Naima's English Blog

The Guyanese food I find to be really disgusting is Black Pudding. I've never had it before, but it's a sausage that's made using pig's blood and fat with oatmeal that's encased in cleaned intestines, and that sounds absolutely disgusting. I only know of my mom and grandma enjoying it, but I'm sure more people in my family enjoy it because it's a common thing to eat in Guyana. Certain foods are delicious to some people while disgusting to others because they grew up eating it and seeing their family eating it, while other people are not even used to the concept of eating things like that. So it's really just a thing of cultural and environmental differences. Summary: In class, we finished presenting our cultural food projects. Reflection: I learned that Salvadoran food is very similar, and I think that's really interesting. I wonder if it's like that in all Latin countries.

The cultural food that taught me something was Sopa de Fideo. I learned that it's a dish mothers give to their children when they're sick. The presentations helped me better understand the importance of food in shaping cultural identity, preserving traditions, and bringing people together because it's something that has brought comfort and community for many generations of families, while keeping traditions alive. Summary: In class, we started presenting our cultural food projects Reflection: Seeing all the presentations where people talk proudly about their cultures made me become more interested in other cultures.

 One of my favorite memories involving food was when I went to eat ramen with my two friends. It stayed with me because it was the first time I hung out with them just by ourselves, and it really allowed me to appreciate them even more. It helped me connect with them even more as well. Summary: In class, we continued working on our cultural food project. Reflection: I learned that in Guyana have a type of wedding cake called Black cake, that's made out fruit soaked in rum.

One dish from my culture that I would share with someone is Egg Balls. Egg Balls are probably my favorite Guyanese food ever; it's a very popular street food. I'd want someone to know that I feel it connects me to Guyana, as I've never had the opportunity to fully engage in the culture.  Summary: In class, we started working on our cultural food project. Reflection: I learned things about my culture that I never knew before.

My family and I don't have any food-related customs. We rarely even eat together, especially as a WHOLE family, so we just do our own thing when we eat. Summary: In class, we completed a Writable assignment on the significance of food and its relation to culture. Reflection: I learned that many people use food to cement their culture, and that sometimes it's the only thing that they can rely on to help them connect to their culture and heritage.

One type of food I had a negative perception of because of a stereotype was Indian food. It was about all Indian food, not a specific dish. I originally believed that Indian food was unsanitary and would make you sick based on the type of media I would see of Indian on the street making food. They would use their bare hands to touch raw ingredients and mix things; they would never have their feet covered and would be too close to the food, and there would always be rats extremely close or even touching the food. So I assumed all Indian food was made in these conditions. My perspective changed once my dad brought home Indian food one day for Eid (Muslim holiday), and my parents have seen videos of Indian street food, so I was confused about why they got Indian food. I asked my dad about it, and he said he's been going to that Indian restaurant for a while and went inside, even read reviews, and never saw anything unsanitary going on. He was never sick after eating either, so he knew...

One dish I will pick to represent Guyanese culture is Curry chicken & Roti. Curry & Roti is a turmeric-based stew made with various meats and potatoes, accompanied by a pan-baked flatbread similar to a tortilla. Curry & Roti is typically consumed with your hands. It's significant because it blends our Afro-heritage along with our indian heritage because Guyana is composed of both Afro-Caribbean culture and east indians.  Summary: In class, we watched the backgrounds of cultural dishes. Reflection: I learned that you should appreciate culture in many ways that aren't just showing that you enjoy the taste of the cultural foods.

I didn't really experience any emotions while writing my story, I just felt neutral. The part that affected me the most was the last few sentences of the second paragraph. The reason is because I said some advice that I tend to not follow a lot of the time. I said something about not letting what someone said affect me because there's nothing I could've done to stop them from saying it, which is true, but I tend to forget to do that . So when writing those sentences, I thought about how actually doing that would save me a lot of energy and I should try and do it more. Summary: We rewrote our continuation of the poem "Incident" by Countee Cullen Reflection: I learned how to express myself in a non violent way.

A conversation that changed me was my mom telling me that not everyone is meant to be my friend. She told me that I don't have to try and be friends or consider people I talk to every now and then my friends just because I talk to them. It's okay to have acquaintances that you talk to every now and then, or that you just talk to to pass the time. She said if I feel like I have to force the conversation then it's not meant to be a friendship, and that's okay. She also made me realize that just because I've known someone for a long time doesn't mean they should be my friend either, it's okay to let someone go if you don't feel a mutual give-and-take going on. This conversation had a lasting impact on me because for the longest time I believed it was rude to refer to people you talk to frequently as acquaintances, even if you didn't feel that "friendly" vibe with them. But now, I don't feel that obligation to give people I don't consid...

Something I believed as a child was that the world used to be black and white. When I was younger I din;t fully understand the concept of cameras not always being how they are now, so when I would see videos in black and white, I genuinely believed that's how the world used to look like. I used to wonder how the world gained color and why the world was only black and white at one point. Of course, I learned later on that that wasn't the case and it was just cameras not having color then. Summary: We read a poem in class about a boy getting called the n-word and how it impacted his vacation. Reflection: I learned about the different words that my classmates' find offensive to them.

This conversation made me think about how unfair life still is for black people. We have to work twice as hard, but still don't get the opportunities others are offered or given. If I was in Troy's position, I would be complaining about how messed up this is. I would try to get something to hopefully change about that. I would talk to others and see if they agree with me and go from there. Summary: Checked out Reflection: Checked out

 (This prompt is the same as Sept. 23rd) The character that stood out to me the most was definitely Rose. This is because I didn't expect her to stand up for herself and and express her own feelings in the beginning of the book. I figured she was just going to be like any other traditional housewife.  The project helped me understand more about Troy and why he might do and say certain things. It also helped me understand a lot of the metaphors he uses. Summary: We worked on our project Reflection: I learned a lot more about Troy and why he might be the way he is

The character that stood out to me the most was definitely Rose. This is because I didn't expect her to stand up for herself and and express her own feelings in the beginning of the book. I figured she was just going to be like any other traditional housewife.  The project helped me understand more about Troy and why he might do and say certain things. It also helped me understand a lot of the metaphors he uses. Summary: We worked on our project Reflection: I learned a lot more about Troy and why he might be the way he is

No, I don't think so. You can definitely forgive someone, but not forget what they did because that feeling will always stay with you. Remembering how someone hurts you, in my opinion, will allow you to hold them accountable in the future. There was one my dad had said something very very hurtful to me, and I confronted him about it a year later. He said he didn't remember saying that, but he still apologized to me and promised to be more careful with what he said. I forgave him, but I will never forget what he said and how it made me feel. Summary: We finished reading "Fences" Reflection: I learned that forgiveness can take a long time.

One character that appeared differently to me was Rose. I think I just didn't imagine her tone and cadence to be the way it was in the book as it was in the movie. Also the cheating scene, the emotion and intensity in that scene came nowhere close to how it was in the movie, I couldn't have guessed it was that intense. The adaption showed how intense and truly upsetting that scene was and I'm really glad to have seen it because it helped me see how it was supposed to be. Summary: We read more of "Fences" and watch two clips from the movie. Reflection: I learned that my own interpretation for the characters through the book doesn't fully come close to how they're shown in the movie.

I believe all those things are a part of a parents responsibilities too. When you have your children, you should be prepared to give them your unconditional love and support. Giving your child these things will help them thrive and learn how to be a good person, as well as how to treat other people. Maybe friendship can wait until they're an adult, but I believe you should like your child enough to be willing to spend time with them outside of your parenting duties, and vice versa with the child. If you don't give your child these things, they won't understand how love is meant to actually be expressed and given.  Summary: We read Act 1 Scene 4 of "Fences". Reflection: I learned about Troy's backstory and relationship with his father.

Once a year in December I have to choose between spending my Saturday at home or going on a field trip for JROTC to pick down wreaths on veterans tombstones in the freezing cold. Every time I choose to prioritize JROTC because when I joined the program, I was making an obligation to the unit to show up and represent JROTC. I went because I enjoy showing my dedication to the program and to gain community service for the program as well. I am always satisfied with my decision. Summary: In class, we explored different characters in the play "Fences" and analysed different things about them. Reflection: I learned more about Rose, and the type of person she is.

The difference between liking and loving someone is that liking is someone is actually enjoying being around that person. You actually go out of your way to be around and hang out them. Loving someone is something that never goes away but is something that can be done from a distance. No, I don't really agree with Troy's parenting. I believe you don't necessarily have to like your child to do what's best for them, but it certainly increases the chances of that being the case. if I actually like and enjoy being around your child you're more likely to have empathy for them and their struggles than just doing what you think is best for them without listening to how they feel. Summary: We read scenes 2 & 3 from act one of "Fences". Reflection: I learned more about the characters and how they feel.

A few years ago, I subconsciously made a "fence" to keep my grandma and great grandma on my dads side out. However, the fence around my grandma is a lot more sturdy than the one for my great grandma. I built it because my sister and I used to go over their house when we were younger, and we both didn't have the best experiences over there. My great grandma would often make comments on our bodies in inappropriate or hurtful ways and didn't care how weird it sounded. My grandma was barely ever there when we came over, she was always out somewhere. When she was around, she took me with her to some random person's house with a bunch of other people there and left me on the couch while I was under the impression I was finally gonna be able to spend time with her, but I was wrong. It just seemed like they both didn't care about how my sister or I felt when things like this happened. I do think the fence helped me because it made me realize all the things they did to...

 I believe the only time it is reasonable to ask your parents for money as an adult is if an extremely unexpected emergency comes up and you don't have enough money to pay for it. The only thing is that you should intend to pay them back. That should be the only time you should ask your parents for money. Summary: We read "Fences" Act One today. Reflection: I learned about STEAL, which is used to help understand a character based on certain things about them.