now that I have read the book, the image helps me connect to the feeling Kathy has throughout the book as she is living her life, knowing that one day she would possibly be a donor. In spite of her knowledge of this, she still didn't want to let go of the life that she was living, despite the knowledge of her fate.

    If I had never read the novel, and I was viewing the cover on the left, I would assume the book was about a person who wanted to run away, but wanted someone to chase after then. Now that I have read the book, I can connect this to the feeling Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy had of wanting to leave and go create adventures and memories of their own- make a life of simplicity, peace, and happiness on their own.

3.) I don't think someone is being portrayed necessarily from these two covers, but the viewpoint for the image on the left could be from any character who is a clone, and the one on the right could be from the students at a younger age when they didn't really know or understand who they were or what their purpose was.

4.)The images, to me, doesn't exactly spark any image of cultural construction from the book, but they both could be images that represented the way the students at Hailsham viewed their life: the right image the way they viewed life growing up, and the left image representing where their lives were headed.

5.)After reading the book, I feel as though the people who would want to create the book are the ones who would just as much want to read it. I view those people as the ones who go about life knowing that their lives are one day going to come to an end, but choose to live each and every day as if they are immortal.

"You're gonna miss me when I'm gone"

https://www.ted.com/talks/carmen_agra_deedy_spins_stories#t-741867

Once upon a time, my mother…..

By Carmen Agra Deedy

       The Ted talk that I decided to analyze is called “Once upon a time, my mother…” by Carmen Agra Deedy. In this hilarious, yet heart-warming Ted talk, she starts off the talk by talking about and introducing her parents. She tells the audience that she and her parents are Cuban and her parents live in Florida. Deedy goes on to say her mother is very slow and funny, but is very kind and caring, and that her father has an old, blunt soul, but is very easy to talk to. Deedy continues into the topic of stories, and how “ Every one of us just once, just once, would like the chance to share our story. To tell our story”. Deedy then begins to tell the story titled “You’re going to miss me when I'm gone”. She tells us how one day she went to visit her mother after a call she received from her. She arrived at the house and finds her mother standing on the front porch jingling a pair of keys. Deedy was confused, but then that curiosity turned into what she called a “catastrophe” as her mother pulled out a driver’s license. Deedy informed us that not only was her mother almost senile, but way too old to be driving. Her mother called her over that day to go with her to the mall to find some undergarments for Deedy’s father, but what Deedy’s mother regretted to inform her that her mother was going to be the one driving.They get into the car, with her mother sitting on two books, and venture their way into what would become one of Deedy’s most  dangerous, adventurous and unforgettable experiences of her life.

As they are on their way to the mall, Deedy asks her mother if she had been stopped recently. With that question, her mother answers with a “No!” Deedy asks her again and she replies with “I haven’t gotten a ticket!” Deedy begins to laugh and pushes her mom to explain. Her mother explains how she was stopped by a Cuban man who spoke spanish and would not be outwitted by Deedy’s mother’s “Cuban charms and good looks”. Her mother then says “That was it. It was done!” Deedy goes onto ask what was done and was shocked to find out that the situation with her mother was “done” because the “light turned green” and she drove off! This just adds to the amount of stress weighing upon Deedy as they arrive to the mall in a hurried yet frightful journey.

When they arrive to the mall, Deedy’s mother is frantically searching for a parking spot. Deedy, knowing that it was a Saturday and during the Holidays, knew that today, she was in for a ride to remember. Deedy’s mother then finds a parking spot about three isles down in the parking lot. She then asks Deedy to get out the car and stand in the parking space so that no one takes it. When Deedy refuses to obey her mother’s orders, her mother gets out the car, with a phone book in hand, and waddles all the way to the parking space, leaving Deedy in the passenger seat. People are honking, words are being thrown towards Deedy and she is dumbfounded by the amount of chaos happening before her eyes. Just when she thought things couldn't have been worse, she notices her mother using her phone book to push a car in reverse pulling into the parking space that her mother had “claimed”. Deedy then rushes out the car and begins to frantically yell at her mom to get back in the car and find another parking space. Her mother refuses. As the two are going back and forth, a pair of siblings come up to Deedy and begins to laugh and ask “Is this your mother?” Deedy sarcastically confirms and is then explained by the siblings that “your mother reminds us of our mother!” Deedy wonders why the two felt as though they needed to tell her that at that moment in time, but it hit her when the two siblings replied, “Man we miss her” and walk away. Deedy then turns to her mother and says “ma”, in which her mother replies “See baby? You're going to miss me when I’m gone”. Deedy closes her story and the Ted talk comes to an end.

In this Ted talk, Carmen Deedy’s purpose was definitely to evoke emotion within the audience, but to also “share her story”, which, in her argument, is one of everyone’s goals in life. Deedy really hits home with the element of Pathos in her Ted talk. She conveys this sense of emotion within her Ted talk by allowing the audience to feel what she del during the time in which her story became a story. This may not have been “her” story, but it was a story that meant a lot to her. In the beginning of the talk, she claims that everyone has a story they want to share, whether it is their story, or someone close to them, but everyone has a story to share. She uses descriptions to the point she is almost painting a picture before you. Whenever she would reference her mother, she would smile, or let the audience know with facial expressions that no matter how much her mother gets on her nerves or drives her crazy, she still loves her the same. The last part of her story, personally, made me tear up. When she she describes the two siblings coming up to her saying how much they missed her mother, which in return made Deedy appreciate her mother more and how much she’ll miss her when she is gone (and her mother made sure she knew it), made me also appreciate my mother, and even my father, just a little bit more. I picked this Ted talk because I thought it might be funny, and since it was talking about mothers, I thought it would be something I could relate to as well with my mother. I didn’t realize how much this Ted talk related to me until she began to tell her story. Now of course, my mother can drive and isn’t old yet, but the aspects and little details of Deedy’s mother made me really draw a connection between her mother and mine. As she was going through her story, she made me remember all the times my mom drove me crazy and tried new things just for the fun of it. She made me realize that life is too short not to enjoy the little things in life, especially the crazy and adventurous was. But above all, she made me appreciate my mother more, despite the many times she got on my nerves. I think that Carmen Deedy’s argument is very true, and can apply to almost anyone. I would honestly recommend this Ted talk to anyone who is in for a good laugh, a good smile, or a wake up call to help them realize how much they should appreciate their parents, or the ones they look up to as them.

Clever, yet Foolish::Unsusceptible, yet Vulnerable

Double Indemnity, Baby

Kayla Christine Steward

December 27, 2014

1. In film noir, many of the male leads are weak, frustrated men. While you are watching Double Indemnity, make a mental note of Walter Neff's characteristics. What kind of man is he? What is his relationship like with women?

Double Indemnity is a film noir filmed in 1944 directed by Bill Wilder.  In this movie, wickedly greedy and vulnerable man by the name of Walter Neff, is seduced and trapped by a cold and evil woman known as Phyllis Dietrichson. Walter Neff is Phyllis Dietrichson's insurance agent and she uses his position to her advantage. She, in result, manages to seduce Neff into murdering her husband and obtaining her husband's accident policy. The plan goes accordingly, but after time goes by, Neff and Dietrichson begin to become suspicious of each other and of each other's motives. The plan, in turn, becomes even more complicated when Walter Neff's boss, Barton Keyes who is an insurance investigator, takes the investigation of the murder into his own hands. As the movie moves forward through the flashback's from Walter Neff's point of view, each character seems to be introduced to their predetermined fate, which in time leads to Phyllis and Neff both killing each other, and Keyes finding out that the crime Neff committed was not an accident.

With the knowledge of the synopsis of the movie, it is now important discuss the characteristics of Walter Neff, what kind of man he is, and what his relationship is like with women.

When it comes to Walter Neff, he is perceived as a very ordinary, but well known and successful insurance salesman. Throughout the movie you begin to see how he appears to be a little conceited, always ready to project his understanding of how insurance works, and is eager to display and prove how smart and clever he is, especially when it comes to covering up his crime. He is very blunt and direct, but he does it in a way that is almost satisfyingly flattering and appropriate, with also a hint of sarcasm. Some of the phrases he uses in the movie are, "Suppose you get down off your motorcycle and give me a ticket", "Same chair, same perfume, same anklet", and "Yes, I killed him. I killed him for money- and a woman- and I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman. Pretty, isn't it?". In these phrases, he tends to use a "matter-of-fact" tone, and almost facetious, but he does so in a way that it is calm and collective enough to keep whoever he is talking to hanging onto every word he says. He possesses an a image of a sarcastic, yet clever gentleman, but in turn, this leads to his ultimate downfall.

When it comes to women, Walter Neff knows his way around pretty well. His sadistic and clever charm tends to woo the hearts of many dames and in turn, leads to him being a sly, yet handsome heartbreaker. However, when he meets Phyllis Dietrichson, he figures that she is just another pretty face waiting to get a glimpse of Mr. Walter Neff. What he doesn't realize, is that Mrs. Dietrichson has another view on their relationship. In this situation, it is almost as if Neff and Dietrichson switch roles, and now the woman gets to play the role of the hard to get man. By this occurring, Neff becomes weak and vulnerable, and Dietrichson swoops in and takes the opportunity being given to her. His relationship with her compared to other women is different because it's no longer just a one night stand or fling, it has turned into a complicated love cover up in which he has to fight and sneak to keep it going strong. I believe the real significance of this relationship is that Neff is use to relationships and issues being easy to overcome and solve, but when it comes to the crime he and Phyllis Dietrichson committed, he is in a hole and can no longer use his charm and good looks to dig himself out.

Three Witches and Their Late Night Flicks

Three Witches and Their Late Night "Flixes"

By:Kayla Steward

Hello and welcome to the Flicks of the Witches! We are the witches from Macbeth, and this is our compilation of our favorite movies to watch when we're not busy prophesying and trying to fix the problems of mortals debating on whether to choose life or death. You'd think people would get the idea that whether or not they know their fate, they're going to end up fulfilling it anyway! But, back to our queue! 

This queue is compiled of our top four most favorite movies of all time. Each movie is so very relatable and fits the needs of us as witches. We are constantly tired of watching these stupid romantic movies and comedies that are so unrealistic and don't conform to our needs of a good flick. But now we have found five movies that not only can we watch over and over again, but are perfect escapes from constantly having to worry about everyone's needs and that give us a sense of understanding. As if the creators of each movie knows exactly how we feel and how underestimated we are as witches!

Hercules:

Now this movie is for children, and we know this. But it is absolutely entertaining and brings humor to us as witches! We love how as soon as the witches come into play, the movie automatically deepens in suspense. The way the witches grip Hades on to each word of their description of his fate against Hercules is scrumptious. The way they build him up to think he will rule, but will soon be defeated by Hercules is prices. Of course the overall movie is very kid-friendly, yet satisfyingly amusing, it still make us as witches still feel like we are in control and that we have so much power when it comes to the fate of others. The witches in this movie are very stern, yet clever. They tell Hades what he wants to hear and also what he needs to, but it is so very relatable how it all turns on him and no matter how he tries to avoid his fate, destiny is right there to kick him in the butt. We recommend this movie to any powerful woman, or even man, who love a good movie that understands what it's like to be a clever witch, with a keen sense of humor and entertainment.

Twitches:

Twitches is probably one of the most ironic of movies for witches to watch, because in this movie, not only do the twins not want to be witches, but they when they do realize they have to be witches, they use their power to protect the ones they love. Granted, we are all a bunch of magic suckers for a good family movie, but we also enjoy a little sense of relief and difference. We as witches aren't all about power and fate, we also like to have fun and help the people we love. The three of us treat each other like sisters. Triplets if you will! This movie was gripping and moving, but also very powerful. Even though the girls didn't to be witches, they put aside their wants and needs for good of their mother's life. It teaches a lesson to all witches out there that being a witch isn't all about cursing people and casting spells, it's also about protecting one another, no matter the cost. We loved the separated at birth, but bonded by magic theme. It really made us appreciate the bond we share as witches even more.

The Originals

Okay, so this series is probably our all time favorite series. Not just because of the huge variation and percentage of witch in this show, but also because we all have a sweet spot for a good-looking vampire or werewolf. Shh, don't judge! But anyways. We all love this series. Each episode has you gripping to the edge of your seat. The suspense is killer and the twists are spectacular. Each episode leaves you hanging at the end, and it's funny because we could very easily conjure up a spell to figure out what the next episode is about. But what fun would that be! The show is very realistic and shows much appreciation to witches everywhere. The use of nature and the idea that nature and our ancestors are what fuel our magic and keep us strong and powerful. We as witches are forced to use nature as our power sources, and many times mortals underestimate that. But not this show. This show shows so much appreciation and recognition of the hard work we put in into keeping the balance of the world even and steady. We recommend this to anybody, but especially witches when they're feeling a bit neglected or under appreciated.

The Crucible

Now you might find this one a bit ironic. Considering the fact that the entire movie is about exposing fake or real witches and murdering everyone who claims to be a witch or have accusations made against them about being witches, but anyways.This  movie is about romance, which is something that we aren't very fond of, but it's not too romantic to the point that we have to stop the movie. We enjoy this movie not really for a reason at all, but the fact that it makes us appreciate how appreciated witches are in our world. In this movie, if you're a witch, you're automatically deemed evil and cruel and doomed to cast hell upon every creature with a pulse, but in our world, we are the help. The closure. The givers. We do not take. If someone is in need of a prophecy or a spell to make some of their troubles go away, we will fulfill those needs and wants, within circumstances at least. This movie has you questioning constantly whether or not the girls are faking the sorcery "cast" upon them, or if it's real. It's a movie that doesn't involve a lot of action. but not a lot of talking either. It makes you root for, ironically, the mortals, rather than the "witches". We recommend this movie to anyone, but specifically witches. Especially after a long day of nonsense rhymes, catching frogs and leaves for potions, and the constant repetition of the phrase "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble".

There you have it! It is a short list, and may grow in the near future, But if you're a witch or you're into the whole witch-vibe, you now know where to look for a good "Witch-Flick" for the night! Stay tuned next month for more of our reviews as the "Three Witches and Their Late Night Flicks!"