My Desires

If I were to have obtain only one thing, I 'd choose happiness. My own happiness. Content with myself and my surroundings. I haven't really learned how to control my emotions and opinions about myself. Like everybody else, I do have flaws and things about myself that I would change if I were able to without hesitation. However, I've realized that no matter how diligently I try to please my family, their criticism must always find a way to bite me from behind. I must learn how to accept all of my flaws.. instead of consistently comparing myself to my family's standards of beauty and perfection. I will never be smart enough, have beautiful complexion, be skinny enough, or respectful enough. And you know what? I understand that. It's ok. That is what my family might think, but I will rise above it. I will be the best version of myself. And if they are blind to see that, then at least I will have happiness within me.

Well, Tambu from Nervous Conditions is definitely an obvious character whom we studied this year who desperately craved for an education. She yearned for a chance to prove her family wrong, which she was able to do. Tambu really did not care about the obstacles which obstructed her path to success. She prioritized education so greatly that she neglected her mother's sickness as well as her family back in the homestead. Being so strong-willed, she starts growing her own crops originally which was against her father's wishes. Another character we've met is Nyasha, also from Nervous Conditions. She hopelessly wishes to fit in with the society as well as satisfy both of her parents. She risks her health and her life in order to be skeletal and underweight. She believes that this will allow her to fit in and fill the void that keeps her from fitting in with her peers. Nyasha's bulimia and anorexia in the far end result in her being in a critical state - not just physically, but also mentally.

Because I went to the reading discussion lunch, I am skipping the first blog post of this week. I went to the "Crank" book discussion. I also went to the Writing Center this week. Kiddie helped me acknowledge some errors in my research paper. This took about 20 minutes.
Reading details:
Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
4/8: 10 min., 4/9: 15 min., 4/10: 30 min., 4/11: 30 min., 4/12: 30 min. 4/13: 60 min.
Total: 175 min.