"In Praise of my Sister" By Wislawa Syzmborska

I really enjoyed the poem “In Praise of my Sister” by Wilslawa Szymborska because it reminds me of my sister and I. In the poem it talks about how the speaker and his sister are different. The speaker describes how he writes poems but his sister does not as an analogy to express the idea of “differentness”. From this we can tell that the speaker and his sibling obviously have different ways of expressing themselves, and even have a different outlook on life. They are two entirely different people bound together by indestructible bond called family. This also describes my me and my sister.

A lot of times we think and feel very differently about things, handle ourselves in our own way, and very often, we flat out disagree on many subjects. Of course growing up we fought like cats and dogs, and one of my favorite activities was to annoy the heck out of her-and of course she told on me every chance she got (and still does), but I would be lying if I said that I didn’t love her and every single thing that makes her who she is (even the annoying parts). She is my sister, my family. She will always have the same blood running through her veins that I do, and nobody can do anything to change that we are bonded together forever. There is just something about that concept of family that makes you realize that you’re in it for the long haul with these people, so you’d better get used to it; and at the same time, it’s the thing that makes you realize, “no matter what happens, no matter how tough it gets, I’ll always have someone that will protect me, defend me, stick with me till the end.” Even though me and my sister are different, I love her and respect her, and I’ll always be there for her…but don’t tell her I said that.

"The Need to Win" by Chuan Tzu

When an archer is shooting for nothing
He has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle
He is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold
He goes blind
Or sees two targets--
He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed. But the prize
Divides him. He cares.
He thinks more of winning
Than of shooting--
And the need to win
Drains him of power.

I like this poem a lot because I feel as if I have had a lot of experience with this. It explains how if someone is just focused on winning their will be many challenges along the way. On the contrary however if someone does something for the love of it, then if they get a chance to win the prize it will be all the more meaningful. One example of how I have experienced this was during my junior year of high school. For three years I had been chasing a dream of breaking a weightlifting record for squats. The current record was 455 and I knew that it was definitely achievable for me. I became obsessed with the will to beat this record. I worked extremely hard to wear I was currently the strongest in that category. When the day of the competition came I was so nervous that my head was spinning. I had worked three hard years for this one moment. When my chance came I was only able to squat 445. Although this was extremely good and better than anyone at the time, it didn't allow for me to break the record. I was heartbroken afterward. The only thing I could do was cry because I felt as if I had just wasted three years chasing an impossible dream. After all of my emotions went away I realized that I didn't waste my time because I actually loved working out anyways. I learned that sometimes it is better to just do what you are passionate about and if your lucky and the good Lord is willing then the prize might come. I know that this mentality often goes against what we were taught, of keeping your eye on the prize. However After trying both methods I have found that the most satisfying option is to keep your eye on what you enjoy doing.

"The Open Window" by H.H. Munro ("SAKI")

I thought this story was absolutely hilarious. After reading it once, I was actually quite afraid and spooked that these men were returning after three years. I had imagined this horror story of them being ghosts that come back home every night. I read it again to see if it had the same affect on me, and it did except for the fact that this time I noticed the girl had made up a story of why Mr. Nuttel ran out. I started to piece a few things together and decided to read it one more time. During my third reading I finally realized that this entire story was just a joke. I really don't think I have ever laughed at something I read in a book until this point. I thought it was hilarious how a 15 year old girl completely fabricated this great story with every detail intact. She had to be one of the best liars of all time. Not only did she make this up, but she made sure to include every detail to make it sound realistic. I have never seen anyone sell a story as well as this girl did, she could probally become a millionare by selling ice to eskimos.

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this story so much is because it reminded me of me and my brother pulling pranks on my mother. My mom can sometimes be over paranoid and me and my brother have never been able to make sense of it. Every time we leave the house, we usually have to come imediately back because she is afraid that she left the iron on, or forgot to lock the door, or close the garage door. Often this would frustrate my brother and I, so we decided we would use her own nerves against her. Every time we would leave the house we would start telling her that she left the iron on. She would get nervous and drive back home. Once we got to the house me and my brother woulrd burst out laughing because we thought it was so funny. Although we werent able to keep as good of a poker face as the girl in the story was, we were able to stop our mom from worrying as much because she realized it was a little redicoulus. Although I had to do more thinking than I had originally planned in order to understand this story, it has become a new favorite of mine.

"Sunday in the Park" by Bel Kaufman

This story points out the insecurities of a man. Morton would not fight the larger man because he knew he would lose. "The only possible outcome would have been what? My glasses broken, perhaps a tooth or two replaced, a couple of days work missed - and for what? For justice? For truth?" Morton felt that even if he did stand up to this man it would be for nothing because he would lose anyway, however when it came to hitting his own child he didn't think twice. This is because his son Larry is smaller than he is and cant stand up to him. Its almost as if Morton is trying to prove that he is still a man even if he backed down from the larger man. I think this is completely ridiculous. However, we see this all the time in our society.

I think many men need to learn when to swallow their pride. In most cases when a man is embarrassed he tries to make up for it. Which was the case with Morton. I must admit, even I am guilty of doing so. However, if we can learn to overlook our weaknesses and focus on our strengths we should have nothing to prove. Each individual is different, resulting in each person having different strenghts and weaknesses. Morton could have handled this situation a lot better if he would have swallowed his pride and focused on his strengths rather than make up for his weakness. For instance Morton seems to be a well educated man, while the bully dosent seem to have this going for him. Morton didn't have to get in a physical fight with him but could have outsmarted him instead. No matter where you are in life if you have the ability to use your strengths rather than make up for weaknesses you can be successful at whatever you do. This is something that I have learned throughout my time at TCU and since I have put this into perspective I have been able to achieve things I never thought possible.

"If I Were a Man" by Charolette Perkins Gilman

This has been my favorite story thus far because it has really opened my eyes to a view I haven't ever seen before. After reading the title and the first few paragraphs I began to feel really good about myself. It talks about how men go to work in order to support their families, which is a trait instilled upon them in their childhood. It made me proud of my dad for his hard work to support my family, and it motivated me to work hard to support my future family. However after reading the next few paragraphs things became increasingly more clear to me. The reason I like this story so much is because it shows how men often are the quickest to criticize women about their looks, their jobs, and their even question their love. There is irony in this because in most cases men are the one who oppress women to their current status in life.

"It's time we woke up, woman are pretty much people, seems to me. I know they dress like fools, but who's to blame for that? We invent all those idiotic hats of theirs and design their cray fashions, and, what's more, if a woman is courageous enough to wear common-sense clothes and shoes, which of us wants to dance with her?... We are always criticizing them for making mercenary marriages, but what do we call a girl who marries a chump with no money? Just a poor fool, that"s all" This quote from the story really opened my eyes to a whole new perspective about women which is ironic considering the title is "If I Were a Man". Growing up my mother was a stay at home mom who raised me and my two siblings, did our laundry, and cooked for us. My dad on the other hand provided the necessary funds for my mother to do so. I have always thought that one day I would like for my future wife to stay at home and take care of the children while I'm at work. However after reading this story I have realized that if she is courageous enough to "wear common sense clothes" who am I to stop her. I should dance with her regardless.

"The Storm" by Kate Chopin

Let me start by saying that Kate Chopin is a very bitter and strange woman. After previously reading "Story of an Hour" in class I cant help but draw conclusions. In both stories the main character is a woman that is relieved by the absence of their husbands. I know Chopin was left with a lot of debt and six children to take care of, but there is no evidence of her husband being unloving. The reason this story makes me so angry is that Bobinot seems so madly in love with Calixta and she is completely oblivious to it. Bobinot even went as far as to buy Calixta some shrimp at the store, and then make sure him and their son Bibi were well groomed for their return. Calixta however is an undeserving, no-good, two timing mistress. What makes me even more mad, is the fact that after she cheats on her caring husband Bobinot, she treats her husband and son like she has been worried about their well being. She continues to act as if she loves them and misses them wich is completely redicoulous considering the fact that they were the last thing on her mind during the storm.

The thing that disturbs me even more than the fact that she cheated and lied about it is the fact that this other man Alcee would do such a thing knowing she was a married woman, and a married man himself. This reminds me a lot of the current Tiger Woods situation. Not only did he cheat on his wife and lie about it, but this other woman obviously knew he had a wife. The fact that people can do something like this and not feel guilty is unthinkable to me. The biggest thing that puzzles me is that if Toger Woods or Alcees wife had cheated on them they would be sure to dump them. However, the fact that Tiger Woods and Alcee have cheated they expect for their wifes to just take them back. I just feel that marriage is a sacred thing and if to people arent ready to fully commit to another then they shouldnt commit at all.

"Hills like White Elephants"

My view of "Hills like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway seems to be completely different than what everyone else says. After reading it once I looked up some things online and found out it was about an abortion. However, the entire time I read I took the operation as a sex change operation. I know many will disagree with me on this, but I feel as if “Jig” or the young girl is actually a young man with very feminine features.

I believe that the man in the story happened to fall in love with Jig while traveling through Spain. Through a recent encounter the man found out that Jig himself was a man. This has put the couple in a troubling situation. With the love they share and neither sure what to do the man wants Jig to have a sex change. Bare with me here, I know you’re thinking I’m crazy but even when the man says “I know you wouldn’t mind it, Jig. It’s really not anything. It’s just to let the air in.” Sure I understand how that can relate to an abortion but I feel as if it can also relate to a sex change. Over all I feel as if this is a tragic love story. My only problem is how willing Jig is to give in. The man truly loves Jig, and feels it will make their relationship better, however Jig dosent really want to do it. The only reason Jig does goes along with it is because he/she believes it is the only way he/she can be with the man “But I don’t care about me. And I’ll do it and then everything will be fine”.

I’m sure many of you still think I’m crazy and I do see how it is written about an abortion, but I also see many similarities for a sex change. Either way it was an ok story, I wish there was more depth to it. Yes, it got the point across in just a few words, but I wanted to know some more background information on the characters. Hopefully some of you will read this and understand my point of view and even draw some of your own conclusions in order to decipher exactly what this story is about.