External Journey

  My external journey consisted of publications on a blog I created. Reflections of readings and events composed most of my blog. In contrast to the inner journey, which consisted only of personal daily writings in line-less papers, the blog posts were open to anyone and must present themselves as well-organized thoughts.

   No longer free to write however I pleased, I was made more conscious of my grammar, my spelling, and more importantly, the vocabulary utilized as I tried to construct a more colorful post and not bore the reader with identical terms. A monotonous tone was not one I sought. "How can I not make my posts boring?" I would often think. With not much time to plot any elaborate scheme on my blog's structure, I wrote as I always have.  A nice introduction with hints of the details contained in the expository paragraphs was always the beginning to any post . Even though following a specific order proved a bit constraining at times, it would often serve as practice for essay and story writing.

My external and inner journey definitely differ. It's as if it was not the same individual undertaking both journeys.

As part of the conclusion  to my external journey in my Literature class, I would like to share a stanza taken from one of my poems. The title is  of the poem in its entirety is Black Butterfly. 

My haven under the sleepless moon

embrace me with your coarse wings,

 carriers of sweet serenity

 and whisperers of beautiful sorrow 

Reflection on Wednesday's Award Ceremony

This past Wednesday, April 9, I attended the Literary Contest Awards Ceremony along with friends and classmates.

 The day started with not much nervousness until I saw time advancing and the anticipation of the ceremony crept up on me. "Will I be able to speak in front of an audience?" I endlessly thought to myself. It was of some comfort having my long-time friend, Mario, and my childhood friend, Gabriela, by my side. With a source of familiarity, invasive thoughts penetrating my mind cold now take a rest.
The ceremony started a bit later than the announced time, which would only prove torturous  to my restless state.

I am not proficient in the art of public speaking. It is foreign to my nature and causes great restlessness that overpowers my body and mind. Restlessness and anxiety become all that I know as my thoughts race over the possibility of failing. "Why must I be this way? Why do others do it so easily." I recall thinking. Unfamiliar faces full of expectations soon became a mass that overwhelmed the amphitheater 4 in DMN. With no form of escape, the time came to speak I from of the audience. Unsure of myself and intimidated by the other winners'  entries, I timidly climbed onto the small stage. With check in hand the exchange of congratulatory handshakes existing in moments past, I adjusted the microphone to my stature and proceeded to read what was already prepared.

I never stopped stopped nervous and I could only loosely control the jitters. Painfully did the words make their way out of my mouth and slowly did each each second pass. Attentive were the ones sitting in the first row. No signs of distractions or disinterest were evident in their expressions or gestures. Could they have felt every word, welcomed  them into their psyche? Perhaps particles belonging to the mix of the gingerbread cookies had escaped the text and invited itself into our world, pervading our every space.

The talk was successful and the event ended harmoniously. I am very much interested in taking an honors English or Creative Writing course. I love to write. No. I love to be no longer bound byte slings of donut and insecurity. To express much of what is taboo and take on an identity not pertaining to mine is the reward found in materializing emotions that wail cries of agony when suppressed by the repressed mind.

Furthermore, I desire ever so dearly to make known some of my writings. Why not? Why not become active in the literary community and eventually publish my works?



Last Wednesday was definitely a potential turning point in my young life.

Inner Journey

          My inner journey consists of 40 journal entries written on a line-less notebook. With no restrictions or rules over the manner in which I express my thoughts into visible words, chains that once bound such conveyances are now loose and no longer an obstacle.

   Upon the commencement of the journal, words did not flow easily and I found it hard to just keep on writing without stopping. " This isn't even natural," I endlessly and thought to myself. I eventually became tired of thinking and just wrote. There are countless of awkwardly composed sentences composing the first half of my journal, of which many of them were written when I was not able to obtain freedom myself. Perhaps as time progressed, and me with it, writing became easier and effortless as I found comfort in myself instead of criticism and self-judgement.

Although the vocabulary in my journal is not as colorful as other works I've written, the entires produced carry a different sort of value and meaning. By the month of March, I can see a change in how I proceed to follow each sentence. I am no longer searching for the right words to start my sentences. Instead, I notice, through the sloppiness of my penmanship, my efforts to try to contain the overflow of words trying to escape my mind and creep their way onto the paper.

Last week, there were various moments of complete self-liberation. I composed three 4-verse poems out of the emotions felt during those days. They may not be of high quality, but it is a step i most certainly wanted to take without having to push myself towards it.

In regards to my future goals, it would be desirable to continue to develop any writing abilities I may possess in my being. Writing is another love of mine. Why abandon it?

Panel on Death Penalty

Panel on death penalty 

The panel presented on Capital punishment, also knows as the death penalty, englobed the different stances held by distinct countries around the world, some of those being North Korea, Nigeria, France, and Puerto Rico. 

Capital Punishment is the legally authorized killing of someone as a punishment for a crime committed. It was most commonly used on criminals who had committed social, political and religious offenses. The death sentence was mostly made public and was accompanied by physical torture prior to the execution itself. 

In regards to the quantity of countries against such ultimatum, 98 countries have abolished the death penalty. Nevertheless, 58 countries still maintain capital punishment as the ultimate punishment. Arguments n support of the keeping of said punishment include the preservation of order, how it is more cost effective than life-imprisonment, and the answer to diminished crime-rate.  However, those who oppose the death sentence negate that is the answer to lower crime-rates and emphasize the inhuman method used to carry out the executions. 

Of the aforementioned countries, let's explore more into Puerto Rico's stance since it is my homeland. 

 The method for execution in Puerto rico were death by guillotine and by hanging (later on). After a protest in the civilians, the hanging law was abolished by 1929. Thus, there have not been any current executions.

 Common crimes that warrants the death penalty are: 

1. First degree murder
2. Threats to a person's life
3. Drug trafficking 

The crime rate in the island has increased since the abolishment of the death penalty. Cases that merit such sentence are transferred to Florida to be carried out. 

In contrast with Puerto Rico, a crime labeled as "guilt by association' can also merit capital punishment in North Korea. 

Nigeria had one of the goriest methods of execution, some of those being swishing, sawing and slow slicing.  Presently, the methods implemented are: shooting (public), lethal injection, and banishment and exile. 

Crimes such as murder, treachery, and homosexuality warrants the death penalty in this country. 

It was very interesting to see the distinct stances of varying countries in regards to Capital punishment. The death penalty is a serious subject, one that should never be and is never taken lightly. It was horrendous to learn about the past methods used by other countries like Nigeria. In the end, the panel presented made me reflect if the death sentence should be carried out or not.  Because there are so many variables involved in the answer to that question, it is difficult to come up with one. 

Day as a Tourist in Isla Verde

DAY AS A TOURIST

Balneario de Carolina 

For this activity, I decided to go to one of the many destinations many foreigners visit and are eager to visit when coming to Puerto Rico: the beach. 

Many tourists go to the beaches in the San Juan area due to the abundance of hotels in that zone. However, another popular destination is Isla Verde, Carolina. The Balneario de Carolina  is a "hot" area in Puerto Rico tourism. With many surrounding hotels and local Restaurants, it is attractive in the tourist's eye, especially those looking for a get-away in paradise. 

The day at the beach, in true tourist fashion, started out early. I woke up at around eight in the morning to be able to arrive at the Balneario no later than 10:00 am, knowing that it's never wise to get to any beach on or later than noon. 

Upon arriving at the destination, one could observe the characteristic heterogenous population that occupies Isla Verde's beaches. Tourists and foreigners were scattered around and mixed among locals. With the mind of a tourist, I decided to station myself where foreigners were more abundant as to not feel too unfamiliar.The aforementioned is based on observations I've made during my previous visits to other beaches. 

Of course, no day at the beach (especially a tourist's day) is complete without the appropriate equipment and lunch experience. 

I unfolded the the portable beach chair and took out some sunscreen. Many tourists who aren't familiar with the Caribbean sun apply on a heavy amount of sunscreen. I decided to do the same even though I knew I did not need as much. 

It was nearing lunch time and I opted for the typical food bought and sought after when visiting a beach in Puerto Rico.:  Pincho de Pollo and a Piña Colada.

The line was packed with foreigners, mostly Americans, who were trying out their broken Spanish when ordering their food. 

I ordered mine and then returned to my spot on the sand. It was truly blissful. I can see why so many tourists look forward to and are willing to pay quite a lot for an experience like this.  Apart from the wonderful lunch and view, I was also getting a slight tan, something that is desired by most, if not all, who visit Puerto Rico's beaches and do not reside in the island.

 A must for a tourist is to walk a long the shore while picking up sea shells that wash up to your feet. I did that for about half an hour and the returned to where I was. The sun was strong as was the wind. 

Time sure does fly by when you're at the beach. With nothing to provide you reference to the time of day, perhaps just maybe the sun's angle, there exists a disorientation in regards to space and time. 

In all honesty, a tourist could spend 4 hours in the beach and not know as it could feel like only 2 hours, let's say, have passed. 

When it looked as if the day was growing old, I took out my cell-phone and referred myself to the time. It read 2:00pm.  It was time for me to be heading out. 

My day as a tourist was spent in a very relaxing manner and carried a slightly reflexive attitude to it. 

I enjoyed just taking the day off and being a tourist myself. 

Reflection on Jim Cooper's "Helping"

Chapter Eight of Down on the Island, titled "Helping," illustrates a major factor in Puerto Rican upbringing in regards to early school life and its repercussions easily reflected in college students. The title of the chapter insinuates a deeper meaning to the mentioned word, perhaps a double-meaning. After reading more into the chapter, the title's purpose is exactly that. "Helping" refers to cheating performed by the students to and for other students during examinations. This is itself is the root of of all disagreement/misunderstanding amongst educators. What was cheating? What was considered just helping? 

When some students were questioned, one of them replied saying that because the other student is his friend, then there is no reason to not help him and let him see his test paper. After all, the goal is to help each other get good grades, right? Cooper then goes on to explain how Puerto Rican culture has played a major role in this way of thinking. Since early school age, children are taught to be cooperative. There is no competition, according to Cooper.

Personally, this "cultural background" really depends on your specific type of upbringing. I was never taught cooperation, aside from projects done in Teams, where you had to work together and help each other. This was fine, as teamwork is essential in all professional careers and a skill much desired and worked at by many. Before going to college, all my academic years were filled with very competitive situations and tense atmospheres in the classrooms as the students believed they had to be better than the one to him/her. I was like that. There was no helping aside from the ordinary cheating that occurs in every school, just regular cheating. More than likely it was because my school was an American institution that this sort of  "helping" was not re-einforced but only carried out in secrecy by some students who were not as competitive as others.

Jim Cooper did well in pointing out the problems and flaw in the education system regarding the teaching other English language, how it has affected the students , and in turn how student-background has affected the way the teacher-students relationships work.

Extremist anti-cheating technique:

Reflection on Jim Cooper's "Teaching English"

    Chapter Seven of Jim Cooper's Down on the Island, "Teaching English," speaks about the troubles and issues Cooper faced upon his return to the island, specifically Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez , or RUM ( El Colegio). It is clearly stated and first pointed out by him that a change must occur in order for effective learning in any English class. Cooper then expresses how the student's desire and motivation to learn the English language still permeated the atmosphere in the classroom.
    A main point in this chapter is the detailed exposition of the system used to teach English that was being implemented at the time, coined the Michigan-Returned by Cooper. The system works via linguistic immersion and the so-called "oral/aural" method as core of the teaching. The teacher is to speak, at all times, in the language being taught in order for the system to work and for the students to be able to imitate and repeat the words in native or near-native phonetic proficiency.
    I grew up in  English-speaking environments, both at a private American school and in the household. Immersion was and still is the way English is taught to the students, starting from Pre-Pre K ( age 3). When I read Cooper's experience observing the young teacher saying and pronouncing certain words incorrectly, one would says heavily-accentuated, and the students then repeating such words incorrectly, it took me by no surprise. That is the reality in many schools and institutions and the reason why many students who indeed know English at a higher than basic level carry this thick-accentuated pronunciation when speaking English. Nevertheless, learning a second language is not easy, and by no means is it easier to acquire native accent by completely eradicating your own. Personally, I believe that if it weren't for my academic background and the fact that my Mom spoke to me in English every day since I was born, I would not be able to speak English, and perhaps not even be fluent in it, the way I currently do.
  Jim Cooper's tale of suddenly teaching English as the focus of his job, instead of Literature in its entirety, exposes the problems still present in Puerto Rico's educational system. It is mentioned in the chapter that politics has always been tied with the policy on English language teaching, the core of the problem being the emphasis Spanish must be given and how English is frequently set aside. In conclusion, Cooper's "Teaching English" presents and shortly elaborates on the problems existing in Puerto Rican education systems in regards to the methods of teaching English and how he was certain something had to be done, how something had to change, in order for the students to progress linguistically.

A common poster in many Puerto Rican School classrooms:

Reflection on Jamaica Kincaid's "A Small Place"

  Jamaica Kincaid's revelational work concerning postcolonial Antigua, "A Small Place", focuses on colonialism and its direct and indirect effects on the island. Among these, the inhibition of the natives' cultural development and, consequently,  the destruction of an identity have been the major repercussions of the influence brought on by an invasive foreign country. As a reader, the second section of Kincaid's work has drawn even more attention as a loss of culture and identification are exposed, meanwhile the critical reflection on Antigua's history develops the island's intricate situation furthermore, and in turn, revealing this "unknown identity." Peter Robert's Identity could further develop and evolve the loss of an identity and culture echoed in Kincaid's essay, which would then lead one to ask two fundamental questions:  "what is identity?" and "what is culture?" 

  Perhaps those two questions are linked; coexisting  and intertwined with each other, inseparable to their very core.  Peter Robert writes, "Culture Identity, then as opposed to political identity and involving the features, place and race, and language, results from a coalescence over time of a highly variable factors." By definition, culture is the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society or group. Yet, because this definition also englobes a way of thinking and behaviour displayed by the aforementioned group or society, then a sense of identification must, naturally, arise from these manifestations and practices.

     Jamaica Kincaid takes one on a journey to explore the Antigua of the present and past, both describing the condition in which is it found and the relevance of the island's history in relation to island's state.

   Even though the author repeatedly mentions "a small place," it is clear that the intention of such repetition is not to emphasize the literal meaning of these words. Then, if the literal meaning is not the purpose, what is? Conceivably, it is a derogatory term coined by the British when it came to colonialist terms. Used like this, a small place perfectly reflects the state of non-being brought on by the invaders. However, Kincaid envelopes a rather different definition to these words, which seems to be established more as she advances in her writing. I am curious as to how she will further develop this theme.


   Let's venture into the content its implications of the second section of "A Small Place." The narrator (Jamaica Kincaid) describes an Antigua not familiar to her, one that did not exist in her youthful memories. The island is obviously poverty ridden, yet beautiful in the eyes of the tourist. The Antiguans  have most certainly lost their identity as nation as the foreign business of tourism questions their standing. The natives are presented as "stupid" or "ignorant" in respect to their own selves. The behaviour of the English had been seen as, and solely as, "bad manners." Was it ignorance that led to the failure to recognize racism that was so blatantly practiced? What ever happened to the native's responsibility to preserve their own nation and identity, be it national or cultural?

    As I continue on reading "A Small Place," I eagerly await the unraveling of the island's history and culture, whereupon the notion of identity will develop even more so.

Introduction + Past Travels

My name is Claudia and I'm 18 years old.
I'm currently a college freshman in Puerto Rico, where I've lived all my life.  I consider myself a tad shy and introverted. Although Spanish is my native tongue , my thoughts are, for the most part, in English. Consequently, I frequently translate my thoughts to Spanish when I need to speak said language.

I enjoy writing whatever my heart desires and whenever my heart desires. Singing is also a large part of my life, consuming a quite a bit of time every day. I don't now myself without singing. In addition, traveling is no stranger to me. I love to go places and enjoy myself in the company of others. What makes the traveling all the more memorable is when it become a journey.

A journey knows no distance. Wherever you've traveled to, be it a foreign country thousands of miles away or the local park in a neighboring city, how you arrived at such place was your journey. A journey is not defined by its distance or destination but rather by the path itself and the subsequent revelations and realizations.

Traveling is often considered a journey a person undergoes in order to arrive at a desired place or location. I've traveled quite a bit here and there.  Listed below are 10 locations to which I've travelled to by different means of transportation:

1. Aibonito, PR
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Anaheim, CA
4. Orlando, FL
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina
6. Santiago, Chile
7. Miami, FL
8. San Diego, FL
9. Barceloneta, PR
10. Kissimmee, FL

Amongst the places listed above, Kissimmee, Florida would have to be the most memorable place I've traveled to. To be more specific, my family and I stayed in Give Kids the World Village as part of a wish trip granted to me by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This trip took place back in August 2011.  We took a plane to Orlando, FL and were then greeted by Give Kids the World volunteers. Volunteers in that place are also names Angels. It was a week-long vacation and we visited the Disney World Parks plus the Universal Orlando Resort. The village itself contains many fairy-tale-like qualities that automatically immerse any family that stays there.  I could not be more thankful for the wonderful moments and memories I made with my family there. The experience was truly magical, one I never thought I'd go through. The journey to Kissimmee, Florida, both the actual traveling and the reasons behind going there, was definitely one to remember. 

Provided is a weblink to GKTW: http://gktw.org