Personal Philosophy
I am thankful for the opportunity and support that the community and especially my family has been offering to me. The community such as my friends and responsible adults around me have been supporting me in everything I do and my future goal. The support can never be gained if a person is afraid to ask for help when there is struggle that they may have to overcome by themselves. I was able to gain a lot of support because I was not afraid to ask for what I really need in order to reach to my future goal. The opportunity is widely offer and I just have to choose the right time to take the chance. For example, my family chose the right time to move to the United States in order to reach to the opportunity of education and a better life in the future. In order to reach the goal or opportunity, a person will need some support in order to keep working without much struggles.
I think my experience is the same as the Joad family situation in which my family is also seeking for the land of opportunity in which we need more supports from the community to reach to our goal for a better life. The decision to move to the U.S was hard to make due to different ideas among the family members. It also had created some conflicts between family members to choose what is the best for the family. At first, we were concerned about how we can make our lives work in an unfamiliar land where we know nothing about just like how the Joads do not know anything about California. We came to the U.S with little support but we were not afraid to ask for more supports. The community such as my relatives and other people that I got surrounded with had helped us a lot for the time in need. Even though there are some people who are looking down on us, I use it as a motivation for me to be better in life and ask for any support when needed. In school, I have also seek for opportunity and support that is offered in order to improve my life as being successful by the help from my family and the community.
My family and I also had seek help from the community who were in the same situation as us where we shared our experiences living in our home country then move to an unfamiliar country. We all have a common goal to improve their lives or even to give a better future for their children. When joining that conversation with my parents, I have realized and told to myself to work harder or be able to take care of my family for what they had sacrificed for me and my future. My parents had sacrificed doing their jobs in Vietnam and at first they were unemployed but they quickly found jobs in order to afford for our lives and my future. My parents had given me the most support in the process of familiarization with the new environment that I am now living in. This relates closely to the Joad family in which they had to leave their farm where they were born and worked on their entire life because of unavoidable circumstances so they have to find a way to the opportunity where they can restart their lives.
I always believe in my personal philosophy in which I always keep it in my mind to remind myself everyday about why I came here and what should I do next. Those questions help motivating me in doing everything in life by hard work and support from my family and the community. Without any support, we would not be able to live a normal life that we have and I am very thankful for the support that I received. Each path to any opportunity is quite challenging but I know at the end that it would all be paid off because that is what I had worked hard and strives for. My lifetime goal is to be able to work my hardest in everything I do and to take care of the people who had supported me along the way. I feel as if it is my duty to return or give back the help that the community had given for me because when a person receives something, it also make you feel better to give it back. In order to achieve the opportunity, you need some support to motivate or help you start on a big project in life ahead of you.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 16-19 (D) *
Family x Unity
When the Joad family embarked on their journey to California for a better life, they have to face many struggles due to their horrible-conditioned car and lack of supplies. On the road, some people who were on the car such as Grampa and Granma are getting sicker everyday and they were also too weak to continue on with the entire group. The entire group continues on their journey which they constantly have to make sacrifices such as their possession in order to be able to afford the necessities to survive. Ma Joad is the one who is very worried about her family's well-being.
“What we got lef’ in the world? Nothin’ but us. Nothing but folks. We come out an Grandpa, he reached for the shovel-shelf right off. An’ you wanna bust up the folks”
This quote shows Ma Joad's concern about her family when everyone started to separate and find their own way to survive. Ma Joad feels like she does not have anything left except her family. The family has lost a lt during the journey and they keep on losing more. This makes them realizes how important each member in the family is and how it is significant for the family to stay together to overcome the challenges and make a stronger family. Ma feels that with everything they lost, there family should not have another loss. They have has a huge loss when they have to leave the land where they were born and worked in and their memories. Their family is the only thing that they have left and the only thing that they will have in California where they restart their lives in a whole new place.
When the Joad family embarked on their journey to California for a better life, they have to face many struggles due to their horrible-conditioned car and lack of supplies. On the road, some people who were on the car such as Grampa and Granma are getting sicker everyday and they were also too weak to continue on with the entire group. The entire group continues on their journey which they constantly have to make sacrifices such as their possession in order to be able to afford the necessities to survive. Ma Joad is the one who is very worried about her family's well-being.
“What we got lef’ in the world? Nothin’ but us. Nothing but folks. We come out an Grandpa, he reached for the shovel-shelf right off. An’ you wanna bust up the folks”
This quote shows Ma Joad's concern about her family when everyone started to separate and find their own way to survive. Ma Joad feels like she does not have anything left except her family. The family has lost a lt during the journey and they keep on losing more. This makes them realizes how important each member in the family is and how it is significant for the family to stay together to overcome the challenges and make a stronger family. Ma feels that with everything they lost, there family should not have another loss. They have has a huge loss when they have to leave the land where they were born and worked in and their memories. Their family is the only thing that they have left and the only thing that they will have in California where they restart their lives in a whole new place.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 16-19 (C)
Their homes = Their farms
After the tenant farmers leave their farm, they still have regret/ worried and deep memories about their un-farmered farms when sharing their stories with the rest in the group of the migrants. In Chapter 17, the theme is about the memories and the worries that the farmers have after leaving their farms barren. My poem will explore the idea of the remembrance of the farmers to their own un-farmered farms. This is in a farmer's point of view to their barren farm.
The moment that I left you
As the road and time passed by
I miss you more and even more
I spoke softly about you to my friends
About how you were a little cool house
That used to keep the milk clean and fresh
Also the watermelons that I kept in there
On a hot sunny midday
You were still as cool as always how you'd want
She was so cool, she was so cool.
Some tragedies happened to you
Dust Bowl, God damn you
It destroyed our precious land
It forced us farmers out of our precious farm
Even though tragedies always happened there
Never as damaging as this time
I have to afford for my family
By moving West for a better life
Even though I left you
You are always in my heart.
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 11-15 (D) *
Impacted Quote
"No I ain't. You can't do that. I can't do that. It's too much-livin' too many lives. Up ahaed they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, it's too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but-it's jus' the road goin' by for me." (124)
This quote closely connects to me because I have been in kind of the same situation when me and my family moved from Vietnam to the US. Our goal for migrating is the same as the Joad family's because we decided to move to the US for a better life and future. At first I was really excited about moving but as the days come closer, I started to feel worried about how am I going to fit in a new place and lifestyle that I have never seen and experienced. I feel connected to Tom Joad when he sees Ma Joad worries about how to live their lives in an unknown place just like how my mom also told me before moving. We were all excited yet worried to start a new life together in a place that we have never been to. When I first came to the US, I could not get used to most things because I was so used to the lifestyle in Vietnam which is a complete opposite to the US. At first I also felt as if I was living two lives because I was trying to leave behind one place and moving on to another which was tough for me because Vietnam was where I was born and raised for a long period of time while moving on and learned new things that I have never get to experience. Ma Joad has the same concern as my mom's when she told me that it would be alright for me to fit in new things because I am still young. On the other hand, my parents made the decision to move for me and my future even if it means that they have to give up everything they had before. They have to work the hardest in order to afford for me. The Joad family and my family are connected in ways that we moved for the land of opportunity in hope for a better life.
"No I ain't. You can't do that. I can't do that. It's too much-livin' too many lives. Up ahaed they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, it's too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but-it's jus' the road goin' by for me." (124)
This quote closely connects to me because I have been in kind of the same situation when me and my family moved from Vietnam to the US. Our goal for migrating is the same as the Joad family's because we decided to move to the US for a better life and future. At first I was really excited about moving but as the days come closer, I started to feel worried about how am I going to fit in a new place and lifestyle that I have never seen and experienced. I feel connected to Tom Joad when he sees Ma Joad worries about how to live their lives in an unknown place just like how my mom also told me before moving. We were all excited yet worried to start a new life together in a place that we have never been to. When I first came to the US, I could not get used to most things because I was so used to the lifestyle in Vietnam which is a complete opposite to the US. At first I also felt as if I was living two lives because I was trying to leave behind one place and moving on to another which was tough for me because Vietnam was where I was born and raised for a long period of time while moving on and learned new things that I have never get to experience. Ma Joad has the same concern as my mom's when she told me that it would be alright for me to fit in new things because I am still young. On the other hand, my parents made the decision to move for me and my future even if it means that they have to give up everything they had before. They have to work the hardest in order to afford for me. The Joad family and my family are connected in ways that we moved for the land of opportunity in hope for a better life.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 11-15 (B)
Highway 66
During the great depression in the 1930s, Highway 66, also known as Will Rogers Highway was the road which connected from the eastern part of the U.S to California. It was established in November 11,1926. It is 2,451 miles in total length. It was a major path for those who migrated to the west. It supported the economy of the cities which the migrants passed because they were constantly in need for supplies to continue their way to California for a better life. Travelers saw the Highway 66 a symbolism of independence, freedom and opportunities. The migrants were depended on businesses such as automobile and tire manufacturers, oil refiners, gas station,... for support along the road. Route 66 helped to mobilize wartime manpower in the history of the nation. Many small businesses along Highway 66 prospered due to large numbers of people migrating to the California.
During the great depression in the 1930s, Highway 66, also known as Will Rogers Highway was the road which connected from the eastern part of the U.S to California. It was established in November 11,1926. It is 2,451 miles in total length. It was a major path for those who migrated to the west. It supported the economy of the cities which the migrants passed because they were constantly in need for supplies to continue their way to California for a better life. Travelers saw the Highway 66 a symbolism of independence, freedom and opportunities. The migrants were depended on businesses such as automobile and tire manufacturers, oil refiners, gas station,... for support along the road. Route 66 helped to mobilize wartime manpower in the history of the nation. Many small businesses along Highway 66 prospered due to large numbers of people migrating to the California.
Friday, March 7, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (F)
Authority roles
In Chapter 5, the idea of the authority roles, especially the men who is the the one who work and make decisions for the family. Due to the Great Depression, the men had to work harder in order to take care of their family who are in great challenges everyday.
"Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34).
This quote shows how powerful the male figures in the family is during the hard times which is the traditional family structure. The word "killed" illustrates the masculine aspects of human such as Grampa and Pa with the determination to protect his family from any harm such as financial and physical. Grampa and Pa destroy any harm away from their land which is their only economic resource that help them survive because farmers only work and make profits by improving their land.
In Chapter 4, in contrast of the protective aspect of the male figure, the desire for women or sex also appears within their thoughts. The one who has the authority such as Casy takes advantage of the girls that go to church.
"An' then-you know what I'd do? I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her" (22).
This quote shows how Casy abuses his power for doing wrong things because of the fact that he is the authoritative male figure in the community. The power that he has is used in a wrong way where he lures the girls "out in the grass" to have sex with them which is not the right thing that the preacher should do. After realizing what he has done, he has lost all his hope and Holy Spirit because of the wrong things that he does by abusing his power.
In Chapter 5, the idea of the authority roles, especially the men who is the the one who work and make decisions for the family. Due to the Great Depression, the men had to work harder in order to take care of their family who are in great challenges everyday.
"Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34).
This quote shows how powerful the male figures in the family is during the hard times which is the traditional family structure. The word "killed" illustrates the masculine aspects of human such as Grampa and Pa with the determination to protect his family from any harm such as financial and physical. Grampa and Pa destroy any harm away from their land which is their only economic resource that help them survive because farmers only work and make profits by improving their land.
In Chapter 4, in contrast of the protective aspect of the male figure, the desire for women or sex also appears within their thoughts. The one who has the authority such as Casy takes advantage of the girls that go to church.
"An' then-you know what I'd do? I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her" (22).
This quote shows how Casy abuses his power for doing wrong things because of the fact that he is the authoritative male figure in the community. The power that he has is used in a wrong way where he lures the girls "out in the grass" to have sex with them which is not the right thing that the preacher should do. After realizing what he has done, he has lost all his hope and Holy Spirit because of the wrong things that he does by abusing his power.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (E) *
Personification
The tractor
" Twelve curved iron penes erected in the foundry, orgasms set by gears, raping methodically" (36)
It shows how the tractors have the organs or enough power to consume profit and destroy the farmers' lives. The penes are parts of the human bodies. It destroyed people especially farmers' hopes because they takes over the job of the farmer so they are not able to make any profit to the extend that the tractor "rape" the farmers' jobs which put them into poverty and desperation towards life.
The bank
" Breathe profits; they eat interest on money. If they don't get it, they die the way you die without air, without side-meat." (39)
This quote shows how the bank "breath" or taking in the profit for themselves and exhale out nothing that will be benefited for the people. They also "eat" the extra money that was left without giving back to the community which is in need. Without the money, the bank will die like how a human "die without air" because they need to save themselves from going bankrupt so they constantly needs the money to loan it out to other places to make a profit.
The cotton and crops
" You know what cotton does to the land; robs it, sucks all the blood out of it" (32)
The cotton is given the human characteristic when it "robs" which is also how the cotton has done some damage on the lands by taking the healthy nutrients away from the soil. The cotton also "sucks all the blood" which is also the nutrients of soil are all given to the cotton which makes profit but it is not a source for food. Cotton crops make it difficult to grow other crops once the cotton is gone.
The tractor
" Twelve curved iron penes erected in the foundry, orgasms set by gears, raping methodically" (36)
It shows how the tractors have the organs or enough power to consume profit and destroy the farmers' lives. The penes are parts of the human bodies. It destroyed people especially farmers' hopes because they takes over the job of the farmer so they are not able to make any profit to the extend that the tractor "rape" the farmers' jobs which put them into poverty and desperation towards life.
The bank
" Breathe profits; they eat interest on money. If they don't get it, they die the way you die without air, without side-meat." (39)
This quote shows how the bank "breath" or taking in the profit for themselves and exhale out nothing that will be benefited for the people. They also "eat" the extra money that was left without giving back to the community which is in need. Without the money, the bank will die like how a human "die without air" because they need to save themselves from going bankrupt so they constantly needs the money to loan it out to other places to make a profit.
The cotton and crops
" You know what cotton does to the land; robs it, sucks all the blood out of it" (32)
The cotton is given the human characteristic when it "robs" which is also how the cotton has done some damage on the lands by taking the healthy nutrients away from the soil. The cotton also "sucks all the blood" which is also the nutrients of soil are all given to the cotton which makes profit but it is not a source for food. Cotton crops make it difficult to grow other crops once the cotton is gone.
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