Notes of a Native Son

James Baldwin did not have a loving relationship with his father. There was not much communication between the two, and for a long period of time he felt hate towards him. All the negative memories of his father made him feel enraged, but he realized in order to hate someone or a group of people like the “whites” you have to be ignorant. People hate each other because they block out all the positive thoughts and only think about the negative thoughts and actions they have committed. Baldwin and his father were not able to confront each other because they had to much pride. Similar to the "whites" they build an invisible wall between them. The wall separated them and kept them from communicating.

Even though Baldwin and his father did not socialize with one another they both found ways to release their high tensions. Baldwin prefer expressing himself through his writing rather than preaching. Unlike his father, who enjoyed talking negative about others who where different than him.After his fathers death Baldwin wished to have been patient with his father and got to know him better.

Baldwin realized his father made some mistakes, but remember a kind things his father had done for him when he was young. For example, Baldwin's father comfort Baldwin when he had scrapped his knee on the footrest of the barber's chair when he was getting a haircut. Baldwin learned people who make mistakes are not all bad people, and should be given a second chance. Although, it was too late to bond with his father, he learned a valuable lesson that will help him keep his heart free from hatred.

Notes of a Native Son

James Baldwin did not have a loving relationship with his father. There was not much communication between the two, and for a long period of time he felt hate towards him. All the negative memories of his father made him feel enraged, but he realized in order to hate someone or a group of people like the “whites” you have to be ignorant. People hate each other because they block out all the positive thoughts and only think about the negative thoughts and actions they have committed. Baldwin wished to have been patient with his father and got to know him better. Although, it was too late to bond with his father, he learned a valuable lesson that will help him keep his heart free from hatred.

A Positive Attitude

I was able to relate to the story "The Code". I imagined how the author must have felt having an aunt like Helen because I also had a cold hearted aunt. Whatever my mom and I did was never good enough for her. According to my aunt her cooking was better than our cooking. I didn’t understand why she didn’t appreciate my mother and I. I felt anger when Aunt Helen didn’t approve of the box cake for Uncle Frank. How dare she look down on someone for taking the time of doing something thoughtful for another person.
Aunt Helen made me realized people who criticize others are the ones who are unhappy. She had nothing better to do but, to talk bad about others even people in her family. Maybe it was jealousy Aunt Helen felt, but I believe people shouldn’t let others put them down. The more confident people are the more anger the other person will feel knowing they cannot bring them down with their words.
After reading the story I felt bad for Aunt Helen she was divorced and lonely. She seemed to always have a negative attitude towards life. I hope one day she learns to appreciate and love life. We only live once and need to live our life to the fullest. I enjoyed reading the story not only did I realize I wasn’t the only one with an ungrateful aunt, but I realized how lucky I am to be able to maintain my cool and not let people put me down.

My Reflections on a Beauty Blog

I love make-up, and like most girls I enjoy pampering myself with creams, lotions, and shampoos. Everyone is unique and we all have different skin types, hair type, and style. Choosing the right product for your skin or hair type can be difficult, but the blog site www.yummiebitez.blogspot.com makes it easier for people to choose the right products. I was fascinated how the writer provided costumers with make up tips on how to apply make and other products with videos or specific directions. The writer is very honest and detail about the products on her blog. She describes the quality, prices, the ingredients, and her on personal opinion about the product, which I enjoyed reading.

My Reflections on Another Blog

Brett Blumenthal has a passion for music, which she describes in her blog http://www.sheerblog.com/. The title for her blog is “Please Don’t Stop the Music” and it definitely caught my attention because I love listen to music myself. Brett and I feel music is much more than a nice beat. Music is my passion and in some song’s I find them to be my personal theme song telling the story of one moment in my life. Every minute of everyday my mood, my feelings, and my emotions are captured in music. Music is my inspiration and helps me get through the day.

My Choice

My Saturday night did not go as I had planned, which was very disappointing. My friends and I went to a club in the city of Tarzana.We were all excited to go to the club and were dressed to impress. However we were not expecting to see our old boyfriends there with other girls and dancing with them. Our Saturday night quickly became a humiliating night where we were faced with a hard decision. We could have decided to stay and dance with other guys so they can know how we feel or leave and go to another club. We decided to not lower ourselves in front of our old boyfriends and leave the club. We were not going to let our old boyfriends destroy our Saturday night by getting us jealous.

Making a Difference with my Words

Writing helps me express my feelings, and get a point across to those who read my writing. For example, I could write about my family problems on my blogs. Not only does it help me express my emotions, but someone who reads my writing can relate to some of my problems. I love writing because I feel every one can benefit from each others stories. Together we can make a difference in each others lives with our words.

When I Was a Child

When I was a child I used to love spending time with my younger sister Ivette. We are one year apart of age and have many things in common and we always got along real well. We used to play with Barbies, watch movies, and our favorite thing to do when we were little was going swimming. Every weekend my mom would take us swimming and my sister and I played in the water and swam for hours. We loved having fun in the sun, but as we got older things changed. My sister Ivette and I still get along, but we do not spend as much time together like we did when we were younger.
I miss those days of laughter and being by her side when we were sad. Every time I was sad she always made me smile by trying to be funny. I felt she was the only one who could understand me, since she new me so well. When I was a child she looked up to me and wanted to grow up to be like me, but she later realized that she was a very special girl with other great qualities. I am glad she realized how valuable she is, but wished she would make more time to spend with her family.
We both have boyfriends and she really loves spending a lot of time with him. I sometimes feel a little jealous that she always wants to be with him. I love making time for my family and I also make time for school, friends, and my boyfriend. Ever since I moved out to college I even feel a little distance from her. We don't even talk on the phone. However we are both excited about her coming to college in the fall and moving in with me at the dorms. I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my sister and helping her get through her first year in college at Mount St. Mary's.

A New Subject I Learned

My primary language is Spanish, but I was taught in elementary school how to read, write and speak English. I had a difficult time learning English because I grew up with my family talking Spanish to me. Some words in the English language sound different than their spelling. Unlike, in the Spanish language a words spelling is written by the words sound. It was easier for me to sound out the word and spell it correctly at that time.The language that I would hear on the street's and television was different than what I had learned in the classroom.
As I got older I learned to distinguish the differences between "slang" and proper English. I read magazines, books, and poem's to improve my vocabulary in the English language. It was a struggle for me to comprehend the English language, but I did not give up. I know how important it is to understand the English language and being able to write it well will make a difference in my life. I am not the best English writer, but I am now able to express my ideas clearly. I might have also inspired others to not give up and have faith that they will also succeed in any task that they are currently having problems with. I now enjoy reading more than ever, and every day I learn something new from the English language, which I am grateful for.

Ending The Relatinship With Your Love One

Expressing your feelings to another person can be difficult. I takes time to love someone and trust them with your heart. It deeply hurts a person when someone you trust has not been faithful, you are disappointed in yourself for not ending the relationship. However, it is hard taking the first step and leave before you are left heartbroken. I have been through many relationships and I learned if there is no trust there is no love. Break ups play an important role in someones life. Once the relationship is over it will take a while for the couple to move on and go their separate ways.
Some people become great friends after their break ups, but others become enemies and never speak to each other again. There have also been plenty of couples who get so depress they have suicidal thoughts or want revenge. Being depressed about a break up is not the solution. They are other ways to deal with a heartbreak. For example, going out with your closest friends to the clubs, taking a vacation, maybe some yoga classes to take your mind off things. Being relaxed and spending time with your family and friends is the best way to get over someone. Something better always comes along although it might not happen right away, but the right person will come when you least expected. Always look at the bright side for some reasons things didn't work out, or so it wasn't meant to be.

Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space

At the begining of the story "Just Walk on By" by Brent Staples I had a bad image of Brent Staples. Since, he described a white women as his first victim I thought he was a rapist or a mugger. However, at the begining of the story I identify myself with the women in Hyde Park because I sometimes feel intimated by other men when they stare at me for too long. As I read more through out the story I realized how embarrassed and dismayed Staples felt. In the end I felt bad for Brent Staples, and put myself in his position and would have not like others judging me by my apperance.
I was able to relate to him and I have also been in situations were I can tell I made someone feel uncomfterble because of the way I look at them. Even though I mean no harm sometimes people take it the wrong way. I am glad Brent Staples was able to realized how invading other peoples space unintentionally may cause others discomfort, and changed his ways. I also changed my ways and do not stare at others for a long period of time. When I finished reading the story I realized I have to respect others space so they can respect mine as well.

My Two Favorite Jobs

My first grown up job, the first one was working inside the Burbank Mall in SEARS as a cashier. I was only sixteen at the time, it was a great experience for me. I learned many responsibilities such as customer service, cash handling, getting along with my co-workers, and working the register. I realized that a simple smile can make a customer feel comfortable enough to approach you and ask you a question about a product or about the sale. It is very important for the customer to feel welcome inside the store so he/she will tell more friends about the wonderful customer service in SEARS and hope they will go check out the store for themselves.
I worked a t SEARS for a year and was happy they had given me the opportunity to work with them.
However, I was going to start college in the fall in August at Mount St. Mary's in downtown Los Angeles and I found a job near my campus. I left SEARS to work at another wonderful job that I love and I am currently employed in. It's an after school program called A World Fit For Kids and I'm a second grade coach. I help the children with their homework, teach them how important it is to stay healthy, and keep them active during the program.
The children that I currently work with have also taught me some valuable skills. They have taught me to be patient with them and considerate. They love it when I reward them for their good behavior with treats like ice cream or candy. I enjoy working with children and I feel that I am also making a difference in their lives. So, when they get older I know they will never forget their fun, loving, and caring second grade coach from the after school program they were once enrolled in.

Coffee Will Make You Black

In the novel “Coffee Will Make you Black” Jean Eloise is going through a very difficult stage in her life. She is going through puberty and also wants to be part of the popular crowd. Jean Eloise has been known for her intelligence all her life, but now she wants to be best friends with Carla. She has always been considered the popular girl in class, but she is not as sweet and caring as Jean Eloise. Carla decided to give her a chance to get to know her when Jean Eloise rejected the invitation from Ms. Stevenson to sing in the chorus in the children’s hospital because she thought Carla had a better singing voice.
However being popular only brought Jean Eloise more problems for example once she rejected the opportunity to sing from her teacher and lied to her about her parents having the flue her mom beat her until she had tears coming down her eyes, which had taken her awhile. Although after the beating her mom decided to give her permission to go to Carla’s party. Jean Eloise was so excited to go to the party, but when she was there she realize that it was not a big deal, but at that party boys started noticing her and she notice them as well. She finally became popular and had the opportunity to talk to Yusef Brown one of the most popular boys in school.
Yusef Brown had a cigarette on back of his ear and would wear a khaki pants and green converse. He started talking to her in the swings and began waiting for her every day after class to walk her home. They both liked each other and were soon going to be in a relationship, which would lead to more problems. Jean Eloise parents did not like Yusef Brown. There were certain things she wanted to do, but did not feel comftarble talking about it with Yusef because he might thing she is not as cool as every one thinks. However if Yusef Brown really likes her he would accept her for who she is and will support her decisions.

Trust

What I hate the most is being in a relationship with a guy who suddenly becomes best friends with a girl that I do not trust named Monica .I have known her since high school and we are good friends, but I know not to trust her. She is very liberal and does not believe in love. I would love to be in a serious relationship with this guy that I am dating but I feel she gets in the way of our relationship. I have also caught her in a few lies and I know they both keep secrets from me. It hurts me to know that he would rather tell her certain things than talking to me about it.
I realize I am a little jealous of their friendship. My boyfriend and I have had great times together, but I hate the fact that he keeps things from me. I feel if there is no trust in the relationship it is not going to work out. I know I am still young and falling in love should be the last thing on my mind. However, the thought of having someone special to share good memories with seems so wonderful. One of the hardest things in life is to let go of that person who you like and care about the most.
I do not want to loose my boyfriend and decided to have a talk with Monica and tell her how I feel about their relationship. I explained to her how I hate the fact that I feel he is cheating on me and her knowing about it. She made it very clear that I have nothing to worry about my boyfriend cheating on me. He admitted to her how much he loves me. I felt relieved and glad I confronted her about my problem. Monica and I are now very good friends and we all hang out together and care for one another. I learned to accept the fact that my boyfriend has friends and I do not need to be jealous of their relationship because what we have is special.

Christmas

I was so disappointed I was short on money during my winter vacation, and could not afford to buy all my family members and friends presents. I regret buying my boyfriend a very expensive Christmas present. My boyfriend asked me to buy him a PlayStation 3 for Christmas. He got me a job when I moved to Los Angeles to attend Mount St. Mary's College and I thought he deserved it. My family and friends understood how much it meant for me to make my boyfriend happy. They did not mind receiving their Christmas presents late, which made me feel relieved.
I was so excited when I bought my boyfriend his PlayStation 3 and decided to give him his Christmas present early. He loved his present and, even though he bought me an“ipod shuffle” I loved it and was happy as well. However, a couple of days after Christmas my close friend told me my boyfriend had confessed to her that he has cheated on me. I felt betrayed I was so angry and disappointed in him. I regret working so hard to save up for his Christmas present and not even buy my own family their presents on time. I was not only disappointed at my boyfriend during Christmas, I was also mad at myself for not realizing that my family always comes first.
They are the ones I can trust and count on when I am going through difficult times. I apologized to my family, and they were very understanding. They were more concerned about my heartbreak with my boyfriend and advised me to have a talk with him. It might have been some type of misunderstanding, but it was difficult to look at my boyfriend in the eye. My boyfriend explained to me that what my friend had said was a horrible lie. Unfortunately, she was jealous of the fact that she saw me happy with my boyfriend and made the whole story up to try to break us apart. I also had a talk with her and she apologized as well, but now I know I can never trust her. As for my boyfriend, we are still trying to work things out, but no matter what happens, my family will always come first in my heart.