Top Ten

This week, I have been putting off the blog every time it enters my mind, as I cannot seem to find anything to blog about.  Desperately, I decided to Google a blog idea, and eventually I came across a website called Listverse.  This site displays numerous "top 10" lists regarding topics which I did not even think a list could be made. For example, I found a "Top 10 Steps to a Top 10 List" and "Top 10 People Who Vanished in AirPlanes."  As I sat down an started to search this website, a list called "20 Examples of Why You Should Enjoy Poetry" popped up, an I couldn't help but read it.  Each example is a poem or an excerpt from a poem, that the author of this list deems an excellant choice for persuading people to read poetry.  #18 is even "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams!  However, and although I have limited knowledge regarding vast amounts of poetry, the majority of this list does not encourage me to read these poems and enjoy them.  So,  although I spent 30 minutes looking at useless lists, such as the "Top 10 Bizarre Things Cars Have Been Covered With,"  I condemn myself as I do not have the desire to read a few poems that some person believes are some of the best.

http://listverse.com/2008/03/26/20-examples-of-why-you-should-enjoy-poetry/

Aladdin: Misconceptions and Stereotypes

The other day, I was pleased to find Aladdin on TV and sat back to watch the nostalgic Disney movie.  However, as the film progressed, I found myself shocked by the obvious stereotypes and orientalist connotations the movie displayed.  I guess I had never noticed this due to my limited knowledge on the topic, but learning more about the Middle Eastern culture in Arabic class helped me notice everything wrong with Aladdin.  First of all, the movie makers must have not known the difference between the Middle East and India.  The desert background and the song Arabian Nights makes it clear that the story takes place in some Middle Eastern country.  However, Jasmine's palace clearly resembles the Taj Mahal, and her pet tiger and a plentiful amount of elephants, animals that were never native to the Middle East, make many appearances in the film.  The movie makers also clearly stereotyped the marriage customs and treatment of women of Muslims and the Middle East.  Jasmine complains to her father, as she longs to be free of her imprisonment in their castle.  She seems trapped until she finally approves of one of the multiple suitors who come to marry her.  One last scene that struck me was after Jasmine fed a homeless child.  She takes an apple off some man's cart without paying, and he grabs her hand, holds up a knife, and threatens to cut off her hand: "Do you know what the penalty is for stealing?" Although this law does somewhat exist, and is frightening to think about, this is an extreme misrepresentation.  The only country with this law, Saudi Arabia, does not cut off thief's hand unless they can prove that the thief stole for the sole purpose of stealing.  In almost every case, someone who steals has a driving force other than just stealing, as did Jasmine (to feed a hungry child), so Disney once again stereotypes the Middle East as barbaric.  Overall, I still love Aladdin and will still watch it whenever I get the chance, but discovering these mistakes by the movie makers makes me realize how my perception has changed through the years.

Protests in the Middle East

My sister, a Grad student studying Middle Eastern studies and Arabic, has drilled the idea into my mind that the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa are extremely historical and significant today.  My own interest has lead to research and an addiction to various news websites and nightly readings of what happened that day.  Because of the history being made and the importance these events have on our country as well as their own, I've decided to give a brief summary of what is happening in the revolting countries at this point.

Bahrain: The majority of Bahraini people are Shiite-Muslim, but the ruling government consists of Sunni-Muslims, which creates an obvious divide between the government and the people.  Demonstrations by the people have led to violent crackdowns in the country's capital, but people are reluctant to give up.  

Egypt: January 25th, 2011 will be forever known as the day that protests began in Egypt's now famous Tahrir Square.  The Egyptians demanded the removal of their ruler, Hosni Mubarak, who was in power for three decades.  Unemployment and the awful Emergency Law, which says any person can be arrested without a reason, were also driving forces of the demonstrations. Finally, Mubarak resigned, but Egyptians are uneasy due to little improvements in the regime.

Libya: Protests against leader Moammar Gaddafi have caused extreme violence and hundreds to thousands of deaths.  Gaddafi's threatening and harsh speeches and the large amount of corruption in this country have enhanced his people's anger, as pro-democracy rebels continue to take control of many regions in Libya.  

Tunisia: Unrest in this North African country due to unemployment and corruption caused demonstrations.  Unlike the other leaders, president Ben Ali fled from his country in January, and the Prime Minister, Ghannouchi, resigned as he finally listened to protester's demands. 

Other countries experiencing historical demonstrations and protests include Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, and Yemen.  I encourage students to keep up to date with the current events surrounding these Middle Eastern countries, as the United State's relations with the region are of extreme importance and the countries' steps to democracy will be momentous and significant from now on.   

Cool College Courses

Throughout the year, I have received numerous pamphlets, postcards, letters, and fliers from various colleges.  Some I have never heard of, and others are ones that I wish to attend, but the never-ending waste of paper has made me excited for the next four years.  As I apply to colleges and make big decisions, I spend a lot of time leaving through course catalogues.  Here are a few of the most interesting and humorous classes I have come across:

1. The American Vacation: University of Iowa offers this intriguing class, which discusses how American families of various backgrounds plan their vacations.  

2. Maple Syrup: The Real Thing: This course, available at Alfred University, reviews the production of maple syrup and it's significance in our culture today.

3. Joy of Garbage: UC Berkley offers this strange sounding course, which teaches students how to manage their garbage and encourages recycling.

4. Underwater Basket Weaving: This course stays true to its name, as students learn to weave baskets underwater at Reed College.

5. Tree Climbing: At Cornell, students can take this nostalgic class in order to learn to climb trees.

6. Finding Dates Worth Keeping: University of Sioux Falls offers this strange class for students who cannot seem to find the perfect match.

7. How to Watch Television: Seemingly a pretty easy task, students still take this course at Montclair in order to learn how to watch TV.

8. The Art of Walking: We learn to walk at quite a young age, but students at Centre College learn how to walk in a healthier manner.

9. Street-Fighting Mathematics:  Students learn the mathematical aspects of street-fighting when they sign up for this course offered at MIT.

10. Age of Piracy: Students from Arizona State can now learn the art and history of piracy.

I hope that in college, I have time to take an enjoyable class that will most likely teach me about something I never thought I would know so much about!

Would You Rather?

I'd rather write a data sheet.

Fruit!

Prickly Pear

Mango

Persimmon

The past couple of weeks I have been having a particular craving for fruit.  All this thinking about fruit has made me think about the different types I have have had in my life, other than the classic apples or oranges.  My personal favorite is the prickly pear.  My dad has to make special trips out to the west side of Cleveland to satisfy my cravings for this bright, reddish-pink, seedy and sweet fruit that I wait all year for to be in season.  Another favorite of mine is the mango, a more well-known fruit that tastes delicious off the pit, in a smoothie, or frozen.  A fruit that may be less common, that I love , is the persimmon.  Although it makes my tongue feel rough, the juicy, orange and tasty fruit remains at the top of my list.  The pomegranate, another foreign fruit, tastes delicious to eat with a spoon or in the delicious breakfast dish my dad makes on Sunday mornings.  Thinking of my favorite fruits makes me so thankful for the healthy and scrumptious treats.

Pomegranate

Travel

I have always played with the idea of having endless money and traveling to unique, exotic places as an adult.  When I was very young, my family and I took great vacations to far away places, but unfortunately I don't even remember where I have been, and now that my sisters have moved, family vacations are rare.  My "bucket list" of countries continually grows, but the other day I asked my self what top five countries I would visit.  If I could only travel to five countries on my "bucket list," which ones would I pick and why? After hard deliberation and much research, I have compiled a list:

1. Syria: Obviously my number one country for many reasons.  My 50% Syrian heritage, and my dad's childhood in Syria makes me so hopeful to visit this extraordinary country, as I would love to visit the apartment building he lived in and his favorite places to spend time. My sister lived in Syria for a year and loved every minute of it, and of all my 50 cousins, aunts and uncles, the 5 I have never met live here.  My growing interest in Arabic also makes it obvious that I should vacation to this historically rich country.  

2. UAE: Although it seems I add this to my list to see the amazing Dubai and Abu Dhabi, full of majestic malls and over-the-top tourist attractions, and I would be lying if I said that wasn't the reason, I also would love to embrace the mixed cultures of the UAE.  My sister plans to move here in the summer and she has told me about her fascinating experiences in the two big cities.  She told me that although it seems like Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be fake, due to the multitude of immigrants from around the world, she reassured me that each culture that settles in the UAE seems proud and strong to make it's heritage prevail.

3. Spain: After 7 years of studying Spanish, I wish to visit this culturally diverse country.  Known for it's Latin, Roman Catholic, and Islamic inspirations, Spain would be a perfect vacation and a great place to study ancient history, as well as improve my Spanish.  Not only would I enjoy shopping in Barcelona, but visiting the Cathedral of Seville for it's unique antiquity and architecture seems like a great way to spend a vacation.  

4. Morocco: I wish to visit this ethnically diverse, African country for many reasons.  I would love to see it's two prevalent Spanish and Arabic cultures, as both languages and histories greatly interest me.  Moroccan cuisine is also famous for it's Middle Eastern, Spanish, African, Berber and Portuguese roots, which makes it considered very diverse and unique compared to most other cuisines around the world.  Overall, Morocco's strong Arabic culture mixed with Spanish and other cultures makes for a wonderful country and a place I cannot wait to visit.   

5. Greece: I hate to say it, but after reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in seventh grade, I knew that I wanted to travel to this Mediterranean and historic country.  Although Greece has a culture and language I hardly know anything about, pictures of this ancient country always make me long to travel here.  The pride of Greeks and their enriching culture leads to my desire to visit the beautiful and enticing country.

I hope that someday I will be able to travel to these exotic countries.  Although I have many more on my "bucket list," I am now confident of which countries are most important for me to visit in my mind.  Hopefully I will be graced with the opportunity to travel to these unfamiliar countries in the future.