Them Girls

Everyone has different experiences in life; some people have it easier than others. In How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, by Julia Alvarez, she describes the changes based on the girls experience in the Dominican Republic (the Island) and America. In the novel, the cultural and traditional struggles between the Garcia girl's native culture and their newfound identity in America, establishes different ethical and religious events in contrast to an American. The events that are describes in the novel, appeals to people without the immigration similarities and people who can relate.

This book exhibits many tribulations where the girls are exposed to the unwilling. This demonstrates fear and the tension of life in the Dominican Republic and their new America.

In the beginning of the second half in the novel, Trespass, the Garcia’s were celebrating their first year as Americans. Although it was a challenge for them, not all of the family members were happy about their stay in America.  When the family was making a wish before blowing out the candles, Carla states:

“Why do you wish for on the first celebration of the day you lost everything? Everyone else around the table had their eyes closed as if they had no trouble deciding,” (150)

This exemplifies that back home, the family was very wealthy, and the change from one country to another was stimulating, but challenging from them all. Carla, as a child, does not understand the amount of dedication and integrity the parts had to come to America. They had to talk tough many risks, it was all for them- to have an easier life, versus their parents. This demonstrates that ultimately, Carla's life in America is overwhelming and horrific. The new environment, language, and tradition in America differs compared to the Dominican Republic, which makes it hard for her to adapt to her new home, especially because she is a young child.

This is important because it shows who the writer’s prime call is too. The exploitation of the Garcia family immigrating to America shows that the book expresses real-life events and the common anger and disputes one has after moving form one place to another. It emphasizes this by detailing the feeling of one person’s reaction versus a group of people. As a result, the specific elements in the novel fully aware the readers of the several features in the book; this makes it glorifying to read.

The unwieldy and tricky aspects of life demonstrated in the book, translates into a unique and exclusive comprehension. This is because, the many pieces of literature sometimes render to an out of control and shocking surprise.

When Yolanda went to college, there was this guy that she liked, but did not fully understand the opposite sex in America; they are different. As a result, the reaction of  what Ruby Elmenhurst asked for was  extraordinary:

“…Finally he cut off, said [Ruby], Hey, Jesus Christ I’ve waited five years, and you look like you’ve gotten past all your hang-ups. Let’s just fuck…” (103).

This emphasizes that Ruby’s urge to have sex with her was asked in a rude and inappropriate way.  I can only imagine the amount of embarrassment and disinterest she had when he oddly said, “let’s just fuck.”

This ties into the cultural and religious views that are shown in the novel because many women do not interact with men in this certain way. They are mainly together at home and they know what the man wants. As much as this sounds awkward, women in other countries do not have these awkward and rude conversations with men. The men know their limits. On the other hand, people who are not from the same native culture, their identity is not shown based on their cultural beliefs. They are normal people. This establishes different outcomes and awkward experiences with diverse people. All in all, people who can relate to these events have a closer connection to the book.

 In the second part, Trespass, Carla is walking home and there was a car following her. This experience was a scene where she was in shock and ineffable about:

“The man had tied his two shirt ends just above his waist and was naked form their on down. String encircled his waist, the loose ends knotted on front and then looped around his penis,” (157)

This shows that the amount of explosion to a new immigrate creates fear and ambiguity to Carla’s mind. The uniquely odd scene she was faced with established a scar in her, the challenges to explain this event in neither English nor Spanish brought in the aftershock of the event and the cultural differences between an America and herself.

Considering this event has a lot of background and traditional means behind it, this appeals to a person who has an explicit reason to maybe why Carla had this shock and the inability to explain her observation to the police. For instance, as a person whos parents are from a close cultural and religious based family, these types of events are not exposed. This event maybe similar to my belief: that she might of never experienced this before and because her parents never talked to her about the other gender and sex, it was a shocking and unexplainable occurrence to her.

This book appeals mostly to the people who clearly understand why occasions, like the examples I gave, happen. As a result, during certain events in the book, readers who have similar backgrounds clearly understand the events and reasons behind it. On the other hand, people who do not have that type of connection to the events, may be confused about the situations.

This relates to the traditional and cultural side that impacts their identity in America. The feeling that they were not safe, they did not have family any friends, created fear and discomfort to their new home. The cultural and traditional events back home were not as significant and exciting in American versus the Dominican Republic. Also, the misunderstandings in America that created hatred to their new home established sadness and will to leave-back to the Dominican Republic. Although life in America is helpful, the hardest part is settling and understanding that they are lucky to be in America.

In conclusion, the girl’s identity from their native cultural living space changes when they are in America. The newfound identity produces a change to their social and physical events. All in all, the closer connection you have to one book, establishes hope and curiosity to another. 

Last one.

Wow, I am done with the book. It seems like it went pretty, darn fast...

Although I did not like the book in the beginning, it started to become more entertaining at the end. I have also realized that Carlos's family is very similar to me. A women's role versus men’s are visible and distinguishable in the vignettes and in my family. That is why the book became more delightful and valuable to read.

In How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, by Julia Alvarez, in the third section, the vignette that shocked me the most was: An American Surprise.

In many countries, families have maids. And the maids are very close to the family, but know when they cannot do certain things and can.

 In this vignette, the maid, Gladys, she was black (I think?) was accused of stealing Carla's bank, when evidently Carla gave it to her because she did not want her to sell the wallets her dad bought for her. I believe the reason why she accused Gladys is because, first of all, she is a maid; they are there for the money, and if they sneak a few more bucks they will do so. But not all maids are like this; some are trustworthy, honest, and respectable with other peoples goods. They will not take "clean-up" and swipe everything in their belongings, assuming they did not do anything. In An American Surprise, the mother assumed she stole the bank maybe because she saw her stealing before, she looked suspicious, or was always eager for her money. Her acts maybe gave the mom a reason not to like her. All of these factors are intertwined in the assumption of Carla's bank to be "stolen".

Well, back where I am from, we had a similar incident, and it did not go well...

We had a maid. She was really nice, helpful, and funny. She never said she was tired, sick, or asked for more money. She was the best. One day, my eight year old cousin went into his parents room (In Eritrea, a family lives together, not like the American house hold- mom, dad, and two kids) and saw the maid cleaning, she went into his moms jewelry closet and saw her putting it inside her apron. He yelled, well in Tigrinya. Well, in English terminology, he said: Mom, Mom, she took your gold, she took your gold, (In Eritrea, you know not to touch peoples jewelry without their permission, just compliments on their gold. That’s it!) And so, his mom came up and they started to fight, she was yelling and yelling (like someone was trying to steal her stuff; that's exactly want happened :b). After the battle, the parents threw her stuff out the house and did not pay her. It was all-bad.

In conclusion, the events in book were very similar to my family experiences, which made it more enthusiastic and amusing.

I Like it How We Dribble Up and Down the Court.

While scouting through many student blogs, I have found and interesting and fascinating post. While reading through Vy Truong's post about basketball, I felt it should be shared once more:

Basketball is one if the sports I am most confident with playing. I spent most my child hood playing basketball with my brother or at a youth center I used to go to. I used to play basketball almost everyday but then I got lazy and really busy with school. Basketball was now not part of my life but I want it to be. This is why I want to play this year and to get in fit. It is a great way to work out. I never know why I enjoy playing basketball cause I hate running and balls but basketball has always been the sport that I never hated.

Vy is so really cool. She's like my role model.

Realizing how confident she is about this sport shows true dedication. This shows my how I should not give up a sport I like, just for school purposes. I say this because; I fear if I play a sport or do any other alternative activity, I will ruin my academic career, and downfall. I fear that I will not do as well and ruin my grades. I do not want that to happen, so I just do not do anything besides school stuff. What a boring life, huh?

While reading through Vy's blog, and looking at how she is taking the courage to play the sport she loves, makes me feeling like, I am a chicken. Chicken, chicken, chicken... Being able to balance school-life and an extra curricular activity shows responsibility and integrity. This is also beneficial because colleges understand how challenging it is to balance an additional activity that can interfere with school. This will show colleges that you are able to level yourself between two activities. That is so good! This is the main reason why I want to play a sport. I love badminton. 

Badminton is so much fun. Although I am not good at the sport, I could improve by playing on a team, because you do not have to start well, but soon after will become an expert. I wish I had the similar push as Vy, to make me join a badminton team. Is there such thing?

Anyways...

Vy, I love you. Your blog makes me very happy. Considering that you go to ASTI, and have a lot of work and adding another activity in to your hectic schedule is risky and beastie-like. I believe in you and i hope you make the team.

As a result, when loving something, you should try to do something about it. I feel like I'll be in a dream if I was on a badminton team and getting good grades in school. Ughh 

Oh, I have this notebook titled True Stories I Made Up. I have not written in it since middle school. I should start, and my dream life will be my first…

My Life is Average.

Hello. So, I am at my parents store and on the computer- obviously... This is my first time doing a blog here; let's see how it goes.

My brother is sitting on the left side of me and my sister is sitting on the right. I am really bored. Like, really really, bored. In the morning, my mom, sister (Sara), brother (Ahmed), and I went to the Southland Mall. I was very excited. The feeling of my mom paying for everything was thrilling.

Here is a little family background: Sara attends Encinal High school; she is a senior. Ahmed is eleven; he attends the Academy of Alameda.

About a half hour later, we had to leave. WHAT???? Already? Why?? My mom had to go somewhere. We woke up early on a non-school day to go shopping, and know we have to leave. I was so mad. I did not buy anything. This is frustrating to write about...

Soooo...

My mom dropped us of at the store and brother, sister, and I have been watching movies. That is it. On this awkward break, we do nada. I cannot do my homework because I am not at home- obviously. I wish I brought my backpack. I already finished my math, but I need to do the Wenke analysis and study for the history quiz, ughhhh. I hate my life. Someone shoot me.

Anyways...

I cannot believe we have school tomorrow. We should of use one of our furlough days for Friday, it would of made so much more sense, rather than having a random day off from school then, coming right back the next day.

...

In conclusion, Thursday was a total, fail. I had to stay up 'till 11:14 just to study. Do you see how much dedication I have for school; it's crazy. So, today is Friday, I finished all my homework and I have one more blog to post. I don't know why, but I don’t like blogging anymore. I need change. Spice things up.  Maybe it is just the topic I write about. Is my life really this boring?  Do I need a physiatrist? No you don’t, Nawara. Yes I do. Okay, this is getting weird; I should stop.

I am hungry. There is a cold box of pizza taunting me, should I eat it? Maybe I will…. Yumm, that was tasty. 

Yoyo- why is that so funny?

Yay! We finished the second paper clip, now we are one to the next one, lol.

The second half of the book seemed to go by really fast. This happened because I did not focus a lot about the structure of the book, but the context.

This half has many back and fourths about the Dominican Republic, the Island, and America. For example, when Fifi went to the motel with Manuel, her mother knew about it and sent her back to America. The reason why she sent her back was because of gruesome, uncivilized acts, and did not want to ruin her reputation. During these times, many people categorized people based on their children. They more pay or occupation the children have establishes the parent’s status. This is why the parents are always strict on their children, well in my perspective...

This is also common in my family as well. I hear many conversations about his or her child attending college with a full ride scholarship, one with a PhD, and another who is a pharmacist, doctor, engineer, biologist, the list goes on and on.

In the Trespass, the third to last vignette, there were many scenes in which, Carla did not appreciate her accent and her language barrier. For example, the scene when the man in the car was half naked, and was asked to get in the car. When she got home, she told her mom about the incident and she called the police. When the police wanted to talk to her, she did not know how to explain the event in English nor Spanish, which prevented her to explain her scene. As a result, something that prevents to do something really important establishes confusion and discomfort.

In my experience, many of my family members are also impacted with a language barrier- English. Although they have lived in America for a long time, it is still a challenge in their everyday lives. This is why I believe many parents want their children to be born or raised in America- to not have a challenge similar to theirs. This is way we should always thank our parents. Our lovely, lovely parents…

Teen Beans.

While reading through many people's blogs, I finally found a topic that is easy to type about. Vanessa's Berrios is about how nowadays, many adults think that there is something wrong with the teenage generation, today:

Usually, you will most likely see an adult say “What has happened to the kids nowadays.” They think that we have all changed for the worst. To them, we are so different to how they were back when they were our age. I think that the older people think that everything we do is wrong. Apparently to them, every aspect of what we do and how we behave is not right.

I definitely agree with Vanessa. The attitudes elders assume about the teenagers today are ruthless and invaluable.  The assumptions adults put on use are only what they here on the news and rumors. For example, on the news, they always report that the percentage of teenage pregnancies has increased. So, many people believe that all the teenagers are unimportant, weak, and insignificant to the American society. They degrade us. 

I understand why they do this thought. They are angry and fear that more and more teens will get pregnant early, drop of school, and will not be able to support America. Many families are angry as well. Sometimes it is their daughter who is pregnant. It is really hard to get angry and help a child you is pregnant. So, patience is a tool that is to be developed during this new transition in life.

My parents are a totally different story...

My parents... Let me tell you, they are not scared to put out their opinion about anything...

When they see pregnant teenage girls, specifically, my dad, he gets really mad and starts yelling at me. He is like "We need to move out of this place, look at this girl *points at a pregnant teen* and starts asking rhetorical questions: what is going on with the world? Why is this happening? Are there any pregnant girls at your school? If there is I am taking you out...blah blah blah. My dad’s ridiculous, but I love him

Anyways...

Adults need to consider that all teens are not pregnant and rude, ruthless, and crazy. We are normal people going through our teenage days. We make many mistakes, but also, help with community service. Degrading the teenagers will create pressure, fear, and instability in our nation. So, mom's, dad's, aunties, uncles, grandparents... be nice. We will grow out of it and become great men and women, well, most of us...

I Don't Want to Read it.

When learning about my family history, there are a collective amount of harsh experiences. They worked really hard coming to America and raising a family. My parents always say: " We brought you here, so you better do good in school and have a good job,” They want me to have an easier life. I love them.

I always ask my parents what happened during the time when Ethiopia and Eritrea had war with each other. They never have time to explain, so I let go. All of a sudden, my uncle, Salah Johar, wrote a book about his childhood during this war. The whole Eritrean Community was very proud of him. He has been a great model for all of us. The book is called, Of Kings And Bandits. The main idea in this book is that he was an ordinary child and all of sudden everything changes. He connects it to his culture, religion, and family. Considering I did not finish the book, I do not know a lot about it. The book is sooo long! It's very descriptive and tiring. My dad keeps telling me to read it, but I don't want too. I believe the reason why he is forcing me is because he wants me to understand how hard it was coming her and to appreciate their hard work. I absolutely do honor their hard work, but the reading it not needed. In a few weeks, we are going to have a convention for my Uncle. Many of my Auntie’s, Uncle's, and other older relatives are so proud of him. They cry because if his dedication in his culture and religion. He is spreading the word for all the people impacted in this war, and that really means a lot to them. On the other hand, the youth does not care. Even though we are proud, we just don't want to read it. Sooner or later, we will...

Overall, I am blessed and overjoyed that one of my family members wrote a novel. So, to honor his hard work and devotion I will finish this book and clearly understand the commitment my family did worked hard for. Considering that I have piles of homework, it will take time to finish the book. I am not promising a certain date, but someday...

It's in Reverse Chronological Order.

While reading the first part of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, by Julia Alvarez, it was hard to distinguish: who was talking, who were they talking about, and sometimes, what they were talking about. I was just reading and reading until I got something, and believe it or not, I did.

This book has many cultural, traditional, and religious based ideas. Many of the problems that go on during the book, has a reason behind it based on what I said before. Such as, marriage, work, and children. For example, Sofia, also known as Fifi, ran away to a man. She actually did not marry that man. She just had sex with him. She found another man, named Otto, Fifi asked for his hand in marriage, and he said, yes. And that was that. They got married, had children, and lived happily ever after... not. Her dad is mad. Like mad, mad. He is not talking to us own daughter. This happened because she got married without her dad's permission and untraditionally, unethically, and uncommonly. This creates anger in the family and gives a bad appearance to the parents of the daughter who ran off, got married, and has children.

As a result, this shows there is a close bond between the family and the values of self-respect.

What I have learned throughout this novel is that there are many things the girls know that the dad does not know, and he is slowly catching up. For example, when he saw Fifi's love letters. This shows that "papi" will try to figure out other hidden secrets about his children. Also, I think we are going to find out other things he has done as well. In the beginning of the novel, they do not change talk a lot about the dad, not in similar depth as the other four girls. I feel he has deep dirty secret. Like, raping Yolanda. In the fourth vignette, Rudy was touching her, and she reacted impulsively…sounds like something bad happened during her childhood.

For my essay, I want to analyze the differences between the four girls and the parents. The different traditional values changed when the girls were in America. How, when going to America, people change and seeing how the traditions and cultural values slowly eliminate.