A Six Week Recap = ]

Since this is the final blog of this marking period, that is being graded anyway, I would like to comment on all three books that I have read within the last six weeks.

First, The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal was a very interesting novel on the subject of Wiesenthal’s horrifying experience in the Holocaust. He is confronted with a life altering decision of forgiveness. Similarly, the issue of forgiveness is relevant in today’s society because people constantly make mistakes which require forgiveness. Whether or not a person forgives is entirely up to them and the circumstances of the situation. This book not only was an unforgettable tale but also it was series of interesting responses to the story. The responses in the book were filled with supportive statements and negative feedback. Overall, I would recommend this book in total to anyone who is interested in the Holocaust or just about life decisions.

The second book I read was The Tortilla Curtain, by T.C Boyle. This book was a page turner as you journeyed with Candido and his wife America across the border into California. Yet the book only begins to get exciting when his “life” crashes into an upper-class white man’s car. From then on, both lives are intertwined until the final scene where even the most hateful thoughts for a person could be put a side. This book has tremendous relevance to the present day because illegal Mexican immigration is still a major issue. The final project I am going to complete is a research essay on Mexican immigration – which will include all the facts one needs to be savvy in this area. I recommend this book to students who enjoy reading. Although the book is a little long, it is a page turner so do not worry!

The final novel I will comment on is Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This is a unique novel that entwines recipes and cooking into the daily life of the protagonist Tita. This is an original writing structure that I was impressed with. Not only did the recipes begin each chapter, but also they were woven into the chapter’s events. This book is an original but can be considered similar to some classics that we have read. The piece writing I am finishing at the moment is a further analysis of this book compared to Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Both have many similarities but I am not going into detail otherwise it will ruin the essay. I recommend this book to girls who want to read a very good novel that has an ending you will NEVER expect.

The next blogs on my readings will commence at the beginning of the final marking period. Till then I hope you enjoy my future blogs about topics that interest me.

Food Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Immediately after reading page one of Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, I could rest into the book was completed. The storyline creates the readers never-ending hate for Tita’s mother, Mama Elena, and the long-lasting love for Tita herself. Essentially, the feelings one has after reading the book can be compared to the feelings one has when they watch a movie; the constant roller coaster of emotions as one learns that Tita the tragic hero of the novel must perish in the end. The aggression is created from the tradition that the La De Garza family has in place; the fact that the youngest daughter must stay to tend to her mother and can not marry is UNBELIEVABLE! This tradition disturbs me greatly. How can a mother deprive her daughter of marriage? Of having children? If any family actually abides by this tradition they are very cruel people. Each female has the same right to marry as the next; it is up to the daughter and her relationship to her mother which decides whether or not she tends to her mother when she is dying. Seriously, what was Mama Elena’s issue with Tita?

On a different note, let’s discuss a component of the novel that is also very interesting: the theme choice. The themes of passion and deception are woven throughout the novel. Pedro and Tita are in deep love but they are forbidden to be together. Is this not like Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare just in Mexico? “Two star crossed lovers” who can not share their ever lasting love! Not only does the passion have similar parallels, but also the outcome could have been nothing different. Pedro had to die and Tita had to commit suicide to be with him; this is different of the legendary romance but is strangely related. Other themes of the novel include: friendship, betrayal and risk. But the overall theme that engulfs the entire novel is cooking. Recipes flow in and out of the chapters; they are part of Tita’s life and Esperenza’s. Cooking was the only escape Tita had to ride herself of the negative air her mother had about her. When the fire of the stove was snuffed out, so was Tita’s life.

Little did I know they made this book into a movie. According to the website Rotten Tomatoes many people enjoyed the film. There is both positive and negative feedback of the film. I am interested in seeing the movie and how it parallels to the book. One of scenes that sadden the heart is the wedding of Pedro and Tita's Sister. One knows how sad Tita is when she sees them walk down the aisle. It is a touching scene, and so I added it to this week's blog.

I am debating about writing a research paper on the subject of Mexican immigration in America – this theme stems from the previous novel I read, The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle or possibly writing an analysis of this book. The topic I would write about is vague right now so I will have to think.

Life On A Differnt Planet

I regret to inform you that this week’s blog relates nothing to my independent projects that I am so feverishly working on. Instead, I have decided to discuss the ever popular question: Is there life on any other planet or moon besides the earth? This is a controversial topic in the astronomical science field and is discussed frequently. So is there life on mars? Scientists have deemed it possible. Recently, there was an article published on MSNBC regarding a newly taken photograph from one of NASA’s rovers that patrol the terrain on Mars. In a portion of one of the pictures one can see a shadowy figure or life form. Can this be real? There has been evidence to prove that there are the elements available on Mars to possibly procure a life form or at least support it.


Similarly, I recently discovered an article discussing whether or not Saturn’s moon contained life or not. This article struck my eye; typically, extraterrestrial life is thought to be on Mars of all planets, and Saturn is unique. Enceladus is one of Saturn's moons. The first inkling NASA had to life being on Saturn is due to the ice polar cap in the south. There is a ice water geyser that is going to explode so an orbiter is going to do a fly by – this is the closest encounter to the moon we have ever had before. This is the second time though the US has seen the geyser on Saturn before. Scientists are depending on this orbit to collect water vapor; this will be used to further understand the composition of the terrain of Saturn. There is a possibility that micro biotic organisms could be living on this planet. The following article from TIME further analyzes Saturn and NASA’s plan to uncover the truth.
Personally, I would be awed if life was found on any other planet but our own. Not only will that be the greatest discovery since light but also it will change the world dramatically. Think about it. Is it possible that life can survive on Mars? On Saturn? Yet, I do not believe that aliens or extraterrestrial beings exist. Those are creations of our imaginations; they are not real, but I don’t doubt that organisms can be living on these two planets.

[ For all of those interested in what I am reading next for my independent projects, I am beginning to read For Water Like Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. I am really excited to read this novel, because many students have recommended it.]

Living the American Dream

Throughout my high school career, I have discussed the theme of The American Dream in many of my classes. The American Dream is known to be the thought of prosperity in a new land and a different life - America is known to be the land of hope. Many pieces of literature contain this theme when the characters are struggling to survive or they are in search of a better life in America. For example, the very famous Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is about struggling family of sharecroppers who journey across America to California in hopes of creating a better life for themselves. Similarly, The Tortilla Curtain features a Mexican couple who cross the Mexican/American border in hopes of finding a steady work so they can provide for their unborn baby. This theme is prevalent throughout both novels and is even important in our present day society. There are increasing amounts of illegal Mexicans who enter America searching for a job, an education, and a home. But the amount of immigrants has become astronomical - millions of people are unemployed to begin with - having millions more is ridiculous and poor for our economy.

I have researched the American dream and came across interesting stories about immigrants who have been cheated out of obtaining the American dream. The following link is to a video which contains a touching story of a woman who just wanted to provide for her children; she wanted to buy a home, but she was deceived by her boyfriend and a friend in the mortgage industry and is now in debt. All Isabel Frias wanted to do was provide a home for her children - instead her American Dream became an American Nightmare. Another video I have found on the CNN website outlines the views of the American people concerning the American Dream and its ties to the Bush Administration. The majority of the people in America believe the American dream is a lost cause; there is a slim chance one will achieve it. This video on real truth about the American Dream contains percentages of people and seems to be very accurate.

I personally think the American Dream is attainable to a certain degree. There is a scale of success fullness and what benefits one can reap from obtaining that status. For example, for me the American Dream is "reaching the top of the mountain" and being nothing short of successful [having a high income and being able to afford the constant luxuries life has to offer]. If I can obtain that status I will have captured the American Dream. For others such as Isabel Frias, the American Dream is much simpler: all she wants is to be able to afford a home for her children to grow up in, not to mention a steady, well paying job. For some, the American Dream may be to be able to live off the streets. There are many degrees and that is where the breakdown of possibility comes into play.