I am (right now) positively thinking about how wonderful it will be to skip all of my classes tonight, because really, who needs to go to a literature class discussing Kate Chopin's The Awakening, that started heated arguments (which I contributed to) during Monday's class, about who was right and who was wrong in that novella. If you haven't read it, the protagonist, Edna, wakes up one day realizing there is more to life than her husband and kids, and considers an affair with a certain young Robert, who loves her more, and gives her more attention and more appreciation than her husband, (who mistreats her a little). And you know, there are some things men and women are never! going to agree on. All the girls in the class felt sympathy for her, and how she felt constrained by her roles in life, and how it wasn't so odd she should have an identity crises. One girl quoted Frued who said that "anatomy determines destiny," and how by virtue of being a woman, a girl will eventually find herself a wife and/or mother. She added that different women fill these roles differently, and it is not necessarily an easy task!
The boys said, she could have done this, and this, and this, and that to make her marriage better, it was her fault, how dare she even think about another man/another life, what a stupid woman! (Neither side condoned adultery, but the men were sooo unsympathetic, it was amazing!) I don't want to walk into that battlefield again tonight!
Positive Thinking
Yesterday I was sure my life was awful, and I could have blogged all about these awful things, and I might still...but I decided to try the power of positive thinking on for size. It was spurred by Panini's inviting me over for dinner. She makes killer Borsch! All I needed was a little blood-red-soup, containing beef, three onions, two garlic cloves, and a whole lot of beets and cabbage, combined with some nice girls and cute boys to eat with, and I felt better! I decided to think positive, life is not so bad. I then discovered, the treacherous snow-driving, provided an opportunity for me to have better driving skills; that the song on the radio, (bad, but so deliciously good), "Come A Little Closer," by Dirks Bently was the perfect mood music for studying in the library, that BYU library stays open until 2 a.m. during finals, which provide me with quality time with my lab top and books, and that oreos and good-boy-conversation with my roomate who was still awake when I returned was a perfect ending to my day. There are things to be thankful for everyday.
9 comments:
Panini, if you read this, I want your Borsch reciepe (I can't spell) okay?
I enjoyed The Awakening. I find it ironic that the guys are the ones who can't sympathize at all. It seems that the men I've known (or watched on TV, in movies, etc) are more likely to actually do something about looking for or wanting another life. Is it wrong for a woman to do the same thing? Are these guys denying the fact that they could get stuck in a similar situation?
Anyway, it was an interesting novel. I'm curious whether or not you liked it. And what class you're reading it for. I read it for Honors P 200 with Paula...something...can't remember her last name...
I would like your Borsch recipe too.
:)
So glad to find a comrade in feminism!
Your post made me think of that book "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. The basic premise being faith in yourself makes good things happen to you.
I always wonder whether stuff like this is legit, or if we just want to believe it's legit but it's really hokey marketing to make us feel safer in an unpredictable world. I guess it never hurts to put on the rose colored glasses.
Oh, thanks for liking my Borsch! :) I'll put my recipe at the bottom of this comment for you and Ruby.
Firstly, I can't believe they weren't sympathetic. It's so infuriating when people have double-standards...I'm sure they would have been sympathetic to a man.
I'm so sad I was at school yesterday when there was class-skipping going on. :) Would've been fun to play. Is CJs thing still on tonight?
You're so good about thinking positive. (But I want to hear all the horrible stuff too. :))And I'm so glad you came for dinner!
SJ, I think there really is something to it...our lives become a "self-fulfulling prophecy." That's largely been my experience...with dating and jobs and school. Obviously I need to work on my dating.
Borsche:
a good sized steak
4 cans of sliced beets
5 potatoes
2 onions
some cabbage
3 cloves of garlic
salt
pepper
2 beef bullion cubes
sour cream
Directions:
Peel and dice potatoes. Boil them for about 5 minutes. Drain. Cut up onions, steak, garlic, and cabbage. Cook up steak with garlic, salt, and pepper. Add onions and cook for a few more minutes. Add sliced beets and bullion cubes. Bring to a boil. Let cook a few more minutes. Add cabbage and allow to cook for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Check the flavor. You probably will need a lot more salt and pepper. Serve with sour cream.
Esperaza, do you remember in 8th or 9th grade when we got extra credit in English if we made Borscht and brought it to class to share? Or was it some other class. Anyway, good memories, good times.
I do wonder how much I could improve some of my issues by turning things around with optimism. I frequently get into the rut of realist/pessimist.
P.S. Borscht sounds yummy! Thanks Panini, I think I will give a try.
Jessica, I LOVED, The Awakening, one of my new favorites, and I made a similar comment to yours in class, that in literature ect., it seems alwyas okay for the guy to go leave and find his new life, but part of the reason this book is so shocking is because it is a woman contemplating it! ANd this totally closed minded middle aged married man, totally criticized me and said "in MY WORLD adultry is not okay, and YOU DON't have KIDS, so you will understand this different once you do." I said, "i'm not promoting adultrey" I'm just saying we have to have sympathy for her, and the teacher butted in and told the guy not to criticize my oppinions based on me not having kids...anyway. Anyone who has not yet read this book, it is only 115 pgs and a really good read.
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