The American Dreamboat

I enjoyed reading this article, partly because the previous few readings had been on a more serious tone,  but for the most part this article is light hearted and relatable to most. Globalization not only narrows the gap between continents but it also builds bridges connecting the oceans. Interaction of people from different countries and cultures have created more businesses and also more mixed babies.

In the midst of this complicated web of influences, it is difficult for one to not be confused with their own identity. I admire the authors ability to find a balance between her roots and her current life. She managed to retain her heritage as a Vietnamese at the same time she was being Americanized.

I always believe that a marriage of two lovers is never a mere celebration of love for each other but rather a marriage of two families. Like any romantically involved couple, conflicts are inevitable especially when both the families have different values and background.

Will the author be happily married after all or will her marriage be tormented by clashes on cultural differences? It is hard to tell but i think the only way to resolve a culture conflict is tolerance. This does not apply only to marriage but also to everyday social events because as we are a member of this integrated community of globalization, we should be understanding and tolerant to differences of others as from their point of view, we are different to them too.

The Obligation to Endure

When I was done reading this article,I had no idea what response to give. Was I too lazy? Or was it a case of brain lock of some sort? But as we talked about the article in class, I suddenly realized it was my ignorance that kept me from writing a witty,mind-blowing, thought-provoking entry.

Global warming is a huge issue but people seem to care no more about it than choosing toast or bun to go with their steak. Same goes to the contamination of environment, thinning of the ozone layer and anything that screws up the whole ecosystem. Despite environmentalists’ efforts to make a difference and change the masses’ attitude towards our dying mother earth, oil companies are still digging deeper and deeper for oil so they can keep our cars running, releasing carbon dioxide, the main culprit that causes global warming.

I know this article is talking about pesticides and how it harms the rest of the world but it actually brings out a bigger picture.At least that’s how i feel. Since the Industrial Revolution, factories began to bloom and the world has never looked back. People started to rely more and more on manufactured goods, be it the cars we drive or the food we it. These goods bring convenience to our lives and as we get more comfortable with it, we strive to create more convenience and comfort to ‘improve’ our living condition further. Thus the release of faster cars with a jet plane engine that emits higher amount of harmful gases, lattes in a container filled with non-biodegradable components, air conditioning system and refrigerators that contributes to the big hole in the ozone layer. Are we to blame for the sicknesses of mother earth because our ancestors taught us to live comfortably the way we do even it is doing harm to the earth? Pathetic as it might sound but this is just the way we are and if we have to change our ways to be more environmental friendly, there is a very large ground to cover.

I do believe that nuclear bombs can equate with earth pollutants. Just think of nuclear bombs as a deadly acute disease and the earth pollutants works like a slow spreading cancer, they both could end with death but the only difference with cancer is there is a chance of stopping it with chemotherapy. And the option is in our hands to stop this slow painful cancer that is killing our only home—earth.