Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Last blog post - recommendation for book

I recommend 'The Present' written by Spencer Johnson. Students should study and need motivation to study. In that point, this book helped me during my adolescent period. When I was tired of studying or had a lack of motivation to study, this book reminded me of learning importance. Also, it not only encourages students to study, but it also advise them to be dilligence.

As the book title suggests, it can be two meaning. 'The Present' can mean a gift that you receive from somebody. However, 'The Present' also means 'right now.' It is between the past and the future. Therefore, the book put importance on the time, especially now. Through a person's story, this book emphasises on the valuable time.

I think this book will not be a burden to students because it contains short story which is just about 100 pages long with a big text size. Additionally, it teaches students a life lesson about managing the time.

After I read the Emerging Scholar's website, I feel the students need some motivation to study and learn how to manage the valuable time. I believe that 'The Present' will help them to go to college and get a degree.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Mulan and Ailin

I don't agree with this idea because were also brave and independent. I cannot understand why some people think Mulan has been overly westernized. I don't see the point of meaning westernized. Is this because Mulan fought against men or fought against custom ? Or does it mean Mulan did not want to marry a man whom she do not know? In my opinion, if people think Mulan has been overly westernized, they do not know eastern culutre well. They didn't even research the culture and history. There were queens in Chinese history. Sometimes Chinese women governed over the men.
I think Disney viewers will be find with Ailin. Even though Ailin lived in the different culture, people know what is going on globally. They know their culture is not only one, but they know that there are many different cultures all over the world. Additionally, Ailin also pursue the freedom from old Cihnese culture which is foot binding. The westerners also fought against their freedom, so I think they can understand or have even sympathy for Ailin.
I think that Ailin is more representative of Chinese culture because Ailin showed more old Chinses custom which western people do not know, and the old custom is foot binding. Foot binding is only old custom of China. However, the readers can see Chinese culture in Mulan is marriage. The women's marriage brings honor to their family. I learned that this marriage meaning is similar to western culture in the past. The wester women also married in order to bring honor to their family.
Marriage matter is also important to Chinese culture, but the foot binding is the only custom that Chinese culture has. This is the reason why I think Ailin is more representative of Chinese culture.