Cross-cultural Ignorance and Gullibility

People have trouble accepting, and learning about a culture which they are not part of. People are consumed by stereotypes, which make them gullible. I came across this type of problem again this year. One of my friends had henna tattoo on her hands, and people kept on asking her stupid questions like “Are you getting married?” Some of my friends were questioning her and I could see that she was annoyed, so I stepped in and said “Yeah, didn’t you know. She’s going to leave us once she graduates.” Though I was trying to be sarcastic, my friends took me seriously. When I told them that I was joking, they looked embarrassed. At that moment I realized how gullible my friends were, and how uneducated they were about the Indian Culture. People still think that Indians are primitive. When they hear “India” they immediately think “snake charmers” or “Gandhi." When I was in elementary school, people used to point to the middle of their head, and call me “Gandhi." They said “Gandhi” as if he was a horrible guy. They did not understand that Gandhi did not only help India, but also the US. Martin Luther King Jr., deeply influenced by Gandhi. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideas about the civil rights movement were greatly influenced by Gandhi. Another aspect about India people don’t understand is that India is a multicultural nation. People used to ask me why I wasn’t wearing a dot on my forehead. When I told them I was a Sikh not Hindu, they refused to understand, and continued to ask me. India is home to many religions not only Hinduism. India also has Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, etc. This makes me question diversity in the US. I’m not saying that nobody understands, many people do understand This does not apply to everybody, and sometimes people come across gullible trying to be understanding of a culture and trying not to be judgmental.

Sarcasm

People either understand, or don’t understand Sarcasm. It’s really important to see who your talking to when saying something sarcastic. Some people get mad when you say something even though you were trying to be sarcastic. Every time I try to be sarcastic people take me seriously. I wonder if it’s the expression on my face that makes my lie sound real, or do people just not know of my sarcastic tone?

Diversity

What is exactly diversity? Gunderson is known for it’s diverse group of students. When they say this do they mean that there are students from all different types of ethnicities? I think the true meaning of diversity should be; a group of people with different ethnicities, understanding people of another ethnicity. Diversity should not just be people from different countries put together. I think that diversity can be broken down from countries, to cultures; but what bothers me is that people assume that since your from a particular country, your religion is the one that is most known in that country. For example India. People think all Indian are Hindu’s. Or if your from Iran, people assume your Muslim. I find it funny that America thinks it’s the only diverse country. I think it is probably the most diverse, but not the only one

Movies

Wow! I can spend a long time watching movies like I did this weekend. They are one thing that makes you get your mind off things, and relax. Comedy's to me are the best movies because your laughing and having a good time. You have fun watching them, and you relax. They are not like scary movies in which your just waiting for something to make you scream. Adventure films are also exciting. You are curious of what is going to happen next. Mystery films are sometime scary, but usually very interesting, they are the ones that make you want to finish them. There are more than these four categories but these are the most common ones. Other categories are like romance, sci-fi, or family.

Sisters

The closet people in my life are my parents and my sister. They love me so dearly. They are the ones I know I can go to for any problem. They always make me feel better when there is something really bothering me. And my sister is not only my sis but also my best friend. I know that we'll always end up together, even if we do get mad at each other. I can go to her with all my problems. Problems which I may not be able to discuss with my parents or even with friends. She doesn't pressure me to do good she knows I will. We weren't always best friends but I think now that we are both mature our relationship is better. First it was a lot me annoying her. I'm not the only one who goes to her for help, but she also comes to me when something is bothering her. And we don't always talk about our problem, we talk to each other about anything else we want to tell each other. (Sometimes gossip.) I think that her moving to Berkeley made our relationship stronger. I can't wait for when she comes over so we can hang out, and talk, it's never that same as just calling, or e-mailing. I don't think all people share a tight relationship with their siblings, and I think they should because your siblings will most likely be with you till the very end. And sometimes people consider close friends as siblings.

Try your hardest

One subject that I was very confused in, and I didn't understand anything was Chemistry. I say this in pretense because once I sat down and actually talked to someone, and looked in my textbook I understood what we had been learning in class. I think that the biggest reason I wasn't getting anything was because I wasn't trying hard enough to get the material, and part of it was because of all the things I had hearing about my Chemistry teacher. Like she was hard. And I have heard from so many people that their not learning anything from their teacher's. First I think that they should maybe talk to their teachers alone to try to understand whats happening, and if you still don't get it ask someone else who may be able to help you. Sometimes you may have to try to teach yourself then you'll get it. I did. I think that a lot of times students dislike the teacher, or they have heard that that teacher is bad, or is hard, and don't try hard in that class because they think it is going to be so tough. I think students should think how their work is going to effect them, and if are not learning much they should ask a friend or someone they know may know the information, or even go to homework center and get help from another teacher that teaches that subject. Try your hardest, and even the hardest things become easy. They did for me.

Wasting your time

A person can really waste their time on the Internet. When I go to YouTube, or myspace, or facebook I end up spending a bunch of time doing nothing. On YouTube you watch one song and on the side you can watch like 50 million (exaggerated number) more like it, or ones related to it. On myspace, or facebook you can spend a long time fixing up your profile, and trying to make it look better, or just chit chat with your friends for a long time. I actually fall behind on things to do while I'm on the Internet, so I try to limit it as much as possible. And I don't think I'm the only one who does this. I think the Internet is part of my procrastination. But I also do understand it is sometimes really important to be on some of these websites.

Homework

This year I have been receiving homework from almost all of teachers every day, it is so tiring. I can't wait for this 3 day weekend coming up. I think this upcoming week will be pretty busy, and a bit sad, because Tennis will be over this Tuesday!!!! I have a lot of fun playing Tennis. And I have a Math, Spanish, and Chemistry quiz on Monday, on Tuesday I will play my last match this year against Andrew Hill, Wednesday I think something will come up, and on Thursday I have a Math Benchmark, and maybe an English one to. And on the weekend I will have to do my Chemistry, and Spanish project. Man I can't wait to get this week done with.

Homecoming

Every year homecoming week is a very busy week mostly for leadership students, and their advisers. It is a bit stressful, but once everything is done you then realize how much fun you had. This year it was also filled with excitement, and fun. Last Tuesday the Sophomore Class won powder puff against the Juniors, but we lost on Wednesday against the Seniors. Then on Wednesday we had hallway decorations from 6:00-9:00. Man I was so proud that we won hallway decorations, but then Mr. Iverson said that we get 2nd place because we were not allowed to put post-it notes anywhere, and if you saw our hallway the post-its were one of the highlights. Oh well. Then on Friday I was really happy because our class finally had a class chant, that we screamed out loud. XI SO FLY!!! That was one improvement we had, and when everyone came into the gym for the day rally, and I saw how much spirit my class had I was so happy. The night rally was fun also. I was so freaked out because I had chosen to be in the skit. (Well I was pressured a bit.) Once I was did it I realized how much fun I had. The other classes skits were also amazing. And Mr. Miclette's performance was outstanding. I think if any person is part of Homecoming whether they are in leadership or not they have fun. So next year class of 2011, come and help out with homecoming, you will have a lot of fun. Ask any student that helped out in homecoming you'll get a positive respond.

Admitting that your wrong

Sometimes people, including me have a hard time admitting that their wrong. When someone tells me that I'm wrong I find proof from various other people to make sure that I am wrong. I have been doing that less this year, but I feel that my teachers hate it when they are corrected. And I understand that they don't want to be corrected by a student but it's useful if a person has the correct facts. It's like Haemon said "... it is no shame for even a wise man to continue learning." I think that all my teachers are wise, but should sometimes listen to their students. (Mr. Thompson you have not done this. Your quite a listener.)

Homecoming

While every class is filled with excitement of homecoming I was really worried. I was worried that we had so much work to do, and I felt that people in Leadership were not committed to their role in leadership weather it was helping with the float, or helping with the skit. We had been having work day's previously but people were not coming out and helping. Then finally this Saturday we had plenty of people show up, and the Sophomore class got plenty work done. We are well on our way with our crash poster, and with our skit, and our float Had we had some butcher paper we probably would have been done with everything. I think that our class is going to do great this year in the class competitions. We may actually win some like crash poster, or hallway decoration which are this Thursday. This up coming week is going to be full of excitement for everyone. This Friday the 10th it's going to be hectic. Before lunch on Friday we will have a Day rally so come decked up in your class colors! Sophomores we are neon colors except green, And white is not neon!! On Friday we will also be holding a night rally in the plaza at 6:00. In the night rally each class will be performing their skits. So I advice that you come. The sad part is that during the night rally their will be a football, and volleyball game going on, but you can come early to cheer on our grizzles. On Saturday I advice that people come and attend the Homecoming Dance. And I almost forgot that this week is also spirit week.
Monday- Nerd Day Tuesday- Hippie Day Wednesday- Retro Day
Thursday- Imitate an artist, or band member Day Friday- Class Colors Day

Cousins

Some cousins (ages 3-8) can be defined as brats. They come over to your house mess-up your room, and annoy you to the point where you just look at the clock, and wait for them to leave. They ask you for stuff to do, or stuff to eat. I feel like a maid when my cousins are over. I can't be rude, and tell them to shut up and sit down in one position, because they go crying to their parents and I end up getting in trouble. I hated sometimes when my cousins came over. Then when I had heard that some of my cousins were coming over I was freaked. I just said to myself that they'd only be here for a couple of hours, then they'd be gone! It had been almost a year since I had seen them, so I had missed them a little, which made want to see them. But I did know I might regret them coming later. Then once they were here my opinion about them changed, and not just a little but quite a bit. They were not brats. They were actually nice mature kids. I was shocked that they had grown up so quickly in a year. They had both grown physically, and mentally. I could actually have a conversation with them about various things like school, and sports. Had it been last year I would have probably been playing board games with them. I actually can't wait top see them again.