Different, but the Same

     "Shooting Dad" by Sarah Vowell was all about the major differences and surprising similarities between Vowell and her dad. You would think that a gun-loving Republican and an art-loving Democrat would have no similarities, and that is what Vowell assumed, too. She spent most of her life arguing with her dad, so she was convinced that they would never have anything in common. It wasn't until she made an effort to appreciate her dad's differences and put herself in his shoes that she found how much alike they actually were. They are both "smart-alecky loners with goofy projects and weird equipment," but they just have different types of projects and equipment. This relationship proves that two completely different people can be essentially the same. The essay assures people that there is the possiblility of finding a similarity in one of their own incompatible relationships.
     When reading this essay, it reminded me of the movie, The Parent Trap, in which a pair of twins who were separated at birth reunite at summer camp. Hallie and Annie have completely different personalities, live across the world from each other, and have different interests. They even dislike each other at first and try to get under each others' skin, just like Vowell and her dad. Eventually, Hallie and Annie get to know each other and decide to switch places when they go back home. It wasn't until they put themselves in each others' shoes and make an effort to learn more about each other that they get along with each other and find how similar they are. Therefore, if one ever finds himself in a relationship where everything clashes, it is important to step in the other's place, because there is assuredly a similarity that can be found.

Appreciation

     Reading "Arm Wrestling with My Father" by Brad Manning, it really got me thinking about how important it is to appreciate family relationships. As a kid, Manning never really understood the way that his father showed his love to him. When he was finally strong enough to beat his dad in the arm wrestling match, he realized that he didn't want to see his dad lose because that would mean he's getting old and losing strength. That was the moment he fully realized how much his father has done for him, such as carry him upstairs when he had mono, and, at that moment, he found how much appreciation he had for his father.
     As everyone's lives get busier and busier, it becomes harder to always remember to appreciate everything your parents do for you. I am so fortunate to have such caring and supportive parents, but not everyone is, and I've realized that I take them for granted a lot of times. Even if they get mad at me or I get frustrated with them, I've learned how important it is to give them my full appreciation because everyone shows love in different ways. Manning's father showed his love in a more physical manner, whereas one of the ways my parents show their love is by being very concerned about my future. There is not one way to love, so I know it is crucial to appreciate every version of love my parents show me.

Your Culture is Forever

     While reading "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan, I found myself relating her story to my life. I have never had an experience exactly like Tan's, but I have been in situations where my culture or family came in contact with other aspects of my life. What "Fish Cheeks" teaches people is that one's culture is more important than anything else in life. Amy was embarrassed by her family and her Asian foods and traditions; she was focusing on what negative thoughts people would have about them. It is crucial to remember that your culture and family are basically the only things that will be with you your whole life.

     There are constantly oppurtunities in my life when I must choose to either be ashamed of my family or culture or to take pride in them. For example, my mom might do something embarrassing in public, but instead of getting mad or feeling humiliated about it, I simply don't mind. I always try to remember that everyone in that public area is very temporary in my lifetime, but my mom will always be my mom and will be with me the rest of my life. If you love and accept your culture and family, then you'll find that others' approval of it won't matter. At the time, Tan didn't realize that Robert and his family would only be in a short part of her life, unlike her Asian culture and her family, so it wasn't necessary to try to please them over taking pride in her roots. Therefore, in choosing how to act in situations, everyone should remind themselves of what is truly important and will be a part of them their whole lives-- family and culture.

Nothing is Guaranteed

     Last week, we read "Champion of the World" by Maya Angelou, which depicts a childhood memory of Joe Louis winning the championship match. Although Louis became the champion and proved that African Americans were the "strongest people in the world," they didn't automatically gain equality and safety. This has further opened my eyes to the fact that life is all about taking one step at a time. This was a huge step for African Americans because it proved that they were at least, and even more, capable of the same things that whites were capable of. Just because they proved this, that didn't mean that the white population would quickly decide to accept them and treat them equally. They needed to take it step by step, which they did, and they gained their equality.

     This idea is found everywhere in everyday life. For example, getting a perfect score on a test in a class doesn't automatically guarantee an A for that semester. You have to keep working for that grade and pass each test and project one at a time. As I was watching the Superbowl, I noticed this concept occurring. Although the Baltimore Ravens scored the first touchdown, they needed to keep working and take it play by play, because their win wasn't certain until the last second of the game. No one is assured of anything in life, so it's important to keep in mind that one small victory doesn't guarantee complete victory, but it can be achieved through taking one step at a time.