It was interesting to use the lenses we use to interpret books to interpret the things we carry. I mean, the artifacts I transport. It's hard to use some of the lenses we have studied other than the feminist and transcendentalism. I have applied most of my items to a feminist lens. This is probably because I defy the typical female image. I never noticed before that by having my PSP, I change people's images of a female. They realize that boys aren't the only ones who are interested in video games. I also hadn't thought about the perspective of someone like Freud, who would analyze my hair and think that I am copying a male. I really saw that the older generation of people in our society see the items in my life much differently. They would find my sarcasm and apathy a bit annoying, especially because they can't tell when I'm kidding or not. Since they worked harder, they would also hate how apathetic I am to the situations I'm in. However, my peers would think this is relatively normal, so it shows that the rest of society is becoming more and more sarcastic. Maybe people aren't as apathetic as me, but it's more "accepted," in a way.
I tried to use different lens, such as those of archaeologists and artists to interpret my items. I even included how a mother would see some of these items, such as my wallet. We can't use only the lenses we discussed in class to interpret the world around us. The world and people in it are not nearly as simple as the characters and plots found in novels. That's why I think that although I tried to interpret deeply, I can't put simple reasons for carrying certain items. The world is a large, complex thing and it can't really be carried. So I think it's pretty hard to use our trusty lenses to interpret it completely. However, I think we can break the world into little parts and try to understand it.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Friends
Okay, so this one's a given. And again, it's pretty cheesy. But it's true, so I can't deny that this is a thing I carry. I'm not the type of person to be friends with everyone I meet. I would say that I only have a small group of close friends, and then a larger group of acquaintances who would be willing to help me if I needed help. I don't just carry them along in the halls, I also (sap alert) carry them in my heart. When I'm in a place with unfamiliar people, I think of my friends and do what they would do. It helps to think of them, and they really put my mind to ease. I love them.
I have a variety of friends. Even though I came from Pakistan, I don't have many Pakistani friends. I can think of only two really close ones. To some people, race means alot. However, I have many Asian, Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian friends. I read in a study once that more than 90% of interracial friendships end by the time a kid is 14. My first reaction was, "Interracial friendship? They got a name for that?" My second thought was that this was utter bull. I hardly have friends that are the same race as me. And I really don't like my friendships being labeled as "interracial." I've found that this study is partially true, however, because I've noticed that many Asians prefer to be with Asians and Hispanics only like talking to one another. Through a socialist's perspective, like the one who did that one study, my friendships are impressive since they break through the walls of race. Through a teenager's lens, however, my friendships aren't anything new. The younger generation is more accepting of what is called an "interracial friendship."
I have a variety of friends. Even though I came from Pakistan, I don't have many Pakistani friends. I can think of only two really close ones. To some people, race means alot. However, I have many Asian, Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian friends. I read in a study once that more than 90% of interracial friendships end by the time a kid is 14. My first reaction was, "Interracial friendship? They got a name for that?" My second thought was that this was utter bull. I hardly have friends that are the same race as me. And I really don't like my friendships being labeled as "interracial." I've found that this study is partially true, however, because I've noticed that many Asians prefer to be with Asians and Hispanics only like talking to one another. Through a socialist's perspective, like the one who did that one study, my friendships are impressive since they break through the walls of race. Through a teenager's lens, however, my friendships aren't anything new. The younger generation is more accepting of what is called an "interracial friendship."
Wallet.
Most girls my age like purses. Me, however, I'd rather have a wallet. I have bigger pockets, so it fits fine. I keep all my cards, including my permit and a gift card I just got in there. I also have some money in case I quickly need it or whatever. I keep it in my back packet like a guy. The wallet itself, however, is pretty unisex so it doesn't matter. I think my wallet would really be complete if I only had my driver's license by now...
From a mother's perspective, this is strange. Girls tend to enjoy buying purses these days. My older sister has one and my younger sisters keep asking for one. They annoy my mother constantly, asking to get one. She thinks they should get one when they're older, like my age. However, I don't care about those things. A simple wallet is enough for me. This is nothing new for my mother, however, who has been dealing with my boyish tendencies since forever.
From a mother's perspective, this is strange. Girls tend to enjoy buying purses these days. My older sister has one and my younger sisters keep asking for one. They annoy my mother constantly, asking to get one. She thinks they should get one when they're older, like my age. However, I don't care about those things. A simple wallet is enough for me. This is nothing new for my mother, however, who has been dealing with my boyish tendencies since forever.
Backpack.
Yeah, that's right. I carry a backpack! It's black and white with designs of some DJ guy. i just thought it was cool, okay? I got it from some random place, but I like it alot. It's annoying, though that some other kids have this same backpack. I wasn't trying to be original with this backpack, but I don't like seeing that I am not original either. Still, people have come to know this backpack as "mine." I have a keyblade chain, which is a weapon from a video game I like, stuck on the side of it. That's about the only difference, though you may see a water bottle on the side and if you looked inside, this backpack could be no one else's. It has more loose papers that you've seen your entire life. Or at least, you'd be surprised that a studious...student like me has such a messy backpack. I have folders and notebooks, but I just shove these other papers in carelessly too.
If a teacher found this backpack, he or she may not guess that it is the backpack of an honor student. S/he may judge the design and think the backpack belongs to someone who loves music, but doesn't care too much about school. If the teacher looked inside, he or she would be surprised to find two calculators that I need for chemistry and calculus. They would also find notebooks and folders that indicate I care about schoolwork, but they would also find a mess. A teacher may conclude that I am a good student, but I may be a little careless and lazy. And I agree.
If a teacher found this backpack, he or she may not guess that it is the backpack of an honor student. S/he may judge the design and think the backpack belongs to someone who loves music, but doesn't care too much about school. If the teacher looked inside, he or she would be surprised to find two calculators that I need for chemistry and calculus. They would also find notebooks and folders that indicate I care about schoolwork, but they would also find a mess. A teacher may conclude that I am a good student, but I may be a little careless and lazy. And I agree.
My Cellphone...duhh
How cliche. But anyway, I just got this phone this year. I was feeling left out for not having one since kids eight years younger than me did. Plus, I had a very hard time contacting people. Although it's prepaid and I do not have unlimited texting, I use texting whenever I have the need. I don't have the QWERTY keyboard, which means I text very slowly and don't enjoy it very much. I'm not constantly on the phone, so I don't have to worry about school policies. In fact, I keep my phone off for most of the school day and use it after school. My phone is, however, my own. My background is of Final Fantasy XIII, which is a video game I have been waiting to play for almost four years. As soon as I get a memory stick, I hope to add music and my own ringtones also. My phone is red and black, which happen to be my favorite colors. As soon as I can find one, I really want a phone charm, too.
From a technological lens, a person can tell that I do not have the best technology that is offered right now. Blackberries, iPhones, and phones with full keyboards and internet access would be regarded highly. Maybe an archaeologist would assume, if looking back on this, that I was not as interested in communication as my peers. He or she can, however, tell that I like video games and black and red. He or she may also see the pictures of my friends that I keep so that when one of them calls, their picture shows up.
From a technological lens, a person can tell that I do not have the best technology that is offered right now. Blackberries, iPhones, and phones with full keyboards and internet access would be regarded highly. Maybe an archaeologist would assume, if looking back on this, that I was not as interested in communication as my peers. He or she can, however, tell that I like video games and black and red. He or she may also see the pictures of my friends that I keep so that when one of them calls, their picture shows up.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Apathy
I get many comments like "You're so chill. Nothing ever bothers you." I'm known for being mellow and apathetic. Its not to say that I can see African children starving and dying without feeling bad for them, but I tend not to care about the small stuff. I don't care too much for vengeance or getting back at someone. One of my most recent displays of apathy is how I thought The Things They Carried was pretty boring. This made a friend of mine mad, because she thought it was such a sad and emotion-filled novel. She thought I was being heartless by saying it did nothing for me. I tried to think of a part that made me think and feel, but all I remember is that it was boring and I read it trudgingly.
Through the lens of an older generation, I would be a little down upon because they would think I should have something to care about. Not to say that I am selfish or anything, but they would think that I should care about the well-being of others sometimes. The truth is, however, that I do not really care much for anything, including myself. Some people like to raise themselves above others, or get back at someone for something. I let things like that slide. My apathy could be viewed negatively by an older generation, but it may have its good sides too. It's a pretty neutral thing I carry.
Through the lens of an older generation, I would be a little down upon because they would think I should have something to care about. Not to say that I am selfish or anything, but they would think that I should care about the well-being of others sometimes. The truth is, however, that I do not really care much for anything, including myself. Some people like to raise themselves above others, or get back at someone for something. I let things like that slide. My apathy could be viewed negatively by an older generation, but it may have its good sides too. It's a pretty neutral thing I carry.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sarcasm
If I say "good job," there is about a 50% chance that you actually didn't do a good job. In fact, you probably did a bad job. Sarcasm is one of my defining attributes, and I carry it with me all the time. I'm especially sarcastic with my family, although my parents have a hard time telling the difference between my sarcastic tone and my normal one. I think it's a teenager's thing to be sarcastic all the time, and that's why my parents don't understand it. It's also because I speak to them in English, which they only understand literally. Once my dad asked if I failed any classes last quarter. Knowing that it's almost impossible for me to "fail" any classes since school is important to me, I sarcastically replied, "Oh yeah. I failed a bunch. Sorry!" At that point, I realized he was getting angry and actually believed that I failed my classes, so I cleared up the misunderstanding and explained that I was "kidding" and I was "being sarcastic." He wasn't satisfied until I showed him my report card, though. Remind me not to do that again.
From an older person's perspective, sarcasm would be a sign of rudeness. Older people tend to take things more literally, so they are offending when someone is joking, even if they are only being sarcastic. For people my age, this manner of speaking is quite normal. In fact, a teenager with absolutely no sarcasm is hard to find. It's just a part of our culture.
From an older person's perspective, sarcasm would be a sign of rudeness. Older people tend to take things more literally, so they are offending when someone is joking, even if they are only being sarcastic. For people my age, this manner of speaking is quite normal. In fact, a teenager with absolutely no sarcasm is hard to find. It's just a part of our culture.
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