Film day 1

The documentary we watched in class was very interesting but it was hard to wrap my mind around. I did not understand exactly how the blood worked as a time machine but I liked how the man went on a journey to retrace the ancestors trip.

It was cool to see how he added in negative interviews to his documentary also. Not many people would want the audience seeing these sorts of reactions.

The thought that crossed my mind was that if the ocean and shores had changed and more land used to be above water, what if the path and evidence he is looking for is under water?

encounter activity 4, part 2

This assignment taught me to be aware of the feelings of people who visit America. Most of the students interviewed wanted Americans to realize their countries and countrymen were not un-like Americans. They want to be viewed as people, not foreigners. They are living life, just as we are even though they have different living conditions and languages. I believe we need to be more aware of peoples' feelings and not judge them or assume they are so different.

Encounter Activity 4

Response to Channdra:
I think it is very interesting to learn in China pedestrians do not have the right of way. I would never even give that a second thought if I travelled to China until I stepped out into the street and get honked at by a car. I would probably assume the driver was just being rude, when in fact I am the one in the wrong.

She mentions the student she interviewed also finds incorrect translations on the internet quite frequently.

Response to Andrea:
Her student was Haitian. The main issues with the language barrier was how hard English was to learn and how it was a cultural barrier. As difficult as English is, it is understandable how it is a cultural barrier.

Response to Jenny:
Her student was from South Korea. The biggest issure her student had with English was the different accents Americans have. This is understandable, because even Americans can go to other places in the United States and not always understand what a person is talking about although this pertains more to dialects than to accents.

I think it is interesting how Jenny's student who was also from Korea also had issues with accents, just like Ho Chang, the student I interviewed. Koreans do have a heavy accent which would also add difficulty in mastering an English accent.

Not being born a native Enlgish speaker is difficult for people who visit America. Even the Haitian student who was taught English since an early age has difficulty. After reading hte blogs, overall, visiting a country with a native tongue is a cultural barrier. Because this is a barrier, it prevents people from getting along with native speakers and can even be dangerous to the visitor i.e. walking into traffic assuming you have the right of way. People need to know how to effectively communicate when visiting another country.

kite runner day 3

The movie ended with loyalty still being a main theme. Amir shows loyalty to his friendship with Rahim Khan by returning to Pakistan at his request and also with his book dedication. Hassan shows his loyalty even after death in the letter to Amir. The letter basically states after all the years apart, Hassan still remains a friend with Amir. Amir finally shows a loyalty to Hassan by going to Afghanistan to retrieve his nephew. This is not only a loyalty to Hassan but also to his family ties. His nephew shows loyalty by saving Amir from Assef. This ending is a great because this is the very same sling shot Hassan used to save Amir earlier in the movie.

At the end if the movie it is worth mentioning the child in Amir seems to re-emerge. He once again flies a kite. Because of his re-found loyalty to Hassan, he his dedicated to giving his nephew a good life.

Kite Runner day 2

The second day of the movie was upsetting. I wanted Amir to come to the realize his actions were a mistake.
Culturally, I thought the wedding was very interested to watch. I thought it was touching and very symbolic how the parents stand by the bride and groom and the couple is surrounded by the family. My favorite part of the wedding was when the couple had the mirror put in front of their faces. The wedding was an awesome insight into the culture.
Contrastly, I thought the funeral was not very touching. The immediate family was close with viewers farther behind. I do not know if this was a cultural decision or a personal one.

Kite Runner day 1

The film has already grasped my full attention. Hearing the book is better by far, brings me to the conclusion the book must be very emotional. The loyalty in the movie has me on edge. It waivers between father and son and between Amir and Hassan, though Hassan never waivers himself. Amir only wants his father's approval but as he gains it, he also loses it not remaining loyal to Hassan and his friendship. Baba is ashamed Amir would even think of not keeping Ali and Hassan around. It is Baba's loyalty to them which creates these feelings. Ali's loyalty is one thing that has kept him working there. Hassan's loyalty to Amir never waivers even as he is raped and beaten by Assef. I beleive this film is going to continue to show strong and waivering loyaly. Loyalty to friendships, to elders, to servants, to bosses and to culture.
Loyalty to culture seems to be the pinnacle of the film. Assef believes Amir has a loyalty due to his country and culture to not be friends with Hassan. But the question is that where Amir's loyalty should lie, or is it with his never waivering friend? Loyalty to culture seems to go out the window when it goes against ethical choices.

Until it Comes to You

At the very beginning of this story the speaker is broken hearted over her first love. I believe everyone goes through a moment like this one when it seems like there is no hope. The touching point is when she is so upset she leaves to go back to Manila where she was born. Some of her family has not seen her in 20 years yet they accept her with open arms. This is what family is. It is acceptance without question. In the Filipino culture people are big on family ties which shows in this story.