The Way

     The Way has inspired me to be open to everyone. As I move on to college, I think it will be important to keep an open mind as I meet other people from all over the world. The way that Tom, Yoast, Sarah, and Jack came together throughout the movie really moved me as the movie panned out. The bond that developed over the time they spent together was amazing to me. The concept of the pilgrimage definitely appeals to me. I like the idea of being able to let go of something throughout your journey. Also, I think that if someone decides to go on the Camino de Santiego then there is a special reason why he/she chose to do so. Therefore, I agree with the entire concept of the pilgrimage. Although Tom's main purpose remained the same for his journey, there were slight changes as the movie continued. For example when Tom met Ishmael, he suggested that Tom take the rest of his son's ashes to the coast. Also as Tom began to get to know the stories of Sarah, Yoast, and Jack, his attitude and purpose of the Camino was changed. He began his journey for his son and ended it with a sense of healing, and reason to participate in other pilgrimages.

Mixed Messages

     Based on Emily Reimer-Barry’s interview, the Church send positive messages to young women by allowing them to be lectors, cantors, and altar servers. Women also can participate in the Church by heading different religious groups and projects. Also positive messages are given in issues such as sexual consent in relationships and the honor of women. The Church teaches that the dignity of all people is equal and it should not matter whether one is male or female. In my Catholic school environment, I have been taught that women are equal to men when we discuss moral issues. However when learning about the bible stories, everything revolves around men. In this case I have definitely received mixed messages in what I have been taught. The bible revolves around men, their role in society, and how they have contributed to our religious history. However, I am also taught that women are just as important as men and they are equals. In a way, this is very contradictive because I think how can women be just as important as men if men are usually the focus of our faith.  

Abortion

     Abortion in other countries differs from abortion in the US widely. In the US, many trained physicians perform the abortion procedure. However in other countries, this fact does not hold true. There are under trained physicians committing abortion, which is due to many deaths of women who sought out abortion. Also in the US, many women who get an abortion do not face the risk of death. Some potential/better solutions that may help decrease the abortion rate in some of these developing countries are investment in contraception. If these countries make contraception widely available then the chance of a woman getting pregnant may decline rapidly. Another solution may be making abortion illegal in these countries. Although that may be a difficult task, I think that if it could be done, it will decrease the rate of abortion as well.

IVF

     After learning more about IVF, and reading the US Catholic article, I would say the cons are creating a mentality that children are a commodity, the destruction of left over fertilized eggs, and the potential strain IVF could have on a husband and wife. However, I believe that the pros out weigh the cons. The pros are bringing a child into the world that may not have been here without IVF, giving hope to parents who otherwise would be childless, and creating lives that are as normal as any other child who was conceived traditionally. My opinion about IVF is that I do not oppose it. I think that it is a wonder of modern technology that gives hope to many childless couples. The Church’s teaching about IVF informs my opinion by helping me realize that if women’s eggs are not frozen, then they will be disposed of, which destroys some embryos or chances for those eggs to be fertilized. Also, I can see how some people would begin to view children as a commodity instead of a blessing; however, I believe that it is a rare case that someone would only be seeking the use of IVF for the easy access of it. Most of the time, couples are using IVF because it may be their last option for the wife to carry their own child. I think that the Church should not completely oppose IVF because of their teaching that child bearing is a blessing—sometimes that blessing needs some help to be created. The financial cost of IVF does not affect my opinion on the morality of the practice. Going to be part of the medical field in a few years, I have already begun to realize that many major medical procedures require funding. Using IVF is not as simple as going to the doctor to get a flu shot. It is a process that requires patience, modern medical equipment, and doctors who know what they are doing. I think that because IVF is rather modern, and becoming more and more advanced, the cost would be high. Therefore, the cost of IVF is part of my expectation and does not surprise me nor affect my opinion on the morality of the practice.

 

He's Just Not That Into You Reflection

In He’s Just Not That Into You, Alex plays a character that reminds me of our “hook up culture” discussion. When he gives Gigi advice and tips on how guys think, he explains how guys really think about women. Most of his advice revolves around how guys think about relationships and women. Also, Alex reveals that he does not attach himself to the girls with whom he kind of gets involved. However, Alex and Gigi’s relationship turn out demonstrates that not all relationships are negative. When my classmates and I interviewed happily married couples, we realized that relationships do not always have negative affects.

Beth and Neil’s relationship also reminds me of our love story project as well as our discussion of love and relationships. Even though they cohabitate, which is another topic we discussed, they have such an awesome connections and love for each other. Beth says that Neil is more of a husband despite the fact that they are not married than the husbands of women who are married. I think that if a relationship is so powerful and strong in that way, cohabitating is not necessarily a bad thing. Although Neil did not want to get married in the beginning of the film, he demonstrates that his love for Beth is stronger than his wants. When Neil proposes he says that he needs to make Beth happy in order for him to be happy. A love like Beth and Neil’s is a great example of the positive aspects of love and relationships. 

The Changing Face of Marriage

My experience of the ‘domestic church’ has been very prominent in my life. Although I have attended Catholic school for all of my years of education so far, my parents were originally the people who introduced me to the faith. My parents taught me right from wrong, love, forgiveness, and many other values and morals that I will have for the rest of my life. Therefore, some pros of the changing structure and composition of marriage and family from ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ are love and loyalty. Gigi works so hard to find someone to love, and does not give up on it because she has hope that someone out there will love her too. Neil demonstrates love and loyalty because he stays faithful and committed to Beth even though they are not married. Also when Beth was facing a difficult time, Neil came to her side even though they were not together at that point. However, there are some cons presented in the film as well. When Alex degrades real love or the possibility of it, he does not exhibit hope for a relationship to develop ever. Also when Neil denies the possibility of marriage, but promotes cohabitation without an official commitment, is a con of the film.

            I think that if a study says having a college degree will decrease my chances of divorce and multiple marriages then my chances will be decreased. However, just because I am getting a college degree does not mean that those who do not have one will suffer. I think that a marriage can work if two people are really committed to each other and will try their best to pull through the difficult times. I do feel compelled to someday establish the domestic church in my home because that is what I am used to. Also, the domestic church in my home has taught me so much about myself and helped me develop who I am today. I hope to raise my children with confidence the same way I was. 

Dating and 'Hooking Up'

     My reaction to the "anti-daters" argument is that although some may believe dating is simply a practice for divorce, I believe that dating is a practice to eliminate divorce as a possibility in one's future. If people do not date, how will they know whether or not marrying someone is the right thing to do. By dating, you can get to know someone and grow together in love. If someone decides to just marry without dating, then he/she will not get to know and love his/her spouse until the couple is officially committed to each other forever. I believe that without dating, marriages can lead to more divorces if the couple did not experience the dating period to get to know and understand one another. The "anti-dater" argument compares with my peers and contemporaries by the way people date today. Many relationships today are seen as "just for fun" as well as hook ups in colleges and universities today. People hook up or date only for a short time and then forget about each other, which compares to the "anti-dater" mentality: dating only prepares us for divorce. However, not all relationships or hook ups result in break ups, disappoint, or even take place without commitment.

Some say love...

The qualities and characteristics of love that I seek to experience in dating/committed relationships are appreciation, closeness, care and a friendship. The song “All of Me” by John Legend explains the type of appreciation and sense of togetherness that I would want in a relationship. “Love all your curves and edges, all your perfect imperfections, give your all to me and I’ll give my all to you” is a quote from “All of Me” and this sense of love is what I hope for in a relationship. Although the message in this song of complete love no matter what may be only an ideal, I seek to experience some type of the relationship in this songs message. Ed Sheeran’s song, “Give me love” talks about a friendship in love and just being able to have fun with the person you love. In a dating/committed relationship, being able to just have fun and do more than just romantic things is an ideal for me. “In the darkest night I’ll search through the crowd, your face is all that I see. I’ll give you everything.” This is a quote from Beyoncé’s song “XO,” which explains how even in difficult times, all she can see is Jay-Z’s love. Even when there are hard times in a committed relationship, I hope that we would be able to get through it. “Unconditionally” by Katy Perry is a song talking about closeness and friendship in a relationship. She says how she will love her boyfriend unconditionally through anything because she loves him. My expectations of a relationship are illustrated in this song, and in Emeli Sande’s song “Next to Me.” Sande’s song illustrates all of the qualities that I seek to experience in a relationship because her song talks about her appreciation for him always being there for her. The closeness and friendship comes in when she talks about how she knows that he will be next to her, and I think that care automatically occurs in any of these songs.

I do not really believe in the quest for soul mates at all because I have never thought of finding a husband in the form of a soul mate. I have always seen love as a partnership in all aspects of life, instead of the ideal that this person is your “soul mate” and is “the one.” All of the committed relationships that I know of such as my parents and grandparents are complete partnerships. They never make any decisions without each other and truly care about each other. They may be soul mates or they may not be, but I do not think that you have to be with your soul mate in order to be happy. Therefore, I agree with the quest for soul mates described in the article. If someone is lucky enough to find his/her soul mate, I think it is a 50/50 chance of working out forever. In my opinion, those who believe in soul mates may be blinded by a completely idealized relationship, and do not expect to face any problems. However, I could be wrong, but I do not expect to meet my soul mate. I expect to meet someone who will make me happy, and I could make happy in good times and bad. Someone I can just have fun with, work through difficult times with, and hopefully come out of them stronger. 

Gender

1.)   I have been taught that girls should be classy and polite with good manners. I also have been taught that girls should be clean and not get dirty the way boys would. Instead, I should play with Polly Pockets or Barbie dolls. I don’t think that a specific person taught me these messages. I think that by going to school and socializing with others has influenced the way I believe a girl should behave. However, when I was little my mom pointed me in the direction toward my “girlie girl” ways.

 

2.)   My family has definitely treated my sister and I differently than they have treated my brother. As my brother has gotten older, he is told that he is the man and should lift heavy packages or items, for example. On the other hand, my sister and I have been told that those items are too heavy for us; we should let a man pick them up.

3.)   I think going to an all-girls high school has affected my understanding of my gender by teaching me that I’m more than just a domestic figure. I have the opportunity and power to make a difference in the world, and do anything I want if I put my mind to it. To identify myself as a woman means that I am capable of not only being able to become a mother of love and affection, but also to do anything a man can do, and maybe even do it better. This school has made an impact on me by being in an environment that is so driven to teach us that we can do great things. I am capable of many absolutely anything and everything because I’m an educated, strong young woman.

4.)   I expect the “traditional” roles of men to apply to a romantic relationship, and I would anticipate taking on some of the typical women roles. However, I expect to be treated as an equal that can share the roles in a relationship. Also, I do not expect to be the only emotional and expressive type. I hope to meet a man that will treat me the right way and tell me how much he cares for me. I think I have these ideals because in society today, most girls anticipate a relationship being like the one I described. We expect equality, but men to do gentlemanly acts of kindness. We expect a man to tell us how much we mean to them because we would express that affection as well. I think that these ideals come from the media; especially “chick flicks” because those movies and TV shows as well idealize what a perfect relationship is or should be. I think I am modeling my expectations after my mom and dad’s relationship because they are always together with everything. With major decisions in our household, my parents always discuss everything together and never make any super important decisions without each other. In this case, they are equals all the way. My dad expresses his emotions, but sometimes he does that in very subtle ways. My dad and mom share all the chores as well. 

Blog #3 - Miss Representation Documentary

     As I have watched Miss Representation, my first reaction is anger to how women are objectified and viewed. The commentary of the men in this documentary from various television shows is absolutely ludicrous in my eyes. I am appalled that men devalue women by thinking, out loud, that they are not good enough to hold the same positions as men. If I could I would respond to these men by saying that without women, they would not be as successful as they might be today. There are many women behind the scenes of large companies and businesses that never go acknowledged. It is extremely unfair for the way women are objectified as sex symbols, and not taken as seriously by men as they should be. The insanity of the comments and thoughts running through the minds of the men in this documentary completely strike me and make me furious.
      As a young woman, I anticipate my role in the workplace to be equal to the role of men. I plan on being a Physician Assistant, and in this career I expect to be valued as much as a male coworker. I have been working as hard as I can to get the grades to be accepted into a great college with the Physician Assistant program. I hope to be treated with the same amount of respect as men in this program. I know that I will work to my highest potential in order to be the best that I can be as someone who will help many in my career. I expect and also hope that I will be given the same opportunities and respect as men in the workplace. I hope to be able to work with a man as an equal, instead of being treated as a lesser.
      Attending the Mount has affected my understanding of my gender and identity for the best. I have learned that I am a strong, independent woman, who can achieve anything I want. By attending the Mount, as cliché as it may sound, I have developed a greater sense of self and who I want to be. I have created amazing goals for myself that will shape my future as well as realized who I am. If I did not come to Mount, I do not think I would have grown into the girl I am today. I know that I can make a difference, despite my gender and the prejudice that comes with it because Mount has shaped me into a confident person.

Mission Statement

I intend to bring joy, hope, love, and faith to those that I will help and comfort in my career path of being a Physician Assistant. In my career, I want to apply my core life values such as affection, compassion, care, and understanding. In my family life, I will teach my children someday to be confident, loyal, forgiving, honest friends and family members who can strive to make a difference in little acts of good. I will strive for excellence to the best of my ability in all life aspects. I will be an honest, loyal, compassionate friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. In doing so, I hope to incorporate peace, comfort, faith, laughter, and joy in my positions of life. I want to spread all the values that I carry with me every day to others who do not possess them; especially the values of love, faith, joy, clarity, family, friendship, affection, compassion, appreciation, and optimism.

Identity

As a family girl and a homebody, my family members are a big influence in my life and the reason I am the person I have become. However, I have to say that my friends, especially family friends, are also a huge part of my developed identity. Therefore, my mom, grand mom, and family friend, Sister Angela has each contributed to the love, self-esteem, and faith I acquire today. Unfortunately, not every girl’s mom is her best friend, but for me, my mom is. For as long as I can remember, my mom has taught be about caring and loving for others. However, she didn’t actually give straightforward lessons on the definition of love. Instead, she let her actions teach me. My mom is the type of woman that runs around the house doing everything and anything possible for my siblings and I. From giving us goodnight kisses to washing our clothes (even when she didn’t feel like it). For the longest time I believed that was pure love—doing things for others even when you hated doing it. Although one day when my mom was complaining about all the laundry she had to do, I asked her why she does it if makes her miserable? I expected an answer like “well no one else is going to do it,” but she responded saying, “I may hate doing the laundry, but I’d be miserable if I didn’t have your laundry to do.” From that day on, I realized that pure love comes from the graces you have, even if it means doing some extra laundry.

All of my family members are like my personal cheer team, but I have to say the one person who is the head of the cheer team is my grand mom. She never fails to make me feel good about myself. Whenever I’m feeling low, I know that I can call my grand mom for support and a confidence boost. I recently called her to talk to her about how hard it is to wait to hear from colleges. As I wait for my top choice to tell me whether or not I’ve been accepted, I worry that I’m going to get rejected. When I told my grand mom about my anxiety, she simply told me that I’ve done my best and if this college really doesn’t want me then it’s their loss. I’m not sure why, but just hearing this from my grand mom always makes me feel better. Even though it was only a small comment, I think that I feel better because of all the small comments that have boosted my confidence over the years from her. Because of my grand mom, I have acquired the self-esteem that I have today and will continue to carry with me for the rest of my life.

“Pray, God will listen” is a saying I would hear for two weeks during the month of August when our family friend, Sister Angela Joseph would come down the shore. For years I would complain to her about my most recent issues, which were primarily school related since August was the countdown month to the first day of school. I particularly remember the summer before freshman year, and the anxiety I felt. I sat on the beach with Sister, and vented about all my worries and fears of the first day of freshman year. In hindsight, all my fears were silly, but at the time I remember saying “I’m never going to make any friends.” When I said that, Sister Angela turned to me and said, “Oh don’t be ridiculous, there’s nothing to be nervous about, just pray and God will listen.” For years, she would preach to me about God and slip in little faith lessons wherever she could. The lessons landed mostly between the time we would go to the beach and shop at the Atlantic City Outlets. My strong faith and development in prayer would never be the way they are today if it wasn’t for the lessons that Sister Angela taught me. http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/home/