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- Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
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- Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.
I like how the author Joan Didion talks about her life history dealing with migraine and what I like about her is that although, she is bedridden she stills having a good attitude towards life and has learned how to deal with migraine sinche she was 8 years old in a school in a fire drill so that's why I admire her so much because she is battling with migraine. Migraines are not only headaches but more symptoms accompanied by migraine that must feel terrible and only people with migraine would understand what she is going through. What I do not like about Joan Didion is that she did not went to see the Doctor to receive a medical treatment to cure her migraines, I felt that this lafy was a bit careless about her health because she said I am going to learn to live with this condition forever but she does not take an action. What I liked about the "in the dark" reading by Pico Lyer is that the author travels from New York City to go visit the Bali Island when is was there in the forest he took a walk around the beach and afterwards she meet his girl named Wayan whi gives a tour. What I did not like is when Wayan meets again witg Pico Lyer she gives him this careless but he fall in love with her. He spend many days in depression in his hut without eating, sleeping and not wanting to give a walk in the forest and beach. I totally this disagree with the reading of "El Toro Rojo" because the author mentions two men in the story that are in a big arena ready to kill the dull that is their aim. Bullfighters put banderillas in the bull to weaken him so the bull started bleeding to a point of dying. Killing animals go against my believes I respect them animals are beings that deserve to live I also like the nature. Even though people see bullfighting as a sport I see it as a crime of murder. But I mean everybody have a different opinion.
ReplyDeleteOscar Alberto Jacome Serrano
You are right Alberto, she did have a good outlook towards life but she did not go out and seek medical attention. I get a simple cold and I am at the doctor because I am terrible with pain. Maybe she has a high level of tolerance for pain, but I know that can get old because I have experienced migraines and I swear when they hit I feel like that is the end of me. I felt so fascinated by the story "In the Dark" because of the attention to detail. I have never been able to visit another country or walk on the beautiful beaches of Bali so his description of his experience was really fascinating to me. "El Toro Rojo" really struck a bad chord with me as I feel terribly horrible for the bull, but I do have to respect their culture. Jacqueline Castaneda
DeleteI like how the author Joan Didion talks about her life history dealing with migraine and what I like about her is that although, she is bedridden she stills having a good attitude towards life and has learned how to deal with migraine since she was 8 years old in a school in a fire drill so that's why I admire her so much because she is battling with migraine. Migraines are not only headaches but more symptoms accompanied by migraine that must feel terrible and only people with migraine would understand what she is going through. What I do not like about Joan Didion is that she did not went to see the Doctor to receive a medical treatment to cure her migraines, I felt that this lady was a bit careless about her health because she said I am going to learn to live with this condition forever but she does not take an action. What I liked about the "in the dark" reading by Pico Lyer is that the author travels from New York City to go visit the Bali Island when he was there in the forest he took a walk around the beach and afterwards she met this girl named Wayan who gives him a tour. What I did not like is when Wayan meets again with Pico Lyer, she gives him this careless but he fall in love with her. He spend so many days in depression in his hut without eating, sleeping and not wanting to give a walk in the forest and beach. I totally this disagree with the reading of "El Toro Rojo" because the author mentions two men in the story that are in a big arena ready to kill the dull that is their aim. Bullfighters put banderillas in the bull neck to weaken him so the bull started bleeding to a point of dying. Killing animals go against my believes I respect them, animals are beings that deserve to live I also like nature. Even though people see bullfighting as a sport I see it as a crime of murder. But I mean everybody have a different opinion.
ReplyDeleteOscar Alberto Jacome Serrano
Out of the three readings, I would have to say that In Bed is my favorite. I like how Didion tells us about her painful experiences of having migraines in the present and also shows us how she found out she suffered from migraines at the age of eight but it never feels like she's complaining. She describes how she tries to prevent an oncoming migraine and tells us how incapacitated she becomes when medication just isn't enough to prevent the migraine. She describes the social stigma from “the accusing eye of someone who has never had a headache” and how those who suffer from migraines “suffer not only from the attacks themselves but the common conviction that [they] are perversely refusing to cure [themselves] by taking a couple of aspirin.” As if those who suffer have a say in the matter. However, in the end, I appreciate how the in the end, after experiencing a migraine for ten to twelve hours, after the usefulness and hopeless feeling that a migraine brings, in the euphoric aftermath of it, she counts her blessings. Going through the hellish pain makes her appreciate the times that she isn’t going through them.
ReplyDeleteBethanee Campos
When I read In Bed I really like how Didon is very descriptive on how she writes about migraines. She wants to make sure the reader knows almost how it feels to have migraines, and even know how she struggled through it. I think though I did get bored near the middle of this story because at some points it felt I was reading a textbook and it would make me lose interest and make me scan through it at times. I did have to re-read it a good amount of times. In the Dark by Iyer was interesting, I really like reading this non-fiction because it almost was written like some magical fantasy place. Maybe that’s how we feel when we do travel somewhere new and different especially if its out in the county. I really like how I felt like I was transported to somewhere else, it was a very nice read. I did not really like some of things that did happen in the book and maybe because it is from his perspective. El Toro Rojo was written like a pome in my opinion but still I like their take on the bull fighting. For one I hate the idea of bull fighting and the descriptions were very nice, but the thought and imagery is what I hate. Did a good job on the writing, but as for what It makes me think of I hate it?
ReplyDelete-Alyssa Rangel
Hi Alyssa,
DeleteI felt Didion paid a lot of attention to detail when describing her issues with migraines. I really felt bad for her as I know what the feel like. I also got a little bored because I felt I was reading something out of those medical magazines. I did get really into it and caught myself yelling at her to go and try different treatments. I enjoyed visiting the fantasy island that Iyer wrote about as I only watch such things on Lifetime movies or from different books that I have read. Love and spooky topics are things that have always caught my attention, I like the feel of this enchanted like reading. Jacqueline Castaneda
I really liked how in the story, “In Bed”, by Joan Didion, she went into so much detail about migraine headaches. She almost makes it seem as if she was going to war with these migraines when she mentions things like “once an attack is under way” (Didion 222) or “almost anything can trigger a specific attack of migraine” (Didion 221). This is the sort of detail I liked because she takes the words right out of your mouth when you try to explain how painful migraines can actually be. Personally, I don’t suffer from these migraines, but my mother used to get them randomly and I hated seeing her in pain. “In the Dark”, by Pico Iyer, there was also so much detail that went into the story, which I enjoyed because it really makes it feel like you are actually on the island as well. In my opinion, this story was all about escaping reality, but if you get too caught up into it, you’ll never want to return back. Lastly, in “El Toro Rojo”, by Dinty W. Moore, it was the story out of the three that I did not necessarily enjoy reading. The reason is because it discusses bull fighting and the idea of death, which are both depressing to me.
ReplyDelete-Alec De La Garza
All of these three stories where quite pleseant to read. However, if I'd have to choose my pick out of them I would go with "In the Dark". This story had me engaged with all the details of the transition to the island and the author's experience and it indeed made me feel as if I were traveling along. This story made me think about how we all once in a while tend to imagine or just desire from time to time to suddenly be in a private island rather than doing our responsabilities. Often one can catch me saying "tragame tierra y escupeme en Cancun!", referring to wanting to be in city that's quite like mexican island paradise rather than dealing with whatever it is that is stressing me out and what not. I appreciated the author's effort in "In Bed", trying to make us comprehend her struggles with migraines throughout her life. I personally never suffered from such, but I can imagine from the reading that it's no easy thing to deal with! I also picked up from this reading that one should count their belssings, rather than one's problems in a certain way. Lastly "El Toro Rojo" talked about a very controversial aspect which is bull fighting. Though some may see it as a traditional practice, I don't agree with it due to the fact that the animal is clearly put through excruciating pain in order for the human to satisfy it's "art" and "entertainment" pleasures.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Rodriguez
“In the Dark” by Pico Iyer was a really interesting read for me. I kept on questioning the genre I was reading and whether it was fiction or non-fiction. He did a fantastic job of taking the reader on an enchanted getaway to an exotic island. This story felt so real and I could not help but imagine myself in Bali with him. I was so captivated by the energy he was describing and my emotions bounced between scared and intrigued; he definitely incorporated strange and spooky elements into this short story. I was emotional when while reading “El Toro Rojo” by Dinty W. Moore as I had recently seen a Facebook video where the matador was wiping the tears and blood from a bull’s eyes right before he killed him. With this read I could not help but reflect back on that image. This was a really short story kind of like a poem with a lot of emotion embedded in it. Even though I did not like what the story was about, I did appreciate imagery that was used as I felt I was there. I felt Joan Didion’s pain as she described her migraine situation in “In Bed.” I felt this story was some type of awareness to those who do not suffer from migraines; they truly are a pain to live with. I kept on yelling at the book trying to explain to her that there are Botox treatments for migraines. I guess that’s how well she described the hellish feeling of migraines in this short story that it had me yelling at the book. Jacqueline Castaneda
ReplyDeleteEvery one of the three stories were educational. Detail is significant when recounting to a tale about your life or even one that isn't genuine. The story "In Bed" was my preferred simply because the creator composed this story contrasting things with the circumstance she was in when clarifying what having a headache resembled. I never realized how awful a headache can get however perusing this caused me to understand that it is a genuine condition and that we ought to be progressively mindful of the manifestations of a headache. The second perusing "In the Dark" was likewise intriguing to peruse in view of the subtleties that were given to depict the area of the story. I am an enthusiast of fiction stories, so this was exceptionally stunning to me and despite the fact that I can envision what was happening, I was frustrated with the story behind it; it worked superbly depicting the scenes in the story. "El Toro Rojo" was a great story to envision in your brain, that is the thing that I call an enticement. Simply the title itself brings consideration as you read it. I appreciated perusing this since I genuineness envisioned it well in my mind. It was elegantly composed and quite certain. Telling us when characters change and simply exact with recounting to the story. Happy with this perusing.
ReplyDeleteGilbert Sanchez
In my opinion, I believe “In Bed” was my favorite read. What caught my attention was how Didion described just how painful her migraines could be. She discovered this affect she gets when she was just eight years old, but describes the pain perfectly. She explains how she sometimes tries to prevent herself from getting a migraine, but yet never takes time out of her day to complain about it. Although, I do believe she is bitter about her health since she also never took the time of day to seek medical treatment for her migraines but to just deal with them. Didion believed taking aspirin would just help temporarily, which may be true but taking one would definitely not hurt. Of course, the real reason why I liked this piece was because of her positive attitude. While going through this terrible pain, she stuck it out and stayed positive no matter how long the migraine may be. We should all learn a little something like that from Didion, but we should also seek medical help especially if it is necessary. Lastly, I am just impressed that she was able to make us readers somehow understand that pain from just a few words.
ReplyDeleteClarissa Partida
Joan Didion’s, “In Bed,” gets candid on her history of dealing with a medical condition called a migraine and can be very severe that will effect someone’s daily life functions. It can be hard to concentrate, look at light, feel like a rubber band is surrounding your brain, etc. She learned effective coping mechanisms through a fire drill when she was 8 years old. I admire that she pulled and pushed through being bedridden. “In the Dark,” the girl Wayan that Pico meets at the walk on the beach/tour plays him and breaks his heart. Pico falls into a big depression and is unable to see the light. Hence, he is in the dark. Bali is beautiful and Pico fell under the tricks or spell of Wayan, where he misunderstood her intentions. Allowing himself to not embrace the beauty of the island. “El Toro Rojo” is not my favorite due to the fact that they are harming animals. I used to show heifers at livestock shows and have a deep love for cattle. Bullfighters kill bulls with banderillas and it is a part of their culture. I will never disrespect a culture, but I also have family that came from Spain. I don’t agree with this part of the culture, but I do not have any say into how these people live their lives. All were great reads!!
ReplyDeleteKrista Olivarez
In the reading “El Toro Rojo” the author, Dinty W. Moore does a great job at explaining what he does when he’s going to kill a bull. He talks about all of his maneuvers and uses certain words that are a sort of lingo for bullfighting. I did not really enjoy this reading because I don’t support bullfighting but i was able to connect it to the movie the book of life. I don’t like it because it talks about death and what the matador does to the bull. The reading “In Bed” made me feel like a wimp because I get migraines but compared to the authors mine are super small and not as painful. I was able to relate to when she says that she gets them because of certain things such as stress or being too tired or allergies because whenever I get stressed I get a lot of headaches and the light starts to bother me so i have to take a nap or go somewhere where it’s dark. The reading “In the Dark” Made me very sad because as I read it I could imagine myself being in Bali and not at home watching Netflix or at work. In page 224 it shows a lot of detail and talks about comparing different getaway places and I wish I could relate because I have never been outside of Texas and I have only seen some places in pictures or TV.
ReplyDelete-Cecilia Cantu
I felt that I related significantly to Didion in her essay about migraine. I too suffer from migraine, and i thought it was only eye sensitivity to light (which is truly part of it), but when i read Didion writes about how her pain doesn’t come in the midst and shock of big or tragic news but instead, “during weeks of small household confusions, lost laundry, unhappy help, canceled appointments, on days when the telephone rings too much and i get no work done and the wind is coming up.” (Pg. 223) I’ve never connected with a statement more, sometimes i’ll Even go to bed feeling sick to my stomach, with a feeling in my chest that i just cant shake. I can’t even put into words what it is, but it’s there, and I can feel it when things, like Didion mentions, happens to me. I feel that way with the homework loads I’m given, the night before having to go to work, when i have 5 minutes to leave the house and i keep remembering yet another thing I have to grab, or fix. I could list a list of examples of today alone, that i felt this feeling, but ill spare you. “In Bed” was my favorite reading, because someone put into words what I didn’t even know I wanted to say.
ReplyDelete-Aisha Teegarden
The first story In Bed was rather difficult for me to read. It’s interesting to hear that so many people have never had a headache before while most of us have been at least temporarily incapacitated by one. As shown in the story some are even partially disabled by them. I struggled rather severe headaches for most of my life. They gradually got worse until they became hugely prohibitive. Then they stopped. I have a few guesses why but nothing worth sharing here. I feel quite sympathetic for the protagonist of this story. It’s is good that she was able to find a way to make life livable with her situation. In the Dark is a story, which I’m going to have a hard time drawing conclusions about without more context. It mainly discusses what the author essentially describes as a magical island and a woman he was involved with there. With so many ways the story could go and so little to go off of here, I don’t have much to say. I like El Toro Rojo. Anything which exposes me to aspects of cultures I didn’t know about is appreciated. Everybody has heard of the Toreros, but I doubt many people know what their sport involves. The story deserves praise at least for that.
ReplyDelete-Christopher Hinkle
I noticed that all three texts were flooding with details. That is something I often forget to incorporate into my writings, at least at first that is. “In bed” reminds me of this one time I overheard a student tell the teacher that they did not do the work because they had a migraine last for hours. This was when I was 13 years old, 7 years ago. What I liked about this story was that it shows how people are quick to assume that when a woman has a headache or migraine, it is treated as if its a choice. But when it comes to men, the utmost importance is relayed and is taken care of ASAP. “In the Dark” exposed me to the Bali life. I have always heard as Bali being beautiful and magical. I liked this one the most. It left me feeling like I wanted more. This story, instead of being a page or so, would have been a great novel if designed amazingly. “El Toro Rojo” exposed the culture surrounding this act. I did not know that the Toro’s were killed. Despite the grand differences between the context of each text, I still enjoyed the details put into them.
ReplyDeleteJonathon Morin