Bemused in America

In class today we talked about this article that we had to read called, "Bemused in America". This journalist from Munich, Germany, "Stefan Schirmer" came to America his first time and experienced some things that were strange and not ordinary to him. Where he comes from, supermarkets aren't open 24 hours like how some are in America. In Germany, supermarkets are closed at 8p.m. Saturdays 4p.m. and Sundays NO SHOPPING. In Stefan's point of view, he thought this was strange to him, because where he comes from its not usual to go shopping at whatever time you want to. Some countries, like Germany have their values and we have ours. Another example was when he had to reach an old woman on the phone, and he was talking to the old woman's daughter asking if she were there on the phone to talk to and the daughter's response was, "I'm afraid she has passed away." Stefan's response was, "When is she due back?" From this response, Stefan and a lot of other people from Germany probably don't know most idioms that we have in America even though they may speak English rather well. From looking at German culture and American culture, we all have differences views on things. We are all brought up with different values, and we may look at other things as responses like, "What?!", "What thaa?!", "Wow", "Whoa", "That's weird", and etc. We are the way we are. Everyone's lifestyle may be strange or not ordinary to others, but that's just the way it is.

CULTURE

What is the definition of normal? Can anyone explain it? The word "normal" doesn't necessarily have a clear explanation. A lot of different people have a different view of what is normal and what is not. Different cultures, such as the Danish mother leaving her baby outside a New York restaurant eating some food with her husband to us Americans was NOT normal to us at all. To us, we think "Who would leave their baby outside a restaurant in New York and think it's normal that their baby is not supervised?" Clearly to the Danish mother it was totally normal to her. Where she comes from; Denmark, leaving her baby outside at a restaurant would be okay to do. Who knew that things like this would be "normal". There are many things we may not consider that are normal, but to other cultures in this world of ours there are things that are normal to them.

A Bronx Tale

Watching this movie so far, you know that there are certain groups. Like the Italian nieghborhood is filled with Italians. Collegro or "C" is an Italian, but he's apart of different kinds of groups. He's in a group with his high school friends that are called "jerkoffs" according to Sonny. (: .This group is up to no good. And Collegro's status for that group is basically being a "bada**". Then there's the other group...Sonny's crew. Sonny loves Collegro like a son, and ever since Collegro became close with Sonny, everybody treats him so well. So Collegro's status is that he's special because he's apart of Sonny. And Sonny is the "boss". Then there's the other part of Collegro that falls in love with this girl, but for that time era there was alot of blacks vs. whites. And so Collegro likes a colored girl, but it's hard for the both of them because they are both not the same race. Looking back at these groups and such, I believe "C" in Sonny's crew is his master status because Sonny wants to make sure Collegro is doing the right thing. Sonny doesn't want "C" to end up doing what he does now. Collegro is always with Sonny and talks to him about no matter what topic it is. I feel that throughout the movie, that Collegro's master status will end up remaining the same.

What is my status?.

On Friday in class,  I believe we did that activity where we all had to put groups that influence us into circles around our names in the center of the piece of paper in our packets. My circles were "Friends from Stevenson High School", "Friends from Mundelein High School", "Family", and "Hobbies". In each of the these circles, I have a purpose for each one. The most influential one to me would be the "Family" circle. I am a daughter, older sister, younger sister, and an aunt of two at my one house that I'm living in for attending Stevenson. I have two nieces and I feel that I am a big part of their lives. They know I am always there for them, and that's what I have to do. That is my status... Not only for them, but for the rest of my family.  We are always there for each other, and that's what we all have to do as a family. Be supportive, be helpful, be useful, just to always be there no matter what happens. That's my status for everyday life.

Community Service

I am sooo happy that for our final we don't have to take a multiple choice exam, and a project. When we can go on our own time and help out others in need! I'm pretty excited about doing this, because I haven't done community service before, so this would be my first time doing it. Being social by doing something for someone else's community or even ours. I'm glad we're going to go through this experience, because we'll all feel like we've done something good for others. I am planning on joining the service Habitat for Humanity in Elgin with my friend Allie Junker and others. So if anyone is interested in this service and needs a group, we are more than happy to have a big ole' group. We can all contribute together to this experience this year.