Namaste Readers,
Thank you for reading along. Thank you for humoring me. It's been almost a year since my epic failure (?- oh histrioniks!), which prompted the creation of this blog. For now, I feel that I've expressed what I needed to express, and it's time to just rest. I hope you learned as much as I did.
I learned that I'm awesome (^ -^)V at initiating projects, sustaining them, completing them, and being consistent ( ex. foundation for highly probable dissertation topic, Internship, ESL Practicum, Freelance Editing/Tutoring, and GRE Review ). I could discipline myself to write frequently ( at least every other day ); I could write for an audience; I could do research grounded in credible theory with direct application ( Writing Center/Tutor Training/Professionalization and Administrative Responsibilities ). Teamwork for me is like breathing; I heart working with all types of people.
I learned that j'adore food/fashion/poetry/reading. With the need to constantly challenge myself, I traveled not only to the Philippines ( for a food trip, and to complete an internship with an emphasis in Administration/administrating ), but also to spaces and ideas I've never considered ( especially in World/History, Literature, Language, Environmental/Science, Engineering, Medicine, Culture, Spirituality, Politics, Business/Insurance Claims, Finance, and Current Events helping me get a better understanding of personal and others' viewpoints ). In spite of never attending an Ivy League school, I have a great educational foundation ( thank you to all my teachers, colleagues, and awesome supporters ); I'm an openminded and critical learner 4 life.
As for the future, it's a mystery. Nonetheless, one can still plan ( and change that plan ) to give one guidance. I renewed a temporary contract for my current part time job, and next month (October), I plan to take the GRE Lit test, and finalize my applications for several Ph.D. programs in Rhetoric and Composition. Afterwards, I will apply to the Peace Corps ( to keep my options open, and to help others while traveling not so aimlessly ) and continue to apply to jobs with Assistant Director positions ( with all my experience, I feel that this is the right level for me in order to continue growing [professionally, etc.] ). I will take RANDOM classes just to keep the fire of curiosity burning, and I will continue to explore ( in order to settle ); I will run...
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Random? Summer 2011 Reflection
Namaste Readers,
Although expectations didn't dictate my experience, tasks, nonetheless, guided my time. According to the 1st blog article for this whole endeavor, I had 8 tasks to complete.
I only completed 1 internship because I didn't want to spread myself thin ( budget also played a role in this decision ). I finished reading the 18 journal articles; I only took notes, so I haven't formed a synthesis of sorts. I started the GRE Lit Review; the book I read definitely gave me plenty of tips ( I'm preparing to take the practice test to help study for the actual test in October ). I definitely kept up with my blog ( blog overkill ), and I read for fun too. I didn't finalize any PhD applications, but I revised a "Statement" for a University, and also researched another University's program. I didn't complete the Peace Corps application, but I applied to other Assistant Directorship positions. After being pick-pocketed, my zest for exploration diminished; nonetheless, I explored the various malls I encountered along the way from my cousin's house to my place, plus the eateries in Katipunan Avenue. I didn't complete everything, but I did other things to make up for the incompletes ( such as running and freelance tutoring ).
See Summary Below:
-internship(s) [complete]
-research ( 18 journal articles ) [complete]
-GRE Lit Review [somewhat]
-blog updates [complete]
-fun reading [somewhat]
-PhD applications/ essays [incomplete]
-Peace Corps application [incomplete]
-Urban exploration ( Quezon City ) [somewhat]
Beyond the surface of material accomplishments, I tried to explore the profound ( that makes life or something like it more meaningful, diba? ). Ever since I migrated to the U.S. in 1993, I've returned to the Philippines 5-6 times: before high school (1999), before college (2003)?, Christmas during college (2004), project during college (2006), 1 year after completion of MAs program (2010), 6 months after the last time (Summer 2011).
Of course, it became more difficult to leave with each visit. For some reason, I couldn't blindly follow the "Immigrant Narrative" ( of leaving the "Old" world behind and starting fresh in this "new" land of opportunity ). Meanwhile, I couldn't just go back and leave this new land. I've established ties in both lands. The phrase, "It's complicated" is such an understatement (that's why it's difficult to write the Philippines-American War). So I'm just learning to accept the complexity of it all ( as long as there are airplanes, and I have money, then I can "easily" travel between lands: distance is relative, diba? ).
But still, every blue moon, I do wonder what life would be like if I never left the Philippines ( and then I'm reminded of speculation's limitations ). In spite of the tribulations of being an immigrant ( even if my case wasn't as severe/unfortunate as other immigrants' cases; I'm one of the lucky immigrants, who have an awesome network of support/who have opportunities/ who are living the positive and good "Immigrant Narrative" ).
In conclusion (^ _ ^)V ... I realized that in spite of the complexity of it all, I'm grateful that my migration introduced me to "Art." The main function of Art for me is expression. If I weren't taken out of the proverbial pond, I wouldn't be grasping for air. Thus Art is like oxygen; breathing-living is expressing: expression in its various forms/media: visual (etc.), kinesthetic (writing/dancing etc.), auditory ( singing/Musicals etc. ) et. al. ( cooking etc. ). I had a catalyst/reason[s] to create Art, and with this expression comes a type of literacy, (especially) a Cultural Literacy. I learned to read various situations and context ( more apparent and applied during my recent internship: code switching, translating, negotiating, interacting with people, et. al. ). Muchas gracias everybody! Merci beaucoup la monde!
Although expectations didn't dictate my experience, tasks, nonetheless, guided my time. According to the 1st blog article for this whole endeavor, I had 8 tasks to complete.
I only completed 1 internship because I didn't want to spread myself thin ( budget also played a role in this decision ). I finished reading the 18 journal articles; I only took notes, so I haven't formed a synthesis of sorts. I started the GRE Lit Review; the book I read definitely gave me plenty of tips ( I'm preparing to take the practice test to help study for the actual test in October ). I definitely kept up with my blog ( blog overkill ), and I read for fun too. I didn't finalize any PhD applications, but I revised a "Statement" for a University, and also researched another University's program. I didn't complete the Peace Corps application, but I applied to other Assistant Directorship positions. After being pick-pocketed, my zest for exploration diminished; nonetheless, I explored the various malls I encountered along the way from my cousin's house to my place, plus the eateries in Katipunan Avenue. I didn't complete everything, but I did other things to make up for the incompletes ( such as running and freelance tutoring ).
See Summary Below:
-internship(s) [complete]
-research ( 18 journal articles ) [complete]
-GRE Lit Review [somewhat]
-blog updates [complete]
-fun reading [somewhat]
-PhD applications/ essays [incomplete]
-Peace Corps application [incomplete]
-Urban exploration ( Quezon City ) [somewhat]
Beyond the surface of material accomplishments, I tried to explore the profound ( that makes life or something like it more meaningful, diba? ). Ever since I migrated to the U.S. in 1993, I've returned to the Philippines 5-6 times: before high school (1999), before college (2003)?, Christmas during college (2004), project during college (2006), 1 year after completion of MAs program (2010), 6 months after the last time (Summer 2011).
Of course, it became more difficult to leave with each visit. For some reason, I couldn't blindly follow the "Immigrant Narrative" ( of leaving the "Old" world behind and starting fresh in this "new" land of opportunity ). Meanwhile, I couldn't just go back and leave this new land. I've established ties in both lands. The phrase, "It's complicated" is such an understatement (that's why it's difficult to write the Philippines-American War). So I'm just learning to accept the complexity of it all ( as long as there are airplanes, and I have money, then I can "easily" travel between lands: distance is relative, diba? ).
But still, every blue moon, I do wonder what life would be like if I never left the Philippines ( and then I'm reminded of speculation's limitations ). In spite of the tribulations of being an immigrant ( even if my case wasn't as severe/unfortunate as other immigrants' cases; I'm one of the lucky immigrants, who have an awesome network of support/who have opportunities/ who are living the positive and good "Immigrant Narrative" ).
In conclusion (^ _ ^)V ... I realized that in spite of the complexity of it all, I'm grateful that my migration introduced me to "Art." The main function of Art for me is expression. If I weren't taken out of the proverbial pond, I wouldn't be grasping for air. Thus Art is like oxygen; breathing-living is expressing: expression in its various forms/media: visual (etc.), kinesthetic (writing/dancing etc.), auditory ( singing/Musicals etc. ) et. al. ( cooking etc. ). I had a catalyst/reason[s] to create Art, and with this expression comes a type of literacy, (especially) a Cultural Literacy. I learned to read various situations and context ( more apparent and applied during my recent internship: code switching, translating, negotiating, interacting with people, et. al. ). Muchas gracias everybody! Merci beaucoup la monde!
Monday, September 5, 2011
ESL Practicum: students' impressions of me
Namaste Readers,
As I mentioned earlier, the students wrote me a letter. It was a nice closing activity. I've interacted with these students for 3 months; I read their Validation exams and was introduced to their Voices; I've learned a bit about them through Quick Speak Mondays; and I was their substitute teacher for 1.5 times. And in this short moment ( when I was in the spotlight, that one moment in time ), I was able to share a part of me. The composite letter below illustrates students' impressions of me:
-First of all, I would like to call you "Kuya Michael" because you have been been the class "Kuya" since the first day of class. In addition to that, I would like to call you "Kuya" because you have been part of this family.
-We may never have spoken to each other for more than five seconds, but it does not mean that I don't like you as a teacher.
-There's a saying [wherein] it is not the length of a friendship that makes it special but what you have done in whatever time you had to make it special.
-[The] discipline you have to be attending our classes everyday, sometimes even earlier than some of us ... [shows] the pure passion and your whole-hearted admiration for the subject.
-From what I saw, your students are so lucky to have a cool, funny, and smart teacher like you.
-To tell you honestly, I don't look at you as a professor ... Not because I don't recognize your profession, but because I don't see like a "terror-super-grade-conscious-professor" [but rather] I see you as a friend ... You are chill, cheerful, and friendly.
-You give a more relaxed feeling to the class when you take over ... Though I didn't get to know you, I can tell that you are sincere in your efforts to reach us.
-You did not make me feel inferior despite the fact that you are already a writing professor.
-By the time you became our substitute teacher, I realized that you're not the kind of teacher who would be nervous to speak in front of the students ... Thank you for the knowledge you've shared about "the dangers of Cramming."
-It was fun especially when [Student R] started asking questions. I was also hoping that you'd be [Director N's] substitute when she went to South Korea.
-The advice you give and the willingness you show to help other people like [Students F and B] can only come from a person who is willing to learn and to share what he's learned to the rest of the world ... And remember, no matter how short your stay was, you've got the heart of a true-blue Atenean in you.
-We consider you as one of our English blockmates ... I wanna say thank you ... especially the laughter you've given to the class.
-Now that you're moving on, I want you to be the best you can be in life. I look forward to reading your books in the future.
-I hope that we have helped and inspired you in your life as you did in ours. May you continue to do great things for the glory of God and always remember to soar and aim high but still keep your feet on the ground.
-We thank you for being a part of our English class ... Thank you so much for everything, Sir Michael!
As I mentioned earlier, the students wrote me a letter. It was a nice closing activity. I've interacted with these students for 3 months; I read their Validation exams and was introduced to their Voices; I've learned a bit about them through Quick Speak Mondays; and I was their substitute teacher for 1.5 times. And in this short moment ( when I was in the spotlight, that one moment in time ), I was able to share a part of me. The composite letter below illustrates students' impressions of me:
-First of all, I would like to call you "Kuya Michael" because you have been been the class "Kuya" since the first day of class. In addition to that, I would like to call you "Kuya" because you have been part of this family.
-We may never have spoken to each other for more than five seconds, but it does not mean that I don't like you as a teacher.
-There's a saying [wherein] it is not the length of a friendship that makes it special but what you have done in whatever time you had to make it special.
-[The] discipline you have to be attending our classes everyday, sometimes even earlier than some of us ... [shows] the pure passion and your whole-hearted admiration for the subject.
-From what I saw, your students are so lucky to have a cool, funny, and smart teacher like you.
-To tell you honestly, I don't look at you as a professor ... Not because I don't recognize your profession, but because I don't see like a "terror-super-grade-conscious-professor" [but rather] I see you as a friend ... You are chill, cheerful, and friendly.
-You give a more relaxed feeling to the class when you take over ... Though I didn't get to know you, I can tell that you are sincere in your efforts to reach us.
-You did not make me feel inferior despite the fact that you are already a writing professor.
-By the time you became our substitute teacher, I realized that you're not the kind of teacher who would be nervous to speak in front of the students ... Thank you for the knowledge you've shared about "the dangers of Cramming."
-It was fun especially when [Student R] started asking questions. I was also hoping that you'd be [Director N's] substitute when she went to South Korea.
-The advice you give and the willingness you show to help other people like [Students F and B] can only come from a person who is willing to learn and to share what he's learned to the rest of the world ... And remember, no matter how short your stay was, you've got the heart of a true-blue Atenean in you.
-We consider you as one of our English blockmates ... I wanna say thank you ... especially the laughter you've given to the class.
-Now that you're moving on, I want you to be the best you can be in life. I look forward to reading your books in the future.
-I hope that we have helped and inspired you in your life as you did in ours. May you continue to do great things for the glory of God and always remember to soar and aim high but still keep your feet on the ground.
-We thank you for being a part of our English class ... Thank you so much for everything, Sir Michael!
Random? visiting the Philippines
Namaste Readers,
Ever since I migrated to the U.S. in 1993, I've returned to the Philippines 5-6 times: before high school (1999), before college (2003)?, Christmas during college (2004), project during college (2006), 1 year after completion of MAs program (2010), 6 months after the last time (Summer 2011). Every visit reminded me of the circle of life.
Before I left in 1993, I whole-heartedly believed that the rest of my family would follow us to the States. I was unaware of all the paper work and Politics of migration. When we visited in 1999, my lola wasn't bed-ridden yet; she cried and commented that I got lighter. My lolo was bed-ridden, and he was skinnier than me. My cousins were completing high school, and started showing their independence ( I became aware of SM/Mall culture etc.; I became less self-centered when I realized life went on; and sad also when life went on, and I wasn't a part of it [as much] ).
For some reason, I'm having difficulty recalling the pre-college visit; around this time, I've been to Europe and to California. Nonetheless I remember my Christmas visit (2004). Most Pinoys I've encountered would reminisce about the wonderful memories of Christmas. I remember going to Christmas Carnivals, caroling, and shopping for my little cousins. I specifically remember this one Christmas when Santa really did come; my male cousins and I received this robot/vehicle/spaceship toy with miniature people riding in it ( the very unexpectedness of it made it more memorable ).
I wanted to experience Christmas in the Philippines as a young adult ( before life became too complicated with bills - I rationalized back then ). I remember this was one of the most tiring trips I made. In a matter of 2 weeks, I traveled around Luzon, visiting families from different provinces ( the traffic was horrible and the holiday made the public space uber crowded ). I realized I didn't like this type of whirl-wind trip; I'd like to take my time and have room for the traffic et. al. I liked the Christmas lyrics: "Through the years, we'll all be together, if the Fates allow ... Have yourself a Merry little Christmas Day."
By 2006, I was finishing college ( thinking that I would be entering the work force soon 100% not anticipating graduate school ). There are other parts of the Philippines, yet I've only been in Luzon. I wanted to continue expanding my horizons. My Honors Capstone Project ( exploring the legend of Maria Makiling ) was a good compromise. I got to explore the Philippines more ( not only geographically but aesthetically as well through literature, music, etc. ). My lola was bed-ridden, and one of my godchildren ( Cousin B's first born ) was already walking and chatting. My lolo died recently.
When I visited in 2010, my [older] cousins were starting their careers and family ( Nursing, Owning a Business, Relocating to another region of the Philippines with a new son, etc. ). The little cousins I used to babysit were entering the workforce ( one of them is even taller than me ). My lola recently died; I wasn't able to make the funeral because I was in the middle of finalizing my thesis ( my parents went ). My brother recently got married. My aunts and uncles were busy being grandparents. I was having difficulty jump starting my career et. al., and I was tired of being naive ( following a script, being conventional etc. ). I had to change my outlook ( a complete volte face ).
The 2010 trip became a food trip. Going on the other side of the world ( relative to Philadelphia, PA ) just to eat Filipino cuisine seemed to be the most impractical [yet sensible/probable] thing I could think of. It was a way of rebelling against practicality ( don't get me wrong, practicality has been very helpful; but I think my reservations kept me back; I don't want to be holding onto regrets ).
Lastly ( for now... ) the Summer 2011 trip was taken against practicality also. The money I made throughout all my various part time jobs were just going towards bills. The old me would have been okay with this and would continue following the narrative of: working and suffering before enjoying the fruit of one's labor. That's the same bull shizzle I was told. I have my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees ( and people in high school have a more stable job than me, pardon the hypebole! ).
The new me, however, have better things to do ( while I can, diba? ). So I volunteered - without pay, just experience for compensation - at University A; at least I had a say about where my money went: airfare, 3 months' rent, food bills, snack, souvenirs, etc. I also wanted to interact with other Filipinos outside my family circle. Individuality and striving for independence for Pride's sake are so over-rated. I'm not always going to have this luxury, so why not enjoy, diba?
For now, I think I know where I'm going (career-wise): a PhD ( if part time jobs were the only jobs good enough for me, I WANT to at least have something to show for it: like a PhD degree ), the Peace Corps ( at least this will help me to see the world more and interact with people from different walks of life while honing my skills and reducing my loan bills ), Or a Full Time Assistant Director position ( just to continue growing et. al. ) will further clarify this awareness.
Ever since I migrated to the U.S. in 1993, I've returned to the Philippines 5-6 times: before high school (1999), before college (2003)?, Christmas during college (2004), project during college (2006), 1 year after completion of MAs program (2010), 6 months after the last time (Summer 2011). Every visit reminded me of the circle of life.
Before I left in 1993, I whole-heartedly believed that the rest of my family would follow us to the States. I was unaware of all the paper work and Politics of migration. When we visited in 1999, my lola wasn't bed-ridden yet; she cried and commented that I got lighter. My lolo was bed-ridden, and he was skinnier than me. My cousins were completing high school, and started showing their independence ( I became aware of SM/Mall culture etc.; I became less self-centered when I realized life went on; and sad also when life went on, and I wasn't a part of it [as much] ).
For some reason, I'm having difficulty recalling the pre-college visit; around this time, I've been to Europe and to California. Nonetheless I remember my Christmas visit (2004). Most Pinoys I've encountered would reminisce about the wonderful memories of Christmas. I remember going to Christmas Carnivals, caroling, and shopping for my little cousins. I specifically remember this one Christmas when Santa really did come; my male cousins and I received this robot/vehicle/spaceship toy with miniature people riding in it ( the very unexpectedness of it made it more memorable ).
I wanted to experience Christmas in the Philippines as a young adult ( before life became too complicated with bills - I rationalized back then ). I remember this was one of the most tiring trips I made. In a matter of 2 weeks, I traveled around Luzon, visiting families from different provinces ( the traffic was horrible and the holiday made the public space uber crowded ). I realized I didn't like this type of whirl-wind trip; I'd like to take my time and have room for the traffic et. al. I liked the Christmas lyrics: "Through the years, we'll all be together, if the Fates allow ... Have yourself a Merry little Christmas Day."
By 2006, I was finishing college ( thinking that I would be entering the work force soon 100% not anticipating graduate school ). There are other parts of the Philippines, yet I've only been in Luzon. I wanted to continue expanding my horizons. My Honors Capstone Project ( exploring the legend of Maria Makiling ) was a good compromise. I got to explore the Philippines more ( not only geographically but aesthetically as well through literature, music, etc. ). My lola was bed-ridden, and one of my godchildren ( Cousin B's first born ) was already walking and chatting. My lolo died recently.
When I visited in 2010, my [older] cousins were starting their careers and family ( Nursing, Owning a Business, Relocating to another region of the Philippines with a new son, etc. ). The little cousins I used to babysit were entering the workforce ( one of them is even taller than me ). My lola recently died; I wasn't able to make the funeral because I was in the middle of finalizing my thesis ( my parents went ). My brother recently got married. My aunts and uncles were busy being grandparents. I was having difficulty jump starting my career et. al., and I was tired of being naive ( following a script, being conventional etc. ). I had to change my outlook ( a complete volte face ).
The 2010 trip became a food trip. Going on the other side of the world ( relative to Philadelphia, PA ) just to eat Filipino cuisine seemed to be the most impractical [yet sensible/probable] thing I could think of. It was a way of rebelling against practicality ( don't get me wrong, practicality has been very helpful; but I think my reservations kept me back; I don't want to be holding onto regrets ).
Lastly ( for now... ) the Summer 2011 trip was taken against practicality also. The money I made throughout all my various part time jobs were just going towards bills. The old me would have been okay with this and would continue following the narrative of: working and suffering before enjoying the fruit of one's labor. That's the same bull shizzle I was told. I have my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees ( and people in high school have a more stable job than me, pardon the hypebole! ).
The new me, however, have better things to do ( while I can, diba? ). So I volunteered - without pay, just experience for compensation - at University A; at least I had a say about where my money went: airfare, 3 months' rent, food bills, snack, souvenirs, etc. I also wanted to interact with other Filipinos outside my family circle. Individuality and striving for independence for Pride's sake are so over-rated. I'm not always going to have this luxury, so why not enjoy, diba?
For now, I think I know where I'm going (career-wise): a PhD ( if part time jobs were the only jobs good enough for me, I WANT to at least have something to show for it: like a PhD degree ), the Peace Corps ( at least this will help me to see the world more and interact with people from different walks of life while honing my skills and reducing my loan bills ), Or a Full Time Assistant Director position ( just to continue growing et. al. ) will further clarify this awareness.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Random? reflectin' thru lit. crit. lenses
Namaste Readers,
This approach to reflecting was inspired one day in Literature class. My classmates were throwing around lit crit theories like beanies as we analyzed Fiction stories from Filipino-[American] writers. Maybe I was too close to the subject matter and so I was too sensitive to my classmates' objectivity and seeming detachment ( I haven't divorce myself from the "work," lol ). Then light bulb. Criticizing my summer experience ( as text ) using different lit crit lenses would be a fun personal joke, while the whole meta-thing could be mind-bending. So here it goes in 3rd person for ease's sake!
Linguistic- focuses on Language: forming literary text using devices; questioning nuances of words; analyzing author's meaning; close reading; studying structure; understanding the exceptions; incorporating an ideal reader, etc.
-Formalist Criticism-
plot: protagonist (Michael), antagonist (Michael), conflict (money, Culture Clash, Roomie, etc.), beginning (leaves Philadelphia for internship), turning point (pick pocket episode, freelance tutoring, running, etc.), ending (a sort of acceptance, awareness, recognition, etc.)
story: Michael goes to the Philippines to complete an internship
voice: from Michael's perspective: Fil-Am, bilingual, college-educated with MAs degree
-New Criticism- Questioning:
authorial intent- internship and its concomitant experience
subjectivity- isn't it obvious?
beauty- it's in the eye of the beholder (subjectivity)
emotion- too much
close reading- refer to the many blog articles (from June-August 2011)
-Structuralism- Semiotics where meaning is not intrinsic but produced by structure
binary oppositions/spatial metaphors- Language- Globish and World English, use Tagalog or English. Periphery because of lack of "mastery" while in center for ability to use language in context.
Michael attended a lecture that was about language proficiency: defining proficiency not in using standard of a Native Speaker but rather Rhetorical principles in effective communication (ethos, pathos, logos). It's controversial because it THREATENS Native Speaker's power.
As a bilingual, it's difficult for Michael to claim "mastery" of Tagalog or English ( in the traditional sense using the standards of a Native Speaker ). His formal education in Tagalog stopped in 2nd grade. His formal education in English began in 3rd grade (English grammar exceptions are still difficult to grasp, and some non-linguistic Native Speakers, who take the language for granted have difficulty explaining the exceptions).
Michael remembered the times when Rude Native Speakers doubted his ability to be an English teacher because of his background and accent. Nonetheless, Michael realized that being aware was his advantage; he doesn't take language for granted (if only the hiring managers from abroad would realize this advantage: better to be able to use the language in context and to communicate RATHER than to fumble with grammar rules that constantly break itself).
He agrees with the revolutionary definition of language proficiency. Because he practiced Tagalog at home, he can communicate with his pamily in the Philippines. Some ideas in Filipino are not easily translatable in English. He can move around the Philippines with ease, and he can relate with non-Native English speakers more easily because of his patience. He acknowledges the global/international presence of English, while respecting and acknowledging the beauty of other languages.
-Post-Structuralism- criticizes "Structuralism" using "Deconstruction"
marginality- see above
desire- do close reading por favor
lack- refer to marginality above
while criticizing Structuralism using:
--Deconstruction-
displacements- as a result of Michael's migration
the gaps- maybe Michael's too close to recognize the gaps
indeterminancy/decentering- maybe because of Michael's liminal status?
-Reader-Response Criticism- You're the Reader, Reader! What's your experience so far? Why not make a comment[s], diba? If Michael were the reader (see above introduction), then this would be an attempt to articulate his experience.
Bridge
Lacanian Criticism is the bridge between Linguistic and Psychological because language comes first and "structures the unconscious." Michael smiles because this criticism reminds him of Disney's Mulan's song "Reflection:"
...When will my reflection show/ Who I am inside?/ I am now/ In a world where I have to/ Hide my heart/ And what I believe in/ But somehow/ I will show the world/ What's inside my heart/ And be loved for who I am...
Keywords used: mirror (Reflection), signifier/ signified (Who), substitution (Hide heart/beliefs), desire (Show world heart/to be loved)
Psychological: Concerns with universals of human consciousness (a la Freud and Jung) factoring in:
personality- read blog articles, merci beaucoup
biography- do close reading por favor
Marxist: With emphasis in economic situation and Socialism and its keywords:
base/material economic reality/class-
The United States' economy is not doing so well. During this hard time, hiring managers are extreme looking only for entry level OR supervisory position with at least 10 years of experience. Being in the middle, Michael's 4 years of experience (with a MAs degree) is only good enough for part time jobs. He doesn't have benefits et. al. His debt resulting from Student Loans is not as horrible compared to others'. Nonetheless he has debt. He's grateful for the support he gets from his family, but he's annoyed with haters, who constantly point out his lack of financial independence. Maybe it'll be a different story if Michael's a bum, who does nothing. BUT he continually applies himself and never gives up.
Michael has to be more savvy with the income he earned through his part time jobs. So in order to stretch his income he volunteered and completed a summer internship (experience as currency?). He believed that he would spend more money trying to entertain himself in Philadelphia instead of being "productive" in the Philippines. So he spent money to save money (and more).
His trip to the Philippines was mostly funded by his income. He paid for his airfare, 3 months' rent, food, land transportation fare, and some souvenirs. He also did Freelance Tutoring to help pay for his food. When he was with his family, they'd dine out, and when he received his refund, he treated his family to some delicious pasalubong.
Michael used money from birthdays and Christmas presents to go shopping. Clothes in the Philippines fit him better (with quality and in quantity). He bought cds, books, baubles, and pasalubong. Most of his money went to food. He even borrowed money from his parents, and he'd pay them back using the first paycheck from his Fall part time job.
Obviously Michael is a mobile middle class person. And his trip from the University to his cousin's house reminds him of the different classes. He passes by poor people living in cardboard boxes, going through garbage for food and income, and diving in dumpsters (not the typical College Dumpster Dive). He encounters beggars.
His family is a mobile middle class family. Most of his cousins have college degrees (Nurse, Chemical Engineer, Teacher, Entrepreneur/Business person, Manager, Administrator's Assistant, etc.). They can travel outside Luzon, outside the Philippines, around the World. They have leisure time for the Arts; they have access to English. PhD is an option. Most of the students attending the University are from Elite families (both Old and New money) with connection to Government, Celebrity, Fame et. al.
Michael has been conscious about money at such a young age; his mother worked abroad before his entire immediate family migrated to the States. Life in America has been work according to his parents, who financially supported his cousins, his brother, himself, etc. He received an allowance in high school. He got a partial scholarship to attend college; he did work-study during college; he was business manager of a college club; he paid mostly for his graduate schooling through teaching and tutoring. Ever since graduation, he's had 5 part time jobs and 2 unpaid internships. Michael understands the role Money plays in "making [a capitalist] world go round," BUT he doesn't want that to be the sole meaning of his life (lives to work OR works to live?).
-New Historicism- specifics of culture matter profoundly:
language- see above
ideology- do close reading por favor (encoded ideology supporting the dominant class and also the struggling voice of the oppressed ideological subject)
--Feminist Criticism do close reading por favor
--Black Criticism do close reading por favor
--Post-Colonial Criticism do close reading por favor
---Identity Criticisms- Investigate definitions of self and constructions of self- see above, refer to blog articles, do close reading por favor
Obviously, one can only apply so much. Some situations were not applicable (or difficult to include), but still fun, diba? OMG! this is so weird (^- ~)V
This approach to reflecting was inspired one day in Literature class. My classmates were throwing around lit crit theories like beanies as we analyzed Fiction stories from Filipino-[American] writers. Maybe I was too close to the subject matter and so I was too sensitive to my classmates' objectivity and seeming detachment ( I haven't divorce myself from the "work," lol ). Then light bulb. Criticizing my summer experience ( as text ) using different lit crit lenses would be a fun personal joke, while the whole meta-thing could be mind-bending. So here it goes in 3rd person for ease's sake!
Linguistic- focuses on Language: forming literary text using devices; questioning nuances of words; analyzing author's meaning; close reading; studying structure; understanding the exceptions; incorporating an ideal reader, etc.
-Formalist Criticism-
plot: protagonist (Michael), antagonist (Michael), conflict (money, Culture Clash, Roomie, etc.), beginning (leaves Philadelphia for internship), turning point (pick pocket episode, freelance tutoring, running, etc.), ending (a sort of acceptance, awareness, recognition, etc.)
story: Michael goes to the Philippines to complete an internship
voice: from Michael's perspective: Fil-Am, bilingual, college-educated with MAs degree
-New Criticism- Questioning:
authorial intent- internship and its concomitant experience
subjectivity- isn't it obvious?
beauty- it's in the eye of the beholder (subjectivity)
emotion- too much
close reading- refer to the many blog articles (from June-August 2011)
-Structuralism- Semiotics where meaning is not intrinsic but produced by structure
binary oppositions/spatial metaphors- Language- Globish and World English, use Tagalog or English. Periphery because of lack of "mastery" while in center for ability to use language in context.
Michael attended a lecture that was about language proficiency: defining proficiency not in using standard of a Native Speaker but rather Rhetorical principles in effective communication (ethos, pathos, logos). It's controversial because it THREATENS Native Speaker's power.
As a bilingual, it's difficult for Michael to claim "mastery" of Tagalog or English ( in the traditional sense using the standards of a Native Speaker ). His formal education in Tagalog stopped in 2nd grade. His formal education in English began in 3rd grade (English grammar exceptions are still difficult to grasp, and some non-linguistic Native Speakers, who take the language for granted have difficulty explaining the exceptions).
Michael remembered the times when Rude Native Speakers doubted his ability to be an English teacher because of his background and accent. Nonetheless, Michael realized that being aware was his advantage; he doesn't take language for granted (if only the hiring managers from abroad would realize this advantage: better to be able to use the language in context and to communicate RATHER than to fumble with grammar rules that constantly break itself).
He agrees with the revolutionary definition of language proficiency. Because he practiced Tagalog at home, he can communicate with his pamily in the Philippines. Some ideas in Filipino are not easily translatable in English. He can move around the Philippines with ease, and he can relate with non-Native English speakers more easily because of his patience. He acknowledges the global/international presence of English, while respecting and acknowledging the beauty of other languages.
-Post-Structuralism- criticizes "Structuralism" using "Deconstruction"
marginality- see above
desire- do close reading por favor
lack- refer to marginality above
while criticizing Structuralism using:
--Deconstruction-
displacements- as a result of Michael's migration
the gaps- maybe Michael's too close to recognize the gaps
indeterminancy/decentering- maybe because of Michael's liminal status?
-Reader-Response Criticism- You're the Reader, Reader! What's your experience so far? Why not make a comment[s], diba? If Michael were the reader (see above introduction), then this would be an attempt to articulate his experience.
Bridge
Lacanian Criticism is the bridge between Linguistic and Psychological because language comes first and "structures the unconscious." Michael smiles because this criticism reminds him of Disney's Mulan's song "Reflection:"
...When will my reflection show/ Who I am inside?/ I am now/ In a world where I have to/ Hide my heart/ And what I believe in/ But somehow/ I will show the world/ What's inside my heart/ And be loved for who I am...
Keywords used: mirror (Reflection), signifier/ signified (Who), substitution (Hide heart/beliefs), desire (Show world heart/to be loved)
Psychological: Concerns with universals of human consciousness (a la Freud and Jung) factoring in:
personality- read blog articles, merci beaucoup
biography- do close reading por favor
Marxist: With emphasis in economic situation and Socialism and its keywords:
base/material economic reality/class-
The United States' economy is not doing so well. During this hard time, hiring managers are extreme looking only for entry level OR supervisory position with at least 10 years of experience. Being in the middle, Michael's 4 years of experience (with a MAs degree) is only good enough for part time jobs. He doesn't have benefits et. al. His debt resulting from Student Loans is not as horrible compared to others'. Nonetheless he has debt. He's grateful for the support he gets from his family, but he's annoyed with haters, who constantly point out his lack of financial independence. Maybe it'll be a different story if Michael's a bum, who does nothing. BUT he continually applies himself and never gives up.
Michael has to be more savvy with the income he earned through his part time jobs. So in order to stretch his income he volunteered and completed a summer internship (experience as currency?). He believed that he would spend more money trying to entertain himself in Philadelphia instead of being "productive" in the Philippines. So he spent money to save money (and more).
His trip to the Philippines was mostly funded by his income. He paid for his airfare, 3 months' rent, food, land transportation fare, and some souvenirs. He also did Freelance Tutoring to help pay for his food. When he was with his family, they'd dine out, and when he received his refund, he treated his family to some delicious pasalubong.
Michael used money from birthdays and Christmas presents to go shopping. Clothes in the Philippines fit him better (with quality and in quantity). He bought cds, books, baubles, and pasalubong. Most of his money went to food. He even borrowed money from his parents, and he'd pay them back using the first paycheck from his Fall part time job.
Obviously Michael is a mobile middle class person. And his trip from the University to his cousin's house reminds him of the different classes. He passes by poor people living in cardboard boxes, going through garbage for food and income, and diving in dumpsters (not the typical College Dumpster Dive). He encounters beggars.
His family is a mobile middle class family. Most of his cousins have college degrees (Nurse, Chemical Engineer, Teacher, Entrepreneur/Business person, Manager, Administrator's Assistant, etc.). They can travel outside Luzon, outside the Philippines, around the World. They have leisure time for the Arts; they have access to English. PhD is an option. Most of the students attending the University are from Elite families (both Old and New money) with connection to Government, Celebrity, Fame et. al.
Michael has been conscious about money at such a young age; his mother worked abroad before his entire immediate family migrated to the States. Life in America has been work according to his parents, who financially supported his cousins, his brother, himself, etc. He received an allowance in high school. He got a partial scholarship to attend college; he did work-study during college; he was business manager of a college club; he paid mostly for his graduate schooling through teaching and tutoring. Ever since graduation, he's had 5 part time jobs and 2 unpaid internships. Michael understands the role Money plays in "making [a capitalist] world go round," BUT he doesn't want that to be the sole meaning of his life (lives to work OR works to live?).
-New Historicism- specifics of culture matter profoundly:
language- see above
ideology- do close reading por favor (encoded ideology supporting the dominant class and also the struggling voice of the oppressed ideological subject)
--Feminist Criticism do close reading por favor
--Black Criticism do close reading por favor
--Post-Colonial Criticism do close reading por favor
---Identity Criticisms- Investigate definitions of self and constructions of self- see above, refer to blog articles, do close reading por favor
Obviously, one can only apply so much. Some situations were not applicable (or difficult to include), but still fun, diba? OMG! this is so weird (^- ~)V
Friday, September 2, 2011
Eat, eat, eat: saying goodbye
Mange Readers!
Saying goodbye is never an easy thing. Nonetheless, never mind the fear, and all the aggravation because there's a better place for you and me to be (diba?). Look for the rainbow in every storm, find out for certain, love's gonna be where you are; you'll always be someone's baby; goodbye my friend - ang dramatik naman! - ( prize to the person who can identify the 2 songs in this smash-up ). In all seriousness, how does one say goodbye and "thank you"? Syempre, FOOD!
On Tuesday, I had my last tutoring session with Tutee B. It was awkward to emphasize the "goodbye" so we went about it just like a regular session. For merienda, we ate at Zecaf's; I ordered pumpkin soup and the deluxe omelette ( bacon, ham, cheese, and onion ) with toast. For dessert, I had an avocado shake. We recalled the beginning of it, how Tutee B noted in his planner: "Get help from PhD." As a parting gift, I gave him the book, "The Giver" ( because of his curiosity for Marxist criticism ).
I ran my last Nite Run around the campus: high school, ISO, street leading to Gate 3, stretch of land parallel to Katipunan Avenue, and back to Blue Eagle Gym. The brass section of the band practicing, and free hydration of Gatorade waiting to quench one's thirst. I actually kept up with the leader ( just a second behind him ) sprinting to the end. Later to recharge, I ordered the protein-rich meal at Kenny Rogers ( Roast Chicken, Tuna Salad, Rice, and yogurt with Kiwi for dessert ).
After my last day of class observation, I went to Gonzaga Cafeteria and had snacks: Taho, puto, and Banana Chips. During my last day in Literature class, I ate a Fudgee Bar during break; at the end of class, I gave Prof. C a "Thank You" card. In a strange manner, the awareness I gained from his class helped me to worry less.
We did as much as we could with Runner J's thesis. The last part was especially difficult because I was physically tired and emotionally distracted. Nonetheless, only a few were left for fine-tuning: adviser's comments, appendix pages, and page numbers. I was extra glad because I was mentioned in his acknowledgments as an editor with "Eagle's eyes" ( ironic because of my glasses, lol ) Afterwards, we had dinner at Kenny Rogers; I ordered the grilled fish meal with vegetables and Java Rice.
For desserts, we ate at McDonald's McCafe; I ordered steamed milk, and Nutty Brazo (de Mercedes), and he ordered a Rocky Roads Chocolate Bar. In the end, I realized the serendipity of beginning and ending our editing session in McDonald's, where talks of spirituality, wavelengths, etc, occurred. As a parting gift, I gave him the Tagalog version of "The Little Prince." Hopefully, he'll have more time to read for fun, now that he'll be finishing his MAs thesis.
I arrived at my dorm, and one of my Taiwanese Roomies was still awake. He saw me packing, and I told him my plan of moving out. Language barrier prevented us from having a similar goodbye talk ( like Roomies L and J ). I said goodbye to Roomie S before he left for class the next day. I didn't bother with Kim Jong ILL ( who ate my apples ). I checked out of My Place, and I'm glad they didn't give me trouble with my refund.
The 2nd to the last day of my internship, Director N and Secretary V took me out to Cravings for dinner. We had unlimited salad and soup; Secretary V and I tried the free Pina Colada with Rum. I ordered a Mango Peach Blend. All of us ordered the Mix Grilled Seafood ( prawn, squid, Dori Fish, and Tuna a la kebab style ) with Rice.
For desserts we tried the unlimited cake ( four choices ) and coffee ( iced or hot ). The only catch was that you had to finish your cake slice before moving on to the next slice. If we didn't persevere, we wouldn't have a chance to try their most delicious cake in the end ( plain Chocolate cake with meringue icing, mocha cake with Dulce de Leche icing, Caramel Brownie Cake [yummy], and Vanilla cake with Leche Flan icing ). On the last day of my internship, I had Avocado shake, Rice, Pork and Sausage Menudo, and Pinakbet. As parting gifts, I gave Director N and Secretary V Ferrero Rocher chocolates, and Lindt's Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao).
With the family, Cousin G took me out to Starbucks, and we walked around SM Megamall and had lunch: Sago't Gulaman and Sisig Bangus. I brought pasalubong after my pasalubong shopping trip: ube cake, chocolate truffles, Brazo de Mercedes cake, mango ice cream, and black bean hopya: And Cousin J will sponsor the "Bon Voyage" Party on the day of my departure: spaghetti, Lumpia Shanghai, Chop Suey, chicken, Rice, Coca Cola, etc. ( if there's money left from my refund, I'll get cake from Red Ribbon ).
Saying goodbye is never an easy thing. Nonetheless, never mind the fear, and all the aggravation because there's a better place for you and me to be (diba?). Look for the rainbow in every storm, find out for certain, love's gonna be where you are; you'll always be someone's baby; goodbye my friend - ang dramatik naman! - ( prize to the person who can identify the 2 songs in this smash-up ). In all seriousness, how does one say goodbye and "thank you"? Syempre, FOOD!
On Tuesday, I had my last tutoring session with Tutee B. It was awkward to emphasize the "goodbye" so we went about it just like a regular session. For merienda, we ate at Zecaf's; I ordered pumpkin soup and the deluxe omelette ( bacon, ham, cheese, and onion ) with toast. For dessert, I had an avocado shake. We recalled the beginning of it, how Tutee B noted in his planner: "Get help from PhD." As a parting gift, I gave him the book, "The Giver" ( because of his curiosity for Marxist criticism ).
I ran my last Nite Run around the campus: high school, ISO, street leading to Gate 3, stretch of land parallel to Katipunan Avenue, and back to Blue Eagle Gym. The brass section of the band practicing, and free hydration of Gatorade waiting to quench one's thirst. I actually kept up with the leader ( just a second behind him ) sprinting to the end. Later to recharge, I ordered the protein-rich meal at Kenny Rogers ( Roast Chicken, Tuna Salad, Rice, and yogurt with Kiwi for dessert ).
After my last day of class observation, I went to Gonzaga Cafeteria and had snacks: Taho, puto, and Banana Chips. During my last day in Literature class, I ate a Fudgee Bar during break; at the end of class, I gave Prof. C a "Thank You" card. In a strange manner, the awareness I gained from his class helped me to worry less.
We did as much as we could with Runner J's thesis. The last part was especially difficult because I was physically tired and emotionally distracted. Nonetheless, only a few were left for fine-tuning: adviser's comments, appendix pages, and page numbers. I was extra glad because I was mentioned in his acknowledgments as an editor with "Eagle's eyes" ( ironic because of my glasses, lol ) Afterwards, we had dinner at Kenny Rogers; I ordered the grilled fish meal with vegetables and Java Rice.
For desserts, we ate at McDonald's McCafe; I ordered steamed milk, and Nutty Brazo (de Mercedes), and he ordered a Rocky Roads Chocolate Bar. In the end, I realized the serendipity of beginning and ending our editing session in McDonald's, where talks of spirituality, wavelengths, etc, occurred. As a parting gift, I gave him the Tagalog version of "The Little Prince." Hopefully, he'll have more time to read for fun, now that he'll be finishing his MAs thesis.
I arrived at my dorm, and one of my Taiwanese Roomies was still awake. He saw me packing, and I told him my plan of moving out. Language barrier prevented us from having a similar goodbye talk ( like Roomies L and J ). I said goodbye to Roomie S before he left for class the next day. I didn't bother with Kim Jong ILL ( who ate my apples ). I checked out of My Place, and I'm glad they didn't give me trouble with my refund.
The 2nd to the last day of my internship, Director N and Secretary V took me out to Cravings for dinner. We had unlimited salad and soup; Secretary V and I tried the free Pina Colada with Rum. I ordered a Mango Peach Blend. All of us ordered the Mix Grilled Seafood ( prawn, squid, Dori Fish, and Tuna a la kebab style ) with Rice.
For desserts we tried the unlimited cake ( four choices ) and coffee ( iced or hot ). The only catch was that you had to finish your cake slice before moving on to the next slice. If we didn't persevere, we wouldn't have a chance to try their most delicious cake in the end ( plain Chocolate cake with meringue icing, mocha cake with Dulce de Leche icing, Caramel Brownie Cake [yummy], and Vanilla cake with Leche Flan icing ). On the last day of my internship, I had Avocado shake, Rice, Pork and Sausage Menudo, and Pinakbet. As parting gifts, I gave Director N and Secretary V Ferrero Rocher chocolates, and Lindt's Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao).
With the family, Cousin G took me out to Starbucks, and we walked around SM Megamall and had lunch: Sago't Gulaman and Sisig Bangus. I brought pasalubong after my pasalubong shopping trip: ube cake, chocolate truffles, Brazo de Mercedes cake, mango ice cream, and black bean hopya: And Cousin J will sponsor the "Bon Voyage" Party on the day of my departure: spaghetti, Lumpia Shanghai, Chop Suey, chicken, Rice, Coca Cola, etc. ( if there's money left from my refund, I'll get cake from Red Ribbon ).
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Manila Internship: last week, last day (w13&w14)
Kamusta Readers,
As my internship came to a close, many things happened ( in the words of teleserye promoters, marami pang pampasabog ). A while ago, a friend pointed out the wisdom in freeing the self from expectations. In all honesty, yun ang ginagawa ko ( this is what I tried doing ). I approached my internship without any specific expectations EXCEPT in the vaguest term possible: to learn. Whatever these lessons were, bahala na. Because I wasn't inhibited by false expectations, I got more than I bargained for; I'm grateful for the blessings.
During quick speak Monday, we reviewed the structure of speech-giving. Some students were able to adjust what they prepared in order to incorporate the tips. Some even received a mini constructive criticism afterwards. Writing Wednesday was my last day of observing the ESL class. One of the students' assignments was to write me a letter. I also wrote them a letter and read it to them. When I was rehearsing my letter, I'd get emotional ( a la Mariah Carey ) every time I'd reach the 3rd paragraph. In spite of this awareness, come performance time, my voice still cracked ( puberty style ). Don't worry, a professional such as moi, would never bawl in public ( I could have won an Oscar, sayang! ).
As for the Freelance Tutoring, we completed our tasks and exchanged contact info. During Tutee B's session, we reviewed elements of a good thesis, showing versus telling, and the structure of an essay. Then I gave Tutee B the prompt for his final reflection incorporating the above elements. He employed a writing process while completing this task ( he said he would type it and email me a copy; I haven't received it yet ). Runner J and I worked on Ch. 4, and afterwards we perused his entire thesis (100pages) to make sure that Figure numbers et. al. were consistent. By the end of our time, we produced a draft to submit to his adviser ( whose comments would be the last content to add before thesis submission and graduation ). I did as much as I could in the time given to me; the rest is up to him ( wishing them the best of luck ).
In the office, I finished shelving, and updating the computer catalog ( in spite of problematic computer due to insufficient power source ). We finalized the Library Project by updating the "Library Use Guidelines" and laminating it and other labels ( Journal, Fiction, References, et. al. ). The Center was getting a lot of traffic. Phone was ringing, and people asked about the upcoming conference; some even stopped by in person to register. I was reminded of phone etiquette. The Book Project was coming to an end as well; meetings were set for editors' photo session, layout discussion, book launching party, sales, and promotions. For the Publication Project, I sent writer I's comments for revisions, and I revised and submitted my UbD article.
On the 2nd to the last day, the Center Staff and I had dinner at a restaurant in Katipunan Avenue ( see blog article: "Eat, eat, eat: Katipunan Avenue" ). On the last day, I finalized the library catalog; Secretary V and I discussed application and hiring process at the University ( and a bit of fashion ;). The Center's magazine came out; my picture with the Teachers' Club made it in the Photo Gallery ( my UbD article will be published in the February 2012 issue, yay! ). I gave them chocolates to show my gratitude; we took pictures and exchanged contact info. What an awesome internship!
As my internship came to a close, many things happened ( in the words of teleserye promoters, marami pang pampasabog ). A while ago, a friend pointed out the wisdom in freeing the self from expectations. In all honesty, yun ang ginagawa ko ( this is what I tried doing ). I approached my internship without any specific expectations EXCEPT in the vaguest term possible: to learn. Whatever these lessons were, bahala na. Because I wasn't inhibited by false expectations, I got more than I bargained for; I'm grateful for the blessings.
During quick speak Monday, we reviewed the structure of speech-giving. Some students were able to adjust what they prepared in order to incorporate the tips. Some even received a mini constructive criticism afterwards. Writing Wednesday was my last day of observing the ESL class. One of the students' assignments was to write me a letter. I also wrote them a letter and read it to them. When I was rehearsing my letter, I'd get emotional ( a la Mariah Carey ) every time I'd reach the 3rd paragraph. In spite of this awareness, come performance time, my voice still cracked ( puberty style ). Don't worry, a professional such as moi, would never bawl in public ( I could have won an Oscar, sayang! ).
As for the Freelance Tutoring, we completed our tasks and exchanged contact info. During Tutee B's session, we reviewed elements of a good thesis, showing versus telling, and the structure of an essay. Then I gave Tutee B the prompt for his final reflection incorporating the above elements. He employed a writing process while completing this task ( he said he would type it and email me a copy; I haven't received it yet ). Runner J and I worked on Ch. 4, and afterwards we perused his entire thesis (100pages) to make sure that Figure numbers et. al. were consistent. By the end of our time, we produced a draft to submit to his adviser ( whose comments would be the last content to add before thesis submission and graduation ). I did as much as I could in the time given to me; the rest is up to him ( wishing them the best of luck ).
In the office, I finished shelving, and updating the computer catalog ( in spite of problematic computer due to insufficient power source ). We finalized the Library Project by updating the "Library Use Guidelines" and laminating it and other labels ( Journal, Fiction, References, et. al. ). The Center was getting a lot of traffic. Phone was ringing, and people asked about the upcoming conference; some even stopped by in person to register. I was reminded of phone etiquette. The Book Project was coming to an end as well; meetings were set for editors' photo session, layout discussion, book launching party, sales, and promotions. For the Publication Project, I sent writer I's comments for revisions, and I revised and submitted my UbD article.
On the 2nd to the last day, the Center Staff and I had dinner at a restaurant in Katipunan Avenue ( see blog article: "Eat, eat, eat: Katipunan Avenue" ). On the last day, I finalized the library catalog; Secretary V and I discussed application and hiring process at the University ( and a bit of fashion ;). The Center's magazine came out; my picture with the Teachers' Club made it in the Photo Gallery ( my UbD article will be published in the February 2012 issue, yay! ). I gave them chocolates to show my gratitude; we took pictures and exchanged contact info. What an awesome internship!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Random? odd moments
Namaste Readers,
Because life is bizarre, some events during this summer were more odd than usual. This article will start exploring those odd moments.
Roomies:
My experience with 5 different Roomies (L, J, K, C, S) in the course of 3 months definitely made me more critical about future Roomies ( Should I save money and take chances with strangers?, OR Spend more money for personal space?, OR Save money, but do a lot of work screening Roomies? etc.). Roomies L and J were quiet, but at least they were better than Roomie K, also known as Kim Jong Ill.
Kim Jong ILL is named after North Korean dictator because of their totalitarian similarities. He turned on the air-condition anytime he wanted ( disregarding the high electric bills ); he also left it on when he left the room. He started putting his shizzle on my book shelf and at the bottom of my ladder. He was also the main suspect for my missing apples ( he probably used my cologne and hair gel too! ). The "I-L-L" part of his name is because he'd get sick for not taking care of himself ( and miraculously, every time he was sick, he can deal with not having air-conditioning ). Good riddance!!!
Malls:
Between my cousin's house and my place are bunches of Malls: Robinson's Galleria, SM Megamall ( connected to smaller malls I didn't explore: Starmall, Shangri-La, and St. Francis Square), Farmer's Market, The Gateway, SM Cubao-Araneta, and the Ali Mall [named after boxer, Muhammed Ali] ). Somewhere in these Malls, I got pick-pocketed ( so surreal ). Shopping in the beginning was fun because my budget was full ( I used birthday and Christmas gift certificates ), but towards the end, I got jaded. I think I bought the entire/most of Penshoppe's collection for this season ( except the shoes/hats etc. ). Board shorts and my Storm Sandal were my top fashion items of the summer.
My Place:
It's an okay place to stay; I didn't like the seeming hidden charges. I didn't get why the cut-off date for the electric bills ( water too ) began on the 5th of the month, and ended on the 25th of the month. It was awkward especially for short timers ( such as moi ). The public stairs is not as open to the public ( except for emergency use ), thus there was a fee for using the elevator; it's so happens that the once-a-year charge happened on the month I was leaving ( coincidence? ).
The gym is okay, but some of its exercise machines needed to be updated. One time I was working out, and these Koreans came in. They were like a hurricane, but efficient. They were noisy playing K-Pop and some American RnB, but each of them was busy with a machine or doing some floor exercise ( it reminded me of a cartoon ).
Another time, I bought yummy Liver spread to put in my pandisal, and my Roomie didn't have a can-opener. I asked front desk, and they didn't have it either. So I started knocking on my neighbors' doors. They didn't open. Finally there was this dude, who was returning to his room so I bluntly asked him if he had a can-opener. He found the question weird, and his Roomie let me borrowed his can-opener. ( can't argue with the tummy, diba? ).
Because life is bizarre, some events during this summer were more odd than usual. This article will start exploring those odd moments.
Roomies:
My experience with 5 different Roomies (L, J, K, C, S) in the course of 3 months definitely made me more critical about future Roomies ( Should I save money and take chances with strangers?, OR Spend more money for personal space?, OR Save money, but do a lot of work screening Roomies? etc.). Roomies L and J were quiet, but at least they were better than Roomie K, also known as Kim Jong Ill.
Kim Jong ILL is named after North Korean dictator because of their totalitarian similarities. He turned on the air-condition anytime he wanted ( disregarding the high electric bills ); he also left it on when he left the room. He started putting his shizzle on my book shelf and at the bottom of my ladder. He was also the main suspect for my missing apples ( he probably used my cologne and hair gel too! ). The "I-L-L" part of his name is because he'd get sick for not taking care of himself ( and miraculously, every time he was sick, he can deal with not having air-conditioning ). Good riddance!!!
Malls:
Between my cousin's house and my place are bunches of Malls: Robinson's Galleria, SM Megamall ( connected to smaller malls I didn't explore: Starmall, Shangri-La, and St. Francis Square), Farmer's Market, The Gateway, SM Cubao-Araneta, and the Ali Mall [named after boxer, Muhammed Ali] ). Somewhere in these Malls, I got pick-pocketed ( so surreal ). Shopping in the beginning was fun because my budget was full ( I used birthday and Christmas gift certificates ), but towards the end, I got jaded. I think I bought the entire/most of Penshoppe's collection for this season ( except the shoes/hats etc. ). Board shorts and my Storm Sandal were my top fashion items of the summer.
My Place:
It's an okay place to stay; I didn't like the seeming hidden charges. I didn't get why the cut-off date for the electric bills ( water too ) began on the 5th of the month, and ended on the 25th of the month. It was awkward especially for short timers ( such as moi ). The public stairs is not as open to the public ( except for emergency use ), thus there was a fee for using the elevator; it's so happens that the once-a-year charge happened on the month I was leaving ( coincidence? ).
The gym is okay, but some of its exercise machines needed to be updated. One time I was working out, and these Koreans came in. They were like a hurricane, but efficient. They were noisy playing K-Pop and some American RnB, but each of them was busy with a machine or doing some floor exercise ( it reminded me of a cartoon ).
Another time, I bought yummy Liver spread to put in my pandisal, and my Roomie didn't have a can-opener. I asked front desk, and they didn't have it either. So I started knocking on my neighbors' doors. They didn't open. Finally there was this dude, who was returning to his room so I bluntly asked him if he had a can-opener. He found the question weird, and his Roomie let me borrowed his can-opener. ( can't argue with the tummy, diba? ).
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Dissertation notes: problematizing Fear
Superpowers like the U.S. also have fears, so to note the pervasive influence of fear working throughout its culture is not so far-fetched. Abroad, Paulo Freire's insights about the Culture of Silence and the Fear of Freedom can be applied to the U.S's situation. Through reflections, American citizen and teacher Parker J. Palmer can corroborate Freire's observations. American Studies scholar Oscar Campomanes, Ph.D further supports Palmer's perspective of Fear dealing especially with the Nation's identity.
According to Freire, a Culture of Silence cultivates Fear when people remain ignorant of their ability to look "critically at the world in a dialogical encounter with others" (14-15). A Fear of Freedom thus become the result, but freedom in this sense is quite perverse: freedom is confused with the maintenance of the status quo (18)... where "the oppressed are afraid to embrace freedom; the oppressors are afraid of losing the "freedom" to oppress" (28). For both of them, they face the challenge of overcoming "prescription." True freedom for the oppressed means "rejecting this internalization of inferiority, replacing it with autonomy and responsibility" (29).
But it's more complicated than this:
American educator and citizen Palmer also noticed this "old paternalistic" relationship. According to him academic culture "distrusts personal truths... mostly honoring an 'objective' way of knowing... [where] objective facts are regarded as pure, while subjective feelings are suspect and sullied" (18).
Academic Culture, says Palmer, illustrates the Culture of Fear pervasive in the U.S. Fear is created through the practice of a disconnected life:
Campomanes shares insights about Fear induced by identity confusion specifically of the U.S. during its rise as a world superpower. The example Campomanes brings up is the often ignored Philippines-American War ( the result of the Spanish American War ). The Philippines-American War is often ignored and downplayed because this war tarnishes the reputation of the U.S. as harbinger of freedom and democracy. Most U.S. politicians et. al. rationalized that the Philippine government who fought the Spaniards weren't "civilized" enough to established sovereignty. The "humane" thing to do was colonized the Filipinos and teach them "civility." This very act has caused conflict with U.S. identity:
According to Freire, a Culture of Silence cultivates Fear when people remain ignorant of their ability to look "critically at the world in a dialogical encounter with others" (14-15). A Fear of Freedom thus become the result, but freedom in this sense is quite perverse: freedom is confused with the maintenance of the status quo (18)... where "the oppressed are afraid to embrace freedom; the oppressors are afraid of losing the "freedom" to oppress" (28). For both of them, they face the challenge of overcoming "prescription." True freedom for the oppressed means "rejecting this internalization of inferiority, replacing it with autonomy and responsibility" (29).
But it's more complicated than this:
They are at one and the same time themselves and the oppressor whose consciousness they have internalized. The conflict lies in the choice between being wholly themselves or being divided; between rejecting the oppressor within or not rejecting them; between human solidarity or alienation; between following prescriptions or having choices; between being spectators or actors; between acting or having the illusion of acting through the action of the oppressors; between speaking out or being silent, castrated in their power to create and re-create, in their power to transform the world. This is the tragic dilemma of the oppressed which their education must take into account. (Freire 30)To break this Silence and liberate themselves from this Fear of Freedom would mean letting go of "old paternalistic" [teacher-student] relationship, and being pro-active in order to start naming their world empowered by this new awareness of selves.
American educator and citizen Palmer also noticed this "old paternalistic" relationship. According to him academic culture "distrusts personal truths... mostly honoring an 'objective' way of knowing... [where] objective facts are regarded as pure, while subjective feelings are suspect and sullied" (18).
Academic Culture, says Palmer, illustrates the Culture of Fear pervasive in the U.S. Fear is created through the practice of a disconnected life:
We are distanced by a grading system that separates teachers from students, by departments that fragment fields of knowledge, by competition that makes students and teachers alike wary of their peers, and by a bureaucracy that puts faculty and administration at odds... Fear is what distances us from our colleagues, our students, our subjects, ourselves... Fear is a standard management tool... it is the fear of losing my job or my image or my status if I do not pay homage to institutional powers. (Palmer 36)This Fear can be summed up in "the fear of having a live encounter with alien 'otherness'... we fear encounters in which the other ... tell us what we may not wish to hear. We want those encounters on our own terms, so that we can CONTROL their outcomes, so that they will not threaten our view of world and self" (emphasis mine, Palmer 37). Palmer continues that this fearful encounter is "actually a sequence of fears that begin in the fear of diversity... fear of the conflict that will ensue when divergent truths meet... fear of conflict... fear of losing identity [and sense of self]" (38).
Campomanes shares insights about Fear induced by identity confusion specifically of the U.S. during its rise as a world superpower. The example Campomanes brings up is the often ignored Philippines-American War ( the result of the Spanish American War ). The Philippines-American War is often ignored and downplayed because this war tarnishes the reputation of the U.S. as harbinger of freedom and democracy. Most U.S. politicians et. al. rationalized that the Philippine government who fought the Spaniards weren't "civilized" enough to established sovereignty. The "humane" thing to do was colonized the Filipinos and teach them "civility." This very act has caused conflict with U.S. identity:
First, the constitutional crisis that shaped up and intensified also cleaved to an undeniable tenuousness of U.S. sovereignty claims over the Philippines from the perspective of international law, a crisis of legitimacy which the Treaty of Paris did not resolve and, in fact, clearly foregrounded. Second, the unpreparedness of the U.S. Army and War Department in war footing itself became an issue, sharpened by the grim turns that the Philippine war was taking and would take with the two years after this war was repeatedly declared by campaigning U.S. generals to be a quick and easy one for the U.S. armed forces. As army and war atrocities mounted and the increasingly genocidal tenor of the war became quickly evident, two problems became endemic: troop discipline breakdown and sagging national morale, especially as the Filipinos resorted to guerilla warfare by November 1899, after losing in set piece and conventional battles in which they suffered from decisive disadvantages. (139-140)Before Vietnam, there was the Philippines-American War. While other U.S. historians would argue that the Philippines-American War was an "aberration" (employing the "The Great Aberration Thesis" ), other historians would argue otherwise: the very structure of U.S. foundation and democracy is bourgeois and imperialist. Palmer also notices a similar pattern, perhaps questioning the aberration theory. He notes the complexity of Fear pervasive in U.S. culture:
Our multi-layered fear of the live encounter is not simply a personal emotion that teachers and students bring into the classroom one by one. It is also a cultural trait at work in every area of our common life. We practice a politcs of fear in which candidates are elected by playing on voters' anxieties about race and class. We do business in an econmy of fear where "getting and spending" are driven by consumer worries about keeping up with the neighbors. We subscribe to religions of fear that exploit our dread of death and damnation. (49)Like Freire's Culture of Silence, Palmer finds a reason how such a Culture of Silence can be created in the U.S.: "people who have reason to fear those in power have learned that there is safety in not speaking (45):"
Since the1960s... implicitly and explicitly, young people (students in the U.S.) are told that they have no experience worth having, no voice worth speaking, no future of any note, no significant role to play... the behaviors generated by fear- silence, withdrawal, cynicism- often mimic those that come with ignorance, so it is not always easy... behind their fearful silence, our students want to find their voices, speak their voices, have their voices heard. (Palmer 46)
In conclusion Fear is pervasive in the U.S.. These 3 scholars give us evidence, and most likely, this is just the tip of the iceberg. In spite of all of these FACTS, there is hope (diba?). Palmer agreeing with Freire and Campomanes' critical AWARENESS to eliminate the Culture of Silence and Fear of Freedom, says it best when he encourages us to embrace the promise of diversity, of creative conflict, and of 'losing' in order to 'win': "Otherness, taken seriously, always invites transformation, calling us not only to new facts and theories and values but also to new ways of living our lives" (39).
Let's talk about it for starters, diba? Let's play!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Eat, eat, eat: Katipunan Avenue
Mange Readers,
One of the great things about the place I'm renting is that it's very "walking" friendly. The University is only a block away from "my place," and along Katipunan Avenue are bunches of restaurants/eateries/concessionaires ( serving sizes are the same as campus cafeteria, but prices are doubled ). Originally, my intent was to at least eat at each restaurant; I only had two more restaurants left to complete the list but my budget ran out ( it's okay that I don't finish, because as I'm blogging this, there's a new food court, with new restaurants being built ). Below are impressions:
Figlia- 4 Cheese on Chiaba? bread sprinkled with bits of ham is ok
Bo's Coffee- their pastries not as fresh/gummy, Green Tea Frappuccino so-so
The Tea Place- I heart their Iced Brown Sugar Milk Tea with pearls
KFC- typical fast food; I ate their chicken sandwich
Pancake House- Breakfast all day rox; pancakes not so bad; I had the yogurt with Brazo de Mercedes? yummy
Tea-Ology- I heart their Amaretto Milk Tea Latte, Iced Caramel Milk Tea with Egg Pudding, and the Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Latte ( with sweetness level of 100% )
Hap Chan- tofu ok, meatball soup so-so, their notion of "Chilled/cold" Taho is room temperature, their Fried sweet "squash" only looks like a tiny squash but it's made of mochi/sticky sweet rice flour W/ red bean paste inside
Bacolood Chicken- it's so-so, the chicken breast was tiny, their mango/cilantro/vinegar/etc salad was interesting
The Old Spaghetti House- it rox, I like how they fused local flavors with international dishes: Tuna Alfredo, Thai Bagoong Pasta, California Maki Pizza, Matcha Green Tea Shake
Pizza Hut- the personal pizza was tiny, the chicken soup with pastry ( their take on chicken pot pies ) was ok
Gravy Fixx- the salisbury steak w/ sunny-side up egg and rice is ok
Red Buffalo Wings- rockin sweet chicken tenders served with wasabi mayo dip and rice
Sweet Inspiration- loved their pastries, regular/wheat pandisals, loaf bread, pandan shake, I like their coffee and cake special
Cerealicious- overpriced champorado, but awesome names for cereal treats with yogurt, nuts, fruit et. al.
Teriyaki Boy- salmon salad had too much dressing
Yellow Cab Pizza Co.- pistaschio ice cream rox, so is their squash soup ( with actual squash ), pizza so-so
Big, Better, Burgers- Fish Fillet burger rox
Seattle's Best Coffee- Avocado shake creamy, Chai Tea/Cherry/Almond/Caramel latte rox, macaroon cupcake rox
Kenny Rogers- very flavorful chicken, yogurt with kiwi/mixed fruit, the Protein Meal, the Fiber Meal, Norwegian Salmon so-so, pan-cotta/ fruit salad ok
Jollibee- soda floats, jolli spaghetti with yum, tuna pie, chicken sandwich
Greenwich Pizza- their thin crust pizza rox
Mushroom Burgers- mushrooms are their specialty, Chinese Halo-halo ok, Longanisa and rice
Starbucks- Green Tea Latte, Green Tea Frappuccino, Green Tea Latte with a Shot of Hazelnut, Cinnamon Swirl yummy
Tia Maria's Cantina- Seafood pasta, mango shake ok
Shakey's- Bianca Pizza, calamares, fish fillet, spaghetti with giant meatball ( more like tiny meatball ), vanilla/strawberry shake, salad so-so, I'm more impressed with thin crust pizza rather than the hand-tossed ones
McDonald's- chicken nuggets, fries, spaghetti, burger, chicken sandwich, their McCafe is surprisingly competitive: steamed milk with a shot of raspberry, nutty brazo, cappuccino, their Midnight Chocolate Cake is the bomb ( moist and creamy, flavorful yet not too coy )
Pan De Manila- their pastries and pandisals are so-so
Cravings- unlimited salad and soup with a main dish rox, unlimited coffee and cakes ( 4 levels, 4 choices as long as you finish each cake ) depends ( under renovations so not so visible )
Thus, my Top 2 would have to be Kenny Rogers and The Old Spaghetti House. Nonetheless these foodies provided space for reflection, work, and chillin with new friends.
One of the great things about the place I'm renting is that it's very "walking" friendly. The University is only a block away from "my place," and along Katipunan Avenue are bunches of restaurants/eateries/concessionaires ( serving sizes are the same as campus cafeteria, but prices are doubled ). Originally, my intent was to at least eat at each restaurant; I only had two more restaurants left to complete the list but my budget ran out ( it's okay that I don't finish, because as I'm blogging this, there's a new food court, with new restaurants being built ). Below are impressions:
Figlia- 4 Cheese on Chiaba? bread sprinkled with bits of ham is ok
Bo's Coffee- their pastries not as fresh/gummy, Green Tea Frappuccino so-so
The Tea Place- I heart their Iced Brown Sugar Milk Tea with pearls
KFC- typical fast food; I ate their chicken sandwich
Pancake House- Breakfast all day rox; pancakes not so bad; I had the yogurt with Brazo de Mercedes? yummy
Tea-Ology- I heart their Amaretto Milk Tea Latte, Iced Caramel Milk Tea with Egg Pudding, and the Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Latte ( with sweetness level of 100% )
Hap Chan- tofu ok, meatball soup so-so, their notion of "Chilled/cold" Taho is room temperature, their Fried sweet "squash" only looks like a tiny squash but it's made of mochi/sticky sweet rice flour W/ red bean paste inside
Bacolood Chicken- it's so-so, the chicken breast was tiny, their mango/cilantro/vinegar/etc salad was interesting
The Old Spaghetti House- it rox, I like how they fused local flavors with international dishes: Tuna Alfredo, Thai Bagoong Pasta, California Maki Pizza, Matcha Green Tea Shake
Pizza Hut- the personal pizza was tiny, the chicken soup with pastry ( their take on chicken pot pies ) was ok
Gravy Fixx- the salisbury steak w/ sunny-side up egg and rice is ok
Red Buffalo Wings- rockin sweet chicken tenders served with wasabi mayo dip and rice
Sweet Inspiration- loved their pastries, regular/wheat pandisals, loaf bread, pandan shake, I like their coffee and cake special
Cerealicious- overpriced champorado, but awesome names for cereal treats with yogurt, nuts, fruit et. al.
Teriyaki Boy- salmon salad had too much dressing
Yellow Cab Pizza Co.- pistaschio ice cream rox, so is their squash soup ( with actual squash ), pizza so-so
Big, Better, Burgers- Fish Fillet burger rox
Seattle's Best Coffee- Avocado shake creamy, Chai Tea/Cherry/Almond/Caramel latte rox, macaroon cupcake rox
Kenny Rogers- very flavorful chicken, yogurt with kiwi/mixed fruit, the Protein Meal, the Fiber Meal, Norwegian Salmon so-so, pan-cotta/ fruit salad ok
Jollibee- soda floats, jolli spaghetti with yum, tuna pie, chicken sandwich
Greenwich Pizza- their thin crust pizza rox
Mushroom Burgers- mushrooms are their specialty, Chinese Halo-halo ok, Longanisa and rice
Starbucks- Green Tea Latte, Green Tea Frappuccino, Green Tea Latte with a Shot of Hazelnut, Cinnamon Swirl yummy
Tia Maria's Cantina- Seafood pasta, mango shake ok
Shakey's- Bianca Pizza, calamares, fish fillet, spaghetti with giant meatball ( more like tiny meatball ), vanilla/strawberry shake, salad so-so, I'm more impressed with thin crust pizza rather than the hand-tossed ones
McDonald's- chicken nuggets, fries, spaghetti, burger, chicken sandwich, their McCafe is surprisingly competitive: steamed milk with a shot of raspberry, nutty brazo, cappuccino, their Midnight Chocolate Cake is the bomb ( moist and creamy, flavorful yet not too coy )
Pan De Manila- their pastries and pandisals are so-so
Cravings- unlimited salad and soup with a main dish rox, unlimited coffee and cakes ( 4 levels, 4 choices as long as you finish each cake ) depends ( under renovations so not so visible )
Thus, my Top 2 would have to be Kenny Rogers and The Old Spaghetti House. Nonetheless these foodies provided space for reflection, work, and chillin with new friends.
Friday, August 26, 2011
GRE Review: Schools of Theory in a nutshell
Hey Readers,
Who knew that Literary Criticism could be so fascinating? ( maybe my subconsious? ). The notes below plus my current Literature class are a nice review ( Also a nice prompt for reflection: most of the criticisms I wrote in college were inspired by Marxism and Identity Criticisms. I think I tried to get into the whole Linguistic thing, but my limited knowledge of the English language (just/always developing/forming) hindered/impeded/slowed down any analytical attempts. Of course, the Psychological school with its emphasis in universal consciousness et. al. was also difficult because from a Marxist's perspective, "universality" was often standardized by the "hegemony." ).
Notes from my GRE Lit Review Book:
"In general, modern criticism makes use of insights drawn from three broad schools of theory:"
Marxist: With emphasis in economic situation and Socialism and its keywords: base/material economic reality, cultural superstructure, class, proletariat, means of production, bourgeoisie, imperialism, dialectical materialism
-New Historicism- specifics of culture matter profoundly: language, ideology, encoded ideology supporting the dominant class and also the struggling voice of the oppressed ideological subject, Euro-American patriarchy's typical marginalization of the other, phallocratic hegemony
--Feminist Criticism (Patriarchy, sexism, sexist language, etc.)
--Black Criticism
--Post-Colonial Criticism
---Identity Criticisms- Investigate definitions of self and constructions of self (synthesis of 3 broad schools of theory)
Linguistic: With a focus on Language and influential to early 20th century critics and the necessity to "professionalize" their discipline making it less speculative
-Formalist Criticism- (Russian inspired) Investigates formations of literary texts through defamiliarization because of devices of plot, story, and voice making language unfamiliar because writing is an aesthetic and literary object
-New Criticism- Questions the foundations (speculations about authorial intent, subjectivity, beauty and emotion) of the literary schools using the intentional fallacy, the affective fallacy, the heresy of paraphrase, close reading (the actual text, especially in poems); popular in England and the U.S.
-Structuralism- Popular in Continental Europe thanks to linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and his research in Semiotics because meaning is not intrinsic but produced by structure with terms, such as sign, signifier, signified, binary oppositions, spatial metaphors (center/periphery, vertical/horizontal axis)
-Post-Structuralism- Employs terms: mimesis, alterity, marginality, desire, and lack, while criticizing Structuralism using:
--Deconstruction, which focuses on the displacements, the excesses, the gaps, the exceptions with jargons: erasure, trace, bracketing, differance, slippage, dissemination, logocentrism, indeterminancy, and decentering
-Reader-Response Criticism- Insists that the reader's experience of a text is the literary event, thus involving an implied/ideal reader, horizon of expectations, Resception Aesthetics, also a synthesis of the 3 broad schools of theory
Bridge
Lacanian Criticism is the bridge between Linguistic and Psychological because language comes first and "structures the unconscious thus discontinuity between signifiers and signified, and the signifiers 'float' in an endless chain of substitution." Other keywords to remember: mirror, phallus, signifier/ signified, substitution, desire, jouissance, objet petit a, and the three orders: imaginary, symbolic, and real
Psychological: Concerns with universals of human consciousness (factored in personality and biography of individual authors)
-Freudian Criticism and its jargon: Oedipal complex, libido, id, ego, superego, subconcious, repression, resistance. Harold Bloom's 'strong-poet' (authors subconsciously position their work against an earlier author, their literary father) SEX!
-Archetype/Myth Criticism from Freud's collaborator Carl Jung with a focus on myth, ritual, recurring symbols, motifs, character types, plots, mythic hero, collective unconscious, etc..
Who knew that Literary Criticism could be so fascinating? ( maybe my subconsious? ). The notes below plus my current Literature class are a nice review ( Also a nice prompt for reflection: most of the criticisms I wrote in college were inspired by Marxism and Identity Criticisms. I think I tried to get into the whole Linguistic thing, but my limited knowledge of the English language (just/always developing/forming) hindered/impeded/slowed down any analytical attempts. Of course, the Psychological school with its emphasis in universal consciousness et. al. was also difficult because from a Marxist's perspective, "universality" was often standardized by the "hegemony." ).
Notes from my GRE Lit Review Book:
"In general, modern criticism makes use of insights drawn from three broad schools of theory:"
Marxist: With emphasis in economic situation and Socialism and its keywords: base/material economic reality, cultural superstructure, class, proletariat, means of production, bourgeoisie, imperialism, dialectical materialism
-New Historicism- specifics of culture matter profoundly: language, ideology, encoded ideology supporting the dominant class and also the struggling voice of the oppressed ideological subject, Euro-American patriarchy's typical marginalization of the other, phallocratic hegemony
--Feminist Criticism (Patriarchy, sexism, sexist language, etc.)
--Black Criticism
--Post-Colonial Criticism
---Identity Criticisms- Investigate definitions of self and constructions of self (synthesis of 3 broad schools of theory)
Linguistic: With a focus on Language and influential to early 20th century critics and the necessity to "professionalize" their discipline making it less speculative
-Formalist Criticism- (Russian inspired) Investigates formations of literary texts through defamiliarization because of devices of plot, story, and voice making language unfamiliar because writing is an aesthetic and literary object
-New Criticism- Questions the foundations (speculations about authorial intent, subjectivity, beauty and emotion) of the literary schools using the intentional fallacy, the affective fallacy, the heresy of paraphrase, close reading (the actual text, especially in poems); popular in England and the U.S.
-Structuralism- Popular in Continental Europe thanks to linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and his research in Semiotics because meaning is not intrinsic but produced by structure with terms, such as sign, signifier, signified, binary oppositions, spatial metaphors (center/periphery, vertical/horizontal axis)
-Post-Structuralism- Employs terms: mimesis, alterity, marginality, desire, and lack, while criticizing Structuralism using:
--Deconstruction, which focuses on the displacements, the excesses, the gaps, the exceptions with jargons: erasure, trace, bracketing, differance, slippage, dissemination, logocentrism, indeterminancy, and decentering
-Reader-Response Criticism- Insists that the reader's experience of a text is the literary event, thus involving an implied/ideal reader, horizon of expectations, Resception Aesthetics, also a synthesis of the 3 broad schools of theory
Bridge
Lacanian Criticism is the bridge between Linguistic and Psychological because language comes first and "structures the unconscious thus discontinuity between signifiers and signified, and the signifiers 'float' in an endless chain of substitution." Other keywords to remember: mirror, phallus, signifier/ signified, substitution, desire, jouissance, objet petit a, and the three orders: imaginary, symbolic, and real
Psychological: Concerns with universals of human consciousness (factored in personality and biography of individual authors)
-Freudian Criticism and its jargon: Oedipal complex, libido, id, ego, superego, subconcious, repression, resistance. Harold Bloom's 'strong-poet' (authors subconsciously position their work against an earlier author, their literary father) SEX!
-Archetype/Myth Criticism from Freud's collaborator Carl Jung with a focus on myth, ritual, recurring symbols, motifs, character types, plots, mythic hero, collective unconscious, etc..
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Lecture: Reappropriating pagan horoscopes to narrate Christian Mythology
Guess What Readers?
One day Tutee B and I were in the library renewing books for our session, and I found out that he was a palm reader ( specializing in horoscopes ). My interest pique, I asked him about his experience, and he was quick to point out that horoscope reading is a sin ( The Vatican already made a law concerning it? ), nonetheless Filipinos' pagan past was inseparable from it.
I wanted to hear his take on horoscopes, so I proffered an alternative viewpoint about horoscope and sin: "Horoscopes are just guides that don't determine our destiny, and we can use our free will given to us by God to consider them when making decision, diba?." Still hesitant, he added, "Adam and Eve had free will ( and look what happened to them )." Nonetheless, he narrated the Christian mythology through the reappropriation of horoscopes.
Virgo was the sign of the Virgin, very pure. Angel Gabriel told Mary that she'd get pregnant with God's child, without committing sin ( sex before marriage ) hence, the Immaculate Conception ( conception of a pure vessel ). Libra was about Balance (Scales) but lately the world had been out of balance; Jesus' coming would restore balance. Scorpio's (Scorpion's) poison represented the evil in the world, and Sagittarius was the sign of the protector (Half Archer and Half Horse). Joseph received a message from God to accept Mary and his stepson Jesus, and to protect them.
Jesus was born during the month of the Capricorn represented by the Goat-Fish symbolic of Jesus' dual nature: human and divine. Then it skipped Jesus' childhood and resumed with Jesus' ministry. Aquarius and the pouring of Water was paralleled with the miracle of the wedding feast of Cana. Pisces and its Fish symbol correlated with the miracle of the fish and loaves. Aries foreshadowed Jesus' death as sacrificial lamb (Ram).
Jesus had the strength and courage like the Taurus/Bull to face his ordeal. Gemini representing the fickle Twins illustrated Judas' betrayal. Cancer represented close-minded people (Crabby people) crucifying Jesus. Nonetheless, Jesus resurrected and was triumphant proving to be the Leo [Lion] King of us all.
One day Tutee B and I were in the library renewing books for our session, and I found out that he was a palm reader ( specializing in horoscopes ). My interest pique, I asked him about his experience, and he was quick to point out that horoscope reading is a sin ( The Vatican already made a law concerning it? ), nonetheless Filipinos' pagan past was inseparable from it.
I wanted to hear his take on horoscopes, so I proffered an alternative viewpoint about horoscope and sin: "Horoscopes are just guides that don't determine our destiny, and we can use our free will given to us by God to consider them when making decision, diba?." Still hesitant, he added, "Adam and Eve had free will ( and look what happened to them )." Nonetheless, he narrated the Christian mythology through the reappropriation of horoscopes.
Virgo was the sign of the Virgin, very pure. Angel Gabriel told Mary that she'd get pregnant with God's child, without committing sin ( sex before marriage ) hence, the Immaculate Conception ( conception of a pure vessel ). Libra was about Balance (Scales) but lately the world had been out of balance; Jesus' coming would restore balance. Scorpio's (Scorpion's) poison represented the evil in the world, and Sagittarius was the sign of the protector (Half Archer and Half Horse). Joseph received a message from God to accept Mary and his stepson Jesus, and to protect them.
Jesus was born during the month of the Capricorn represented by the Goat-Fish symbolic of Jesus' dual nature: human and divine. Then it skipped Jesus' childhood and resumed with Jesus' ministry. Aquarius and the pouring of Water was paralleled with the miracle of the wedding feast of Cana. Pisces and its Fish symbol correlated with the miracle of the fish and loaves. Aries foreshadowed Jesus' death as sacrificial lamb (Ram).
Jesus had the strength and courage like the Taurus/Bull to face his ordeal. Gemini representing the fickle Twins illustrated Judas' betrayal. Cancer represented close-minded people (Crabby people) crucifying Jesus. Nonetheless, Jesus resurrected and was triumphant proving to be the Leo [Lion] King of us all.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Random? ideas excerpted
Hey Readers,
Sometimes it's nice to digress. I've read some random books encountered along the way ( in addition to my GRE book list ):
"Golden Harvest: Essays in Honor of Joseph A. Galdon S.J." edited by Susan P. Evangelista et. al:
Reading this is helpful in understanding Father Galdon's philosophy ( especially his teaching philosophy, which dealt mostly with Significant Human Experiences [like student-centered to the max] ).
"The Mustard Seed: Reflections for Daily Living" by Joseph A. Galdon S.J.:
This is a collection of Father Galdon's articles ( homily/sermons a la newspaper column style ). It's a nice mix of literature, religion, Jesuit philosophy applied in everyday situation.
"For All My Walking: Free-verse Haiku of Taneda Santoka with Excerpts from His Dairy":
Taneda Santoka was a begging and wandering monk ( so relatable, diba? ). These free-verse ( not limited by typical sound patterns or certain haiku schools ) haikus were created during his meanderings. In an ironic way, he could be like a rockstar monk writing about sex and Sake. Also the diary excerpts give good background to situate his haikus that reveal the transcendental in the mundane while showing typical concerns of writers, such as inspiration, process, and publication.
"On Becoming Filipino" Selected Writings of Carlos Bulosan:
"Now You Are Still and other Poems" by Carlos Bulosan:
This book is a collection of Bulosan's short stories, essays, poems ( some also appeared in "Now You Are..." ), and personal letters. I read some of the stories and all the other writings. In his works, there are a lot of anger and sadness because of the injustice he encountered and saw in life. Nonetheless, his personal correspondences still showed a sense of hope and peace.
"Very Short Stories for Harried Readers" edited by Vicente Garcia Groyon
I love flash fiction ( and its playing with typography/form ), and this collection contains plenty of exemplary examples of [sudden] fiction ( an awesome bonus is that these writers are mostly Filipinos, thus they serve as fabulous role models ).
"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway:
I was inspired to read this after an author referred to it in an article about a Writing Center philosophy. So far this book is a mix of Paris/France travelogue, and memoir of/ gossip about expat[s]. Hemingway talked about walking around Paris, chilling with his wife, writing stories et. al., partying with artists, such as Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Scott Fitzgerald, and more.
Excerpts from:
"Writing Centers in Context: Twelve Case Studies" edited by Joyce A. Kinkead et. al.:
So far, what I'm liking about this is the direct application of the generalities ( mentioned by Olson ) to different Writing Centers across the United States. Each Writing Center's history and approach is interesting. I'm learning about a potential Writing Center-to-be ( multiculturalism and writing as a political act ), and will soon understand the main approach (foundation) used by Utah State University's Writing Center in training USU Writing Center tutors ( c'est moi ).
"Writing Centers: Theory and Administration" edited by Gary A. Olson
So far, this is a good general introduction. Sometimes I feel that this is so elementary; maybe I feel this way because I've been working in a Writing Center for 4 years and recently I've been reading tons of Writing Center articles for personal research ( so most of what the writers talked about sounded like a broken record ). The articles focusing on Administrative responsibilities are enlightening. Overall a good review.
Sometimes it's nice to digress. I've read some random books encountered along the way ( in addition to my GRE book list ):
"Golden Harvest: Essays in Honor of Joseph A. Galdon S.J." edited by Susan P. Evangelista et. al:
Reading this is helpful in understanding Father Galdon's philosophy ( especially his teaching philosophy, which dealt mostly with Significant Human Experiences [like student-centered to the max] ).
"The Mustard Seed: Reflections for Daily Living" by Joseph A. Galdon S.J.:
This is a collection of Father Galdon's articles ( homily/sermons a la newspaper column style ). It's a nice mix of literature, religion, Jesuit philosophy applied in everyday situation.
"For All My Walking: Free-verse Haiku of Taneda Santoka with Excerpts from His Dairy":
Taneda Santoka was a begging and wandering monk ( so relatable, diba? ). These free-verse ( not limited by typical sound patterns or certain haiku schools ) haikus were created during his meanderings. In an ironic way, he could be like a rockstar monk writing about sex and Sake. Also the diary excerpts give good background to situate his haikus that reveal the transcendental in the mundane while showing typical concerns of writers, such as inspiration, process, and publication.
"On Becoming Filipino" Selected Writings of Carlos Bulosan:
"Now You Are Still and other Poems" by Carlos Bulosan:
This book is a collection of Bulosan's short stories, essays, poems ( some also appeared in "Now You Are..." ), and personal letters. I read some of the stories and all the other writings. In his works, there are a lot of anger and sadness because of the injustice he encountered and saw in life. Nonetheless, his personal correspondences still showed a sense of hope and peace.
"Very Short Stories for Harried Readers" edited by Vicente Garcia Groyon
I love flash fiction ( and its playing with typography/form ), and this collection contains plenty of exemplary examples of [sudden] fiction ( an awesome bonus is that these writers are mostly Filipinos, thus they serve as fabulous role models ).
"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway:
I was inspired to read this after an author referred to it in an article about a Writing Center philosophy. So far this book is a mix of Paris/France travelogue, and memoir of/ gossip about expat[s]. Hemingway talked about walking around Paris, chilling with his wife, writing stories et. al., partying with artists, such as Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Scott Fitzgerald, and more.
Excerpts from:
"Writing Centers in Context: Twelve Case Studies" edited by Joyce A. Kinkead et. al.:
So far, what I'm liking about this is the direct application of the generalities ( mentioned by Olson ) to different Writing Centers across the United States. Each Writing Center's history and approach is interesting. I'm learning about a potential Writing Center-to-be ( multiculturalism and writing as a political act ), and will soon understand the main approach (foundation) used by Utah State University's Writing Center in training USU Writing Center tutors ( c'est moi ).
"Writing Centers: Theory and Administration" edited by Gary A. Olson
So far, this is a good general introduction. Sometimes I feel that this is so elementary; maybe I feel this way because I've been working in a Writing Center for 4 years and recently I've been reading tons of Writing Center articles for personal research ( so most of what the writers talked about sounded like a broken record ). The articles focusing on Administrative responsibilities are enlightening. Overall a good review.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Lecture: a no birdbrainer
Guess What Readers?
I was walking down the hallway when I saw a poster announcing that Fil-Am playwright Linda Faigao-Hall was going to give a talk on "How to write plays about Filipino Americans and still remain sane." Because I like writing and because I like the Play form ( especially its' performative and condense/haiku-ish yet jam-packed aspect ) I went.
According to the Dean of the Fine Arts, Fil-Am playwrights and their plays are unexplored here in the Philippines ( meaning plenty of room for exploration ). Fil-Am's distance ( perhaps their liminal status ) gives them insights on certain Global issues. OMG, hearing the Dean lists Faigao-Hall's credentials is quite inspiring.
Some of her published plays include, "Sparrow" [ which was previewed and read during the lecture, grabe, deep shizzle talaga ], "God, Sex, and Blue Water", and "The 'A' Word". She'd been published in the 'Best 10 Minutes Play 2008 Anthology', and she's currently working in a Writing Center in Mercy College (NY?), while spearheading a revival of Cebuano art form involving extemporaneous poetry jamming, singing, and dancing ( a 'Native' musical ;).
Faigao-Hall was already published in the Philippines before she migrated to the U.S., but it took her 13 years living abroad before she had the courage to submit her play to "Equity Players Inc." (?). Having "beginner's luck" her 1st play submission was produced. Then she talked about rejections, rewrites, CSI writers as "failed" playwrights, public readings, contracts [ once written can't change the words ], the difference between Off-Off Broadway/Off Broadway/Broadway. She had a 9 to 5 job during the day, and she wrote her plays during the night ( starting at 10pm ).
According to her, her biggest obstacle is IGNORANCE. She's constantly dealing with Asian stereotypes, and Filipino/Fil-Am viewers are often skeptical of her work; anything they deemed "local" is thus inferior. They also don't like watching what they already know. But the truth of the matter is that they don't know. Faigao-Hall's mission is to address these stereotypes in the hopes of eliminating them. In addition to this vision, she explores the theme of Cultural Collision, writes from the Gut ( not thinking consciously about labels: Fil-Am, Filipino, American, et. al. ), and believes that ART gives sustenance and nourishment.
I was walking down the hallway when I saw a poster announcing that Fil-Am playwright Linda Faigao-Hall was going to give a talk on "How to write plays about Filipino Americans and still remain sane." Because I like writing and because I like the Play form ( especially its' performative and condense/haiku-ish yet jam-packed aspect ) I went.
According to the Dean of the Fine Arts, Fil-Am playwrights and their plays are unexplored here in the Philippines ( meaning plenty of room for exploration ). Fil-Am's distance ( perhaps their liminal status ) gives them insights on certain Global issues. OMG, hearing the Dean lists Faigao-Hall's credentials is quite inspiring.
Some of her published plays include, "Sparrow" [ which was previewed and read during the lecture, grabe, deep shizzle talaga ], "God, Sex, and Blue Water", and "The 'A' Word". She'd been published in the 'Best 10 Minutes Play 2008 Anthology', and she's currently working in a Writing Center in Mercy College (NY?), while spearheading a revival of Cebuano art form involving extemporaneous poetry jamming, singing, and dancing ( a 'Native' musical ;).
Faigao-Hall was already published in the Philippines before she migrated to the U.S., but it took her 13 years living abroad before she had the courage to submit her play to "Equity Players Inc." (?). Having "beginner's luck" her 1st play submission was produced. Then she talked about rejections, rewrites, CSI writers as "failed" playwrights, public readings, contracts [ once written can't change the words ], the difference between Off-Off Broadway/Off Broadway/Broadway. She had a 9 to 5 job during the day, and she wrote her plays during the night ( starting at 10pm ).
According to her, her biggest obstacle is IGNORANCE. She's constantly dealing with Asian stereotypes, and Filipino/Fil-Am viewers are often skeptical of her work; anything they deemed "local" is thus inferior. They also don't like watching what they already know. But the truth of the matter is that they don't know. Faigao-Hall's mission is to address these stereotypes in the hopes of eliminating them. In addition to this vision, she explores the theme of Cultural Collision, writes from the Gut ( not thinking consciously about labels: Fil-Am, Filipino, American, et. al. ), and believes that ART gives sustenance and nourishment.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Manila Internship: winding down (w12)
Como Estas Readers?
Well things are winding down at my internship. This week was short because Friday was a holiday; thus my main focus was on the Library Project and Publication Project. Next week will be my last week of observing and freelance tutoring, so I can strictly focus on finalizing office tasks.
The Library Project is going; the last part is more meticulous than anticipated ( more time consuming because most of the books left are not in a series ). One more shelf left before I update the call numbers into the computer catalog.
The Conference Prep is going as well. I'm observing the effects that the budget plays during this preparation stage ( concern includes: color or b/w printing ). As an investment, an extra assistant is hired to complete other secretarial duties, such as organizing materials for grab bag (notebook, pen, Center's magazine, brochure, ID holder, etc. ), photocopying Conference materials, buying Conference banners/tarp, etc.
During the ESL Practicum, Director N and I discussed each class's strengths: audience appeal (class 1) and structure (class 2). Both class seemed to be struggling with sustaining/maintaining their argument ( hence, can be all over the place ). During Writing Wednesday, we discussed a structure of an essay ( thesis, intro, bodies, conclusion ) before the class worked on their Personal Response Paper 3 employing the whole writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, and finalizing. Besides saving time and having the urgency to write, I wonder what other benefits ( or disadvantages ) are in this approach ( one sit-in ). I also helped Student F to brainstorm.
Freelance Tutoring is going. Tutee B and I discussed elements of a good thesis statement ( personal opinion/stance, arguable, insight ) in the context of political campaign/project ( such as the building of a Youth Center ). For Runner J's thesis, we worked on Ch. 3 and 5; one more chapter before we do an overall review so he could give a copy to his main adviser. Finally the Publication Project is also going. I emailed Writer O revision comments for his article; I drafted revision comments for Writer I, and soon I will revise my article according to Director N's comments.
Well things are winding down at my internship. This week was short because Friday was a holiday; thus my main focus was on the Library Project and Publication Project. Next week will be my last week of observing and freelance tutoring, so I can strictly focus on finalizing office tasks.
The Library Project is going; the last part is more meticulous than anticipated ( more time consuming because most of the books left are not in a series ). One more shelf left before I update the call numbers into the computer catalog.
The Conference Prep is going as well. I'm observing the effects that the budget plays during this preparation stage ( concern includes: color or b/w printing ). As an investment, an extra assistant is hired to complete other secretarial duties, such as organizing materials for grab bag (notebook, pen, Center's magazine, brochure, ID holder, etc. ), photocopying Conference materials, buying Conference banners/tarp, etc.
During the ESL Practicum, Director N and I discussed each class's strengths: audience appeal (class 1) and structure (class 2). Both class seemed to be struggling with sustaining/maintaining their argument ( hence, can be all over the place ). During Writing Wednesday, we discussed a structure of an essay ( thesis, intro, bodies, conclusion ) before the class worked on their Personal Response Paper 3 employing the whole writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, and finalizing. Besides saving time and having the urgency to write, I wonder what other benefits ( or disadvantages ) are in this approach ( one sit-in ). I also helped Student F to brainstorm.
Freelance Tutoring is going. Tutee B and I discussed elements of a good thesis statement ( personal opinion/stance, arguable, insight ) in the context of political campaign/project ( such as the building of a Youth Center ). For Runner J's thesis, we worked on Ch. 3 and 5; one more chapter before we do an overall review so he could give a copy to his main adviser. Finally the Publication Project is also going. I emailed Writer O revision comments for his article; I drafted revision comments for Writer I, and soon I will revise my article according to Director N's comments.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Auditing: (Re)Looking at the Philippines-American War
Keep an Open and Critical Mind, Readers!
According to Prof. C, Philippines shouldn't be marginalized ( in terms of history coverage etc. ) because they were present in the beginning of the United States' Empire. Philippines was considered located in the "farthest west" of the United States.
United States as an Empire is easy to be overlooked because most of its colonies are islands (Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines), hence it was known as an Island Empire. Plus, the method used by the United States to build an Empire ( to colonize ) didn't directly follow the definition/standards set by early Empires, such as Rome, France, Britain, et. al..
If you're 100% American and "patriotic," you're probably appalled to hear that the United States, known usually as defender of democracy and freedom, actually COLONIZED/imposed their ways/ took away another country's freedom in order to benefit at the expense of others' suffering.
If you're Filipino ( Fil-Am et. al. ), or Other , you can do a little test to prove the hypothesis above. Go to the nearest Americans you know and ask them about the United States' imperial and colonial history subjugating others instead of spreading democracy and freedom. Most likely, those Americans will be aghast; they'll be so defensive that they'll think you're being either an unpatriotic citizen, a heretic, or a communist/socialist ( or all of the above ).
Prof. C brought up a good point: no country would want to be called "Imperialist" especially a country, such as the United States, which has a reputation for being the harbinger of democracy and freedom. After all, the United States is also considered the 1st ex-colony ( that fought for freedom against British Tyranny ).
Because of this impression management, Prof. C believed that downplaying/ignoring the Philippines' narrative was better than tarnishing/destroying the United States' narrative/self-image as liberators and harbingers of democracy and freedom. In squashing the burgeoning Philippines Republic under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, the Imperial U.S. wanted to destroy the Philippines before this country set an example for other colonized countries to emulate.
To be fair, there were TRUE Americans, who sympathized with the Philippines' plight, and who were against U.S. expansionism, imperialism, and colonialism ( realizing the hypocracy of it all especially in terms of "American" ideals such as democracy and freedom ). I guess they didn't speak up loud enough, and now they HAVE to deal with the mess they made. ( hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself especially with the current situation now in 2011 with Middle Eastern et. al. countries ).
In short, the Philippines-American War is often belittled; nonetheless, this "little" war has BIG consequences:
The U.S. ignored the pleas of Emilio Aguinaldo's government in defending democracy and freedom from Spain and its tyranny. The U.S. was finally prompted to get involved after one of its Naval ships was sunked by a Spanish fleet; the casualties of sailors made National News and caused outrage. The U.S. was hesitant to get involved because of concomittant war expenses. Nonetheless, they were finally convinced when they recognized that its resources wouldn't get wasted as much since there were already "insurgents" or Revolutionaries? providing man power ( all they had to do was step in, and claim the glory ).
After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. bought the Philippines from Spain for $20 million dollars. Then President McKinley? received a vision from God telling him to christianize and educate the barbaric Filipinos. In spite of the expenses, the Philippines was an investment and a stepping stone towards the bigger market CHINA ( any connections to current U.S.-China relations? ).
Next to happen was the Philippines-American War, which was never declared because in doing so, the U.S. would be acknowledging Philippines' sovereignty. President Theodore Roosevelt declared that the Philippines-American War was over in 100 days, when in fact, it stretched for 10 more years thanks to guerilla warfare ( any parallels today? Iraq et. al.? ). The Philippines-American War was considered the 1st Vietnam War. Because of this war, the U.S. never formally and publicly declared another colony ( because to do so would be hypocritical and "bad press" ).
Part of the anxiety and fear pervasive in the U.S. and its culture TODAY is that it is in denial of its imperial/colonial history/present/identity? ( sounds like a dissertation topic to me ;)
According to Prof. C, Philippines shouldn't be marginalized ( in terms of history coverage etc. ) because they were present in the beginning of the United States' Empire. Philippines was considered located in the "farthest west" of the United States.
United States as an Empire is easy to be overlooked because most of its colonies are islands (Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines), hence it was known as an Island Empire. Plus, the method used by the United States to build an Empire ( to colonize ) didn't directly follow the definition/standards set by early Empires, such as Rome, France, Britain, et. al..
If you're 100% American and "patriotic," you're probably appalled to hear that the United States, known usually as defender of democracy and freedom, actually COLONIZED/imposed their ways/ took away another country's freedom in order to benefit at the expense of others' suffering.
If you're Filipino ( Fil-Am et. al. ), or Other , you can do a little test to prove the hypothesis above. Go to the nearest Americans you know and ask them about the United States' imperial and colonial history subjugating others instead of spreading democracy and freedom. Most likely, those Americans will be aghast; they'll be so defensive that they'll think you're being either an unpatriotic citizen, a heretic, or a communist/socialist ( or all of the above ).
Prof. C brought up a good point: no country would want to be called "Imperialist" especially a country, such as the United States, which has a reputation for being the harbinger of democracy and freedom. After all, the United States is also considered the 1st ex-colony ( that fought for freedom against British Tyranny ).
Because of this impression management, Prof. C believed that downplaying/ignoring the Philippines' narrative was better than tarnishing/destroying the United States' narrative/self-image as liberators and harbingers of democracy and freedom. In squashing the burgeoning Philippines Republic under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, the Imperial U.S. wanted to destroy the Philippines before this country set an example for other colonized countries to emulate.
To be fair, there were TRUE Americans, who sympathized with the Philippines' plight, and who were against U.S. expansionism, imperialism, and colonialism ( realizing the hypocracy of it all especially in terms of "American" ideals such as democracy and freedom ). I guess they didn't speak up loud enough, and now they HAVE to deal with the mess they made. ( hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself especially with the current situation now in 2011 with Middle Eastern et. al. countries ).
In short, the Philippines-American War is often belittled; nonetheless, this "little" war has BIG consequences:
The U.S. ignored the pleas of Emilio Aguinaldo's government in defending democracy and freedom from Spain and its tyranny. The U.S. was finally prompted to get involved after one of its Naval ships was sunked by a Spanish fleet; the casualties of sailors made National News and caused outrage. The U.S. was hesitant to get involved because of concomittant war expenses. Nonetheless, they were finally convinced when they recognized that its resources wouldn't get wasted as much since there were already "insurgents" or Revolutionaries? providing man power ( all they had to do was step in, and claim the glory ).
After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. bought the Philippines from Spain for $20 million dollars. Then President McKinley? received a vision from God telling him to christianize and educate the barbaric Filipinos. In spite of the expenses, the Philippines was an investment and a stepping stone towards the bigger market CHINA ( any connections to current U.S.-China relations? ).
Next to happen was the Philippines-American War, which was never declared because in doing so, the U.S. would be acknowledging Philippines' sovereignty. President Theodore Roosevelt declared that the Philippines-American War was over in 100 days, when in fact, it stretched for 10 more years thanks to guerilla warfare ( any parallels today? Iraq et. al.? ). The Philippines-American War was considered the 1st Vietnam War. Because of this war, the U.S. never formally and publicly declared another colony ( because to do so would be hypocritical and "bad press" ).
Part of the anxiety and fear pervasive in the U.S. and its culture TODAY is that it is in denial of its imperial/colonial history/present/identity? ( sounds like a dissertation topic to me ;)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Random: Foreign Exhanged Student's Woes
Namaste Readers,
Taiwanese Roomie C is having the Foreign Exchanged Student's woes. During the 1st week, he got diarrhea. Then one day, I encountered him walking towards the Seven-Eleven (7/11), he was looking for disposable underwear to wear until his freshly washed boxers dried up. In Taiwan, it was common for 7/11 and other supermarkets to sell both genders' [disposable] underwears not just females'. Another day, he told me how a taxi driver charged him and his Taiwanese friends more than the counter. The Taiwanese "Dollar" is almost equivalent to the Philippine Peso ( 1 peso is around 0.70 Taiwan "Dollar" ) thus every peso counts. I tried to pacify his frustration by pointing out that arguments about money also happened to the locals.
Taiwanese Roomie C is having the Foreign Exchanged Student's woes. During the 1st week, he got diarrhea. Then one day, I encountered him walking towards the Seven-Eleven (7/11), he was looking for disposable underwear to wear until his freshly washed boxers dried up. In Taiwan, it was common for 7/11 and other supermarkets to sell both genders' [disposable] underwears not just females'. Another day, he told me how a taxi driver charged him and his Taiwanese friends more than the counter. The Taiwanese "Dollar" is almost equivalent to the Philippine Peso ( 1 peso is around 0.70 Taiwan "Dollar" ) thus every peso counts. I tried to pacify his frustration by pointing out that arguments about money also happened to the locals.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lecture: let's face it...
Guess What Readers?
One day Lit class was cancelled because of miscommunication, so Prof. C invited the class to attend his colleague's lecture called "The Face in Pain: Suffering, Witnessing, Sympathy" by Charlie Veric ( who has/is completing a Ph.D. in [Asian] American Studies in one of the Ivy Leagues in the U.S., maybe Yale ).
It caught my attention kasi in the Philippines ( and perhaps other Asian countries ), the concept of "Face" (hiya?) is pervasive ( beyond the biological/physiological, can also be the literal focus of aesthetics etc. ). I think in a way (subconscious or not) his inspiration may have stemmed from this. We came in late but in general he talked about the discourse of "Face."
He analyzed a facial twitching of a character in a literary text ( maybe dealing with genocide in Cambodia ), gave a biological explanation, a sociologist's insight, and a French Philosopher's input revealing that the face exceeded biological functions. In a face, ethics ( Aristotle's character ) are made visible; thus face is performative preventing assumption of biological determinism.
He then explored perception, where face had nothing to do with what we see, but rather, it dealt with the politics of sympathy ( Aristotle's pathos ). He continued with a parallel of Picasso's cubist painting of "Guernica" and connected it to the ceremonial/contractual act that bound viewers into the suffering of others. He concluded with camera as a realist mode, Darwin's other book about Face, expression, and emotion ( that differentiated humans from animals ), and how face is both a matter of impression management and a medium of expression. (wow!)
One day Lit class was cancelled because of miscommunication, so Prof. C invited the class to attend his colleague's lecture called "The Face in Pain: Suffering, Witnessing, Sympathy" by Charlie Veric ( who has/is completing a Ph.D. in [Asian] American Studies in one of the Ivy Leagues in the U.S., maybe Yale ).
It caught my attention kasi in the Philippines ( and perhaps other Asian countries ), the concept of "Face" (hiya?) is pervasive ( beyond the biological/physiological, can also be the literal focus of aesthetics etc. ). I think in a way (subconscious or not) his inspiration may have stemmed from this. We came in late but in general he talked about the discourse of "Face."
He analyzed a facial twitching of a character in a literary text ( maybe dealing with genocide in Cambodia ), gave a biological explanation, a sociologist's insight, and a French Philosopher's input revealing that the face exceeded biological functions. In a face, ethics ( Aristotle's character ) are made visible; thus face is performative preventing assumption of biological determinism.
He then explored perception, where face had nothing to do with what we see, but rather, it dealt with the politics of sympathy ( Aristotle's pathos ). He continued with a parallel of Picasso's cubist painting of "Guernica" and connected it to the ceremonial/contractual act that bound viewers into the suffering of others. He concluded with camera as a realist mode, Darwin's other book about Face, expression, and emotion ( that differentiated humans from animals ), and how face is both a matter of impression management and a medium of expression. (wow!)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Manila Internship: more than what one bargained for (w11)
Kamusta Readers,
Even though the swing of things was going, I was distracted by the fact that it'd be over soon. I thought I would just complete my internship, BUT Life has other plans.
In the office, I did Conference preparation errands for Secretary V: deposited Teachers' Club fees at Regitrar's; picked up brochure/flyers, folded brochure/flyers with inserts, recommended creating Gmail ( instead of Yahoo ) email account for the center, and emailed members et. al. about the conference on Teacher Empowerment ( to take place on Sept. 10th )
During ESL Practicum, I observed Director N's organic lesson plan. On Quick Speak Monday, she observed the predictability of the summary activity so she turned it into a critiquing/evaluating activity instead. On Wednesday was the mid-term. I took the test for fun ( to practice tactics for GRE Lit Test ), and also to study the validity of the test in relation to the curriculum ( so far the application is coherent ). On Friday, we watched an awesome independent film called "Ded Na Si Lolo" ( Grandfather's dead ); it made me cry and laugh. This film was also the prompt for students' upcoming Quick Speak and essay.
Freelance Tutoring is going well. Runner J told me about 3 opportunities he could investigate. We started dreaming and "counting the chicks before the eggs hatched." So I had to be the daydreaming party pooper, and remind him to finalize his thesis first ( keep on track ). Tutee B and I finished closed reading "Shinjuki Rush Hour" while discussing allusions, story arc, word nuances, Personal Response genre, etc. At the end of our session, he told me that he enjoyed the story because he laughed and understood it.
Even though the swing of things was going, I was distracted by the fact that it'd be over soon. I thought I would just complete my internship, BUT Life has other plans.
In the office, I did Conference preparation errands for Secretary V: deposited Teachers' Club fees at Regitrar's; picked up brochure/flyers, folded brochure/flyers with inserts, recommended creating Gmail ( instead of Yahoo ) email account for the center, and emailed members et. al. about the conference on Teacher Empowerment ( to take place on Sept. 10th )
During ESL Practicum, I observed Director N's organic lesson plan. On Quick Speak Monday, she observed the predictability of the summary activity so she turned it into a critiquing/evaluating activity instead. On Wednesday was the mid-term. I took the test for fun ( to practice tactics for GRE Lit Test ), and also to study the validity of the test in relation to the curriculum ( so far the application is coherent ). On Friday, we watched an awesome independent film called "Ded Na Si Lolo" ( Grandfather's dead ); it made me cry and laugh. This film was also the prompt for students' upcoming Quick Speak and essay.
Freelance Tutoring is going well. Runner J told me about 3 opportunities he could investigate. We started dreaming and "counting the chicks before the eggs hatched." So I had to be the daydreaming party pooper, and remind him to finalize his thesis first ( keep on track ). Tutee B and I finished closed reading "Shinjuki Rush Hour" while discussing allusions, story arc, word nuances, Personal Response genre, etc. At the end of our session, he told me that he enjoyed the story because he laughed and understood it.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Eat, eat, eat: a poor artist's diet
Mange Readers,
Why were poor artists romanticized? Naysayers would think them foolish believing that only worthwhile endeavors could put food in the table ( derived from a Cebuano idiom: "Can you eat it?" or "Can it feed you?" ), while some artists were content to make Art [ in spite of grumbling stomachs ] because Art fed their souls.
Perhaps, starving for Art can be fulfilling. In his memoir The Movable Feast, Ernest Hemmingway reflected on hunger's positive effects. When looking at a painting, hunger sharpened the viewer's perception. When writing stories, nuances of hunger could be manifested in the characters. According to Hungry Hemmingway, his characters were hungry for Life/love/fame/money/etc. ( conveying an urgency appealing to readers ).
As for me, I'm not making Art at the moment ( doing research instead ); I'm not starving; I'm not looking at paintings, but I am doing some writing [ not necessarily "stories" ]. My food budget is dwindling, and I'm just trying to find ways to stretch it until I get my refund ( Safety Deposit ) in 12 days. So one of the options I'm exploring is the poor artist's diet consisting of Bread and Butter.
Bread and Butter may be typical in Europe, But I'm in the Philippines so I have to make lots of adjustments. I would either buy sugar-free Wheat loaf Bread or Pandisal, and use spreads, such as Peanut Butter, Salad and Sandwich Mate, and Liver Spread. I'd drink Cereal To-Go, Instant 3in1 Coffee, juice, or Iced Tea ( all approximately $5, see below for actual pricing per serving[s] ).
1 serving each:
Oatmeal (PhP 7)
Cereal To-Go (PhP 4-5)
Instant 3-in-1 Coffee (PhP 5)
Instant Orange/Mango Juice w/ Pulp or Iced Tea (PhP 5)
Total: approximately $0.50
Several servings:
Peanut Butter (PhP 40)
Salad and Sandwich Mate (PhP 40)
Liver Spread (PhP 30)
Wheat Bread or Pandisal (PhP 50-70)
C2 Green Tea Drink (PhP 25) [ for GNC's SuperFoods Supreme ]
Total: approximately $5 ( excluding GNC's SuperFoods Supreme )
Sometimes the poor artist's diet is not appetizing, nonetheless it's enough until the major meal of the day OR just to get through the day ( Carpe Diem, how romantic! :). Never fret Readers, I'll always love food. The taste might not be present, but the nutrients are still there thanks to GNC's suppliments ( see below for cheat-cheat list )
Cheat-cheat ( 3 months supply ):
GNC's SuperFoods Supreme ( All Natural Fruit & Vegetable Blends providing 5 Grams of Dietary Fiber )
GNC's Ultra Mega Green Men's ( Omega Complex, Green Tea complex, Staminol, Multivitamin )
GNC's Omega-3 Soft Chews (Citrus Flavor)
Total: approximately $150
Oh memories, memories of food raining down, how satiating and fulfilling!
Why were poor artists romanticized? Naysayers would think them foolish believing that only worthwhile endeavors could put food in the table ( derived from a Cebuano idiom: "Can you eat it?" or "Can it feed you?" ), while some artists were content to make Art [ in spite of grumbling stomachs ] because Art fed their souls.
Perhaps, starving for Art can be fulfilling. In his memoir The Movable Feast, Ernest Hemmingway reflected on hunger's positive effects. When looking at a painting, hunger sharpened the viewer's perception. When writing stories, nuances of hunger could be manifested in the characters. According to Hungry Hemmingway, his characters were hungry for Life/love/fame/money/etc. ( conveying an urgency appealing to readers ).
As for me, I'm not making Art at the moment ( doing research instead ); I'm not starving; I'm not looking at paintings, but I am doing some writing [ not necessarily "stories" ]. My food budget is dwindling, and I'm just trying to find ways to stretch it until I get my refund ( Safety Deposit ) in 12 days. So one of the options I'm exploring is the poor artist's diet consisting of Bread and Butter.
Bread and Butter may be typical in Europe, But I'm in the Philippines so I have to make lots of adjustments. I would either buy sugar-free Wheat loaf Bread or Pandisal, and use spreads, such as Peanut Butter, Salad and Sandwich Mate, and Liver Spread. I'd drink Cereal To-Go, Instant 3in1 Coffee, juice, or Iced Tea ( all approximately $5, see below for actual pricing per serving[s] ).
1 serving each:
Oatmeal (PhP 7)
Cereal To-Go (PhP 4-5)
Instant 3-in-1 Coffee (PhP 5)
Instant Orange/Mango Juice w/ Pulp or Iced Tea (PhP 5)
Total: approximately $0.50
Several servings:
Peanut Butter (PhP 40)
Salad and Sandwich Mate (PhP 40)
Liver Spread (PhP 30)
Wheat Bread or Pandisal (PhP 50-70)
C2 Green Tea Drink (PhP 25) [ for GNC's SuperFoods Supreme ]
Total: approximately $5 ( excluding GNC's SuperFoods Supreme )
Sometimes the poor artist's diet is not appetizing, nonetheless it's enough until the major meal of the day OR just to get through the day ( Carpe Diem, how romantic! :). Never fret Readers, I'll always love food. The taste might not be present, but the nutrients are still there thanks to GNC's suppliments ( see below for cheat-cheat list )
Cheat-cheat ( 3 months supply ):
GNC's SuperFoods Supreme ( All Natural Fruit & Vegetable Blends providing 5 Grams of Dietary Fiber )
GNC's Ultra Mega Green Men's ( Omega Complex, Green Tea complex, Staminol, Multivitamin )
GNC's Omega-3 Soft Chews (Citrus Flavor)
Total: approximately $150
Oh memories, memories of food raining down, how satiating and fulfilling!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Freelance Tutoring: impromptu
What's Up Readers,
In a teaching/tutoring situation ( or maybe in life in general ), sometimes you have to throw out the lesson plan in the middle of a class/session and start all over again ( accommodating the student? nature of student-centered ). I was uber excited to try out an accelerated 6 weeks course on persuasive writing and rhetoric, but Tutee B had something else in mind.
After 3 sessions, I realized that Tutee B wasn't ready to move on out of the Ethos stage ( totally understandable, since many things about this approach is very foreign, especially co-learning [Paulo Freire] ). The approach I would be adapting would be "pressing issues" supplemented by lectures from his English 10 class and principles from Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle ( indirectly applied ).
In a teaching/tutoring situation ( or maybe in life in general ), sometimes you have to throw out the lesson plan in the middle of a class/session and start all over again ( accommodating the student? nature of student-centered ). I was uber excited to try out an accelerated 6 weeks course on persuasive writing and rhetoric, but Tutee B had something else in mind.
After 3 sessions, I realized that Tutee B wasn't ready to move on out of the Ethos stage ( totally understandable, since many things about this approach is very foreign, especially co-learning [Paulo Freire] ). The approach I would be adapting would be "pressing issues" supplemented by lectures from his English 10 class and principles from Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle ( indirectly applied ).
Some of his immediate concerns dealt with, summarizing, writing a personal response, outlining, and speech making. On the side, we did poetry and flash fiction reading for vocabulary build-up, pronunciation, interpretation, reading strategies, and application. For some reason, he was very curious about literary criticism, especially Marxism ( revealing his experience studying in Japan as an exchanged high school student, and his awareness of Russian Chess moves and strategies ). I told him I'd share my limited knowledge and tips from my GRE Lit review book as well.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Lecture: the Diva and Jose Rizal
Guess What Readers?
A Diva can exist in Academia. Don't mind my shallow definition of Diva, who is all about aura and attitude. Mind you, this Diva is smart as heck. After all, she did give a talk on Filipino National Hero, Jose Rizal. Before we get to her talk, let's discuss her Diva acts.
During her talk, the murmurings of the crowd got on her nerves, and she told them to be quiet. Only a drop of a pin could be heard. The 2nd time she told the crowd to be quiet, she told them to get out. Of course they stayed. During QandA a female student asked for clarification and she replied, "Hija (Daughter) that was the whole point!" ( implying that the female student didn't pay attention or was stupid ). Grabe, naman!
Maybe appearing like a Diva comes with the territory of being smart, passionate, and frustrated? Her lecture raised a question: "What does Jose Rizal mean to us ( and Filipino writers ) today?" Rizal's novels explored the socio-political realities of his times and painted a broad canvas of Philippines in transition from Medieval Spain and American colonialism. Literature to him was a discourse of power.
Rizal's novels, such as "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," unmasked the hypocracy of the so-called Western liberators ( with ulterior motives other than "democracy" and freedom ). His realist approach wasn't just following the fashion of the times nor was it stemming out of a vacuum. His work, which could be best understood through the theory of mimeosis?, also established the "Rizalian tradition" of: going abroad, returning to the homeland, and doing good acts for the people, wherein EDUCATION as his legacy ( such as cultural literacy ) can play a pivotal role in liberty, fraternity, and the pursuit of happiness ( quality of life ).
She concluded that Jose Rizal's broad appeal and general background in interdisciplinary studies made him an inspiring Renaissance man and role model, who couldn't be pinned down or limited. The timelessness of his literary works can still reach out and touch various generations on an emotional, imaginative, intellectual, et. al. levels. He's a National Hero because he sacrificed his life in service of others, so they may live better lives.
A Diva can exist in Academia. Don't mind my shallow definition of Diva, who is all about aura and attitude. Mind you, this Diva is smart as heck. After all, she did give a talk on Filipino National Hero, Jose Rizal. Before we get to her talk, let's discuss her Diva acts.
During her talk, the murmurings of the crowd got on her nerves, and she told them to be quiet. Only a drop of a pin could be heard. The 2nd time she told the crowd to be quiet, she told them to get out. Of course they stayed. During QandA a female student asked for clarification and she replied, "Hija (Daughter) that was the whole point!" ( implying that the female student didn't pay attention or was stupid ). Grabe, naman!
Maybe appearing like a Diva comes with the territory of being smart, passionate, and frustrated? Her lecture raised a question: "What does Jose Rizal mean to us ( and Filipino writers ) today?" Rizal's novels explored the socio-political realities of his times and painted a broad canvas of Philippines in transition from Medieval Spain and American colonialism. Literature to him was a discourse of power.
Rizal's novels, such as "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," unmasked the hypocracy of the so-called Western liberators ( with ulterior motives other than "democracy" and freedom ). His realist approach wasn't just following the fashion of the times nor was it stemming out of a vacuum. His work, which could be best understood through the theory of mimeosis?, also established the "Rizalian tradition" of: going abroad, returning to the homeland, and doing good acts for the people, wherein EDUCATION as his legacy ( such as cultural literacy ) can play a pivotal role in liberty, fraternity, and the pursuit of happiness ( quality of life ).
She concluded that Jose Rizal's broad appeal and general background in interdisciplinary studies made him an inspiring Renaissance man and role model, who couldn't be pinned down or limited. The timelessness of his literary works can still reach out and touch various generations on an emotional, imaginative, intellectual, et. al. levels. He's a National Hero because he sacrificed his life in service of others, so they may live better lives.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Manila Internship: swing of things (w10)
Good day Readers,
In spite of the short week ( due to the bagyo and holiday ) this week's activities just fell into the swing of things: ESL Practicum, and updates in Administrative professionalism and mini-projects.
During ESL Practicum, we reviewed parallelism and the use of various transitional devices, such as coordinates et. al.. I worked with Students B and B, whose definition of working together/team work was completing the task on one's own and only asking for help if the solution/answer was elusive. Students started exploring "arguments" by sharing their stance about the "Journey through the Wasteland" article.
Director N came back from the conference in South Korea. They accomplished their mission bidding for the Asia TEFL Conference location to take place in Manila, Philippines in 2013. On a low note, she shared news that the Philippines Department of Education might be abandoning the UbD practice as the standard for secondary education curriculum design ( which would be horrible since UbD hadn't taken root yet and it would be difficult to evaluate such a program without substantial data, diba? ).
Several projects are on-going in the office. As for the Book Project, contracts were signed. Also during the meeting, they discussed several issues: royalty, publication and its market, relevance and 'dated-ness' ( timelessness/ article's shelf life ), new deadlines, revisions ( intros/chapter updates ), layout, and contributors' bio. In the Library Project, call numbers were updated, and in the Conference Project, Secretary V prepared Conference Flyers/Brochures.
In spite of the short week ( due to the bagyo and holiday ) this week's activities just fell into the swing of things: ESL Practicum, and updates in Administrative professionalism and mini-projects.
During ESL Practicum, we reviewed parallelism and the use of various transitional devices, such as coordinates et. al.. I worked with Students B and B, whose definition of working together/team work was completing the task on one's own and only asking for help if the solution/answer was elusive. Students started exploring "arguments" by sharing their stance about the "Journey through the Wasteland" article.
Director N came back from the conference in South Korea. They accomplished their mission bidding for the Asia TEFL Conference location to take place in Manila, Philippines in 2013. On a low note, she shared news that the Philippines Department of Education might be abandoning the UbD practice as the standard for secondary education curriculum design ( which would be horrible since UbD hadn't taken root yet and it would be difficult to evaluate such a program without substantial data, diba? ).
Several projects are on-going in the office. As for the Book Project, contracts were signed. Also during the meeting, they discussed several issues: royalty, publication and its market, relevance and 'dated-ness' ( timelessness/ article's shelf life ), new deadlines, revisions ( intros/chapter updates ), layout, and contributors' bio. In the Library Project, call numbers were updated, and in the Conference Project, Secretary V prepared Conference Flyers/Brochures.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Random? Irony in the Philippines (Politics)
Namaste Readers,
With a Fil-Am status, speaking up is like being a Cassandra OR the boy who cried wolf for the 3rd time. It's comforting to hear 10,000% Filipino nationalists speak of the ironies in the country.
For example, Tutee B pointed out how English is more common than Tagalog ( part of this might deal with personal regional resentment ). Tagalog is the main dialect of Luzon; however there are more Visayan-speaking Filipinos in both the Visaya and Mindanao regions. But since the capital and center of the Philippines is in Luzon, then Tagalog became the default. In a way, for spite, a foreign language may be more favorable than the dialect of the perceived nemesis.
Tutee B also highlighted how Filipinos are more suspicious of their fellow countrymen instead of foreigners. Runner J added how Filipinos have selective hearing. One would get a better response if one were to speak in English instead of Tagalog, especially in institutions in power.
According to Director N's husband, a majority of the Filipino people can easily forget public politics, such as the heinous crimes of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose lively lineage is fighting for his hero's burial. Meanwhile, Filipino families will hold onto personal grudges for generations.
Being monopolized by a Filipino is better than being monopolized by a foreigner, such as the pervasive SM (Shoe Mart) corporation. This multibillion Chinese company started out with a man's noble dream of ensuring that every Filipino men, women, and children can afford a pair of shoes ( says the current TV commercial ).
But knowledge of SM's development can show a different picture. Runner J stated that SM's rise was aided by the Marcos Administration. They were able to garner huge real estate for the cost of nothing with tax-free benefits to last at least 10 years. SM has branched out into different services: supermarkets, residential buildings, loaning banks for small businesses etc. Student A revealed that SM's current goal is to establish a SM Mall for every 1 hour's worth of distance.
To be fair, SM does develop the land, and they provide safety and convenience for shoppers ( c'est moi ). On the other hand, the meteoric rise of SM mostly encourages consumerism instead of production: reliance on foreign goods ( expensive imports, such rice from Thailand and Vietnam ) instead of natural resources ( self-sustaining exports, such as rice when Philippines had mostly an agrarian economy ). But if people aren't aware of abused of power and monopoly, and don't learn from history ( forgets history ), then history is bound to repeat itself, diba?
With a Fil-Am status, speaking up is like being a Cassandra OR the boy who cried wolf for the 3rd time. It's comforting to hear 10,000% Filipino nationalists speak of the ironies in the country.
For example, Tutee B pointed out how English is more common than Tagalog ( part of this might deal with personal regional resentment ). Tagalog is the main dialect of Luzon; however there are more Visayan-speaking Filipinos in both the Visaya and Mindanao regions. But since the capital and center of the Philippines is in Luzon, then Tagalog became the default. In a way, for spite, a foreign language may be more favorable than the dialect of the perceived nemesis.
Tutee B also highlighted how Filipinos are more suspicious of their fellow countrymen instead of foreigners. Runner J added how Filipinos have selective hearing. One would get a better response if one were to speak in English instead of Tagalog, especially in institutions in power.
According to Director N's husband, a majority of the Filipino people can easily forget public politics, such as the heinous crimes of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose lively lineage is fighting for his hero's burial. Meanwhile, Filipino families will hold onto personal grudges for generations.
Being monopolized by a Filipino is better than being monopolized by a foreigner, such as the pervasive SM (Shoe Mart) corporation. This multibillion Chinese company started out with a man's noble dream of ensuring that every Filipino men, women, and children can afford a pair of shoes ( says the current TV commercial ).
But knowledge of SM's development can show a different picture. Runner J stated that SM's rise was aided by the Marcos Administration. They were able to garner huge real estate for the cost of nothing with tax-free benefits to last at least 10 years. SM has branched out into different services: supermarkets, residential buildings, loaning banks for small businesses etc. Student A revealed that SM's current goal is to establish a SM Mall for every 1 hour's worth of distance.
To be fair, SM does develop the land, and they provide safety and convenience for shoppers ( c'est moi ). On the other hand, the meteoric rise of SM mostly encourages consumerism instead of production: reliance on foreign goods ( expensive imports, such rice from Thailand and Vietnam ) instead of natural resources ( self-sustaining exports, such as rice when Philippines had mostly an agrarian economy ). But if people aren't aware of abused of power and monopoly, and don't learn from history ( forgets history ), then history is bound to repeat itself, diba?
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