From the Mind Of Nyasha

Returning home was confusing to be honest. I do not remember the language and the cultural details of my home do not come easily to me anymore. Everything has to be thought out ahead of time and translated inside my head. I really just don't have any desire to be here. My father forced us all down for the visit, but what i don't understand is why my father has to be the one in charge. He takes so much responsibility that he is always worn down physically, mentally, and emotionally. He does not understand that my mother and I have an opinion as well so we are forced to do what he wants and what he needs. This has thrown a wrench in our relationship and i'm not sure that we will ever agree with anything in the future.

Tambu is sweet. She wants to understand me and my "problems" but I think it's all too much for her to understand. I have been to England, not her. I have seen and interacted with the white people, not her. I have possessed their rights and decisions, not her. I have decided to be, in my own way, white, and Tambu will never be able to understand that. I see things differently and I can see how unfair our society that we call "home" is. I will do what I believe and what I want. I can smoke if it pleases me and I can read what will better educate me. My mother does;t understand. She gave what I will have up, freedom. She chose us, our family, but I will be wiser. I will make my own path and create my own life. Tambu can be there to comfort me if it pleases her, but I can do what I want and what I need on my own.

----Nyasha (Mckenzie)

C-Layer 1 Evaluations

Well... this post is way too easy for me. In case you didn't notice, on Friday I managed to create an entirely new project for c-layer 1. I was attempting to create a story board but for some reason it did not occur to me that a "STORY BOARD" meant a cartoon strip type project... (i mean duh). I really don't why that did not cross my mind. Anyways, I stayed up until a stupid hour of night trying to complete what I though should be a poster board with 3 images and captions per chapter. I did my best with what I thought was right and it turned around and kicked me in the butt. I hope I don't lose to much credit or dignity for my mistake and will make sure to fully understand Dr. D for the next 3 layers.

As for reading guides, blogs, and vocabulary tests, they were wonderful. All three were a good choice and easy to complete even on short notice... That's another thing. I definitely need to begin the process of these layers much earlier on so that I don't run out of time. This round I will be sure to start ahead of time and get a little of each project done night by night. That way I can get a good grade as well as an acceptable amount of sleep.

Reading Details:

Nervous Conditions:

• Wednesday: 1 hour +annotations
• Thursday: 3 hours +annotations
• Friday: 30 min + annotations
• Sunday: 15min
• Monday: 45min +annotations

Chapter 3 : Nervous Conditions

Lots of events take place in chapter 3, but there was one point Tambu made in her head that really confused me. The tension between Tambu and her cousins was not something I was expecting as she always talked about them in awe and with respect in previous chapters. Tambu seems to immediately dislike Nyasha because of her short dress and the fact that she forgot her native language. She finds this offending and refuses to associate with her for the entire family gathering.....

but then, later in the chapter Tambu notices how uncomfortable Nyasha looks while the rest of the family is dancing and enjoying themselves. She actually tries to help Nyasha, but Maiguru prevents her from dancing. Really she prevents her from doing anything related to the Shona culture. This left me very confused. Why did Tambu have a sudden change of heart? And why is Maiguru preventing her daughter from enjoying her native culture?

Also in chapter 3, there is a scene after the death of Nhamo where Tambu's mother is grieving. She explains that her mother had lost three children already during childbirth, three boys to be specific. Boys are the only gender a family really wants because they are the only gender that could continue the family line after marriage. Tambu's family said to be cursed because of this unfortunate loss of so many boys and large amount of living girls. I think this easily can be added to the theme of Gender Segregation in this book.

Reading/Research Times

2hours editing draft
45min reading Everlasting

Research Paper Reflection

1. I found the quoting and explanation of information fairly easy to write. All I needed to know was right there in front of me so all I had to do was read and repeat from my understanding. THe introduction, conclusion, and transitions were much more difficult for me to write as it took much more creativity and use of my own ideas. I found the sheet Dr. D gave us with example signal phrases and other useful tricks was very helpful when revising my paper, while the peer editing session did not help at all. Next time during my writing process I will make sure to spend more time on the different sections instead of doing them all at once, that way my voice stays intact the entire time. 
2. When we did peer editing, the person who received my paper did not leave any comments other than the numbering of my sources. It did not help me at all in preparing my final draft and left me stranded for revising. 
3. I think my voice, organization, and conventions are the best aspects of my paper where as my word choice is definitely the worst part. 
4. My paper was written over a period of time so little pieces were added all along. However when editing I did struggle and was up a bit too late last Thursday night because of what I was left with.

Reading/Research

Reading:

• Everlasting: 2hours 45 min
• Nervous Conditions: 15min

Research:

• 3hours Thursday night freak out...
• 1hour 15 min Friday

My Reading

• The Season by Sarah MacLean:
•  2 hours Monday
• 30 min Tuesday
• 2 hours Wednesday
• 2hrs 30 min Thursday

• Everlasting by Angie Frazier:
• 15 min Friday
• 1 hour Saturday